His Strength Is Perfect

Years ago I was a part of a Bible study/accountability group at my church in Virginia.  Something in our material suggested that we make a playlist of songs that talk about how we want to live our lives, so that on those hard days when everything seems out of focus, we can play the songs to help regain perspective.

I thought that was an awesome idea.  Music has always meant a lot to me, and can completely change my attitude and outlook on life.  I took this idea and ran with it.  I created several different playlists, but tonight I came across one called "Chill."  I'm not really sure when I created it or what my thought process or situation was at the time.  It is comprised of older Christian songs that I don't usually listen to, but they are calm and glorifying.  As I came back to my room tonight I knew my attitude and heart needed to be checked and "chill" might have been created just for tonight.  I love how the Lord can talk straight to my heart through song and when the playlist was created, He knew when I would need it.

Tonight's oldies and goodies included:

Basics of Life by 4Him

The Mission by Steve Green

His Strength Is Perfect by Steven Curtis Chapman

My Jesus, I Love The by Avalon

I Call You to Praise by Steve Green

When I Let It Go by Sierra

and many more....

*disclaimer: I am not depressed in any way  :) ...just a couple challenging moments in the last couple of days.  

Peaceful Saturday

It's not quite noon yet, and I already feel like this is turning into a perfectly peaceful Saturday.  What makes it so perfect?  My morning Yujacha that arrived yesterday from my amazing friend in Korea!  I was so excited when I saw her box arrived yesterday.  Just seeing the Korean characters on the box made my happy.  Some of you may not know, I grew up with Megan in Korea.  We've been friends since we were 3 and have walked together to some really difficult life events.  Even though we haven't lived in the same city since elementary school, she is still one of my best friends.  I love you Megan!!

On top of the box yesterday, I got two hand written letters!  I was so excited about the tea from Korea, that I kind of forgot about the letters, so now, I'm sitting on the couch loving the news from my family in the States.

The REAP North team is staying really busy these days.  Our busy season is looming and already the pace is starting to pick up.  It is less than 2 months until my first student team arrives.  There is still much to do in preparation of their arrival, but today, I'm not working.  Far too often I work Monday to Sunday and don't take a single day without doing some kind of work.  Today is different.  I'm going to just enjoy being home!

Pictures Posted

I just uploaded some pictures from my last trip to the jungle on Facebook.  You can click here to view them.  Enjoy!

Pray for Maruja

*Courtesy of Cameron.

Maruja Update

Thank you so much for your prayers for Cameron and me as we worked in San Jose de Quero and Usibamba the last couple of days.  It was an incredible couple of days.  The focus of this trip was discipleship, Cameron and I were to work with the women, and the men would work with the men.

Our time with Maruja was so special.  As we sat on the soccer field (a cement slab) and shared the story of Shadrack, Meshack and Abednigo.  It was so fun to watch her react as we read because she had never read it before.  We asked her to think about the story until we met again.

During out next meeting on the soccer field on a sunny morning, we shared with Maruja how to do a simple Bible study by asking 3 questions:

• What did you like about the story?
• What didn't you like about the story?
• What truth from the story can you apply?

Without even blinking, Maruja answered the questions about the story we had read earlier.  AND she said, "I can share this with my friends!"  YES!  She can!

We dove into our second story, Elisha on Mount Carmel.  Again, she LOVED it.  She was so excited to read stories that were new to her in the Old Testament and it was such a blessing and joy for me to experience that with her.  Studying it with Maruja brought it to life for me.  She is so hungry to learn more about the Bible.

We chatted about some other scripture, another lady had joined us to listen in, when Maruja asked, "Can we study more?"  Cameron and I hadn't prepared another story (and I mean we hadn't practiced reading our portion of it in Spanish), but who were we to get in the way of reading the Bible.  So, we moved on to the story of Ruth.  Maruja was such a trooper and read the whole story out loud, reading the titles to the chapters and everything.  As we got to the beginning of chapter 4 Maruja read, "Boaz marries Ruth." She giggled and said, "How wonderful!"  It was precious.  I can't wait to go back and share more with her!

Watch for another post tomorrow.  The Lord did so many things on this trip.  Really, just incredible.

Happy Birthday Matt!!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful brother!

We've fought, we've laughed and we've eaten lost of orange sherbert.  There's no one else would rather have grown up with.  

I love you!!!

One the road again....

I'm ready to get back on the road again!  It has been a good and refreshing month being in Lima.  I've been able to work out a lot of logistics for students coming this summer.  I am much farther ahead with preparations for students than I was this time last year.  It is encouraging.

Friday afternoon I'll be on the road to Huancayo with my home church. Eight of us are focusing on discipleship training with the believers in San Jose de Quero and Usibamba.  Please pray for Cameron and I as we work with the women.  We are doing it all in Spanish without a translator, and the task is a bit daunting.  Pray for clarity of mind and speech, that the Spirit will guide us and bring the scripture to mind that we need while answering questions and for wisdom.  We love the ladies that we are going to be working with and look forward to pouring into their lives.