Excited

Well every day brings a new adventure, and today was no different.  Recently I was reading "Crazy Love," and Francis Chan talks about us being like a coke can, and God is the ocean.  Sometimes we naively think that the little bit we can fill up in our can, is all that God is.  

W-R-O-N-G.

I think that has been such a huge lesson for us.  The little bit we had inside, can not even come close to what is on the outside.  Conversations and planning that we had months ago, where we were shut down, thinking a door was closed... it was just not the right time.  We weren't ready for it yet.

So today, marks the day where official youth ministry begins.  

We are excited about it.  

As things develop, we will be letting it all out.  But we think it will be big.  Not because of us, but because God is stirring something in our hearts greater than we ever expected.  When that stirring happened in the past the following stuff happened:

-We met each other

-We got married

-I went to Peru

-WE went to Peru

-I went to Peru again

-We sold everything

-We moved to Peru

So, I can not wait to see what happens next!

Tough BUT Good

 November 22-29

 I know the title of this may open some eyes.  It’s not what you think.  This week was good.  It was a very rewarding week.  A week that is getting me that much closer to understanding our purpose here.

 Monday night I spoke at “Champions Night” and that went well.  I forget how difficult it is to translate sport related words.  If you do not know the lingo, it makes for a long night.  It would be one thing if I was talking about Soccer, which is internationally known, unfortunately I talked about Futbol Americano.  Sandy did an amazing job of translating, and I believe the idea that I presented made sense.  I will continue to pray about God growing this night, because it is an important night to have.  People here are SPORTS CRAZY!

 Tuesday we had the Business Owner Bible Study, and that went well.  Sometimes when we don’t have a translator at Church or at a Bible Study I just open my Bible and start reading.  Thankfully they know I am not being rude, and so it is a fruitful time in His Word. 

 After our business meeting, we had the Actor’s Bible Study.  We were hoping to do it once a week, but the budget did not come through like we had hoped.  It worked out because the numbers doubled, and it was a very fruitful time.  We had a couple of singers sing and man... WOW.  The music here is very easy to become passionate about.  I can’t understand 85% of it, but it moves me.  It also helps me on my pronunciation, which I am learning is not as good as I thought it was.  I get lovingly laughed at pretty often.  

 Thanksgiving was great.  It was different because the country was not on pause for the holiday, however it was a great experience.  We did play football at the Embassy, and that was great.  Between Joe and I we had three interceptions, two touchdowns, 60 return yards, and probably close to 300 yards of offense.  It was a good day, and I have a REALLY NICE sunburn! Right around the armpits because of the cutoff shirt.  (I had to show off the guns).

 Then I had a traditional Turkey dinner with all of the trimmings.  I think that if they had Thanksgiving here, more people would be overweight.  The flavors are so much stronger because the food is so natural.  I HATE SWEET POTATOES, and I even enjoyed those.  Nate’s wife did an amazing job, and I am so grateful to have been invited.

 The tough part of the week is really understanding and seeing the youth struggle.  It is really troubling to me because of how deeply they are attacked.  I do not want to sit on the sidelines for this.  In America I can simply talk to them.  Here, I have to sit and watch.  It is getting better, and for them I could care less how broken my Spanish is.  Sometimes a hug is all they need, but it is still tough.

 Starting Saturday nights we will be having youth nights.  Guys at my house for Playstation, XBOX, and Pizza.  I am pretty sure with those three ingredients turnout will be consistent.  The young ladies will be meeting elsewhere, and I CAN’T WAIT FOR MY WIFE to be here for that.  (Actually, I can’t wait for her to be here in general).

 Yesterday was a special day.  I lacked sleep, so I was a bit sluggish.  However, Church was edifying and the worship time woke me up.  Then in the evening we went to a town to support a Pastor and the Church he has there.  It is in a dangerous, poor area, and we could all feel the pain from the get go.  

 Pepe, Pepito, Jessica, Joe and I went to this church as a team to represent CPC.  I laugh now, because it looked like such a ragtag team.  A little girl that was sleepy.  I young man that is tall, skinny, and also sleepy.  Two Americans that can barely speak Spanish, and a short bald-headed Pastor.  However, God moved last night in a mighty way.  

 Pepe’s word was well received.  The worship time was great.  No band.  No “singers.”  Just a stereo, some worship CD’s, and hearts that were yearning to worship.  Afterwards, Joe and I both talked about how great that worship time was.  I know God prepared some hearts for the words they were about to receive.  They even had a special time of dancing, where three little girls had choreographed two dances to worship music.  Praise was in the building.

 Joe gave his testimony, and he did a great job.  He is a man of few words, and what he said had meaning and an impact. I then spoke for a little while to the Church.  God was putting a lot of words of encouragement on my heart, and so I tried to be faithful in my presentation.  I am still learning, but my heart is willing.  Joe is still learning, but his heart is willing. 

 One thing that was truly special for me was seeing Pepito translate for us.  He did an AMAZING job.  He is still growing in his English, and sometimes translating can be VERY overwhelming.  However God broke down all of the walls, and even I could tell the fluency of his translation.  It is so critical to have someone translating that gets the idea of the presentation, and can express those thoughts.  He did that, and he is only 16.  That is evidence to me that God has mighty things for the youth here.  Some young people are learning English in three months.  

 I could go on and on.  It was tough, but as you can see, it was a GOOD week.  It was a God week.  It was a motivating week.  I hope these words will be motivating to you.  WE all can have tough but GOOD weeks.  Love is pouring out all over the world.  Please be a part of it!

 Blessings!

 ~Shaun

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