In the 1970’s my father started a Bible school in the city of Huancayo, Peru. It turned into Bethel Bible Institute. One of the students was Julio Rojas Flores.
In the 1980’s the Shining Path terrorist were attacking the area were Julio lived. He and his family had to flee, because they didn’t want to join the terrorist movement. When Julio came to us at the Bible Institute asking for advice on how to proceed, it was not easy. I don’t remember all the details but for some reason Julio had to go back. We all gathered around him to pray. I felt like we were telling Julio, “Go back and die!” because we knew he would not join the terrorists and they would probably kill him. That was the first time I heard Dad cry. It was a desperate and loud cry because of the plight of a brother in Christ!
Years later, when there was no more threats from the terrorists, Julio returned to pastor a church in Ayacucho. He is still working tirelessly there. I see his posts on Facebook about the different villages he visits teaching the Word.
This morning I got the most heart-warming surprise I’ve had in a long time. Julio has made a video in memory of my father, Pedro Anderas as he was known in Peru.
Such a treasure, to remember the man whose only desire was to serve others. In the video my father mentions the Bible verse that moved him to do just that.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10
The video is in Spanish and the Kichua language and has some of the typical music for the area in the Andes Mountains where Julio ministers.
Video in memory of Missionary Pedro Anderas
Per Anderas as a young missionary doing what he loved most,
teaching God’s Word
My father’s motto for the Bible Institute was to prepare servants. Young people would come and ask what kind of diploma they would get. “You will graduate as a servant of Christ,” would be the answer they got.
The first graduating class chose as the name DOULOS as their theme. Doulos is a Greek word that means slave, bondman, servant.
I am so glad that I chosen SERVE AND OBEY as my theme for this year. I was reminded today of the heritage that Dad left me. He was a servant, whose greatest desire was to do good. In the above video he was 86 years of age. He told the people that in Sweden when they reach retirement age they don’t work anymore. “But I can’t do that,” he said. As long as he had strength, Dad wanted to continue serving the people God had called him to.
My mother had a missionary calling since childhood, but she didn’t want to be a missionary. When she met Dad she was excited because she was sure he would not be a missionary. But every morning when Dad had his prayer time, he would see a map of South America before him, and he understood what it meant.
One day, Mom asked him if he had thought about being a pastor, because for her that could compensate for not following a missionary calling. “No,” said Dad, “but God has called me to be a missionary.” That settled it.
They had fifty and a few more years together, and their life was devoted to serving others. I will be sharing stories about their missionary life of service in the coming days.
Just as they obeyed the calling to serve God, I want to come to the age of 86 and say the same thing as Dad: “Others stop working, but I can’t do that!” As long as there is breath, I want to serve Jesus!
May you have some heart-warming surprise! Blessings by the bushels! Have a wonderful day!
Kerstin Lundquist's Blog 