In the last couple of weeks God has done amazing things! I started to write all about each detail and after one story it was about 2 pages long and there was so much more to write about. So, I thought I’d spare the details and it’s still long! If you’d like more details feel free to let me know and I’ll tell you know all about it. J
For everyone wondering what’s been going on in Chincha Peru, here it is.
I have been:
– Getting closer to the heart of the Lord, and it is so sweet and fulfilling!
– Teaching VBS/Bible classes for the kids in Los Jardenes. – Had 100 kids in one room!
– Given love, food and ice cream treats by families who have had their lives destroyed by the 8.5 earthquake.
– Encouraged by the whole city. We have seen depression removed and replaced with God’s Joy and Peace here. The new attitudes and smiling faces have been such a blessing!
– Able to see all of the spiritual blessings through all of the physical challenges.
– Getting used to sleeping in my tent and the smell of goats.
– Working on getting used to flies on my food and big red bug bites on my legs. (Last count: 32 itchy red spots 🙂
– Working on my degree in tarp-roofing.
– Becoming an expert on bucket showering in a smelly bathroom.
– Swinging a pick axe and shoveling the dirt for the big garden. (p.s. I’m hardcore now;)
– Learning how to plant grass blades one by one. = Patience here I come!
– In a wedding! (She needed someone to be a witness and to pay for stuff…)
– Squeezed into a taxi the size of a Mini Cooper, full of 7 of us, several times. (We’re all growing very close here.)
– Dodged the lice epidemic on the team. (Or so I hope, I’m afraid to check)
– Have spent quality time in the bathroom for about a week. (The trials of traveler’s D.)
– Last weekend some girls and I took a 3 hour bus ride to Lima in hopes of a Starbucks and a Chili’s. It was a fabulous success and a decadent pleasure to feel almost home!
God Did List:
– Provided electricity, working bathrooms and a garden for Los Jardenes “The Gardens”!
– He spared our team from digging more trenches for electrical wires, when a back hoe drove up to finish the job! No one knew where it came from. Even the pastor heading it up!
– He healed a woman of bronchitis.
– He gave us a full double rainbow over the mountains -Magnificent!!
– Healed our team member Kelton, of allergies.
– Healed our team member, Caroline’s eye of severe pain and watering.
– Changed the attitudes of the people and our team members. New life in their eyes!
– An item left in a taxi and seemingly gone forever; mysteriously showed up back at camp.
– The city bought the plants and trees for our garden project!
– Free fumigation of Tambo de Mora. Including treating dogs for fleas!
– Free tarps for the people’s roofs.
– People have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. (Much rejoicing in heaven!)
– Guys on our team pray for a woman not to see “The beast” that haunts her. And she was freed of it! To this day she still hasn’t seen it!
– Baby Carol has a brain deformity and she got a C.T scan and a sponsor for her surgery, which may allow her to speak and walk!
– Poor family gets a trip to the water park.
– We were miraculously given permission to show “The Passion of the Christ” in a main plaza and the pastor was able to tell the message of Jesus’ love for us and eternal life.
– Quick story, I was in Iquitos Peru about 10 years ago and wanted to get the address of the family I stayed with. There was so much going on in my last days at home that it slipped my mind and was wondering how to get a hold of them while I’m down here.
So, last weekend, while we were sipping frappicinos in Starbucks we saw a few American teenagers walk in. For some reason, I felt a strong sense that I should ask them where they were from. (Haven’t talked to any other Americans down here, so why them?) I asked one of the girls where she was from and she told us “I’m from the U.S. but I live in Iquitos.” I immediately asked her name and sure enough, of all the places and of all the times, standing in front of me, was the girl of who’s family I stayed with 10 years ago!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say, I got her contact information and here it is on my God Did List.
As you can see, we have been very busy and I feel so very blessed to be part of it. I really miss everyone from home and wish you all could be here to see what is going on firsthand. I see miracles everyday. It’s so encouraging and amazing!
I am with people who are of the same mind and purpose I am living on only what God has blessed me with and it’s enough. I’m able to do His will and bless people by His awesome Grace and Love! I feel cared for and in His plan, which gives an amazing sense of Peace. Outside of all of the physical and emotional trials, this is the closest thing to heaven.
Thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to be here for this life changing year! It is already off to an amazing start!
