The biggest lesson I learned in Peru was that a country can not be defined by a place or two. This is also the mistake I made in every country before. I took my perception of the city I was in and applied it to the country as a whole (whether good or bad). Because I had been to Perú before and my experience as of recent was different than before, I realized, Perú had so many different terrains, people, and cities and they were all different. Also, living in 6 different cities in our time in Perú I even more realized that this country can not be defined by an experience or two.
This realization went deeper than just the surface recognition of a country. I started to realize how real this was of people.
In Perú I looked into the eyes of a woman who was a tribal mother. However, she was so much more than that. She was a woman whose husband was killed in terrorism, she was a woman who cared not only for her biological children, but took in others as her own whom she did not give birth to. She was a woman full of emotions, love, and kindness and so much more.
In Perú I looked into the eyes of a man who had raped a young girl. However, he was much more than that. He was someone that the Lord fought for, because God has called Him son irregardless of his shortcomings. He is someone that God will use for His glory and the expansion of His kingdom.
In Perú I realized time and time again people have defined me by a few things they’ve experienced around me. Some people would call me “sweet”, some might call me “sensitive”. I know I’m so much more than that.
So this is my encouragement for you fam. Don’t define someone by a thing or two you’ve experienced from them. There is so much more to them than that. I am guilty of doing the same thing. The truth is is that every person is made in the image of God and there is part of a moral compass left in them, but marred. Strive to see the part of God left in them, find that common ground, pull it out of them. Ask God what He sees or thinks about them!
After all we don’t look at David as an adulterer, but a man after God’s on heart.
We don’t look at Mary Magdalene as a prostitute, but a close friend of Jesus.
We don’t look at Peter as a deniar, but as one Jesus I trusted to shepherd His flock.
We don’t look at Abraham as a liar and impatient man, but a Father of Nations.
We don’t look at Jesus as a poor man with nothing, but a King of everything.
