Saying goodbye to the
Peruvian youth missions group of 40+ members who were working with us in El
Carmen this last week was much harder than I expected. Their presence impacted my month with both
blessings and challenges:
- I got a sneak peek at Peruvian culture
- I was envious but energized by their thoughtful
preparation and ability to engage without language barriers with our temporary community
- I was inspired by their desire to spend their summer
vacations serving others, yet again proving God is working all over this world - I walked a mile to and from every meal where their
team was staying instead of eating in our host’s kitchen - In order to feed so many, white rice was served with
every meal (many times Nick helped me finish my heaping pile) - They loved practicing their English giving me small
breaks from Spanish and a chance to connect beyond “Como estas?”
Initially meeting their group seemed like an
inconvenience putting a major kink in our comfortable and familiar schedule,
but I soon realized our sense of entitlement was getting the best of us. We no longer had the luxury of rolling out
of bed 5 minutes before breakfast only to walk upstairs to find a wonderful spread
including fruit, coffee, juice and tea. Instead
we were bothered by having to walk 15 minutes for two pieces of bread with
butter one day, with guacamole the next day, and with a slice of bologna the
day after. We weren’t the center of attention at Life Groups, the Rehab Center,
or church on Sunday and instead took a backseat to the multi-talented and
musically gifted “Peruvians” as we jokingly yet snidely called them.
inconvenience putting a major kink in our comfortable and familiar schedule,
but I soon realized our sense of entitlement was getting the best of us. We no longer had the luxury of rolling out
of bed 5 minutes before breakfast only to walk upstairs to find a wonderful spread
including fruit, coffee, juice and tea. Instead
we were bothered by having to walk 15 minutes for two pieces of bread with
butter one day, with guacamole the next day, and with a slice of bologna the
day after. We weren’t the center of attention at Life Groups, the Rehab Center,
or church on Sunday and instead took a backseat to the multi-talented and
musically gifted “Peruvians” as we jokingly yet snidely called them.
Only three weeks into this journey expectations had
been created and small sacrifices became a burden. I was amazed by how quickly we lost
perspective; how quickly I lost sight of the endless blessings I was so
thankful for before the Peruvians arrived.
In the end, our time with the Peruvians helped me remember, Christian or
not, we are all human driven by the selfish desires of our flesh. Abandoning our wants and comforts for the
sake of others isn’t natural and it isn’t easy.
It is a choice; a choice I make daily with the help and example of Jesus
Christ.
been created and small sacrifices became a burden. I was amazed by how quickly we lost
perspective; how quickly I lost sight of the endless blessings I was so
thankful for before the Peruvians arrived.
In the end, our time with the Peruvians helped me remember, Christian or
not, we are all human driven by the selfish desires of our flesh. Abandoning our wants and comforts for the
sake of others isn’t natural and it isn’t easy.
It is a choice; a choice I make daily with the help and example of Jesus
Christ.
With many more goodbyes ahead, I welcome and look
forward to the many people God is going to place in my path during this 11
month journey. In fact, on Monday when
we depart for Peru we’ll be saying goodbye to our wonderful hosts Elmer, Carmen,
Kristal and Jacob. Please pray for
continued blessings over this family and the work they are doing for El Carmen
and surrounding cities. Please also pray
for our travel to Peru (especially because we are expecting at least a 20 hour
bus ride – YIKES!)
forward to the many people God is going to place in my path during this 11
month journey. In fact, on Monday when
we depart for Peru we’ll be saying goodbye to our wonderful hosts Elmer, Carmen,
Kristal and Jacob. Please pray for
continued blessings over this family and the work they are doing for El Carmen
and surrounding cities. Please also pray
for our travel to Peru (especially because we are expecting at least a 20 hour
bus ride – YIKES!)
I love and miss you all!!
