Taking refuge

In Colossians 1: 13-14 says: “ for he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins.”

We were putting a letter of permission to take to the city hall in San Sabastion, one of Cailyn’s areas, and we really didn’t know what to expect or where we were going to start. So after we submitted our letter we were told that we needed to wait a week or so to get a response. While we were in the city hall we wanted to know more about San Sabastian, we walked around trying to find the right department. After walking around and looking lost we found what we were looking for. We asked several questions about the area and got the answers that we were looking for. But before we even walked into the building Cailyn said a little prayer and as we were getting information there was a lady sitting in the same area, and asked us who we were and what we were doing here, and we explained and her face just lit up.

She is actually working in a women’s home called Casa de Acogida, which means house of refuge. And she asked us if we wanted to go check out the house and the women living there. And we all three looked at each other and with out hesitating we said yes. So we walked about 8 ish blocks with her to the home and she showed us around and we met some of the lady’s and kids. And after visiting and talking with the women we asked if we could come and share a Love Story with them and do a little lesson or something with the kids. She said of course.

Now almost everyone here in Cusco is Catholic, whether they are catholic because they live here or they are catholic because they are religious (we never really know) but for the people of Cusco it is an easy wall to put up between us and them.

Ok so back to the women’s home: So as we were about to leave she says something that kind of throws us off guard (now remember she hasn’t mentioned anything about believing in God or being Catholic or if the home is from a Catholic organization).

“ these women have been through so much and a lot of the time we dwell on the hurt and the negative that we just forget about God.”

But how true is that?

For me its very true. And I tend to just dwell on the negative and just can’t see the good or the beauty in anything when I am dealing with something or someone. But I have challenged my self.

And I want to challenge you as well:

To remember God in the good, the bad and the just ok moments. To constantly praise him.

Also in Philippians 4:13-14 says: “ Brothers. I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

The 3 amigas

So in case I haven’t mentioned it we have lost 2 original members of our team, Ester and Jorge. So we have been stuck in a tough situation but I thank God for answering prayers because after a lot of waiting and wondering we found out that Alex is going to be getting a partner!!! He’s name is Eli and he arrived on Valentines day.

Its kind of a around about way for him to get here because he was originally supposed to be in Arequipa. But when he got to training he when to the head hancho and asked if he could go to Cusco instead, but he was turned down and was told he will be in Arequipa. Well not too long before we were supposed to graduate from training his American partner was sent home. And the rule was that if your partner is sent home you also need to be sent home. He ended up not going home and staying in Arequipa to help and work with one of the local churches. And his work was flourishing so when he was asked to come to Cusco to be Alex’s partner I’m sure that there were some thoughts that ran through his head. But after some prayer and all of that he decided to come and be Alex’s partner.

And now we are able to work better and more efficiently but we are still not complete.

So hopefully in due time we will be complete once again.

So as of right not Caylin, Kathy and I are working in Lamy and Coya, Poroy, Anta and San Sabastian.

So keep the Cusco team in your prayers, we have been put to the test and we are constantly being tested too.

A Late Up To Date

Ok now that has been said here is a late up-date!!!

I have officially been in Peru for a year!!!

(well now over a year, but for blog purposes a year)

Arrived in La: Feb. 1^st 2010

Arrived in Peru: Feb. 5^th 2010

And oh boy have things changed:

Friends have gotten married and engaged, family has changed, church has changed, relationships have changed ect.

And here in Peru things have changed as well:

Our group, church plant cites, relationships, and where we live.

Now that I look back on this time away from home, I can’t believe that it has gone by so fast, I feel like I just left home to start on this adventure. I can’t believe that I have only 15 months left here.

In all reality these 27 months here are nothing it is just a blink in time and before we know it we will be back to our every day lives. And we will look back on this experience we are going to be so thankful that we decided to take a leap of faith, and walk by faith. This is ultimately going to stretch us, test us, and change us for the good.

When I arrive back in the states after these two years I wont be the same person, I will have changed for the good.

So when you come across an amazing experience to grow and to learn I urge you to take that leap of faith. It wont be easy all the time but you will be thankful that you did in the end.

People change, circumstances change, and our lives change. Its what you make of it that determine who you are.

Twitch

When you go to a pet store its easy to just pick out a dog and take care of it. You know what kind of dog it is and that it is healthy and clean.

Well I had this bright idea…. I’m going to unofficially adopt a dog. Now in Peru there are dogs EVERY WHERE. Most of the time you don’t know what type of dog it is or if it has a home, and most of the time they don’t have a home.

So in our “neighbor hood” or street we have 2 neighbors. One lives down the street with a healthy, sweet amazing dog. And she is our protector, she keeps all the other dogs out of out street and we always know if there is someone in our street that is new or a car that is new.

Then there is another dog on our street and is super sweet, not the brightest sometimes and has a twitch. Well we thought that her owner just left her. For 2 months there was no one entering or leaving this house. And all of the sudden there were these youngsters that came with a moving truck. So we thought that her owner just moved or disappeared in the middle of the night. Well come to find out that her owner is the youngsters aunt and that they have been in another city for 2 or so months.

So her “owners” are home, but she doesn’t want to leave our house. We have bathed her, given her food twice a day, and fresh water and lots of people to love on her…… and right as I was falling in love with her I have to let her go…. But before I start the grieving process I am going to see if her “owner” really wants her, and if not I will keep her and if she wants her I still love her anyways.

Moral of the story: buy a dog from a pet store, wait for someone to give you a puppy or a dog or adopt on off of the streets (make sure they do not have an owner and don’t fall in love too fast if they have an owner.)

So Twitch I love you tons and I will miss you.