Peru was a tough month for us. We struggled finding our purpose. We struggled finding the reason that God placed us in Lima and wondered what He wanted us to do there.
Pastor Victor was an answer to our prayers. As soon as we met him, we knew how much of a blessing he would be to us, but we didn’t know yet how big of a blessing we could be to him.
We were set to begin working with the pastor as soon as we got to Peru, but God had other plans. Pastor Victor was mugged on what should have been our first day of work. They beat him and took the little money that he had. He was hospitalized for a few days but got back to work as soon as the doctor allowed. I think God was preparing our hearts for him during this time. We prayed for this man before even knowing him.
Pastor Victor and his family really laid out the red carpet for us. Even with the little that they had, they invited us into their modest home and cooked us breakfast. We then joined them for lunch which included tables and tables of local Peruvian dishes. He took us around town and proudly introduced us to everyone he knew – which was almost everyone we crossed paths with. Person after person welcomed us into their homes and businesses because we had two things in common – a relationship with Pastor Victor and a love for God. We also had the opportunity to share our testimonies at his church which meets in a small garage. After church, we prayed for each person one by one. Everyone greeted us with such undeserving kindness. His wife and children also treated us like family instantaneously. I got especially close to his daughter Cesia, who after just a few days called me her sister. They told us several times that of all the missionaries they have met, we are different, powerful, and that we changed them. Our work with them helped revive their family and their spirits, but the truth is, they changed us. They showed us what Jesus looks like here on earth. They loved us without even knowing us and more than that – they loved us well. They gave us so much when they themselves have so little, and they do this with their community to further the kingdom every single day.
On our last day in Peru we found out that the pastor and his family had been evicted from their home. The injuries from his mugging have prevented him from working. The family of 6 now share a small room to live in – ironically, my team of 7 is also sharing a small room this month. We keep in touch with them and pray for them often and today we got news that broke our hearts. With the little money that they have, they are not only in danger of losing their small room but their church too. They’ve asked us to be in continuous prayer for them but we want to do more.
My team and I have agreed that our work is not done in Peru. Our hearts have not left there. We have committed to pray for them daily but to also send them a financial contribution. If you are able, please consider doing the same. The American dollar goes a long way in Peru – so every little bit counts.
You can send financial contributions directly to me at https://www.paypal.me/jessicamarietaylor or contact me at [email protected] for more information.
Most importantly – please pray hard!
