Play Doh Time

One of the perks of my job is not working normal 9 to 5 hours.  Today, my responsibilities include hanging out with two pretty great kids watching Over the Hedge, playing with Hot Wheels, dolls and play doh while their parents are on a date.  Don't you wish you could have been at my house today too?

Team Retreat

Last weekend, I was able to escape gray Lima with REAP North for our team retreat in sunny Ica.  We arrived mid-afternoon Friday  sunny, warm Ica, which is about four hours south of Lima. The hotel was wonderful and even had a pool!  It wasn't quite warm enough to swim, but it was so relaxing to sit by the pool, soaking up some sun with a good book.  That night Jeff led us in a great group Bible study about having a divided heart.

Saturday morning was set aside for nothing but time with the Lord.  Parents switched off watching the kids so that everyone was able to have a solid hour+ with no distractions.  It was so wonderful to be free from all the distractions of home.  

Ica is famous for a place called the Huacachina. At the Huacachina, you can go out through the hills in a dune buggy, as well as do some sand boarding on some of those hills. In the afternoon, team bonding began!  We struck out together for a new adventure.  I had no idea what was to come, and probably should have been a little more nervous! We were about to go speeding up and down the sandy hills in an open vehicle!  The only way I can really describe what this ride was like, is it was like being on a roller coaster, but in a dune buggy and on sand. We really went almost vertical on some of the hills, would make a sharp turn and then almost feel like we were going to free fall to the bottom.  So much fun.  We stopped on three different hills so that we could do some sand boarding. You lay on the board, then just slide right on down the hill. I was definitely more nervous about the boarding because I was in control instead of a skilled professional.  This too was so fun.  I can't wait to do it again.

Sunday morning, I spent another morning at the pool with sunshine, the Lord and my Bible.  Twas a perfect morning.  In afternoon we set out on another adventure. We drove further down the desert to Nasca to see the Nasca lines.  They are shapes of animals and objects, that were supposedly created by the Incans.  Some of the team went up in a tiny plane to see them.  I opted to keep my feet planted on the ground, and the money in my pocket.  Well, in my pocked until I land in the USA!  

Last weekend was so refreshing and for me, desperately needed.  I love being with my team and being able to experience new things with them.  It was sad to leave the sun in Ica.  Maybe the retreat can become and annual thing.  :)

Me and Amber

Interesting Fact

REAP North Peru hosted 307 volunteers from 29 different groups in July.  We were a little busy!  Thanks to all those who came and served, and to everyone who has prayed and supported ministry in Peru.

B-E-A-U-tiful

This time of year in Lima is known for being gray, cloudy, cold, windy and overall not super pleasant.  However, today was the complete opposite.  The sky was blue, the clouds were white and puffy, the sun was out and it was warm!  It was so nice to have the warm breeze blowing through the apartment.  There was even a real sunset tonight!

To embrace the day, Jacinda spent the morning at the beach, and we went to the Inka Market in the afternoon.  Let the Christmas shopping begin....

Thank you Lord for an incredible day!

Northwest Baptist Association

Almost 80 participants from the Northwest Baptist Association (think Washington, Oregon and a church from Canada) came for 10 days in early August.  This was our last project for the summer, and it was a huge blessing for the Quechua people, participants, translators, missionaries, hotel staff, drivers and more.  They had incredible days of ministry in 5 villages as well as two constructions crews that reroofed a widows home and began the foundation for a future community center building.  

This lady received a pair of reading glasses and was able to read her Bible on her own for the first time in years.  While the kids in the picture below, wanted a pair of glasses...we improvised!

The theme for the week was "Love Like Crazy" based out of 1 Corinthians 13.  These students came and loved (the people and eachother) like crazy.  It was refreshing for me to be around them, see and hear about their passion for the Lord, servant hearts, and to worship together in English.  I love worshipping in Spanish, but there is something so special about corporate worship in your heart language.

On the last ministry day, I had the opportunity to go out with the construction crews (who had worked so hard) to the lakes a couple of hours away.  It was a good break for them to see and experience more of Peru.  The fellowship was wonderful and there is nothing like being out in the beauty of the Lord's creation.

Tidbits of Student Debriefing

More than two weeks after my summer missionaries have left, my heart still fills with joy to think about all they shared and experienced in June and July.  This years students were incredibly close, not only within their ministry teams, but also as a whole.  The goodbyes were tear-filled and heart felt with plans of reunions in the future.  It was really sweet for me to watch how close these students had become and how their experiences and ministry had bonded them.  

For some, it was a summer filled with challenges which provided the opportunity to see the Lord at work in a mighty way.  They said that they wouldn't have it any other way because of all that they learned about themselves and the Lord.  What a great testimony!

For others, ministry and missions really came alive.  They learned what it means to live in a different culture, the ups and downs.  They see beyond the typical opportunities in the church for service.  Their passion for people and sharing the gospel has grown.  It's exciting for me to see the Lord at work in their lives, shaping their futures.  

They played guitar and worshiped together, shared stories, and had a ton of fun being reunited after nearly 7 weeks.  As I watched and listened to them, I was so proud of their commitment to the Lord and their passion to follow Him.  The three days of debriefing made all the hours and hours of work so worth it.  

Catching up

My friend, Jessie Mae has reminded me frequently this week, I am way behind on blogging.  May, June and July, have been extremely busy, but good.  Over the next couple of weeks, my goal is to blog about some of the different teams from the summer and what the Lord has done through them.  But first...

Congratulations to Jake and Sasha on their engagement!

Sasha, I can't wait to hug your neck at Thanksgiving, see your beautiful ring, and stay up late talking about your wedding!