One week ago the streets of Lima reminded me of a ghost town
with tumbleweed blowing across the streets.
There were no cars on the streets and it was amazingly quiet which was
great. You could hear so many birds and
NO car horns. Later that evening we left
for our third trip to Chincha. Instead
of tearing down walls and hauling away piles of rubble we were able to begin
construction at two church locations. It
was great to be able to see Pastor Nestor again and to work alongside of
him. I would say that this past week in
Chincha was the most we have worked since being there.
There was a group of about 12 people that
came from the states on this past trip and they were from New York. Being able to talk with them and work with
them during the week was a blessing. The
conversations that we had during the week were great. The leader of the group was one of the people
who came down on the first AIM trip back in September. It was exciting to see how he has begun to
pour into the churches in Chincha and helping develop leadership in
Chincha. Through his ministry
organization he purchased a chunk of land with the intentions of developing a
training facility for leaders in Peru and South America. We went and prayed over the land and it was
just amazing to walk around this place knowing that there is going to be a
facility to train leaders from Peru and throughout South America.
One night during a time of debriefing and
sharing our group discussed 2 Corinthians 4:18:
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, and what is
unseen is eternal. Also, I have recently
begun reading A Hunger for God and it
mentions desiring God over His gifts (I read a recent devotion during the past
week that mentioned the same thing); desiring the person of God over
everything. Further, Piper mentions
having a true hunger for God and how so often we can suppress that hunger by
placing other things, things of the world and even God’s gifts, before
God. He mentions how we are created for
God and there is an appetite within us that can be awakened. For me the verse in 2 Corinthians we
discussed that evening hits home about the idea of hungering for God. How there has to be within us a homesickness
for God, who is unseen. Having such a
longing and hungering after God is what enables us to effectively love others
as God loves us. God’s love towards us
so great that even the slightest taste of His goodness does not compare to the
full amount of His love. God loves us so
much that He does not leave us where we are.
God does not want us to merely believe that He is a loving God and that
He sent Christ to save us, but He wants us to follow him, to become disciples
who are in intimate relationship with Him.
Being in Peru has enabled me to see God at work in so many ways and I am
beginning to grasp what Jesus said about seeking God first, that my personal
relationship with Him is of upmost significance. The church in Pastor Nestor’s community is
doing amazing. There is a discipleship class
going on and people have been faithfully attending church services throughout
the week. We were able to visit them on
our last day for a short time and it was a blessing to see their faces and talk
with them. I found out Rubie does not
like chicken feet in her soup and does not like cockroaches.
Jason!
Glad you are back and can give us such wonderful feedback on what is going on ! I always feel blessed when I can read your emails and see how God is using you and at the same time, you are increasing my faith in God ! What you are going through in Peru is effecting people here in Georgia.I forward your blogs to them and you are able to let your light for Jesus shine in their lives.
Pastor Perry will be undergoing his 4th Chemo treatment this Thursday. From what I hear, it will be a double dose, so please keep him in your prayers. I feel like Past Perry is walking in the footsteps of Joshua when the Lord told him to take the Ark of the Covenant and walk across the Jordan River. God promises us His strength, but first we have to step out of our comfort zone.
Jason, thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone ! We love you SOOO much !
By the way….who is Rubie, and what’s up with the chicken feet and cockroaches ?!?
Wow, what great pictures. Get your dad to tell you the story of the rendering plant when he worked for Spartan. (Chicken feet!!!) It’s amazing when your son becomes an example for you. I’m so blessed to have raised up such an awesome God seaking young man. But you’ll always be my baby. (Sorry to break it to you.) Jimmy and I love you and miss you. We’re proud of you too. Talk to you soon.
Luv – Mom
Dude, I am so excited for you(and jealous at the same time)! The people you are meeting and experiences you are going through seem to really be effecting you in many ways. That’s AWESOME! Love ya man, take care.
Jason,
It was wonderful working alongside you guys in chincha this past week. I can hardly believe I’m home.
I loved Peru so much & really admire the resiliency of the people.
Gee, I wonder why Rubie doesn’t like chicken feet in her soup? 🙂
Blessings,
Jessie
Hi again Jason, I am proud to know of such a wonderful young as you are, being a friend of Mike and Deb it gives me joy knowing how proud they are of you and the support they show by keeping us informed of your travels. God continue to keep you and bless you to lead others to Christ.
Mattie Baxter
Technology is wonderful. Back in the dark ages when your mom and I were growing up if we had gone on missions for nearly a year I guess our parents would have had to sit on pins and needles waiting to hear what was happening. God is great. I especially liked hearing about your preaching experience, but I’m sure you can appreciate what I’m about to say. First let me say I’m glad you’re safe after the earthquake, but I almost broke out in song when I read that you felt the earth move under your feet . . . “I feel the sky tumbling down, tumbling down” It’s a love song in case you’ve never heard it. Anyway, I’m getting long winded. Look forward to hearing more about your experience.
Love Ya, Aunt Net
Hello Jason,
It was such a blessing working with you, Rubie, Bob & Becky this past week in Chincha. You are all hard workers, great inspirations and followers of Jesus Christ. Your presence and warm smile on the trip made me feel less homesick as I have children your age. I also noticed that you a real student of God’s word. Don’t let up, He has big things planned for you.