It has been an exciting first couple of days in Peru. After arriving late Sunday night in Lima the summer team then had take an hour and half bus ride to the place where orientation took place. This training was held at a local church and lasted until this Saturday. The community we were in was surrounded by mountians all around and already I am marveling at the majesty of our God in creation. I am sure that as I travel through the Andes more and more of God´s glory in creation will captivate me to my very depths.
During this orientation Dr. David Sills from Southern Seminary taught us about the missionzary call and the adverstities of sharing the gospel in another culture. This is not the United States and all the expository methods for sharing the gospel, i.e. the Roman Road, just will not work, the people will not comprehend. The approach needs be reproducable so bible storying is at the heart of how the missionaries here are taking the gospel to these people. My eyes have been opened and it is a far more difficult task than I had ever expected. But by God´s grace these various groups throughout southern Peru will fall desperatley in love with Jesus and in such a way that it transforms their life and the lives of others in their village.
My role this summer is to do research and I am accompanied in this endeavour by two girls that I have recently met. Thankfully both of these girls, one who did research last summer and the a journeyman in Peru, are excellemt Spanish speakers and are carrying me along in my horrendous knowledge of the language. I am diligently trying to learn and hope I will be able to commumicate effectively later in the summer. The two girls I am with are amazing and it will surely be my honor to work with them all summer.It has also been great to get to know several of the other summer missionaries who are serving in various villages throughout Peru. What a joy to be surrounded by Godly men and women whose one desire is to make the name of Jesus known in all nations for the glory of the Father.
I have arrived back in Lima today after orientation and will be staying until Monday, during which time our research team(aka Team Hussey as we have decided upon)will be planning our travel route. I am excited yet nervous but am looking forward to the months to come. My heartbeat and prayer for this summer is ¨God give us Peru and do it such a way that only you get the glory.¨
