Cusco

Today 4 friends and I set out on  a journey to Cusco. We are so excited! It's crazy to think that I've already been living in Peru for 2 months. As of now I'm not sure what God has in mind.... whether I come back after Christmas for 1 more semester or whether I get more settled maybe in the city of Banos Del Inca. I don't know I have been praying so much about where God would have me and how I can serve best. For now its just being patient and seeing what God does.
On this trip we would ask that you pray for us to be bold in sharing our faith. That we would be a blessing to the missionaries living there and that as we teach English at the local schools we would have the right words to say. Pray for the hearts of the people of Cusco and all the tourist. We are looking forward to the divine appointments that God has for us.  :)  Thank You all so very much hopefully I will be able to update this again while in Cusco.     

^{This morning I got up a little early and begin to read. It seems to be a rare occasion when I am able to read without any distractions but this morning was/is so peaceful! Such a blessing! Last week went pretty well I was able to work on the walk ways between buildings before the rain comes. I also got  to clean the student’s housing with the help of some friends. Sometimes it’s hard for me to feel like I’m of much use especially when I look around and see so clearly all the gifting of others. But God has been speaking directly on the matter.  Because it’s true I can see other's gifts and my own failures but that doesn't matter… I can come before God with nothing with just my hands and  feet and He will use me. Here’s the thing… God wants us to have a humble and contrite heart, to be obedient and that is better than sacrifice or some grand ministry. I’m not sure what it is in my mind that makes me think I need something more, bigger, or better service to Him? What it comes down to is this if I see a need around me then I should meet that need. If it is in m ability to do, then do it! We serve a marvelous God, a HUGE God, but when it comes to how we serve our lovely finite minds like to complicate things. But as Jesus said all the laws, the prophets, and everything said in the scriptures can all be wrapped up in 2 things, Love God, and love others. The simplicity of it all…..  So those are my thoughts for the week  and I wanted to add some of my reading from the day also some prayer request at the bottom (please feel free to send me message if you have any prayer request as well because I would love to be praying for you)} 

^{Jeremiah  7:9-11} “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury,^[a] burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, ¹⁰ and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things?11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.

^{I feel like this verse is a warning to me and to us all. Not that we've been stealing or murdering, but that maybe  in our hearts we know the good we are supposed to do but haven’t been doing it and then we come before God as if it’s okay… but He is watching. I know I am guilty of this and I’m praying hard for the change in all our lives.}

^{Colossians 2:13-15} When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you^[d]alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴ having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.^[e]

^{Being reminded of this; of our freedom in Christ, it’s so awesome… All that condemns has been nailed to the cross. It is Finished! So here we are ready to live, to love, to serve not under any guilt or compulsion of works “to be righteous” because we know Christ is our righteousness, but simply out of grateful hearts... How good is our God?} J

 Prayer request: October 21-Nov. 1^st is mission’s week and there are a few teams going out to different cities. My team will be going to Cusco, we are so excited, and prayers for boldness and guidance are much appreciated. Again we want to be used in any way He would have us whether it’s talking to people we meet or picking up garbage on the side of the road. But as I lead this trip I would ask for wisdom first and foremost; especially for decision making. Thank you so much!