I forgot my Sweater

So a few weeks ago we had our first event out in Ancahuasi, and as usual things don't go as planned.

1. We left late.
Usually that isn't a problem but when you are going 2 or 2 1/2 hours away its a little bit of a time crunch. We needed to clean set up and get the keys to the building that we used and set up chairs and eat dinner.

2. Technical difficulties.
Technology is a great thing when it works, and when it doesn't it just makes you want to throw something against a table or wall. We had all the items that we needed but it wasn't enough. We didn't have a long enough extension cord, we could get the keys, and no lights (no electricity). So we waited 30-45 minutes until we were able to get started.

3. Extension cords.
Always have more then enough, even if it is 50 ft. and you only need 10ft. Always be overly prepared. And have adapters, because most things here are not made for 3 prong cords just 2 prong... and when you need to plug a three prong into a two prong it makes things a little difficult.

4. Frustration hits.
It was bound to happen. Our other impact events haven't gone well, or gone at all. When 6 people think that there is problem with different parts and they all try to fix it and don't listen, and you have to say it in another language... not easy.

5. I forgot my sweater.
Out of the practical things to forget.

AND HERE COMES THE GOOD NEWS!!!

We had about 80 or more people come to the movie, and half accepted Christ! Whoop Whoop.

And if I had to go through all of the frustration and problems (without a sweater) I would. you know why? Because the amazing blessing and only God could have done that.

After all the difficulties and frustrations we had a little sleep over at one of our contacts houses. We stayed up till midnight making tamales for breakfast and hanging out.

21st birthday!!!!

I’m officially 21!!!!!!!! Now I was born on St. Patties day + 21^st birthday = danger (or it could).

Well I hate to disappoint some people but my birthday didn’t involve drinking, clubs or a raging crazy party. But we fasted……. Boring huh.

Wrong Again

As a group we decided to do the Daniel Fast. It a fast for 21 days. Where we can only eat veggies, fruit and whole grains. So no meat, no sugars and nothing with preservatives. So really it is like a vegan diet but with more rules.

For some people this sounds awful and for other people it sounds like a challenge. It really depends on how you look at it, and how you go about it.

The first week was a little tough, because there are a ton of cravings and temped just to break the fast. But in the middle of the fast it became pretty normal and towards the end we were just counting down the days until we are done.

Amy and Ty did an amazing job with the food that they prepared and the lack of resources here.

So I decided this way it is more memorable to do this then to get trashed.

And in all reality we didn’t decided this to be something for my birthday but when I looked at it I am counting it for my birthday. It was more of a coincidence.

Blah Blah Blah

I have a new address!!!!

Emily Rattle
Correo Central Cusco
Cusco, Peru

And I think I win for the most boring blog in the world.... but that is ok I am still a winner!
Any ways there it is.

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.