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

Updates: My Bad....

 So I realized today that it has been two months since my last post.  Unacceptable.  For reals, my bad.  I can’t do the blame game on this one.  I didn’t have carpal tunnel, or gnarled fingers, or a broken computer.  I just forgot.  

 So here are some brief updates to get things less awkward.

*The Youth:  [We covered this a little in our newsletter this past month]  

A few months ago we talked about an opportunity to work more in depth with the youth at the Church we are attending.  Instead of asking us to help out, they said “take it, and let God guide you.”  Sweet.  We have been looking for stuff like that.

So we have a name for it- Cuatro:Doce (4:12).  It sounds a lot better in Spanish.  In English, it sounds like a gang or some type of drug reference.  However, it is actually shaped after 1 Timothy 4:12.  At first the kids thought the name was dumb.  Now they either forgot about it, or they like it, because no one is making fun of me anymore.

It has been exciting to see God’s hand in this.  We prayed for leaders to come alongside of us.  It took us awhile to understand God’s perfect time, but now we have PERFECT people.  We prayed for a direction on how to take things.  Again, it took God’s perfect time, but now we have an amazing direction.  It also took me some time to understand that each type of seed is not the same, and some take longer to grow than others.  

But now... I have a bunch of Bamboo around me [bamboo is considered to be the fastest growing plant in the world].  A side note:  this is extremely humorous if you know anything about the tattoo that is on my leg.  

*Hosting: 

We have two different types of hosting that are taking place right now.  The first is that we are going to hopefully be hosting some different short term teams this year.  We are waiting to see what God develops in that area.  However, it appears that we are also hosting individuals.

The second is hosting individuals or a couple of people. Right now we have two new friends from Switzerland, Hanna and Sarah, who are traveling the world in the name of Jesus.  We have walked around, listened to stories, and we can firmly say that Jesus Christ is not dead (we weren’t doubting).  The Holy Spirit is alive and active, and is working doing amazing things.  Literal miracles.  Now some of you may shirk at the idea of me saying that, which is cool.

But, some of the ways God has provided for us, and for them.  It’s only God.  It’s not man, and it’s not works.  Finances, physical healing when they are sick, protection from harm in places like China and India.  You guys hear the reports of the persecution that Christians experience in those areas... but God has protected them and provided for them in ways that are completely unexpected.  It is unbelievable to hear stories from different people traveling the world, on how God is moving amongst His people.  

*Cool Opportunities:  

 -The discipleship book is going slow but steady. I have never done more individual research, reading, writing, editing, and thinking in my entire life; and I am still on the rough rough draft.  However, as slow as it is going, it is taking a very beautiful shape, and I am excited to see how God might use it to train people to be and make disciples.

 -In the past few months Pastor Pepe has been working with different mayors in surrounding districts to get the Church involved with making a difference.  We are now set up to help with monthly medical campaigns, youth outreach, sports campaigns, and marriage conferences.  It is so cool to sit in a mayor’s office, tell him your ideas, and literally see his wheels turning.  

 -Rugby is also going good, and continues to be a good outlet for everything.  Sometimes when I am spending 3-4 hours of reading theology and writing, tackling people or running can be a lot of fun.  We had a beach tournament this past weekend where I played against the national Peruvian team, and national team from Ecuador.  We lost all of our games, which is always a hard pill to swallow.  However, the aches and pains make me feel like a lumberjack kind of man.  

 -Writing for Theology21.  I have been asked to be a contributing author to Theology21.  I am excited about it because I have a love/hate relationship with theology.  I love it for what it Truly is, and I hate it for what it sometimes can become.  It's a new project, and I am interested to see how it all plays out.  There are various contributing authors, and as with all theology, we won’t agree.  However, that is what excited me, because it is creating dialogue, and people are having to look at the Word of God, instead of the popular best-selling book for Christians.

 *The End: 

So as to not overwhelm you anymore, that is all for now. Amanda and I just made a deal where we have to write once a week.  So, be on the lookout for next weeks addition! 

Love you all in the name of Jesus!!!!

-Shaun