Hey Everyone!!
I can’t believe I am already going into my 2nd week of month 3! There are times where I think it is going by too fast and times where I think of how much more there still is. New countries, new cultures, new food, new experiences and new opportunities. It blows my mind.
My team is in Trujillo, Peru. We are in the desert but also along the Pacific Ocean.
It’s sandy and it’s hot! The last two months we were in very busy cities and this month we are more in a little town or village type area which I am really enjoying. It brings me back to Afghanistan: the sand, the way the houses look and the beautiful mountains in the background. They both look very similar so I am in my happy place.
Where we are in Trujillo isn’t the safest place because a lot of the men in the area are criminals, in gangs and/or take part in gambling and the corruption. You wouldn’t know it though because the people are so friendly and welcoming. People do not have a lot here but they make it work and show joy with what they have.
We are staying at a school that is built among all the houses.
the families dropping off their children at the school
This month we are partnering with Savage Ministries (see Facebook for more information and pictures (https://www.facebook.com/SavageMinistriesPeru/ ).
We help in the classrooms with the Teachers. There are five classrooms: One 5yr old class, two 4yr old classes and two 3yr old classes. I am super impressed with how well behaved, smart and independent these children are. We do a lot of dancing, reading stories, coloring, playing games, going over ABCs, colors and 1,2,3s which is a win, win because we get to also practice our Spanish. Most of the children come from right outside the walls. They are the cutest and I love spending time with them.
Gerad from my class wanted to snuggle
Most nights we do sports ministry in the local community. We play volleyball with the wives of the men in the community and moms of the students. We get to build relationships with them, laugh with them, talk with them and pray for them. Team Valor is improving our volleyball skills more and more each day.
Throughout the week, we are given the opportunity to give sermons, encouraging words and our testimonies. This isn’t a comfortable area to everyone but it allows us to grow in our boldness with our faith.
On Saturdays we have children and youth services. We create bible story skits for the kids and play games and then speak to and worship with the youth in the evening.
We also evangelize to the people in the surrounding areas. Before we head out, we like to pray together and Ask The Lord (ATL) to highlight something to us whether it be a person, an area, or even something random to look for while we are out. This part is super cool and since being with the World Race including Training Camp I have seen God really speak to people, in different ways, and then witness it become a reality.
I love talking with people and being relational with them and I love how open people are for simple conversation and prayer. The language barrier makes things a little difficult but we make it work and a smile and body language goes a long way.
The last two months were amazing with many different experiences but I feel like I was missing the FIRE with my faith. I was spending time with Jesus, reading the bible, having great conversations, ministering to other people, evangelizing, serving but I wanted more. I still want more but I know that God is doing some great things and working in my heart and soul. I am learning to trust him and lean on him even when I don’t always “feel” his presence. I am learning to still be bold, still have a strong faith, still be on FIRE for the Lord regardless of what I feel. God continues to show up in so many ways, big and small, and I am learning to really notice Him in everything and to be truly THANKFUL for it all.
I still can’t believe I am on The World Race!! Thank you all for supporting me in all ways!
I will try my best to continue to keep you updated. Message me if you have any questions or want to know more!
Love ya and God Bless <3
-Kristen xoxox
