Day Three

Greetings from Peru,

As a prelude to our breakfast, we enjoyed feeding our hearts and minds with the word of God during our morning devotion.

There is always special work for the willing hand of God.  Today was a "hands" on day of ministry.  The original plan was for everyone to paint as it was much needed here at the home.  However, this was not God's plan.  He used our hands to paint, but he also used our hands to minister to the staff and children in different ways.  They were treated to manicures which made them feel special, and God used us to encourage them through prayer and pampering.  One lady enjoyed it so much she closed her eyes and smiled.  What a treat to witness her joy! Several little girls wanted a different color on each finger and warmed my heart with their smiles and hugs.  The staff take such good care of us, so it was a way for us to give back to them in return.

We made major strides in our efforts today and formed strong bonds with the staff and children.  One of our team members used her hands and talent to bake bread for all.  It too was a ministry that was laid on her heart by God.  But God didn't stop there.  Other team members jumped in to help and the kitchen became alive with a team of willing hands and hearts.  

The day did not stop there.  We walked to "downtown" Cieneguilla and climbed a flight of steps that left us breathless.  At the top stood a cross, representing the symbols of Catholicism.  We proceeded to the market where vendors sell everything from fresh produce, clothing, housewares, and specialty food and items.  We enjoyed Peruvian chocolate, Sublime, and marveled at the exotic fruits that seemed to be on steroids.  Yes, they actually are that big!  Leaving the market some decided to take the taxi back to the Children's Home.  The taxi is actually a motorcycle with an extra axle in the back.  It was an adventure!  Others wanted to walk back, but along the way took a little side trip to tour the new park.  We even saw a hummingbird!  
  
After dinner, we were invited to participate in a scavenger hunt with the children. It was a fun filled event, teaching the children how much God loves them.  The children are so precious and hungry for love.  What a wonderful God we serve!

The day ended with another devotion and time of prayer.  Our time together as a team continues to draw us closer.  We can't wait to see what God has in store for us tomorrow!

Day Two

Where do I even begin??  What a day!  We woke up and started our day with a hot breakfast of pancakes and bacon.  Maricela shared some of the local fruits with us so we experienced a delicious taste of Peru! Then we headed upstairs for our devotions.  It was a great time of remembering that God will provide the words we need if we are willing to humble ourselves and be used by Him.  
We headed to the center of Lima,  up a mountain (where we had to wait for a broken down car to be pushed up the road), to the cross on the top of the mountain.  We handed out tracts to the people there and then spent time praying over the city.

Our next stop was the Presidential Palace area.  We ate a lunch of roasted chicken, fried potatoes and salad before heading to the streets.  In the next two hours, we handed out 600 Bibles and hundreds of tracts within the square and the streets. One of the coolest things to watch was how Abby was able to break down some barriers by handing out stickers to children.  A shopkeeper even came out to get one!  We met people with real questions about an eternal home in heaven.  We met people who had real despair.  We met people who encouraged us. Many of us had conversations with people that had questions or wanted clarification.  A few people prayed to accept Jesus as their Savior.  We met students, shopkeepers, Mormons, and some that just were in despair and needed prayer.  God set some divine appointments for us.

We walked a few blocks to the Inquisition Museum.  We were able to see some of the ways they tortured Christians during that time in history.  It really made me think, what would I do?  I cannot imagine the horrors they faced.  And the horrors some Christians around the world are currently facing.  It made me reflect on how fortunate I am to be able to worship how I want, where I want.  And how fortunate we are to be here sharing freely.

Our next stop was Magic Waters.  It was an outdoor water park (not like Water Country) but fountains.  You can play in the water.  It was a little chilly to do that but some of the younger ones in our group played in a fountain.  They only got a little wet!  Others who are young at heart rode the little train around the park.  It was a nice place to sit and reflect on the day.  A calm after a storm of emotion.  

Our final stop of the day was Jockey Plaza for dinner.  Some of the group ate food that was Peruvian.  Others enjoyed fruit smoothies.  Then we headed for home. 
It was a long, good day.  A full day.  There were interactions with people, historical reflections, quiet times with the Lord, and silly times of giggles.  Thank you for praying for us.  Please join us in prayer for Kelly, Beatrice, Carla, and Abel.  They made a choice to follow Christ as Savior and we are praying they connect with other believers locally.
Laurie

  

You're On the Team!

     It has been a long and exhausting day, so you'll have to wait until Friday Morning for the post on today's events. However, I wanted to post a reminder about how important YOU are as a member of this team. While we only brought 13 people to Peru, I have been saying for weeks/months that you are part of our larger "team." You have been praying, encouraging, and giving financially for this trip, and we thank you. Today, Peggy Moran, who is serving as our missions contact in Peru, learned that the primary vehicle that the Children's Home uses would need major repairs. The total cost will end up being around $2,000, which NLCH does not have. Because you have given so generously, and because NBBC has a line item in the budget for Peru missions, I was able to put $2,000 in Peggy's hand to pay for the vehicle repairs. Thank God, and thank you for being on this team!!

Day One

Day 1 of our Peruvian adventures:
     Since we ended our day Tuesday at 2:30AM this morning, our fearless (and tired) leader let us sleep in for a while.  If our internal alarms went off, most just enjoyed the first glimpse of the Andes Mountains out of the window and a little Peruvian coffee.  Terry and Danielle ventured up the mountain for a better view of the area.  The group gathered for a devotion which Pastor Rob led on Acts 16 and how Paul and Timothy wanted to go into different areas of Asia than God allowed.  Sometimes our plans are not God's so we needed to be flexible.  Well that is exactly what happened today.  Because of the Peruvian Independence Day being celebrated yesterday and today many businesses were closed.  So, instead of exchanging money, we went to Plaza Vea and did some shopping for a "holding tank" which we wanted to visit later today.  A holding tank is a place where abandoned children are placed before they may be taken to orphanages or other facilities.  We bought a blender and a rice cooker along with many pounds of rice, beans, and sugar.  This will allow them to eat for a few days, as these holding tanks only run on the donation of groups like ours.
      While there, Terry shared her testimony to several young ladies who prayed to receive their forever home in heaven.  This is always exciting to be a part of because so many have no hope.  Even the ladies that work there heard the gospel.  In such a hopeless place, despair is very prevalent.  One worker shared with Maricela and Peggy about her struggles.  While several of us worked on our volleyball skills with some of the girls, others held little ones and tried to communicate in our broken Spanglish (Spanish/English); Kelsey even learned the Peruvian National anthem and sang it with a group of young ladies.  Oh, what laughter was heard in those walls today, but as time came for us to leave the tears began to flow.  Most likely, we will never see them again, but our prayer is that they saw in us the love of our Lord Jesus and will desire to have that in their lives as well.  We left them with a snack and a booklet of John and Romans.
    On our way back to the home we made a detour to Manchay, which is a true Peruvian village outside of Lima where the shanty homes line the hillside.  Finding a park filled with families, we stopped the bus and followed the Holy Spirit's leading to share His word.  We had only one box of John and Roman booklets with us which we did not want to take back to the home. With hands full, we ventured amongst the multitude and handed out what Bibles and tracks we had with us.  It was so exciting to back track and see many sitting and reading what we had given them.  One asked where the church was.  Fortunately I recognized one word - Donde- and knew he wanted to know where the church was.  We are relying on the fact that Jesus promised that His Word would not return void.
     So this evening please join us in praying for the young girls at the holding tank, the worker who need hope, and all the Bibles and tracks that went out today.  At this moment all members of the team are well and adapting well.  We covet your prayers as we continue to be flexible and go where God leads!

Anne Edwards

WE'RE HERE!!!

Just a quick note this morning to let everyone know that we have arrived safely! Thank you for all the prayers for a safe journey. We've had a slow morning as we tried to recover a little from our 2 a.m. arrival. We'll be heading into parts of Lima today, but we'll be a little restricted because they are still having Independence Day celebrations. (Their Independence Day is July 28th). We'll post an update on the days activities later tonight.

THANK YOU!!!

      We wanted to give a BIG "thank you" to everyone from New Bridge, Curves (Sandston), and White Marsh BC who donated items for us to distribute while we're in Peru. Most of the things that were donated will go directly to New Life Children's Home, but a few items will be given away in the community as well. It took twelve suitcases to pack all the things that you so generously gave! Thanks for your partnership in this mission project. 

Prayer is critical

Please pray for...

• Health for our team. Satan is already working to undermine the health of several team members before we depart.
• Spiritual readiness for our team. Pray that we would be sensitive to every opportunity to share the gospel. 
• Safe travel and good connections. The last two times we have traveled to Peru, we have missed our flight connections and lost a day of ministry. 
• The families of our team members who will be remaining in the States. It can be a difficult time for those who remain behind. 

The hearts and souls of the Peruvian people. In general, Peruvians are a very gracious and open culture, and they are receptive to the gospel when it is shared clearly. 

Our Peruvian ministry partners: The Kennedy family; Peggy Moran; Pastor David; our translators; New Life Children's Home; and New Life Baptist Church.

Financial support for the Kennedy family and New Life Children's Home. They receive no denominational support and must raise the finances to stay on the field and continue the ministry of NLCH and the churches that have been planted.

The Lord to be glorified. That is the ultimate goal for the entire trip - honor and glory to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We will soon be leaving for one of my favorite places on earth - Cieneguilla, Peru.