boyradd

Peru, Day 2

Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Today we got to sleep in a little.  That was great news since we didn’t get to bed before 1 AM last night. When we got back to our hotel last night at 1130, we were informed we would be switching rooms.  When we first got here, the hotel had us signed up for all single rooms.  Wow!  Liking like kings and queens on a missions trip!  We brought up the error to the front desk and our host church and for the first night, they told us not to worry about it as the hotel worked through it with the host church.  Throughout various times yesterday, the answer kept coming back between “just keep the single rooms” and “you need to move out of your rooms and buddy up.”

Frustrating, yes.

But Pastor Christian put it best and kept refocusing us by simply saying, “this is a first world problem.”

In the end, we are extremely blessed to be able to be here.  We need to crucify our self-will, pride, and stubbornness.  If we look at 1 Corinthians 10:31, we will find that we are called on to bring glory to God in ALL we do.  We are to be simple.  Not expect anything out of this world.   Not feel like we are royalty from the first world who is coming to save the lost world.  We are simply 7 Christ-followers who are called to simply be used of God.

And that is what we will do.

So today started with church at Camino de Vida.  We went to their satellite campus in Mia Flores which is held IN A CASINO!  AMEN!!!  What better place to hold church than a place that NEEDS church!

Once worship was complete, we took a small tour of the city.  We went to the city square and saw the presidential palace.

Once that was done, we left to go see a Franciscan cathedral and catacombs.  This church, from the 16th century, is the home of thousands of remains from past Peruvians.

After we spent time at the cathedral, we headed to the final church service of the day.  This service was held at their main campus, a place they may be leaving to expand.  Unfortunately, they don’t have a new place yet in mind.  If anyone in Peru is reading this, please consider providing the land or money for CdV to grow.  This is a church that is doing amazing, kingdom work in the city of Lima and beyond.   The second church service is much more upbeat than the first and is geared toward the young-20s crowd.  The music was more intense.  The fast songs were faster and the slow songs sung with intense passion.  Pastor Robert, the founder of CdV, was the pastor tonight.  He was ON FIRE!  It was amazing to hear him speak.  I’ve heard him a few times in the past, in both Peru and in the USA, and every time I leave feeling the power of the Holy Spirit invading me!

Today, overall, was an easy day.  We simply were tourists today.  Our group felt a little torn about a day of tourism.  We ARE on a missions trip after all.  But let me explain my view on this.  In order for a missionary to truly be effective, the missionary needs to understand both the culture and the people.  You cannot truly do that without being immersed into the culture.  That means you eat where Peruvians eat, shop where Peruvians shop, and visit some of Peru’s cultural landmarks.  Understanding that will help the missionary integrate with the people easier.

Ephesians 4:2-5 – With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism

In the end, our frustrations of the night prior faded away as we washed ourselves in the power of the Holy Spirit.  That is how it should be.  Our first world problems cannot prevent us from being God’s ambassadors to this church in Peru.  We need to shine for Christ and Christ alone.

Tomorrow will begin the hard work.  We will be rebuilding a church in a very dangerous neighborhood that serves as a drug rehabilitation center and light of the Gospel of Christ.