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Dave and Michele Mahon
August 2026
Misison in Uruguay
Dear Friends,
Thank you for praying last time for the ministry here in Peru. Some of you have asked for more information on the election so we have shared further updates. Thankfully the political situation has stabilised somewhat under the new President, Keiko Fujimori.
This month I had the opportunity to visit members of the Baptist Convention in Uruguay and attend their Missions Conference from 21-22 August.
I arrived at Montevideo Airport at 4 a.m. on Friday, where Brother Andres warmly welcomed me and took me to my hotel. During our journey I was struck by a number of contrasts, firstly the landscape. The scenery did look like a Latin American country, yet the roads reminded me more like country in Europe. The greenery of the trees and fields were a striking change from the grey, arid desert dust of my home in Trujillo. The temperature was also a shock to my body. The day before, having left the mild Peruvian winter on the west coast, where it was around 25 degrees; now I needed a winter coat and woolly hat! To help with the damp windy cold, I was soon introduced to a hot herbal tea widely enjoyed there. Here is a photo of Brother Andres and me drinking mate, pronounced “may-tay.”
Later that afternoon, Alejandra Ferreira, the Director for Mission and Evangelism, invited me to meet with the Directorate of the Convention of Uruguay for a time of reflection and discussion. We considered:
• ministry and mission within the Baptist churches in Peru and Uruguay;
• shared opportunities and challenges for churches in both countries;
• ways we might continue to pray for and practically support each other.
Please pray for them. Pastor Raúl Mattinez, President of the convention commented that officially they have 70 registered churches. They do feel they are smaller in numbers and resources comparted to the Baptists in Brazil, Argentina and Peru. Since the pandemic, churches have suffered and now numbers a lower - now around 60. A few of the churches are in pastoral vacancy and there is a shortage of ministers.The Baptist Theological Seminary in Uruguay closed their building, however they are faithfully teaching students online. They are requesting prayers that students would continue to learn effectively and for more people with a ministry call to join.
Saturday was the day of the Missions Conference, where Pastor Roberto Warton from Argentina served as the keynote speaker. He taught on the importance of the local church in mission. In the morning session, I preached on our dependence on God in the work of mission. In the afternoon, Alejandra and her team reported on their short-term mission trip to the Afro-Bolivian community. The team travelled for the fifth time, to the mountains of Bolivia to provide medical care, pastoral support and Bible teaching. This was so encouraging; to see a team of professionals using their skills and annual leave to dive into overseas mission.
(Photo of Alejandra Ferreira above)
The people were extremely hospitable and welcoming to me. I enjoyed some sightseeing, visiting the Rambla of Montevideo, the longest seafront boulevard in the world, whilst eating a local snack called Cachanga, a type of crispy flatbread.
Overall, Alejandria encouraged us to reimagine our churches becoming more missional. She asked for prayers for the Peruvian Mission Department to discern how they can practically respond to this. Would you join us in prayer?
With every blessing,
