Glimpses

Sunday, we didn't go to church because the night before Wendy fell and bloodied up her toes, as well as, had general body pain from the fall.  Beth, was a huge blessing and gave of her time to go out with me to my and Wendy's cell groups. (Read the Paucarpata blog to hear about the first half of the day and what happened on that side of town.)  First of all, it was the first time Wendy and I were not together for work.  It was the first time I taught a lesson by myself to adults.  Beth was a great help; she didn't know what the lessons were going to be on, but chimed in with some really great points.  It is very encouraging to know that at this point, finally after a year, I am able to share, teach, pray, etc. in Spanish...though I still need to increase my vocabulary, as well as learn and master some tenses.

More importantly, after the episode with two drunk guys in our cell group about which I need to update you on, we had eight people and some great news.  So here is last week's story: We had five people, two of which were drunk - one left to vomit in the middle of the lesson.  We were teaching on the fruits of the spirit, love in particular, and managed to convince Señor Julio and his son Richard to join us though they had spent there afternoon drinking and were drunk.  Richard hadn't woke up from his buzz-dream and was snoring up a storm on the bed while we were singing and going ahead with prayer and the lesson.  When he finally woke up, we convinced him and his dad to join us.  We're there every week, we know what the deal is, and said that they should just join us.  Well, Wendy laid down the law.  I honestly, was a little uncomfortable with it, but believe that God was leading her and really it was a word they needed to hear.  Julio was ready to listen and I don't feel as though Richard was ready to receive it, but she left it in the hands of God...well, fretted over whether it was good or bad all week and prayed about it a lot, but ultimately it's in the hands of God.

As it turns out, she was unable to go yesterday and I showed up with Beth.  We waited for everyone to trickle in bit-by-bit, got started late in doing so, sang a few songs, sang a few more as more people trickled in and then began the study on Patience.  I asked if anyone wanted to pray - everyone was incredibly hesitant.  Jimmy was volunteered by his uncle, we did a little coaching, and he offered a sincere and beautiful prayer.  Afterwards, though a little flustered at times I was grateful that they understood my teaching and it was a fairly interactive lesson.  There are so many under the surface details that I won't get into here, but nonetheless, Julio's brother was there and wants to come weekly because of the change that Julio has made over the past week.  He either didn't drink at all, or barely drank anything and wants to continue to change.  The uncle, whom I'm sure is a WOO if he were to do Strengths Finder, has a Christian background and will be an asset in the developing group - though he seems to be fond of the prosperity gospel, one I wonder if God gets tired of hearing about instead of the truth about picking up our cross and following him. 

There was an energy to the group that hasn't always been there and it was the reality that they are beginning to believe that God has much more instore for them and their lives are changing!  Yesterday was a glimpse of what God is up to in their lives.  It's been a rather discouraging month and Sunday night was a big encouragement.  I have to keep the longview in sight - I can't imagine what God will do in this place by the time we are done with our mission and ready to return to our respective places.  Please keep this family in your prayers, as well as all the folks in Hunter during this rainy season.  It's a little more difficult than usual to meet together and continue building on the foundation that we have; however, the battle is not ours, it's the LORDs.

Day-by-Day

We've been blessed to see some growth and change in Hunter, which we have to remind ourselves is not always the case in ministry.  Sundays and Mondays are our Hunter Days.  We're right in the middle of the rainy season here in Arequipa.  Based on last year around this time I hadn't a clue that the rainy season existed, but it came back full force this year, the worst that some have seen since their childhood.  Because of this, we've been unable to teach in the park, but since our impact we have been making new connections that appear to be bearing fruit.  We continue to teach at Zelmira's house.  Her father joined the group yesterday and we had 4 children in addition to the 5 adults.  A little girl, of 11 years, that lives across the street wanted to join us but could not leave the care of her house while her mom is working.  We will start to meet with her and her mom next week.

We stopped by Sandra's house again - she had not joined us at the church because of the rain and her phone had been turned off.  We were leaving a note and on our way out, when she and her daughter Camila came walking up the long stretch of stairs.  She still wants to meet with us at Zelmira's house next week and possibly go to church with us on Sunday.  We were unable to meet with Rosa yesterday because she was working, but continue to look forward to being with her next week.  Mariselda, a single mom that came to the event, has opened her house to us to teach her niece, nephew, and daughter besides joining us for the cell group.  She seems eager to learn as well.

The conversation that touched my heart the most this week was at the Jove's house.  Barely anyone came out because of the rain, but Laura was there and was later joined by Shirley and her mom, Señora Cristina.  When we arrived we witnessed Laura getting Jimmy up out of the room to haul him to another room - both him and his father were drunk.  Señora Cristina, tried to convince Señor Julio to join us, but he said, "I'm a little drunk and embarrassed, but you can give them my word that I'll be there to listen next week."

In many of our lives, Sundays are a day of rest from work and a time we go to church or spend the day with family.  For many in this area there is still work on this day, but less than normal, and then the rest of the day they sit around and drink.  Maybe by virtue of being around consistently we can help convince them of other pass times as all of the women in their family are saddened by this behavior.  Since it was just the three women, and for a time only Laura, we were able to have a heart-to-heart with them.  We were able to apply Biblical truths to their situations, encourage them to continue to pray even if at times it feels like God isn't listening, and we were able to witness first hand the spiritual hunger that God is putting in Laura's life especially.  It's a beautiful thing really and it's the slow bloom of relationship day-by-day.