The Valley in the Shadow of Condors

It is hard to believe that the summer is nearly over. With less than one-week left the tone is bittersweet. We will get to reflections later, but for now, there have been some exciting happenings in the past week or so!

The best is that Manuela decided she was finally ready for Jesus to be her Lord. She has been studying with the team for nearly two years and last week was reading through James with her ladies’ small group. Reading James’ description of faith, she realized that she herself had faith. With this discovery, and already knowing so much of Jesus she decided that it was time for to live out that faith. She was baptized on Sunday evening at a local swimming pool. All in attendance were deeply moved and Manuela herself was a pillar of peace. After fifty years of searching, she had finally found her way. On a personal level, I was felt extremely blessed to be present because before I knew the Smiths or McKenzies, I had read about Manuela. Continue praying for her as she begins her new mission in the ministry of the Kingdom.

Wanting to see what Peru is like outside of the city, a few of us went to a Condor reserve called Colca Canyon for a two-day hike. We joined up with a Spanish couple and a pair from Holland to hike into and through the canyon, where we stayed the night. The hike was challenging and the view stunning, but the best part of the trip was a series of conversations I was able to have with the two ladies from Holland (Karen & Sandra). They were curious about what we are doing in Arequipa with the Bible and with urban/rural development. They wondered why we were not touring the continent, as was every other Anglo we had met. More particularly, they were curious at this “protestant religion” where people can have a relationship with God. Sandra informed me that she was “Catholic, but not a very good one.” She believes in “things,” but the idea of Jesus as a reigning Lord is foreign to her. We discussed life and I shared how when I realized that I was “Christian,” but did not know God well, I sought Him. I pray that our conversations about searching for God, prayerfully reading scripture, and finding Christ will lead to a search in the Hollanders’ lives. They seem to be searching for meaning and I pray that they find their meaning in the omnipotent One who creates and gives meaning (Col 1:15-20).

This past Tuesday, I was able to talk with a guide named Hugo for a while, and again, conversations turned to faith. Looking out over the mountains, I shared Romans 1:20, about God’s invisible qualities being visible in nature. Hugo expressed that he had read the Bible as a child, but when life got hard, he no longer found in meaningful for him. Not having a father, Hugo struggled with finding his own identity, and with having any sort of structure to his life. He is a heavy drinker, has little self-direction in his life, and now has a three year-old son who looks up to him. Hugo and I talked about how God sent Jesus to model how to live well, and in relationship with Him. Christ’s example is a structure for us and it is followable. Though it costs us everything, we gain more than we lose. Wednesday, Hugo was in charge of a large party for Peruvian Independence Day. I had helped him prepare to stop drinking, even though he had to be present to coordinate the party. I have not talked with Hugo since then, but if you would, join me in praying that He be able to actualize change in his life, and that he find his example in Christ, the powerful servant king.

We also had a large library event this past Saturday. A drama troupe came and acted out a popular children's story. Additionally a local teacher came and spoke to the children in attendance about the importance and excitement of reading. The libraries are a key mode by which the team serves the community, and through events and studies, they present the gospel to children and adults alike. Each of the more-than fifty kiddos in attendance received a children's Bible so they too can read the greatest story of all time.