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!

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

A few pics from past week!

 Part of the compound-school/church buildings

 Visiting some kids that come to the children's ministry

 View from right outside the compound. Sand... lots of sand

Another place we were visiting called Diecinueve de Julio

 Saturday morning Joyas Preciosas-Children's ministry

 Children's ministry Saturday afternoon with different group of kids

 Helping in the K-4 classroom!

 One of my favorite parts of the day- 6pm when all the lights come on around the city

Practicing for the musical!

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!

So what does my heart look like?

Today, I had the opportunity to sit down and share the gospel "full-out" with three girls. Two of the girls wanted Jesus to clean their hearts "hoy" (today). So they prayed with me after we had talked for  for about 30 minutes. God knows their hearts!  The third girl I shared with one-on-one. We had been talking, she was asking me to say things in English, sing in English etc She then asked me about the bracelets I was wearing (bracelets that have the wordless book colors on them). So, I told her that the bracelets told a story. She wanted me to tell her the story. We went and sat down and I began telling her the greatest story in the world, the gospel. For a seven year old girl, she was asking lots of good, solid questions! Anyways, I told her what all the bracelets represented (a gold crown for heaven, a black fruit representing sin, a red cross representing salvation, a green flower representing growing and christ and a white (clean) heart representing a "cleaned from sin heart") I love it when a child is interacting with the story and asking lots of questions. And one of the best questions to hear from a child is one along the lines of, "So what does my heart look like?" She asked me the question after seeing the white heart. Boom. I'll take that opportunity! I told her that I didn't know whether her heart was the dirty one or the clean one  but that "the Bible says if we believe in Jesus as our savior and ask Him to forgive us our sins, He cleans our heart." Child like, earnest faith. Earnest questioning. I love it. I think I'll be seeing that little girl again, but I pray she will go home and think hard.

Later today, we will be doing another bible club. It is called "Joyas Preciosas," which means precious jewels. Ah, I love this kind of work. Over-excitement is perfectly acceptable with kids. Over-expression is great when talking with  kids. Joking around and saying crazy things works well in building relationships with kids. Kids want to talk; kids want to tell stories, kids want somebody to play and laugh with. But the most exhilarating thing is when you look into the eyes of a kid who "gets it." Who realizes, " I am a sinner and cannot do anything to solve me problem.... BUT Jesus died on the cross, in my place." Ah what a glorious privilege we have as Christians to share the gospel with others... with children. 

We had one club last night, one this morning, one this afternoon, and then later today I will go to church group for 18-24 yr olds or something like that. 

So far, I've been working in the school with the k-3 and k-4 year olds, and will continue I believe the whole time I'm here. Then, certain nights of the week, I'll be visiting various kids from the various bible clubs at their houses. Weekends hold a lot of children's ministry. 

I'm very excited about the time I have here! Cannot wait to see what else will happen! God gives joy.

Gracias por sus oraciones! (Thank you for your prayers)

En Peru

Well, estoy aqui! I'm here! My plane ride went well and I arrived in Lima around midnight monday night.  I was met at the airport by 4 missionaries with World Reach (I just instinctively typed Campus Outreach... hah.. maybe thats not funny to you but it was to me. While I'm on this tangent I'm just going to go ahead and say that I have actually accidentally spoken in Thai while I've been here. Geez, I can't get the languages right wherever I go! My english is already messing up too.) Okay back on track. I was met at the airport and taken back to the compound which is about 45 minutes from the airport. Even though it was nighttime, the drive was pretty. We drove by the coast. I'm hoping I get a chance to go see the beach in the daytime sometime while I'm here.

Yesterday, I learned my way around the compound, and enjoyed hearing kids laughing, shouting and talking during school hours :) I am so excited to be around kids for the five weeks I am here! The compound is very nice. Mrs. Eva Barrientos described it as a little piece of heaven. Indeed, it is, both spiritually and physically! Green grass, nicely maintained buildings... It is so nice!

Today, I went to the school and helped out/sat in on k-3 and k-4 classes. The kids are precious. I was also introduced to all the other classrooms in the school. They have k-3 through 5th grade here. There is an average of probably about 18 or so kids in each class. I think I'm going to be working with the k-3 and k-4 classes most of the time while I'm here... possibly every day. I'm really looking forward to that.

I also met with the director of the church's children's ministry. We talked about that ministry, which I also will be spending lots of time with. It sounds similar to a good news club. They have various locations in the surrounding area. She told me that I will be sharing the gospel with the new kids that come to the club! I have no quarrel with that idea.

I'm really looking forward to spending lots of time with these kids.  In addition to the kids ministry, the school, and stuff at church, I'm also hoping to work some with the pre-natal care clinic here on compound and also possibly teach soccer to school girls during PE.

I think I will be "doing" more here in Peru than in Thailand, but I pray that I will still be able to observe just as much as I did in Thailand! I pray that I won't hyper-focus (which is my tendency) and forget to keep observing and taking in what God is doing around me ( and in me!)

Thank you for prayers! I'll put up some pictures soon.

PS- My spanish is definitely useful but I decided sometimes it is more frustrating when I know the  language but don't know how to say something then when I don't know how to speak the language at all. Argh grammar...

Terry to... Thaiperu?

So... when I originally made this blog, it was to record observations, experiences, lessons etc that God would be teaching me during this "vision semester" of exploring various ministries. The first trip was to Thailand (hence the name of the blog terrytothailand...) But, the second opportunity that God opened up was a trip to Lima, Peru! So, here I am writing my first blog post about the trip to Peru.

I didn't really want to create a whole new blog so I just kept the same name... But, if you are reading this, realize that I am NOT in Thailand anymore. I am sitting at my kitchen table in the US of A. Tomorrow, I set sail... (or pile on a plane) for Lima, Peru.

I'll be staying on compound with some World Reach missionaries, helping at a school, practicing spanish, and observing the culture and ministry! I pray that God continues working on my heart as He already has in huge ways this semester. God was so faithful to reveal so many things while I was in Thailand and while I've been home processing the trip. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to go to another place and compare and contrast.

Ultimately, this blog is for prayer! Maybe it's selfish. But, I'll take all the prayer that I can get. God was so faithful to answer prayers while I was in Thailand, both yours and mine. So, to those of you who were praying for the trip, thank you.  I continue to ask for prayers as I'm in Lima! I cannot wait to see how God will expand on what He has been teaching me this year so far. The lessons are numerous, but are so exciting.  My mind is running like crazy as I continue processing what God has been teaching me, is teaching me and will teach me. God is so good. To Him be the glory!