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!
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