Connection problems. Will post later!
Irma
Friday, December 31, 2010
Last 2 Days
It does not seem possible that we have been here in Peru almost one week. The last two days at the orphanage have just flown by and we have seen miraculous things occur. There is so much evidence that the Holy Spirit has been working 24∕ 7 not just at the orphanage in the part of Ventanilla by the orphanage. Many children and teenagers, as well as adults, accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior this week.
This afternoon the residents of the orphanage gathered to say goodbye to the U.S. friends they have made this week and to those who became friends last year. The orphanage band played spicy Latin beats and children and adults crowded the floor to dance. When the time came to say goodbye the children ran to the workers with plenty of hugs and kisses to last till the next time they see us. It was a time of joy and sadness all wrapped up into one. It was a joy because we knew that so many of them came to know how much Jesus loves them. They learned all week long that there is nothing they can do that will make Jesus stop loving them. They learned that Jesus Christ died to pay for the sins of those who accept Him and love Him, and that getting into heaven is not dependent never sinning or doing good works.
The sad part was saying goodbye to the children that we grew so close to during the week.
From the time I made the decision to be a part of the Mission Peru Team I knew that God had a purpose for my coming here. I just did not know for sure what that purpose was. I had been telling stories to the 3 to 5 year old girls and boys and the 6 to 9 year old boys and girls. It had been a good week, with good responses from them. But it still did not feel like that was God´s purpose for me coming. Then on Thursday, as I was leaving the 6 to 9 girls house, a little girl came to the door with so many questions she wanted to ask me. I answered a few, but I had to go to talk to the next group. When I was finished with the next group I went back to the area where we gathered for activities. I turned around and saw her standing there wanting to talk with me some more. She is 9 years old with no family that comes to see her. She had so many questions about sin, salvation, Jesus, fear, lonliness, and her situation. We spoke for about 20 minutes and I tried to answer her questions. I shared the plan of salvation with her and she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. When she left she had a huge smile on her face. I saw and spoke with several times today and each time she had the biggest smile she had had all week. She and another girl danced to the music of the band. She and the other children gave me some many hugs and kisses that they almost knocked me to the floor. All of them called me “Abuelita Irma˝, which means “Granny Irma.“ I knew then that God had brought me here for this one little girl. But God had someone else he wanted me to talk to. He was a 14 year old boy who was a helper in the 6 to 9 year old class. He had been listening attentively all week. As I was leaving the house Beth Baldor told me that she noticed that he was sort of crying during the story and that I should speak to him. I asked him to come outside. I asked him if he understood the plan of salvation. He said that he did, but that he could not go to heaven because he had done something very bad … he had stolen some money and he felt very guilty. He was so sorry he had done it, but now, he felt, he had messed up his chance of going to heaven. We spoke again about the plan of salvation, but on a very personal level for him. I told him to put the money in an envelope, write a note saying that he had stolen the money and was very sorry, and that he was returning it. (no signature.) Then I told him to ask God to forgive him and to give him the strength to resist Satan´s temptations in the future. He had not really understood the plan of salvation before, but he said he did after our talk. He said he felt like a ton of bricks had been lifted off his shoulders. Then he gave me the biggest hug he could. I realized that God did not bring me to Peru just because I speak Spanish. He brought me because He had picked the very specific children with whom He wanted me to share the difference that accepting God as their Savior could make in their lives! There are other team members who had different, but wonderful experiences with the children and adults at the orphanage.
Great things also happened with the people in the town of Ventanilla. There were activities for children of all ages. Adults and children alike received salvation bracelets and other items to take home. Each day Juan Baldor shared with them what it meant to accept Jesus as Savior. The highlight of the week occurred on Friday. A limited number of Spanish Bibles were being handed out to those who wanted one. Children, women, and men of all ages were excited to get a Bible. Some of the people opened their Bible as soon as they got one and started reading them. This year was the first year that the team went outside the orphanage. The people played and got to take home goodies and refreshments. But was most important was that they stayed and heard the story of Jesus! For most of them, that was the first time they had heard it. We believe that this was just seeds that were planted for a wonderful and bountiful harvest in the years to come.
God did indeed had a very special purpose for each of us who came to Peru this year. I am sure that we all fulfilled it. Some of did and did not really know what it was. I, for one, know that I discovered what that purpose was for me. Praise God for His wonderful love, patience, and wisdom!
Irma Teniente
Check next blog for more pictures
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Day 3
By Sherry Rettinger
¡Hola de Peru!
We had a wonderful day today! My first praise is that Heather Castoe and I led nine girls to Christ this morning in their casa! It was very exciting! The girls are from 14-17 years old (picture on the left). If that isn´t enough for one day, I have more good news. I received an email from my 7 year old son today that he was led to the Lord last night by my father! I am so happy and proud of him. So, as you can see I had a wonderful day.
The entire day in the orphanage was fantastic. It is quite obvious that all of the children are grasping a great understanding of salvation, which is amazing when they have been taught completely differently their entire lives. They are full of questions and hungry for the Word. It is a wonderful place to be in Ventanilla, Peru.
I can´t wait to get up in the morning to see what God has in store for us tomorrow.
Until then,
Sherry
¡Hola de Peru!
We had a wonderful day today! My first praise is that Heather Castoe and I led nine girls to Christ this morning in their casa! It was very exciting! The girls are from 14-17 years old (picture on the left). If that isn´t enough for one day, I have more good news. I received an email from my 7 year old son today that he was led to the Lord last night by my father! I am so happy and proud of him. So, as you can see I had a wonderful day.
The entire day in the orphanage was fantastic. It is quite obvious that all of the children are grasping a great understanding of salvation, which is amazing when they have been taught completely differently their entire lives. They are full of questions and hungry for the Word. It is a wonderful place to be in Ventanilla, Peru.
I can´t wait to get up in the morning to see what God has in store for us tomorrow.
Until then,
Sherry
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
By Irma J. Teniente
We had another great day at the orphanage today! What is most amazing is how very loving these children are. They just come up to you and hug you and start talking to you. Most of them seem to be so full of joy and so eager to learn from anyone willing to teach them. They have so little, but they are so grateful for what they do have. They know about Jesus and they are so excited for the opportunity to learn more.
Today they were told they were going to get a surprise. Like most children, they could hardly wait to find out what the surprise was. They waited with great anticipation. Their surprise was a Spanish Bible. They were so excited when they received their Bible, and even the children too young to read were looking through it with great interest. The ones who could read started reading them right away.
The children live as a family in one of the "casas" or houses. From 35 to 60 children live in each house, with a "housemother" and one or two helpers. They are grouped according to age. Josie Cole, Juan Baldour, and I, the Spanish speakers on the team were assigned to visit each house to tell the children the story of how and why Jesus died. We wanted to make sure that they know that Jesus loves them, even when they sin, and that He will never, ever leave them or stop loving them. We wanted them to know that they only way they will get to heaven when they die is through faith in Jesus Christ. Lauren and Nancy, our resident missionaries at the orphanage have done a great job of teaching the children about Jesus and in getting them so excited to learn more about what it means to be a Christian.
Tracy Miller, Jessica De Roache, and Raechel Kirby did a wonderful skit, showing that just being good is not the way to get to heaven, but faith in Jesus Christ is the way to get into heaven. One of the ten Peruvian translators told the story while Tracy, Jessica, and Raechel acted out what the story was telling them. There was music and drama, and all the children were actively involved in all of it.
A total of twelve teams of two to three members taught the children how to make bracelets, crosses and other craft items in the casas. Others led the children in playing outdoor games, teaching them new Christian songs, and different dances. Susan Jernigan was the principal photographer, trying to capture the excitement of the children and the workers with her camera.
Today, for the first time, members of the group went outside the orphanage to have an opportunity to share the joy of knowing Jesus to the people of the town of Ventanilla. Mothers brought their children, grandmothers came, aunts, uncles, fathers, etc. The crowd just grew and grew! Some of the team members were teaching the children and the adults how to make bracelets using embroidery thread, others taught them new games, there were markers, crayons, soccer balls, hula hoops ... well you get the picture.
Each child received a cross, a butterfly, and craft paper on which to stick them on and make of picture to take home.
Just before snacks were distributed to everyone there, those remaining were asked to gather round to listen to a story about Jesus. Many sat while others stood while Juan Baldour told them about what it means to get to know Jesus in a personal way. After he finished the story, Beth Baldour and I were talking with a couple of Moms and noticed a gentleman standing there. At first we thought he was with them, but they left and he stayed. We introduced ourselves and started chatting with him ... about life in Peru, the economy, etc. I sensed that he was interested in learning more about Jesus. I shared the plan of salvation with him and about how Jesus can help each of us get through the tough times that we must all face in life. We invited him to come back tomorrow and he assured us that he would. What an amazing feeling it was to be able to share the joy of Jesus with someone who is seeking a better way of life, a life with hope instead of hopelessness!
Then I turned a little mean. There was a sack of boxes with crayons stacked with other items, ready to be taken back to the orphanage. A little girl asked me if those were for them to take and I told her that they were not. She said that a little boy had just taken a box out of the bag and had walked across the street to his house. I told her that I could not go to his house. Her brother took off and in a few minutes came back with the little boy who took the crayons. I asked him if he had taken them and he said he had not. Then I played a little trick that I used to use on my children. I told him that I could tell if someone was telling the truth by feeling their pulse. Immediately he said that the other little boy had told him to take the crayons. I told him that if he brought the crayons back I would not call the police. He left in a flash and brought the crayons back. I promise I will never do that again! Really, I promise!
Except for that last part, it was a fantastic day for the children and for all of us who participated:
Mary Ann and Gavin, Miranda, Shawn and Heather, Deanne and Hannah, Hayley, Josie and Jeff, Tracy and Jessi, Tera, Alex A, Brian and Lisa, Susan, Amy, Raechel, Wendy, Kevin, Juan and Beth, Kevin, Alex M, Darjuan, Evan, Sherry, Michael, the translators, the medical students who came to work in the orphanage clinic and then came to help us at the orphanage and me.
We all owe a special thanks to Lauren Robertson, who has been in charge of it all (Nancy has been out of the country). She has so much excitement about her love for Jesus and about how He is using her to touch so many. It´s contagious and everyone around her feels it!
Read the blog by Sherry Rettinger tomorrow ... she will have lots of pictures!!
Ciao!
Irma
We had another great day at the orphanage today! What is most amazing is how very loving these children are. They just come up to you and hug you and start talking to you. Most of them seem to be so full of joy and so eager to learn from anyone willing to teach them. They have so little, but they are so grateful for what they do have. They know about Jesus and they are so excited for the opportunity to learn more.
Today they were told they were going to get a surprise. Like most children, they could hardly wait to find out what the surprise was. They waited with great anticipation. Their surprise was a Spanish Bible. They were so excited when they received their Bible, and even the children too young to read were looking through it with great interest. The ones who could read started reading them right away.
The children live as a family in one of the "casas" or houses. From 35 to 60 children live in each house, with a "housemother" and one or two helpers. They are grouped according to age. Josie Cole, Juan Baldour, and I, the Spanish speakers on the team were assigned to visit each house to tell the children the story of how and why Jesus died. We wanted to make sure that they know that Jesus loves them, even when they sin, and that He will never, ever leave them or stop loving them. We wanted them to know that they only way they will get to heaven when they die is through faith in Jesus Christ. Lauren and Nancy, our resident missionaries at the orphanage have done a great job of teaching the children about Jesus and in getting them so excited to learn more about what it means to be a Christian.
Tracy Miller, Jessica De Roache, and Raechel Kirby did a wonderful skit, showing that just being good is not the way to get to heaven, but faith in Jesus Christ is the way to get into heaven. One of the ten Peruvian translators told the story while Tracy, Jessica, and Raechel acted out what the story was telling them. There was music and drama, and all the children were actively involved in all of it.
A total of twelve teams of two to three members taught the children how to make bracelets, crosses and other craft items in the casas. Others led the children in playing outdoor games, teaching them new Christian songs, and different dances. Susan Jernigan was the principal photographer, trying to capture the excitement of the children and the workers with her camera.
Today, for the first time, members of the group went outside the orphanage to have an opportunity to share the joy of knowing Jesus to the people of the town of Ventanilla. Mothers brought their children, grandmothers came, aunts, uncles, fathers, etc. The crowd just grew and grew! Some of the team members were teaching the children and the adults how to make bracelets using embroidery thread, others taught them new games, there were markers, crayons, soccer balls, hula hoops ... well you get the picture.
Each child received a cross, a butterfly, and craft paper on which to stick them on and make of picture to take home.
Just before snacks were distributed to everyone there, those remaining were asked to gather round to listen to a story about Jesus. Many sat while others stood while Juan Baldour told them about what it means to get to know Jesus in a personal way. After he finished the story, Beth Baldour and I were talking with a couple of Moms and noticed a gentleman standing there. At first we thought he was with them, but they left and he stayed. We introduced ourselves and started chatting with him ... about life in Peru, the economy, etc. I sensed that he was interested in learning more about Jesus. I shared the plan of salvation with him and about how Jesus can help each of us get through the tough times that we must all face in life. We invited him to come back tomorrow and he assured us that he would. What an amazing feeling it was to be able to share the joy of Jesus with someone who is seeking a better way of life, a life with hope instead of hopelessness!
Then I turned a little mean. There was a sack of boxes with crayons stacked with other items, ready to be taken back to the orphanage. A little girl asked me if those were for them to take and I told her that they were not. She said that a little boy had just taken a box out of the bag and had walked across the street to his house. I told her that I could not go to his house. Her brother took off and in a few minutes came back with the little boy who took the crayons. I asked him if he had taken them and he said he had not. Then I played a little trick that I used to use on my children. I told him that I could tell if someone was telling the truth by feeling their pulse. Immediately he said that the other little boy had told him to take the crayons. I told him that if he brought the crayons back I would not call the police. He left in a flash and brought the crayons back. I promise I will never do that again! Really, I promise!
Except for that last part, it was a fantastic day for the children and for all of us who participated:
Mary Ann and Gavin, Miranda, Shawn and Heather, Deanne and Hannah, Hayley, Josie and Jeff, Tracy and Jessi, Tera, Alex A, Brian and Lisa, Susan, Amy, Raechel, Wendy, Kevin, Juan and Beth, Kevin, Alex M, Darjuan, Evan, Sherry, Michael, the translators, the medical students who came to work in the orphanage clinic and then came to help us at the orphanage and me.
We all owe a special thanks to Lauren Robertson, who has been in charge of it all (Nancy has been out of the country). She has so much excitement about her love for Jesus and about how He is using her to touch so many. It´s contagious and everyone around her feels it!
Read the blog by Sherry Rettinger tomorrow ... she will have lots of pictures!!
Ciao!
Irma
A note from the orphanage
Those of us staying at the orphanage are having a great time! This afternoon we went to a bible study Lauren led for new believers. They sang songs in Spanish and English, which was amazing to listen to! Lauren taught them from James. Even though most of us don't speak Spanish, we could tell what a great job she did! This evening we went to another bible study with her for some of the older boys. They are so much fun! Evan played the guitar and sang, and the boys loved it - he has another engagement tomorrow! The study was about Jesus washing the disciples feet, and then we got to wash the boys' feet. It was really neat.
After doing a little craft prep for tomorrow, we went to eat at the "chicken shack" - fabulous!
Thanks for you prayers!
-Amy Pierce
After doing a little craft prep for tomorrow, we went to eat at the "chicken shack" - fabulous!
Thanks for you prayers!
-Amy Pierce
Monday, December 27, 2010
Day One-Success!
We had a great day at the orphanage today! To the left is a picture of us decorating the orphanages' chapel or capilla for the Christmas Party we threw for the children today.They had a great time. First we served them chicken (pollo y papas) box lunches furnished by Southmont Baptist Church (thank you!) which were delivered in three seperate taxi cabs. The first children were served at 12 and the last meals did not arrive until almost 1pm. But, one thing we did not account for is that the children do not begin to eat until all have been served. We were all a little stressed out over this, but the children are quite accustomed to it, and did not complain a bit while quietly sitting and staring at their lunch for almost an hour without being able to eat it!After lunch, we had a Christmas play in the Capilla, narrated by Dr. Baldour which the children loved! We then sang songs, did crafts, then gave each child a gift consisting of a beanie baby, a hot wheel, and some candy. They were very excited about their gifts and it was so rewarding to be able to offer these gifts to them. Along with meeting dozens of children who wanted nothing more than to hug me, find out my name, and talk for a minute; I was able to spend some time in the baby house, which was a wonderful experience.
We are now preparing for an exciting day we have in store for tomorrow. We will go into the dorm rooms or casas for small group lessons. We will tell them the stories of Jesus´death, burial, and ressurrection during the next few days and will also present salvation to them.
In the afternoons we will have large group time in a VBS style program. During the same time, some of the group will be going into the city of Ventanilla outside of the walls of the orphanage to share the gospel with the neighborhood children.
This is an exciting time, so please pray for us and for the people we will be witnessing to in the next few days.
-Sherry Rettinger
Sunday, December 26, 2010
We made it!
We arrived safely at our hotel in Lima just a few minutes ago. We´ll get a few hours of sleep and then be off for the orphanage in about 6 and a half hours!
Thank you for your prayers!
Thank you for your prayers!
Friday, December 24, 2010
It is Christmas Eve and our lives are filled with last minute shopping, plentiful food, family gatherings, homes decorated with cheer, and presents in all sizes and colors to be opened tomorrow morning. All of these trappings give me pause, I stop and think of the 800 plus precious kids that I will see in the 26th. I think about how today and tomorrow is such a stark contrast to ours. I can hardly wait to get thru my hoilday gatherings so that I can be on a plane to Peru. We are taking gifts but none as great at the gift of salvation. There is no better gift that I can share than the Good News of Jesus Christ. That God has been seeking each of these children and has arms open wide waiting to be their Father-forever!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Bibles! Bibles! Bibles!
The project of getting a Bible to each child in the community was laid upon our hearts in the late fall and the task seemed so impossible. There was the cost, finding 800 + spanish translation from one source, logistics of getting them to Ventanilla and it all seemed to be a dead end at each stop. However once again God proved that when you are walking with Him that nothing is impossible. Our mighty Father led many people to give generously to fund the Bibles and Lauren was led to one source in Peru that saved us an enormous amount in shipping expense and available space. Mission Peru will be taking a Bible for each child to call their own. We are certain that this precious gift will draw many closer to salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus. We give God all the glory and praise!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Crafts!
We've been as busy as elves in December, preparing the crafts to take on our trip. Thank you to everyone who has helped cut, tie, sort, and prepare!
We've also been assembling Christmas gifts for the children. Each child will get a Beanie Babie, a Hot Wheel car, and some candy.
In less than two weeks, we'll be placing these gifts into the hands of those precious children and working with them to complete these crafts, along with telling Bible stories, sharing the plan of salvation, singing songs, playing games, and giving lots of hugs! Please continue to pray for our team as we make final preparations.
We've also been assembling Christmas gifts for the children. Each child will get a Beanie Babie, a Hot Wheel car, and some candy.
In less than two weeks, we'll be placing these gifts into the hands of those precious children and working with them to complete these crafts, along with telling Bible stories, sharing the plan of salvation, singing songs, playing games, and giving lots of hugs! Please continue to pray for our team as we make final preparations.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Bibles for Peru
The following was shared by Tracy at the Peru benefit concert:
Library day at school was always an exciting day for me. While I think most kids look forward to library day, I don't know that all of those library books are actually read. In fact, sometimes those books are lost and have to be replaced - as my family has experienced!
In the orphanage in Ventanilla there are 20 copies of one book. This book is so popular that it is never on the shelf, never lost and never dusty! The book I refer to is the Bible.
The kids must sign out the Bible. They love to read it and they have never before been able to do that. Because of the generosity of a Sunday school class here at Southmont they can.
The children have also been given Proclaimers. These are audio Bibles that don't require electricity or batteries. Quechu, Spanish & English are the versions they currently have. You just wind them up and play.
Often when casa's misbehave, they are put under restriction. Lauren Robertson tells the story of a group of kids confined to their casa for misbehaving. They had nothing to do! What do you think they did? That's right! They listened to their proclaimer. All of it! They must have gotten into pretty big trouble!
I believe that the children are quickly learning to love the Bible. I can understand why. Can you imagine reading the story of David and Goliath for the first time? They can relate! They are David and the life they face each day is Goliath.
The loneliness they feel from losing parents to death or abandonment is probably similar to the loneliness Jonah felt in the belly of the whale!
How exciting it is for them to read about a Father who loves them and will never leave them!
They love these stories because they know they are true. The Holy Spirit tugs at them and tugs on their hearts with every word.
I wonder how many of the kids pray for their own Bible. I believe God will say yes to this request. If we become a part of this blessing I know in heaven we will meet these kids - orphans no more. And they will say "thank you." I received my first Bible because you said yes and gave me that precious gift.
We are still collecting money for Bibles for the children at the orphanage. If you are interested in making a donation it may be sent to Southmont Baptist Church at 2801 Pennsylvania Drive, Denton, TX 76205. Please designate "Peru Bibles" on your check.
Library day at school was always an exciting day for me. While I think most kids look forward to library day, I don't know that all of those library books are actually read. In fact, sometimes those books are lost and have to be replaced - as my family has experienced!
In the orphanage in Ventanilla there are 20 copies of one book. This book is so popular that it is never on the shelf, never lost and never dusty! The book I refer to is the Bible.
The kids must sign out the Bible. They love to read it and they have never before been able to do that. Because of the generosity of a Sunday school class here at Southmont they can.
The children have also been given Proclaimers. These are audio Bibles that don't require electricity or batteries. Quechu, Spanish & English are the versions they currently have. You just wind them up and play.
Often when casa's misbehave, they are put under restriction. Lauren Robertson tells the story of a group of kids confined to their casa for misbehaving. They had nothing to do! What do you think they did? That's right! They listened to their proclaimer. All of it! They must have gotten into pretty big trouble!
I believe that the children are quickly learning to love the Bible. I can understand why. Can you imagine reading the story of David and Goliath for the first time? They can relate! They are David and the life they face each day is Goliath.
The loneliness they feel from losing parents to death or abandonment is probably similar to the loneliness Jonah felt in the belly of the whale!
How exciting it is for them to read about a Father who loves them and will never leave them!
They love these stories because they know they are true. The Holy Spirit tugs at them and tugs on their hearts with every word.
I wonder how many of the kids pray for their own Bible. I believe God will say yes to this request. If we become a part of this blessing I know in heaven we will meet these kids - orphans no more. And they will say "thank you." I received my first Bible because you said yes and gave me that precious gift.
We are still collecting money for Bibles for the children at the orphanage. If you are interested in making a donation it may be sent to Southmont Baptist Church at 2801 Pennsylvania Drive, Denton, TX 76205. Please designate "Peru Bibles" on your check.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Illuminate!
The Mission Peru benefit concert, Illuminate!, was a wonderful evening of music and worship. Thank you to all who attended and took part in the program. A special thanks to Kevin and Angeline for sharing their musical gifts with us, and to Wendy for coordinating the event.
Larry served as MC, Josey shared scripture, Dr. Baldor shared about his call to join our team, and Jessica shared of God's provision.
Tracy shared the call to bring Bibles to the children of Sagrada Familia Orphanage, Wendy shared about the work God has already done since the trip last January, Shawn shared about his experience on our first trip to the orphanage, and Michelle shared a call to prayer.
After the concert Team Peru gathered for a group picture.
Kevin and Angeline did an amazing job leading us in worship:
Larry served as MC, Josey shared scripture, Dr. Baldor shared about his call to join our team, and Jessica shared of God's provision.
Tracy shared the call to bring Bibles to the children of Sagrada Familia Orphanage, Wendy shared about the work God has already done since the trip last January, Shawn shared about his experience on our first trip to the orphanage, and Michelle shared a call to prayer.
After the concert Team Peru gathered for a group picture.
It Starts With One
The following was shared by Wendy at Illuminate!, the Peru benefit concert.
It starts with one, one salvation.
Last January, Liz accepted Christ as her Savior. She had been praying that God would send her someone to show her what she was missing. She believes that Lauren was the answer to her prayers. ONE
Carlos our lead translator prayed for Christ to walk with him. TWO
In March, five girls were led to Christ by another teenage girl at the community. SEVEN
A security guard accepted Christ in April. EIGHT
Two more teenagers accepted Christ. TEN
In July, Doris, the local dentist became a Christian. ELEVEN
Alvaro, the religion teacher made the decision to follow Christ in August. TWELVE
Since September 60 children have put their faith in the one true God.
SEVENTY TWO – 72 new believers in Jesus Christ.
Because of the work started a year ago and continuing now daily with Lauren and Nancy there is a momentum that cannot be stopped. Alvaro, the religion teacher is sharing the Good News in his classes with curriculum that teaches about Christ and salvation. Doris, the dentist is using her office as a house church each week. Liz shares her testimony and helps to prepare crafts for hundreds of kids at the public schools outside the orphanage. Lauren is becoming entrenched in the community where contacts are helping her reach many new people.
The Peruvians who have accepted Christ are excited and eager to share the Good News with the community.
What will you do to ensure this number continues to grow?
It starts with one, one salvation.
Last January, Liz accepted Christ as her Savior. She had been praying that God would send her someone to show her what she was missing. She believes that Lauren was the answer to her prayers. ONE
Carlos our lead translator prayed for Christ to walk with him. TWO
In March, five girls were led to Christ by another teenage girl at the community. SEVEN
A security guard accepted Christ in April. EIGHT
Two more teenagers accepted Christ. TEN
In July, Doris, the local dentist became a Christian. ELEVEN
Alvaro, the religion teacher made the decision to follow Christ in August. TWELVE
Since September 60 children have put their faith in the one true God.
SEVENTY TWO – 72 new believers in Jesus Christ.
Because of the work started a year ago and continuing now daily with Lauren and Nancy there is a momentum that cannot be stopped. Alvaro, the religion teacher is sharing the Good News in his classes with curriculum that teaches about Christ and salvation. Doris, the dentist is using her office as a house church each week. Liz shares her testimony and helps to prepare crafts for hundreds of kids at the public schools outside the orphanage. Lauren is becoming entrenched in the community where contacts are helping her reach many new people.
The Peruvians who have accepted Christ are excited and eager to share the Good News with the community.
What will you do to ensure this number continues to grow?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Journey Continues!
God has clearly been at work, assembling the team for our next mission trip to Peru! December 26, 2010 - January 2, 2011 we will be traveling to Lima, Peru to work with the children at Sagrada Familia Communidad de Ninos, as well as the surrounding community.
In the next several weeks we will be posting stories of how we see God working to bring together everything necessary for this trip. We know He will provide for us and guide us and we are excited to share the process with our church family and friends. May God receive all the glory!
Please pray that God will continue to prompt those who are to go on this trip and those who are to give so that others may go. Pray that we will rely on Him to guide us each step of the way in preparing for our mission.
In the next several weeks we will be posting stories of how we see God working to bring together everything necessary for this trip. We know He will provide for us and guide us and we are excited to share the process with our church family and friends. May God receive all the glory!
Please pray that God will continue to prompt those who are to go on this trip and those who are to give so that others may go. Pray that we will rely on Him to guide us each step of the way in preparing for our mission.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Buenos Dias! The trip has already been an adventure...after changing flights, waiting in Mexico City for 15+ hours, we finally made it Peru and we hit the ground running. :) Praise God we only missed the morning with the kids on Monday! Our first day of activities went so well we had more kids come last night! In addition to doing a mini-VBS in the afternoon, we've assisted Nancy and Lauren in their classes, cared for the little ones in the baby house, and started work on the new computer room/library. Thank you for all the prayers while we were traveling, we felt each one and we knew God would provide the way! Continue to pray that we continue to have unity within our group and that God grows us each day! - Jessica
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Update on the school and our missionaries at the orphanage
Praise God for His provision for the school at the orphanage, through the generosity of members and friends of Southmont!
The second floor of the school was completed in time and is being put to use. Two of our own, Lauren and Nancy, are teaching in the very school that your gifts helped to complete. God is amazing in His provision and plans!
Lauren and Nancy have now been teaching for about a month, and things are beginning to settle into a routine of sorts. Things in Peru just don’t work the same way as they do in the States, especially in regards to scheduling and time. Both Lauren and Nancy have blogs of their own; the links are posted later in this post.
Here’s an update from Nancy, excerpted from her blog:
The school indeed was finished in time for the government to pick up the teachers’ salaries, so of course that called for a celebration. Actually, it called for TWO celebrations!!! The ministry of education (education department) came out to the school and they had a fun celebration and then came back and did a formal celebration on Saturday. I got the worst sunburn of my life during that celebration. We are A LOT closer to the equator here...
The second floor of the school was completed in time and is being put to use. Two of our own, Lauren and Nancy, are teaching in the very school that your gifts helped to complete. God is amazing in His provision and plans!
Lauren and Nancy have now been teaching for about a month, and things are beginning to settle into a routine of sorts. Things in Peru just don’t work the same way as they do in the States, especially in regards to scheduling and time. Both Lauren and Nancy have blogs of their own; the links are posted later in this post.
Here’s an update from Nancy, excerpted from her blog:
The school indeed was finished in time for the government to pick up the teachers’ salaries, so of course that called for a celebration. Actually, it called for TWO celebrations!!! The ministry of education (education department) came out to the school and they had a fun celebration and then came back and did a formal celebration on Saturday. I got the worst sunburn of my life during that celebration. We are A LOT closer to the equator here...
Please pray for spiritual and emotional strength for both Lauren and I.
-That our lives would constantly be pointing to Christ and that everything we do would be glorfiying to Him
-That Satan would not distract us from the goals God has set before us, and that we will only use the energy God has given us on things that really matter.
-For continued opportunities to share the gospel.
-That peoples’ minds and hearts would be open to the Lord and that the Holy Spirit would draw them toward Himself.
-That I would be able to learn Spanish quickly.
-That the Lord will give me wisdom on how to plan my classes and most importantly, how to integrate the Bible into my classes.
Nancy's blog address: http://www.iwanttobeinperu.blogspot.com/
And here is an update from Lauren, excerpted from her blog and an email from her:
Thanks so much to everyone that cut out all of my laminated things and helped me get ready for this school year. Things were so much better because people in Denton helped me get prepared before hand.
On Wednesday of that week (their first week there) there was an official opening of the school. All of the government officials came and had a formal celebration on the soccer field. The government brought new clothes for the children and manipulatives for teaching. The community’s band played a few songs and then they officially cut the ribbon and broke a jar of wine for the school to open. A plaque was also presented that is on the wall of the school. This was I am sure a very exciting day for Miguel, the orphanage director, because now his school is a certified school and he can receive funding from the state which is very helpful when it comes to paying the bills.
Praises from the past couple weeks:
We have had great favor with the Peruvian translators, Miguel - the director of the orphanage, and all of the teachers we will be working with.
The new school is now being put into use, and all of the new materials that Southmont brought are in the principal’s office for any teacher to use at their convenience
We have had many opportunities to share the gospel from taxi drivers, to translators, to people in town, and of course to the people living in the community.
Prayer Requests:
Emotional, spiritual, and physical strength. We are in great spiritual warfare here.
For God to raise up leaders in the community of children to come to know Him that will have a catalyst effect in the rest of the community.
For Joy for me personally
For the school schedule that is still in the works that God would have us in the right places at all of the right times
Lauren's blog address: http://www.laurenservinginperu.blogspot.com/
Please also pray for the group from Southmont’s college department who will be traveling to the orphanage in May. They will be working on some projects around the orphanage as well as holding Bible studies and English classes. If you would like to support them financially, gifts can be made through Southmont Baptist Church.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” 2 Corinthians 8:8-9
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Dick's Story
"A God-Moment" - Experience
The significance of our trip hit me on the first day as we listened to Miguel share his story. Here was a man used of God to give life, hope, security, and a future to hundreds of children who would otherwise live in extreme poverty in the existence of "street children", and we were to become a small part of this inspiring story; to share the love of Jesus by loving and giving of ourselves to the children. As Lisa said, "who knows, maybe a Peruvian Billy Graham will come from this orphanage!"
I was very impressed with the sewing, baking, woodworking, and music workshops at the children's home, but it was the musicianship of the children's (older kids, of course) band that was so impressive. We really enjoyed the live fiesta performance on Friday, but I was really surprised at excellent quality of the cd I bought from them. The musicality of the performers on all the various instruments (keyboard, guitars of all sizes, drum and percussion instruments of all kinds, various wood flutes, and ethnic "pan pipes" of every size and key you would need), and the professional level of the recording made the cd a great pleasure to listen to. Their participation in this workshop will give all the youth great satisfaction the rest of their lives, and perhaps some will be able to make music their life's vocation.
The significance of our trip hit me on the first day as we listened to Miguel share his story. Here was a man used of God to give life, hope, security, and a future to hundreds of children who would otherwise live in extreme poverty in the existence of "street children", and we were to become a small part of this inspiring story; to share the love of Jesus by loving and giving of ourselves to the children. As Lisa said, "who knows, maybe a Peruvian Billy Graham will come from this orphanage!"
I was very impressed with the sewing, baking, woodworking, and music workshops at the children's home, but it was the musicianship of the children's (older kids, of course) band that was so impressive. We really enjoyed the live fiesta performance on Friday, but I was really surprised at excellent quality of the cd I bought from them. The musicality of the performers on all the various instruments (keyboard, guitars of all sizes, drum and percussion instruments of all kinds, various wood flutes, and ethnic "pan pipes" of every size and key you would need), and the professional level of the recording made the cd a great pleasure to listen to. Their participation in this workshop will give all the youth great satisfaction the rest of their lives, and perhaps some will be able to make music their life's vocation.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Never Too Late - Carlos's Story
This was written by Carlos, who was our 24/7 translator while we were in Peru.
This is the story that I never planned to tell because I always believed there would never be the possibility of telling—as thousands of other people do—about being so close to God. Today I can say this after 9 years of being completely separated from the church and from God Himself.
I come from a family deeply rooted in the Catholic religion, so I have always been close to church and religion (terms whose meanings have been confusing), and I have grown up completing each of the Sacraments (Baptism, 1st Communion, Confirmation), and I am also conscious that I have grown up with the idea that God is our savior, and the He is always with us.
Little by little as time went by, my separation (from God) was fast, and all I did was to find excuses to not go to mass on Sundays, and the fact that my family had stopped going also helped—so much that my separation from God was just about complete. I got farther and farther away, and all I did was “pray” at night before going to bed. Of course, this was just a monotonous prayer of thanks for the day, and of asking for the same every time: waking up alive and having a better day than the one before.
After finishing secondary school, I had the opportunity to work as a translator for a medical mission that came to Peru in 2001. Since that date I have been carrying out that job together with my friends/coworkers. You probably wonder what that has to do with anything. The thing is that these medical missions have always been sponsored by people who are associated with a church in the U.S. It’s been 9 years since I started to work with them, and I am still doing that.
In spite of the fact that I always watched and listened to how they prayed before each meal, before beginning to work for the day, etc, I was indifferent and even a bit disparaging and taking it lightly, since I didn’t care at all what they were thinking or saying. But I should also confess that I still had respect for those who communicated with God through their prayers, and I still do.
Nine years have passed, and now I am more than surprised to have had the privilege of being so close to God without someone else having to ‘convince’ me or ‘talk to me’ about Him. Everything happened so fast that those nine years could be summed up in 9 days, 9 minutes, or 9 hours—I don’t know. I still don’t understand how it happened—it just happened. Everything is different now—from my way of thinking and acting to my way of communicating with God.
I met Lisa Robertson on Jan 3, 2010, since they offered me the job of being a 24-hour translator, but this time for another church. All the previous communication I had with her was through e-mail, and I never thought I would connect with her so well in such a few days. I remember that we met on Sunday at 7:12 am when I was eating breakfast in the hotel dining room, --Lisa came to the table and my friends introduced her. I had only just seen her, and I felt an energy that I had never felt. I could see in her eyes a deep inner peace, and I told myself, “I want to feel that peace, too.” That was how we started working together. Those 6 days went by so fast that we hardly had time to get to know each other, and we spent the time working with the other members of the team.
A week after the group had left for their country, I wrote a letter to Lisa, thanking her for the opportunity to work with them, and I made the comment that we had really gotten along well, and I had only felt positive energy from her. It was then that my drawing nearer to God began, and it was immediate.
The letter I received back was the best I had read in 9 years. Each word, phrase, and paragraph was more than enough to make my heart and my soul feel something I still don’t know how to explain. I only know that I would want everyone to feel what I felt and to experience the marvel of enjoying the presence of God. The next Sunday I decided to go to church, and I planned to go with a friend. But due to some circumstances, I decided to go alone. Everything was so strange that I felt like I didn’t fit in to the idea of families going to church on Sunday. I felt like they were looking at me as if I were an intruder in their territory, but little by little I started to not pay attention to them, and I dedicated myself to talking to God, asking Him to forgive me for all the bad I had done up to that moment, and asking Him to draw me closer to Him. Mass ended, and I stayed a while longer—not praying or asking for anything, just thinking—I don’t remember about what. After 20 minutes, I left without any particular destination. Since that day, I go to church on Sundays just to ‘converse’ with God.
On Thursday, Jan 28, I traveled from Cañete to Lima to meet my family on the following day. On the 2-hour trip, I decided to rest. I closed my eyes, ready for a little nap, but I couldn’t sleep. I kept waking up every 2-3 minutes. I couldn’t get to sleep. Then I decided to look out the window to pass the time, since I couldn’t go to sleep, and everything was dark. All I could see was the reflection of my body in the window, and it was then I began to pray and think about a thousand things, but above all I was able to feel that I was closer to God, and that we were really communicating. That was the second time that I received God in my heart, and now I am more that convinced that I want to share all that you’ve read.
I have realized that being alone allows me to have that closeness with God and to connect so well with Him that, unfortunately, I have to interrupt that activity to take care of the infinite other things that one must do in everyday life. But all in all, I feel that tranquility, that inner peace that I have always wanted and that I now have.
Today I don’t know what will happen in my life, or what God wants of me. The only thing I know is that now I am more than ready to receive it (His will) with all my heart, and to pursue it for my whole life. I am completely sure that this happened for a reason. . . but I am still trying to explain it.
This is the story that I never planned to tell because I always believed there would never be the possibility of telling—as thousands of other people do—about being so close to God. Today I can say this after 9 years of being completely separated from the church and from God Himself.
I come from a family deeply rooted in the Catholic religion, so I have always been close to church and religion (terms whose meanings have been confusing), and I have grown up completing each of the Sacraments (Baptism, 1st Communion, Confirmation), and I am also conscious that I have grown up with the idea that God is our savior, and the He is always with us.
Little by little as time went by, my separation (from God) was fast, and all I did was to find excuses to not go to mass on Sundays, and the fact that my family had stopped going also helped—so much that my separation from God was just about complete. I got farther and farther away, and all I did was “pray” at night before going to bed. Of course, this was just a monotonous prayer of thanks for the day, and of asking for the same every time: waking up alive and having a better day than the one before.
After finishing secondary school, I had the opportunity to work as a translator for a medical mission that came to Peru in 2001. Since that date I have been carrying out that job together with my friends/coworkers. You probably wonder what that has to do with anything. The thing is that these medical missions have always been sponsored by people who are associated with a church in the U.S. It’s been 9 years since I started to work with them, and I am still doing that.
In spite of the fact that I always watched and listened to how they prayed before each meal, before beginning to work for the day, etc, I was indifferent and even a bit disparaging and taking it lightly, since I didn’t care at all what they were thinking or saying. But I should also confess that I still had respect for those who communicated with God through their prayers, and I still do.
Nine years have passed, and now I am more than surprised to have had the privilege of being so close to God without someone else having to ‘convince’ me or ‘talk to me’ about Him. Everything happened so fast that those nine years could be summed up in 9 days, 9 minutes, or 9 hours—I don’t know. I still don’t understand how it happened—it just happened. Everything is different now—from my way of thinking and acting to my way of communicating with God.
I met Lisa Robertson on Jan 3, 2010, since they offered me the job of being a 24-hour translator, but this time for another church. All the previous communication I had with her was through e-mail, and I never thought I would connect with her so well in such a few days. I remember that we met on Sunday at 7:12 am when I was eating breakfast in the hotel dining room, --Lisa came to the table and my friends introduced her. I had only just seen her, and I felt an energy that I had never felt. I could see in her eyes a deep inner peace, and I told myself, “I want to feel that peace, too.” That was how we started working together. Those 6 days went by so fast that we hardly had time to get to know each other, and we spent the time working with the other members of the team.
A week after the group had left for their country, I wrote a letter to Lisa, thanking her for the opportunity to work with them, and I made the comment that we had really gotten along well, and I had only felt positive energy from her. It was then that my drawing nearer to God began, and it was immediate.
The letter I received back was the best I had read in 9 years. Each word, phrase, and paragraph was more than enough to make my heart and my soul feel something I still don’t know how to explain. I only know that I would want everyone to feel what I felt and to experience the marvel of enjoying the presence of God. The next Sunday I decided to go to church, and I planned to go with a friend. But due to some circumstances, I decided to go alone. Everything was so strange that I felt like I didn’t fit in to the idea of families going to church on Sunday. I felt like they were looking at me as if I were an intruder in their territory, but little by little I started to not pay attention to them, and I dedicated myself to talking to God, asking Him to forgive me for all the bad I had done up to that moment, and asking Him to draw me closer to Him. Mass ended, and I stayed a while longer—not praying or asking for anything, just thinking—I don’t remember about what. After 20 minutes, I left without any particular destination. Since that day, I go to church on Sundays just to ‘converse’ with God.
On Thursday, Jan 28, I traveled from Cañete to Lima to meet my family on the following day. On the 2-hour trip, I decided to rest. I closed my eyes, ready for a little nap, but I couldn’t sleep. I kept waking up every 2-3 minutes. I couldn’t get to sleep. Then I decided to look out the window to pass the time, since I couldn’t go to sleep, and everything was dark. All I could see was the reflection of my body in the window, and it was then I began to pray and think about a thousand things, but above all I was able to feel that I was closer to God, and that we were really communicating. That was the second time that I received God in my heart, and now I am more that convinced that I want to share all that you’ve read.
I have realized that being alone allows me to have that closeness with God and to connect so well with Him that, unfortunately, I have to interrupt that activity to take care of the infinite other things that one must do in everyday life. But all in all, I feel that tranquility, that inner peace that I have always wanted and that I now have.
Today I don’t know what will happen in my life, or what God wants of me. The only thing I know is that now I am more than ready to receive it (His will) with all my heart, and to pursue it for my whole life. I am completely sure that this happened for a reason. . . but I am still trying to explain it.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Update on Lauren
Lauren made it back safely to the orphanage after the two week walking tour. God did wonderful things during those two weeks. Liz, a young woman who is one of the house parents at the orphanage was on the tour as a chaperone. Lauren and several other team members had shared with her during our week there and on the first day of the two week tour, Liz committed her life to following Jesus Christ! Praise God!
Lauren also had the opportunity to share the gospel with the kids on the tour as well as children and adults that they met along the way. As they visited poor villages, Lauren was able to give out salvation bracelets and use them to present the message of salvation. She said that the adults and children alike were clamoring to get a piece of string and some beads; they have so little. So, Lauren was able to give them that trinket, along with something so much more valuable – the message of the hope of salvation. Pray that the message she sowed into their hearts would be tended by others who come behind her, and that God will bring a great harvest!
Lauren has been back at the orphanage for about a week and a half. She is the only American there and Liz is the only other Christian that she knows of. She is experiencing loneliness and homesickness and feels weak. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be her comforter and will give her strength.
Lauren has a huge burden for the lost and often worries she isn’t doing enough. Pray that God would transform her burden into a passion – one that brings her joy, and not guilt.
Lauren has continued building relationships with the kids and the other volunteers and house parents. One young man in particular she feels could have a great influence on the community, were he to come to know Christ. Pray that God will raise up leaders within the community to accept the gospel and share it with the others.
Lauren also had the opportunity to share the gospel with the kids on the tour as well as children and adults that they met along the way. As they visited poor villages, Lauren was able to give out salvation bracelets and use them to present the message of salvation. She said that the adults and children alike were clamoring to get a piece of string and some beads; they have so little. So, Lauren was able to give them that trinket, along with something so much more valuable – the message of the hope of salvation. Pray that the message she sowed into their hearts would be tended by others who come behind her, and that God will bring a great harvest!
Lauren has been back at the orphanage for about a week and a half. She is the only American there and Liz is the only other Christian that she knows of. She is experiencing loneliness and homesickness and feels weak. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be her comforter and will give her strength.
Lauren has a huge burden for the lost and often worries she isn’t doing enough. Pray that God would transform her burden into a passion – one that brings her joy, and not guilt.
Lauren has continued building relationships with the kids and the other volunteers and house parents. One young man in particular she feels could have a great influence on the community, were he to come to know Christ. Pray that God will raise up leaders within the community to accept the gospel and share it with the others.
This week they have started a summer program at the orphanage because the children were getting bored. Lauren has been teaching and sharing the gospel with several groups of children as part of this program. Pray that the children will understand the gospel and make the decision to follow Jesus.
Lauren will be returning to Texas on Feb. 14th. Pray for safe travel from the orphanage to Lima and on the flight home.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Lisa's Story
This is not really my story – it is the story of an amazing God who loves to show us His will one step at a time. I only tell it so He will receive all the glory. It is a testimony to the fact that He hears the cries of our hearts, He does answer prayer, He chooses the weak because He is strong, and that He can do the impossible.
In March of 2009 Lauren was at work at Dallas Baptist Univ. A friend saw her and said “Lauren, I went on a mission trip to Peru over spring break. I went to a place you would love! - an orphanage of about 800 children!, but I don’t know the name of the orphanage!” This really spoke to Lauren’s heart. She tracked down another friend who went on the same trip, but not to the orphanage. She borrowed her friend’s trip itinerary and found the name of the orphanage. Then she googled the orphanage name to get a contact name and number. She and Nancy began making plans to live in Peru at the orphanage 6 weeks during the summer of 2009.
By May, Nancy had decided not to go to Peru, we told Lauren she couldn’t go by herself and that was the end of that! Until….
Wednesday, May 13 Bruce Troy called me into his office to read me the flyleaf of a book that had mysteriously appeared in his office – The Hole in Our Gospel. We later found out that the book had been mailed to pastors across America by Rick Warren’s church. I asked Bruce if I could borrow the book. Wow! This book is about all the pressing needs of the world – poverty, disease, contaminated water, hunger. And it is about God’s great ability to use anyone to change the world. This was the kind of statement I was reading that week “What if there are children who will suffer somehow because I failed to obey God? What if my cowardice costs even one child somewhere in the world his or her life?”
Early the next Monday, May 18, I was driving to my parents’ house, praying as I drove. Suddenly it hit me to call Lauren. This is what she heard, “Lauren, it’s Mom. Listen, I need to talk to you about Peru. I know we told you that you couldn’t go this summer. What if we take a group from Southmont there at Christmas break? Those orphans who don’t know Christ keep sticking in my brain.” Lauren gasped and told me that in her very first conversation with the orphanage contact he – Scott – had asked her if she could get a large group of people together to do something big for the orphanage at Christmas. Her response to him had been “I don’t know a big group of people who have money for something like that!” That moment as I was driving to Meridian, I realized that I might be on a journey, and the destination was not my parents’ house.
Over the summer I began to share what God was doing – was He doing something? – with the college students and friends – anyone who acted remotely interested in Peru.
In October, even though it looked like Peru was off the table at Southmont, the missions committee graciously (faithfully) paid my way to Peru for a pre-trip truth-finding trip. That made no sense to me, but God had a plan.
God supernaturally revealed His will for Southmont’s involvement with the school and for VBS while I was in Peru. Here was a prayer I prayed regarding Lauren while I was there “Please prepare Lauren for this trip. Impress Your Holy Spirit on her, O Lord. ….Please give her an awesome job – just exactly the one YOU have for her…..Please bring it to her in Your perfect time.”
I could go on and on about the prayers God led me to pray, about the answers He so amazingly supplied. 17 days after hearing about the trip and how much it cost ($1880), 30 people had signed up and paid $1150, or someone had paid $1150 on their behalf. During the Thanksgiving, Christmas, end of school, college graduation craziness, God brought together crafts, curriculum, and a perfectly balanced team for 735 children. God placed it on Lori’s heart to gather a huge amount of curriculum and supplies to train the teachers – in the midst of all the holidays and a new grandbaby and a blizzard. Almost $100,000 was given for the trip in 54 days, and everyone got their passport in time!
I must confess that my biggest hope for this trip really had little to do with orphans in Peru. My main hope was expressed in this prayer: “O God, show Your mercy to this congregation at Southmont. Father, unite us for Your purpose, for Your vision, for Your great commission and great commandment. O Lord get us out of ourselves”. Certainly I and many others have prayed for this congregation over the past few years – that God would unite us and show His glory. The first day we were at the orphanage, the children greeted us in the now famous “kissing line”. After a while, I stepped out of line to take some pictures. As I stood there with tears streaming down my face watching my friends being greeted by precious children, I heard the Lord say – Lisa, all the prayers you have lifted up for Southmont have been answered today. Thank you Lord!
And that perfect job for Lauren? On Wednesday of the trip we met with Miguel. I mentioned that Lauren would be staying 5 more weeks and that she had just graduated from college. Miguel asked her major – education and Spanish. He said “Would she want to teach this coming school year – March to Dec?” I said, “Probably not. Her job is to tell people about God.” Miguel replied, “Then she could be our professor of religion!”
God reveals His will for our lives in the daily communications we have with Him; in our weak moments and in our times of praise. He will reveal Himself to us in the valleys of despair. He will send us a song, a friend, a breeze, a whisper. If you want to know God’s will, spend time with Him. Talk to Him, listen to Him, struggle with Him, tell Him how you really feel. Obey Him, move forward with whatever light He provides. II Chronicles 16:9 says “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His;” Proverbs 3:5-6 back that up with this: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
What appears to be a teeny tiny step of weak obedience, just may be the beginning of the most amazing journey of your life!
In March of 2009 Lauren was at work at Dallas Baptist Univ. A friend saw her and said “Lauren, I went on a mission trip to Peru over spring break. I went to a place you would love! - an orphanage of about 800 children!, but I don’t know the name of the orphanage!” This really spoke to Lauren’s heart. She tracked down another friend who went on the same trip, but not to the orphanage. She borrowed her friend’s trip itinerary and found the name of the orphanage. Then she googled the orphanage name to get a contact name and number. She and Nancy began making plans to live in Peru at the orphanage 6 weeks during the summer of 2009.
By May, Nancy had decided not to go to Peru, we told Lauren she couldn’t go by herself and that was the end of that! Until….
Wednesday, May 13 Bruce Troy called me into his office to read me the flyleaf of a book that had mysteriously appeared in his office – The Hole in Our Gospel. We later found out that the book had been mailed to pastors across America by Rick Warren’s church. I asked Bruce if I could borrow the book. Wow! This book is about all the pressing needs of the world – poverty, disease, contaminated water, hunger. And it is about God’s great ability to use anyone to change the world. This was the kind of statement I was reading that week “What if there are children who will suffer somehow because I failed to obey God? What if my cowardice costs even one child somewhere in the world his or her life?”
Early the next Monday, May 18, I was driving to my parents’ house, praying as I drove. Suddenly it hit me to call Lauren. This is what she heard, “Lauren, it’s Mom. Listen, I need to talk to you about Peru. I know we told you that you couldn’t go this summer. What if we take a group from Southmont there at Christmas break? Those orphans who don’t know Christ keep sticking in my brain.” Lauren gasped and told me that in her very first conversation with the orphanage contact he – Scott – had asked her if she could get a large group of people together to do something big for the orphanage at Christmas. Her response to him had been “I don’t know a big group of people who have money for something like that!” That moment as I was driving to Meridian, I realized that I might be on a journey, and the destination was not my parents’ house.
Over the summer I began to share what God was doing – was He doing something? – with the college students and friends – anyone who acted remotely interested in Peru.
In October, even though it looked like Peru was off the table at Southmont, the missions committee graciously (faithfully) paid my way to Peru for a pre-trip truth-finding trip. That made no sense to me, but God had a plan.
God supernaturally revealed His will for Southmont’s involvement with the school and for VBS while I was in Peru. Here was a prayer I prayed regarding Lauren while I was there “Please prepare Lauren for this trip. Impress Your Holy Spirit on her, O Lord. ….Please give her an awesome job – just exactly the one YOU have for her…..Please bring it to her in Your perfect time.”
I could go on and on about the prayers God led me to pray, about the answers He so amazingly supplied. 17 days after hearing about the trip and how much it cost ($1880), 30 people had signed up and paid $1150, or someone had paid $1150 on their behalf. During the Thanksgiving, Christmas, end of school, college graduation craziness, God brought together crafts, curriculum, and a perfectly balanced team for 735 children. God placed it on Lori’s heart to gather a huge amount of curriculum and supplies to train the teachers – in the midst of all the holidays and a new grandbaby and a blizzard. Almost $100,000 was given for the trip in 54 days, and everyone got their passport in time!
I must confess that my biggest hope for this trip really had little to do with orphans in Peru. My main hope was expressed in this prayer: “O God, show Your mercy to this congregation at Southmont. Father, unite us for Your purpose, for Your vision, for Your great commission and great commandment. O Lord get us out of ourselves”. Certainly I and many others have prayed for this congregation over the past few years – that God would unite us and show His glory. The first day we were at the orphanage, the children greeted us in the now famous “kissing line”. After a while, I stepped out of line to take some pictures. As I stood there with tears streaming down my face watching my friends being greeted by precious children, I heard the Lord say – Lisa, all the prayers you have lifted up for Southmont have been answered today. Thank you Lord!
And that perfect job for Lauren? On Wednesday of the trip we met with Miguel. I mentioned that Lauren would be staying 5 more weeks and that she had just graduated from college. Miguel asked her major – education and Spanish. He said “Would she want to teach this coming school year – March to Dec?” I said, “Probably not. Her job is to tell people about God.” Miguel replied, “Then she could be our professor of religion!”
God reveals His will for our lives in the daily communications we have with Him; in our weak moments and in our times of praise. He will reveal Himself to us in the valleys of despair. He will send us a song, a friend, a breeze, a whisper. If you want to know God’s will, spend time with Him. Talk to Him, listen to Him, struggle with Him, tell Him how you really feel. Obey Him, move forward with whatever light He provides. II Chronicles 16:9 says “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His;” Proverbs 3:5-6 back that up with this: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
What appears to be a teeny tiny step of weak obedience, just may be the beginning of the most amazing journey of your life!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Kathy's Story
I don’t believe that I ever had a special calling from God saying that I needed to go to Peru. When Lisa mentioned Peru, I just knew I was going and was very excited about it. Never in a million years would I have dreamed of going to Peru to serve God at an orphanage.
Several days prior to our departure, I was a little worried about the plane ride to Peru. It was going to be a 6 hour flight. Now I’m usually not a very good passenger. I am usually terrified of flying with panic attacks and feeling sick. I usually have to sit next to the window so that I don’t feel closed in, concentrate on my breathing, get a lot of cool air blowing on me, and do a whole lot of praying. I can say without a doubt that I felt the presence of God during the entire trip because this time I had no doubts or fears what-so-ever going to Peru or coming back. I never did get to sit next to the window. I had the middle seat both ways. There were no panic moments, just a feeling of great peace even during the turbulence that we ran into on our way to Peru while flying over the ocean.
Mira Flores was a beautiful place to be, nestled up against the ocean. The homes and apartment buildings were nice and clean with beautiful flowers and trees surrounding them. You could walk to almost any where you wanted to go and the weather was absolutely wonderful.
Several days prior to our departure, I was a little worried about the plane ride to Peru. It was going to be a 6 hour flight. Now I’m usually not a very good passenger. I am usually terrified of flying with panic attacks and feeling sick. I usually have to sit next to the window so that I don’t feel closed in, concentrate on my breathing, get a lot of cool air blowing on me, and do a whole lot of praying. I can say without a doubt that I felt the presence of God during the entire trip because this time I had no doubts or fears what-so-ever going to Peru or coming back. I never did get to sit next to the window. I had the middle seat both ways. There were no panic moments, just a feeling of great peace even during the turbulence that we ran into on our way to Peru while flying over the ocean.
Mira Flores was a beautiful place to be, nestled up against the ocean. The homes and apartment buildings were nice and clean with beautiful flowers and trees surrounding them. You could walk to almost any where you wanted to go and the weather was absolutely wonderful.
As we left Mira Flores going towards the orphanage, the view took a drastic change. The trees disappeared as well as the beautiful flowers. The closer we got to the orphanage, the less you saw until suddenly they were no more. All that was visible were the sandy hills and run down homes and businesses. There were rows and rows of small tiny homes with hardly a roof covering it lining the sides of the sandy hills. It was a sad sight, and made me very thankful for all that God has given me and my family.
In the middle of a small run down village sits the Comunidad de ninos Sagrada familia (Community of the children). When entering the gates of the orphanage on Sunday, I felt a greater presence of God. Miguel shared with us his story on how the orphanage began with the death of one of his children and one small act of kindness towards a child on the street in need. We toured the orphanage seeing the bakery, wood working shop, sewing room, kitchen, music room, and their homes or casas. I was just speechless. These children are learning a trade and family values in order to help them become responsible and prepared adults. During lunch I sat on a bench and sat at the feet of God in prayer. I was reminded of a verse: Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
The kids who are in the orphanage are there for many different reasons, some have escaped abusive situations, some were abandoned by their families yet, some were sent just to get an education. No matter what the reason, they are in a safe and secure environment where they are free to be happy and are cared for, and are loved. The doors are open to all children who need a place to stay. They are not turned away.
God is our strong tower and our refuge. The orphanage painted a beautiful picture of God wrapping His arms around us, protecting us from the enemy and the troubles that we may face in our lives. This past week, I felt God’s love, protection, peace, and comfort, and I wanted to just soak it all up.
I was asked to share the legend of the candy cane to the children. It was suppose to have happened on Friday. I was going to quickly tell the story and then give them all a candy cane of their own. However, on Tuesday, I was asked if I would tell the story starting on Wednesday and then again on Thursday. Sure, I said, no problem. I, one other person, and a translator went to the different casas on those two days telling of the legend of the candy cane. It was not a rushed time like it would have been on Friday, but rather a relaxed time. We even had time for questions. Now, I was prepared to answer questions about salvation, but I never imagined that I would be asked the questions that were asked during those two days. It seemed that each group of children had very similar questions. Here are some of the questions they asked:
What will happen at the end of time?
Who is the anti-Christ?
Where did the devil come from? Why did God not kill him?
Why, when God promised not to flood the earth, we still have floods?
How do we know if evolution or creation is true?
What is faith?
Who are God’s parents? Where did he come from?
Does God punish us or test us?
Now, in my studies over the years, I have gained knowledge on many of these subjects (glad I was paying attention). On any other day, I may have bulked at the questions, and said something like, “I will get back with you on that”, then go and read up on what I thought I knew. That did not happen this time. Everything that I have studied and learned came flooding back to me, and the Holy Spirit empowered me to answer the questions without hesitation. He also made sure that He had the right person with me at the right casa to help provide additional information for the questions asked. It was truly amazing. The children are searching for the truth. They are eager to know what the truth about God is.
As I sat on the bus going to and from the orphanage during the week, I noticed many people standing along side the road waiting. As I wondered what they were waiting for, I began to peer into their faces and into their eyes. What I saw saddened me deeply because a saw emptiness and hopelessness. I wondered if they were looking for the truth just as the children in the orphanage were; waiting for someone to tell them that God loves them and that He will provide them the hope that they are looking for. Suddenly, the faces of those waiting turned into very familiar faces. I saw this same look in the faces of people who I serve lunch to at the soup kitchen every Wednesday. The same look on the faces of some of the students that I worked with at school; and the same look on the faces of some of the people that I have passed by at a store or walking down a street. Those are the people that need to be shown the truth, to show them where they can find their hope. To tell them that God loves them and accepts them right where they are in life no matter what their circumstances are.
God tells us to “go” into all the earth and share the Gospel, the truth about Jesus. God has shown me that I do not have to go to Peru or other far away places to find people looking for hope that only God can give. When I step outside my front door, I step into “all the earth.” I have been reminded that the Spirit of God will empower me just as He did that week at the orphanage and that I must “follow Jesus” wherever he leads me.
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