Cedarville University - Peru Trip - Day 5

What day is today?  What day is today?  HUMP DAY!! That's right, it is Wednesday, and we are almost halfway through the trip!  What a great trip so far...

Today we woke and walked to the church for breakfast.  We had devotions (Philippians 1:12-26), and then made our way to the center.  On the way, we stopped and purchased 10 gallons of paint to paint the Buen Pastor center, but I am not sure it is going to happen.  I think the kids would prefer we prioritize the ministry with the children, and since they have done an excellent job pulling this thing together, I kind of agree with them.

We taught the Bible story to the whole group today (the Good Samaritan) which we did because there were less kids today than usual.  We then broke them into 2 groups and sent them out to play games and do their craft.  The craft was a hand painting on a piece of paper (to be hung in the center) that talked about their hands being used by God to help others.  It looked amazing when it was done - I thought it was a great idea.  The games were a variety of activities to keep the kids playing - this group loves playing with the kids.

As is our custom, we went to Buen Pastor afterwards, and we did it all over again.  They taught the Bible story, sang some songs, (Yo Tengo Gozo and My God is so Big - with motions), we did our craft, and they played games with the kids.

I pulled out my computer and showed the kids pictures of themselves from years past.  It was funny to see their faces as they saw the pictures - Norma didn't even recognize herself from the pictures I took when she was 3.

Eventually we had to go, and we headed for the hotel. Lutgarda's vehicle broke down, so they were a little later than the other group (I was driving through the chaotic traffic - and boy was it fun!!), but eventually they arrived and we headed over to the church for dinner.  Theresa had a great meal ready for us, and we were delighted to be able to eat it!  The Apon family has been such a blessing to us - we are thrilled to be ministering with them.

We left the church, walked back to the hotel, and spent 40 minutes doing two 2:18 sessions (Audree and Brooke).  Then we talked a little about the day, the plans for tomorrow, sponsoring kids, and we headed off for bed.

I had a great conversation with Tyler and Aaron in their room about AMG's ministry in Peru, and then when I came back to my room, I had a great time talking with Andy about where God will be taking him in the future.   I am honored to be a part of this trip with these guys - they are doing an excellent job.

Thought for the day:  It just dawned on me now, that we came here to serve the people of Peru, and Theresa and her daughters have served us breakfast every day and dinner twice.  We are grateful, we are thankful, but it just dawned on me tonight that we might not be helping them enough on the clean up side of things.  Yes, for the most part we clean up after ourselves, and we do get the dishes to the kitchen, but that is the extent of the clean up time.  I think tomorrow we are going to seek to help do the dishes (unless they kick us out of the kitchen - which they have done before).

The thought for the day, sometimes the people that we need to serve are right under our noses, and they are the very ones serving us.  Whether it is our spouse or our children, our parents or our siblings, our subordinates at work or a classmate in school, opportunities to serve are all around us, and we only miss them when we are wrapped up in thinking about ourselves and what it is that we want.

God help me to bless others by serving them well.  Help me to see needs around me and be willing to step in to help.  Help me to serve not only those who are easy to serve, but those who are the most difficult.  Thank you for showing me how to do it - now help me follow in your steps.