I've really enjoyed the saturdays here. In the mornings, from 10-12, kids from surrounding areas come and we have a kids bible club. We play games at the beginning, sing songs, and then split the kids up into smaller groups. The Bible clubs are similar to good news clubs or back yard Bible clubs, so Its nice being familiar with everything. Anywhere from like 45-120 kids come in the morning!
Then, in the afternoon, I've been going to another Bible club in a local barrio (neighborhood). Today though, I think I'm going with their youth group to evangelize in a different neighborhood called Quebrada.
At night, the college group meets, and I really enjoy spending time with all of those people. Saturdays are good days! Tomorrow, after church, I think I'm going to cook lunch with a few girls and just hang out. Not sure what I'm doing in the afternoon. But, I've already said goodbye to several kids from the clubs, and tomorrow at church, I will continue saying goodbye to several people!
I think Monday will be my last day of school. I'm hoping to make a trip to the beach before I leave... and there is this mountain across the street I'm really wanting to climb. Hopefully that will work out too! God is good! Lesson I'm learning: Be faithful where you are placed!
Your prayers are really appreciated. Please continue praying I'll be wise and attentive in the last few days!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
1 more week!
One more week left here! And I have a feeling it will go by pretty quickly. I taught today and yesterday and both days have gone well! It has definitely been a good experience in just these two days of having the opportunity to teach, learn to teach and just practice different things (patience, enthusiasm, perseverance... english hah)
This week will definitely be the busiest week that I have here because I'm teaching during the day and studying the other half. Then, at night, I have various ministry things. I now have a lot of respect for people who are in school full time and who are working full-time. Whoo what a job!
I'm very thankful for this experience I have towards the end of my trip! I'm excited about the last week I have here, but also looking forward to coming home. Really looking forward to the time I will have afterwards to think and process this semester. Not to mention, I'm excited about graduating.
Praises! 1. I am not sick and haven't been seriously sick this whole time. Wow thank you Lord!
2. My spanish is improving (I am sad about not being able to speak it as much in the States)
3. I have an awesome spanish teacher.
Let me just brag on her for a second. She loves Jesus, is very smart, loves to talk (and listen heh), is easy to talk to, knows spanish... and she knits! She is incredible at it. Check out her blog at http://entretejida.blogspot.com/ Scroll down the page and see some of the stuff she has made.
Last friday, I went to her house for a little bit because it was her birthday. We had a good time together just talking. I am so happy that God provided somebody who can not only teach me the language, but encourage me in my walk with Christ! Yes, we go over grammar, vocabulary etc. But I think I have learned more spanish from her just from talking about anything and everything. I will definitely miss her when I leave! God didn't have to provide me with a spanish teacher, much less one that I actually got a long with. But He did both and more in regards to spanish learning.
God is good! Thank you for praying. Please continue to pray that I will redeem the time in the last week that I have here, and that I will continue prioritizing as it is more difficult with teaching taking up more time.
Gracias a Dios por todo que nos ha dado!
Ruth
This week will definitely be the busiest week that I have here because I'm teaching during the day and studying the other half. Then, at night, I have various ministry things. I now have a lot of respect for people who are in school full time and who are working full-time. Whoo what a job!
I'm very thankful for this experience I have towards the end of my trip! I'm excited about the last week I have here, but also looking forward to coming home. Really looking forward to the time I will have afterwards to think and process this semester. Not to mention, I'm excited about graduating.
Praises! 1. I am not sick and haven't been seriously sick this whole time. Wow thank you Lord!
2. My spanish is improving (I am sad about not being able to speak it as much in the States)
3. I have an awesome spanish teacher.
Let me just brag on her for a second. She loves Jesus, is very smart, loves to talk (and listen heh), is easy to talk to, knows spanish... and she knits! She is incredible at it. Check out her blog at http://entretejida.blogspot.com/ Scroll down the page and see some of the stuff she has made.
Last friday, I went to her house for a little bit because it was her birthday. We had a good time together just talking. I am so happy that God provided somebody who can not only teach me the language, but encourage me in my walk with Christ! Yes, we go over grammar, vocabulary etc. But I think I have learned more spanish from her just from talking about anything and everything. I will definitely miss her when I leave! God didn't have to provide me with a spanish teacher, much less one that I actually got a long with. But He did both and more in regards to spanish learning.
God is good! Thank you for praying. Please continue to pray that I will redeem the time in the last week that I have here, and that I will continue prioritizing as it is more difficult with teaching taking up more time.
Gracias a Dios por todo que nos ha dado!
Ruth
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Pictures from this past week
Hola amigos! I thought I'd post some pictures from this past week, especially of the trip we took to Churin.
If you didn't see the CS Lewis quote I wrote on the last post, go check it out!
yes, I was wearing a rain jacket for a reason. Llamas spit. Thankfully this one didn't in that moment.
Houses outside of Lima
The school celebrated its 8 year anniversary with games and chicken!
Water fountain synchronized to music with a video projected on the mist!
Lima is the second largest city built in a desert... The first is Cairo, Egypt.
Quick update: I think I am just about over that stomach bug! Thank you Lord it didn't get worse! Friday, I start teaching the first and second graders English here at the school. I'll be teaching them all next week, as their regular english teacher is headed back to the states. Looking forward to teaching... and learning how to teach :) Please pray that I'll be able to learn quickly and that I'll take advantages of opportunities to not only teach the kids English, but biblical lessons as well!
Here are the pictures!
Another picture from the Parque de Aguas. This one was called the labryinth. People try to run in to the fountain, make it to the middle, and then run out again without getting wet. The fountains start and stop without notice. These people didn't make it :)
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Touring
Hello hello! I am behind in blogging (as well as journaling) so I will try to give a quick recap over the past 5 days or so.
Wednesday, we drove to a city 5 hours away in the mountains. To sum it up quickly- 1. I love car rides (Lots of time to think...breeze blowing in your face... peruvian sights and smells etc... by the end of the trip, my face was a different color because of all the dust from the wind) 2. I love mountains (mountain air, rushing river, scenery).
Here's a CS Lewis quote that I read from Desiring God:
"Nature never taught me that there exists a God of glory and of infinite majesty. I had to learn that in other ways. But nature gave the word glory a meaning for me. I still do not know where else I could have found one. I do not see how the "fear" of God could have ever meant to me anything but the lowest prudential efforts to be safe, if I had never seen certain ominous ravines and unapproachable crags."
So, the trip was a nice time to think and enjoy God's creation! We returned thursday night.
Friday, the school had a fundraiser so it was kind of like a field day. Friday night, we went out to eat at a nice hotel in downtown Lima and then went to "Parque de Aguas." Its a city park that has lots of water fountains. My favorite was a large fountain that had a video projected onto the water. The fountains were coordinated with the video and the music. Pretty cool!!
Saturday, we took a trip to a market in downtown Lima. I really enjoyed seeing different parts of Lima and the mountains. It definitely looks very different from Pachacamac (where I am).
Pastor Juan had family visiting, and that is why we did more tourist things this weekend. It was great to be able to spend time with their family!
Today, I went to a home that houses kids whose parents cannot take care of them for various reasons. I toured around the facilities and then was able to play tag, help with monkey bars, and teach the kids how to play World Cup and Capture the Flag. I loved it. I love the model they have set up in the home as well. They have several houses, each with a parent, that all run independently from each other. They're trying to create a family atmosphere for kids that otherwise wouldn't have one! Definitely hoping to return there and hang out some more.
Lessons wise- I think God is showing me how much I depend on human praise and recognition. I thrive on knowing expectations and then attempting to exceed them (go above and beyond.) As Christians, we are supposed to pursue excellence in everything. I want to pursue excellence, but for what reason? Glorifying God or glorifying myself? Tough stuff.
God is steadfast! I'm battling a stomach bug right now but hoping it won't get worse. (Please pray!) So far, so good! Thank's for your prayers.
Wednesday, we drove to a city 5 hours away in the mountains. To sum it up quickly- 1. I love car rides (Lots of time to think...breeze blowing in your face... peruvian sights and smells etc... by the end of the trip, my face was a different color because of all the dust from the wind) 2. I love mountains (mountain air, rushing river, scenery).
Here's a CS Lewis quote that I read from Desiring God:
"Nature never taught me that there exists a God of glory and of infinite majesty. I had to learn that in other ways. But nature gave the word glory a meaning for me. I still do not know where else I could have found one. I do not see how the "fear" of God could have ever meant to me anything but the lowest prudential efforts to be safe, if I had never seen certain ominous ravines and unapproachable crags."
So, the trip was a nice time to think and enjoy God's creation! We returned thursday night.
Friday, the school had a fundraiser so it was kind of like a field day. Friday night, we went out to eat at a nice hotel in downtown Lima and then went to "Parque de Aguas." Its a city park that has lots of water fountains. My favorite was a large fountain that had a video projected onto the water. The fountains were coordinated with the video and the music. Pretty cool!!
Saturday, we took a trip to a market in downtown Lima. I really enjoyed seeing different parts of Lima and the mountains. It definitely looks very different from Pachacamac (where I am).
Pastor Juan had family visiting, and that is why we did more tourist things this weekend. It was great to be able to spend time with their family!
Today, I went to a home that houses kids whose parents cannot take care of them for various reasons. I toured around the facilities and then was able to play tag, help with monkey bars, and teach the kids how to play World Cup and Capture the Flag. I loved it. I love the model they have set up in the home as well. They have several houses, each with a parent, that all run independently from each other. They're trying to create a family atmosphere for kids that otherwise wouldn't have one! Definitely hoping to return there and hang out some more.
Lessons wise- I think God is showing me how much I depend on human praise and recognition. I thrive on knowing expectations and then attempting to exceed them (go above and beyond.) As Christians, we are supposed to pursue excellence in everything. I want to pursue excellence, but for what reason? Glorifying God or glorifying myself? Tough stuff.
God is steadfast! I'm battling a stomach bug right now but hoping it won't get worse. (Please pray!) So far, so good! Thank's for your prayers.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Hmmm
I'm really excited because tomorrow, a group of us is going to a place 5 hours away to some hot springs... located in the Andes. I love mountains and am really excited about going to a place IN the mountains! We leave tomorrow afternoon, are driving there and spending the night and then coming back thursday afternoon/night some time. Woohoo!
A few things that have been significant the past few days.
A. The musical went well! With only two weeks of practice, we were able to pull it off and some people made decisions to follow Christ!
B. I went to downtown Lima a few nights ago and loved seeing parts of the city at night. The coast was lit up, the waves were crashing... beautiful
C. I helped successfully transported 8 kids on public transportation without losing any (thus what made it successful). And considering public transportation here, I thought it was a feat.
D. I am not sick!! This is quite a praise! I started eating some fruits the other day, so I'm still waiting for those results. But Mrs. Eva is feeding me well and carefully!
One thing I've been thinking about lately is what it would look like to be an "unofficial missionary." We Christians generally toss around the word missionary to specifically refer to a person who is supported by churches, generally living in a foreign country (other than their home country) and frequently does things that most people wouldn't do.( Eats strange food, does strange things... etc). Hah part of this is a little sarcastic, but you get the point.
But the great commission is for everyone right? We are all to go out and make disciples right? We are all living a foreign place (our citizenship is in heaven, not here) and as Christians... we do strange things, different from most people. So, that makes us all missionaries.
Okay yes, I've known that fact for a while, but i've been thinking about it a lot the past few months. In Thailand, God was especially pressing the fact that If my ultimate goal was to "proclaim His excellencies" (1 peter) then it wouldn't matter where I was, what I was doing, or who I was with. Basically, that if my passion is proclaiming his excellencies, then I will be overjoyed at any opportunity to do that, regardless of my surroundings.
I went to a part of downtown Lima that was very nice. I stared out the car windows in amazement as I saw nicely cut, green, trash free grass, really nice parks, clean buildings etc. The mall we went to was one of the nicest malls I've ever been to. It overlooked a beautiful view of the ocean, city lights, waves crashing etc. It was a completely different face of the country, reminded me of a place someone would go for vacation, honeymoon etc.
I say all of this because it made me think about the fact that, "I could be a "missionary" in Peru, and still live the way I do in the United States." That was a strange thought to me because normally when I think missions, I think of something a little more rogue. But reality is, the people in upper class society, the people in lower class society, PEOPLE everywhere need Jesus. I'm not sure if I'm conveying my ideas correctly. But I guess, the trip to that nice part of Lima (and some places we went to in Thailand), a nice country club I went to in Colombia etc, reminded me that living in another country provides the exact same opportunities that living in home countries does (work, eating, sleeping, proclaiming His excellencies). My mission doesn't change. Are we faithful to be missionaries where we are?
Moving to another country just to "do your life" there? Sounds like a good idea to me!
God is faithful and teaching me!
A few things that have been significant the past few days.
A. The musical went well! With only two weeks of practice, we were able to pull it off and some people made decisions to follow Christ!
B. I went to downtown Lima a few nights ago and loved seeing parts of the city at night. The coast was lit up, the waves were crashing... beautiful
C. I helped successfully transported 8 kids on public transportation without losing any (thus what made it successful). And considering public transportation here, I thought it was a feat.
D. I am not sick!! This is quite a praise! I started eating some fruits the other day, so I'm still waiting for those results. But Mrs. Eva is feeding me well and carefully!
One thing I've been thinking about lately is what it would look like to be an "unofficial missionary." We Christians generally toss around the word missionary to specifically refer to a person who is supported by churches, generally living in a foreign country (other than their home country) and frequently does things that most people wouldn't do.( Eats strange food, does strange things... etc). Hah part of this is a little sarcastic, but you get the point.
But the great commission is for everyone right? We are all to go out and make disciples right? We are all living a foreign place (our citizenship is in heaven, not here) and as Christians... we do strange things, different from most people. So, that makes us all missionaries.
Okay yes, I've known that fact for a while, but i've been thinking about it a lot the past few months. In Thailand, God was especially pressing the fact that If my ultimate goal was to "proclaim His excellencies" (1 peter) then it wouldn't matter where I was, what I was doing, or who I was with. Basically, that if my passion is proclaiming his excellencies, then I will be overjoyed at any opportunity to do that, regardless of my surroundings.
I went to a part of downtown Lima that was very nice. I stared out the car windows in amazement as I saw nicely cut, green, trash free grass, really nice parks, clean buildings etc. The mall we went to was one of the nicest malls I've ever been to. It overlooked a beautiful view of the ocean, city lights, waves crashing etc. It was a completely different face of the country, reminded me of a place someone would go for vacation, honeymoon etc.
I say all of this because it made me think about the fact that, "I could be a "missionary" in Peru, and still live the way I do in the United States." That was a strange thought to me because normally when I think missions, I think of something a little more rogue. But reality is, the people in upper class society, the people in lower class society, PEOPLE everywhere need Jesus. I'm not sure if I'm conveying my ideas correctly. But I guess, the trip to that nice part of Lima (and some places we went to in Thailand), a nice country club I went to in Colombia etc, reminded me that living in another country provides the exact same opportunities that living in home countries does (work, eating, sleeping, proclaiming His excellencies). My mission doesn't change. Are we faithful to be missionaries where we are?
Moving to another country just to "do your life" there? Sounds like a good idea to me!
God is faithful and teaching me!
Friday, April 6, 2012
La Cruz Lo Expreso
La Cruz Lo Expreso is the name of our musical. It means "The Cross expressed/showed it." We are hoping that many people in the audience will meditate and think on what exactly the cross expressed and showed. Tonight, we will be performing at either 7:00 pm or 7:30. (I can't remember exactly). Then we will be performing the musical on Sunday night as well. The musical will last about 45 minutes or an hour and contains powerful songs and scenes. We are praying that God will use the musical to soften peoples hearts and bring them to Christ! I know that while practicing, I've been reminded of the pain of the crucifixion and the joy that we know can have through the resurrection!
Please pray that hearts would be softened, and that God will work in the lives of those sitting in the audience and those acting/singing in the musical! I pray that you all have a wonderful weekend thinking of the cross, the tomb, and the resurrection! What a glorious God we serve!
Thank you for your prayers. Please pray for this weekend! There is much spiritual warfare that happens during Easter weekend because of the free time that many people have. Please pray for the people here, and there! Thanks be to God for His Gift!!
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!
Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God
Please pray that hearts would be softened, and that God will work in the lives of those sitting in the audience and those acting/singing in the musical! I pray that you all have a wonderful weekend thinking of the cross, the tomb, and the resurrection! What a glorious God we serve!
Thank you for your prayers. Please pray for this weekend! There is much spiritual warfare that happens during Easter weekend because of the free time that many people have. Please pray for the people here, and there! Thanks be to God for His Gift!!
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!
Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
A few pics from past week!
School
I have lots of it! You know, even though I'm down to two subjects (3 if you count the few wikipedia webistes I have to go to to finish economics) before I finish highschool. But yet it seems harder than times when I had 7 subjects! A. The AP spanish test I'm studying for is going to be... tough to say the least. Second, math is not my favorite. But, alas we learn from the tough things in life. I'm learning! The tedious things in life reveal our character. Mine is being tested hah.
Today, I was able to teach in the classroom for a little bit! The main English teacher was not feeling well so I taught some four year olds for a little over an hour :) Definitely different than when you are just there to entertain the kids. I'm hoping to go visit one of the older classrooms later... I was just thinking today, I've never been into a "regular school classroom" (of older kids) while it is actually class hours. I should probably do that before I decide to teach :)
I'll upload some pictures in a bit!
Prayers would be especially appreciated for:
Patience
Extended alone time with God
Servant's heart
Prioritizing/scheduling well
The Evangelical musical that we will be performing on Friday!
Thank you for praying!
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