Today was one of those great days. We woke up this morning to beautiful sunshine. That is a treat this time of year since many days are foggy and cold. We were able to get a lot accomplished this morning at home and even had some time to play with the girls. Then tonight at church we had a great turn out of young people. We have been studying the book of Revelation with them and they are so excited to learn. I was especially pleased to see a 14 year old boy stay afterwards. He wanted to know how to be saved. I sat and watched as he prayed to trust Christ as his personal savior. When he finished praying he looked up and said, "This makes me your brother now, right?" It was great to see God working in his young life. After church tonight I headed home, had a quick supper and looked forward to watching a kids show with the girls in our bedroom. I was relaxing and feeling great. Suddenly, Olivia looks up and throws up all over the entire family. That's right, no one was spared! I will spare you the details, but it was a rough ordeal for us all. It wasn't the relaxing end to a great day I had anticipated.
I am always so filled with pity when I see one of my girls sick. Nobody seems more helpless than a sick child. Tonight, while cleaning up a rather disgusting mess I couldn't help but thank God for the grace He gives us parents when we have to clean up after our little ones. All moms and dads out there are always ready to help their sick or needy child. Even if it means cleaning up after them. The thought crossed my mind tonight that many times God our heavenly Father does the same for us. We make some disgusting messes in our lives, yet He is always there to show His grace and mercy and help us clean our lives up. Having my own children gives me a tiny glimpse of that incredible love that our heavenly Father has for us. What a blessing to be a child of the King!
A "Mobile" Youth Group
Several years ago some of our co-workers founded the Good News Baptist church located in a part of Lima called Musa. The church has experienced growth over the years and they have totally outgrown their church building. In order to expand their facilities they have demolished the original church building and are in the middle of constructing a new meeting place. The only problem is they have no place to meet during the five months of construction. The leadership of their youth group came up with a unique solution to the problem: They've temporarily formed a mobile youth ministry. Each Saturday, in place of their normal meeting schedule, they travel to a sister church and help conduct the youth meeting with the other church. It requires a bit of planning, and can be challenging since they have to depend on public transportation. Last night they came to conduct our church's youth meeting. We had a huge crowd of young people and the meeting went great. It was a real example to our teens. They were able to see how these kids worked together to serve the Lord. They had planned special music, games, activities and a Bible message. It was also good for our young people to see that there are other Christians scattered throughout the city. Everyone really enjoyed the fellowship. Next month we hope to have them return and our group will direct the meeting.
We also have challenges as a church because of our small meeting place. Yet, it reminds us that the church is much more than a building. A truly strong church is not made up of four walls and a ceiling. It's a group of godly people bonding together to serve the Lord and grow together. It looks like there's one mobile youth group out there that's already learned that lesson!
We also have challenges as a church because of our small meeting place. Yet, it reminds us that the church is much more than a building. A truly strong church is not made up of four walls and a ceiling. It's a group of godly people bonding together to serve the Lord and grow together. It looks like there's one mobile youth group out there that's already learned that lesson!
Birthday Party turned Bible Study
Yesterday was an especially busy day. There were Bible lessons to prepare, a sermon to finish up, choruses to type into PowerPoint for church, and paper work to finish. There was also a program and afternoon picnic at Elizabeth's school. Then there was a planning meeting with our national pastor, not to mention an appointment to have the non-working fan on our computer replaced. It was one of those days with lots of necessary busy work but nothing real exciting on the docket. I was on the go from sunrise until 9:00 p.m. About 2 minutes after kicking my shoes off and reclining in the den for the evening the doorbell rang. It was our neighbor from the first floor. They were inviting us to a birthday party that would be starting in a few minutes. So I helped tuck the girls into bed and headed downstairs. Within a few minutes I had been introduced to a room full of strangers. I was a bit of a novelty as the only foreigner present. Everyone in the room stopped talking and wanted to know all about the American neighbor that lives upstairs. Within a minute everyone knew I was a missionary and then the questions started coming. "Why did you choose to move to Peru when we all want to go to the United States? What do you believe about the Bible? Do you believe that Mary was really a virgin? What do you all actually teach at your church?" The questions went on and on. Then like music to a missionary's ears one man asked, "So how do you believe man can make it to heaven?" I was able to clearly present the Gospel to those present. They were very attentive and polite. It was interesting to see God turn an ordinary adult birthday party into a Bible study! I hope I was able to plant a seed in the lives of the folks there last night.
I couldn't help but realize how God had opened up yet another opportunity for us here in Peru. These particular neighbors are rarely at home. We've never been able to talk to them clearly about why we are in Peru. Now they know! Earlier I had dreaded going down for the last minute birthday party. It sure wasn't what I had planned for my evening. In the end I see it was just another divine appointment planned by God.
I couldn't help but realize how God had opened up yet another opportunity for us here in Peru. These particular neighbors are rarely at home. We've never been able to talk to them clearly about why we are in Peru. Now they know! Earlier I had dreaded going down for the last minute birthday party. It sure wasn't what I had planned for my evening. In the end I see it was just another divine appointment planned by God.
Faithful for Fifty
Perhaps the hardest part of being a missionary is having to say goodbye. On Tuesday night we made the trip out to Lima's airport to say goodbye to our friends and co-workers Bob and Betty Whatley. The Whatley Family has served in Peru for nearly fifty years. Over the years they have had a tremendous impact on Peru, especially the mountain regions in central Peru. The Whatleys' main work in Peru has been church planting, but they also helped start several radio stations and two seminaries. Bob also helped develop the successful ARRIBA program. This is a one-year internship giving college students an all-out missionary experience in Peru. Bob and Betty helped train dozens of college students, many of whom have returned to Peru as missionaries. In recent years Bob and Betty have begin work on a Creation museum composed of fossils discovered in the mountains of Peru.
Perhaps my fondest memory of Bob came our second year in Peru. We had gathered with our other Baptist Mid-Missions coworkers at camp for our annual field conference. This annual meeting is where we make plans and set goals for the coming year. Usually we are in intense "business meetings" for many hours over a five day period. After the second day I saw Bob loading their car with their belongings. I approached him and asked where they were headed, "Oh I'm an old man now son. I don't really have time to sit around in these boring meetings. I have to much to do! We're heading out of here in a few minutes you all let me know how you vote on any upcoming issues...." A few minutes later there car sped out of the campground and headed back to the mountains where their work would continue. Who was going to tell Bob they couldn't leave? In the end he probably did get more accomplished that week then the rest of us did!
Tuesday evening was indeed a bittersweet moment for us all. We were happy to see Bob and Betty heading home to spend some well deserved rest with family and friends. They were glad to go home. Yet, in the end, I know their hearts will always be in Peru. They've left a true heritage of godliness here in Peru. They impacted countless lives for Christ. May we all be so faithful when we finish fifty years of service for our Lord.
Perhaps my fondest memory of Bob came our second year in Peru. We had gathered with our other Baptist Mid-Missions coworkers at camp for our annual field conference. This annual meeting is where we make plans and set goals for the coming year. Usually we are in intense "business meetings" for many hours over a five day period. After the second day I saw Bob loading their car with their belongings. I approached him and asked where they were headed, "Oh I'm an old man now son. I don't really have time to sit around in these boring meetings. I have to much to do! We're heading out of here in a few minutes you all let me know how you vote on any upcoming issues...." A few minutes later there car sped out of the campground and headed back to the mountains where their work would continue. Who was going to tell Bob they couldn't leave? In the end he probably did get more accomplished that week then the rest of us did!
Tuesday evening was indeed a bittersweet moment for us all. We were happy to see Bob and Betty heading home to spend some well deserved rest with family and friends. They were glad to go home. Yet, in the end, I know their hearts will always be in Peru. They've left a true heritage of godliness here in Peru. They impacted countless lives for Christ. May we all be so faithful when we finish fifty years of service for our Lord.
We're Still Here!
We want to thank all of our loyal blog readers for your patience! You have probably noticed that we haven't been updating the blog recently. We have had visitors in our home for the last 12 weeks and an extra busy schedule. It seems that the blog didn't make it to the top of the priorities list. We hope to keep updates coming regularly once again! Thanks for checking in often.
A New MK
There is a new MK to tell you about! Daniel and Julie Aguilar, our Peruvian co-workers are the proud parents of Cielo Vania. Cielo was born on May 7 and weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces. Here's a picture of the happy family!
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