a few random pictures!

I finally got a few pictures uploaded!! They are very random, but I will explain. The group picture is my host family, and Emily, my roommate. The pic with me looking life a goof ball wearing that bandana, apron and gloves is my "clothes washing" attire LOL! The arches are in La Plaza de Armas: one of our favorite places in Arequipa. And the pic of me wearing a plastic flamingo nose is from orientation in California :)

Sorry these are so random. Since this actually worked (downloading pictures) I will attempt to do so from now on. In the past it had failed, so I just picked some this time. Hope they make you laugh, and I hope you all are having amazing nights! Chau!

Oh yes, there is more!

Changes...

I have decided to try one-on-one instruction, as opposed to the group setting I have been in over the last month. I started my second week of it today. The hours change a little, but it presents a possible better situation. Things I loved about the group class setting: it is great learning this new language with my friends, it is good to have others to bounce ideas and questions off of, and it is good for conversation and community. BUT... I just don't know if I am learning as well as I could be. It is a little selfish to think of it this way, but our teacher teaches at the rate of the class as a collective unit, rather than my rate of learning. Obviously that is how classes go. But since we only have three months here, and that time is already half over, I just want to make sure I am utilizing my time to the max! So... I am going to be trying the one-on-one instruction. So far it is working out very well, and God has definitely used this opportunity for me to get to speak with Julissa, my teacher, about our awesome Creator!

Prayer request/ HUGE blessing...

I am so very grateful for those who are already supporting me financially. It is so important to be furthing God's kingdom while we are here on Earth. But, when I left for Peru I had raised JUST enough money to meet the minimum requirements. However, I still need about $3000 for flights back home and continued support for this venture. I have been praying about this, knowing that God is going to continue to provide in His timing, and I also posted something about it on my Facebook profile. Well... one of my monthly supporters is a Face friend of mine, and had seen my prayer request for funding. He told his church about it-- his church is also a supporter of mine-- and asked that they be praying about the situation. That night the church happened to have a man come and speak, and when he heard about what I was doing in Peru, and my need, he asked the church to donate his "payment" to me instead. When I received an email informing me of this, it brought me to tears. This man, who is a complete stranger to me, felt called to give. I just... continually am amazed at the faithfulness of others. Even though I am physically in Peru learning the language and will be planting these churches, it is EVERYONE here in faith. Without your continued prayers and support it would not be possible. God is so BIG, and it is awesome to see His children following Him!

That's all I have for now... I will try to not let two weeks pass before the next one :)

A glimpse at my future...

Sorry it has been a while since my last blog... It seems like there are never enough hours in the day LOL. Such is life, I suppose. Anyway, my apologies. I really do appreciate everyone that is following me and supporting me, and I do want you to be updated on what is happening in my life! On that note... here I go.

Two weekends ago I had the opportunity to travel to Cuzco, Peru to help serve with the short-term volunteers through Extreme Nazarene Ministries. Let me just tell you.... it was EYE-OPENING to get a glimpse at my future over the next two years!!

First, the actual view of the city is breath-taking. The mountains were so green and covered as far as the eye could see.

A short-term trip came down to Cuzco with the specific mission of building my future home; the place where all 12 40/40's and our cluster support family will live while we are planting churches in Cuzco. Talk about humbling!! People paid money and took time out of their lives just to build us a home... they believe so much in what we are doing, and the purpose of Extreme, to build us a beautiful home. It really makes you appreciate everything you have, and are given. And a sidenote... the view from our home is going to be AMAZING. Waking up to more mountains is so exciting to look forward to!

While we were in Cuzco, we were able to help with some outreach events. The first main one was putting on a children's festival in one of the markets in Cuzco. We had balloons, face painting, games, puppet shows and, most importantly, an opportunity for the kids to choose to follow Jesus. And... I cannot describe in adequate words the emotions I felt when all these kids raised their hands, and prayed the prayer, accepting Jesus into their hearts and lives forever. Who knows how many chances people will get to hear about our amazing Creator, and these children stepped up and said "yes, I want more for my life and the life after." SOOOOO amazing.

The other huge outreach event during that weekend was at a house for young mother's and their children. This place is called Mantay (please keep it in your prayers), and we found out that this facility is only one of two places in all of Peru for this specific purpose. The other one is in Lima, Peru. Mantay is able to support/hold 16 mothers and their children. If you think about the number of prostitutes in Peru, the number of unplanned pregnancies, the number of sexually abusive relationships.... 16 people is such a small number. But they are trying.... This place really hit my heart, because I have such a passion for stopping abuse, and for helping people like these young girls. I say "girls" because the mothers that stay at Mantay are between the ages of 12-18 years old. It breaks my heart seeing a 12 year old girl carrying a 1 year old child.

We were able to see where these girls live, and then hang out with them afterwards. We showed the Jesus film to them and one of the Extreme volunteers gave her testimony in an effort to relate to these girls. There was a point in the evening where we offered for anyone that want to, to become a part of the body of Christ, and to take on a pure role in this life, acknowledging that God has a better way and plan for their lives than the abuse or situations they had been part of in the past. And wouldn't you know it.... every single girl accepted Jesus as their savior!!! I was crying. I cannot even tell you.... God rocks!!!

The really cool thing about Mantay is that, since we are actually going to be living in Cuzco for 18 months, we can actually follow up with them and do several things with these girls!! Some of us were throwing around ideas of doing a women's bible study there or doing activities for the kids. Nothing is set in stone, but it was awesome to get a glimpse at where I get to serve over the next few years!!

God is doing amazing things in Peru. He has already been working, and I am so humbled to be part of it!

Reflection, one month in...

Reflecting on this journey so far... one month in.

Faith, and understanding...

Up until last week, I was hit harder than I have ever been with spiritual attacks. Partly because Satan knew that I was going to be doing amazing things here, and he wanted to try to stop my progress. But, part of these attacks were brought on by myself. By things that I had not taken care of in my heart and in my head, even though I was unaware of them. It began to slowly eat at my spirit, and bring me down. I have loved this month in Peru so far, but I know that I have not been the most amazing person to be around at times because my attacks were rubbing off on how I treated others. This fact hurts my heart more than the attacks themselves did because I hate to think that I have already missed opportunities to truly represent a Christ-like spirit. I say this because I am being honest... I want everyone to know that it is not easy being here in Peru, and it takes constant reflection of self to make sure that our priorities are in check and we are 100% here for God. I have, thankfully, been released from these attacks and I finally feel like the real Jaclyn is in Peru. My heart, head and spirit are here, and we're not going anywhere :) I am sure that Satan will try to attack again, as we are going to be doing more and more amazing things as this journey continues. However... God has my back! And I'm ready :)

Language...

Spanish, oh spanish... why do you have so many rules? :) Actually, I have been very excited about my progress in learning this new language. It is still a bit difficult for me, and there is a lot we have not covered yet, but I am encouraged daily at my ability to at least hold minimal conversations with my host family, as well as my other classmates. I sometimes hit ruts where I hate spanish and don't ever want to hear another word, and just sit in silence, but I remember that this is not for me, but for the work God is going to do through me. And in order to do this and reach these amazing people, I need to be able to speak to them. God has continued to give me strength and peace through these difficult moments. It helps that I can laugh at myself :)

God's blessings in the form of amazing people...

I have been blessed with many amazing women surrounding me here in Peru, keeping me accountable, praying for me, encouraging me and loving on me like God knows I need. He surely has been good and faithful in His promises to love and protect and carry me through this journey.

Please pray...

We have a new person joining our team in April... Blake. Our group has already started praying for him and his journey down to Peru, but I am sure he could use all the prayers he can get, so please... those of you reading this, take a moment to pray for Blake and the people that he is going to help to know our amazing Savior!

$20 gets you 16.29 ice cream cones!!

It's March!! Can you believe it? I can't believe that we are starting our second month in Peru already-- how time has flown! It has definitely been interesting and exciting to learn about the city... how it works, finding favorite shops to visit, which combies (buses) to take and so on...

For kicks and giggles, while talking to my parents over skype the other night, I calculated how many ice cream cones I could get here for $20.00. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could get 16.29! There is an ice cream place in Arequipa called Artika, and we frequently go their to get helado (ice cream). My favorite is menta, which is mint chocolatey goodness! I have set up a budget for my monthly stipend, in order to make sure that I am being smart and using it for things I need. However, you would be surprised how easily it puts a smile on my face just to get an ice cream cone :) It's one of those small things in life that keep you sane through the moments when you hate Spanish or are frustrated with new things that are different and uncomfortable. Of course, I am depending on God far more than the ice cream cones :)

Sorry so short... I need to study! More updates to come :)