I Found Love.

I discovered this video posted on Amanda's Facebook page and I wanted to share it with all of you…

Did you get goose bumps too?

One word stands out to me…JOY.  After I finished watching, I couldn’t help but think about what joy means to me. Many things flooded my mind…

laughing with my parents

freedom to worship my Father

thunderstorms at night

being silly with my friends

conversations over coffee (or tea!)

kids

being able to bless someone else

dancing in the kitchen

writing and receiving handwritten letters

vibrant and life-giving classrooms

Christ centered marriages

being able to relate and connect with someone

set apart femininity

cozy friday nights at home

All of the above bring a special sweetness to my life, but they aren’t my ultimate joy. No, that deep and satisfying joy is found somewhere else. My ultimate joy comes from knowing the God who breathed life into all creation. The God who sent His Son to earth to rescue me before I even knew I needed rescuing. The Lord who spilled His blood so that I may be redeemed. Now, I can have an intimate relationship with the God who holds the stars in His hands. I have joy because I found Love. This God is the source of my ultimate JOY.

And you know what is even more amazing…my joy in Him multiplies the sweetness of all the other little joys.

“You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.” Psalm 4:7

Called to Peru {Guest Post}

Hello from Peru! My name is Amanda from La Blondie Peruana...I'm so happy to be a guest blogger today! {Thanks Samantha!}

A little about me: I'm 27, I've been married to the most incredible man, Shaun, for the past 7 years and in October we are expecting our first {long awaited} little blessing, Judah. We are from Texas but are currently living full time in Lima, Peru but more about that to come!

Samantha and I haven't been blog friends for long, but she has been an incredible encouragement to me so far and I am excited about our new friendship. The first day I visited her blog, she had written a post about Missions and Prayer, where she explained her desire to teach overseas one day, and how she had challenged herself to start lifting up missionaries who are currently overseas. One of the pictures in the photo she took featured Peru, so we started a conversation mostly because I was curious if she knew anyone in Peru.

The answer is...NOW SHE DOES! Funny how God connects people :)

So, it is my pleasure to not only share with her, but also with you, more about my daily life and our ministry in Peru! I could really be all over the place with this...but fortunately, Samantha has provided me with a Q&A to help keep me on track! I'll try to be as thorough and as brief as possible! So without further ado...

1) What led you and your husband to become missionaries in Peru?

In August 2008 Shaun was approached by a friend and invited to go to Peru. His friend had lived in Peru several years ago, and it was always his dream to return  for a Basketball tour/missions trip. He had several connections that would allow his team from the states to play professional teams in Peru. Shaun had played basketball in high school, but not really since then, but as we prayed about it, we felt like it was right for him to go. 

While he was away, I really felt God was prompting me to pray and prepare my heart for something big that would come out of his trip. I had no idea what it was, but I prayed anyway. When Shaun returned one of the first things he said to me was, "How would you feel about moving to Peru?" I was...shocked to say the least, but at the same time I wasn't. I only laughed and thought, "OK God, thanks for preparing me!" 

So in March 2009, we boarded a plane and came back to Peru together. During that time God made it 100% clear that this is where He wanted us. When we returned to the states we sold everything we had, quit our jobs and moved in with my parents. By December 2009 we were both settled in Peru.

{Our excited faces, the day we got our missionary visas}

2) Tell me about your specific ministry in Peru.

I will break this one down into two parts: As a team and personally...

As a team:

The community we live in currently is not where we started out. We lived in another area for the first 2 years we were here, and God really used that season to prepare us for what He had next. It allowed us to get accustomed to the culture, and the language (neither of us spoke any Spanish before we moved here!). Then God moved us on to a community in Chorrillos, where we are now, last September.

We are now part of a team called OIKOS, which is Greek for "Extended Family". Our team is made up of members from America, England, Canada, and of course, Peru. We know God has called us together to be an "extended family" so that as a team, we can reach out to individuals, families and and communities around us.  Currently as a team we focus on three areas: Pacifico (a Shanty town about 5 min away), The Jungle, and Los Cedros (the community where we live).

{Pacifico}

{Calleria: One of our Jungle Communities}

Each community is very different, and like looks different each day. But we are dedicated daily to the following foundations: Personally abiding in Christ, Sharing the Gospel, Life on Life daily discipleship, Disciples making disciples, Worship, Prayer and Living as a community. This is what we live by and what we hope to communicate to the people we live and work with. It's been incredible to see lives transformed as we build relationships!

Personally:

I am currently the worship leader of our communities. It will forever be a mystery to me why God chose ME, but I am growing daily in this process and learning more about the Character of God through worship. I have no previous experience in leading OR worship, but God has given me a talent that I would be silly not to use for his glory. There is only one place I am truly comfortable being, and that is in HIS presence. At the time there are 3 other members on my team and they are amazing. God is growing us each individually and as a team. We have recently started a new discipleship program, in which we are all learning more about becoming leaders and worship. I feel God is leading us to teach the people what we are learning about DAILY worship..that it's not just about singing songs during the specified "worship time" on a Sunday morning..but about truly LIVING a life of worship to God for the things he has done for us. It's been an exciting process and I look forward to seeing how God will use this team here in Peru!

3) Tell me about your church and worship in Peru.

Oops! I kind of jumped ahead on this one...but that's ok I will expand a little more on the "schedule". On Sunday mornings we go out to Pacifico. Our "service" (for lack of better words) is held in the house of Ines. It is a small and humble home, but she willingly opens her doors to us and to her neighbors every week. Twice a month we hold a "formal" service, with worship, a message and fellowship and the other 2 weeks of the month we have an "informal" service...basically we go with drinks and cookies and the people come and we just fellowship. Sometimes we break up into groups and go out into the community, sometimes we just stay in the house and the people come and we just have a great morning talking. It looks different every week.

Sunday evenings, we have a service in our teammates, Mark and Anna's house in Los Cedros, the community we live in, where there is worship, a message and fellowship.

The rest of the week, we just live life together...building relationships, meeting each others needs, visiting...etc.

{During an “informal” service in Pacifico}

4) What do you appreciate most about the culture?

Hmmm...LOTS to appreciate! Culturally, the Peruvians are a very loving people. It would be so easy for them to reject us as foreigners, but they have accepted us as part of the family and allowed us to make our lives here. They are very helpful and patient when it comes to the language...which I have heard from some missionary friends in other countries, can be extremely difficult. Like I said earlier, neither of us knew any Spanish when we came, and we are far from being fluent, but everyone around us is so willing to help!

5) What is a typical day like for you and your family?

We often get this question...and the answer is, there really is no such thing as a "typical" day. Yes, there are things that we have scheduled and that are routine, but every single day and week looks completely different. Our team really moves in and out of seasons, which means the way we do things, as well as the people we work and live with.

However, some of the things we have scheduled would be: Leadership Meetings, accountability, visits, discipleship, etc...Really focusing on building relationships within our team as well as out in our community.

One of our EVERY day activities includes our team lunch! Every day (but Saturday), we come together and share a meal together, which is SO fun, encouraging AND a little crazy. There are anywhere from 8-20 people around the table every single day! To us it is normal now, but every time we have a visitor I remember just how overwhelming and different it was the first few weeks.

{A normal lunch setting}

6) What has been the most encouraging part of your ministry in Peru? The most challenging?

Another toughie...This has been such a humbling experience because most of the time we are learning SO MUCH from the people we work with daily. We are constantly blessed by the things that they teach us! We love to see lives changed because of what God is doing here...and it's such an honor to be used by Him, when he could have called ANYONE else.

On the flip side: It is such a challenge to pour constantly into someone, only to see them resist change, or turn back to their previous lifestyle. We have each experienced some sort of rejection or disappointment because of this. Of course, it has nothing to do with us personally, but when you give so much of your time and energy and see SO much positive change, it can be the most discouraging thing when that all changes for some reason or another. We have to start back a "square one" a lot. But there is a positive to that as well, because it teaches us daily that our identity MUST be in Christ, and NOT the work we are doing, or even the people we are investing in.

7) What are some specific prayer requests you have for your country and mission of service?

For Peru: Our constant prayer is that everyone would experience and truly know the Love of Christ. We want them to know the freedom of a relationship with Jesus, instead of the daily burdens they struggle with.

For our team: Constant protection physically, spiritually and emotionally. It can be a daily struggle to be in a foreign country, away from families and the "comforts" of our respective countries. Also, there will be lots of traveling within the team soon. Prayer for those traveling, as well as those staying!

For my family: Please pray for my husband and I as we prepare for our first baby! Everything is about to change and we are so excited, but there are a lot of unknowns!

Also, our roles on the team will be changing drastically here in the next few months as I become more pregnant, and into the first few months with a newborn. Please pray for us as well as our team as we all adjust to the changes!

Thank you so much for reading! I know it was a little wordy, but it's a challenge to express EVERYTHING in a short post! I could go on and on and one!!!

BUT, If you would like more information or have any questions you can find me at La Blondie Peruana, or feel free to email me: amandalaura626@gmail.com You can also find out even more about our ministry at www.calledtoperu.org

Blessings!

Amanda

Thank you so much for sharing, Amanda! It has been such a pleasure to correspond with you so far and I’m excited about our growing friendship. Your willingness to follow God’s call to Peru is a huge encouragement to me and I love hearing about the community that you’re apart of.

So, will you join me in not only praying for Amanda and her family, but for Peru as well?

Micsellany Monday

Today, I’m linking up with Carissa from lowercase letters…

 

{one}

 

I’m writing this post early (it’s Sunday night). As I write, I’m watching a tribute to the best songs of 1960s on television. So far, The Supremes, Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Mamas & The Papas and The Beatles have made appearances. We danced in the kitchen to a few of the hits…

 

{two}

 

I move back to school this Saturday. I’ve had a wonderful summer, but I’m ready to start a new semester. I have so much excitement and expectancy in my heart! Plus, it means I’m one year closer to being a teacher.

 

{three}

 

I’ve been in a reading funk since I finished reading Little Bee. I usually always have a book on my nightstand, but I haven’t for the past week. Any book suggestions?

 

{four}

 

Have you listened to Anthem Lights yet?  It sounds cheesy to say, but their voices make me melt. They did an acoustic cover of Demi Lovato’s “Give Your Heart a Break” and it’s just so so good.

 

 

{five}

This time next Monday I'll be sitting in my 8 am Theology class.

{six}

 

The weather was GORGEOUS this weekend. It rained Friday night which ushered in cooler temperatures. I spent lots of time in the rocking chairs on the front porch. On Saturday night, my mom and I grabbed throw blankets and just sat and talked and looked at the stars.

 

{Sunday afternoon.}

Who would have thought I'd have The Beatles and Anthem lights in the same post? Ha!

Truth.

Good morning, sweet girls! I wanted to share with you a little wisdom from Amy Carmichael that I’m resting in today. I have so many dreams and desires tumbling around in my heart that I can sometimes become discouraged when they don’t come to pass in the way I planned or in my timing. BUT, I’m learning to surrender them to the One who created and placed them in my heart in the first place. He knows me intimately. He knows the desires that are deeply embedded upon my heart. He also knows what’s best for me even when I don’t see it that way.

I want to encourage you today to trust in the Lord who knows you SO intimately. He knows your heart. One of my favorite songs is “Waiting Here For You.” There is a line where Christy Nockels sings, “You’re the Lord of all creation and still you know my heart…” I’m so overwhelmed when I soak in the grandness of that statement.

Rest in the truth that the Lord of ALL creation knows your heart. Joy comes from knowing that!

Missions and Prayer

{photos I've collected for my missions prayer board so far...}

Missions and prayer have been heavy on my heart lately. This summer I’ve made it a priority to spend time in prayer consistently. I’ve been challenged to truly commit to praying for those I’ve told I’ll pray for and for those whom God places on my heart. I want for people to know that when I say I will pray for them they can count on me to intercede on their behalf.

I've been thinking a lot about my personal friends living overseas. These thoughts spiraled into thoughts of my own desire to teach overseas one day…a dream that is wedged deep in my heart. Those thoughts led me to think about missionaries around the world. The believers who are sharing the Gospel in nations around the globe in a multitude of ways. I’m so thankful I come from a church that is heavily missions minded and I’ve had the privilege to hear stories upon stories from missionaries over the last few years. They always stir my heart!

Since I can’t physically go overseas at this time, I want to actively be lifting up missionaries around the world and the nations that they are laboring in. In order to be intentional about this, I’ve gone through my planner and assigned every week until the end of the year a specific country. Each week, I’m going to commit to praying for that country. The nation. The people. The missionaries living in that country. Etc.

This week I’m praying for Japan…a few facts about the nation:

-Population is around 126 million

-Nearly 80% live in cities; around one-fourth of the population lives in or around Tokyo

-Religions: 84% are Buddhist/Shinto/New Religions; 15% are Non-religious; 1% are Christian

-About 70% of churches have an average attendance of less than 30 people

-Much of the nation remains unresponsive to the Gospel…many want to worship the way that their ancestors have for ages

There is so much more to this country than just cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji. I’m lifting up this nation to the Lord this week. There are not any restrictions to witnessing or preaching the Gospel in Japan! The doors are wide open for ministry and I’m praying for a vibrant and biblical church to rise up.

Are you interested in hearing about the countries that I’m praying for each week or even joining me? If so, I would love to share from now on!