I entitled this blog “Godʼs Work in Peru,” and so for this post I want to dedicate it to what
God is doing so far in Peru.
When I first got here, I wonʼt lie I was a little disappointed because I expected to being
doing ministry all day, everyday and jumping over mountains for God sharing the love
and joy of the gospel. But it wasnʼt like that at all. I found myself being a little bored with
a lack or ministry. Yet Bethany and I had wonderful conversations about theology, grace,
and living life for God through the struggles and triumphs. In college I felt desperate to
have time to just be with God, not feeling rushed reading my bible or praying. Here I
have that time. The culture is a slower pace, and instead of feeling like it was dragging,
God changed my heart to crave the slower days so I could easily just sit and think about
the ministry here. Meditating on what God is doing right now, this week, and what his
plan for me is within the ministry for the rest of the summer. In the states, I feel a lot of
people have to find a place to fit God into their busy schedule, this is including myself.
But shouldnʼt our entire day be about God, taking moments throughout the day to listen
when the Spirit is nudging at your heart? I realize more so now than ever, how
dangerous it is to make God so small. Living by the Spirit isnʼt a checklist of praying
before bed and reading our bible. Itʼs taking the time to just be with God and hear Him
speak to your heart, without distractions or only giving God partial control of your life
while you still wanting the driverʼs seat. Many times I would put conditions on how God
was leading my life, because whether I realized it or not I wanted to take the control.
Here in Iquitos, Iʼve learned and seen from example of Nelton and Bethany, to wait on
the Lord throughout the day, and listen to the Spirit in prayer just as much as you read
the Bible. This is the biggest thing Iʼve learned here, to spend time in the presence of
the Lord, being satisfied in Him whether or not I feel like Iʼm accomplishing something
ministry-related. I read in a book, when we are most satisfied in God, He is most
glorified.
The last couple of weeks were slower, and a couple days I went through a phase of
missing family, friends, and American life. But now things are picking up. Last night we
started “Chicas Unidas” meaning Girls United. There were about ten girls from the
neighborhood and Church Berea, ranging ages 11-17. We played games, talked about
our theme verse 1 Timothy 4:12, “Donʼt let anyone look down on you because you are
young, but set an example to the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in
purity.” Then of course at American food of cinnamon rolls and popcorn. :) Bethany and
mineʼs purpose is to build relationships with these girls that will lead to intentional
conversations ending up at the truth of the Gospel. I feel like weʼre off to a great start
and relationships are starting to grow. For example, I met one girl named Brillyt (Bridget)
at the plaza last week. We had a great conversation and she seemed very eager to get
to know me and help me learn some more spanish. So I wanted to invite her. Before the
party I was going to go for a walk and see if I could find her. In the afternoon I was a
little tired and wanted to take a nap but before I could lay down the phone rang. It was
Hannah and Jenna (two girls who are coming here in a week and weʼll all be doing
ministry together). They asked if I wanted to talk, and although I really wanted to lie
down I decided to talk. Weʼll while we were talking Brillyt showed up at our window. After
I got off the phone I went outside to talk with her and her friend and give them the
invitation. They were stoked and came to the party. If I had laid down, none of this
wouldʼve happened. While we were talking in the afternoon though they asked if I
wanted to see her house. So I went with them, after telling Nelton where I was going,
safety first, I didnʼt want them to get worried! This was my first look at a little deeper
poverty. Their house is basically four walls, and a thatch roof. They have a kitchen, tiny
backyard, room for work, and a bedroom and bathroom. It wasnʼt much, but at the same
time that didnʼt seem to matter to her. Their family still had joy and seemed thankful to
just have the house that they did. Itʼs great to see that material possessions donʼt
matter, and they especially donʼt matter to God. I feel God telling me that some great
conversations and a friendship will come from this! It makes me so excited!
The little kids in the neighborhood are doing great too. Everyday they want to play tag or
some other game. Last night it was raining hard here and I wanted to run in the rain. So
the younger kids and I went to the plaza and ran around. We went down the slide, but
since Iʼm bigger I didnʼt land as easily as they did, so I fell forward to the ground. haha.
So I was all wet and sandy. They led me to a big puddle where we “washed off” by
laying in the puddle and wiggling around. It is so much fun to act like a little kid!
So I went from little action, to God bringing people and building relationships to me.
Praise be to Him. He just wanted me to wait on him patiently as He spent a while
teaching me first! The next couple of weeks are busier, as we have a vacation bible
school with two teams from America, and in July we are planning a trip to the jungle for
about a week! Yes the jungle! Iʼm so excited! Thank you all so much for your prayers
and keeping me updated on your lives. I love hearing what God is doing in your lives as
well.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your
way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine
like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” -Psalm 37:4-6
God is doing so far in Peru.
When I first got here, I wonʼt lie I was a little disappointed because I expected to being
doing ministry all day, everyday and jumping over mountains for God sharing the love
and joy of the gospel. But it wasnʼt like that at all. I found myself being a little bored with
a lack or ministry. Yet Bethany and I had wonderful conversations about theology, grace,
and living life for God through the struggles and triumphs. In college I felt desperate to
have time to just be with God, not feeling rushed reading my bible or praying. Here I
have that time. The culture is a slower pace, and instead of feeling like it was dragging,
God changed my heart to crave the slower days so I could easily just sit and think about
the ministry here. Meditating on what God is doing right now, this week, and what his
plan for me is within the ministry for the rest of the summer. In the states, I feel a lot of
people have to find a place to fit God into their busy schedule, this is including myself.
But shouldnʼt our entire day be about God, taking moments throughout the day to listen
when the Spirit is nudging at your heart? I realize more so now than ever, how
dangerous it is to make God so small. Living by the Spirit isnʼt a checklist of praying
before bed and reading our bible. Itʼs taking the time to just be with God and hear Him
speak to your heart, without distractions or only giving God partial control of your life
while you still wanting the driverʼs seat. Many times I would put conditions on how God
was leading my life, because whether I realized it or not I wanted to take the control.
Here in Iquitos, Iʼve learned and seen from example of Nelton and Bethany, to wait on
the Lord throughout the day, and listen to the Spirit in prayer just as much as you read
the Bible. This is the biggest thing Iʼve learned here, to spend time in the presence of
the Lord, being satisfied in Him whether or not I feel like Iʼm accomplishing something
ministry-related. I read in a book, when we are most satisfied in God, He is most
glorified.
The last couple of weeks were slower, and a couple days I went through a phase of
missing family, friends, and American life. But now things are picking up. Last night we
started “Chicas Unidas” meaning Girls United. There were about ten girls from the
neighborhood and Church Berea, ranging ages 11-17. We played games, talked about
our theme verse 1 Timothy 4:12, “Donʼt let anyone look down on you because you are
young, but set an example to the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in
purity.” Then of course at American food of cinnamon rolls and popcorn. :) Bethany and
mineʼs purpose is to build relationships with these girls that will lead to intentional
conversations ending up at the truth of the Gospel. I feel like weʼre off to a great start
and relationships are starting to grow. For example, I met one girl named Brillyt (Bridget)
at the plaza last week. We had a great conversation and she seemed very eager to get
to know me and help me learn some more spanish. So I wanted to invite her. Before the
party I was going to go for a walk and see if I could find her. In the afternoon I was a
little tired and wanted to take a nap but before I could lay down the phone rang. It was
Hannah and Jenna (two girls who are coming here in a week and weʼll all be doing
ministry together). They asked if I wanted to talk, and although I really wanted to lie
down I decided to talk. Weʼll while we were talking Brillyt showed up at our window. After
I got off the phone I went outside to talk with her and her friend and give them the
invitation. They were stoked and came to the party. If I had laid down, none of this
wouldʼve happened. While we were talking in the afternoon though they asked if I
wanted to see her house. So I went with them, after telling Nelton where I was going,
safety first, I didnʼt want them to get worried! This was my first look at a little deeper
poverty. Their house is basically four walls, and a thatch roof. They have a kitchen, tiny
backyard, room for work, and a bedroom and bathroom. It wasnʼt much, but at the same
time that didnʼt seem to matter to her. Their family still had joy and seemed thankful to
just have the house that they did. Itʼs great to see that material possessions donʼt
matter, and they especially donʼt matter to God. I feel God telling me that some great
conversations and a friendship will come from this! It makes me so excited!
The little kids in the neighborhood are doing great too. Everyday they want to play tag or
some other game. Last night it was raining hard here and I wanted to run in the rain. So
the younger kids and I went to the plaza and ran around. We went down the slide, but
since Iʼm bigger I didnʼt land as easily as they did, so I fell forward to the ground. haha.
So I was all wet and sandy. They led me to a big puddle where we “washed off” by
laying in the puddle and wiggling around. It is so much fun to act like a little kid!
So I went from little action, to God bringing people and building relationships to me.
Praise be to Him. He just wanted me to wait on him patiently as He spent a while
teaching me first! The next couple of weeks are busier, as we have a vacation bible
school with two teams from America, and in July we are planning a trip to the jungle for
about a week! Yes the jungle! Iʼm so excited! Thank you all so much for your prayers
and keeping me updated on your lives. I love hearing what God is doing in your lives as
well.
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your
way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine
like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” -Psalm 37:4-6
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