These donuts are amazing.
The bakery they come from, San Carlos, just so happens to be located between our home and church. Thus, we stop in often for donuts. And cake.
The cakes are as yummy as they are pretty! The icing in particular is amazing. So, yes, my team has eaten quite a few baked goods this month, and it’s paid off.
Saturday night, as we walked home from youth group at the church, we stopped for donuts. While we were waiting in line to order said donuts, two more people entered the bakery, tourists from Europe who spoke English! They were discussing what to get, as they’d never been in San Carlos before, so excited to hear English being spoken, we suggested the donuts (Of course!), and that opened up a conversation.
They asked us where we were from, and we asked the same. They asked what we were doing in Huanuco. We told them that we were on a mission trip, working with a church. They asked how long we were staying here, where else we had traveled, and where else we would be traveling to. We answered and asked them the same.
It wasn’t long before the conversation came back around to the reason why we are in Peru. They asked more about what we were doing with the church. So we talked a bit about the church and our ministry. We mentioned that we would be singing in church on Sunday morning. Interested, they asked when and where, so we told them 10:30 and gave them directions to the Church. They said that they would try their best to come in the morning before they left town. We left the bakery that night munching on donuts hopeful that we would see our new friends in the morning.
Sunday morning we walked into Church a little after 10:30, and immediately saw our European friends sitting in the back of the Church! When we went up front to sing “Holy Spirit” during communion, they moved up to one of the front rows to listen. Sadly, we didn’t really get to talk to them after church as they had to rush off to catch their buses out of town, but before leaving they gave us something. A bag full of San Carlos donuts! As they left, handing over the bag of donuts and saying good-bye, one of them also mentioned something else to my team leader. He told her how beautiful it was to watch us give our hearts to Jesus in worship. That was really awesome to hear.
During my “Jesus time” on Saturday I read Hebrews 10. It’s all about how Jesus’ death on the cross is a sufficient sacrifice for all sins. That sacrifice established the new covenant. Through the new covenant, not only are believers redeemed from sin, but we also have the gift of the Holy Spirit and a closer relationship with God than what was possible with the old covenant.
On the Race, I have certainly grown in my relationship with God and come to value it more. How awesome is it that we can have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe? He cares about us, our day to day lives, and what concerns us concerns Him. My relationship with God has brought me so much peace and contentment. When I have been worried about something, or missing home, I’ve taken it to God. He has removed those feelings and reminded me that He’s got it. He’s directing my steps, and as long as I’m seeking him I can’t fail. God is turning me into a woman after his heart, and I am loving this season of life!
As I’ve grown in my relationship with God, I’ve come to realize just how amazing it is to have this relationship, and I’ve wanted it for those around me. Yet it’s something people have to choose for themselves, and it can be very hard to convey the awesomeness of hat relationship to others. So, while reading my Bible Saturday morning, I took that to God. “How, God? How can I convey this without seeming like I’m judging people or anything?”
God lead me to pray. So, I prayed for friends and family at home. I prayed for the people we’d witnessed to through street ministry the night before. I prayed for the women in the prison whom we’ve been able to have church with. I prayed for the girls in the safe house whom we’ve had the opportunity to work with. I prayed for the kids in the schools where we’ve taught English. Then I prayed for future interactions. I prayed that God would give me opportunities to tell people about him, and that he would give me the words to say when doing so.
That same night we ran into the Europeans at San Carlos, and God opened the door for us to invite them to Church. The next morning they came to church, and appeared to be totally absorbed in the song we sang, a song about relationship with God and the awesomeness of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t know their story. I don’t know the status of their relationships with God. I do believe however that God used that encounter and that song to bring people closer to him. God’s awesome like that!
Now, since we’re talking about relationship with God, let me tell you about another awesome thing that happened on Sunday. Six people got Baptized! In between first and second services, most of the church trooped outside to the courtyard to witness the baptisms. The congregation sang “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” as one by one the new believers were baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And just to make it better, I got to hold this adorable baby boy the entire time!
So, God is Awesome, Sunday was Amazing, and San Carlos Donuts are Great! By the way, San Carlos delivers. What do you think the chances are of getting them to send us donuts once we move to Africa next week? We have their phone number!
