Ok so first thing the period button does not work on this keyboard Just so you dont think I have terrible tyoing skills which, however could be possible
Its Thursday morning and the reality is that our time here in Peru is quickly coming to a close The days blend together now and its hard to believe how fast the time has gone There is not enough room on this blog and it would take far too long to explain EVERYTHING that God has done Im confident that someone from the team will be sure to fill you in with stories to make you laugh, cry and go WOW at how God works In the meantime,an update on the family...(I had to copy and paste those periods)
We didnt waste anytime when we stepped through the door of this familys home. The team united together in unity and went straight to work. We started sweeping, cleaning out the rooms, washing clothes and dishes,fixing and reparing fences around the house (the only covered rooms are the bedrooms, everything else is exposed)and even gave the 2 year old boy a bath his firth bath in a long time, possibly ever. If you werent sure what to do, you found something to do! The unity of the team to take root of the word "servants heart" was powerful There was a reason He choose every member on this team. God has gone before us and new the type of servants that were going to be needed that day. The hardest part to shake (Ill speak for myself as I hope to get some individual reactions up before we leave)was the thought of what happens when we leave. In all honesty, we only brought "temporary" relief and a "band-aid" over a bleeding wound. After we spent some time with this family, we realized a harsh reality that their poverty has led them to be unmotivated to do anything. Its clear that poverty brings stress, struggle, mental and pschological challenges however if they dont get motivated...a week from now it will look like it did before we went in on Tuesday. That may seem mean and even, can I say "negative," but its the truth. Which is why we are going back tomorrow morning one last time. One more time to encourage, motivate and challenge them all (the grandmother, mother and 13year old son) with the gospel. The rest we leave in the hope of our God that He will work once we our gone in response to the prayers of both GCMF and you.
We had a great time at the primary and secondary school yesterday, where God used the testimony of one of our team members, to reach a 16 year old girl. PRAISE GOD!! They will be meeting again tomorrow afternoon. Pray that BreAuna, would be able to continue to pour into this young teen. We are told, by the local believers, that reaching the young people is the best way to start making a change here in Aplao. The Catholic religion is taught in the schools, so if we can reach them, by being messangers of the gospel and give them the Truth named Jesus Christ, we pray that God will do the rest. We have another oppurtunity in a school of 200 kids,whose familys apparently live on a "lower" income, to bring the gospel. Pray that through our example they would see the light of Christ and a hope in difficult times.
As we begin to end our last week we are still astonished at how many people we are making contacts with. Our desire is to get these contacts into the hands of the believers that we have met, Alvaro and RosaMarie,(the ones who lead the bible study) so that they can continue contacts once we leave. As well as for any future teams that may find themselves in Aplao, Peru.
FYI...it appears the "period" button works now. :)
I do plan to share with you again before we depart,like Saturday afternoon, so until then...
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Another Unique Oppurtunity
So by this time next Sunday, God will have us on our way home to Peru. Until that time where we look back on what God has done, we will continue to praise Him for what He is doing. Its been a rather unique blessing that God has given to us these past few days.
So for the past couple of days a few members of the team have been in and out of the hospital. DONT WORRY...nothing serious!! Basically here the doctors, dentist etc are all located in the hospital. So our visits have been for some sore stomachs and headaches and cream for the large amounts of bug bites. While some of our team would be bed ridden for a day, God has been working through the nursed and doctors within the hospital. They practically expect us to come in everyday! :) We have developed some unique relationships that we are looking forward to pursuing. In Gods sovereignty its all working and He has provided, what we all consider a rare oppurtunity.
One of the nurses travels twice a day to provide medicine to a family that has been diagnosed with TB. This family is BEYOND poor! They all sleep in one bed, the two younger children are suffering from malnutrition and sickness (the cause of the TB the nurse says) and poor health/living conditions. The older was not there when we arrived, so we are unsure of how well he is dong. They have not washed in weeks and maybe months. They recieve no doctor care outside of the treatment for the TB. The two younger children cant go to school and the mother makes little to NO money. There are flies/bugs EVERYWHERE! (You start to appreciate the less of it we have in the states and reminds you of the Plagues that God brought to Egypt.) The grandmother, cried at the moment we walked into the home. She was overwhelmed to think that people would come and visit the family. Especially, WEALTHY Americans such as us. I dont think its possible to paint a picture for you, nor even put feelings and emotions into words, but the term used is EXTREME poverity.
So its without coincidence that God has brought us into the lives of this family. We cant help but have our hearts broken for them and the need to have hope in a Savior named Jesus Christ. Its clear that, outside of the hope in Christ, they have NOTHING! So this Tuesday, we are going back. We are going back with a great desire to give them hope. We are going to bring back for them blankets, clothes, food anything we can to help them. We are even going to buy some shampoo and soap and offer to bath the two younger children. Please keep this family in your prayers! Its a remarkable oppurtunity and for many of us perhaps a once in a lifetime to bring care, love and compassion to those who are in desperate need.
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me...And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.’"--Matthew 25:37-40
We are looking forward to this afternoon and the fellowship that we will have with Rosa Marie, Alvaro and others at the Bible study over lunch in her home. Just before we do that, an oppurtunity (as I type) has arisen. There is a stage set up on the corner of the street thats apparently used for a local celebration today. We have been invited to present something from that stage. May the gospel of Jesus Christ be preached and nothing less.
As I close, continue to pray for the boldness of our team and strength within our unity to serve the Lord together. Pray for them all individually as well that God would meet there specific needs, desires and passions of the heart. As for me, Tim, I ask for boldness to speak the truth this afternoon at the Bible study. I have been asked to speak there and I want nothing less than for me to decrease and Christ to increase.
I almost forgot...Mrs Janet, our librarian arrives today around noon. :) We cant wait for here addition to the team.
Until we meet again..
"ive Thanks to the Lord, for He Is Good
Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"
So for the past couple of days a few members of the team have been in and out of the hospital. DONT WORRY...nothing serious!! Basically here the doctors, dentist etc are all located in the hospital. So our visits have been for some sore stomachs and headaches and cream for the large amounts of bug bites. While some of our team would be bed ridden for a day, God has been working through the nursed and doctors within the hospital. They practically expect us to come in everyday! :) We have developed some unique relationships that we are looking forward to pursuing. In Gods sovereignty its all working and He has provided, what we all consider a rare oppurtunity.
One of the nurses travels twice a day to provide medicine to a family that has been diagnosed with TB. This family is BEYOND poor! They all sleep in one bed, the two younger children are suffering from malnutrition and sickness (the cause of the TB the nurse says) and poor health/living conditions. The older was not there when we arrived, so we are unsure of how well he is dong. They have not washed in weeks and maybe months. They recieve no doctor care outside of the treatment for the TB. The two younger children cant go to school and the mother makes little to NO money. There are flies/bugs EVERYWHERE! (You start to appreciate the less of it we have in the states and reminds you of the Plagues that God brought to Egypt.) The grandmother, cried at the moment we walked into the home. She was overwhelmed to think that people would come and visit the family. Especially, WEALTHY Americans such as us. I dont think its possible to paint a picture for you, nor even put feelings and emotions into words, but the term used is EXTREME poverity.
So its without coincidence that God has brought us into the lives of this family. We cant help but have our hearts broken for them and the need to have hope in a Savior named Jesus Christ. Its clear that, outside of the hope in Christ, they have NOTHING! So this Tuesday, we are going back. We are going back with a great desire to give them hope. We are going to bring back for them blankets, clothes, food anything we can to help them. We are even going to buy some shampoo and soap and offer to bath the two younger children. Please keep this family in your prayers! Its a remarkable oppurtunity and for many of us perhaps a once in a lifetime to bring care, love and compassion to those who are in desperate need.
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me...And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.’"--Matthew 25:37-40
We are looking forward to this afternoon and the fellowship that we will have with Rosa Marie, Alvaro and others at the Bible study over lunch in her home. Just before we do that, an oppurtunity (as I type) has arisen. There is a stage set up on the corner of the street thats apparently used for a local celebration today. We have been invited to present something from that stage. May the gospel of Jesus Christ be preached and nothing less.
As I close, continue to pray for the boldness of our team and strength within our unity to serve the Lord together. Pray for them all individually as well that God would meet there specific needs, desires and passions of the heart. As for me, Tim, I ask for boldness to speak the truth this afternoon at the Bible study. I have been asked to speak there and I want nothing less than for me to decrease and Christ to increase.
I almost forgot...Mrs Janet, our librarian arrives today around noon. :) We cant wait for here addition to the team.
Until we meet again..
"ive Thanks to the Lord, for He Is Good
Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
God continues to bless us...
So today was a sad day for all as we said goodbye to four of our teammates, Megan, AJ, Morgan and Jennifer this morning. We pray for there safety as they travel home. Each one of them was inavluable assest to our team, none of them are replacable. The will be missed as we continue on here in Peru.
However, as I type this wa are all waiting the arrival of two new additions to the team, Raphie and Celine. We are excited to have them join us and can´t wait to share with them all that God has been doing here in Peru.
Speaking of what God is doing...
For most of us we have been greastly encouraged by the amount of belivers that GOd has led us to in Peru. I think in total we have found 7 or 8 solid belivers in their faith and have been meeting for some time. In particular I want to mention one of last night.
We were blessed with the oppurtunity to be encouraged by a man named Victor and his son Jesus Israel (I´m sure thats the wrong spelling). Victor has been a believer for over 30 years. He shared with us his testimony, songs and live that he has lived following the Lord, last night around the campfire. To say it was powerful would be an understatement. The encouragement for us came to see how this man was being used by God. Throughout his testimony and every song that he shared you could see that Christ was exalted and God magnified.
Last night as well we had the oppurtunity to attend a church servcie, thats right I said a church service. Talk about Gods faithful provision to provide a gathering body of believers amongst a Catholic comununity. For all of us it was a shock to see tha 25-30 gather every tuesday night for this church service. We were all encouraged by their faith and even had oppurtunities to encourage them. (That is something that God is allowing us to do alot of.) We know have a church home to all those that we meet that recieve the Word with great joy and acceptance.
Well the new members of our team, I am told, have just pulled into the bus station. It´s time to greet them with a warm hug and much love. They have been traveling for 2days and 40 plus hours. Until we meet again...
"For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."--Col 1:29
However, as I type this wa are all waiting the arrival of two new additions to the team, Raphie and Celine. We are excited to have them join us and can´t wait to share with them all that God has been doing here in Peru.
Speaking of what God is doing...
For most of us we have been greastly encouraged by the amount of belivers that GOd has led us to in Peru. I think in total we have found 7 or 8 solid belivers in their faith and have been meeting for some time. In particular I want to mention one of last night.
We were blessed with the oppurtunity to be encouraged by a man named Victor and his son Jesus Israel (I´m sure thats the wrong spelling). Victor has been a believer for over 30 years. He shared with us his testimony, songs and live that he has lived following the Lord, last night around the campfire. To say it was powerful would be an understatement. The encouragement for us came to see how this man was being used by God. Throughout his testimony and every song that he shared you could see that Christ was exalted and God magnified.
Last night as well we had the oppurtunity to attend a church servcie, thats right I said a church service. Talk about Gods faithful provision to provide a gathering body of believers amongst a Catholic comununity. For all of us it was a shock to see tha 25-30 gather every tuesday night for this church service. We were all encouraged by their faith and even had oppurtunities to encourage them. (That is something that God is allowing us to do alot of.) We know have a church home to all those that we meet that recieve the Word with great joy and acceptance.
Well the new members of our team, I am told, have just pulled into the bus station. It´s time to greet them with a warm hug and much love. They have been traveling for 2days and 40 plus hours. Until we meet again...
"For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."--Col 1:29
Monday, May 17, 2010
One week down...two to go
I apologize that you have not heard from the team sooner. It has been a busy weekend and difficult to find time to get any of us into the Internet Cafe. I have written here for you individual prayer requests from everyone on our team. Before I get to that here is our weekend in a nutshell...
Friday we had another night in the square at Aplao where we met Rosa Maria. She is a strong believer who holds Bible studies in her home, along with another brother in the faith, every Sunday from 2-4PM. For us as a team, it has been an enouragement when we meet people like Rosa Maria
Saturday, many of us continued to meet with our cantacts throuhgout the moring and afternoon developing relationships further. We were able to attend a "kids" bible study later in the eveniong at La Central led by 3-4 teenagers. We got to play a little soccer with them as well. We are learning that some of the kids at age 5 or 6are better than us at age 20!
Sunday we had half of the team experience a white water rafting trip down the Majes River while the other half spent the morning in Aplao. As someone who was lucky enough to experience the white water rafting...it was incredible!! That afternoon we joined with Rosa Marie in here house for the bible study. Her brother in the faith Aldero, who is very solid in his faith, shared a lesson with us. Rosa Marie has invited us to her home for lunch next week. Pray that we can be an encouragement to her. We also plyed some soccer with the kids outside the stadium. We shared the "Sin Chair" drama with them. We hope within the next two weeks to establish relationships with not only this kids but their family as well. Pray for a group of teenagers, who we understand to be a¨"gang" in the area, as they expressed a desire to meet with us at the Majes River Lodge where we are staying. Incredible how God works, huh?
This morning, with most of the kids back at school it was a slightly slower day. We did visit Jose Rodriquez school to share some songs, skits and the story of Zaccheus with them. We even got to relive our childhood days as we acted like kids with kids! :)
So that´s the weekend in a nutshell. Onto the prayers...
TIM
Whenever I speak, that I would do as one uttering the Word of God; whenever I serve, serve by the strength that God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Christ Jesus; He deserves all the glory and dominion forever and ever. My prayer is that thporugh the relationship I have with the Father, by the power of the Spirit 1 Peter 4:11 becomes a reality.
PETEY
There is a Catholic school where the priest in the area is the principal. These students are being molded to follow only what the priest says. To question these teachings and authority means consequences. The students are very open and friendly, however I fear that the priest would try and break our contacts with them. Please pray that we can continue to grow a bond with them so we can truly have an oppurtunity to minister to them.
ELI
Please pray that I have the boldness when speaking with the people not being able to speak much Spanish. Please pray that we continue to be spiritually equipped with the whole armor of God despite any trials we may face. Pray that our light of Christ continues to shine hard and bright becuase of the two Jehovah witnesses tryint to share as well.
KATIE
Please pray for two ladies at the bakery that we have been meeting with(Elizabeth & Annemarie). They have a Catholic background so please pray that they can have a relationship with our Lord!
BREONNA
Please pray for me as well as all of the other people struggling with the language barrier. It´s very difficult tocommunicate and we have much to say. Pray that we stay strong and encouraged. Also keep Elizabeth and Annemarie in your prayers, that they´ll be able to overcome their Catholic habits and stay strong in their faith.
FRANKIE
Pray that my Spanish gets better, so that I can better communicate to the people of Peru. Pray that my boldness and desire for evangelism is not just in Peru but that it will transcend to my return home. Most importantly, pray that the Lord will draw men to Himself.
MORGAN
I am so happy to be able to come back to Peru a second time. It has taught me each mission trip (even in the same country) is different. I pray that God´s love will fill all you guys and that it would shine through you no matter what you are doing. I pray that no one will feel useless on this trip for each one was handpicked to come. I pray for the energy of the team and that it balances out. I also pray that we start long lasting relationships with the people here. That we get in the houses of the people and share our lives with them. These people are being evangelized to alot, but they need relationships and to see that we care and that we are different. I pray for Ana-Marie and Elizabeth and the bond we started in their bakery in Huancarqui. We are the beginning of something big, even if we don´t see any change. We are the ones to start a good thing here in this place. I love you guys! Pray for safety for when Megs, AJ and I go home!
ALNARDO
Pray that the people can be more receptive to the gospel and lives be changed. Also that the entire team stays united and we don´t let anything come between us. We need alot of prayer to stay strong and not tire as quickly as we have been. Personally pray that my Spanish continues to build and that my throat and body do not become too exhausted. Pray that my health continues to stay in good condition. Alot of the children I have met have been very interested in the dramas we do so prayu that their hearts are changed as they realized what those dramas really mean.
AJ
I pray that the team would find the strength to keep going. I pray that we would all forget about what we expect & let God define our roles here. I pray the people here would cleatly know the true Christ as Savior. I pray that we would have a genuine love for each other and the people here. I pray we have a deep and lasting impact on the youth here. I pray that this trip will make us all love Jesus more and better see what He has in store for us here and in the future.
P.S.--AJ would like his father to know that the plane lands in Miami at 10:30 PM Thursday nigth. They will stay the night at Morgans house and wants to know if you can pick them up from there @ 10 AM Friday morning? He will call you Thursday night or Friday morning.
Gina: hello family! the lord has been giving me many opportunities to minister to the youth here in Aplao there are so many young girls who want to keep in touch with me and ask me for my contact info. Please pray that the Lord grants me with the confidence boldness and the words (language) to incorporate the Gospel while talking to these girls. that the Lord would grant me inspiration and allow me to be extremely sensitive to his spirit there are some people here you can pray for
Elda- 10 yr old she was attached to my hip she is catholic. when we set a time to meet she couldn´t make it.
Ibily- about 4 catholic as well, she is deeply involved in the pop culture and focuses on beauty and looks
Angela 14-15 catholic girl
Maria- a woman who we met by divine appt. in Aplao she is a believer along with her brother
Alvaro- HE will be moving to aplao to preach the Gospel and minister here Pray that the Lord would continue to allow us side by side while we´re here Also pray for team unity, endurance thatI keep my focus on Christ and HIS will pray that i would be drastically changed by this mission that i would not return the same and also that everything i do glorifies the Christ here ans always ALSO pray that Julio would come to know Christ
Megan This has been an amazing experience I pray thatthe experiences and convictions I have learned here would continue to follow me home I praise God for His softening of myheart during this trip and pray HE would continue to be my everything when I go home I want to continue to rely on Him alone and be sensitive to His Spirit at all times I need the boldness and words to speak about Christ There are some of the people Ive met and would like to keep in our prayersthey are
Elizabeth- (catholic) She practices religion bc of habit and tradition we gave her a bible I pray the word of God would pierce her heart and would forever change her life
Ana-Marie - (catholic) She has amazing hard work and dedication to her bakery that convicted myheart so much she taught me alot - she was so joyful yet worked so hard I pray she would also read her Bible And find truth I pray God would use her life to impact the kingdom of Heaven
Elizabeths Nephew- That he would read the Bible and find Gods truth and would then be an impact to the young people in Peru.
I pray my heart would be always centered on Christ.
Daniel- My request is that you would pray forthe believers that we have beenblessed to meet here in Peru The extent of the work of the gospel physically emotionally and soiritually is revealed through our interaction with the very few believers in this valley. Our hearts break for these believers as they describe the difficulty and oppression faced here, As I am writing this we are talking with a believer we were just introduced to. The mercy that God had on Him to open His eyes is beautiful. Please pray for him (Gabriel) his wife (Olga) Alvaro, Julio.
Until next time..."how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news" Romans 10:15
Friday we had another night in the square at Aplao where we met Rosa Maria. She is a strong believer who holds Bible studies in her home, along with another brother in the faith, every Sunday from 2-4PM. For us as a team, it has been an enouragement when we meet people like Rosa Maria
Saturday, many of us continued to meet with our cantacts throuhgout the moring and afternoon developing relationships further. We were able to attend a "kids" bible study later in the eveniong at La Central led by 3-4 teenagers. We got to play a little soccer with them as well. We are learning that some of the kids at age 5 or 6are better than us at age 20!
Sunday we had half of the team experience a white water rafting trip down the Majes River while the other half spent the morning in Aplao. As someone who was lucky enough to experience the white water rafting...it was incredible!! That afternoon we joined with Rosa Marie in here house for the bible study. Her brother in the faith Aldero, who is very solid in his faith, shared a lesson with us. Rosa Marie has invited us to her home for lunch next week. Pray that we can be an encouragement to her. We also plyed some soccer with the kids outside the stadium. We shared the "Sin Chair" drama with them. We hope within the next two weeks to establish relationships with not only this kids but their family as well. Pray for a group of teenagers, who we understand to be a¨"gang" in the area, as they expressed a desire to meet with us at the Majes River Lodge where we are staying. Incredible how God works, huh?
This morning, with most of the kids back at school it was a slightly slower day. We did visit Jose Rodriquez school to share some songs, skits and the story of Zaccheus with them. We even got to relive our childhood days as we acted like kids with kids! :)
So that´s the weekend in a nutshell. Onto the prayers...
TIM
Whenever I speak, that I would do as one uttering the Word of God; whenever I serve, serve by the strength that God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Christ Jesus; He deserves all the glory and dominion forever and ever. My prayer is that thporugh the relationship I have with the Father, by the power of the Spirit 1 Peter 4:11 becomes a reality.
PETEY
There is a Catholic school where the priest in the area is the principal. These students are being molded to follow only what the priest says. To question these teachings and authority means consequences. The students are very open and friendly, however I fear that the priest would try and break our contacts with them. Please pray that we can continue to grow a bond with them so we can truly have an oppurtunity to minister to them.
ELI
Please pray that I have the boldness when speaking with the people not being able to speak much Spanish. Please pray that we continue to be spiritually equipped with the whole armor of God despite any trials we may face. Pray that our light of Christ continues to shine hard and bright becuase of the two Jehovah witnesses tryint to share as well.
KATIE
Please pray for two ladies at the bakery that we have been meeting with(Elizabeth & Annemarie). They have a Catholic background so please pray that they can have a relationship with our Lord!
BREONNA
Please pray for me as well as all of the other people struggling with the language barrier. It´s very difficult tocommunicate and we have much to say. Pray that we stay strong and encouraged. Also keep Elizabeth and Annemarie in your prayers, that they´ll be able to overcome their Catholic habits and stay strong in their faith.
FRANKIE
Pray that my Spanish gets better, so that I can better communicate to the people of Peru. Pray that my boldness and desire for evangelism is not just in Peru but that it will transcend to my return home. Most importantly, pray that the Lord will draw men to Himself.
MORGAN
I am so happy to be able to come back to Peru a second time. It has taught me each mission trip (even in the same country) is different. I pray that God´s love will fill all you guys and that it would shine through you no matter what you are doing. I pray that no one will feel useless on this trip for each one was handpicked to come. I pray for the energy of the team and that it balances out. I also pray that we start long lasting relationships with the people here. That we get in the houses of the people and share our lives with them. These people are being evangelized to alot, but they need relationships and to see that we care and that we are different. I pray for Ana-Marie and Elizabeth and the bond we started in their bakery in Huancarqui. We are the beginning of something big, even if we don´t see any change. We are the ones to start a good thing here in this place. I love you guys! Pray for safety for when Megs, AJ and I go home!
ALNARDO
Pray that the people can be more receptive to the gospel and lives be changed. Also that the entire team stays united and we don´t let anything come between us. We need alot of prayer to stay strong and not tire as quickly as we have been. Personally pray that my Spanish continues to build and that my throat and body do not become too exhausted. Pray that my health continues to stay in good condition. Alot of the children I have met have been very interested in the dramas we do so prayu that their hearts are changed as they realized what those dramas really mean.
AJ
I pray that the team would find the strength to keep going. I pray that we would all forget about what we expect & let God define our roles here. I pray the people here would cleatly know the true Christ as Savior. I pray that we would have a genuine love for each other and the people here. I pray we have a deep and lasting impact on the youth here. I pray that this trip will make us all love Jesus more and better see what He has in store for us here and in the future.
P.S.--AJ would like his father to know that the plane lands in Miami at 10:30 PM Thursday nigth. They will stay the night at Morgans house and wants to know if you can pick them up from there @ 10 AM Friday morning? He will call you Thursday night or Friday morning.
Gina: hello family! the lord has been giving me many opportunities to minister to the youth here in Aplao there are so many young girls who want to keep in touch with me and ask me for my contact info. Please pray that the Lord grants me with the confidence boldness and the words (language) to incorporate the Gospel while talking to these girls. that the Lord would grant me inspiration and allow me to be extremely sensitive to his spirit there are some people here you can pray for
Elda- 10 yr old she was attached to my hip she is catholic. when we set a time to meet she couldn´t make it.
Ibily- about 4 catholic as well, she is deeply involved in the pop culture and focuses on beauty and looks
Angela 14-15 catholic girl
Maria- a woman who we met by divine appt. in Aplao she is a believer along with her brother
Alvaro- HE will be moving to aplao to preach the Gospel and minister here Pray that the Lord would continue to allow us side by side while we´re here Also pray for team unity, endurance thatI keep my focus on Christ and HIS will pray that i would be drastically changed by this mission that i would not return the same and also that everything i do glorifies the Christ here ans always ALSO pray that Julio would come to know Christ
Megan This has been an amazing experience I pray thatthe experiences and convictions I have learned here would continue to follow me home I praise God for His softening of myheart during this trip and pray HE would continue to be my everything when I go home I want to continue to rely on Him alone and be sensitive to His Spirit at all times I need the boldness and words to speak about Christ There are some of the people Ive met and would like to keep in our prayersthey are
Elizabeth- (catholic) She practices religion bc of habit and tradition we gave her a bible I pray the word of God would pierce her heart and would forever change her life
Ana-Marie - (catholic) She has amazing hard work and dedication to her bakery that convicted myheart so much she taught me alot - she was so joyful yet worked so hard I pray she would also read her Bible And find truth I pray God would use her life to impact the kingdom of Heaven
Elizabeths Nephew- That he would read the Bible and find Gods truth and would then be an impact to the young people in Peru.
I pray my heart would be always centered on Christ.
Daniel- My request is that you would pray forthe believers that we have beenblessed to meet here in Peru The extent of the work of the gospel physically emotionally and soiritually is revealed through our interaction with the very few believers in this valley. Our hearts break for these believers as they describe the difficulty and oppression faced here, As I am writing this we are talking with a believer we were just introduced to. The mercy that God had on Him to open His eyes is beautiful. Please pray for him (Gabriel) his wife (Olga) Alvaro, Julio.
Until next time..."how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news" Romans 10:15
Friday, May 14, 2010
Buenos Tardes!!
We can´t believe that it is already Friday here in Peru. We are all growing attached to the towns of Aploa and Huancarqui here in the valley of the mountains. We can already tell that for some of us, if not all by the end of the trip, it´s going to be difficult if not impossible to leave. God is leaving a great love for this special place within Peru in all of our hearts. If you want some funny stories, be sure to ask any one of the team members, when they get back, about which Spanish words that have mistaken.
Praise God for your prayers becuase last night we saw God at work in the square of Huancarqui (I figured out how to spell that). We were able to share songs with them in both Spanish and English. Actually, they preferred to hear us sing in English, imagine that. Praise God for their talents! We had some great oppurtunities to fellowship and share with those who made it out to the square. We got invited to bakery´s, houses and even an oppurtunity to sing in the Catholic church on Saturday night. Seeing how God worked last night,everyone on our team got to meet with someone this morning that they met with last night. Hearing back from some of the team early this afternoon, its clearly evident that we have begun to see God work. A blessing and privelage that we get to be a part of it. I will make and effort to work on getting some of the "personal" testimonies and experiences that the team is sharing up here over the next few days.
Over the next week, we will be very busy contuining to build and develop relationships. We all are beginning to realize that some of the best memories we will have here are not going to come from hiking, rafting down a river, playing ninja at night in the lodge (ok so yeah we do manage to find some time for fun) but from the relationships that we build with the shopowners, school teachers, mayors and expecially our lodge owner Julio. I wish you could all be here with us in Aplao, Peru to see what the meaning, "the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few" looks like in all perspective and reality.
We are looking forward to our contuined work here in Aplao. Tonight we will be back in the plaze here in Aplao sharing some more music, drama and skits. Some of our team will be meeting with the kindergarten teacher this afternoon. We are also excited about joining and equipping one of the local Bible studies tomorrow night. They meet regurlarly but have little to no structure or knowledge. We are hopeful to help them anyway we can. For those with musical talents, they are waiting with anticipation for singing Saturday night at the Catholic church.
We are overwhelmed by how God has been faithful to provide and give us oppurtunites. Pray that we contuine to be overwhelmed by every encounter we have with God. Pray that from these encounters, we all become thirsty for more of God. We pray against the enemy that we will never think, "I have gotten enough of God." The God we serve is infinite and His blesssings, faithfulness, sovereingthy and grace will never be depleted or run dry. We must contuine to surrender fully to the Spirit (John 16:4). Please also pray for our leader, Dan who has asked for safety and protection as he has been given the oppurtunity to drive one of Julio´s combies around Aplao. This is a huge help in the transportation of our team.
The power of your prayers working together is overwhelming! I don´t think I can stress it enough and I will continue to repeat it everyday becuase of how vital it is. May the Lord continue to meet all of your needs in the same fashion that He is meeting ours.
From all on the team--
"We love and miss you!! God Bless!"
Praise God for your prayers becuase last night we saw God at work in the square of Huancarqui (I figured out how to spell that). We were able to share songs with them in both Spanish and English. Actually, they preferred to hear us sing in English, imagine that. Praise God for their talents! We had some great oppurtunities to fellowship and share with those who made it out to the square. We got invited to bakery´s, houses and even an oppurtunity to sing in the Catholic church on Saturday night. Seeing how God worked last night,everyone on our team got to meet with someone this morning that they met with last night. Hearing back from some of the team early this afternoon, its clearly evident that we have begun to see God work. A blessing and privelage that we get to be a part of it. I will make and effort to work on getting some of the "personal" testimonies and experiences that the team is sharing up here over the next few days.
Over the next week, we will be very busy contuining to build and develop relationships. We all are beginning to realize that some of the best memories we will have here are not going to come from hiking, rafting down a river, playing ninja at night in the lodge (ok so yeah we do manage to find some time for fun) but from the relationships that we build with the shopowners, school teachers, mayors and expecially our lodge owner Julio. I wish you could all be here with us in Aplao, Peru to see what the meaning, "the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few" looks like in all perspective and reality.
We are looking forward to our contuined work here in Aplao. Tonight we will be back in the plaze here in Aplao sharing some more music, drama and skits. Some of our team will be meeting with the kindergarten teacher this afternoon. We are also excited about joining and equipping one of the local Bible studies tomorrow night. They meet regurlarly but have little to no structure or knowledge. We are hopeful to help them anyway we can. For those with musical talents, they are waiting with anticipation for singing Saturday night at the Catholic church.
We are overwhelmed by how God has been faithful to provide and give us oppurtunites. Pray that we contuine to be overwhelmed by every encounter we have with God. Pray that from these encounters, we all become thirsty for more of God. We pray against the enemy that we will never think, "I have gotten enough of God." The God we serve is infinite and His blesssings, faithfulness, sovereingthy and grace will never be depleted or run dry. We must contuine to surrender fully to the Spirit (John 16:4). Please also pray for our leader, Dan who has asked for safety and protection as he has been given the oppurtunity to drive one of Julio´s combies around Aplao. This is a huge help in the transportation of our team.
The power of your prayers working together is overwhelming! I don´t think I can stress it enough and I will continue to repeat it everyday becuase of how vital it is. May the Lord continue to meet all of your needs in the same fashion that He is meeting ours.
From all on the team--
"We love and miss you!! God Bless!"
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Buenas Tardes from Peru!
After 40 plus hours of travel we are safe, sound and healthy here in Aplao, Peru. Having arrived in Lima at about 4PM on Monday we took our 15 drive, by bus, into Aplao, Peru. For those of us who were here last year in Peru it brings back memories, including a suprise visit from some of our translators from last year, who met us in the bus station and for the new ones on this trip, they have already begun to make memories, like trying to cross the streets of Peru. (If youve been to Peru before you would know what I mean.)Praise God that we were all able to make it onto the same bus. We were unsure if we would up till the moment until we tried to purchase our tickets and discovered we could all be on one bus. Our first clear indication that God is working, providing and being faithful already.
We have found ourselves staying in the Majes River Lodge about 15 minutes from the town of Aplao. Our host Julio, please prayer for him as we are not sure of his reationship with Chist, has been wonderful offering himself to us for a few days to give us a tour of Aploa and introduce us to everyone that he knows. Julio is a very popular man. Thanks to Julio we spent much of today traveling around and meeting several people. We plan to meet with them all over the next couple of days. Please be in prayer for these meetings that we will be lead truly by the Spirit and that God would bless our time with them and allow the Word of God to penetrate their hearts. There are many people here for us to engage with, we would certainly need more than three weeks to reach all of them. Pray that God guides our hearts to the ones that we would be used by God to have the most impact. It´s for the glory of God that we are here, not ourselves.
We have begun to already make contacts with the mayor of both Aploa and Onecarque and are looking forward to time in both of the town squares performing dramas, skits, music and testimonies. Please be in prayer that God would draw the local Peruvians to these acivities. Also please be in prayer for the schools here as the teachers are on strike making it difficult for us to get into the schools. We hope that it will only be for this week, we covet your prayers in this matter.
As for the team, we are all doing well. All of us are filled with excitement, joy and a great passion to engage everyone we meet and bring the love and hope of the gospel through Jesus Christ. We had a wonderful time of worship and sharing last night. If time allows and the Lord wills we hope to have these as often as every night. These are great oppurtunities for us as a team to be united together through encouragement and uplifting words. We desire to be unified as one team as we share the power of Christ. Thinking that it would make the trip "pefect" to have Jesus travelin with us telling us where to go and showing us who to talk to. However, i found myself in John 16¨:7 only to find that from the words of Christ himself, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you."
So from the mouth of Christ Himself we see that to our advatage it´s better to have the Holy Spirit, the Helper, come to us all the way here in Aplao, Peru rather than, if it were possible, Jesus Christ Himself. We covet your prayers as we seek the Holy Spirit´s guiding in all that we do. Also, we love the scenery and mountains here. Im sure many of you will see pictures once we return.
I do apologize for any grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes in these blogs. It´s hard to type on this keyboard.
Until you hear from us again...while you pray for us, know that we pray for you as well. God Bless and much love from us all.
We have found ourselves staying in the Majes River Lodge about 15 minutes from the town of Aplao. Our host Julio, please prayer for him as we are not sure of his reationship with Chist, has been wonderful offering himself to us for a few days to give us a tour of Aploa and introduce us to everyone that he knows. Julio is a very popular man. Thanks to Julio we spent much of today traveling around and meeting several people. We plan to meet with them all over the next couple of days. Please be in prayer for these meetings that we will be lead truly by the Spirit and that God would bless our time with them and allow the Word of God to penetrate their hearts. There are many people here for us to engage with, we would certainly need more than three weeks to reach all of them. Pray that God guides our hearts to the ones that we would be used by God to have the most impact. It´s for the glory of God that we are here, not ourselves.
We have begun to already make contacts with the mayor of both Aploa and Onecarque and are looking forward to time in both of the town squares performing dramas, skits, music and testimonies. Please be in prayer that God would draw the local Peruvians to these acivities. Also please be in prayer for the schools here as the teachers are on strike making it difficult for us to get into the schools. We hope that it will only be for this week, we covet your prayers in this matter.
As for the team, we are all doing well. All of us are filled with excitement, joy and a great passion to engage everyone we meet and bring the love and hope of the gospel through Jesus Christ. We had a wonderful time of worship and sharing last night. If time allows and the Lord wills we hope to have these as often as every night. These are great oppurtunities for us as a team to be united together through encouragement and uplifting words. We desire to be unified as one team as we share the power of Christ. Thinking that it would make the trip "pefect" to have Jesus travelin with us telling us where to go and showing us who to talk to. However, i found myself in John 16¨:7 only to find that from the words of Christ himself, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you."
So from the mouth of Christ Himself we see that to our advatage it´s better to have the Holy Spirit, the Helper, come to us all the way here in Aplao, Peru rather than, if it were possible, Jesus Christ Himself. We covet your prayers as we seek the Holy Spirit´s guiding in all that we do. Also, we love the scenery and mountains here. Im sure many of you will see pictures once we return.
I do apologize for any grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes in these blogs. It´s hard to type on this keyboard.
Until you hear from us again...while you pray for us, know that we pray for you as well. God Bless and much love from us all.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The Time Has Come!!!
Less than three hours till we depart on the road to Peru. Most of the team has begun to arrive here at the school to begin the final stages of packing and loading things into the trailer. (Just a small note, this trailer was a HUGE blessing to us in GCMF from individuals at Jasmine Lakes. Thank you so much for your help. We are able to fit all the bags into this trailer making for more room in the car and one that is certainly more comfortable as well.)As the team begins to sense the excitement of the trip only a few hours away, we are starting to feel God move.
Please be in prayer that individually, as we set out, that God would examine our hearts to show us our weaknesses and strengths. We need and desire hearts that are prepared to give all the glory to God alone. We need to be united together in unity. Pray that our hearts see that God is going to work in spite of us, not because of us. He could do whatever He wants in Peru without us, it's a privilege that we get to experience what God is going to do in three weeks. Pray that the Word of God pierces not only the hearts of the Peruvians but that throughout our trip it will continue to pierce our hearts.
The time has come...the hour is near...our opportunity to serve the Lord and for the kingdom in another country as approached. We will all press on ahead, despite adversity, despite trials, despite unfortunate circumstances, despite challenges and any other hardship for the sake of Christ. We will boast in Jesus Christ!
The next time you hear from us...will be in Peru! :)
From all of us on the team---grace, love, peace and glory for Christ's sake!
"It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes."--Ezekiel 36:22-23
Please be in prayer that individually, as we set out, that God would examine our hearts to show us our weaknesses and strengths. We need and desire hearts that are prepared to give all the glory to God alone. We need to be united together in unity. Pray that our hearts see that God is going to work in spite of us, not because of us. He could do whatever He wants in Peru without us, it's a privilege that we get to experience what God is going to do in three weeks. Pray that the Word of God pierces not only the hearts of the Peruvians but that throughout our trip it will continue to pierce our hearts.
The time has come...the hour is near...our opportunity to serve the Lord and for the kingdom in another country as approached. We will all press on ahead, despite adversity, despite trials, despite unfortunate circumstances, despite challenges and any other hardship for the sake of Christ. We will boast in Jesus Christ!
The next time you hear from us...will be in Peru! :)
From all of us on the team---grace, love, peace and glory for Christ's sake!
"It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes."--Ezekiel 36:22-23
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Final Countdown...
Here we are, six days left till we all embark on our incredible three week journey to Peru. Some great news...the entire cost of the trip to Peru has been paid off! All the students have raised enough money for the cost of the trip. Praise God!! :) Thank you seems like not enough for all your prayers and generous donations.
Please be in prayer for all of us for the rest of this coming week. All of us indeed have finals this week as well as many other end of the year activities upcoming. Mixed into all that is continued preparation for Peru. We need strength in times of stress and the ability to have a sound mind after late nights of studying.
As for the blog...this may be the last post you read until we settle into Peru. However, I will do my best to make any updates I can should I find access to the internet or a computer. In lite of that I will give you the travel details:
We leave Trinity on Sunday May9th at about 11PM for a 5 hour drive to Miami International Airport. We board a plane at 8:40AM headed for Peru. With a short (1 hour) layover in Costa Rica, we expect to arrive in Lima, Peru at 3:15PM. We will have a few hours free, maybe to do some shopping,:)before boarding a bus at 9:30 PM for a 14-16 hour overnight drive into Arequipa. After arriving in Arequipa we will be looking to board another bus for a three hour drive north into Aplao. Reaching our final destination of our trip after 40+ hours of traveling.
Please be in prayer for safety during travel and that details of the bus and plane are smooth and transitions go well. Pleas pray for no delays on the plane flight because to miss our bus ride, would leave us in Lima overnight. That would certainly bring about unwanted stress. However, the Lord is sovereign and we will humbly accept whatever adventure and challenge He brings before our journey.
It has been a pleasure keeping you updated on our pre-Peru details. I am looking forward to sharing with you all that God is going to do in Peru and allow you to be a part of it.
From all of us on the team, words are not enough to express our thanks for your prayers, we praise God for each one of you remembering you all in our prayers and how He is working amongst us all. To Him belongs all the glory, honor, power and praise forever in all that we do.
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ"--Col. 4:2-3
Please be in prayer for all of us for the rest of this coming week. All of us indeed have finals this week as well as many other end of the year activities upcoming. Mixed into all that is continued preparation for Peru. We need strength in times of stress and the ability to have a sound mind after late nights of studying.
As for the blog...this may be the last post you read until we settle into Peru. However, I will do my best to make any updates I can should I find access to the internet or a computer. In lite of that I will give you the travel details:
We leave Trinity on Sunday May9th at about 11PM for a 5 hour drive to Miami International Airport. We board a plane at 8:40AM headed for Peru. With a short (1 hour) layover in Costa Rica, we expect to arrive in Lima, Peru at 3:15PM. We will have a few hours free, maybe to do some shopping,:)before boarding a bus at 9:30 PM for a 14-16 hour overnight drive into Arequipa. After arriving in Arequipa we will be looking to board another bus for a three hour drive north into Aplao. Reaching our final destination of our trip after 40+ hours of traveling.
Please be in prayer for safety during travel and that details of the bus and plane are smooth and transitions go well. Pleas pray for no delays on the plane flight because to miss our bus ride, would leave us in Lima overnight. That would certainly bring about unwanted stress. However, the Lord is sovereign and we will humbly accept whatever adventure and challenge He brings before our journey.
It has been a pleasure keeping you updated on our pre-Peru details. I am looking forward to sharing with you all that God is going to do in Peru and allow you to be a part of it.
From all of us on the team, words are not enough to express our thanks for your prayers, we praise God for each one of you remembering you all in our prayers and how He is working amongst us all. To Him belongs all the glory, honor, power and praise forever in all that we do.
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ"--Col. 4:2-3
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