God is forming His team
After living in Peru for almost 3 years now, we are realizing more and more that God's ways are far higher, better, and beyond our ways. The verse.."no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what the Lord has prepared. But by His spirit, he has revealed His plan to those who love Him." resonates with our family on a daily basis. We are growing and learning to trust Him more each day and leaning not on our own understanding. We are learning to expect surprises and great things from Him and He always delivers!
I can remember after we'd just moved here, feeling overwhelmed at the task before us. How was God planning on using Chris and me to reach all of the needs in this village. I'm one person and the needs of the women are so many. Chris is one person and how was he going to have time to invest in all the men that had questions about God and wanted to learn more. It seemed that all of our other missionary friends had a team of sorts, working together -meeting, strategizing and having a plan. I certainly felt like Gideon..questioning God's plan, wondering..how are we going to get this done God?
The story of Gideon and of Joshua taking over Jericho have become my favorites. Why you ask? Because they-no doubt- had questions about God's plan. I'm confident, that His plan seemed ridiculous and impossible, overwhelming to say the least. And yet, we are so privileged to know the ending. We get to see that through their obedience and trust...God did the miraculous! I love how God shows off like that don't you? He creates a plan that brings Him the glory. He has thought of every angle and forms a plan so that no one else can receive the glory but Him, and He definitely deserves it!
I could never have told you 2 years ago when Chris and I began attending a church in Lima, that Daniel and Heather DeLand would become some of our best friends and ministry partners in Ayaviri years later. I remember meeting Daniel in the preschool room at our church. His family had just returned from the states on furlough and his wife was at home with a very tired little boy. He was so friendly and exactly what we needed as we had just moved to Peru less than a month ago. And then later, I became friends with his wife, Heather and was immediately drawn to her smile and sweet nature.
After a year of living in Lima, and growing closer through various church activities:Christmas in the park plays, book clubs, volleyball and group lunch dates etc.. we began to fall in love with the DeLand family and were sad to have to leave them as we moved to our village. As we prepared to move to the village, Heather and Daniel ministered to us every step of the way. Daniel has an incredible servant's heart and was by Chris's side helping to shop, run around and do paperwork, driving for hours to and from our village, painting and cleaning like a madman- prepping our village house and even brought food over during all the packing in Lima. We were so blessed by them during our transition.
Fast Forward...next, the DeLands felt led to assist us in the village once or twice a month -helping us with language, reaching the people here, and encouraging us..bringing goodies from the city and just having another Christian- English speaking couple to talk with. This was huge for us, because its tough being in a small remote village for one and two, being the only white Americans there, three- and not having anyone speak your language in your village. So, having visits from our English speaking friends from Lima, was quite a treasure.
And then, God began revealing to both of our families, His perfect and good plan for His people here in our village. Chris and I had worked so hard developing relationships our first year here, gaining the trust of the people, trying to undo all the myths and rumors going around about white Americans, but also why we had come to live in their village. Were we here to buy all of their land and take it over? (Sounds like the trail of tears huh?) Were we here as terrorists, fleeing our country and hiding out in the mountains? Were we here to steal kid's organs (seriously??) . The entire picture of our family moving to their village was ridiculous and suspicious altogether. Yes, it is! But God's ways are ridiculous sounding at times aren't they? So, after Chris and I had laid a foundation and received a lot of questioning and gaining trust and respect of the people, God decidesdto send us some help in His mission here. He began to move in the hearts of the DeLand family and sent them to us!
They have been here for almost a month now,and it couldn't be any clearer that God has put us together as a team. We have dinner every Wednesday night to meet and go over our weekly plan to reach our village. Chris and Daniel complement each other in their gifts and abilities like no other team. Together, they are so strong and strengthen each other's weaknesses. They both are extremely outgoing and have super interpersonal relationship skills, really making people feel valued and important. Daniel is reaching the professors and students as he teaches English in the high school. Chris is reaching the farmers and construction workers as he works with them in their fields and in community building projects. They rotate teaching each Sunday night during our Spanish Church time.
Heather and I are like peanut butter and jelly as well! She is kind and soft spoken, yet so wise and caring. We meet with two ladies in discipleship each Friday afternoon. Heather helps me so much with language and conveying my thoughts to the ladies. Just for fun, we also are teaching the ladies how to bake cakes. They are loving some sweet potato, cinnamon and clove cake!
Even though our Spanish church attendance is inconsistent, ranging from 1 person to 6, someone is always coming and that's encouraging! Fermina, a lady we've been discipling each Friday, finally brought a new neighbor named Grimadina (crazy names right?) on Sunday night. She had so many good questions and seems to want to learn more. Mercedez, an older lady,is our most faithful attendee yet! We are seeing more women come than men, but this is common in this culture. But, little by little, men are talking with Daniel and Chris, asking questions about our faith in comparison with Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses etc.. God is working and moving in the hearts of His people here. He wants his people back, and we are so humbled that He would invite us to take part in His kingdom plan to take the Good News to the ends of the earth! We couldn't do it without your prayers and support and deeply appreciate your hearts and obedience to our Lord! One day every tongue will confess He is Lord and every knee will bow! Until He returns, keep up the faith!
LOve-
Harris Family
I can remember after we'd just moved here, feeling overwhelmed at the task before us. How was God planning on using Chris and me to reach all of the needs in this village. I'm one person and the needs of the women are so many. Chris is one person and how was he going to have time to invest in all the men that had questions about God and wanted to learn more. It seemed that all of our other missionary friends had a team of sorts, working together -meeting, strategizing and having a plan. I certainly felt like Gideon..questioning God's plan, wondering..how are we going to get this done God?
The story of Gideon and of Joshua taking over Jericho have become my favorites. Why you ask? Because they-no doubt- had questions about God's plan. I'm confident, that His plan seemed ridiculous and impossible, overwhelming to say the least. And yet, we are so privileged to know the ending. We get to see that through their obedience and trust...God did the miraculous! I love how God shows off like that don't you? He creates a plan that brings Him the glory. He has thought of every angle and forms a plan so that no one else can receive the glory but Him, and He definitely deserves it!
I could never have told you 2 years ago when Chris and I began attending a church in Lima, that Daniel and Heather DeLand would become some of our best friends and ministry partners in Ayaviri years later. I remember meeting Daniel in the preschool room at our church. His family had just returned from the states on furlough and his wife was at home with a very tired little boy. He was so friendly and exactly what we needed as we had just moved to Peru less than a month ago. And then later, I became friends with his wife, Heather and was immediately drawn to her smile and sweet nature.
 |
| Daniel and Heather DeLand |
After a year of living in Lima, and growing closer through various church activities:Christmas in the park plays, book clubs, volleyball and group lunch dates etc.. we began to fall in love with the DeLand family and were sad to have to leave them as we moved to our village. As we prepared to move to the village, Heather and Daniel ministered to us every step of the way. Daniel has an incredible servant's heart and was by Chris's side helping to shop, run around and do paperwork, driving for hours to and from our village, painting and cleaning like a madman- prepping our village house and even brought food over during all the packing in Lima. We were so blessed by them during our transition.
Fast Forward...next, the DeLands felt led to assist us in the village once or twice a month -helping us with language, reaching the people here, and encouraging us..bringing goodies from the city and just having another Christian- English speaking couple to talk with. This was huge for us, because its tough being in a small remote village for one and two, being the only white Americans there, three- and not having anyone speak your language in your village. So, having visits from our English speaking friends from Lima, was quite a treasure.
And then, God began revealing to both of our families, His perfect and good plan for His people here in our village. Chris and I had worked so hard developing relationships our first year here, gaining the trust of the people, trying to undo all the myths and rumors going around about white Americans, but also why we had come to live in their village. Were we here to buy all of their land and take it over? (Sounds like the trail of tears huh?) Were we here as terrorists, fleeing our country and hiding out in the mountains? Were we here to steal kid's organs (seriously??) . The entire picture of our family moving to their village was ridiculous and suspicious altogether. Yes, it is! But God's ways are ridiculous sounding at times aren't they? So, after Chris and I had laid a foundation and received a lot of questioning and gaining trust and respect of the people, God decidesdto send us some help in His mission here. He began to move in the hearts of the DeLand family and sent them to us!
 |
| Daniel's first day teaching English |
 |
| Chris working with Alejo in the plaza |
 |
| Heather and me at "Kids Bible Club" |
Even though our Spanish church attendance is inconsistent, ranging from 1 person to 6, someone is always coming and that's encouraging! Fermina, a lady we've been discipling each Friday, finally brought a new neighbor named Grimadina (crazy names right?) on Sunday night. She had so many good questions and seems to want to learn more. Mercedez, an older lady,is our most faithful attendee yet! We are seeing more women come than men, but this is common in this culture. But, little by little, men are talking with Daniel and Chris, asking questions about our faith in comparison with Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses etc.. God is working and moving in the hearts of His people here. He wants his people back, and we are so humbled that He would invite us to take part in His kingdom plan to take the Good News to the ends of the earth! We couldn't do it without your prayers and support and deeply appreciate your hearts and obedience to our Lord! One day every tongue will confess He is Lord and every knee will bow! Until He returns, keep up the faith!
Harris Family
Comments
Post a Comment