Bienvenidos! After a fun 30 hour bus ride from La Paz, Bolivia to Lima, Peru that included dodging llamas in the road, passing multiple vehicles at a time in “dangerous curves”, walking across the border, loud movies, much laughter, sharing food, knitting lessons, standing in Lake Titicaca, sleeping, and gaining a hair wrap (thanks Vashti) we made it to Lima, Peru.
As memorable as the ride was, it was what happened that night that will be the highlight of the day for me.
After arriving at YWAM Lima and going through orientation J-squad was set loose on the city. Most of the group made their way to Chili’s. My teammate, K, and I made our way to the local KFC which we unanimously decided against since it would put us outside our 35 centavos for five meals budget. After wandering the mall we decided upon a Wong (aka: Peruvian Wal-Mart) and groceries for the whole time instead of meals. After 30-45minutes of being overwhelmed and trying to find the best deals we were finally winding down our shopping experience, and then it happened.
A lady came up to K and commented about how she didn’t look like other black Peruvians. When she found out we were from the US she told us she had lived there a while with her ex-husband. As the conversation continued she made an unexpected but welcome statement, “I love Jesus.”
“Oh, well we love Jesus too!”
And then everything changed. The whole conversation turned as she began sharing the things God has been doing in her life. As she spoke, sometimes through tears, she radiated with joy and love that can only come from the Holy Spirit. She shared with us struggles, blessings, and promises. We talked for over an hour just standing in the grocery store. Close to the end we prayed over her and hugged her, thanking her for sharing and speaking life over her. She hugged K for a full twenty minutes all the while praying and thanking God for showing His love and answering her prayers to feel loved. She told K that she knew it was Jesus hugging her through K. Though she had done most of the talking we were able to be a blessing to her. We were able to bear God’s love to her in a tangible way.
There we were, not even to our ministry site yet but still being used by God. We weren’t looking for someone to minister to or pray over, but God used us anyway. God was looking for someone to be avaliable to love His daughter and through it we were also blessed.
Though I’m still craving KFC, I am so glad we missed out on that meal. My body may have been hungry, but my spirit was fully satisfied!
What happened in Lima was a revealing of more of the Kingdom. That is something that should not be just a once in a while thing. As long as I am open to God’s leading it won’t be. God is going to bring His Kingdom to Peru. The question is will I be part of His work.
Please pray for Judith as she is taking classes to be in ministry and working and raising her young son. God is already using her and I know He will continue so!
Through Christ,
Brooke
