THE FIRST UPDATE (a few days late)
Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 3:35PM October 22-25, 2009
The time has begun!!! I am sitting in Pastor Pepe’s home getting some rest. I have some Peruvian chocolate, Inka Cola, and American football (in Spanish). What a great way to end the week! It has been a very fast week, but amazingly rewarding.
My flight went very well. Obviously it is very hard to leave “home” and family, (especially my amazing wife) but God has constantly reminded me of my home in Peru. My flight from Houston to Panama went well. I had Subway in the airport, and quickly learned to check my change. I was so used to receiving American change that when I paid with cash... it slipped my mind. Needless to say, I now have 75 cents from Panama. I probably sat there for an hour laughing at myself. Live and learn.
I arrived in Peru, and I had been praying a great deal. I brought five bags in total, and I was praying that they all made it with me. The last time I was here, we had some problems with bags. I was also praying because I needed a 183 day visa, (actually I wanted it). If I have a 183 day Visa I will have plenty of time to get a work visa by invitation. I walked right into the customs, which was empty. (That never happens). There was a female customs agent. (That rarely happens). I walked up to her and apologized because I had to give her a note in Spanish requesting a 183 day Visa. She read it and smiled at me. She said “No problem.” I am 3 days in!!! PRAISE GOD!
Then I went to get my bags which took an hour in June. It took MAYBE 30 minutes. Then I met Pablo, the coordinator for many of our basketball events. He has an amazing passion for God and for sports. In the coming months you will get to know him very well.
Pastor Pepe and David, a Christian coach for professional fighters, met Pablo and I. Then we went home. AND I SLEPT!!!! My day started at 4:30am and it finished at 12am.
The following day we slept for a bit. Then we went to a gym to train one of Pepe’s students. Pastor Pepe used to be the top powerlifter in his weight class (in the world). You can begin to see a theme here: our ministry involves a great deal of sports to minister to people. After we went to the gym we went a meeting, or “reunion,” of all the Pastors in the Champions for Christ church. There are several Champions churches around Lima, and they all meet together to get training and to fellowship.
We seemed to eat all day... between working out with Pepe to train people, playing basketball, and soccer; I am hoping to gain some weight. We DEFINITELY eat enough.
At night Pablo and I went to the office for professional basketball players. Pablo coaches a team called “Misiones.” He has many players that are good athletes that he is hoping to minister to through sports. He asked me to play on his team to help disciple the players, and show them how Americans practice. So after walking for several miles (which I am not used to), we had a 2 1/2 hour practice. My legs were like jelly, but MAN it felt good. I know we will have some great experiences in the coming months. I truly hope that we will be able to grow relationships through teamwork. I want to start slow with discipleship. Trying to be an example first. It is important to establish true friendships for lasting discipleship.
After practice I went out to eat with Makita, Jose, and his wife Katty. They are close friends, that are very special to Amanda and I. Jose developed our website for us, and as you can tell, he did an amazing job.
Saturday was a blur. We woke up, and met Joe Henderson. Joe was on my team in June when we came to Peru for our missions trip. I have been praying a lot for Joe. He has been playing for a basketball team in Peru. He has been working a lot with the team, and working with Pastor Pepe and the church. It has been a good experience. I was very interested to see how his past month and a half went. Like Amanda and I he speaks little Spanish. However, God has been protecting him, and He has been blessing his path. I would say Joe is probably one of the top players in the league, (if not the top), and he has been a quiet POSITIVE example of a Christian.
In the evening we had a meeting with some volunteers. Volunteers for what you ask? As we have explained in our newsletters, Chincha Alta has many needs. A group of people from the Church gathered together to start planning a relief trip to Chincha. It is in the beginning stages but they have a great deal of passion. I know that God has great plans for the trip and I am VERY excited to be a part of the work. Their tentative plans are for the beginning of December.
Today (Sunday) we had Church. I spoke about resting in God. God moved my heart, and I was choked up several times. I can’t emphasis enough how special this time is for me. I can’t wait for Amanda to be here and to experience these joys together. Peru is a very special place, and this Church is very special to our hearts. I know that there are many warriors for God’s kingdom that He is raising up for His glory. It is exciting to seem them grow, and I am excited to grow with them.
There is so much more, but I can explain the nuances of the country in the coming weeks. Thank you for your prayers. It is clear that YOUR PRAYERS are being answered. We have been protected, provided for, and loved. We serve an AWESOME God!
Bendiciones~
Shaun
Reader Comments (1)
Thanks for this post. It is really cool to read about your trip. I also like the fact that you include praying a lot
as we can't never do enough of it. I wish one day I can also visit Peru.