Rachel (Friday, 3/18/11) - It rained throughout the night; however, around the time we left for breakfast it was clearing up. The weather has been beautiful throughout our stay here. God has given us beautiful weather to work outside! The sun gets extremely hot, but there is almost always a cool breeze to keep the temps down.
Mike, Burton and Grant (my dad), went with Debbie to the market to help with the groceries. Today the painting crew started on the second coat of paint - Fantasia (a beautiful light yellow color). The cement crew is finishing up the braces for the new cement bench and sidewalk.
The Jesus film is nearly finished. It sounds like they will be able to wrap up the recording tonight. Then they will show the rough copy to a group of native speakers to check for mistakes tomorrow morning. After that they will be doing more editing until the film is complete.
This afternoon while we were working several kids and a worker from the local orphanage came in to AIDIA. Each one proceeded to walk up to many of us, covered in paint and dirt, to greet us and give us hugs! We were not expecting such a loving welcome! A while later, when they left, they gave us hugs again!
I am in awe of the love that these kids give out! I cannot wait to spend some time with them on Sunday afternoon!
Tonight we were told that there was a native Quechuan tree cutting celebration downtown. Our team took an acombi (bus type taxi) downtown to see what it was all about. We arrived to see the tree chopped down, in the middle of downtown. From what we understand, different families in the city take turns chopping down the tree. The tree was covered in streamers and other items. There had also been many Quechuan people wearing their native dress. We spent some time exploring as a group - looking in stores, bartering with the street vendors, taking pictures, playing with some children and speaking with the locals - all while drawing a crowd :)
We are continuing to see all of God's plans for us to be here revealed. We had a great day serving the Lord here in Peru and are so thankful for what He is doing with our team. We are also very thankful for all the prayer warriors back home!
Please be praying for:
- Jessica, who has not been feeling well today. She has been taking it easy so she can be rested and healthy for the rest of the trip.
- The health and safety of our team.
- Rosa, who is still needing to receive IV medications for her illness.
- Our team, as we travel to the countryside to experience village life and watch AIDIA in action.
- Heidi and the rest of her family during her dad's illness.
- The Jesus film team, interpreters and actors as they finish up.
- Safe travels for the other mission team that has been working at AIDIA, who are leaving for home early tomorrow.
Buenos Noches
(Good Night)
Team in Peru
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Mission Journal #4 - Don't worry, be happy!
Today's Scripture focus is from Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)
Final Exhortations
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
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What are some of your joys, fears and needs for this day. Take time to rejoice in these areas and bring to God any anxious thoughts or concerns you may have. He will give you the peace of heart and mind that will free you to be used by Him.
Pray for the team as they are in different culture and may not understand all that is said around them or why things are done the way they are. Pray that they will be able to focus on the One that knows and that they will be able to show His love to those they have gone to serve.
Final Exhortations
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
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What are some of your joys, fears and needs for this day. Take time to rejoice in these areas and bring to God any anxious thoughts or concerns you may have. He will give you the peace of heart and mind that will free you to be used by Him.
Pray for the team as they are in different culture and may not understand all that is said around them or why things are done the way they are. Pray that they will be able to focus on the One that knows and that they will be able to show His love to those they have gone to serve.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday's Highlights and Prayer Requests
Candice (3/17/11) The day started bright and early...well maybe just early. We walked to breakfast in the rain at 7 and then started devotionals at 8. By the time we left for work, the sun was shining. It was beautiful weather for working- maybe 70 but felt warmer due to the directness of the sun. We all worked so hard and made so much progress on our projects. The girls working on the Jesus film production finished the Jesus and narrator voices and are nearly 80% finished with the film, we painted most of the outside of the site building and guard house and started preparations for pouring cement and leveling ground in the back for a soccer/volleyball area and spectator seating, and a woman on site received good news from home; we all rejoiced together.
Rosa, the cook, was administered some IVs to bring home and insert herself. She was having trouble, so Grant and another nurse on site helped it to drip correctly. Also, the primary director and interpreter of the Bible translation in the native language of Quechuan, received a call that his wife's father is failing and if they have to go home now, that will be a substantial setback for them. Their names are Dave and Heidi. Dave is helping with the Bible translation and Heidi is the primary interpreter for the Jesus film.
The team is doing well physically and spiritually and getting along just great. In fact, all I can hear right now is the kids playing cards and talking in the courtyard outside my window. Please pray that this health and unity will continue and please pray for Rosa's health and for the health of Heidi's father and the tough decisions they'll need to make. We are fine, but need you to pray for our new sisters and brothers (in the Quechuan culture, they call their friends hermanas y hermanos which means sisters and brothers). Thanks for your continued support.
Remember to click on the link in the right column to view more pictures.
Missions Journal #3
Today's Scripture focus is from Psalm 121:1-8 (NIV)
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
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We have such a great and powerful God. PTL! Not only is He the creator of all created things around us, but He is the creator of each one of us. We are NEVER out-of-range of His watchful eyes. Do you see signs of His power and presence around you today? Close your eyes and look within yourself to see if you can notice the presence of God there, too?
Let's pray for that presence in our lives today and for those on the Mission Team. Pray that the team will continue to seek God's help and guidance in every situation they encounter today.
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
***************************************************
We have such a great and powerful God. PTL! Not only is He the creator of all created things around us, but He is the creator of each one of us. We are NEVER out-of-range of His watchful eyes. Do you see signs of His power and presence around you today? Close your eyes and look within yourself to see if you can notice the presence of God there, too?
Let's pray for that presence in our lives today and for those on the Mission Team. Pray that the team will continue to seek God's help and guidance in every situation they encounter today.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Mission Journal #2
The scripture focus today is found in 1 Peter 4:7-11.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
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- Love each other deeply
- without grumbling
- gift received - use it to serve others
- when we speak, speak as speaking the very words of God
- serve with the strength God provides
Why? So that God may be praised and glorified!
As the team focus on these words, let us also respond to these words. Today, how can we put others' needs ahead of ours? How can we set aside our own agenda and notice God's agenda? As we look at the faces around us today, how can we put these words from 1 Peter into action? Let us bring praise and Glory to God.
Pray that God will enable the team to see those around them (both the teammates and others they have just met) and to allow Him to work through them to love and serve in a way that glorifies Him.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
*********************************************
- Love each other deeply
- without grumbling
- gift received - use it to serve others
- when we speak, speak as speaking the very words of God
- serve with the strength God provides
Why? So that God may be praised and glorified!
As the team focus on these words, let us also respond to these words. Today, how can we put others' needs ahead of ours? How can we set aside our own agenda and notice God's agenda? As we look at the faces around us today, how can we put these words from 1 Peter into action? Let us bring praise and Glory to God.
Pray that God will enable the team to see those around them (both the teammates and others they have just met) and to allow Him to work through them to love and serve in a way that glorifies Him.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Getting Settled
Candice (3/16/11...I think) Last night (Tuesday evening) we got to formally meet our hosts and fellow team members. Rosa, the cook fixed us the most wonderful squash soup with parsley and cold meat sandwiches. It was a big group. There are two older couples at the site helping with various building and translation projects and three girls from the Jesus film project; also our missionary hosts with Wycliffe, Larry and Debbie. The evening was fun, but we were tired from our travels, so we all went back and got ready for bed around 8 pm.
This morning, we had the typical cereal and milk for breakfast and explored the neighborhood for a while before devotions. The devotionals consisted of singing and reading scripture in the native tribe tongue, not Spanish, so all of us were lost. We sang along anyway and they appreciated our efforts. A translator was on hand to help during the prayer time, which was done in Spanish. After that, we toured the AIDIA campus (pronounced idea, but an acronym for the programming they do). Not only are they translating the Bible and hosting the Jesus film project, this site is also home to programs that promote formal leadership training in the rural churches, curriculum writing and promotion for Sunday School teaching and family wellness, and adult literacy. This site sees the value in the promotion of wellness and literacy in the promotion of the Bible. Since many in the rural areas are illiterate, it is important to start with this step. We were all very impressed with their holistic approach.
This afternoon, we headed out to the city zoo with a couple locals. For less than $2, we were able to see tiny deer, an ostrich, a bear, and a few other random animals. It was a nice day to be outside. We are now taking a quick break as we await another tasty dinner from Rosa.
Some thing you can pray for:
- Funding for our friends at the AIDIA center. A large donor will no longer fund them after October, 2011
- Continued health and good attitudes for the team
- Lots of work for us to do and healthy bodies to do it
- Ability to learn and retain the language. Only a few of us know it well and others are trying to pick up key phrases.
This morning, we had the typical cereal and milk for breakfast and explored the neighborhood for a while before devotions. The devotionals consisted of singing and reading scripture in the native tribe tongue, not Spanish, so all of us were lost. We sang along anyway and they appreciated our efforts. A translator was on hand to help during the prayer time, which was done in Spanish. After that, we toured the AIDIA campus (pronounced idea, but an acronym for the programming they do). Not only are they translating the Bible and hosting the Jesus film project, this site is also home to programs that promote formal leadership training in the rural churches, curriculum writing and promotion for Sunday School teaching and family wellness, and adult literacy. This site sees the value in the promotion of wellness and literacy in the promotion of the Bible. Since many in the rural areas are illiterate, it is important to start with this step. We were all very impressed with their holistic approach.
This afternoon, we headed out to the city zoo with a couple locals. For less than $2, we were able to see tiny deer, an ostrich, a bear, and a few other random animals. It was a nice day to be outside. We are now taking a quick break as we await another tasty dinner from Rosa.
Some thing you can pray for:
- Funding for our friends at the AIDIA center. A large donor will no longer fund them after October, 2011
- Continued health and good attitudes for the team
- Lots of work for us to do and healthy bodies to do it
- Ability to learn and retain the language. Only a few of us know it well and others are trying to pick up key phrases.
More from Tuesday, March 15
This morning, I reread the emails I received from the team and realized I missed an attachment with the following highlights from the Team.
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Candice - Tuesday, March 15. Last night, we slept at the airport. Our flight came in around midnight and by the time we went through baggage claim and settled in for the night it was close to 1 a.m. Jessica and Ashton had their makeshift beds all set up with blankets, pillows, and spare luggage. Unfortunately, when they got up to go to the bathroom, the cleaning crew came by to wash and wax the floors. We had to move all the luggage and beds to a new area and then move back when they kicked us out of our new "homes". People started lining up a little before three to check into their early morning flights, if you're doing the math, that gave us about an hour of sleep from the time finally bedded down for the night until we were awaken by tourists and locals clicking by in their heels and workers moving the line forming posts and ropes into position.
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Candice - Tuesday, March 15. Last night, we slept at the airport. Our flight came in around midnight and by the time we went through baggage claim and settled in for the night it was close to 1 a.m. Jessica and Ashton had their makeshift beds all set up with blankets, pillows, and spare luggage. Unfortunately, when they got up to go to the bathroom, the cleaning crew came by to wash and wax the floors. We had to move all the luggage and beds to a new area and then move back when they kicked us out of our new "homes". People started lining up a little before three to check into their early morning flights, if you're doing the math, that gave us about an hour of sleep from the time finally bedded down for the night until we were awaken by tourists and locals clicking by in their heels and workers moving the line forming posts and ropes into position.
It was refreshing to see some glimpses of home. Many grandmas in Peru wear metallic shoes just like here, and many of us met great friends on the plane that were supportive of our travels. We caught a short plane ride to Cuzco and then rode with local taxi drivers to the bus depot. There are many stray dogs and damaged houses in this city. Our driver said this is common, but he loves living here (at least that's what I think he said...he only spoke Spanish). He got us safely to the train station, which is an interesting destination. Bus ticket sales ladies bark back and forth like hens in a hen house trying to outdo the others' attempts at a solicitation. There are many children and families here and lots of new smells; spicy food, tobacco smoke, and freshly-baked breads. Our host assistant, Sandy said the breads and pastry should be fine to eat, but to avoid the soups. She has lived here for 3 years and we would be wise to heed her advice. Also, she recommended we use the bathrooms before we go up the mountain because the bus will only stop one time on the side of the road during the 5 hour ride.
Austin- 3/15/11- As I found my seat on the 8hr. flight I was waiting for someone to sit by the window. Shortly after I sat down a girl from Lima sat down next to me. She was on her way home from Colorado where she was working for a three month time period. She said Americans were "cold" in a way we great in a way that's not as "warming" as people from Peru do. She shared a lot of information in a short time. She said if they offer you guinea pig take it because that shows they respect you, if you don't take eat it they could be offended. That's not much but I will leave it at that!
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