After a semester of completely wasting my time in Marketing 468, I decided to use the last class time wisely and create my first blog! I mean really, Sales Force Management at 5:05pm is just an awful idea. All God's people said... AMEN!
If you're reading this, you probably have heard more than enough about my future adventure to Peru. Well this week, things got real. I bought the plane ticket. As exciting as this planning process has been, everything just seems so much more serious now. I'm for real leaving the country June 16, 2011 and not returning until April 2012. About 10 seconds after hitting "Submit Purchase", the fear, nerves, and anxiety set in. "Be anxious for nothing" is so easy to say and tell to others who are struggling, but so hard to actually do. I pray that in the weeks to come that my heart remains calm and recalls ole Matthew 6:34 and Psalms 46:10 when I get overwhelmed.
In all the excitement and anxiety, I've found out much more about my time in Peru that I'd like to share with you. I've learned that everything is subject to change, but an open heart, mind, and flexibility are key to being a missionary. As for now, I think I'll be living in the city of Cusco, Peru with a recent graduate of Southwestern Theological Seminary. We will be continuing the ESL program in Cusco as well as overseeing the logistics of short-term teams coming in from the US. I'm super excited about anything dealing with logistics & helping teams get from one place to another. Maybe this degree I'm earning (not paying attention in class at this very second) will come in handy! I'm also excited about the relationship building in Cusco. When people ask my favorite thing about my last trip to Peru, I almost always say "Gloria". She was the lady that I built the strongest relationship with, worked in her restaurant, and just grew to love! Her and all the people in Vilcas Huaman stole my heart 2 summers ago, and I cannot wait to get back to visit with them and begin & develop new relationships.
The Lord has really been teaching concept of "love" this year. Not the romantic, mushy gushy, "I love you forever" kind of love, but Christ-like love, and loving people even when you don't want to. Sometime in 2010, my heart was hardened to many people and situations. I felt like a bitter lil ole cat lady who didn't trust or really like anyone who had ever hurt me in the slightest bit. It was AWFUL! I'm a joyful, bubbly, crazy person, and this bitterness drove me crazy! Needless to say, the Lord kinda rocked my world a lil bit & challenged me to begin to love like Him. That means forgiveness, which is tough stuff btw, and an open heart. But the Lord is faithful! and now when I get frustrated, I just say to myself "love 'em like Jesus" and it get better.
Basically, this has been a crazy awesome year of re-falling in love with the Lord and learning to love others like He loves us, and I'm super excited to be able to serve Him in Peru in a couple of months! Until then, and once I'm there of course, I covet your prayers. Pray that God will continue to prepare my heart for what He's going to do in and through me. Pray for the Peruvian people and that they'll be open to "los gringos". Pray for my family as they go through this transition of letting me go & that they feel the peace and excitement that the Lord has given me. Lastly, pray for the financial support coming in.
I wanted to update everyone on that, since I've received many questions about it. Funds are low-ish right now. I found a plane ticket for under 300, and I just bought it out of pocket. I don't know exactly how much money has been raised, but I think its around $1,000-ish at this point (everything is being sent to Bethlehem Baptist Church, Greenfield TN ). If you aren't aware, I'm looking to raise about $12,000 each year I'm there. I'd like to have about $2,000-$2,500 when I leave in order to have some stability when initially looking for an apartment, applying for a long term visa, and traveling from city to city. I know that's a lot, and I've worked 2 jobs all semester to try to put as much into this as I can and lighten the burden for those called to give. However the Lord does call people to give if they aren't called to go, and if 50 people pledge to give $20 each month, that would be more than enough! Think of how easily we throw away money! $20 a month is giving up 2 meals at El Vallarta, or your daily McDonald's sweet tea, or one less date to the movies! If you haven't already, I'd like to ask you to at least pray about supporting the Lord's work in Peru.
Again, I covet your prayers and support through this exciting time and I can't wait to share the next few years with you on my new blog :)
This is just one of my favorite spots in Vilcas Huaman. The mountains are breathtaking!
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
