CELEBRATE GOD. Sing together–everyone! All you honest hearts, raise the roof! Psalm 32:11 (The Message)
This is exactly what took place on Sunday night as a group of 50 local church members returned from their weekend retreat.
We had the opportunity as the A squad to lead the church service on Sunday evening. Church began with worship followed by a testimony of joy given by Eric. The World Race worship team led the group in a couple more songs before the celebration began.
The highly anticipated arrival of the retreat group
* was met with a gauntlet of streamers and flowers. Many family members, friends and world racers formed a line on both sides of the walk way cheering and greeting their 50 brothers and sisters with hugs, kisses and clapping. As the last ones in the group found a seat and the room quieted once again, we were blessed by many testimonies from the retreat. Lives were transformed and hearts were renewed. It was beautiful to see men, women and even children sharing their new found relationship with the Lord.
The joy and tears didn’t end at that! Andrew took the stage and presented a powerful testimony/ sermon of JOY in the Lord! I have to say I felt like a very proud sister! Following his message, Levis and the worship band from Shalom took the stage and the dancing began! I’m talking real dancing folks! They had the crystal ball and colored lights flashing on the stage. The open floor in front of the stage didn’t take but a minute before it was full of mixed company singing and dancing together. Even a little 8 or 9 year old Peruvian boy took the stage and danced his little heart out! God loves a party and so does Peru!
It is a blessing to be working along side a church full of passion, but naturally there are still challenges else where. Much of our group has been fighting sickness since being here. And alone time isn’t exactly easy to come by living in a house with 19 people. But God is good and working in great ways.
*Every two months, the church fills a van with 50 new believers and sends them to a weekend retreat. The goal is to fill two vans with 100 new believers!
….photos courtesy of Ryan Stewart
