Beautiful Feet

I cannot believe that I have already been here half of my term! The weeks fly by! Okay so lets catch up...we continue to teach class and bible study but as for fun stories and interesting things- Okay so when we went to Pamplona this week, nothing went as planned or usual (God probably just laughs when we say things like that but...) anyways we decided to go to the top of the mountain to do bible study with a pregnant woman. We go all the way up the approx 600 steps to the top to find there has been a land slide and the path is blocked, so back down we go, but that could not stop us, so around to the other side we went and up those set of 600 stairs! Between the group splitting to go different directions and other circumstances we get up there and I have to lead Bible study off the top of my head. Good thing the Holy Spirit is faithful and gave me the words to say. Amanda's group got the share with a a new believer about the boldness of Paul in Acts; she continues to share with others living around her :-) We continue to go back to the orphanage and Ruby is doing great, she has completely stolen my heart, and I do not think I will be able to leave her. I do not know if I already mentioned this but Lima is a desert. And we walk miles and miles every day. Between and city smug, dirt, sand and sweat you can only imagine how gross our feet can get. Then this week I was reading in John where Jesus washes the disciples feet. This took on a whole new meaning! Their feet must have been disgusting! BUT we are called to be like Jesus and serve. That is why in Romans 10 we are told "how Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news" my feet are dirty, unclean, sore and have patches of skin falling off, but I hold to the truth that GOD sees them as beautiful and will continue to walk beside me as I seek his ways and share the greatest news the world has ever known.

Be EFFECTIVE!

While I usually wait till the end of the week to post, too much has happened in the last few days not to share. As previously mentioned in the last blog, last week was especially hard. However, I serve an amazing God and He used the past 2 weeks to show my dependence on Him. On Sunday night the Lord and I spent some quality time together (I can only imagine how amazing it was to "walk in the cool of the day with God" like Adam and Eve got to!) during that time I had to pray some tough things. During my quiet time I recalled, my grandpa telling me that he wanted to die in his bed. Knowing that they were moving him the next day to a center, my saddened heart prayed that the Lord would honor his request and take him home to be with Him. It was hard for me to pray, but the Lord listened and now my grandpa is resting in Him. The Lord is good all the time! When I received word that he had gone home only two hours before they were to move him. I began to cry- overwhelmed and mourning but then the Holy dove whispered in my ear, "he is with me" AMEN! My Grandfather's faith has now become sight!
Last week I was able to speak with him during one of the last times he was lucid, and you know what the very last thing my grand father said to me was?!?! "Christie, be a light, make sure they know the Truth, be effective"
Can I get an AMEN!!! What power last words, and I plan to honor every word!
Then today was particularly long, as Tuesdays usually are, traveling out to Pamplona. After a few discouraging events I dragged my shattered heart home to my apartment to find a memory verse on my pillow. My friend Margo had given me a stack of face cards with Bible verses on them, one must have blown off and onto my bed. It reads "Ephesians 2:3 In Him and through faith in Him, we may approach the throne of God with freedom and confidence." GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! What am overwhelming past few days, so glad that God has carried me through them.

Ruby

This week has been a long, and hard week...but good. We went to Pamplona and the orphanage as usual and taught class. I am happy to say that Ruby-the little girl whom was brought to the orphanage the first week I went and was about to die of starvation is doing excellent! She gets excited to see me, has has gained weight and is so responsive. She has brought great joy to my life, how fitting her name means precious gem-that she most certainly is. On Thursday night we arrived at the church where we teach and they had no power. So we opened the doors gathered around and taught by the street light. To Amanda and I it was very unusual but apparently its just one of those things that happen in Peru. A friend taught me how to make two Peruvian dishes and I ate a cricket! (it did not taste good) This week has been an exhausting one, full of ups and downs. It has been an emotional tough week for Amanda and I both, please continue to keep us in your prayers especially regarding choices about the future (i.e. after Peru)

March Madness!

We have officially entered march madness, no not basketball, but teams are arriving from the States! In this month alone there are 40 teams coming into Peru! Can I get an AMEN!?! This is so exciting to be part of the connect Peru team, and see so many people involved in God's work! Amanda and I continue to keep a very busy schedule teaching class along with other ministry outlets. Our main purpose for being here is to teach translators so that they can go out with our teams and share the gospel. Please pray for all the teams and translators.
Today we went back to the orphanage and was able to love on some kids :-). But, when I got back to the apartment tonight I was struck with tragic news that a fellow OBU student on the swim team drown in a accident this afternoon. I instantly thought: "Did He know Christ?" Here, a 20 year old boy on the National Championship team drowns? We are never promised tomorrow, people are dying all over the world and the reality is-they are going to hell. We do not have time to waste friends. Get out there and let and tell the world the best news known to man kind. It was not meant to be a secret, Jesus Christ died for every single person's sins so we could be forgiven!
Romans 5: 7-9
Matthew 28: 18-20

Pamplona!

Another week has come and gone. Where to start? Well Sunday we visited a different church with many warm and welcoming people;  Amanda and I really like it and plan on returning. We went to lunch after and went to the beach to play soccer. I know it may not sound like much, but building relationships is key! God has blessed us so much with new friends and opportunities to serve. This week we went back to Pamplona on Tuesday where I got to lead bible study twice, with very wonderful women. We went back today to make lunch and do more bible study. It is amazing to see people hungry for God's word! Last blog I mentioned Santiago-one of the translators for the IMB. He has been amazing, and a great brother in Christ, he has gotten Amanda and I involved in different ministries. On Wednesday Santiago invited us to go bowling with some of his University friends. We met new people and Amanda was even able to share the gospel! Thursday we taught class and bible study for the translators all by ourselves! God has truly blessed our time here and has been opening up many doors. On a sadder note, we have recently found out that two of the hands-on students in Latin America, whom we went through orientation with, are going home tomorrow. There are numerous reasons, but it is always heart breaking when ministry has to stop. Please keep those girls in your prayers as it is very hard for them to return home.