We are now entering our fourth and final week in Peru. At the end of this week, we will be traveling to Bolivia for our third month of ministry. As if we don’t look enough like Gringos in a sea of caramel skin, the whole squad is getting together to explore Lake Titicaca before we cross the border. (Lake Titicaca is on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It sits at 3,811 m (12,500 ft) above sea level, making it the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. It is a sacred place for the Inca civilization.) But time has already flown by, and still in each moment God continues to amaze us with subtle surprises and blessings.
Our sole purpose this month has been to be encouragers. Although my vocabulary is increasing, I can only speak so much Spanish and it’s still hard for me at times when all I want to do is talk to someone. God has been faithful and has met me in various ways; with visions, with a word of encouragement, or simply with His arms wrapped completely around me.
Whereas in Ecuador, we spent a lot of our time with the teenagers of the church, this month God placed the elders before us to encourage. Each day, we are doing some type of ministry with them: going door-to-door, handing out Christian tracts, making house calls for prayer, Bible studies, etc. In each of those ministries, talking is required. For the most part, I sit alongside one of the elders and smile and pray over whomever we are meeting, but this can become a monotonous routine.
God encouraged me with Psalms 19:1-4, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
Even though my voice cannot be heard in Spanish, I still pour forth speech because in me I contain the living God. Even though I cannot sympathize with the hurting or comfort the broken with my words, I still declare the works of the Holy God to them by my presence.
When one of the elders asks me to pray over the person/people we are with, she will normally say in Spanish, “I don’t understand you, but we have the same Spirit and the same God. He understands you.” Such powerful words.
Father, I pray over this church and this city. I pray that they will not grow weary in their pursuit of furthering Your Kingdom. I call them Power. I call them Love. I call them Light and Life to this place. Give them the words to say to reach these people—that their words won’t be their own, but will only come from You. Prepare the hearts that are yet untouched, that they will be receptive to every good word. You are in this city. You are in these people. And they long to be with You.
Team Collision with ladies from the church
With a lady from the church and her grandson The market outdoors in Chepen, Peru
Team Collision waiting for VBS to start Jessie and I leading VBS
At VBS praising Jesus Playing with the kids…they love me :]
Boys will be boys Teaching the kids a song
More songs at Sunday School Taking the kids to the park
Baby Adrian Painting the church
Watching "Gladiator" on my laptop in the Dance party with the Pastor's son, Jose Elias
bathroom (it's the only place with good aesthetics)
Who said dancing only had to be inside? His mom told me that I could adopt him…OK!
Authentic Peruvian fiesta downtown
This city is painted with love.
