Mission Peru

Hola!! (That is one of the few Spanish words I’ve been using a lot these past few days.) :)

This trip has already been an amazing experience and we’re only a couple days in! From the morning that we left until now, God’s faithfulness has been so obvious in all of the details. In many ways it feels that this trip is initiating a journey, one that is just starting but will extend into the months and years ahead and will not leave me unchanged.

We’ve had the chance to visit a couple churches as well as Elim, the garbage dump ministry for children of families who work in the dump. Getting to come along side these ministries and see their commitment to do what God was calling them to was so encouraging. The whole Mission Peru team was able to lead a ministry time at Elim and we talked about the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. The idea of being fully alive is so hard to grasp (in church, Jeff spoke about being awake for the Christian journey, so that we are more aware of what God is doing all around us).  I’ve been seeing glimpses of this theme through so many situations here in Peru. I’ll always remember the energy and joy on all the faces of the children we had the privilege of meeting at Elim, but I’ll never forget Sonia, a young girl who I immediately connected with. The love she showed me, someone she had never even met, reminded me of God’s unconditional, unfailing love. It is only in living with the knowledge of His love that we are fully alive. I’ve already been reminded this week of how this life in Christ affects the way we are able to give and receive love. And I know there will be many more moments to continue to learn this in the future.

From the beginning of this trip we’ve been praying that God would work despite the barriers and I’ve seen him work through my weakness in so many ways. From language barriers to my attitude to situations where I need wisdom, God has really given exactly what I need which is such an amazing reminder of his love for us. I hope to use this opportunity in Peru to come to a new understanding of how having life in Christ should affect my everyday life.

I am so blessed to be a part of this team and spend all this time with some amazing people. I can’t wait to see how God continues to work and teach us all new things!

Thanks for the prayers and support!