My team and I just left Cusco after 10 days filled with adventure and Jesus. If you have ever thought about going, I highly recommend it. The cost is cheap, the culture is unique, the people are kind, and it’s where Machu Picchu and the rainbow mountains are located. I am so thankful for the city of Cusco, the people, our time here, and what God taught me in these past 10 days. My iPad was stolen out of my bag on the bus ride here, so I started off skeptical of Peruvians. But He quickly melted that stigma through His creativity in creating these people. They have such a unique culture, kindness, and strength of soul that is unlike any other place I’ve been. The glory and power of the Lord is evident in every mountain, valley, and face. Cusco taught me how to step out in faith and start a conversation about the Gospel. It gave me a new closeness with my team. It gave me a new layer of understanding to who God is and who I am in Him. Cusco is unique because of Machu Picchu. It is a highly trafficked tourist destination, even in the off season. I met people from all over South America, Central America, North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In the Bible, God commands “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Well in Cusco, you don’t have to go far. Just sit in the Plaza de Amor and you will have the opportunity to speak to people from all over the world. I hope I can one day return to its mountains and continue the Lord’s work in this interesting place, but for now I will settle with telling you a few things the Lord taught me in Cusco!
A unique opportunity that God placed before me was one of my teammates and I were able to meet with some missionaries who have lived in Cusco for about 4 years church planting. They took us out to lunch to talk about what life as a missionary looks like and their experience. While they were talking, I could feel the Holy Spirit moving. It was as if he was saying take notes, you’re gonna need to know this in the future. The World Race is my first mission experience, and I’m excited to see what else my future holds in this field. While I don’t know the extent of His plans, I am confident He will have me in this area for at least a few more years. An analogy that the missionary gave that I think fits my life and identity in Christ perfectly is that of a puzzle. While I have no idea what the picture will look like when it’s complete, I feel like the Lord gave me another piece of the puzzle that day.
Machu Picchu was amazing. To get there it was a 6 hour bus ride, a 6 mile hike through the jungle, then a short bus ride to the top. It was so interesting to learn about the Inca people and their history. To see the vastness of their creativity and culture. But what blew me away at Machu Picchu, was not their creation, but the Lords. The mountains rise from the ground and into the heavens. The clouds that glide along their tops cloak them in mystery. The beauty of the jungle that surrounds and envelopes draw you in with wonder and a little danger. As the sun hits over the gate of the civilization in the morning, it casts light and shadows over the mountains to the west and creates the illusion of a face across the mountains. It’s amazing to see something that great and know it was as easy for God to create that space as it is for Him to put breath in my lungs. To sit there in that place, in his presence, in gratitude for his power and creativity was an amazing experience.
The last morning I woke up at 5 am to hike to the Christo blanco statue and watch the sunrise. We had been there for 10 days already and we’re leaving that afternoon. I wanted to use it as a time of reflection for my time in Cusco. I wanted Jesus to meet me at the top of the mountain at the base of his feet. I wanted to be able to look out across the city and see it the way He does, to delight in His creation, and create a space for Him to speak to me. And boy he didn’t disappoint. I was very tired that morning. I’d been hiking mountains all weekend and going to bed later than usual. When my alarm went off at 5, I thought to myself is it really worth it to get up. Luckily my teammate and friend was going with me, so she came over and made me get up. And off we went. It was a struggle. It was only a 25 minute hike, but it was 25 min up a mountain at 5 am. I got tired quick. So I did what I usually do when I’m tired or want to quit. I asked Jesus for strength. Over and over. And because He is faithful He provided. The closer I got, the louder His words became: The feast is waiting for you at the top. Can you smell it? Does it make your mouth water? Can you almost taste it? And it was then I realized why I needed to do this hike. To really understand what it means to be hungry. Hunger is defined as a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire or craving for. It’s not suppose to be comfortable. In fact, if it is, it isn’t hunger. In those last few steps I delighted in the burning in my legs and lungs. Because the feast was at the top and I was hungry for it. And when I finally reached the top and saw the statute, His presence filled me with a joy that can only come from the Father.
This experience brought to mind the question of how often do I actually hunger for the Lord? How often do I put myself in states of uncomfortability because I desire getting to know Him more? And I realized the answer was not enough. Oftentimes I value being comfortable over following His will. And this is dangerous because it can lead to living a lukewarm life. And that’s not what I want. That’s not why I came on The World Race. I came on the race to live a life on fire for God, and that’s what I intend to do. All encouragement and prayers are welcome as I step out in this new challenge!
