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!

And Back to Lima again...

Thank you so much for your prayers over the past two weeks!  I, unfortunately, was not able to help much with the International World Changers trip last week.  I came down with a terrible cold and couldn't hardly get out of bed.  How disappointing!  From what I've heard, the rest of the team had a successful trip and many people came to know Christ!

The students serving in San Jose de Quero are doing well.  We had a good couple of days in Huancayo before the World Changers trip.  A couple of them were sick as well, so it was good to be able to get them meds and rest in the big city.

I have a little bit of time at home (yay!!) before the students come back to Lima for debriefing at the end of the summer.  I should be a good time to get some things straight like expense reports, my house and laundry, and catch up on email yet again.

Huancayo bound

In about 30 minutes I'm leaving for the bus station to catch my overnight bus to Huancayo.  It's about an 8 hour ride that I've done many times before.  Tylenol PM is my best friend on these rides to help me sleep well through the night!

I'm heading up to spend some time with a group of students who have been serving in San Jose de Quero.  It's time for them to have some R&R, restock on supplies, get a really hot shower and have a morning or two without the rooster crowing at 5:00am.  I'm looking forward to hearing their stories and the opportunity to encourage them for their last month in Peru.

At the end of the week, REAP North's third group of International World Changers arrive for an 8 day medical trip.  They will focus on 5 areas around Huancayo meeting physical and spiritual needs of the people.  With this trip, I have the opportunity to return to the San Jose de Quero/Usibamba area where my home church works.  I know I often blog about it, but it is my favorite place in Peru.  The people are so precious and nothing beats the scenery.  I always feel like I'm going home when I arrive in Quero.

Please pray for the students joining me in Huancayo that it will be a time of rest and relaxation, a break from village life, and a time of rejuvenation for the remaining 3.5 weeks.

Also please pray for IWC team as the doctors and nurses see patients.  Pray for wisdom in diagnosing medical issues, an abundance of opportunities to share the Gospel, encouragement for local believers, health, safety and rest for the IWCers, rest at night for our translators and missionaries, and wisdom for making all the decisions that we don't know we'll have to make yet!

You all are my lifeline, I couldn't do this without you!  Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!