Following Pastor’s Camp was a week with all the Baptist Mid-Mission missionaries in Peru, meaning everything was in English. The ARRIBA students were in charge of the missionary children for RBP’s Polar Extremes Vacation Bible School. I had the Middler’s class. To be honest, it was quite a challenge the first day teaching since the words that I wanted to say would first come to me in Spanish. It was encouraging to know that Spanish was coming more quickly, but it did make class a bit interesting the first day. We had a great time with the kids, doing skits, singing together, memorizing scripture, and giving a final presentation for the parents. What a blessing it was to be surrounded by so many servants of the Lord. It was incredible to listen to and observed them, noting how God has remained faithful throughout the years.
Friday afternoon, six of us decided to take the challenge of hiking up the dark-faced, ominous mountain that filled the eastern skyline of the Buenas Nuevas campground. Leaving at approximately 1500 hours the six daring Baptist Mid-Mission Missionaries boarded the red Toyota transport ladened with their weapons: water bottles, baseball caps, and a little bit of TP to the carry them to the drop off point. After the transport turned slowly around in the sandy streets, the six began their journey up the mountain. Unlike normal mountains, this mountain was a compilation of burning sand, scrubby bushes, cacti, and sand-dwelling arachnids. After approximately 1600 hours, the intense heat and the increasing incline held back one of the missionaries. Unable to go any further, they set up a rendezvous and the fearless five continued on their journey. They battled through zones of dry desert plants, plots of munchkin tomatoes, and collections of owl pellets, all the while advancing under the unforgiving rays of the intense sun and being pelted by hot desert breezes. The way was difficult, but fighting for each step up the monstrous sand dune, the five conquered the black beast. Though coated with a mixture of sweat and dirt, the five had smiles on their faces knowing that this mission was for the first time completed. No other from Buenas Nuevas Camp had ever before climbed to the summit of the now conquered fiend.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Pastor´s Camp
After having been at two camps of just children and teenagers, it was so nice to have Pastor’s Camp where the parents were there. The ARRIBA students helped the chamber choir of about twenty-five seminary students from the Baptist Seminary of Peru in Trujillo with the children’s session in the morning. After visiting the seminary for a week in September, it was nice to see some familiar faces and get to know them a bit better during our week at camp. I worked with the group of nine to eleven year olds with four seminary students. Each class went through the four missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul in the morning and while the choir was singing in the adult session at night, we taught on the life of Mary Slessor, single missionary to Africa. It was a great week to have a break from being in complete control of the numerous children, yet what an experience it was to get to know multiple pastors and their families.
Each morning at 7:30, we would have a combined devotional time in the dining room. It was a precious time where we sang accompanied by an accordion and were spiritually fed by the preaching of the Word. The day was then filled with children’s sessions, pool time, rest time in the afternoon, missionary focus with the children, and organized kids games at night. Each night, a new theme was presented like Jungle Night and night of Olympics while each team competed against the other teams to win. It was a wonderful week to spend with pastors and their families only with the chamber choir. It was difficult to see them go, but we praised God for the precious times we could spend together.
Each morning at 7:30, we would have a combined devotional time in the dining room. It was a precious time where we sang accompanied by an accordion and were spiritually fed by the preaching of the Word. The day was then filled with children’s sessions, pool time, rest time in the afternoon, missionary focus with the children, and organized kids games at night. Each night, a new theme was presented like Jungle Night and night of Olympics while each team competed against the other teams to win. It was a wonderful week to spend with pastors and their families only with the chamber choir. It was difficult to see them go, but we praised God for the precious times we could spend together.
Misión ImPosible
After finishing Kids Camp Saturday morning, the following Monday, I headed off to camp again for Adolescent Camp. This week, instead of being the only counselor, I was a helper to the counselor of the “Arriesgadas,” while my main responsibility was to aid in directing the games for the week. The team of five that was in charge of games and activities had met a couple of times previous to camp. It was so good to have our thoughts and ideas planned out beforehand as opposed to putting things together upon arriving at camp. Along with our directing the activities, we also got to check the cabins and judge their cleaning job each morning, we washed dishes at times, and were lifeguards in the afternoon.
With the theme of “Misión ImPosible” (Mission ImPossible) we had a fun time putting together many challenging games for the teenagers to accomplish. One afternoon, we had eight different missions to accomplish around the camp that the teams had to complete. They had to run to each place, finish the mission and receive their next mission, before the other teams caught up with them. Another afternoon, we had a large piece of plastic that we put water and detergent on to make it slippery. The teenagers and counselors had a great time slipping and sliding trying to gain points for their team.
Though I was not as involved in the girls’ lives as head counselor, it was a blessing to talk to them in the afternoons and get to know them a bit better. The Lord, as always, was there teaching me and stretching me during the week. Numerous times throughout the day, I was reminded that I could not do things on my own. In trying to direct and lead a group of over one hundred teenagers, multiple times I prayed for patience. At times when I felt like I wanted to give up, Go d supplied the necessary encouragement and help. It was a great camp that proved God’s ability to accomplish things that to me seemed impossible.
With the theme of “Misión ImPosible” (Mission ImPossible) we had a fun time putting together many challenging games for the teenagers to accomplish. One afternoon, we had eight different missions to accomplish around the camp that the teams had to complete. They had to run to each place, finish the mission and receive their next mission, before the other teams caught up with them. Another afternoon, we had a large piece of plastic that we put water and detergent on to make it slippery. The teenagers and counselors had a great time slipping and sliding trying to gain points for their team.
Though I was not as involved in the girls’ lives as head counselor, it was a blessing to talk to them in the afternoons and get to know them a bit better. The Lord, as always, was there teaching me and stretching me during the week. Numerous times throughout the day, I was reminded that I could not do things on my own. In trying to direct and lead a group of over one hundred teenagers, multiple times I prayed for patience. At times when I felt like I wanted to give up, Go d supplied the necessary encouragement and help. It was a great camp that proved God’s ability to accomplish things that to me seemed impossible.
Quiero Ser Como Tú
I started my camping season experience on January 18th with Kids Camp. I was a counselor for the seven spirited girls of the team “Animosas.” It was a new opportunity for me to counsel at summer camp in general, but the opportunity was even more exciting since it was at the camp, “Buenas Nuevas” in Aucallama, Peru. We got all the children divided into their appropriate cabins and then the fun began. The girls in my cabin quickly became close friends, so close that they decided they wanted to push four bunk beds together to make a huge bed. I went along with their idea thinking that the eight of us would occupy one of the eight places made by the four beds together; however, my thinking was a bit off, as when it was time to go to bed, the seven girls all climbed up to the top bunks next to me. It was quite a night to be sure as the seven of them shared the other three and a half beds: arms and legs, feet and hands were sprawled in whichever way was most comfortable for the little girls who wriggled into the most awkward-looking positions to sleep.
It took the first couple of days to get used to the schedule of camp and what all was expected of me, but after those uncertain times, things became a bit more sure and enjoyable. The theme for the week was “Quiero ser como Tú” (I want to be like You). The lessons in chapel were how we could be more like Christ in our actions, words, and every day living. The speakers used different men in the Bible like Joseph and Paul to be examples to the children of how they could be more like Christ. It was a great week to be involved directly in the lives of my seven “Animosas,” as we were able to talk about the lessons and learn how to be more like Christ after the chapel sessions.
This particular week at camp, I was reminded that God is always here to help me during uncertain times. He gave strength when the morning came all too soon, He provided patience and love to continue working with my girls even if it seemed that they were not understanding, He provided a smile when the schedule changed or if something did not work out the way that I thought it was supposed to work out, and He allowed me to build friendships with people that I otherwise never would have met. Though the week was challenging, may God be praised for His goodness during the week of Kids Camp.
It took the first couple of days to get used to the schedule of camp and what all was expected of me, but after those uncertain times, things became a bit more sure and enjoyable. The theme for the week was “Quiero ser como Tú” (I want to be like You). The lessons in chapel were how we could be more like Christ in our actions, words, and every day living. The speakers used different men in the Bible like Joseph and Paul to be examples to the children of how they could be more like Christ. It was a great week to be involved directly in the lives of my seven “Animosas,” as we were able to talk about the lessons and learn how to be more like Christ after the chapel sessions.
This particular week at camp, I was reminded that God is always here to help me during uncertain times. He gave strength when the morning came all too soon, He provided patience and love to continue working with my girls even if it seemed that they were not understanding, He provided a smile when the schedule changed or if something did not work out the way that I thought it was supposed to work out, and He allowed me to build friendships with people that I otherwise never would have met. Though the week was challenging, may God be praised for His goodness during the week of Kids Camp.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Learning Experiences
Throughout the last six months that I have been in Peru, there have been numerous things that I have learned, for example: when the loud bell rings, it is time to take out the trash; when the Peruvians say that something will begin at one time, more than likely it will start about an hour later; don't ask what type of meat it is until after you have eaten it; and many others. Yet, with all of the things that I have learned, there always seems to something that I can learn each day.
Monday, Tessha and I woke up around 5:30 to go running with Jorgeth, an eighteen year old that Tessha has been witnessing to. After meeting up with her and beginning our run (more like a jog) she would stop and tell us to stop as well. This happened numerous times and I first thought that she was tired, but later on I realized the reason for her sudden stops. Peru is a land of wondering dogs who like to claim territory as their own and protect it from anything or any person that happens to get too close to their property line. After slowing down yet another time, the dogs close to us began to bark their warning for us to get off of their property, so we slowly crossed over to the other side of the street. After walking for a bit, we would pick up again with our jog until another unhappy owner would make it clear that we were invading on his territory. Many Peruvians could show you the marks of a prolonged visit with "man's best friend," but I prefer to forego such an adventure, and be glad that I got the lesson beforehand. Truly, each day brings it's new adventures along with it's many learning experiences.
Monday, Tessha and I woke up around 5:30 to go running with Jorgeth, an eighteen year old that Tessha has been witnessing to. After meeting up with her and beginning our run (more like a jog) she would stop and tell us to stop as well. This happened numerous times and I first thought that she was tired, but later on I realized the reason for her sudden stops. Peru is a land of wondering dogs who like to claim territory as their own and protect it from anything or any person that happens to get too close to their property line. After slowing down yet another time, the dogs close to us began to bark their warning for us to get off of their property, so we slowly crossed over to the other side of the street. After walking for a bit, we would pick up again with our jog until another unhappy owner would make it clear that we were invading on his territory. Many Peruvians could show you the marks of a prolonged visit with "man's best friend," but I prefer to forego such an adventure, and be glad that I got the lesson beforehand. Truly, each day brings it's new adventures along with it's many learning experiences.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Take my Hand and Lead my On
After walking for years down the road of life alone, what a glorious moment it was when my small, baby-sized hand slid into God’s mighty, guiding hand the day of my salvation. Throughout the years as we traveled, He never left my side and never let go of my hand. Oh, certainly there were times where, as a fascinated child, I tried to wriggle my little hand from His, but His firm grip held fast as the alluring pleasures slipped by ever so quickly. Numerous times His firm hold kept me from the fleeting pleasures of the world and directed me on the right path with eternal rewards in the end. With my reaching for the temporal, He constantly pulled me to Himself reassuring me of His capability to provide me with the best.
At times, I reluctantly followed my all-wise Leader, like a child being pulled away from a pet store window, and at other times, I charged ahead seemingly pulling my Guide to the next bigger and better thing. Yet, through it all, our hands never released their enjoined position. He put up with my fighting with a gentle tug drawing close His side.
Without worries or cares throughout part of our journey through life, our hands hung relaxed at our sides or swung happily in the air, yet those same hands could be seen later on in our journey with white knuckles – the times where allurements that I followed so quickly after did not make the difficult paths any easier.
At times, the path was slippery where I could not get a firm step in of my own and would stumble and fall, but my sure-footed Guide pulled me up those precarious paths with divine strength, and I would cling to Him vowing I would never again wander far from His side.
Yet, further down the road of life, after following my own desires, plans and dreams, I found myself without a foot-hold with a chasm below my dangling feet, and while over such an abyss crying for forgiveness, the strong hand of the Lord, continually with His hand securely holding mine, would again pull me safely to Himself. Throughout all the fascinations, the slippery paths, and the numerous times I stumbled and fell, my God was always there holding my hand and leading me on.
Throughout the path of life, as even now it winds and twists and the next step is not certain, I can walk with confidence with my hand in the mighty hand of my all-knowing Guide, knowing that He will never leave. With Him always by my side, I can face the difficult road with this prayer always on my lips: “Take my hand and lead me on.”
At times, I reluctantly followed my all-wise Leader, like a child being pulled away from a pet store window, and at other times, I charged ahead seemingly pulling my Guide to the next bigger and better thing. Yet, through it all, our hands never released their enjoined position. He put up with my fighting with a gentle tug drawing close His side.
Without worries or cares throughout part of our journey through life, our hands hung relaxed at our sides or swung happily in the air, yet those same hands could be seen later on in our journey with white knuckles – the times where allurements that I followed so quickly after did not make the difficult paths any easier.
At times, the path was slippery where I could not get a firm step in of my own and would stumble and fall, but my sure-footed Guide pulled me up those precarious paths with divine strength, and I would cling to Him vowing I would never again wander far from His side.
Yet, further down the road of life, after following my own desires, plans and dreams, I found myself without a foot-hold with a chasm below my dangling feet, and while over such an abyss crying for forgiveness, the strong hand of the Lord, continually with His hand securely holding mine, would again pull me safely to Himself. Throughout all the fascinations, the slippery paths, and the numerous times I stumbled and fell, my God was always there holding my hand and leading me on.
Throughout the path of life, as even now it winds and twists and the next step is not certain, I can walk with confidence with my hand in the mighty hand of my all-knowing Guide, knowing that He will never leave. With Him always by my side, I can face the difficult road with this prayer always on my lips: “Take my hand and lead me on.”
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Cusco
Just three short days after getting back to Lima from Chinchil, the group and I were on the road again for other adventures. We took the hour long flight to Cusco instead of opting for the twenty-four hour long bus ride. (It took that long because it was all in the mountains weaving back and forth up the mountains.) We figured we spent enough time on the bus to Huacrachuco. Upon arriving in Cusco, we met up with Rachel Tarvin, a single missionary who lives in the seminary in Urubamba. She acted as our chauffeur and tour guide throughout Cusco, Urubamba, and Arin. With this trip to Cusco, we got to play tourist for six days. It was nice to relax in a different sort of way.
We attended classes at the seminary our first day and visited a famous pottery workshop. The following day we were able to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Machupicchu, an ancient Incan settlement nestled in the Andes Mountains. On our way back to the seminary, we crossed paths with Jake, a lone traveler from Michigan who immediately took us for missionaries, since we were young, happy Americans in Peru. We talked with him for a while and soon went our separate ways leaving him to find his cheap room for the night. After getting in the combi, our hearts sank as we realized what an opportunity we had to share the Gospel with him, yet we did not make it a main topic in our conversation. After getting back to the seminary, we decided that we would head out early in the morning to search for him. In a tourist town of about 12,000 people, the chances of finding Jake again were slim to none, but God answered our prayers with a “yes.” After talking with some teenagers about the Gospel, Caleb and I quickly began our way back to the plaza to meet up with the rest of our group. While coming up a hill, Jake was passing by on a cross-street. We quickly went up to him and invited him to see some ruins with our group. He accepted and ended up spending the entire day with us on Saturday. He even went back to the seminary with us and helped us clean out a storage room. We enjoyed our time with him and before he left, Caleb was able to share with him why we had wanted to find him again. Caleb was able to share the gospel message with Jake and exchange e-mail addresses as well. It was amazing to see how God worked everything out in his timing and how He allowed us another chance to talk to Jake again. We were reminded of how we ought always to take the opportunities to talk about God and His Word that we have, because we may not be given a second chance.
Sunday we were able to visit two different churches and participate in their services. Again, it was such a blessing to fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ. Monday we got to go whitewater rafting and enjoy being out on the river. We had a great guide who allowed us to play around carefully with the rapids and later on allowed us to jump off a bridge into the deep part of the river. We jumped from some Incan-placed rocks some sixteen feet above the water. It was a beautiful day to be outside, as the sun shone on our rocking raft. That night we were able to walk around the different plazas in Cusco. It was beautiful. The lamps in the plazas gave the sky a golden glow and folk music from the restaurants nearby could be heard. Later on, it began raining lightly, which caused the wet sidewalks to reflect the lamp’s glow. Tuesday we took a tour van to a place to ride horses to see different ruins around Cusco. The horses were not the tame animals that are normally used for tour groups, but now, after-the-fact, we enjoyed the heart-racing times when the horses would break into a gallop.
The trip to Cusco was our last trip together as a team for a while. We left Caleb in Urubamba to help missionary Tim Whattley and his family, while Janae and Rochelle left on Friday for Chimbote to work with Steve and Molly Stillwell. Tessha and I are staying in Lima for this time to work with our Peruvian father, the pastor of our church here in Ate. These next six months will be our time of internship where we will be able to put into practice what we have learned by taking part in teaching Sunday school, doing kids clubs, working with the youth group, having discipleship meetings, working at camp during the summer months of January and February, and independently studying our Spanish. I would appreciate your prayers as November and December are the slower months of our getting into this internship time. Pray that I will use my time wisely and work the hardest that I can in the tasks that God brings before me.
We attended classes at the seminary our first day and visited a famous pottery workshop. The following day we were able to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Machupicchu, an ancient Incan settlement nestled in the Andes Mountains. On our way back to the seminary, we crossed paths with Jake, a lone traveler from Michigan who immediately took us for missionaries, since we were young, happy Americans in Peru. We talked with him for a while and soon went our separate ways leaving him to find his cheap room for the night. After getting in the combi, our hearts sank as we realized what an opportunity we had to share the Gospel with him, yet we did not make it a main topic in our conversation. After getting back to the seminary, we decided that we would head out early in the morning to search for him. In a tourist town of about 12,000 people, the chances of finding Jake again were slim to none, but God answered our prayers with a “yes.” After talking with some teenagers about the Gospel, Caleb and I quickly began our way back to the plaza to meet up with the rest of our group. While coming up a hill, Jake was passing by on a cross-street. We quickly went up to him and invited him to see some ruins with our group. He accepted and ended up spending the entire day with us on Saturday. He even went back to the seminary with us and helped us clean out a storage room. We enjoyed our time with him and before he left, Caleb was able to share with him why we had wanted to find him again. Caleb was able to share the gospel message with Jake and exchange e-mail addresses as well. It was amazing to see how God worked everything out in his timing and how He allowed us another chance to talk to Jake again. We were reminded of how we ought always to take the opportunities to talk about God and His Word that we have, because we may not be given a second chance.
Sunday we were able to visit two different churches and participate in their services. Again, it was such a blessing to fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ. Monday we got to go whitewater rafting and enjoy being out on the river. We had a great guide who allowed us to play around carefully with the rapids and later on allowed us to jump off a bridge into the deep part of the river. We jumped from some Incan-placed rocks some sixteen feet above the water. It was a beautiful day to be outside, as the sun shone on our rocking raft. That night we were able to walk around the different plazas in Cusco. It was beautiful. The lamps in the plazas gave the sky a golden glow and folk music from the restaurants nearby could be heard. Later on, it began raining lightly, which caused the wet sidewalks to reflect the lamp’s glow. Tuesday we took a tour van to a place to ride horses to see different ruins around Cusco. The horses were not the tame animals that are normally used for tour groups, but now, after-the-fact, we enjoyed the heart-racing times when the horses would break into a gallop.
The trip to Cusco was our last trip together as a team for a while. We left Caleb in Urubamba to help missionary Tim Whattley and his family, while Janae and Rochelle left on Friday for Chimbote to work with Steve and Molly Stillwell. Tessha and I are staying in Lima for this time to work with our Peruvian father, the pastor of our church here in Ate. These next six months will be our time of internship where we will be able to put into practice what we have learned by taking part in teaching Sunday school, doing kids clubs, working with the youth group, having discipleship meetings, working at camp during the summer months of January and February, and independently studying our Spanish. I would appreciate your prayers as November and December are the slower months of our getting into this internship time. Pray that I will use my time wisely and work the hardest that I can in the tasks that God brings before me.
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