Catching Up

Can it really have been since May that I last sent out an update? Where does the time go?

In JUNE my work focused on preparing for and receiving a team from Phoenix, AZ (Cornerstone Church) that came to visit Chincha. What a blessing to be back in those communities for a week, and minister with the team. During the week, the team helped build some tables for one of the community centers, and also carried out two day camps (one for kids and one for teens). I still can't get out of my head the song we learned...."Yo tengo tanto, tanto, tanto, tanto....para agradecer" (I have sooooooooooooo much to be thankful for).

One of the best parts of the week in Chincha were the home visits we did with the team. Each community identified several families that had special need at that time so that the team could visit, bring a food basket, and pray with each family. It is always amazing to me how God orchestrates things; in one home visit one mother shared with the team her struggle with depression, and how a few weeks before God had brought to her door a neighbor to share with her the love of God through Jesus. At that time she made a decision to open her heart to Jesus, but she shared that she was still struggling, and she felt like God really was answering her prayers for encouragement as he brought the team to visit with family.

Another family the team visited was still is living in their temporary shelter from after the earthquake (almost 4 years later). They shared that they have been unable to receive reconstruction assistance because they do not have title to their property. When the team visited the family was very quite, and did not share much, but the team still prayed with the family. Later, Wilda, the FH staff person who works in Chincha shared with the team that the family does not participate in activities with FH or with the community. The mother, Maria, shared with Wilda that she did not believe in God because she felt as if God didn't care about her, her family or her problems. As the week went on the team felt more and more compelled to do something for Maria and her family. On the last day, the team visited Maria again and shared with how much God loves her and her family, and that because of God's love they wanted to help her with some materials to improve their living working area. Maria and her family were very grateful. A few weeks later as the family began to use those materials to improve their living area, Wilda shared with me that Maria now believes that God does exist, and that he really does love her, and with Wilda we thanked God for opening the door to minister to Maria and her family.

JULY: was busy with lots of office work, helping to review some training modules, and helping with proposals, project planning, and budgets for 2012 that were due by August (our planning with FH follows our fiscal calendar which starts in Oct.). Crisitan and I also celebrated our one year anniversary in July, and enjoyed a long weekend holiday off for Peruvian independence day which is celebrated the 28 and 29th.

In AUGUST/SEPTEMBER I continued to help with planning activities for 2012, as well planning for the MVPC team to visit Peru at the end of the month. I always love working with teams, and seeing how God uses both the team members and families from the communities where FH works to encourage one another, and help each other grow and learn more about God's kingdom and His purpose for their lives. But, it is a special treat when that team comes from my home church in Washington, and this time my parents also participated in the team. It was a full 6 days of different community activities. In the midst of dancing with community members, a family field trip and picnic in the mountains outside of Lima, Bible lessons for kids and teens, a mini Peacmakers training for mothers, and home visits, God's love was shared and relationships were built crossing boundaries of language, culture and socio-economic class.

Many times when I remember these experiences with teams visiting the communities in Peru, I am also reminded of God's word; it is as if those times of sharing offer a glimpse of what is to come in His kingdom:

⁹ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

Revelation 7: 9-10

Blessings,

Lauren