Well, we are here.

I‘m officially on the World Race and finishing up Month 1. WiFi has been spotty to non-existent so I’m a bit behind.

How’s it been? Well, I’m going to break it up into weeks.

This is week 1.

We’re in Callao (Lima) at a church called Iglesia Macedonia (Evangelical) with hosts Pastors David and Marita. They are amazing and have had our backs the entire time we’ve been here and Marit has been keeping us well fed!

We started ministry with cleaning up around the church; the boys had to clear off a wall and the ladies were cleaning/scrubbing the outside walls, inside/outside windows, etc.

We also met the church and were greeted with open arms and encouraged to sing a song (shoutout to Paul for bringing his guitar). We were also given the opportunity to be a part of the youth and young adults ministry they have on Saturday nights. They needed 3 people with the youth and 3 people with the young adults. We split up with Amanda, Paul and I with Amy and Asbel (two of the leaders here at Iglesia Macedonia). Sammeira, Jeremiah and Adrianna went with Salva and Vivi (Pastor David and Marita’s daughter and son-in-law and two of the other leaders).

That night was amazing. We walked down to a basketball court in the community and I was super excited to see the volleyball net that was set up!! I miss playing and had been telling a couple of my teammates about wanting to play (never was very good but always loved it). A couple of the kids invited me to hit the ball around for a bit, however, we started with a FUTBOL (Soccer)!! I don’t know if you’ve ever played volleyball with a soccer ball before but it HURTS. But my heart was so full and I embraced the arms stinging as it was cooling off and rejoiced so much when someone threw us a real volleyball. Either way, my arms were going to sting; it was cooling off outside, my arms haven’t played in a while and my skin was cold but I loved every minute.

We sang a few songs (English and then in Spanish), Paul and I (with the helps with a few of the kids) did a skit on the Lost Sheep while Amanda narrated. Me crawling on my hands and knees, escaping the rest of the sheep and the shepherd (Paul), had the whole group and myself laughing sooo hard. 

We talked to the kids about how Jesus will leave everything to come searching for us and I wrote my thoughts on the parable and Amanda read it in Spanish (Mi Espanol es muy mal). We got to play games with them, sing songs, listen to Asbel and Amy a bit and ended the night with more volleyball! Like, legit 6 on 6! I got to serve (my favorite!!) and play libero (back row). We trash talked (all in good fun and in Spanish and English), cheered each other on, just loved each other, and laughed so hard. Nights like those exceed all language barriers! So much joy. 

We also finished our first week in Peru by going to a town called Canta with a church plant of Iglesia Macedonia to Zeneit and Jorge to do market/door to door ministry, evangelism, and encouraging the members of the small but growing church there. She always asks if anyone has a word and it’s been stretching me to be bold, speak up, and not look back.

Lessons from Peru?

-I need to learn more Spanish!!

-This church is very missions minded. VERY. It was definitely a humbly to sit in my first service here and see the whole congregation come to the alter and get on their knees to cry out to God for the nations. Vivi led that passionate prayer and most of them were weeping for both Peru and the other nations. WOW. Heart check. When was the last time my heart broke for my own nation and for the world to the point of crying to God for them??

-Growth and being challenged is a GOOD THING.

-It’s okay to process but remember to stay present.

Also, shoutout to Sammeira for being the team’s impromptu translator! She’s been so amazing (she’s just so awesome in general)!!

FUNDRAISING UPDATE: $338 from being FULLY FUNDED!!!!

Thank you Jesus!! And thank y’all so much for all of your support!