If I had to summarize my month in one phrase, this would be it –I have no clue.
This month, Team Riptide lived in Nuevo Tambo de Mora, Peru. When we pulled into our new neighborhood, everything about it felt like Africa –it was hot and dusty, street dogs everywhere, tiny cement homes, and kids running free. An earthquake destroyed this town almost 10 years back and they’re still living in shelters and government-funded buildings. People just survive. There’s no big future to plan out, there’s no opportunities for further education. You just live.
Our team lived on the third floor of the church, which is still under construction. There were no windows, no beds, and no comforts of home. Our first night there, I slept next to a power saw. They were putting in electricity and a shower in the bathroom during our first week there. Every night, I slept outside so I could watch the stars in my tent. It was simplistic living at its finest.
Our ministry opportunities were wide open. We could do anything and everything that we wanted to. We did a spa day for the women in the neighborhood, we played with the kids, we planned a block party for the neighborhood, we visited the Canchamana (a local neighborhood displaced by the earthquake) and helped them farm, we handed out freshly baked bread, we prayed and worshipped for the city. The list goes on and on. We didn’t have much direction for what ministry time should look like, but we were told to “just go!” By God’s grace, we went out, people showed up, and God was present.
We lived with another team, and each morning, I was able to teach both teams Spanish.
We worked through the basics, phrases, verbs, tenses, and everyone learned a lot (including myself). Because I spoke the most Spanish between both teams, anytime we went out to do ministry, I became the honorary translator. Man, that is no joke. People know you’re a “gringa,” yet they still talk at 100mph. There we so many times that I would turn to my teammate, open my eyes really wide, and say, “I have no clue what she just said.” There were many moments when we would nod our heads and say, “Sí, sí.” People could have been asking for our firstborn children and we would’ve said yes.
Another thing to consider…this is month 9. People start talking more about home and the future around month 8. After our time in Asia, I felt God showing me many future opportunities and I ran with one of them. I had a whole plan… and anyone who knows God, knows that plans don’t always work out. I’ve always, always wanted to join the military. It’s been in my bones since I was young; I felt God continually bringing it up around me. But it wasn’t until this month that I truly brought it to God and surrendered it. It was a dream of mine and I gave it back to God. I told Him that He has all rights to tell me what to do next. The next morning, a teammate comes up to me and challenges my plans. She told me that I needed to be open to what God has, because in a way, I would be limiting my influence by being in the military. She began to validate my gift of teaching and maybe I should look more into that… interesting. She had no clue, but she completely wrecked my plans! And I knew it right in that moment that the military would not be the next thing for me. But the truth is, I had absolutely no clue what God has for my future.
I’ve never had so such peace or trust while having no clue. So much peace. So much trust that God has something good for his daughter.
This month was full of teaching. Left and right, I had an opportunity to share was God was teaching me and I loved it. I hate it because years ago, I felt led to teach, but something always felt off. During our time in Peru, I continued to feel God lead me into more confidence and discernment. I had my first opportunity to preach during a church service. It was fun. It’s fun to talk about what God is teaching you! It was uncomfortable, but so cool to watch the congregation watching you speak and not just passively watching the translator.
So, as it turns out, I have no clue what’s next. I have no clue what I’m doing half the time I’m doing it. But I have complete trust and hope in a God that won’t let me down. I don’t have a plan for when I get home. I don’t know where I will work or how I will make money. I have no clue where I will live. But I know it’s going to be a great adventure and a testimony to the faithfulness of God.
Check out our video recap of our month in Peru:
