Four Months!

 
It’s hard to believe four month passed by so fast! And now that I’m home, well honestly I can’t wait to go back. Peru has a way of capturing your heart that’s for sure. The culture is just so inviting and they are ready and willing to hear about Jesus. While these last four months have not been what I expected, they have opened many new opportunities. Originally I thought I would be working on starting a hydroponic garden system and a small farm for a Bible college, well God had different plans. At first I was really upset about not doing what I had been looking forward to, but in the end I’m glad it worked out this way. I spent the last few months helping out the college in other ways like building pathways, hauling rocks, and starting a compost pile. It was hard work but I was glad to do it. I also started getting involved in a church called Refugio or “Refuge”. It’s a small church but it’s sincere and that’s what I love about it. Recently I was asked by the Pastor to serve there helping with worship, children’s ministry, and maybe even starting an after school program. I’m really excited for this opportunity! In Oswald Chamber’s “The Utmost for His Highest” he speaks of gracious uncertainty and I feel I'm beginning to understand that more and more. Although I’m unsure of what the future holds I’m certain of who holds it and in that I rest. I will be headed back to Peru January 7th not knowing how long I will be there or what will happen next. But in the mean time I wanted to send out an update and just say thank you so much for all of you who made this possible. I can’t express how grateful I am. I pray for you that this Christmas would be a time of remembrance of all that God has done in and through your life. Merry Christmas and God bless!

~Brandy~

Psalm 117

It seems like so much has happened since I last wrote. Well first things first Cusco… Wow… God definitely stretched us all on that trip. The beginning was extremely hard. If there’s one lesson that God drove home on that trip it’s simply this…. “Daniel” the meaning of Daniel is “God is my judge” In other words God knows my heart and no matter what other people think of me I can rest in that.

Here’s a quick run through of our days in Cusco…   6:30 wake up, Breakfast, Devos clean house, then we would head to a school to help teach English until lunch. After lunch we would head out to the plazas to perform dramas or simply talk with people and invite them to church… come home around 6-7 eat/clean then do it again!

 It was such a blessing to be able to help teach English, and doing the dramas was pretty rad as well! The first night we went out, after we performed we walked around and asked people if they understood or if they had questions. One of the girls in our group was able to share her testimony with a girl named Jackie who then accepted the Lord as her Savior. They ended up meeting up later on in the week and brought her to Wednesday night Bible study. So cool! The funny thing about this trip is that we went to Machu Picchu. (which I think in general is how we got dubbed tourist) lol but anyway on that trip we were given so many divine appointments to talk with people. God is so very good! On the train each of us where assigned seats separately so we got to sit with people from all over the world literally... Kyana got to sit with a guy that was from Mexico, Amy got to sit with a guy from France, and I sat with a lady who originally was from Peru but lives in Venezuela. It was so neat to talk with these people and encourage them. What was even cooler was that we got to see them later as we walked around Machu Picchu. Davy who I sat next to ended up seeing me right before we were leaving and we got to continue our conversation about the Bible. She was catholic and although she owned a Bible had never read it for herself. (she didn't think she needed to) so as we said goodbye she told me, "I will read John as soon as I get home!"  I was so excited.

It's just so cool how God works. It doesn't matter if you have a sermon set out, or even an incredible drama to do.... what really matters is your heart and where it's at. Are you willing to take the opportunities that God has given you in your daily life? I know I have not been so faithful in this but I am trying hard to take every moment and use it for his glory. He is faithful and if you are willing he will do crazy things through your life. God is so awesome!

that windy path is the road for the bus!

He is faithful!

Psalm 117

1 Praise the Lord, all you nations;
    extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord.

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!

Thankful

Are you thankful for internet? When I realized how thankful I was for internet by living without it  then the electricity went out and I had to think... Am I thankful for electricity?....    Are you thankful for hot water? When we only have freezing cold water it can be hard but I am thankful.... and then the water went out...  How thankful are you for water? In the states you can drink the water from the faucet are you thankful for that?   It is truly a blessing to be able to do that. We have been pumping by hand water through a filter for about 50 ppl  it can be intense and sometimes we run out. It's so crazy. But at the same time as going through these small inconveniences my eyes have been opened. Last weekend a group of friends and I were out having a good time we got some desserts and then we walked through the plaza when a little girl came up to us.  She was 7 years old her name was Mariamilagro "Mary miracle" she was selling gum. It broke our hearts because not only was it about 10:30 pm and she was by herself, but also it seemed as if she had been drugged. Her mannerisms were very strange. We asked her where her parents were she just pointed over there and then crawled in my friend Amy's lap. She just wanted to be loved. It was so hard because we had to leave to get back to the college. But I wanted to go to her parents and then I realized that wouldn't change anything... they are using her to sell stuff they aren't going to stop. In this situation what do you do? We prayed and are continually praying but I so wanted to take action I just don't know what that would look like. And once again I am reminded to be thankful for all that I have been given...

 I had just went through the Thousands Gifts Bible study before I came to Peru which is all about being thankful. It basically shows you that when you are giving thanks to God for all things your whole attitude and perspective changes. Right now God has been speaking in volumes on this subject.

Each morning when I wake up I look out at most amazing view and I am completely aware of God's presence. It truly is incredible, and for that I couldn't be thankful enough... I think about where God has me right now and the blessing of being supported by so many loving friends and family and I am speechless. There are so many more things I want to share but they will have to wait until next time I have internet. For now I would just ask that you could pray for us living here for heart changes, for action, and for all the kids on the street for protection, love, and salvation. Thank you all! Rest in His presence today.

Journey

Alright so once again I have made it to the coffee shop with internet! :) funny to think it wasn't that long ago when Internet didn't exist let alone become so vital. Anyhow I just wanted to give you guys an update, the building is very much still a work in progress and we appreciate prayers for that and for the finances to continue. God has been working on me  so much over the past 3 weeks, on patience, on compassion, and just simply remembering that my identity is in Him.

I've been reading the book, “The Alchemist” (shout out to the Green’s Thank you so much!!!) It is so interesting… For those of you who haven’t read it; it is basically a book about one’s personal journey. The main character is a young boy, a mere shepherd. As he lives out his life he runs into many different circumstances only to find out that each situation furthered his journey or played a part in making his journey.  I Love how at first he doesn't even know what his journey is or what his goal is. But as time goes on things become clear. Through every trial he faces he is able to see the good it brought about because he so clearly knows what he’s after and that nothing can stop it from happening (well except for him that is).

That is how I want to look at life as well. It is one grand journey and there is purpose in everything. This week has been an interesting one to say the least; I had thought I lost my purse with a couple hundred soles in it on Monday. Great way to start off the weak haha, but again I could clearly see Gods providence in it. So I realized it was missing Monday night and I had just come in from town so I knew exactly where I was and where it would be if I had misplaced it. So Tuesday morning I set out by myself I got tired of waiting for a combie (public transportation) so I started walking. As I walked I had plenty of time to think and to pray. My prayer was something like this, “Lord, I know you know exactly where my purse is, please let me have it back, the money is yours to begin with it, so if it’s not for me then let whoever has it need it more than me”, said with a heavy sigh. As I walked about 20 minutes a combie finally came and I jumped on, I was squished in the back with some of the ladies that worked up in the mountains so I opened my Spanish Bible and asked the lady sitting next to me if she knew of John 3:16 she said she did but it was obvious she was annoyed with me I asked her what she thought eternal life was, she wouldn't respond so I read John 17:3 and then I was silent and so was she…  As I got off that combie and caught the next one that would take me to Banos del Inca (the city I was in the day before) I was trying to prepare myself for the worst.  I asked the store clerk if they had seen my purse and he knew what it looked like but he thought I left it in the taxi, in other words  it’s gone.

I stepped outside and cried… I felt so stupid, I am normally on top of these types of things, and I clearly remember making sure I had everything with me….  Oh well I had to move on, “He gives and takes a way…”   right? So I finally pulled myself together *and bought some ICE cream J then waited for a combie again to go home…  I waited for 40 minutes and during that time I met a guy my age named Roman. We talked about the city, the mountains, and how bad my Spanish is but I was also able to invite him to church (our church used to be a bar called the Chilling bar so it is super easy to invite people because everyone knows where it is!) He told me he is coming! I am so excited! I had to think, “If I lost my purse just in order for one person to come to church then hey that is totally worth it.” Well after that I realized no combies were coming so I had to take a Taxi I normally don’t take Taxi’s especially by myself but this was a rare case. I found a Taxi who gave me a really good deal and during the 25 minutes we had the best conversations ever. He liked to read the Bible every once in a while but he had no idea what eternal life was.  He thought it was similar to how we live now. Again I shared John 17:3 and I tried my best with the Spanish I have to explain that eternal life is wrapped up in knowing God, that it is about a relationship not a religion.  After he dropped me off I felt such peace and contentment knowing that if I hadn't lost my purse I would have never had those conversations or met those people. God is good. Now the next thing to happen was completely off my radar. 

One of my friends, Paula told me she thinks she found my purse in her room. I was super excited but at the same time I didn't want to get my hopes up because well, to be honest I didn't really think it would be there and plus I've been on way too much of an emotional roller coaster lately. To my surprise we walk in and there it is… My purse with all the money in it… I have no idea why I brought it in there and left it in there but all I could say was, “Thank you Jesus!!!”

So crazy… and I’m so thankful. He is teaching me so much right now and stretching me like crazy. Please pray for boldness in my faith that I would trust Him entirely. And if there is anything I could be praying for you for feel free to leave a comment or message me I would love to be able to lift you up in my prayers as well.  :) 

Here I am

Hey so it has been a while, and writing in here is much more difficult than I thought it would be. Where we live we do not have internet and to get internet its about a 30 minute Combie (bus) ride into town... So here I am sitting at a coffee shop much like the ones we have in the states. I am so thankful for this place!!! First off I would like to say I LOVE being in PERU....   honestly I am so grateful to all of you who helped make this possible it has been such a blessing to be here. But things are not easy per say.. lol  upon arrival we had no electricity for 3 days it was a bit crazy... the construction is not near as far along as I had expected which means my "gardening plans"  have been put on hold.... in  the meantime I'm being used as a "landscaper" never something I had ever thought I would be?! lol God has funny ways of changing our plans.

 I have been trying to keep a positive attitude, but its been really hard. I so want to be used but I haven't really felt very helpful or even able?  I don't know I would so appreciate your prayers!  well I wanted to update you more but the cafe is closing and (we only have internet there) so  I have to go..... but I hope to update more soon!    I love you guys and miss you all dearly!!!  Pray pray pray!!!!     Thank you!!!!

"Here I  am...."   -my prayer....