Peru;
If I had to describe it in 3 words I would say,
HOT
Churros
MACHU PICCHU
It is very, verrry hot in Peru and we’ve dealt with a lot sweat, but we all survived!
Churros. Best. Thing. Ever. It’s real rough when they cost less than 25 cents so you eat about 20 in a day (not really, but pretty often). They are delicious and wonderful..along with most of the food I’ve eaten in Peru.
Last week 9 of us got to take a little weekend trip to Cusco and go to Machu Picchu. We didn’t think we were going to get to go, we wanted to sooooo bad..and then we got to go. Thankin’ Jesus big time for that one because He definitely made it possible.
We took a short flight to Cusco, a 5hr bus ride that made us all regret the lunch we ate earlier and stayed the night in a cute little hostel. The next morning we got up, drove one Peruvian-hour (so really it took us almost 2 hours), ate some really good breakfast in a tent on the side of a railroad track and began our last journey to Machu Picchu! We took a long 2 or 3 hour hike along the railroad tracks in the BEAUTIFUL jungle mountains of Peru. FINALLY we hiked up some really steep steps for an hour or so.
Awaiting us at the top of those steps was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I couldn’t stop thinking of how beautiful the Lord is and everything He creates. It was huge and peaceful and overwhelmingly heart-stopping..a lot like Him.
If you’ve ever wanted to go..GO. It will blow your mindddd.
Other than that, my month in Peru has been great. We have partnered with two different ministries this month. We’ve gotten to do things like VBS, women’s ministry, working with a school that is for children with learning disabilities, and English classes! The English classes were my favorite things this month!
This month, the Lord taught me a lot about prayer. I had many moments throughout the month where I found myself not being able to communicate with others or share my heart with them because of the language barrier. At times, it was very frustrating because I wasn’t sure what to do or how to share the things the Lord was doing in my heart with them. Then the Lord began talking to me about prayer..and how powerful it is..and how it can be used in some really awesome ways when there are other barriers.
He showed me that even though I can’t communicate with them, The Holy Spirit can. He reminded me that He can show me exactly what they need prayer for and that can minister to them better than words can sometimes.
He taught me how to not say things out of my own words, but asking Him wants He wants to do within them and for them…and praying for that.
Because I was not able to communicate sometimes, I realized that I need to stop and wait for His heart to be heard instead of saying the things I think they needed to hear.
A quick story before I go…
We were at the mall for ministry doing some evangelism and passing out flyers, right before we were about to go we prayed. While we were praying, the Lord gave me a picture of a girl and a stroller. Well, this sweet girl in the middle and I met at the mall and she had a stroller. She was with her Dad and nephew (who was in the stroller), we talked with them for a few minutes, asked them about Jesus and they said they didn’t really go to church. We invited them to free English classes and church. Well guess who I saw at English class the next day…her! She then came to church and the class after church. IT WAS SO GREAT (You can pray for her and that she continues to allow the Lord to draw her close to Him!).
The Lord showed me once again, that when we stop and wait, and when we ask Him what HE wants, He does some really great things.
So here’s to prayer..and waiting patiently on Him.
