Hello Everyone!
In 1903, Amy Carmichael wrote a book called Things as They Are, and in her book, she says that missionaries “now” are only able report generalized statements of their lives in ministry. “How can [they] do otherwise. And what can the modern missionary do in the short reports he is able to write? Fifty years ago missionary journals of immense length came home, and were duly published,” she points out. That book made me want to approach a newsletter a little differently. To somehow go beyond only a generalized statement about ministry. To let people see my heart, not just my actions. Yes, there will still be generalized statements in this letter, but I hope maybe I can give you a little bit more.
The people who know me well know that I am an avid reader. I’m always searching for new books to read, fiction and non-fiction alike. Within the first couple months of arriving here in Peru I came across a book written by a psychologist about struggles missionaries face and how to deal with them. At the time, one of the most reassuring sections was regarding expectations.
I had been warned as a rookie missionary that too many missionaries go to the field with their expectations too high, and then face extreme discouragement because those expectations were unmet. Unmet or unrealistic expectations is still one of the top 3 reasons missionaries leave the field within the first 2 terms of service.
Because of that warning, I came here to Peru with very few expectations, only hopes and goals to work towards. That doesn’t mean I came to Peru with no vision, no purpose. I had things I wanted to work towards and things to accomplish, BUT, I knew enough to know they couldn’t just be flexible, they had to be fluid.
I arrived here in Peru a year ago on April 16th. Last week I sat down and made a list of several of the things that have happened or have been accomplished in this last year, and I could do stare at it in wonder at how much God had done, what He has allowed me to do, and what He has been able to accomplish through me. I didn’t create that list to boast or say, “look at what I did.” I created that list to glorify God. I created that list to be able to say, “look at what God did and what He was willing to let me do.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 tells us that everything Paul did in ministry was so that God would gain more and more glory through the thanksgiving of many. So, please, help me in giving God glory by thanking Him for what has happened in this last year.
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– I set up a fully functioning house. I learned to cook many new items, mostly from scratch with limited supplies. I learned to get around safely using public transportation.
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– I have gone from knowing a small amount of Spanish vocabulary to being able to carry on conversations in Spanish without too many errors and being able to teach in Spanish. In my classes I have learned 10 of the 14 Spanish tenses.
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– I have shared the gospel numerous times in Spanish, without notes, only a Bible or tract for help.
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– I wrote, translated and then ran a Summer Bible Memory Program in Spanish. This included books for 3 different age groups, 16 devotions and 16 different game times.
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– I have had so many different opportunities to teach in English and Spanish. I have taught women’s sessions at our leadership conference, several object lessons in youth group, devotions for the kids at New Life Children’s Home, junior church during the summer and then monthly during the school year, the Wednesday night children’s classes at church, English classes in during summer school, and sessions on how to share the gospel to different visiting groups and interns.
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– I have been able to translate lessons, messages and presentations from Spanish to English for visiting groups.
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– For 15 years the same town, the same church, and the same people have been “my life.” About 5 months in, I was able to look around and say, Midland isn’t my home, this is. My heart was finally planted in Peru.
*Please note, I use the word, “I” in these statements, but each accomplishment is because of God’s help and the help of friends, other missionaries (especially Mike and Chelene Kennedy), my Spanish teacher (Debora), and many other people.
There is so much more. A page like this cannot contain all God has done in anyone’s life in a single day, let alone a year. But I wanted you to see some of these, to glorify God for what He is doing and how He is working, and to say thank-you to you. Without your continual prayers and financial support none of this would have been possible either.
Please, continue to pray. In the next several months I will be applying for a more permanent visa here in Peru, as well as working to purchase a vehicle and a guitar. I know this much, I cannot do it without you. Thank you.
~Pam Drout~