So here we are friends, the end of month one here on The World Race. Peru has been an amazing place to start my journey as I’m searching for the answers to what it means to be a follower of Christ. We arrived in country with little knowledge for what we would in fact be doing here. The Lord was truly asking us to trust Him for showing us where to go and what to do. I was excited and not really nervous at all to be honest. I knew I would love the spanish culture down here and it was everything I had expected. Alot of my spanish came back from what I had learned so many years ago and I was comfortable interacting with whoever I met.
I came into the race a little bit frustrated with my walk with God. I knew I wasn’t walking in the full direction of where He wanted me to. Even though I lived simply and really had nothing to hold me down financially, materially, or even relationally, I still held most of my heart to myself. I was scared to let it all go because I didn’t trust God. I didn’t trust my gifts or my abilities. I liked it safe. I signed up for this adventure for many reasons and a couple of the foundational ones were to A) Get out on my own and learn more about myself. I wanted to see how I could live a life following God and not having to rely on others organizing things for me. I wanted to go to other countries and follow my God with nothing to pull me away form Him. I wanted to push myself in organizing things in unfamiliar territory. B) I wanted to find God. I wanted to speak to Him. I wanted to hear His voice!
God has met me here in Peru! I have asked some scary questions. I have heard God’s voice. And I have learned alot about myself. If you’ve read my blogs you’ll have a good understanding of the journey that God has taken me on down here, but there’s so much more than what I’ve posted on the internet!!
My heart has been wrecked. I’ve met people and interacted with those who has the crazy stories you see on t.v. or hear on the radio. I thought I had little, I met people with less. I thought I knew God, He showed himself to me in a mighty new way. I thought I was unworthy, the Holy Spirit has set me free from those lies!
Those that know me well, know that I cannot sit still. So that has fueled me to reach out beyond the “walls” of the program structure. I spent 40+ hours on a bus in 3 days just to go see a church I heard about in the mountains. I was surprised when I got the chance to go whitewater rafting on my first day here in Peru. And I followed my go-with-the-flow attitude to live with a community for 3 days with nothing but a tent, a Bible, a journal, and an extra pair of pants. It’s been an adventure so far!
Ministry has always looked like different things to me. I’ve served in many atmospheres where you have set things set up and you work in them. I’ve always been an out of the box kind of guy and if you’ve ever worked in camp ministry with me you’ll notice that. That’s why I enjoy backcountry wilderness guiding, every single day is different. You have to rely on God for your every need. And as much as you can control things, you’ll be disappointed if you have any expectations. Peru was like that for me. Everyday was different. I’m not saying it was the “right” way or anything, but I enjoyed picking up a shovel and saying, “Ok Lord, where do you want me to go?”. That was Peru for me. Go with the flow!
However, I will also state that I learned alot about humility and peace. My spirit has never been at this much peace before. I don’t have anxiety of needing to go-go-go all the time. I’ve submited this year to the Lord and that’s the first thing He worked in my heart about. I need to sit still and listen. I need to grasp the things He’s showing me and embrace them. And then walk in them.
Sure I’ve been frustrated. My attitude has been sour some days for sure. I don’t get my 5 days a week sports fix. That is the toughest part of The World Race for me by far. I have energy to burn! I need an outlet that isn’t there. So please bear with me as I try to lay that part of my being down at the cross.
God is good! God is here. God is moving! I’ll be in a week of debrief starting monday and that’s where our coaches from the states will come and guide us through the month that was. Our time in Chincha, Peru was long (5 weeks) and the longest we’ll be staying anywhere. I loved every day here. I’ve met some incredible people. I met Jesus on more than one occasion.
That’s my heart. Thanks for sharing this journey with me! I miss you all back home and I could definitely use your prayers as I process this month that was and as I get prepared for the next month in the Peruvian Jungle.
Here I am washing my laundry. My home for the last month is to my right (with the towel on it).
