Peru has been nothing like I thought it would be. I think I
imagined everything like Machu Picchu style up in the green mountains- all
indigenous and colorful. I am sure many have experienced Peru that way. But we
are in a city called Trujillo, which is literally surrounded by desert and is
20 minutes from the beach. I can’t complain, I LOVE the coast.
Bethany and I spent our first couple nights at the beach
recouping from the mass amount of travel all month in Ecuador and the 2
overnight buses it took to get here. It was quite literally a breath of fresh
air to have no humidity and the smell of the salty sea surrounding us. Ahhhhhh.
Its funny how the ocean brings everything back into perspective for me. Our
second day at the beach, the Tsunami warnings hit and we had to head to higher
ground, so since then we have been “city” living. Leaving the beach was hard,
but spending time with the teams has been amazing. It’s the best job in the world to support the work the Lord
is doing in them. And it is mighty!!! It is blowing my mind. They are not even
the same people as they were a month ago. And neither am I.
I am being stretched and pulled in SO many ways. Most of
which I didn’t realize I needed to be grown in. God has been working out a lot of issues with rejection and
fear and bringing my dependence back to Him. He is strengthening my weak heart
and binding me to Himself further in trust and allegiance. He keeps entrusting
more and more to me, even while I am being rebuilt. It’s incredibly humbling,
but I feel empowered too! I feel
like I am a tree that is sprouting more and more branches everyday; big and
bushy and thriving and my roots are being pushed further and further into
fertile soil. Its uncomfortable
and painful at times, but so worth it all. These changes and growth are so hard to articulate because
they are happening in my heart, but I only hope the fruit will be evident as
return and I get to see you all again.
Please keep us all in your prayers as we press on this month
in Peru. I am anticipating big things for these guys, for myself and for the
world. I will keep updating as time flows on.
