Promises Completed

I wanted to update you on what God is doing with the youth because it is blowing us away.  As you know from some of our newsletters, we were doing some work with the youth in the church we are a part of.  Previously we had bounced back in forth in prayer about what role we were supposed to take.  However, at the beginning of January we felt it was pretty clear what we were supposed to do.

 So we did it.

The seeds were planted.  We started to water and to fertilize.  We catered an inductive Bible study methodology specifically in a youth setting.  We prayed.  We did stuff and we were seeing a few “results” here and there.  However, honestly, we were discouraged.  

 Then we stopped playing the game.

One Saturday night we stopped playing Wii and Poker to do our normal discussion time.      Usually, as with all young people, it takes a couple of questions to warm up.  After they warm up the discussions flow smoothly.  However, this night there was nothing smooth about it.  I asked them a simple question, “How was your week?”  Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

So Amanda and I looked at each other and said, “Do you feel like we need to push it tonight?”  “Nope, I sure don’t.”  “Ok, well we won’t push it.”

So we told them let’s go ahead and get back to our game.  One young man asked why we would do that; he thought we were being resentful.  I calmly explained to him that we were not being resentful at all.  We just weren’t going to push them anymore.  I recognize that as young people every person in their lives are pushing them to do things.  That is not what we are about.  We came to Peru because we saw something in the young people that we believed in, and wanted to be a part of.  However, we are not going to force our vision on them.  They have to want it for themselves.

 So then I got up to turn on the television.

They stopped me and said that we NEEDED to talk.  That’s exactly what we did.  For 1 1/2 hours we talked.  After everyone left a young man stayed and we talked for two hours more.  Then the following discussion time we talked for two hours, and we could have talked even longer.  

 Kids are rededicating themselves to the Lord.  They are getting baptized.  They are about to lead a missions team to Chincha for the Backpack Drive.  All we did was step back.  We let God burden their hearts.  And now this spark is starting to turn into a flame.  

 Just a couple of weeks ago we were completely discouraged.  Now God’s Promise is being specifically completed before our eyes.  Amazing!!!

 " I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16

Medical Rundown

We know that pictures only do part of the job, so we wanted to give you a rundown of the medical trip and what it entailed. We received Tim and Holly Garland along with their kids, Gavin, Alexis, and Christian.  Tim and Holly founded SCRUBS Medical Mission and have come here to support us. 

 If you want to know more about the beginning details CLICK HERE.  

 For the video CLICK HERE.

 For the pictures CLICK HERE.

 Friday:  

 Things got started late because the plane was late.  As in super late.  As in 7am Saturday morning late.  (The plane should have landed at around 11:50 Lima time).

Saturday:

 They got in and we immediately took them to the hotel.  Eight hours in the Miami airport can be a little tiring.  However, on the trip to the hotel we caught up on the in’s and out’s while they got to experience early morning traffic; and Lima pollution.

 After everyone took a nap, including us, we went to lunch at THE SPOT for chicken.  It blew everyone’s taste buds off except for Gavin.  He was a good sport and fell in love with Inca Cola instead.  The Garlands got to meet Joisy, and Jessica while being reunited with Pepe.  (Pepe met them when he stayed with us in Texas).  It was a great way to start the week.  Fellowship is lovely.

 Then the guys split up to do the guy night.  We played soccer and laughed while the girls watched a movie.  After guys night we had a meeting with three dentists in the Church.  We are planning a trip with SCRUBS to go to Tarapoto, a city in the jungle.  The goal is to have American health professionals partner with Peruvians to meet the needs of those without.  That night those three dentists committed their time and finances towards this vision.  Since that meeting, we may have two doctors to add to the list!

Sunday:

 Church, lunch, and Polvos Azules.  Polvos Azules is a market where you can find all sorts of things American. Some things are knockoffs and some are real.  Amanda and I are in the field of discovering the “real” vendors.  It was crowded, and hot.  However, it was quite the experience for the Garlands.  In the future, unless someone specifically asks, we will steer clear of the masses.  It was slightly overwhelming.

Monday and Tuesday:

 We spent time in Villa Salvador, an extremely impoverished area.  We found out about Villa Salvador from some women in our church who do Bible Study classes out there.  After going their for Christmas we started to see that this is a place of many needs.

 Holly and Cesar (one of the many amazing translators God has provided us), began teaching an informational class to different women in the areas.  Later, Holly would begin meeting specific needs while Dr. Walter began pulling teeth for Jesus.  Alexis and Jessica played with the local girls.  Amanda and Tim were in charge of loving on kids while getting media for awareness.  Gavin, Christian, and I got schooled in several games of soccer.

 At times it can be a little nerve racking because we know that there are heavy gang influences in the area.  Also, the machismo attitude is in full effect, and it is not surprising to hear that women are regularly beat at home.  Holly saw several children with bruise marks all over their backs.  This is the reality that these people live in. The hope is that they are thirsty.

 One of the women that goes every week, Miryam, told us that in two years of working there a man has NEVER come.  This time we had two.  We also had teen boys on the cusp of a gangster life, coming and listening.  We do not know the intentions, but God takes care of that part.  We just want to love on them.

Wednesday:

 Aside from the normal eating and sleeping we went to Villa Maria.  This is another place that we have been trying to edify through sound biblical teaching and love.  This was the first “campaign” and we were a little curious about how it was going to work.  We had some amazing American friends help us, along with the regular servants (Mirelly, Maka, Joisy, Cesar, Tigre...) At times it sounds like it was all Amanda and I, when in reality we got to sit and watch it all happen. 

 While Joisy spent her time cleaning teeth and teaching children about a healthy mouth, and Mirelly checked eyes, I got to play with kids and color.  Amanda was her usual efficient self, and was everywhere at once.  She coordinated, colored, played with kids, took pictures and loved on people.  Towards the end of the evening some of the help had to leave because our service time was running longer than expected. (There was quite a turnout).

 When we were working, there was a young girl that was sitting by herself.  She had just received Jesus, and she was banged up pretty badly.  She had a bite mark on her wrist from a fight she was in.  Seriously infected.  She fell off of a motorcycle and banged up her knees.  Seriously infected.  She had BAD bug bites.  Seriously infected.  We got to clean her wounds, give her some advice, and most importantly encourage her in Jesus Christ.  Her Savior and our Saviour.

 Later we found out that people in the area began talking about all that was going on.  Suddenly more “non-believers” are asking questions and going to church.  For a day that was a little unclear it became very special for many people, including us.

Thursday:

 We spent the day in Chincha; Our home away from home.  We woke up early, took a three hour bus ride, and arrived to give hugs and kisses.  Holly began meeting needs as soon as we could get her set up in the shade.  Amanda assisted her all day.  (I am pretty sure God had her as a dental assistant in the first year of our marriage, just so she could assist in great ways this day).  The kids did their play time with sidewalk chalk, frisbees, soccer balls, and puppies. Tim and I went out to buy some farm animals. 

 Pastor Alejandro and his family help feed the families around them.  They do the best with what they have, but in reality, it is not much.  SCRUBS came with the vision to get some animals to help provide more food.  So Amanda and I bought one piglet, and SCRUBS bought the other.  These little babies will sell for roughly 800 soles per piggy at full size.  Since they are males, he can also sell their “services” which will create even more revenue for the future.

 SCRUBS was also able to buy two goats. The baby will become full sized, and can become pregnant.  The mom is already pregnant, and will have a baby in May.  This will provide goat number three, along with instant milk for the family and for the kids.  We also provided enough money for chickens that will pop out an egg a day.  A dozen eggs can go a REALLY long way in Chincha.

 Friday:

 We had a leisurely day of sight seeing.  The Garlands met up with Mayra, (a good friend of ours... Daniel’s wife), and they went to her home town after a few tourist spots.  This was also the day that we made one of the biggest decision we have made in terms of Peru.

Saturday:

 The Garlands returned from Chaclacayo, and we all had one last dinner together.  It was a beautiful end to an amazing week. 

Sunday:

 We stayed up for a while to talk and pray.  Then at 4:00 am we left in a van to go back to the airport.  Their flight was delayed, so we stayed with them for a while.  We did not get home until 5:30 am and they did not make it home until Monday at 7:30pm.  (The flights definitely were not the highlights of the trip).

 Amanda and I went back home and SLEPT.  In fact we overslept and missed church, and almost missed a major blessing.  I forgot that Sunday we were doing baptisms.  Thankfully God woke me up, and I did my morning addiction routine of Facebook.  There I was reminded that this day was a day of baptisms.  

 Needless to say I got dressed and ran to church.  As a result, I was able to assist in my first baptism.  Can you say amazing?  

So there is the VERY SHORT summary of our week.  It was unbelievable.  We miss our family already, and we cannot wait until July. 

THE FIRST UPDATE (a few days late)

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