“He died for you and Christ Loves YOU!”
October 22nd-28th
Hey All! I’ve been completely transparent with you guys throughout this trip. I’m not gonna start lying to you now. This past week was extremely hard. In my opinion, it was hands down the hardest week of the trip. It was both spiritual and mentally are hard week. Coming off of a long travel day and going into ministry was hard. I know for me it was a hard week of letting go. Letting go of Ecuador and accepting Peru. Accepting Peru for all that it is and has to offer us. I personally needed a few days however we only got one. God decided he was going to test me and I sure did fail miserably. I failed at leaving Ecuador behind. I found myself looking back at pictures and talking about things their that made me happy….Camp Hope. On top of all of that, being in Peru scared me! It scared me because it meant that I am very close to going home. Many are excited of future things that await them when they return home. I am not one of those people. Hard and though decisions await me when I get home. Decisions that are going to affect the rest of my life. All of these things lead me to spiral one day. It lead me too get lost in my thoughts without God. That specific day was extremely tough and hard to be present.
This week ministry wise was one that pushed me outside of my comfort zone. This week we went into the streets of Peru and did dramas. What do I mean by dramas? Exactly that. I was played the part of Jesus and we acted out his crucifixion and coming back again. As I died, a sign behind me said,”He died for you.” As I rose, another sign said, “Christ loves you”
We got stared at and got many negative comments. However, it was a a giant step of faith for me. I am not one to enjoy acting, however I was Jesus, so I couldn’t hate it right. We reenacted this skit about a 100 times over the week we spent with the church, “Jesus es mi Rey.” Saturday, looked much different from the other days last week. Other churches from the area brought their high school/college age groups to work with us. We spent time together in the streets reenacting the drama as well as inviting people to the church. Around 1pm I was approached and asked if I wanted to preach at a worship service. One of the big goals I had going on the race was to preach. I was thrilled to say yes! I had two hours to write and plan a sermon. I took the challenge with a smile and dove into the Word. The Scripture I landed on was Psalm 33. This passage talks about the abundance of love God shows toward us. I broke it down verse by verse and provided real world analysis to go with some of the things I was saying. I faithfully stood up and preached at 3. It was hard and I didn’t think it was very good.
“Hey Dad, you make it look WAYYYYY easier than it actually is! I have a new respect for sermon writing and all that goes behind it. I also know now, why you don’t want feedback until Monday. LOL Thanks for teaching me a thing or two about preaching. I have got a longggg way to go before I come close to being my hero.”
I know the words that came out of my mouth were not mine, but God’s. I pray that he used my words to touch the lives of each person in the room that day. I also know that God is preparing me for something great by allowing me to take this step. I am thankful for teammates who gave me the honest and raw feedback. This week may have been hard, however God isn’t finished with me and this squad here in Peru. He isn’t done using us and reviling himself too us. May God be the Glory in all things. Especially in the hard times, may I remember where my hope lies.
Thank you for taking the time to read this! I ask for prayer for Me, as I have to make huge decisions in the near future. I ask for prayer for this squad, may be not forget last week. Instead, taking it as a reminder that life is hard and messy. Remembering that we are not perfect and need grace and mercy. I ask for prayer as we continue to do ministry in Peru. I ask for continued prayer for the country of Ecuador, for God to restore the country. For God to bring his presence to the people! I ask for prayer for Dunamis and the girls they pour into daily. I ask for prayer for Gina, Dan, and Savannah that they continue to minister well to the girls as well as each team that comes to serve! I also ask for prayer for Camp Hope and that they continue to bless each child of God!! I also ask for continued prayer for Pan de Vida and the work they are doing there. Thank you and God Bless.
-Ben
