Our trip here in Peru is winding down, but that doesn’t mean that the ministry or the adventure stops. Each day here has had somewhat of a theme… work day, schools, children, celebrations, etc. but if I were to give Friday a theme it would have been “the random extras.” Our group started out the morning finishing projects. Some went and finished clearing the final pieces of rubble and trash from the construction/deconstruction work we had been doing, some cleaned a gazebo, and some finished making several hundred wordless book bracelets. I was able to finish storing all of the items we brought to Peru and then got to head over to New Life Christian School.
Throughout the week Amy, Chelene and I have taken a little bit of time on more “survey trip” type tasks for me. While a move is never seamless, we wanted to think of as much stuff to work on now as possible. Friday, Amy had the wonderful (and beneficial) thought of asking Mike if there was anything else he thought would be good to make sure happened while I am here, whether it was items to look at, places to go or connections to make. Somewhere in that conversation it was decided that Mike, Amy and I would head down to the school, spend some time with Pastor David so he can know me a little, get to meet his wife Miss Susie, and then spend some time talking with some of the kids letting them know what God’s been doing in me, that I am coming to Peru, and why…and we would leave in 5-10 minutes.
It was such a joy to be there. I love evangelism. I love getting to see people get saved, or share the Word of God with them, but I also have a deep burden to see people grow, to continue to work with them beyond the moment of salvation. Much of a missions trip here is evangelism because in such a small space there are so many who need to hear, and much of a missions trip here is evangelism because we are only here for a week and a half, but I love helping people grow. It was said of Stephanas that he had addicted himself to the ministry of the saints. He loved working with the saints, helping them continue to grow in their relationship with Christ. To get to go into New Life Christian School and meet the kids and teens I am going to get to help mentor, to share my heart with them, and how God uses what happens even at a young age to shape us for His use, it’s priceless. When I move to Peru my heart is going to break leaving behind the youth group I love and young ladies I have had a chance to study with, but knowing there is a group of teens here that I have met and have an opportunity to speak with is a comfort.
After lunch our group with the interns headed to the area around the presidential palace where we spend 45 minutes passing out hundreds of John & Romans and I think close to 3,000 tracts. Afterwards we spent about 30 minutes at an Indian market and then we had an all new adventure. The bus was pulling up and a lady who works for the transportation department directed it where to park. When we all got on she then tried to cite the bus for a traffic violation, wasn’t supposed to be away from his route and wasn’t supposed to park there. She was going to send the police to give us a ticket and impound the bus for parking where we shouldn’t, even though she had just told us to park there. Mike was able to talk to the Colonel of the Police who he had led to the Lord just 2 days prior, the colonel then spoke on the phone with the officers who arrived and settled the matter quickly letting us go with no issues. Praise God!
We then proceeded to make the trek up the mountain (on the bus) to the Cerro san Cristobal – El Mirador (the lookout.). On the way we were driving through a sketchy neighborhood when a couple guys created a diversion on one side of the bus and on the other side a guy tried to come in through the window to steal the camera out of Tammy’s hand. She knew enough to pull away and Hector came flying back to get the guy out the window. Nothing ended up stolen and they guy ran as fast as he could, eyes insanely wide – he had been expecting to get a nice Nikon and got Hector instead!
The trek up the mountain in itself was an adventure. A road literally on the side of a cliff curving around corners you can’t see around, having to stay into the oncoming lane to go around corners…it’s nervous making. But get to the top and it is so beautiful. You can see Lima for miles and miles. We made it up for sunset. The beauty of what God created, combined with the sight of millions of people who need Him just endears me more and more to be here.
For the most part that was the randomness of the day. A few other things happened but those are some of the highlights. Saturday, we will pack up, head to Blue Doors and another Indian Market and fly out a bit after midnight. Thanks for sharing in my adventure, for praying, and for wanting to be a small part of my world.