Conversation from last night…
Me: “We are having breakfast at 7 tomorrow.”
Kelly: “7 in the morning?”
Me: “No, we are having breakfast at 7 at night.”
Yes, today started very early because we had a 2+ hour van ride to Chiquian, so breakfast was at 7 in the morning. Everyone was at the table on time, and we ate a hearty breakfast (as if that were a surprise). We boarded the van around 8 and were heading to Chiquian. The plan was to hike the mountains to the cross on top of the ridge, pray for the people of Chiquian, and then head back for house visits.
On the way to Chiquian, we stopped at a small town to go to the bathroom, and then stopped at a lake to take pictures. The views here in Peru are amazing. The mountains spread out so high, and the valleys are deep. The rivers are running so fast that at times the water seems to be moving faster than we are as we drive. We are taking pictures of all of the breathtaking views, but I remind the team that there really is no way to capture the amazing views we are enjoying. Pictures pale in comparison to being here.
We arrived in Chiquian and headed up the mountain. The hike took a short time, and we stood at the high point of the village and listened to Erick share his vision for reaching the people of Chiquian. Four of the young people, Colin, Ryan, Jenna and Kevin prayed for Erick, for the church, for the people, for the teenagers, and for God to do some amazing things in this village. It was wonderful listening to them praying.
From there we headed down to the center square and ate lunch. Following lunch we headed to the home of a cripple woman who cannot walk at all. She has 2 children (in their 20’s), but they do not care for her. Her name was Carmen Rosa. She welcomed us into her home – as she sat on the ground, the team came in to talk with her. As Erick shared with us her condition, the team was moved with compassion and many collected some food to give to her. She was overwhelmed by the gift and could not stop thanking the team for their love that they showed her. It was a very moving time for the team. She asked that we come back to visit her again. I assured her that when I brought another team, we would do just that. Kevin prayed for her and it was an amazing prayer. He started by saying, “thank you God for this beautiful woman”. It moved my soul as I heard him call this older cripple woman “beautiful”. She was indeed that - not because of her external characteristics, but because of the beauty that flowed from her love for God and for us.
From there we went to the church and spent some time talking about what we had experienced and how Carmen Rosa was a great illustration of someone who chose to “count it all joy” as she met us with a glow that rose above her circumstances. We talked about the next section of James as well, and were challenged to remember that God is a good God that gives good gifts to His children.
We eventually left and headed off for another house visit. Maribel, a mother of 5, had just had cancer surgery. We visited with her and 3 of her children. We didn’t spend a lot of time there, but we prayed for her and her family. We took, her son, Junior, with us and a couple other boys from the church to a local soccer field – actually a concrete basketball/soccer court. We started playing, kids started coming, and we had a wonderful time of exercise and interaction with them. Erick asked us to stop playing and share a testimony. Colin stepped up to the plate and shared what God laid on his heart. I am always thrilled to hear teenagers share their understanding of the gospel with others, and he did an excellent job. I am not his father, but regardless, I was proud of his boldness as he stood before his peers and shared his love for God.
After a brief potty stop (for the 3rd time today – I told the kids that they eat more than anyone and spend more time in the restroom than any other group I have brought), we loaded up and headed for Huaraz. It was a quiet ride home as many of the kids were tired. I was looking forward to dinner to hear what they had to say about the day.
We arrived back at the hotel, and Erick and Colin went to get pizza for the team. We sat around the computer/conference room and ate. We shared our highs and lows. These kids are “getting it”. They are seeing the needs and caring for the people. They are recognizing the mission is to share the love of Christ in word and deed, and they are doing it! I loved hearing their thoughts about the day, and even more encouraging is the fact that many are journaling throughout the day. I asked them to type them and send them to me – I would love to read them. It has only been 2 days of service, but I am excited about what God will do with them as they head back to their church, their youth group, their school. I pray that God would continue to mold and shape their hearts to be compassionate for others.
As we broke to head to the rooms, Jenna was obviously struggling with something. I sat and talked with her briefly. Much like many of the others, she is wrestling with the desire to help Carmen Rosa. I love her sensitive spirit, and I pray that God gives her clarity about what the next step is.
Thought for the day: As we sat gazing at the village of Chiquian from the foot of the cross high above the village, you couldn’t help but look around at the majesty that these people get to see day in and day out. Two of the mountains look like giant pyramids – I joked with the team about them being man made, but it was obvious that there was no way man could have done it. Various mountains had waterfalls flowing down them, and the valley below seemed like it was forever away.
How can these people look at God’s majesty day in and day out and not recognize His place in their lives? How can they live day in and day out as if God doesn’t exist? Don’t the mountains around them just scream of a powerful creator?
And then I realize – how is it that I can live as if God isn’t around in my life? How many days do I go through without really recognizing the majesty of God that surrounds me? Before I stand in judgment of others, I need to confess my own selfish living that keeps God on the back burner of my life.
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