Hello my dear friends & family!
I’m happy to say that I’ve made it back home, safe, sound and almost settled. It was a needed time of refreshment from you all and I’m thankful to be back with the fresh batteries. Though I’ve been back only days, I can see the Lord working not only in the ministries here but mostly in me!
One of the things that I had asked for prayer about was direction. Sometimes I feel like the mother character off of “The Incredibles”. Her super power was to be able to become elastic and stretch herself over incredible distances. I am convinced that God has not given me that super power (or rather, spiritual gift), nor does He ever intend to! His desire for us is to be diligent and faithful in what He calls us to do, not spread ourselves so thin that we cannot bear fruit. With this heart I sat down this morning to seek the His direction and encountered the encouraging words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 5. “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself though Jesus Christ, and had given us the ministry of reconciliation...and has committed to us the word of reconciliation . Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (verses 18, 19 & 20)
What an awesome calling. Not just for me, but for you all as well! Whatever direction He calls us to in our lives, this is our ministry towards others, that of reconciliation. Drawing others to Jesus. So very simple, and yet what an honorable, challenging and rewarding responsibility. My prayer is that my passion would not be the children of Pachacutec or the lost and hurting in Lima, but that my passion be Jesus. If I am passionate about knowing and following Him, it will be easy to know His heart and exactly where He wants me.
I hope that encouraged you all like it did me.
Yesterday, I met with Pastor Raúl of Calvary Chapel Ventanilla & Pachacutec. The very Saturday that I left for the States, the Guardaría de Niños (the children’s day shelter) was broken into and robbed. The normal outreaches were going on that Saturday morning and Raúl had come to my house to deliver the shirts for you all, so there was no one in the houses. Knowing this the robbers took advantage and stole a good amount of property, from kids toys to clothes of the workers. It was a hard hit for them, as the Home has only recently been open. Pray for them that the Lord would provide for the needs of the kids, the Home and also the workers as well as encourage their hearts in this project. If you would like to support the children’s day shelter there in Ventanilla, there is a very practical way to do so! The Calvary Chapel Tallahassee Book Store is selling T-shirts for Calvary Chapel Ventanilla & Pachacutec for $12. Every dollar goes to help put a roof on the Home and provide for their needs. Wearing their T-shirt is a great reminder to pray for them!
For more info: http://www.calvarychapelventanilla.com/los_ninos.html
Again, thank you all so much for your prayers and support for me and the people of Peru! More news to come!
I love you all dearly,
