Two Halfs in Peru

Old Cafe, new cafe, busy pastor

2010-08-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

Thought I would use this post to tell you about the two churches in Arequipa. Pastor Efrain is the pastor serving these TWO (count them! bodies of believers) in Arequipa. Currently he is overseeing the church in Arequipa and the outreach church up on El Mirador. The church in Arequipa is in a house we all worked on that has been converted to a cafe and church. It is now in a less crowded section of the city and I understand it is not generating quite as much income yet for the workers there as their previous location. Pastor Efrain has asked for prayers for them.

Here are some photos of the new cafe/coffee shop/church building/missionary dwellings :)

Here is the way it looked when we were there :)

The church up on El Mirador is currently meeting in a woman's home. They were without bibles, paper, basic supplies for the children when we were there. We left them with some funding for such supplies, and here you see a child coloring :)

The space for the church on El Mirador is very small. The dusty pictures you see in previous posts are of the church building they are working on. God willing, they will have a location to provide many different services to the residents of El Mirador. Should God allow it, this is where I will visit again. As beautiful as the city of Arequipa was and as fancy and otherwordly as Lima was, my heart is truly with the folks in El Mirador. I pray each day for their safety and their knowing Jesus Christ as Savior.

Pastor Efrain is kept very busy serving the Lord in this capacity. That is him in the brown shirt. Here is the space for the new church in El Mirador, God willing. It was a heartbreaking time for us on that hill. I know God will continue to use the visions and the heart He has given me while I was working there in days to come. My prayers for this building and the "social work" as Pastor Efrain calls it to the children and adults of this community.

Here is a picture of the plans for the space. Can you believe he estimated the total cost to be somewhere around $12,000? Seems so small compared to what we spend here in America!

His heart was eager to invite all of us back to come and stay at the new cafe apartment. There is plenty of room he promises!
Here is a photo of him with the adult leaders of our team at his home where we were served breakfast by he and his wife Dorcas. Their younger daughter Naydie was sick that morning. Come to find out she had Hepatitis A and is now recovering from that. They also have an older daughter Stephanie (nice name, huh?)

Here is a photo of some girls from our team folding bulletins in the apartment you could stay in should you want to serve as a missionary in Arequipa~it's a possiblity! Pray about it!

Who's going? :)

Evangelism

2010-08-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

From Greg Laurie's devotional Monday...
"My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them."
— Romans 9:2–3

The apostle Paul had something essential for effective evangelism: a God-given burden for those who did not know Jesus Christ. In his case, the burden was for his own people, the Jews. He cared. It burned inside him.

General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, once said that his desire, had it been possible, would be to dangle his evangelism trainees over hell for 24 hours. That way, they could see the reality that awaits those who do not know Jesus Christ.

That wouldn't have been necessary for Paul, who spoke of his love and burning passion for unbelievers. I think it is there for us in Scripture so that we don't become so obsessed with our own struggles and spiritual growth that we forget about people who need to know Christ.

I think Paul makes an amazing statement in Romans 9 when he says, in essence, "If it were possible, I would give up my hope of eternal life so that others who do not know could come to faith." That's a pretty dramatic statement.
As believers, you and I have a responsibility to those outside the church—those outside the faith. If God's love is really working in our lives, it should motivate us to do something for Him.

Do you have a God-given burden for those who do not know Jesus Christ? If you don't, do you want one?

If you pray that God will give you this burden, then be careful. The results could be life-changing. You just may be surprised at how quickly He answers you.

- Wow! That statement from Romans 9 has left me speechless today in light of the burden for Arequipa God has put on my heart.

Translators, 8 of them from Peru. Once fellow workers, now brothers and sisters in Christ!

2010-07-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

We miss you all! Thanks for the example of true fellowship...

Ecclesiates 4:12
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken

"That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself."
Colossians 2:2

"What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
1 John 1:3,7

"I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me."
John 17:23

"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."
Galatians 6:2,10

The teenagers, a ton of them, in all shapes, maturity levels and full of love!

2010-07-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

I was so incredibly humbled to be around 14 teenagers who's dedication to the things of God far outweighed my own. How amazing to see the future wrapped in the grace of God. Who says what's the world coming to? I think it's going to be incredibly blessed to have such examples...I miss all of you!

Don't you agree this verse so speaks of our time in Arequipa...

Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
The LORD is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
The LORD is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.
Psalm 145:7-9

The Children...

2010-07-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

Some shots of children who prayed to accept the invitation for eternal life...their interest was caught by a bunch of American teens doing a skit, but they will be forever with a savior...

"Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear...
But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it.
He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
~Mt. 13

Adam and I heard the scripture when considering international missions, this is the way, walk in it.

What if we hadn't listened? What if the noise of idols was so deafening we missed the call? What if we had thought more of the we can'ts than the HE CANs? I'm so thankful for the providence of God that led us to make this trip. For the eye opening wonders we've seen. Even thankful for the longing to go back, but to be here doing dishes and laundry and wondering what else to do with the day...I miss our friends there. It seems so silly to sit in luxury here...but I'm listening for what's next...

Home??

2010-07-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

Where is home now I wonder. It is obviously here in Virginia, but to leave Peru, such strange and incredible things are happening in my heart this am. Helping the girls to clean their rooms and doing laundry, I've found enough money here to buy Carmen and her family dinner and bibles for the children in the mock Sun. school room in El Mirador.
It's so heartbreaking the things we allow to compete for our attention. There are so many videos on the shelf of the girls room.
I got mad whem I asked Casey to spend time reading her bible this am and she didn't even know where it was. There were tons of toys though, kwim?
I have a feeling this is the first wave of many that washes over my heart as I attempt to adjust to the "altitude sickness" spiritually here. We have so much.
Even turning on the faucet and washing the lettuce wasn't okay in Arequipa, yet Brad did it without blinking an eye.
How many times do we pass one who so badly needs to hear they can be cleansed of sin and stand before a holy and just God and not even notice.
The Food Lion teller, the bank clerk. Our friends? Family?

Obviously this trip has changed my life. It's rooted deep in my heart the longing that God has to develop real relationship with us. Not a religious experience, but relationship. That's what gospel we spread to the Catholic lost in Arequipa. THose who "knew" Jesus as the man in the picture but not the savior who paid a great price for His beloved.

I have tons of pictures, each with different stories. As my heart pours out, I pray that anyone reading be pointed more to God and less to me. They are my stories, but it is the work of God in us, manifest to prove He is who He says He is.

I am thrilled to see the girls and Brad and my heart aches to be back in Arequipa. We met a missionary Shane who says he really doesn't know where home is.
I totally understand.

Frio

2010-07-20T05:12:00.000-07:00

Buenos Dias.
It is cold here. We are working pretty much all day and at night we have this share time when we all come together. The tile floor is very cold and when we go to bed and wake up, the water in the shower is mucho frio.

I am sitting at the computer in a chullo = Peruvian hat. Sweatpants and sweatshirt someone bought me from a street vendor (we did not pack warm enough clothes).

Sunday our leader Mike was tasked with giving the sermon for the first church service for the church in Arequipa in their new building. It was fantastic!!!

It was hard work but it all disappeared when we worshipped together, some en espanol, some in english, in a renovated house that will be their church. Very cool.

The kids are all expressing what God has been teaching them. Quite a bit about boldness. We have visited two parks in two days witnessing God´s changing of hearts at both. They both were a bit scary but for diff. reasons. One was physically scary in that it was very very crowded and not the safest spot. I was nervous for the kids so decided to sit with all of our bags. They tell us someone could run by and grab something so it´s a tough job :) You know I have to be ready to go off on someone...haha. I will say, hey give me that, your mom will be mad at you right?? Then they´ll just hand it back to me...that´s a joke.
Anyway, there is a guy with us too but on with the story. BTW, there are quite a few men here with us that are doing a great job of policing the border each time we go out. Many many times I have felt unsafe and turn and there is one of them, watching me, smiling, remembering I can continue.
So as I was standing there a man I´d met earlier at the church, an usher, greeter I guess? he was giving me a look to join him. He was witnessing to two teenagers. We began to talk to them about the world being here (hand motion) and God being here (far away) the bridge between both broken because of blackness. The only way the world could move to God was Christ. It was cool to be a part of and we prayed together.
Yesterday we went to another park and were setting up. I had a bad feeling the skit would not go well for some reason. We were directly in the plaza of a catholic church. The doors of the church were open and I felt we were (brazen? I don´t know) to be doing the skit there...anyway. It didn´t happen, a security guard spoke to Mike and so we "just" ended up handing out tracts and spoke to people about Jesus.
I don´t even know how many came to Christ, at least three that I heard of and manymany seeds were planted. Thank God for His providence. We almost brought the kids home right after lunch because everyone was getting really tired after visiting three schools with manymany hands grabbing balloons, and get this, asking for us to sign their schoolnotebooks. So instead of signing my name, Itook the oppt to have each one I was asked (at least 50) to learn and repeat God loves me. How fun that was. The children were so eager to say hello.
Not only out there, but in here, God is doing great things. I know you all love pics, I would, so I will try to get some up, they take so long to do, but it is fun to see them. It gives you eyes too of what is up here.
I pray for you reading today, mom, Katie, other parents, strangers = well, friends of the kids here...
I pray you not take for granted your warm shower this am. That your hot eggs or your warm bed or your refrigerator or your car or your lack of...distract you from the wonder of our mighty, mighty God. That today you determine in your heart to be perservering in trial. To be patient in affliction, that you look for what God is teaching through it.
Romans 5, 2 Cor 11 at the end I think, my bible is in my room with Rachel who is getting much needed sleep. Paul was beaten, shipwrecked, and still his love for Christ compelled him. I thank God for that lesson this frio, frio, am.
ANd guess what, in about five hours, the sun that is so close you can almost touch it will be faithful to warm the whole earth to testify of who He is.

Eschuce? (Are you listening?)

2010-07-18T04:26:00.000-07:00

Buenas Dias. Good morning.
Praise God, yesterday two souls were saved. I was able to begin conversation about Jesus with our bus driver up on the way to El Mirador. The poor section in the pics. He had a medallion of Jesus hanging in his window. I was tired already, much activity, and loooking forward to a bit of rest before facing the conditions there that was not God´s plan.
I asked if he knew Jesus. Everyone here knows Jesus. But I continued to speak, and ask if he KNEW Jesus.
As a savior. If God has come into his heart and become his.
He explained he had sinned so much he could never be like that with God because of it.
We (Franko = master interpreter and mi hermano in Cristos= my brother in Christ)
explained the gospel = to a bus driver in Peru. On the crazy streets with him driving us all to the place that will haunt me forever he said yes, he would like to pray to accept Jesus.
As Franko and he were praying I felt God´s compelling me to turn around,
a woman young woman was listening to me. I aksed her "eschuche". Now guys, my Spanish is rusty, though praise God coming back quickly.
Anyhow she said YES. I asked if she understood, if she wanted to hear more.
SHE SAID YES!!!
We prayed with her also. They were so happy, so spirit filled with peace, it was an incredible transformation right before my eyes.
so incredibly easy it seems now, to being conversation back home, if I can here on the bus in the midst of = well, Arequipa´s conditions.

The rest of the day was spent on the children´s balloon skit event. I´d heard of those before, but wow. They really are like something otherwordly for these kids. A few ballooons, speakers, songs, and drama. Vacation bible school stuff. They were completely absorbed.
It was soo hard. The boy in the photo below, the one with the hip.
He was there. crying.
Laying on the ground at times.
I couldn´t stand it any longer. I moved from where I was to him and pulled up his pants, distracted him and attempted to love him as best I could.
It was EXTREMEly diff. for me.
Pastor Efrain said that was the most children he´d seen there. There were over 100. They were so excited.
Not as dirty or sad as I thought, but I think I´m getting "used" to it. I actually WANT to kiss them and hold them close, not just mercy for them. Know what I mean? Praise God for changing our hearts here.

THEN we went to a building they are renovationg. Exactly like our Common Ground. Hopes for a coffee shop and their church in Arequipa and housing for any of you to come!!!
The kids rallied and Praise God, amazing. They cleaned and worked and it looks beautiful. I can´t believe they did it.
We are having church this am with them in that building. You wouldn´t have beleived it.
I didn´t get many pics there, there was much to be done.
That video, the one with the boy on the streets of New York. That was me. Only just sitting on a dirty curb, hands held out in praise to God thanking Him for what He has done. Incredible worship time.
THEN we went to the current coffee house to encurage the current church here. They were hosting a youth pizza party and concert. Picture a rock band, Peruvians, and pizza, and our kids. It was great. I talked with sooo many, they were happy we were there. We prayed with a woman, I saw my friend from El Mirador Carmen, the one who cooked. She was thrilled to introduce me to her husband, and I´d already met her twodaughters. I cannot imagine what the future holds for them as women.
We have had some amazing times here. The kids are sharing what God is doing. Repentance is being confessed by them. Appreciation for their parents (praise God for that, right?) Just kidding.
Anyhow, continue to pray.
Please share with your church this am the incredible importance of praying. I wonder if when you pray, God does not put someone in my path to speak to.
For me personally, three souls led to salvation and for our group, I think 5, we are thinking maybe more due to the spreading of seeds.
Today we will worship. God´s day He has given us. I do not think rest falls in. Remember Jesus healing on the sabbath, es possible.
God bless you all at home. We are sometimes so filled with the world, we do not have heart for the world.
Give me your eyes for just one second, give me your eyes so I can see, everything that I keep missing, give me your love for humanity. Give me your heart for the broken hearted, the ones that are far beyond my reach, give me your eyes for just one second, give me your eyes so I can see.
God bless, Stef
ps thank you for the replies. they mean so much. like a hug to continue...

pics from friday

2010-07-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

this is the baby boy we prayed for

there is also a pic of the shed the kids knocked down
and hopefully the kids moving earth, dirty, dirty earth
note the first pic is after, the building is gone, they knocked it down! really!

Hola amigos.

2010-07-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today, Friday right? we have spent the day serving a new church, umm, que dice, how do you say, "plant".
You know the image in your head of the poor part of Lima, or Arequipa, if you know that much about it down here, anyway, the idea in your head, probably not even close.

The word we would use, squalor. But the people there, who live and pee and breathe the dust, home.

hmm. so hard to put into words what I´ve seen. For the parents of the kids at home, your teenagers are amazing. The challenge before us was to knock down basically a small, hm, stone shed? anyway, our tools, pickaxes, shovels, wheelbarrows.

i personally am so out of breath from the altitude, my hands and feet are swollen so much that i cannot get my wedding ring to realy move much. i can type better than this, i promise.

yeah, not complaining, mind you, just informing what´s up. some girls are sick, loosing voices, weak type stuff but other than pastor efrain for more on him search calvary chapel lima and see what comes up
anyhow, he is orchestrating a major move to the, my words, city church, and also the major deconstruction-construction of a new church in the pooorer mountain section.
i will try to post pics, incredibly heartbreaking conditions.
so the team did that today and are all now changing.

again, sorry for the grammar, my hands are like putty,
while they were getting instructions, i noticed a lasy and her two year old, we thought girl, standing watching. i was able to eventually share my testimony with her and why that has compelled me to be of use to God in this way. With tears in my eyes and complete attention from her i asked if she knew Jesus. we were able to share the gospel with her mariel and myself) with tears and laughter.
it was really and truly a work of the Lord.
i asked if we could pray for her, she said yes, she wanted prayer for her son and his hip being born prematurely. i told her we know God can work miracles and could i lay hands on her, the interpreter and myself explaining what that means.
she said yes!!!!
we did and told her of the church being built across the street.

As if that weren´t enough, i was asked when i befriended one of the ladies at the church if i could help in anyway. she said can i cook.
Amen, I know how to make spaghetti, that was what was for lunch.
not quite what we experience on a daily basis ladies let me tell you.
i cannot imagine cooking at her home every day. it was very special for her to invite me there and we became fast friends.
really, you need to see the pictures.
someone please be sure CC lburg and wmsburg and richmond and hatteras know about this site . i hope to get technology to work so you can see a few photos.
i hope to include the pictures of the construction, now this is major earth moving type construction, not painting a wall, the kids are filthy but well rewarded

pray for miracles here if anyone is reading this. if you are, actually, reply here so i can see im not writing a journal to myself lol it would be great encouragement to the kids to hear from you all

this afternoon and evening we are spending in the park the kids are doing skits and we will do some worship. after that! as if today were not full of miracles as it is,
we are going the the city quote un, to do work there to prep for a rock concert christianized lol on Sat. hey, that capital letter worked that time. anyway, grr, please pray for us all, we are being used mightily and today is such an amzing gift. enjoy washing your hands under a faucet, hot coffee (ours was freezing this am)
a potty! milk from a jug, runnign water, electricity, cleanliness, i could go on and on and on

Who wants to come???????
ps yes, it is true, you do not flush the toilet paper, you put it in a trash can next to the potty, nuff said

we´re here

2010-07-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

Excellent, we are safely in Arequipa.

Cannot even tell you how incredible in another world we feel.
We got off the plane (well, the last one) at 7 something this am to an amazing sight, mountains, dirt mountains, a crisp clear day at 44 degrees.

It was chilly for our kids in shorts and sandals

So our hotel is, fantastic, right on the street, we´re supposed to be resting.

Love you all

dulles

2010-07-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

Freaky scare from a middle eastern old dude. I. Like you. Youike me? I'm not in fluvanna anymore. About to board. Miss ya.

Bye!

2010-07-14T06:32:00.000-07:00

The volcano, El Misti, in Arequipa

We're off. Brad's harpin on me to move it.
Love to you all.
Hope to communicate next from lovely Arequipa, Peru high in the Andes mountains.

Pray for safe travels, for me not to loose it (physically and mentally and, well, actually spiritually :)

Thanks to each of you for your support, help, loaning of things, financial giftings, and friendship throughout the prep time.

Pray for the kids who are going to be changed, and for us to actually see people come to Christ. What a blessing that will be!
Adios amigos. Te AMO!!!
Que dios te bendiga!

A training video we watched in Lynchburg...

2010-07-13T08:30:00.001-07:00

during that crazy rain storm that came out of nowhere :)

Joseph's story - from Gospel for Asia's website.

http://www.gfa.org/joseph/?cm_mmc=GFA-_-Email-_-377991-_-100713-digest-14

Focus

2010-07-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

What started it all...remember Adrienne, Sydney, Madeline, Rachel, Geneva, Katie, Mia, Jana...remember watching this at the conference? Absolutely blown away by God's spirit moving in each one of us...? I'm praying for you girls. Maybe we'll all go together somewhere. I'll be praying as you each go to the nursing home Wednesday night when I'm in the air. You'll all be with me :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpVsF4W8V2Y
So cool. I just can't hear that song anymore and not think of this video.

"It's not a vacation. It's a mission trip :)" How many times have I thought that this am?

We've been given direction and have an itinerary and our own goals but it is God who directs our paths. I'm trying to keep the focus clear, we're called to be servants. Hands and feet. Hands and feet. Hands and feet.

My planned outfit for the next 10 days?
"The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."

Eph 6:11 - Eph 6:19
Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.
For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.
In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

From the assigned book we were to read before we left. Warren Wiersbe in On Being a Servant of God...
The man who gives himself to other men can never be a wholly sad man; but no more can he be a man of unclouded gladness.

I expect this trip will be very joyful in many ways. Very exciting and world changing and filled with new sights and sounds. I am also aware that when I come back I will be forever changed. I hope to come back determined not to take for granted the gifts I have here, the preciousness of each day as a present and to be reminded God is at work. Everywhere. Every day in every one of us. Each to our ow own bent and determined course.

Psm 139:16
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

Adios amigos :)
Grace and peace to you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m36OWibR6nk
Check it out, never saw it before this morning - very cool. Looks almost Amazon riverish doesn't it?

Off we go, into the wild blue yonder...

2010-07-13T05:48:00.000-07:00

Good morning. Countdown begins! Are you guys ready for this?

The impact it will have on each of us will be continuing for years I'm sure. What a big step we're taking and I'm sure emotions are all over. Be courageous, be encouraged. God is good!

Brad and Sydney and Casey and Natalie - I will miss you all every moment of every day and will keep you in my thoughts at each and every turn. Take care of each other, loveyou very very much (sob, sob gasp gasp) Mommy

Love you Brad, you be a good daddy while I'm gone and try not to worry about Adam and I so far off. Send me lots of pics on email so I can see your beautiful faces and know you're all okay. I love you, thanks for letting me go. Pray for us :)

DAD! Thanks so much for letting mom and I go! I hope everything goes well at home and that the girls are not that much trouble. I love you!- Adam

Girls, have a great time while I'm gone. I'm soo excited for you to get to go to friends' houses and play. Mrs. Estes said Mr. Phil is gone, so you can even be noisy over there :) Be good for daddy. Share your toys and don't fight, like I know you wouldn't anyway but just a reminder ;) wink wink.
Mommy loves you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much and I am going to miss you very much. I will try to learn to use my computer skills and send you some messages all the way from South America. Wonder how long it would take a mailman to get you a letter from there? He'd have a long walk.
I'll pray for you all each day, you do the same for Adam and I. We will need it. I hope to meet girls just your age and find out what they do for fun and how they help their families so when we come back we can talk all about that. Have daddy look on the blog listings from earlier. I posted some neat stuff on the Nazca lines and Machu Pichu. I got you a library book on that in the pink bag too if you want to read it with dad.
Think the aliens made those Nazca lines? Nah...
I thought of something else, maybe you could check out some stuff online with daddy about the animals in Peru. Go to this link but be careful :) it's all in Spanish. Derecha - left, izquierda - right.
Murcielago - guess what that is? Ewww.
How about a guacano? Very important to people in the Andes mountains, and hey, by the way. Every good homeschooled child should know where they are, so go find them on a map :)
Jirafa - you know what that is, without looking right?

And this, this is what Adam and I are going to EAT...
cuy. Guess what that is? I'm not telling but we are so eating it :)
You won't believe it when you find out...look it up here...
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-12-28-guinea-pigs-lima_N.htm

Home Sweet Home - for the time in Arequipa

2010-07-12T08:45:00.001-07:00

Looks like we'll be in a cozy spot while we're gone. Very excited to be staying in Arequipa for a while, looks like we'll be able to spot Misti or Pichu Pichu (is that Machu's little sister?).

http://www.hostalsantamarta.com/

I thought you'd also like to see some info on the coffee shop that is also the Calvary Chapel Arequipa from what it looks like online, though I'm sure that can't be right:) Sounds quite like what someone would see of Calvary Fluvanna coming from Arequipa. Hey, maybe some Arequipans could come visit us here? How great would that be?

I can't wait to meet the folks there. Sounds as though we'll have quite a large number of interpreters staying with us. We've been warned about one curse word in Spanish not to say. What do you want to bet that's the first thing one of us will blurt out when we get on foreign territory? Let's hope not :)

http://www.cafeberea.com/

Some more kids going with us - will we take up the whole plane???

2010-07-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Peru team...who have I left out? I can't get my mind to jump back to that game the first night where we all stood in a circle and came up with funny hand signals to help us remember each other.

Hoping your packing is going better than mine. I put stuff in the pile to go, and little Natalie comes and takes it into her room to play with it :) Remember, that little hand motion of mine rocking a baby? I'm sure you're packing environment is a bit different than mine.

July 6, Isaiah 35:7 - the My Utmost for His highest devotional entry

2010-07-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

"The parched ground shall become a pool..."

Visions Becoming Reality, Charles Spurgeon

We always have a vision of something before it actually becomes real to us. When we realize that the vision is real, but none yet real in us, Satan comes to us with his temptations, and we are inclined to say that there is no point in even trying to continue. Instead of the vision becoming real to us, we have entered into a valley of humiliation.

Life is not idel ore, Bur iron dug from central gloom, And battered by the shocks of doom, to shape and use.

God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God given vision will become real if we will only have patience.

Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the relity of the vision. Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor's hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.
The vision that God has for us is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. But don't lose heart in the process. If you have ever had a vision from God, you may try as you will to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never allow it.

Thanks for praying with compassion for Adam and I to be changed on this trip. For our eyes to be enlightened to God's heart for the world. For our eyes to be off of ourselves and only onto Him and His purposes. For distraction and timelines and messes and "things" of the world to fade and for us to come closer and closer to His face.

For the parched ground to become a pool.

Just for info...the first picture here is of a shot of the spider, one of the images of the Nazca lines. A bunch of stuff drawn in the dirt. Kinda.
Here's a link that does a better job than I could to describe...
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/solving-history-nazca-lines/
(sorry if the commercial before the video showing is a pain)
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/solving-history-with-olly-steeds-ufos-in-ancient-peru.html
(think the aliens made them?)

The pyramid picture of the lighted water fountain is from a water fountain in the Parque de la Reserva.
The Magic Circuit of the Water Tour is currently the world record holder for the largest fountain complex in the world, consisting of 13 distinct fountains, many of which are interactive. All of the fountains are lighted at night, many with continuously changing color schemes.
The largest fountain in the Park of the Reserve, named "Magic Fountain" (Fuente Mágica) contains a jet which forces water to a height of over 80 m. Additional attractions are the Tunnel Fountain of Surprises (Fuente Túnel de las Sorpresas), a 35 m walk-thru tunnel of water ; the Children's Fountain (Fuente de los Ninos), a walk-in automated fountain; and a tunnel connecting the two sections of the park which contains an exhibition highlighting recent public works projects in Lima. The Fantasia Fountain (Fuente de la Fantasia), site of a regularly-scheduled laser and picture show, is 120 m in length and contains jets that are synchronized to music.

More teenagers! (Oh yeah, and one old guy youth leader)

2010-07-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

Joel, Elizabeth, Madeline, Mike, Leanna, and Nathan.

Still more to come.

Some of the teens going with us.

2010-07-10T09:08:00.001-07:00

Thought my kids would like to see pics of who I'm going to be traveling with.
This is a youth trip, though in all fairness, these guys are mature in spiritual things. Youths only in appetites!

Adam and I have been so blessed by our time with these guys. What fun to be hangin' with a bunch of teens for the next ten days or so. I'm very excited to know each of them.

14 teenagers, from 13 to 19. Three adult men and two women.
Natalia, Matt, Brett, Taylor and Sage.

More to come...

Itinerary...subject to change due to

2010-07-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

A quote from the top of our itinerary...This itinerary subject to change due to flight cancellations, new ministry opportunities, and/or simply the Holy Spirit's leading.

Amen to that.

Wednesday, 14th July
436 pm, depart on flight to Peru!!!
Thursday, 15th July
1250 AM!!!! Arrive in Lima
4 AM!!!! Start check in process for next flight
725 AM~ Arrive in Arequipa

Wow, welcome to the mission field, right folks?

The other days are filled with devotions, outreaches with children, construction, youth outreach, drama, spending time with youth, help in cleaning the church, Sunday morning study, outreach at Parque Selva Alegre (very full on Sunday), outreach to schools (elementary or high school) outreach in the plaza, ministry in the Cafe, possible mini-concert,
outreach to schools, outreach in the plaza, Free day, arrive in Lima Wednesday night, 21st of July, devotions, bible college, water fountain, light park, free time, bus all day? (yikes) and lodging at the bible college. Friday, 23rd July head to airport, flight departs to USA and home to my sweet family.

Spiritual Warfare...

2010-07-10T08:11:00.000-07:00

In the midst of it big time. Ever stepped out on a limb for God? Ever felt like maybe just maybe He may not catch you?

I know practically all will be fine but boy the struggle of not knowing the details, not seeing the end result. Is this really His will or not? Maybe this is all my idea and...

My thoughts are higher than yours He reminds me. My cup runneth over, He tells me.

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord endures forever - - do not abandon the works of your hands. He promises me, Psalm 138:8

Our second weekend training involved a huge storm in which we felt someone was spraying the roof of our meeting room with water. Really, we were like, hey, what's someone doing up there? Because when we went inside to start our devotional and worship time, the sky was clear, the birds were a singin' and all was well. While we were in a storm came through. We had no idea. Katie went out to shut a window to a vehicle that had been left open and came back drenched!

Spiritual implications? We battle against things unseen. Great reminder, God. Sometimes we think we're totally in control of the oppositions around us. Sad to say, folks, we're not. Thank you God you are in control because the battle is against so much more than we know.

The rain deterred us from going to the park to do evangelism as we had our last trip to Lynchburg. The change gave us quiet time instead to seek Him and watch some video of missionaries in far worse predicaments than we could ever dream of facing. Again, great reminder, God. Prayer is crucial.

That morning, we participated one of Mike's team building exercises. It was a tad bit hot and buggy but the fun waited for us just around the bend. It was to practice and exercise faith. Falling off of a picnic table into the arms of our team members. Some of us were larger than others :)
They caught us all, every one of us. Each team member had to fall into the arms of the waiting team members below. We had strict instructions not to bend our knees (or falter) as we'd fall right through. What a tough thing. I so wanted control of how I'd land. Instead I had to totally relax and fall in.

How much more! will God catch us on this trip.
Great reminder, God.

Street witnessing in Lynchburg

2010-07-08T10:29:00.001-07:00

Funny how doing something is a whole lot different than talking about it. We learn lessons in the doing of things, don't we? Practical is always more engaging to me than just the reading about something.

ANYway. I was a tiny bit nervous going to evangelize (share the good news of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection for us personally) with strangers. Not only was the location of Lynchburg totally foreign to me; my biggest issue was that I just wasn't sure what to expect. I was ok with the stranger aspect. I mean, I do strangers ok. No big deal. But...stangers, strange place, being responsible for five teenagers who are about to go out, sharing the gospel, heat, and balloons were all a bit much for this homemaker. Big change from washing a pot in the quiet (well, relatively speaking) kitchen at home. I also wonder about the whole evangelising thing. Like, how are people supposed to really see you care about them in a three minute encounter? Wouldn't it be better to get to know them well first then broach the subject?

Oh me of little faith. We had a blast! and God is good! At first, the park was empty. It was very hot and we went to this little spot where no one was around. Mike decided to take us to a different spot at a lower place in the park and there were a few folks having a picnic but that was it. God knew what He was doing though as right around the corner from where we were parked a ball game was just ending. Kids flocked to the balloons from out of nowhere it seemed. In a very short period each of the teens with us were making all kinds of treats for children and the adults were sharing their faith. One group even got to meet a group from China, I believe, who were here in the US as missionaries (who'da thought we needed missionaries here in the US).

And about that issue I had with getting to know people first. It really! isn't about us. It really isn't. It's all about Christ and His work. Not us and our work. Lesson learned...

Training Weekend One

2010-07-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

We are psyched! We're venturing into the unknown. The land of Lima, Arequippa, Peru South America! Long way baby from Fluvanna County that's for sure.

After an absolutely mind blowing confirmation from God with regards to financing the trip for us, through the amazing obedience of some anonymous saints, we're going to PERU!!!

I stepped out in faith to pursue the trip after taking Sydney and other middle school girls from church to a REACH YOUR WORLD weekend. Little did I know God was preparing my heart to be part of reaching His world in Arequippa and Lima. I was thinking, okay, reach my little world of the culdesac in the lake. I had no idea what the future held as I thought, hmm, maybe Adam would like to go with me there.

After Brad's blessing, much prayer and the providential blessing of finances not being an issue, at all!, even our passport fees were paid, we were through the first hurdle.

Next step: preparation weekend one. Full of anticipation Adam and I headed out to Lynchburg to meet our crew of 18 other folks who were stepping out of America and into the land of Peru in July. The trip had a few goals. Meet the team and build unity between us. Mission trips are hard from what I hear :) and unity is important. We were so blessed. Friday night was just incredible as each person going shared the testimony of God's work in their lives and how He had brought them to this point in time to go on a trip to South America. I was completely blown away by Adam's openness to what God is doing in His life and if the trip ended that night, with my hearing his heart, it would have been worth it.

I had no idea what to expect, going away from the girls for a night and a day. Good training for leaving them for 9 days in July. Really, it was for Brad's benefit. Pray for him as he's going to be hoofin it as a single dad for the time. Sydney and Casey I'm sure will be more than adequate to fill my shoes as chefs and babysitters for Natalie.

Adam was psyched to get out of the house and meet other kids that were going with us.
I was a bit unsure of the whole street witnessing aspect seeing as I'd much rather bake a cake than go up to a stranger, but it's all good.

One team leader, four adult leaders and 14 teenagers all going to Peru July 14. We were blown away by the excitement of all the kids going. Everyone was very happy to be part of such a great opportunity. The youth were absolutely amazing. Each one special in their own way. What a fantastic team! God blessed us with.

The main goal for this first training weekend was getting to know each other, cover the trip with prayer from the onset and find out some details about where we were going and what we'd be doing.

Check, check, and check. Steps accomplished.