VBS

VBS

So a few weeks we held a VBS at they church for our neighbor kids from 9-11 every day of the week and at the end of the week they presented what they learned.

We had crafts, fun and games, a snack, music and a clips of movies.

The thing that blows my mind is the parents just let their kids go. I was out inviting all the kids I saw to come to our VBS. Some of the parents asked where it was going to be at and others just said bring them back when it is done.

The first day we had 20 kids and the rest of the week we had 15 or 17 kids.

Even after the VBS most of the kids come to church every Sunday to participate in Sunday School.

So now all the kids in the neighborhood know the “Gringos” that live here. They say hi to us as we walk by and when they come to church they always make a point to say hi.

Granted it is easier to get kids to come but they are just the start. They go home and tell their parents what they learned and hopefully it will encourage them to come to church and get saved.

We just decided to start with kids and poco a poco their parents will come. Its just a different way to plant the seed.

Hospitality

There are a lot of words that can describe the people of Cusco, but the first word is hospitality.

In Mattthew 25:35-40 says:

35 For when I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you incited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you can to visit me.’

37 “then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and fees you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 when did we see you a stranger and incite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the lest of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Can you think of the last time you did that for a stranger? I don’t think I can…. and I am a missionary! And of course as a missionary I should be a notch higher then everyone else, right up there with a pastor. Well here comes the bad news…..I’M NOT. I am not better then the person next to me, or spiritually better then the person next to me. I will make mistakes, I will judge someone, I will sin more then 10 times a day (without even thinking), I will lack in my spiritual life. I don’t have all the answers.

But when people think of missionaries they think of them as more hospitable, that we are going to help people with money getting clothes and things like that. Granted that is some of the things we do but the real thing we should be doing is furthering the kingdom of God, and not so wrapped up in everything else.

So when the Cusqueños ask us what we are doing here and part of our response is “We are here to help with whatever we can.” And they ask us “Can you help me financially?” We simply ask them “What is more important, growing a relationship with God or having money?” And we get different responses but in the end we tell them we will go work in your fields all day, we can help you cook, carry you things to your house, go to the market and help you spiritually as well. And some times that isn’t what they want to hear, but we tell them anyways.

As we are out and about helping how ever we can, I am just amazed at how they are willing to give and share anything and everything they have. We have been gifted potatoes, corn, jelly, and bread. We have also been asked to come and eat lunch or dinner with families or when we just stop by to say hi they offer us something. And we are complete strangers to them. And they are willing to give.

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.

Shout outs!

Thanks to all who made my Christmas break amazing.

So here are a few shout outs to the people that made my time special.

Robin Potter: So when I was living at home a needed to do some community service hours, because I have a led foot. Anyways my dad was able to get me some time at his work in another department. As time passed I started to fall in love with working there and the people, and making some friends. Now these are not your typical friends for a 20 year old, but they are still dear to my heart. And this shout out is to you Robbin Potter. We didn’t work much together but when we did it was a blast. Lots of talks and fun. And when I told you that I was going to be living in Peru for 27 months it seemed a little silly, but you had faith in me and my call. And I can’t thank you enough.

Chelsi: Bestie!!!! Ok so I know we have know each other for like ages (the 3^rd grade to be exact) but I still wouldn’t trade you for the world. Even though I was only able to see you once when I was home it was so good to see you and catch up. And we have definitely been thorough a lot of hard situations and good ones too. And I really wish that I was able to go to your wedding, but I love you lots and lots and lots.

Corin and James: I can’t thank you enough for dinner. That night was amazing and definitely UNFORGETTABLE! And Corin, you have been there through so many different things and you just tell it like it is. And I know things are difficult with things, but just know that you are loved tons, and I love hearing stories.

Kellie: Bestest!!!!!! Oh how I have missed you tons and tons and tons! And I love you lots and lots and lots! And I thank you Kellie Kidwell for being my friend! And I know I have been M.I.A. but just know that I think of you lots and there are thing here that I wish I was able to tell you, like just give you a call or text… but I can’t. But just so you know I would if I could. And I am glad that we got to spend lots of time together while I was home, it was what I needed.

Mom and Dad: You both are super amazing! And I love you tons! I see more of you both in me ever day, its crazy to think about but I do. I love you both so much and I am so glad that I am apart of your family. I know that we haven’t had the best relationship, but I am proud and happy to call you guys my best friends.

Brooke, Dusty & Kadee: You guys have made a huge impact in my life, and you continue to do so. There are tons and tons of great memories from youth group, but I can’t wait to make new ones. And Kadee, make sure she knows that I will be home soon, and not to miss me too much. And that before she knows it I will be home for good for good. Kellie, me and Kadee will all have a big sleep over together.

Joey: Ok 1. stop growing your making me look like a little fairy. 2. You sound like a man. 3. I miss you!!!!!!!!! 4. I love you!!!!!!! 5. I am so proud of who you are becoming!!!!

Marie: You are super generous and I am really proud of you and all that you are doing. It isn't always easy but I am glad we are family.