Well, better late than never am I right?! Here I am sitting on the couch writing the final blog post regarding my time on the race in Peru. I honestly can’t believe that it has been TWO months since serving and ministering alongside my team. Since being home, it has been a blessing to slow down a bit, rest and begin to process all that has taken place within the three month journey. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that it may still take me another three months to truly soak in all that I have learned and all the things God did during that time (LOL)!
Due to people asking for some more “deets” on what ministry looked like in Peru, I want to highlight who we partnered with and what we did. I also want to give a brief life update on what God has been doing since being home and the transition into the new year! Truly, the Lord’s faithfulness continues to weave its way in and through every part.
Ministry in Peru
Goodness gracious, there is so much to say about my time in Peru (the words “difficult, crazy and amazing” all come to mind haha). If you haven’t read my previous blog post, I shared some insight into what the emotional, mental and spiritual journey looked like more specifically.
Regarding ministry, we partnered with a really dynamic organization called Ramas. It is composed of a network of people that make intentional partnerships with fellow churches within the community to help connect the body of Christ. Together, we were able to engage local churches and organizations to love and serve them. The additional ministries and how we served are as follows:
- Jesus Es Mi Rey: A newly established church in Lima where we helped facilitate Wednesday/Sunday church service (prayer, worship and sharing of testimonies) did hours of street evangelism/praying for people (I have some cool testimonies I would love to share at some point with you), and performed team skits out in the streets of the city (such an experience that was!!)
- Nueva Vida: A church placed on top of a sand dune mountain in Ventanilla where we did house to house evangelism, construction work for the church and homes in the village and led the children’s ministry programs for the church and community during the weekend
- Qumi: special needs organization where we helped with daily house-keeping needs (painting, cleaning), got involved with an expansion of their soccer program for special needs and created a program day filled with worship, interactive activities and mini lessons (the true meaning of Christmas and the gospel)
- YWAM: Youth with a Mission base in Ventanilla where we helped with daily kids/sports events, did cleaning, planting and construction for the village and facilitated a ministry event for mother’s in local community as well
While the sun was hot, construction was laborious and things didn’t always go according to plan, I don’t regret a single bit of it. Character was built, Peruvian lives were touched and I believe that God was glorified through it all. These ministries and their people were more than precious and had a hunger and thirst for Jesus that was so authentic. It was a true honor to do life with them, pour into them and also learn from them as well. I don’t think I could’ve asked for anything more (…well, maybe I could’ve asked the Lord for some hot showers haha…).
The Life Update
Like I said before, it truly was such blessing to be back home in Florida and take a good chunk of time to rest, process and be with my family and friends whom I love. Even though I’ve gotten time to rest etc., there have been some crazy and busy life events that have taken place in the last two-ish months as well! I arrived home just in time for Thanksgiving, flew out to Connecticut to watch my cousin, Michaela (AKA: Miss Florida), compete in the Miss America pageant (yup, she’s THAT amazing and made it to Top 15!!!), celebrated a sweet Christmas and New Years with my fam and then had the honor of being a bridesmaid and celebrated two of my best friends getting married in the first week of January! Phew… deep breath… haha. I promise I was able to rest in-between all the fun, craziness!
So what am I up to now? Well it may sound kinda crazy, but on January 11th, I took a thirteen hour road trip to Houston, Texas to begin another three month journey! I am interning at Dwelling Place Church and spend every Monday through Thursday including every Sunday there. I am learning the ins and outs of church, serving in their various ministry outlets, being mentored by the pastors and elders of the church, growing in my spiritual gifts AND going on two missions trips as well!!! I will be headed to Montreal, Canada on February 6th to help serve at a conference and will be in Honduras on April 20th to minister and serve at an orphanage! I’m so thankful for these up-coming opportunities, expectant for what God is going to do, excited for more personal growth and am seeking how to better glorify Him through it all! Whoop whoop!
Once again, from the very bottom of my heart, I want to thank every single person again who has followed, supported, donated, encouraged me and all who have prayed me through this journey! Words really won’t ever express my true thanks and appreciation. I will truly never ever forget my three months on the race and how the Lord used YOU ALL to help me follow and serve Him! My prayer is that the Lord blesses YOU for the many great ways in which you have blessed me!
Cheers to the end of one season and the beginning of another! Stay tuned for more God adventures to come!!! (Might be starting a new blog soon or you can follow me via Instagram for the highlights: @briannajoydennie)!!
May the posture of our hearts always be saying “YES” to Jesus (I promise that He is SO worthy of every “yes” to follow Him.)
With Much Love,
Brianna Joy <3
