Mission Peru

Daniel Kesseler

We are currently four days into our expedition, obviously differences from back home are expected; although I cant say I’m missing it yet. The weather is often dry and hot, which makes every cold breeze and water break that much more enjoyable. I’ve really started to feel how our views of good and bad are merely points of view or opinion; God has everything aligned perfectly in the bigger picture that we cannot yet see. Ex: The heat, the pain or the hard work may all be seen as negative in the common eye, but because of it, the relief or healing is much more rewarding. The contrast is often used by God, the way that our sin and the bad we go through exposes our difference from him, and why we can Praise his perfection that much more. In the bigger picture all we go through is for our own Good when we choose to open our hearts.

I personally love the labor that comes my way, every shovel of mixed dirt and rock, every wheelbarrow full of sweat and blood and every piece of clothing that becomes ragged and dirty contain the building blocks to my ever growing maturity, I enjoy it because God has shown me the bigger picture of Working for his Glory, but more importantly, I have felt him calling out to me for the Work he wants me to do for the people. Reaching out to people for me can be difficult, not so much because of any language barriers, actions speak louder than words, but sometimes because of insecurities; feeling of my clothing not looking good enough or predominantly skin-impurities and such that make me shy away from socializing confidently. I know now that God is making me realize that those things won’t matter to others as mush as they do to me, and that stepping out of my comfort zone brings greater opportunities. Labor is comfortable to me although talking isn’t always. Today I started talking in Spanish to a friendly worker here who is knowledgeable in English and helped me with many Spanish words, trying to step out to chat with him opened up his mind to me as well and how it is easy for us to make conversation, or for me to share God’s Love, although he’s shown it more to me than Vice-Versa. Stepping-stones like this one lesson will impact me the rest of my life to missions in everyday living or anywhere God calls me to. I feel God challenging me to step out of my comfort and to be confident no matter, so that I can open up myself for others. In Peru I can do it towards teammates and new friends and family, or to all the Civilians here that we meet from day to day, but when I’m back home, I can start with everyone.

Thank you everyone for Prayers and support, and I hope that this update on what I’m learning can demonstrate what God is starting to stir up in my heart while I’m here in Peru!

hasta luego