These last couple of months of winter here in Peru have been cloudy and gray (as usual), but despite the clouds, there have been many activities and moments in which the Lord has shown the light of his love in my life and minsitry her in Peru.
During June and July, I played the role of team coordinator and host to two teams (from Cornerstone, a chuch in Phoenix) who came to serve as a part of the FH ministry in Chincha.
The first team was a group of adults who spent the week helping with the construction of 3 reinforced adobe homes, and families in need in three communities. Both the team and the communties were greatly impacted by the visit as they worked, played, shared their stories, worshiped and prayed together. It was amazing to see how God used different team and community members to show his love to one another.
The second team was a comprised mainly of youth (and a few adults). With this second team, I and the team had to rely on the Lord's plan and strength. Facing the theft of a the youth leader's lap-top (with all his teaching materials), illness, and so many changes of plans I stopped counting, it would have been easy for the team to have gotten discouraged and irritated. It was a blessing though to see that the team was able to remember that the Lord is greater than any challenge, and that if we offer all our plans and issues to him, he will still use us to bring glory to Him. The team's visit began with a two day camp at the beach with 50 youth from the three communities in Chincha. For all most all of the Chincha youth, this was the first time they had gone to "camp," and what fun we had! Games, singing, a camp fire, and times to learn about the word of God and that God has a purpose for each of our lives. Returning to Chincha after camp, the team also helped with construction, and visited with families and youth in the community. It is interesting that although this team’s strength was not their contribution the construction of reinforced adobe homes, they did build many relationships throughout the week. Through these relationships, several people came to know God's love for them, and accept Christ as their savior.
I love to see how God uses the experience of visits of teams to shine the light of his love on and through both the team and the community. Still after hosting two teams to Chincha I was completely exhausted and in need of some rejuvenation. A visit with some people I love - my family, came like a ray of God's love and light to me, and at the end of July and in August I had the blessing of visiting with my family on two continents :)
At the end of July my parents came for a visit to Peru and we (my parents, I and Cristian) traveled to the northern mountain town of Cajamarca for a few days. We explored a "rock forest," the remains of a 3000 year old irrigation system, and hot springs called "los baños del Inca," but the best part of the trip was the time to relax and hang-out together. I must say that I was very excited to see how easily Cristian fit in with my family, and to see how well he and my parents got along.
Now we are all looking forward to Christmas time when Cristian and I will be in Washington for Christmas, and we can all be together again. Please continue to pray for my relationship with Cristian - that the Lord would reveal to us His plan and timing for our future together.
After a week visit in Peru, my parents and I returned to the states for a week long visit with my mother's family - coming together in Florida. It was great to spend time with my family and get to see my beautiful niece too. During our time together we also celebrated the life of my grandfather, Robert Zimmerman, who passed away last March.
This last week I have returned to my work in the Lima office of FH-Peru. There are many changes going on (moving to a new office location in a safer more central of town), and continuing to redefine and clarify my role with FH-Peru. As I had shared a couple of months ago - I was asked to serve as coordinator for project planning serving the three regions we work in (Lima, Pucallpa, and Chincha). Upon returning form vacation this week, I was asked to consider another position that would include project planning, but would also be responsible for supervising different types of communications and reporting throughout FH-Peru. I am considering this proposal and ask that you pray with me to know if this is a challenge the Lord would want me to accept. I have to give my final answer by the end of the month, and I'll be sure to let you all know what happens.
Thank you for allowing me to share with you the goings on in my life the last couple of months, and thank you for your prayers and support of my ministry her with FH-Peru.
Many blessings,
Lauren
