There are so many things about that trip that were special to me. The main purpose of the trip was to get local Bible studies started in several small villages, and to identify a few key leaders who could be Bible teachers in each village. We presented the gospel many times.
One time in particular stands out to me. I was with about 3 other men at a school, and we were talking to mainly older elementary-high school age, all in one room (it was mostly older kids). It was a "Q and A" type of situation, and a student asked "Why are you here?" We all took turns answering, and each of us gave a spiritual answer, leading into the Gospel. I ended up going to get my Dad, because I was intimidated by the thought of sharing the gospel to a crowd. I still wish to this day I had stepped up and let God speak through me, because I know He would have! Learn from that story--when God opens a door for you, walk through it! I truly believe that God was honored through the whole trip, and I'm not ashamed or filled with guilt over it; but if I'm ever in a situation where the opportunity presents itself, I will be prompted to remember that story.
I started thinking about the trip for some reason tonight and found a website that had pictures of a certain lodge that we stayed in at the end of our trip. Now, let me say this first: our conditions for the entire trip were severely, SEVERELY primitive. No bathing for 6-7 days, sleeping bags on hard floors, definitely no plumbing. I'm not saying that we deserved to stay somewhere nice, because the villagers lived like that all the time. But I wanted to share that so no one would think we stayed in luxe accommodations the entire mission trip. It was the POLAR opposite!
For the last 1-2 days of the trip, we went to the village of Vinac and stayed at "The Refuge." I've never loved a shower so much in my life! We played many games of Uno, stayed up and talked around the fire while drinking Coca tea, and took in God's majesty around us. It was some of the most pure worship I've known. We celebrated what God had done the past week, and ministered to the village of Vinac. The name of the lodge/resort was appropriate for us, because after a long week, it served as our refuge. But it was also a reminder that especially for the people of the Andes, God is the only real refuge we have. We must make our homes and hearts in Him.
Some of my personal pictures from the trip (I need to find and scan the rest!).
This was one of the many adorable, beautiful, heart-stirring babies I met on the trip. Her mother looked younger than me. She was bundled up, even though the weather was fair, so she wouldn't get sunburned. Now that I look at her, she reminds me of Evy.
Me with my dad in Lima (the big city) the night before we went up into the mountains for the week. We were at TGI Friday's. Haha!
Me and Lindsey, the other girl on the trip with me. This was how we rode around Lima, which made for some interesting times!
I love remembering what God did up in the mountains 6 1/2 years ago (wow). I am convicted that I should be serving Him so much more!
5 comments:
Hey Ashley--
Oh yes, I most definetly read your blog still! At one point, I was reading so many fashion blogs every day that I took a few of the personal blogs off my list in order to make the list not so long. At the time, you weren't updating very often (I think you were sick...?) so I removed you, but still follow you in google reader. And actually, I have a huge long email in the works to you all about vbacs and homeschooling (see, THIS is why I love doing lunch with friends: sooo much to talk about and enough time to do it!) but am behind on all things correspondence (thank you notes, Christmas cards, letters) and haven't gotten around to finishing that email yet. I'll try to get that finished soon though!
:-)
Evy is such a doll!
Gorgeous views!
She DOES favor your Evy! What great memories of a God who is here AND in Peru and in the hearts of all who serve Him.
My first mission trip was to Peru. It was life changing!
I went on a mission trip to Mexico in highschool that impacted me similarly. I love the pictures! It amazes me that we get to live in comfortable, safe homes while other people live in such poverty. Yet, often, they are very content.
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