Reflejo Update: Hope Blossoms In Peru
Executive Director Mark Mueller and Latin America Consultant Doug Nielson visit with a DBS participant who is a member of a group for mothers.
In the hard neighborhoods surrounding Comas, Perú — where extortion, prostitution, and drug trafficking shape daily life — children grow up with few role models and even fewer opportunities. When two 11-year-olds were asked, “What do you do for fun?” their answer was heartbreaking: “Breaking into houses and stealing.”
Into this reality, the Reflejo team has stepped with the hope of Christ.
In late 2023, Reflejo staff member Jessica began a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) group with 17 mothers from a local school. DBS is a simple, Spirit-led approach to evangelism and discipleship built around reading Scripture, asking questions, and obeying what God reveals. Within weeks, 13 of these mothers placed their faith in Christ. Their lives changed — and they immediately began sharing the gospel in nearby public schools. To everyone’s surprise, doors opened.
Today, this work has expanded to eight schools in the Comas area, with DBS groups for both parents and students. God is using this simple, reproducible method to transform families and entire school communities.
In late May, The Outreach Foundation’s Executive Director Mark Mueller and Latin America Consultant Doug Nielson traveled to Perú to visit Jessica, her son Ayrton, and the rest of the DBS team. They returned deeply encouraged by what God is doing.
Mark and Doug had the opportunity to visit with the principal and staff of a preschool. Children and their mothers can participate in a DBS program there.
One morning they visited El Álamo Primary School, where Principal Abel Rosario oversees 600 students in a split-shift schedule. Textbooks, technology, and supplies are scarce or outdated, yet he is profoundly grateful for the support the DBS team provides — from book bags for children to the spiritual transformation he sees in families. He told us that DBS groups have led to higher attendance, better behavior, and less violence among students.
Mark and Doug also joined a high school leadership DBS group, where students played games, discussed the story of Jonathan and David, and asked thoughtful questions about how to be faithful friends in a difficult environment. Their enthusiasm for growing in faith — and sharing it with their peers — was unmistakable.
Another day, the team traveled winding dirt roads up to Puente Piedra to visit the Pronoei preschool, where principal and DBS volunteer Karen Oyola and her staff serve 40 children ages 3–6 with minimal government funding. Toys and equipment are scarce, but the children receive abundant love. Teachers even visit homes to help mothers learn basic hygiene and health practices. A DBS group for these mothers is bringing the hope of Jesus into homes facing deep challenges.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts of any size to support the work of Reflejo’s Discovery Bible Study team in Perú and potentially expand to Argentina, Venezuela and Colombia. You may send a check to the address below with “Reflejo” in the memo line or give on our website: www.theoutreachfoundation.org.
