Hey friends! It’s been a minute.
Okay let me start by being real. These past few weeks have been tough being away from my family, especially during the holidays. One day, I rolled up into my sleeping bag and just thought about being at home, sipping on some hot chocolate, making Christmas cookies with my mom and watching Elf. Being homesick was hitting hard. Those comfort items and spaces I want, I can’t have and won’t have for this holiday season. I also didn’t have them last year while I was in Thailand. Thoughts of teleporting back home started to sound real nice. But alas.. teleporting is not a possibility at the moment. The Lord has been challenging me to look at Him as the ultimate source of peace and comfort. He’s also let me know it’s okay to miss them but I can’t let those feelings control me. Instead of continuing to wallow in sadness, I’ve been taking some time of sweet reflection of the month. Why did God put me here and why now?
Being in Huaraz was stretching but I saw a lot of growth in myself and in my team. Ministry looked a little different and similar each day. We spent a lot of time visiting churches singing songs in Quechua and giving sermons and testimonies. One day we had the opportunity to paint a man’s house with a bible verse in Quechua and Spanish. Later we were told how thankful the man was and how he wants us to come back and paint more of his house. It’s something small but I pray that every time people pass his house, they’ll feel encouraged to seek after the Lord.
We spent some time on a farm in the mountains, moving wood and herding cattle/feeding them. I usually wouldn’t be thrilled about moving wood but this day, I was in it to win it. I loved every second of it. A simple task of moving wood brought me so much joy. First, the view we had while moving the wood was incredible. Second, I thought about how cool it is that we were intentionally placed at this house on a mountain in Peru, working alongside the sweet older couple who lived there. They smiled constantly and opened up their home to us. I literally felt like we were family. And there were all the animals! Wow I love animals and we’ve seen so many this past month.
Then there was Walter. He is 25 years old and was born blind. Walter came to know the Lord through the radio. He was listening one day and heard the Gospel shared by Marco (the man on the right in the photo below). Walter called into the radio station and started asking questions. Marco wanted to meet Walter and started driving through villages asking where Walter was. After driving through villages, he finally found Walter. That was 3 years ago and he’s visited him every month since. He disciples him and now Walter teaches kids in his community about Jesus. While we were with Walter, he asked many questions about scripture (even though he already knew the answers). He challenged us and had a clear hunger for the word. The only thing Walter asks for is more wisdom from God. We prayed for Walter and then he asked to pray for us. Before we departed, Walter gave Marco a flash drive to put the entire Bible on it in Quechua so he could listen (he already had it in Spanish). This was truly such a special and humbling moment.
So yes it is true.. these moments are sweeter than Christmas cookies and hot chocolate. I may not have the usual holiday festivities happening in my life right now but could it be possible that I’m getting something better than traditions? I’m getting to experience the Lord in a whole new way through so many people. I have a team of women I learn and grow from everyday. Most importantly, I always have the word as a source of light in times that feel heavy. I’m encouraged that during trials, look up. Look up to the one who placed you in this season for a reason. It’s still a challenge to be away from my family but Jesus is the constant in my life that will never change. He will always be with me and never hard to find. He just asks that I look up and His hand is right there stretched out waiting.
Much love,
Anna 🙂
