Escuela de Jesús y Selva Aventura

This week, I sit in amazement of Peru, and rightly so:)
Over last weekend, our work with the city teens and leaders came to a peak as we finally put on three VBS programs nearby. One was up in a hill next to the Buen Pastor church, one was out in a town called Chuchopompa, and the third was in a little village called Yanamayo. All three of them required us to work together with our local friends, lean on eachother and be extremely flexible as we poured our hearts into the kids we were teaching. Our theme was "¿Quién es Dios?" or "Who is God?" This was the question that the teens pointed out to us as crucial for the children to understand here- starting with the basics because chances were the children would know very little about Jesus, the Father, or the Bible. We started with games, performed a puppet show that the teens had written themselves, and then step by step explained who God was from the Bible story..."God is creator", "God is Just", "God is Jesus"....It was a blast, interactive, and more than anything a chance to do ministry alongside the teens that we've been building relationships with this summer. I sit smiling as I write, being reminded of their hearts for God and joy in doing whatever He invites them to do. The people here are precious.

The second big adventure we've had in the past few days was a trip to village of Agua de Nieve (Snow Water), a coffee-farming village out in the heart of the Peruvian jungle. It took three or four hours for us to get there, winding through the mountains and stunned speechless as we gazed out our windows. The grandeur was overwhelming, and by the time we reached our destination I was deeply humbled by the God who can move those same mountains. The people who hosted us were beautiful and so welcoming, showing us their crops, their way of life and their world. We were able to have dinner with the "Pastora" of the village who shared her testimony with us, as well as lunch the next day with another village friend who served us jungle fruit, fresh cheese and fried bananas. Everything from their own gardens and everything served, not out of abundance, but out of a sincere desire to bless us.  We also helped sort through bags of coffee beans in the local church and learned much about how hard these farmers work for the coffee they serve us- note: literally the best coffee I have ever tasted in my life. It was a precious adventure and time to really learn of J.R.'s ministry in agriculture there. It brought smiles to our faces as we paused along our way time and time again to greet another friend, another familiar face, listening to J.R. shouting out name after name and watching the brilliant smiles unfold on each face as they received that remembrance and love. Beautiful for countless reasons, Charis and I returned blessed to overflowing from our jungle journey.

We have exactly a week left in Peru as I write this. On one hand, it seems absurd that six weeks have flown by so fast. On the other hand, I can't believe that the abundance of things I've learned here could have been stuffed into that short of a time. The next few days are simply crammed with last moment adventures and goodbyes so we'll see if I have time to write again before our plane takes off. As for now, thank you for your prayers over the VBS programs, thank you for your prayers during our sickness, and above all please be praising God for the answers He has poured out in response to those petitions. You have blessed me richly- thank you for such beautiful love :)
In Jesus Christ,
Kelly

Hearts Open

14 Days left in Tarma, Peru. And its crunch time.

Last week was a fairly relaxed one for everyone here. Lots of learning with the conference, blessings in friendships and laughter etc. But this week is both a continuation of some ministries (Huaricolca, church) as well as the culmination of multiple things we've been working on with the teens and churches here- exciting and also overwhelming.
One thing coming up is a VBS program that we are planning to run at three separate places this weekend. One here in Tarma and two more a ways from the city in small farming villages. It has been so amazing to work alongside these passionate teens and be humbled by their heart for God. We started with asking what kinds of things the kids here don't know about God, or what would be best to teach about, then went step by step asking for their input, guidance and leadership as we pulled together a program. Needless to say I'm excited to see how this weekend will turn out :) Please be asking that the Holy Spirit would be at work, both in us and in the villages we travel to!

Its been sad thinking about leaving this place so soon. One of our friends walked into the church last night looking discouraged, and when we asked her what was wrong she leaned over to hug my shoulder and whispered "You are both leaving so soon. I don't want you to go." It was heartfelt and rung so true in our hearts as well. The relationsips and ministries we've been involved in have been beautiful and precious in countless different ways. The good news however is recognizing that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We will see eachother again, whether on this earth or the next one. And besides, we still have two more weeks! I want to be here in this moment, heart open and eyes wide to see what more the Lord will do in 14 days. We wait in eager expectation:)

One last thing..Charis and I haven't been feeling the greatest these past couple days and with all thats going on it would be good to have the energy we need. Taking it easy today and we'll see if tomorrow looks any better :) Please keep us in your prayers!

Thank you again for all of your prayers this summer. So many have been answered and it has significantly grown my faith in our Father when I recognize His arm's reach. In healing, in focus, and in the times when I sense His smile and care through those I've encountered being here. I am beyond blessed by you:) Thank you.

Mosaic

Back in Tarma again :)

Holy goodness, this last week has been incredible. Charis and I have been overwhelmed by new blessings, new people and new places in the last few days and I would love to share those with you:

Sunday- In the morning Charis and I taught Sunday School at one of the local churches (andof course by "we" I mean Charis spoke and I colored:), and were then picked up by a couple friends to head out into the countryside for a baptism service. The spot was out a little ways from town at the mountains' foothills, surrounded by fields and farmlands and covered in a brilliant summer sunshine. The wind kept us cool as we sang and rejoiced overthe new births taking place in the "río pequeño" below us. One of our closest girlfriends and the pastor's son were both baptized, as well as a couple others. Afterwords, we shared a "small" picnic together under the startling blue sky, singing and laughing and simply rejoicing in what the Lord has done. It is a memory I will never forget :)

Monday- Charis and I headed out to a city a few hours away to take part in the last few days of a missionary conference which the Crouse family (our host) has been taking part in the last two weeks. We arrived Monday night and took part in all of the seminars on...

Tuesday- It was powerful to be "surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses" as we learned, shared and celebrated together about all that God has been showing us in the past two weeks. We talked mostly about cultural values and how to not only step into another country, but also to learn from their culture, recognizing how we often taint Jesus' message with our own background and perspectives, and learning how to avoid that. So many things that were shared helped Charis and I pull together the different things we've observed these past few weeks, both about Tarma and also about ourselves. I realized that part of my American mentality is to be defined by what I do, what my job is, and that when stepping into another culture (aka Peru) it has felt crippling to not have something specific to be doing. But as I recognized the fact that that is okay in the past two weeks, I've also come to realize that it is a really good thing that we are not necessarily needed for something specific here. Thats healthy. We need eachother as brothers and sisters in Christ, to learn from, to grow with, and to work alongside, but other than that, these past few weeks have been about relationships with the people around us more than us doing anything for them. And it is in that kind of relationship and connection building that we really begin to see the face of Christ. An incredible mosaic built of innumerable broken, tainted pieces, which only begin to show the grand beauty when they are placed side by side. Alone these pieces are only fragments, but together, they create the closest imitation of Christ we will ever be priviledged to see here on earth.
 
Wednesday- Tonight at church Charis, myself, J.R. and Becky have been invited to share what we learned from our time at the conference. A little nervous to speak in front of a congregation in Spanish but I pray that through my broken attempt at least God will recieve the glory we're trying to give Him.

One more thing- I just wanted to share something the conference speaker finished our last session with. God is so good and I am feeling more encouraged by His correcting and guidance every day. Thanks for reading and please continue to keep us and Tarma in your prayers!

"Though I speak in the dialect of the people I serve and can preach with the eloquent power of a fiery evangelist; though as a surgeon I can operate with skill; though as an agriculturalist I can raise high-grade river rice; though as a teacher I can deliver spell-binding, learned lectures, but do not have love, my message is empty...
Love, if it is genuine in the life and work of a missionary, is patient and constructive; it does not seek for position and prestige. Love is glad to see a competent national in charge, and envies not. Love seeks to train an indigenous leadership; it does not cherish inflated ideas of its own importance; it is never anxious to impress. Love tries to identify with people and is never arrogant or ethnocentric...
Unless we are prepared to adapt and change, we shall have defenders of an old system but no new voice; institutional caretakers but no truth seekers; we shall have preachers but no prophets. We shall keep the bush primly pruned by hired gardeners using expensive equipment, but within the bush there will be no burning fire...
Love that trusts like little children never fails. Large institutions may cease; even heavily subsidized schools and colleges that impart knowledge may close. And if wisdom gained there fails to lead students to Christ the Savior, it would be better to entrust such education to the government; for our knowledge is always incomplete without Him who is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." Love that has no other desire but to trust, never fails...
Be sure of this: institutions will pass away, but labor wrought by hands which have shared with those in need, and proclaimed the message of the saving love of Christ, who died and rose again and lives as Lord of Life, will never, never pass away. In this life there are only three enduring qualities: Faith, Hope and Love; these three. But the greatest of these is Love."
-Meditations of a Missionary, by Blaise Levai

Mustard Seeds

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a sower took and planted in his field. Mustard seeds are minute, tiny-but the seeds grow into trees. Flocks of birds can come and build their nests in the branches." -Jesus                                             
So last week I was very discouraged here in Tarma. I was overwhelmed by the hurt that I saw in the world surrounding me, struggling with the frustration of a language barrier and not knowing what the Lord wanted me to do or how to help. This city is so broken, torn by broken relationships and struggling to get by. Lonely children, fathers and mothers who know little to nothing about a God who created them for a love relationship with Him. As Charis and I have been working with a village tutoring program as well as planning a VBS framework alongside a group of teens, its heartbreaking to see the reality that children simply do not understand they can know a Savior, a Heavenly Father who will not leave them, and a best friend. After teaching sunday school this past sunday, Charis and I were walking through the local supermarket when a little girl walked in front of us, pointed to our Bibles and asked "Do you know about God? Can you tell me about Him?" There is hurt here- but at the same time, there is a very great hope for healing, for new life. What has been difficult for me is seeing this hurt on one hand and hope on the other, and yet remaining held back by a barrier of language I am only beginning to understand. Its beautiful to watch Charis explain who Jesus is in a supermarket, or translate pieces of a sermon so I can better understand. But that doesn't help answer the question, "Lord God, why on earth am I here?"

Earlier this week, Charis let me take a look at a new translation of the Bible she has been reading, called "The Voice". Skeptical at first, I looked over the way this translation had been written and was incredibly surprised not only by its accuracy and care but by its attention to the passion of God's Word. I felt as if I were a dry sponge wanting to soak up as much of Gods Word as my energy would let me, and had soon flown through Matthew, learning new things on every page.

As I was reading Matthew 13 on Saturday, God pointed out the verse above to me which had never really caught my attention before, though I'm sure my eyes have looked over it more times than I can count. It pointed out that God's kingdom isn't just about big things or huge projects. It isn't about long sermons or the perfect program. Yes, God can and does use those things. But at the same time, the Lord loves to use the mustard seeds of our faith. The smallest things that come simply from being faithful and full of trust. I mean, who knows, maybe I will fly out of Peru having mastered the art of holding a conversation in Spanish. Probably not. But what God pointed out so clearly is that being in this new place is not so much about the words that I can speak as much as being full of Him, and faithful with what I have been given. Faithful in planting mustard seeds, among His children, in His garden.

This city is still broken, and pieces of it will remain broken until Christ comes back to earth. But I'm learning that God can still bring healing to the small, intimate places of this city, and that He doesn't need my skillset to use me in that. He desires for us to be faithful where ever He has us, and to keep trusting He has a plan for our littlest acts of faith. God is here in Tarma, as He is whereever you are. Please be praying with me for His seeds to take root, and for His love to shine brightly as we listen. Thanks for your prayers so far- Jesus is answering :)

God is at work here in Tarma. And its really obvious.
:D Praise His Name.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers so far- He is hearing, and He is certainly answering.
Please be praying for us this week that the Holy Spirit would continue to be working powerfully...
and I'll share more later :)

Much love,
-Kelly

"We know by experience that His promises are good and that He is abundantly able to supply our needs out of His storehouse where He keeps universes, worlds, moons, stars. In His other storehouse He has grace unbounded, billows of love on oceans of care for His own, mountains of patience and other good things abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Isn't it a crime that we are often so slow to accept these gifts?" -Nate Saint
          

Walking through the city

 So I am beginning to fall in love with this place. It’s been really striking to me the past couple days to see the ways that J.R. and Becky are so connected to this place, these people. We drive around the city running errands and pass five or so people at the very least who recognize and greet them warmly. This city is small enough to be very personal, but not so small that it is claustrophobic. I’m beginning to see the beauty in the buildings and faces as well as the mountains which surround us. This city is precious and beautiful. And I am beyond thankful to be here :)

The past few days have been full and wonderful…yesterday we did a fair amount of work around the house here, including building a little gate to put up below the stairs of our bungalow to keep the puppies out at night. We built it completely out of recycled materials and it turned out wonderfully :) Not huge projects, but continuing to learn about and build relationships with the girls here by doing life together. Charis and I found out yesterday that we will not be moving up higher into the mountains but rather sticking around here in Tarma and just going up to Huaricolca to visit and help with the youth group when they need us. I’m really so excited about this change of plans because it means we will be closer to those we have been building relationships with already, still be able to speak Spanish 24/7 with Rosey the housekeeper, and have so many more opportunities to plug in to ministries here in the city. Continuing to learn to lay down expectations and watch as God makes plans far better than our own :) As J.R. and Becky would say “Make sure to drink your flexi-juice.”



Teaching Sunday School this morning :)

As for today, in the morning  one of the local pastors stopped by after breakfast and talked with us about all sorts of different ministries we will be able to join in with over the next few weeks. So many opportunities! Things such as…running multiple VBS programs with the help of the local youth group; giving our testimonies of why we want to be here in Tarma to one church; leading childrens Sunday school in another…the list goes on. It seems like everywhere I turn, God is opening one more door, tacking on one more blessing.

For example, tonight Charis and I attended the final seminar for a youth conference which is going on just around the corner here. Three children came and picked us up from the house to show us the way and it was such a blast to just walk and talk and even ask questions in Spanish. Not to mention, after arriving at the worship service, we all ate dinner together and a couple girls we walked with asked me if I would tell them my story, my testimony. So for the first time in my life, I shared my entire testimony in another language :) Holy cow-God is crazy powerful. I think this held even more meaning for me because not 24 hours before, Charis and I had been talking about how discouraged I was by this language because all I want to do is learn and connect and I’ve felt trapped by my lack of knowledge. But today God opened multiple doors for me to lean on His strength and humbly speak the best I was able. Realizing that God doesn’t need my eloquence to have His Holy Spirit at work  both in me as well as those around me was extremely humbling as well as needed. I’m so thankful for His encouragement and ability to use the little I have.

So many blessings, so many opportunities. So that His Name may be glorified and not mine :) Lord you are so good.

Reality Everyday (Day 4)

I can't believe we're finally here!
So after 3 days of traveling, Charis and I finally arrived here in the mountain city of Tarma, Peru on wednesday night. It is phenomenally gorgeous here...the view in every direction simply covered in God's glory. We've spent a few days now meeting people and starting to build relationships, which is both delightful and challenging for me. My spanish is coming back slowly but it takes much focus to really understand all of what is being said. That is completely okay:) Its such a blessing to be stepping into a different culture through their language and the people here are so encouraging as I stumble along.

So a few things that have happened since I left New York...
-Monday my Dad and I took a roadtrip from home to Pittsburg, where we spent the night at Charis' cousin's house. Such a delightful night :)
-Tuesday morning we drove to the airport and flew out>> Ft. Lauderdale then Lima.
-J.R. picked us up at the airport Tuesday night in Lima and we spent the night in a lovely little missionary guest house. It was wonderful to talk late into the night with J.R., eating "platas" and being able to hear about his world and passions as well as his huge heart for Peru. Its hard not to love a place when you are introduced to it like that:)
-Wednesday, Charis, J.R. and I traveled from Lima across the Andes mountain peaks to Tarma. Goodness gracious...at 16,000 feet above sea level God's glory was overwhelming. Snow capped mountains overlooking thousands of miles in every direction...incredible.

Something struck me however as we journeyed up and over the peaks. I realized that as incredible as these sights were- marvelous village colors, stunning panoramas and new things to see in every direction, they are not the highlight or purpose of being here. I want to remember this journey isn't about the sights and sounds and tastes. Its about the lives we are welcomed into, the precious families who have invited us in and have so very much to teach us :) As we drove up that mountain road, we were not simply passing villages, houses, fields...we were passing peoples lives. As Charis put it, "These are people's worlds. This is their reality everyday." It put a different spin on the rest of our journey and I'm grateful for that. Now we are settled for a handful of days in Tarma, living and tasting real life here. And its beautiful :)
Saturday we will head from here to live for 2 weeks in Huaricolca, a village up even higher than this. The couple there speaks only spanish so we are terribly excited for that!

My head is exhausted but I am full to the brim with God's joy. I can't wait to begin the small list of things our friends have shown us we can do to be helpful as we learn. Exhausted or not, we are so blessed here, and loved beyond measure.
Gracias Dios. Gracias :)

"Beware when you are obedient to God's will, because you may not ever be comfortable again."

"Sometimes we need to ask ourselves, are we giving of ourselves, or are we just handing out a recipe?"

I found these quotes as I was looking through some old journals from 2010 today. I was struck by how meaningful they were to the journey I will be stepping into tomorrow- a journey not marked by comfort or security but orchestrated by a God far greater than any comfort zone. It would be easy as I head out to be very focused on my self, my perspective, my experience... and to then become confused when I don't see Christ at work. The opposite perspective however, would be to recognize that anything I am or have is already His...and with that knowledge, use the energy He gives me to learn from and love sincerely each person I encounter along my way. Whether its my siblings bright and early, our server at lunch, the baggage man or our flight attendant, I want to be paying attention, looking for opportunities to humbly speak love.

I also just wanted to mention again how incredible our God is in the way He pulls things together. He is huge, He is mighty, and His ways are far beyond our comprehension. I'm still uncertain of what He has planned but I know it is mapped out for every step of our way. Thank you all for your prayers so far and your commitments to pray for us as Charis and I journey out. I want you to know I will be praying for many of you as well, because I recognize that the Lord doesn't need for us to travel far from home to use us where we're at. I look forward to hearing what else He has been up to in your lives by the time I get back home.
Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty. Theres nothing our God cannot do.
Don't forget :)

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Titus 2:7-8

Eight more days to go :)

Tonight I am writing from a cabin bed at Lakeside Christian Camp...I was blessed with an opportunity to come and help out here lifeguarding for a week before I head out to Tarma. I am hoping to really take a breath here if I am able before departure. We read the verses above tonight during the staff's training session.The new camp director used them to share his seriousness of heart when it comes to the integrity of camp this summer and its faithfulness to God's mission here. I wasdeeply encouraged to hear both his seriousness as well as that of the staff members who surrounded me. I may not be working here at camp this summer, but I have confidence in hoping that the Lord will seriously bless Lakeside in enormous, to-the-brim-and-overflowing kinds of ways this summer. I can't wait to hear what those ways are! I knew back in April that the Lord wanted me to lay down this job (as a camp counselor) in faith, so that He could pick up and carry me to where He wanted to use me, but it isn't until His plan begins to unfold in front of my eyes that I begin to see how utterly perfect it is.
So tonight is my moment of sitting in awe :) God, you are incredible.

center of His will
+
time at home
+
moments with camp family
+
journey to another hemisphere, to learn and grow and change
=
I am so blessed.
Thank you Lord Jesus.


And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God...hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. -Romans 5:2,5

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." -James 1:17


TRES SEMANAS MÁS!


It seems strange that three weeks from now I'll be on a long plane flight to another hemisphere. The past few days have been full to the brim as I've been thinking about how very close this trip is.

A friend asked me yesterday if I was all set for Peru, and though I wasn't sure of the answer as far as finances go, it hit me that there were other questions to be answered behind that thought. Am I ready to leave? Ready to be uncomfortable again? Ready to really stretch and change?
As I continued to think about this, slowly a smile began to break across my face. I smiled because it was then I realized that I am not ready to leave home yet. That I am soaking in more blessings right now than I can even express...in big ways and countless little ways...and its going to take me a few weeks to really be able to soak that in, to thank the "Father of lights", and to squeeze His hand tight before we take to the air again.
Everyone keeps telling me "Oh how exciting! You must hardly be able to wait.." and my consistent, predicatable response is "I know! You're right, I'm really excited.." Which is true, in part. But last night I began to understand why that statement sounded so strange in my ears- Those words are not really being truthful to where I'm at. I am excited to be here. I am excited that I am in God's hands, in His plan. And that I'm walking in a way that I hope brings Him glory. But my heart is not ready to fly just yet. And thats okay :)
A friend once told me, "If I'm leaving, it must be because God is finished with me here." And as hard as it was for me to hear those words at the time, I understand the wisdom in her saying that. If the Lord were to change the plan and sweep Charis and I away to Tarma 24 hours from now, it would be alright, great even! I would rejoice because I know His joy and peace I'm experiencing now would travel with me. But right now, the center of His will is exactly where I am. And its good to know I have a little time left, right here, right now.
Its good to know there are three weeks left:)

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty"
-Psalm 91:1

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
                                                              -James 1:5

So its officially ONE month to go till I head out of here, and I have a few praises to share from the last week or so!

First, I recieved my finanacial aid package from Houghton in the mail, with an extra letter telling me that I was being given an extra THOUSAND dollars for next year simply because I'm interested in nursing. Such a huge blessing and answer to prayer! I keep trying to trust and He certainly keeps providing, even if I'm stuggling.

Second, God has been teaching me so much these past couple weeks. Walking with me as I ask question after question that I accumulated this freshman year of school...and patiently guiding my heart as I seek His answers.
Speaking of which, just a little while ago my grandmother shared a piece of wisdom with me based on the verse above. Her advice to me was, "Don't insult God. Ask believing." So clear and concise:) I have been reminded of this short and to-the-point summary of this passage often recently, including times when friends have even texted me this specific verse as encouragement. In my experience God doesnt waste words, and therefore doesnt repeat things unless they are important, so Ive been taking these verses to heart. I realize that I don't have all the answers to this life or where I'm headed next. But I have a God who will walk with me and guide me if only I will ask. Praise His Name :)

Third, I have been overwhelmed with genuine friends and blessings this past week. So many words of encouragement, time taken out to share, and joyful moments from God, reminding me that I have a God who cares about the everyday, "little things". He can take care of those seemingly enormous financial issues and overwheming questions about life...but He also reminded me this week that He's watching the little things of our lives too. That quickly swept away tear, or the tender word of encouragement in the moment it was needed. He sees, He cares, and where ever we're at, He cherishes us.

I pray that what ever you're doing and whatever place you're in today as you read this post, that you would know and remember you are loved just the same.
Love in Christ,
Kelly


p.s. In response to the many questions I've recieved, I'm still not sure what my address will be in Tarma, but if anyone is desiring to send support financially the check can be made out to Harvest Chapel, with Kelly/Peru in the memo, and sent either to myself or

Harvest Chapel
39 Mattison Street
Fredonia, NY
14063
Thanks!

SCALING 
digging in with all my might
praying my fingertips won’t split, because
this milestone is rough to get close to
progression reveals nooks and crannies
depth to the seemingly simple surface of things
and as i learn how to trust myself
letting faith guide my choices on the way up
i begin to fully realize
what this climb entails
how it’s going to change me, strain me
stretch me and test me before i reach
the summit, somewhere
beyond what my eyes can see
and every inch forward means i need
to leave the previous ones behind
since they’re only inches, not who i am now
all that remains on the remains of my past
are some dusty fingerprints

-A.E. Montana

For anyone who doesnt know yet, I am headed on a missions trip to Tarma, Peru this summer. Not just a week or two this time however...I'll be out of country for more than six weeks! I am out-of-my-mind excited because I know without a doubt that this is what the Lord has called me to do, yet I'm also nervous realizing how long seven weeks is. How much I need to trust that the Lord will provide for school next year. How great of a potential this crazy journey has to change me.
I'm full of anticipation, expectation, and joy:)
Please join me in praying as I go!