As Christians, God has clearly given us responsibilities. The 1st is Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength- Mark 12:30. How do we do this? We are to share the Gospel with others. “Go make disciples of all nations. Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you!” – Matthew 28:19-20.
That is why I love going on short term mission trips, allover the world! I want to share God’s message everywhere! We are to be the light of the world. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give Glory to your Father who is in heaven”- Matthew 5:16.
God is so so good! And He’s been so so good to me! As we prepared for our mission trip to Peru, the group of Christians called to go were from all parts of the world. Some of us had worked together in Haiti or Hong Kong! Some I never had met. Romans 8:28 says ” And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose.” We didn’t know all the talents each person was bringing, but God did – and they all worked together for God’s purpose!
Our first stop was Pacasmayo where Cal was our coordinator/picture taker and helped wherever needed. He also preached at the local churches! Beth was our tech person – she prepared the Bible story, songs, bible verse needed each day! Julie led our Bible story and singing time. Because she spoke Spanish and did a great job! Denise and I oversaw crafts. Marco oversaw the games. Ezra, Migel, and Luis helped all over – including helping to coach the soccer teams.
We all helped each other wherever there was a need. We also had great help from the people of the community and local church! To encourage kids to come learn about God, the kids in the community were invited to play in a soccer tournament. And to play you also had to attend VBS! The kids had a great time and so did we! Our VBS could not have run more smoothly! God know exactly what He was doing when He put this team together to work for Him! We were also able to go out and pray for 30 families in need of prayer. After talking to a 30-year-old lady that had rheumatoid arthritis, we asked her ifshe know Jesus as her Savior, at first, she said yes- then she looked down and said no, she didn’t know how to be Saved. We were able to lead her and her brother and sister to Christ! Afterwards she said, “That was so easy!” Romans 10:9 says, ” That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” You just must ask and believe! What a blessing to us to be used by God this way. We also made-up food bags to be given to these same families!
Then Cal, Beth, and I – along with Steve, Maribel, Jimmy, Rachel, Millie and Gladis went to Lima! We worked alongside the church Jesus El Camino, and pastor Elger Esquivel taking God’s word all throughout the foothills of Lima. Some places had no electricity – except for solar- and very little water. Cal and Steve would preach, and the rest would help with VBS. We shared the creation story and how man fell through sin and needed Jesus as their Savior. The kids and adults loved coloring the animal face masks and having their pictures taken. We also visited 7 soup kitchens- each feeding around 70 people daily. We asked for prayer needs and one place needed a cistern. We were able to supply them with one to keep their water clean and help with the health of the people. They were so thankful! We told them God blessed us so we could give, and they were blessing the community by preparing meals daily. We should all do what we can to help others and spread God’s word! We were able to share God’s word with so many in a short time! The pastor said he was going to squeeze us like a lemon to get every drop he could from us. We were a little tired after long days – but we were so blessed to meet so many wonderful Christians and spread God’s word to so many! 1 Corinthians 3:6 says, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth!”
Until next time! God’s will be done!
