Last week a group from my home church (Maple Valley Presbyterian Church) came to visit Peru and participate in some of work I (with FH) have been doing in Chincha. The week was a great time of encouragement for the team, the communities they visited in Chincha and also for me. The team kept very busy, working hard in the mornings to help with the construction of two foundations of homes for families affected by the earthquake, and perhaps working even harder in the afternoons playing with kids and doing crafts to help out with the VBS being put on by one of the local community churches. It is always interesting to see your work through fresh eyes, but it was especially encouraging that those eyes were from part of my family at MVPC, and that they were able to see and hear some of the stories of the fruits of the work of FH in Chincha that I have been a part of for the last year and a half.
Me digging part of the foundation.
VBS Group - MVPC team members with Members of Local Church
Kids at the VBS program
One of those stories belongs to a man named Javier. Javier had been certified in reinforced adobe construction as part of our training project last year, and had been contracted to oversee the construction of the three homes currently been constructed by FH and another mission organization (ReachGlobal - part of Evangelical Free Church). For two days Javier worked along side the team pouring concrete, and at the end of the second day the team went to visit Javier's home so that he could show them a finished reinforced adobe home (so far the team had only seen the foundation of the homes they were working on). In his home (which he had built as part of the training project) Javier proudly explained to the team all the key components of the construction that make it earthquake resistant (the foundation, the well made adobes with straw, the plastic mesh covering all the walls...)...but he did no stop there. As he continue to explain how the training he received had made it possible for him to find work doing construction, he also explained that he had learned so much more from his work alongside FH staff during the training. Before he and others in his community believed they had no real resources and that he felt hopeless and angry about his life and having to cope with the destruction of the earthquake, but now he can see that by working together and using the resources available to them they can move forward and continue to rebuild their community. Javier also shared that through his relationships with FH staff and other missionaries, he learned of God's love for him and that God does have a plan for him. He shared about how his life had been transformed, that he was no longer as angry as he used to be, and that he had a new hope for himself, his family and his community. As Javier shared with the team his story, his smile grew wider and wider and with it his joy was so evident; a reminder of the Lord's promise to us:
I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow Jeremiah 31:13
Javier working with some of MVPC team members. I don't always get to see the fruit of my work with FH - but in hearing Javier's story, I was encouraged to see that the work I have been a part of with FH is being used by God to transform lives.
So what will I take from my time last week with the team from MVPC? Thankfulness. I am thankful for the challenges of my work and ministry here (working cross culturally, speaking Spanish almost all day everyday, having to learn to be a manager, accountant and networker in the midst of crisis and stressful deadlines) that have caused me to rely on the Lord's strength and direction more than ever. I am thankful for the Lord's faithfulness as he has through those challenges enabled me to use my gifts and talents in ways I never thought possible. And most of all I am thankful that the Lord brought me to Peru not only to be apart of a ministry that transforms lives, but that my own life has been transformed by the people and culture of this beautiful country.
I am so thankful for these experiences and thankful to the group from MVPC for helping me to remember these blessings and see my work with FH in Peru with fresh eyes. Thank you guys for your support, and for brining a bit of home to Peru.
Bendiciones a todos,
Lauren
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n48g4ApVg8
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