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)