Mission Peru
Mississauga Chinese Alliance Church
I think that one of the hardest things about being a Christian is knowing you’re only human. You want to help in every single way you can and you want to be able to always find a solution to the problem, but reality is, your timing may not always be God’s timing; your plan may not always be God’s plan.
On Day 6 of Mission Peru, we visited the garbage dump. My first reaction was that there were a lot of flies. Being brought up in a very clean environment, it was definitely a struggle for me to stay still as the flies flew around me and sometimes landed on me too. As I looked around and took in the garbage dump, I honestly could not imagine a single soul living there, and I actually hadn’t really accepted it until later on, when I met a pair of siblings: the oldest sister Liset (9) and the younger brother Diego (4).
I remember holding Liset’s hand a lot. Even if she let go for a while to go after the soccer ball, she always came back to hold my hand again. When it was finally time to leave, I bent down to give Liset a hug and she hugged me back tightly, and that’s when reality hit me, that Liset really did live here in this garbage dump. In that exact moment, I started crying because I also realized I would probably never see Liset or Diego again, and that I could do nothing to change their situation. I called for Diego and he came over for a hug too. As I let go, I know Liset saw me crying, but she did nothing but look at me silently. I don’t think she understood why I was crying, because she and Diego were both so full of hope and joy. The simplest of things made them happy, and I would really wish that they just stay like that forever.
In the midst of all this brokenness, God shows His promises. Learning about how much progress has been made through all the different ministries, I know that God definitely has a plan. However, everything must follow His exact planning, because He knows what is best. Perhaps plans for Liset and Diego do not involve me which is extremely hard for me because I always want to be able to help everyone, but as humans, we have to know our limits and be obedient to God. As for now, Liset and Diego will always be in my prayers, and I will never forget the girl who always found my hand to hold, and the hope that poured out from her eyes.
Comment
On Saturday, July 4, 2015, Devpreet Jassal said:
On Friday, July 3, 2015, Thomas Wong said:
On Thursday, July 2, 2015, dennis chan said:
Wish the Peru team a safe and smooth journey home while everyone has a memorable experience of how the trip has changed their personal relationship with Jesus!
On Thursday, July 2, 2015, Becky Jiang said:
On Thursday, July 2, 2015, Sylvia said:
On Thursday, July 2, 2015, Janet Chen said:
LOVE, Your Friends at Mississauga Chinese Alliance Church
On Thursday, July 2, 2015, Michelle Leung said:
There shall be a performance – Luke 1:45
“My words shall be fulfilled in their season” (their fixed appointed time) (Greek, Luke 1:20).
There shall be a performance of those things That loving heart hath waited long to see; Those words shall be fulfilled to which she clings, Because her God hath promised faithfully; And, knowing Him, she ne’er can doubt His Word; “He speaks and it is done.” The mighty Lord!
There shall be a performance of those things, O burdened heart, rest ever in His care; In quietness beneath His shadowing wings Await the answer to thy longing prayer. When thou hast “cast thy care,” the heart then sings, There shall be a performance of those things.
There shall be a performance of those things, O tired heart, believe and wait and pray; At eventide the peaceful vesper rings, Though cloud and rain and storm have filled the day. Faith pierces through the mist of doubt that bars The coming night sometimes, and finds the stars.
There shall be a performance of those things, O trusting heart, the Lord to thee hath told; Let Faith and Hope arise, and plume their wings, And soar towards the sunrise clouds of gold; The portals of the rosy dawn swing wide, Revealing joys the darkening night did hide. —Bessie Porter
Matthew Henry says: "We must depend upon the performance of the promise, when all the ways leading up to it are shut up. ’For all the promises of God in him are yea (yes), and in him Amen (so be it), unto the glory of God by us.’ (2 Cor. 1:20).
On Thursday, July 2, 2015, John Mah said:
Sherry – I am so glad you are living out the “red letters” of Jesus, and taking Matthew 25 (sheeps&goats) seriously with intention. This is a powerful process that you are going through as God breaks your heart, and shows you what breaks his heart as well. May you leave finger prints in Peru, and come back to Toronto ready to wrestle with the challenges that God will place in your life as your faithfully: discern, follow, and hear from God. I am so proud of you and our MCAC team. Take a PROUD moment today, soak in what God has taught/shown you, give Glory to God!
Let me leave with you some words from world revolutionary missionaries:
“God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him.” — Hudson Taylor
“God isn’t looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him“ — Hudson Taylor
“To belong to Jesus is to embrace the nations with Him.” — John Piper “Go, send, or disobey.” — John Piper
“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God” — William Carey “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”- Jim Elliot
Your Pastor, JM
On Thursday, July 2, 2015, Princess Peony said:
You know, God always knows best even when we want to be in control (which is like all the time). I read this somewhere, that we should make our plans in pencil and give God the eraser. In other words... LET IT GOOOO AND LET GOD! So who knows? Maybe your path will Liset and Diego will cross again and if not, they're for sure in our prayers. So even if you're not together physically, you're definitely bonded spiritually. So don't cry, nod and smile 'cause that's what princesses do. I think the hardest part was the parting, letting go of the hand that you held for so long. But they'll be fine, trust me. And if you don't trust me, trust God. Kay kay?
1 MORE DAY AND I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN! P.S. MCAC team, you better treat me to ice cream if I'm going that early to pick you guys up :)
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