Tuesday, November 23, 2010

I'm baaaaack

Sooo... I am not quite sure that anyone will be following this as most are aware of my return and a couple of things may happen: 

1.  They may assume my blogging days are over now that I am back.
2.  They may see that my silly rants continue and opt to discontinue tuning in.

Regardless, my news to you is that the blogging will continue.  I find it fun.  It's also great for me to reflect on things going on in my life and share them with others.  Most importantly the cool things that the Lord is doing.  I want to share with you a verse that has really been on my heart since I have been back.  I am here in Morehead, KY living with parents and I have lots of doubt.  I am often unsure about what exactly I should be doing with my life right now.  I want to come up with all these grand plans and schemes for what things are going to look like in the coming years.  But I know with God... our plans and ideas usually aren't the same as His.  So instead, I am learning to resign myself to complete trust in Him.  Cause guess what?  He's incredible.  He has been guiding my life all along.

"Many are the plans in the mind of man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
-Proverbs 19:21

God's word is so awesome and it speaks to us exactly where we are... I am thankful for that.  I am also thankful to experience my favorite time of the year.  This season brings... colorful leaves, cooler weather, pumpkins, hot chocolate, turkey and all the fixins.  Something else really cool happens, we get to experience a time of thankfulness and reflecting on God's goodness in our lives.  I hope that some of you will think on those things.  And your responce with be to give the Lord praise for his goodness and to tell people in your lives the ways that they are blessing you.  I can't wait to share some more with you soon.  

Mad love.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Blessed month

I have a lot to catch you guys up on as it has been a pretty busy month. I spent a few weeks living in the village of Huarochiri followed by a research trip. I won't be able to cover it all but what I can tell you for sure is that it has been a amazingly blessed few weeks.

So... Huarochiri was without a doubt one of the richest experiences I have had in a village. It began with uncertainty and days without much to do. However, the plans of the Lord became clear in time. We spent time with a couple of local believers on a regular basis. One of them was an old man, named Nisefero, and he wanted to meet every day... so we did! It was wonderful to see both Nisefero and Rayda (the other believer we met with) growing in the word of the Lord and trusting in Him more each day. Something amazing happened toward then end of our time. A lady came to Rayda to ask about us because she has the desire to read the Bible. We got to know her and spend time with her and she also was a believer! By the end of our time we got together with all three of them and they did a Bible study on their own. Hallelujah! We are praying that their time together will continue and that the Spirit will give them more and more understanding of the word.

An opportunity I was originally not too pumped about, but, which turned out to be one of the coolest was spending time with the children in the primary school. We visited one or two classes each day and taught Bible stories and english. It was unbelievable how they received us and the way they participated, picking up the stories and english quickly and with excitement. Our prayer is that those stories and the lessons about what God did will continue to stick with them... that the truth that they heard will not be forgotten. We pray that their little ears would be closed to any untruth that may come from a variety of sources. We got so close to one of the classes that they through us a party before we left and made us cards and flowers to take with us as a memory. Their gratitude to us was something I had never seen in any other place... I was truly humbled.

If you would like to check out some of the pictures you can see them here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=233281&id=638611248&ref=mf

I had to switch gears and get into research mode. The research trip went well but because of difficultly of public transportation in the area we were only able to get information from half of the villages on our original list. It was a real bummer leaving and feeling like we weren't able to accomplish all that we had hoped. I resigned myself to the fact that God knows best. We spent our last night as a team (Arturo, Michelle, and I) praying over the places we had been visited and those that we weren't able to visit. There was little gospel presence in the villages and we hope this will change soon if it's in His plan.

I am now enjoying a little time in Lima. I will be heading out for a few days on a mini-vacation to visit some places in the north. My team mostly covers southern Peru so it's time to get a little taste of the north. I will update you at least once more before this journey ends... which is only a little over three weeks away! I have completely mixed feelings at this point. All I know is that God is good. I am soaking up Peru in these last few weeks and am eager to see all of your faces very soon.

MAD LOVE

Been reading through some of the Old Testament books that are little and at the end. It has been awesome. And I wanted to share a verse.

"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!"
- Joel 2:21

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Momma's visit and Huarochiri (try pronouncing that one)

Friends, the time has come to head out on another trip. But, before I talk about that I just wanted to mention a little bit about the time I spent with my mom when she visited August 2-9. I cannot explain how cool it was to see her come out at the arrival gate in Lima and give her a huge hug. We had the chance over the course of the week to spend time talking and sharing more about what has been going on here and back in the states, to see some of the sights in Lima (some of which I hadn't yet had the chance to see), to eat LOTS of amazing food, to travel to an area about 5 hours away and experience the desert and the sea, to enlighten my mom a little more about the reality of Peru, and what was most significant to me was that we got to love on each other and praise God for how wonderful he has been, is, and will be.

You can check out pictures here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=199040&id=638611248

So... my next adventure begins tomorrow. I will be part of a team of three serving in a village about 7 hours from Lima called Huarochiri. This was not our original destination, but as is often the case, things changed. My team is made up of Arturo, Ginny, and I. We have had the opportunity to talk with members of the church that comes from the states several times a year to work in this village. They were able to give us many names and specific information on some of the people who are believers, some who are interested in the Word, and others with whom they have had contact but not lots of interest yet. We are excited to see what the Lord has for us there. A Bible study was supposed to have began there a few weeks ago after a team from the church left but we are unsure if that happened. This will be something we will seek to find out and either encourage them to keep it up or try and encourage them to start the study. we will have approximately three weeks in this village before returning to Lima. I would ask for your prayers for this village and my team. We are expecting to be used in big ways and to seek the Lord as we make relationships and share.

This verse always comes to mind when I am preparing myself to head out to a village. I claim this. I pray this. I believe this it true.

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." -Ephesians 3:20-21

Mad love
I'll be in touch in a few weeks if not before then.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Farewells

Dear friends it has been some time now and I have much to tell you. It's been a busy couple of months. The Lord continues to shine through all of it and show himself faithful. This hasn't been the easiest season of my time in Peru or of my life for that matter. But I am confident that He has purpose in everything.

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
-Proverbs 19:21

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven"
-Ecclesiastes 3:1

I am gonna go all the way back to late June and pick up there. As you may remember, I was traveling with a couple of college students doing research in some different regions. We had a rough time in the early parts of June and were pretty tired by the time we reached mid-summer and at this time we were able to have a big reunion with all of the summer volunteers and with my close friends that I work with here. The timing of this was perfect and the Lord granted his grace to us with some good rest and time to fellowship with brothers and sisters. We had a time to share stores from the month of June. We had a wildly fun talent show. I did a dance with some friends and some peruvian animal impression. I hope to get a link up of the video so you guys can see it as well.

Shortly after this reunion my team and I headed back to Lima with some of my close friends so that we could wish Ryan, another Journeyman and one of my best friends, farewell. It was a blessing to be with all my dear friends that I have been working with since the beginning of this journey and to celebrate and praise the Lord for how He has used Ryan in Peru and in each of our lives.

Once my team and I worked out a tentative plan for part 2 of the summer we headed back out to Ayacucho to finish up research that we were unable to complete during the first half of the summer due to sickness. The Lord blessed that trip although we were constantly tired from the long travel and started getting sick again. During this time I met a dentist from the states who was visiting Peru and doing some volunteer work in the area. She and I became friends and I helped her out with figuring out some places where she might be able to use her abilities to help the people. Some of you may remember me talking about Domingo and Berta in some previous entries. Domingo is a pastor and Berta is his wife. She also teaches for kindergarten aged children. My dentist friends, Mariana, came to the school where Berta teaches to check out the children's teeth and show them how to properly brush. I was sort of her assistant for the day. It was so cool for me to help out in that way and tough at the same time to see the how bad some of the children's teeth were but to be able to teach them something important was neat. The Lord continues to reveal to me the passion I have in helping people out in a physical, tangible way. Serving them by meeting some of their needs.

The rest of the summer brought more travel and a nearly constant with sickness and fatigue. In our weariness, I petitioned the Lord for energy and strength. He provided. We had to commit ourselves to the work but also to taking rest when we needed it. I'll share with you about one specific village we visited and it was there that we really saw God open some doors. We were in the town of Congalla doing research in mid-July. We had gotten most of our information and it was evening so we walked around town trying to find something to eat. Some young kids approached us and wanted to know if we would like to do an interview of sorts. We complied and spent about an hour talking with them and answering all kinds of different questions. We tried to sing the National Anthem but it didn't go so well, cause we were unaware of how incredibly HIGH it is, hahaha! During the conversation told them about the purpose of our visit. At the end, the Lord gave us the opportunity to pray for them. Hallelujah! My teammate, Sarah, prayed in English and then I translated her prayer and prayed in Spanish. Just one example of how we saw God's faithfulness in our travels.

We made it back to Lima around the 25th of July in order to take all of our information and put it into documents that will be taken to churches in the states with the hope of stirring up interest to adopt these places and come down in order to share with the people in these towns. Towns where there are many lost and confused people who are in desperate need of truth and the word. After finishing all the computer work we reunited once again with all the summer volunteers and had a few days of sharing about the month of July. It was a time of listening, prayer, and fellowship. Most of them left shortly after this time. It was refreshing and inspiring to hear their hearts and see their obedience in spending two moths here and carrying out the purpose that the Lord has set before them.

The last couple of weeks have been crazy including sending off a couple more of my dear Journeyman friends and a week visit from my mom. I hope to write again soon and tell more about the time with my mom and some specific things that the Lord has been teaching me.

Mad Love

One more things... my team and I went through some of Psalms in our time together and the Lord revealed to me how weak I am when it comes to my knowledge of the word. I am working on putting scripture to memory and the Psalm below is where I began. I hope he will continue to challenge me in this way and that I will be obedient to guard the word in my heart.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

A few bumps in the road

After writing this title I realize that this not only holds figurative meaning as we have come across a few obstacles since our research journeys began but it holds a quite literal meaning as it is a rare occasion to travel on a paved road while traveling in Peru. The majority of our trips are quite literally bumpy the entire way.

Greeting to you all from Ayacucho City. We are back here after a research trip that was cut a little short because one of my teammates came down with a pretty wicked rash. In our time out God showed himself faithful. We saw his constant provision as we were visiting town to town getting information. In the first place we visited after walking around for only a short time the Lord placed a believer in our path who helped us with information on the community, introduced us to other locals, took us to visit the school and share about our mission, and fed us an amazing peruvian meal. Our journey has been marked with divine meetings just like this.

We are so thankful for the people of peace that he continues to put in our paths. We were blessed to have a short visit by a couple of guys from the states. We laughed, traveled, prayed, and even struggled a little with our brothers. It was such a joy to share some with them and to be encouraged by them. We will most likely be heading out again tomorrow for out next destination. Please pray for my teammate who is beginning to get better from his rash and also for me as my body has been a little weak and with some stomach issues in the last day or so. We pray especially for endurance as the travel can be a little grueling. Our little issues do not compare to all our Saviour has done for us so we press on. Hallelujah!

I long to have an earnest desire for the Lord and his word. I long to grow in wisdom and understanding that comes from above. I have found myself struggling in this area. This truly troubles me. I see how this affects me negatively in every aspect of my life. I am taking this request to God in my prayers. I ask that you would also join me in prayer. Pray that I would not neglect my time nor be distracted when I am in the word.

The Lord is walking my through Hosea and Hebrews and I came across this tonight. Praise Him for this truth. I wanted to share it in the language in which I am currently living, Spanish, as well as in my own heart language.

"Ciertamente, la palabra de Dios es viva y poderosa, y más cortante que cualquier espada de dos filos. Penetra hasta lo más profundo del alma y del espíritu, hasta la médula de los huesos, y juzga los pensamientos y las intenciones del corazón. Ninguna cosa creada escapa a la vista de Dios. Todo está al descubierto, expuesto a los ojos de aquel a quien hemos de rendir cuentas."

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

-Hebrews 4:12-13

Be in touch again soon.
Mad love

Sunday, June 6, 2010

ayacucho... let the research begin

Hello to all you folks who are keeping up with my travels. Hope this finds you doing very well. It´s pretty late here in Ayacucho City in the Andes and the stars are shining bright. When I am this close to the sky I stand outside and say to myself, ¨stop... stop right there, look what your Creator made¨, I cannot tell you of the wonders that I have seen in my time here. I am continually amazed.

My team for the summer is made up of a couple of college students, Eric and Sara. Eric is a student at UNC Charlotte and Sara is at University of West Florida. I think we are going to have a lot of fun together. We laugh a whole lot. I am eager to grow with them, to encourage and be encouraged as we travel and seek after the Lord. We aks for your prayers as we start a pretty rigorous schedule of travel early in the morning.

I doubt that I will have the chance to update a lot in the following months but I can´t wait to catch up again in late July.

Mad love to all

I am clinging to this verse tonight as I am already a little tired and the traveling has hardly begun. You who are weary, find rest in Him.

¨In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.¨
-Psalm 4:8

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Good reads

One of my most earnest desires is to learn from Scripture and have a true passion for God's Word. So I pray this for myself. I would ask you also to pray that I would be grounded in the Word before all else.

Apart from this I am interested in reading about the lives of others and the experiences people all over the world have had. Books have the ability to do just this. They can take you into a whole different world and allow you to view something from a completely different perspective.

I wanted to share with you guys a goal that I made for myself in late February. The goal is to read at least one book per month for the rest of the year.

Here are a couple of books I have read up to this point and wanted to tell you about:

1. Open - the autobiography of Andre Agassi. As you may know I love the sport of tennis. Not just playing, which I rarely get to do at this juncture of life, but watching as well. The life of this tennis icon is most interesting. A life filled with experiences that someone like me can hardly imagine. A huge part of his life involved pain... not just the physical kind because of injuries but the kind in your heart because of things that you go through. Now this is not just a downer of a book, I laughed and smiled a lot too.

2. A Million Miles in a Thousand - the newest book by Donald Miller. This book is about story. What it looks like to live a better story and to be a person of character. I can't tell you how many chapters I read and my mouth just dropped open. Such an applicable book to us as believers.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Lambrama and Alis

During the early parts of May I spent a week in a village called Lambrama and later in the month a week in the village of Alis. I dealt with some sickness in the middle of these trips which made the time spent in each place a little shorter than I had hoped. But I the Lord was moving.

It was in Lambrama that I saw some of the most amazing things I have yet seen in Peru. Set between and surrounded by enormous mountains this place reminded me of the beauty of His creation and we were in awe of his majesty each and every day just by opening our door to see outside. After only a short time there we recognized God working. A young woman named Celia came to the Lord... Praise God for using us to share the gospel with her and to begin the process of discipleship. We made a solid relationship with a man named Dino and encouraged him in his walk with the Lord, we recognized in him a potential for a leader and strong christian male presence which is key to seeing the Church rise up. Through him we met a lady named Josefa who was over 100 years old. We helped in giving her a bath, cleaning the blankets that she slept on, and tidying the small room she inhabits. It was life-giving for me to have the chance to help Josefa in such a tangible way. She truly needs our prayers because she sometimes goes without food or care for days when Dino is not in town. He is the only person who is committed in aiding her and making meals to take to her home. Josefa is so desperate and in a given day mostly thinks about her desire for death to come quickly. We told her of the gospel and that there is a hope for the hopeless. We shared out of obedience not knowing if she would understand. For we trust that the Word does not return void. For all that happened there I am so very thankful. Please say a pray for these people and this village.

My time in Alis was also a blessing in several ways and I'd like to share a couple of those ways. The first is a blessing that reoccurs in most any place I go but I long to never take it for granted. The Lord's creation is in a word, marvelous. I have never seen a place as beautiful as this place in my entire existence. Yet again I was overwhelmed with the beauty I saw in the mountains, trees, rivers, birds, flowers. Thank you Creator. The second is the beauty that I saw in His people. The believers who lead a group in the town are named Juan and Delia. These people are the most solid believers I have met in Peru. Individuals earnestly seeking the will of the Lord. Looking to scripture to receive wisdom and understanding on what the life a follower should look like. These folks challenge and encourage me in my own walk. And though we are from starkly different backgrounds I found myself talking to them about the same issues that I often deal with in my own life. Again, I can only be thankful for a chance to have spent time in places like this with people like that.

Mad love

Thursday, April 15, 2010

On the road again soon

Well my dear friends. Since the last time I updated you much has happened. I served for a month in the village of Bella Union. Some wonderful things happened there including quality time and bible study with some believers there. The Lord used us to get them to start coming together as the church again before we left. It was one of the first time that I have seen some really tangible things that the Lord did in a village. It was hard to leave the people that we had been spending our time with but it was also really neat and comforting to know that even if we never saw them again we would be in Heaven together.

The time in Bella Union also brought on some adversity. We had some folks we were staying with who came up against our work and discouraged us. We tried to be a light to this family but it wasn't easy. From this situation I am learning even more about what it is to love people and to love them unconditionally. Even if they are coming up against you or if they are hard to love. The Lord was speaking to me a lot with 1 John 4. It talks a lot about what it truly means to love others and what it looks like. I still have so much to be taught and I am looking forward to the Lord sharpening me and molding me even more. I am praying for a humble Spirit and one that does not resist changes that He wants to make with me.

This break brought about another amazing experience as I got to take a trip with some dear friends up north to the beach. We were able to relax and enjoy the beach and the breeze. God's creation is unbelievably amazing and we were thankful to enjoy it and rest in Him. Part of this trip was to celebrate a last few days with a friends who headed to Haiti just this morning. I am so thankful for his life and I am praying for him as he enters a whole new environment where he will serve for at least 6 months. I am now prepping to head back out again, most likely tomorrow afternoon. God is so good in continuing to bless me with opportunities and ways to serve here. Pray for us as we learn about the work that the Lord has for us in this new village in the department of Cusco. Pray that we will dive into the work. Update coming again as soon as possible.

MAD LOVE

I was reminded of this passage as I wrote today:

"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind."

-Luke 6:35-36 (The Message)

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Firsts

I am safely in the village now and currently in a nearby village getting some groceries and using the internet. I have experienced a few firsts this time around and wanted to share:

- Desert/coast weather (so much different than mountains)
- Olives as the primary crop
- Wearing sandals without freezing or putting socks on with sandals
- Sweating day and night
- A huge back porch at the place where we are staying (such a blessing to read, journal, and have prayer time with my team)
- Internet nearby
- Warm shower

So much different from some of the places I have been before. I am counting it all as a blessings. What is huge and different in some ways about this place is how open and friendly the people have been with us. I am so looking forward to time with folks we have met including a number of believers. Pray for us as we continue to meet people and allow the Lord to use us. Pray that we can really dive into the work as we only have a few weeks.

Mad Love

OH YEAH... and GO CATS!!! I am cheering them on from here even though I hardly know what`s going on.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Bella Union

Well I wanted to let you guys know that I am heading to the town of Bella Union tomorrow. I have made part of my journey and will finish traveling tomorrow. I am excited to work again with Michelle and we are with a guy named Martin from Peru. We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for us there. A team from the states will be coming down to be with us in a couple of weeks. I have not worked with a states team in their village so I am looking forward to that time as well and talking with them about the work. Pray for us this month that we will be bold and sense the Lord's leading as we get to know the people and share.

MAD LOVE

Friday, March 5, 2010

Reflections on Chupa

Well I am back in Lima now for a short break after spending a month in the village of Chupa in the department of Puno. I have been able to spend some time reflecting on my time there and wanted to share with you guys some of the things that went on while I was there. The Lord has been teaching me lots lately so I wanted to share some of that too.

As you might know I spent my time in Chupa with another girl from the states named Michelle and a peruvian guy names Lidman. Things got off to a pretty slow start. It was hard for me because I think the people were least responsive or interested in talking with us and meeting us than any other place I had ever been. I am use to at least curiosity on the part of the people even if they may not want to talk to us about their beliefs. But curiosity about us didn't really seem to be there either. We continually prayed for God's direction and guidance in showing us where he could use us. We knew of a couple groups of believers that were meeting as the church in a couple of surrounding villages so we went in the first week to see if we could find some these folks and maybe spend some time sharing a encouraging them. We found a group of about 10 in a village called Chocos and in the village of Kututuni we found a pastor and he told us there was 20 meeting in their group. This was such a blessing to us and gave us a sense of purpose. We spent weekends visiting these groups. We told them bible stories and discussed the things we were learning from the stories. We challenged the believers to be obedient to those stories and to try and put them to memory so that they could share with family, friends, and neighbors. The response to the stories and our time with them was most positive. We thank the Lord for their hearts and desires to learn the Word. We will continue to be in prayer for these church groups. In the village of Chupa we were able to spend some time with individual believers and sharing with kids. We were also thankful for that time but we are praying that the Lord will really begin to move there and that the few believers will understand the need to meet with other believers and share the good news with those around them. My friend Lidman will continue to work their and prepare for a medical team that is coming to the states at the end of this month. We are praying for him. That he will find strength in the Lord and always follow after the Lord's guidance for the work.

The Lord was teaching me a lot this month about wisdom. I have been reading in Proverbs and also in 1 Samuel. I am seeing a lot of repetition about seeking wisdom and understanding. And not just the kind that gives you earthly knowledge or knowledge of things. But the knowledge that comes from God. The kind that allows us to truly seek after His own heart. The kind that allows us to show love and sincerity to those around us. I am still working through a lot of it and the repetition of it is really good for me in the scripture cause it is a constant reminder. I was also reading in 1 Samuel about how were are to seek first to the obedient to our God and his Word. To do what he is leading us to do to heed the things that He is teaching us. Obedience comes before all else including sacrifice and Saul had to learn that the hard way. I think that is such a huge lesson. Truly seeking obedience. The same day that I read about this my team and I were reading in Romans and there was a similar message in the passage. It is so cool how God affirms and reiterates in the New Testament ideas that he was using during the Old Testament. And in Romans this whole idea of being obedient to the Lord is taking us through this process that is sanctification. I am so thankful that the Lord is revealing, teaching, and walking with me in the this sanctification process.

Right now as I am here in Lima I am preparing to head out again soon. More than likely I will be on my way to the mountains again sometime this weekend. Pray for my teammate Michelle and I as we discern where the Lord is leading us to go and more than likely a new team member. I will update you all again once I know the location where we are headed and the name of my other team member.

MAD LOVE

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Rapìdo

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to give you a quick update. We are headed to Chupa this afternoon for our last week or so there. I ask that you would pray for us because tomorrow (Sunday) we will be meeting with some believers in a village outside of the one where we live to encourage and train them. Pray also that we would be able to encourage and share with those in Chupa. It has been a sort of slow with ministry but we are praising God for this opportunity and planting seeds. I will be in touch again soon.

Mad Love

Friday, February 5, 2010

Back to the Mountains at Last

It's been quite a while since I updated everyone. I have spent the last few months in Lima and also took a short trip to the states to spend some time with my family in Florida. It has been a wonderful time or reflection over the past year and enjoying time with my teammates. It was so life giving to vacation in Florida for the holidays. I got to see a couple of college friends who came down as well. The Lord knew that I needed that time to get filled up on my love tank and get lots of hugs from people that mean so much to me.

During January we spent a couple of weeks training a new group of semester volunteers that will be serving with us through May. I am not actually serving with any of them but it was great to pour into them about the work in the mountains and where we have seen the Lord working. I am excited to hear about their experiences in the coming months. As for me, I am heading out early in the morning to serve for a few weeks in the department of Puno in a town called Chupa.

I have a few prayer requests for you guys as I head out. One of the things that I have become apprehensive about some during my time here is team dynamic. I know how important it is to have team members with the same heart and common goals so that the Lord can use us in the most effective way. I have been on teams where that hasn't always come naturally or some issues have surfaced. I ask you to pray that the Lord would knit us together in such a way that we compliment each other a uphold one another. We want the people not to just hear about Christ with our words but to see it in the ways that we love one another.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

-John 13:34-35

I will be back in Lima for a brief time in early March and will look forward to updating you guys about this trip and what will be coming up for me. Mad love you all!