Dias primeros

La iglesia de Lima

¡Estoy en Lima!


Amid my second full day in Peru.  Already I have much to think and write about.  And already I have two languages trying to make sense in my head.  I'm finding that listening and reading Spanish is much easier than creating my own sentences.  But, then again, it is only day 3 out of 32.  My goal is going to be to have at least one blog post contain a few paragraphs completely en español. 


Already there is much to write about.  My flight was definitely a new experience, but I hadn't flown since infancy, so that may have had something to do with it.  No major complications, other than leaving more than 2 and a half hours late from the Miami airport.


First impressions of Peru:


When I arrived at the airport, there was a bustle of people.  And when I left to ride back to the Collinses' house I noticed how crazy the traffic was, and how pedestrians really do not have the right of way.  And yet, at the same time, I could see that people know where they are going, and are awake and alert on the road.  Somehow, among the flow of people and cars, things run smoothly.


It's winter here, which means temperatures stay in the mid-60s.  It's perfect for me, and I can be comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt.  It doesn't really rain in Lima.  In fact, the heaviest rain is happening right now, in the form of a heavy mist.


Last night I got to attend my first service at la Iglesia de Mayor Gracia.  I loved learning songs like Everlasting God, At the Cross, and Shout to the Lord in Spanish.  P. Stan introduced me to the church members, and preached in English with translation.  Afterward I met and talked with a few girls my age.


I love that, no matter where I go, Greater Grace churches are always the same.  The same Spirit, the same Body, the same friendship with our liberty in Christ at the center.


Many events and trips coming up.  I'll write more in depth about things later, and keep watching for pictures and videos!


Las palabras en español para hoy: "Se que mi Dios me ama."

Un Corazón en Fuego

Enjoying my last full day in the United States until mid-August.  Well, not really enjoying.  Running around realizing all the little things that need to be done that aren't being done, and trying to make everything perfect for tomorrow morning (even though I probably won't sleep tonight) is more like it.  But that's not the point of this post.


Today's Grace Hour really spoke to me this morning. The message from Dr. Stevens, as well as the discussion with P. Scibelli, was about keeping our hearts on fire.


To me, this is what my summer trip is all about.  A few months ago, as I saw summer approaching, I began to wonder what I was going to do.  Working as an aide in an elementary school meant no income during the summer, and after a spring semester of full time Bible college, most summertime evenings were going to seem more empty.


P. Scibelli's right about this time of the year.  It IS easy to feel lethargic and spiritually asleep during the summer.  But I can't have that.  I experienced that last year, and saw how damaging it was to me.  After three years of Bible college, I'm still not perfect.  I still get tired and hurt, I still get discouraged, I still get thrown off course.  I know how easily my heart my heart can grow cold.  This summer has to be different.


My time in Peru is going to be about taking steps of faith, and letting God do something incredible in my life in a new place.  There are some things here that I will be stepping away from, and situations that I want to hear from God about.  Peru is going to be mission life, team life.  I want to see what God has for me, and experience foreign missions before I graduate.  I want to learn to soul win in Spanish, and to share God's love in ways that are far outside my comfort zone.


I don't know what God has for me starting tomorrow.  But whatever it is, it's fuel for a heart that's burning.


Mis palabras en español para hoy: "Confío en mi Salvador por todo, para Él es fiel y verdad."