"The whole life of a Christian should be nothing but praises and thanks to God; we should neither eat nor sleep, but eat to God and sleep to God and work to God and talk to God, do all to His glory and praise."-Richard Sibbes

Festival de Niños

Festival de Niños

This last weekend we had our first Festival de Niños at Refugio.  We weren't sure what to expect, but the Lord blessed it and we were so excited with the turn out. It was a two day event starting on friday for a couple hours and then on saturday from 10am-1pm.  Unfortunately during the week, there was a protest and school was canceled during the week so many of the kids were not able to attend on saturday.  On friday 40+ kids showed up along with a few moms.  On saturday we had 20+ kids, but with more moms.  One of the gentle men who attends church on sunday mornings came and hung out with us for a while and watched the festivities.  The Bible college students served their hearts out and the kids were blessed.  We had face painting and balloons and a bunch of snacks.  We focused in on the birth of Jesus on friday and then saturday on the life of Jesus.  The kids and the moms heard a clear presentation of the gospel and we are praying that the seeds are planted and the Lord would bring them to harvest.

The Lord has been faithful and our children's ministry on sunday morning has been averaging around 18 kids.  Sunday service we have on average 5-6 locals attending and listening to the teaching of God's word as we go through 1st Thessalonians.  Please continue to pray for the people of Baños del Inca and the area of Cajamarca.

Faithful is the Lord!

In front of the building with our worship pastor and his family.

 We had our first service this morning and to God be the glory.  We had 5 local Peruvians come and listen to the study.  We also had 10 kids show up at our children's ministry.  The Lord has brought together such a great team!  We are blessed and humbled by all the help that we have received and blessed and humbled that God has called us to serve here in Peru.

    I read this psalm this morning and it blessed my heart:

         "Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name."
(Psalm 61:1-5 ESV)                                                            

We have refuge in Jesus!  We have a place of shelter!  How wonderful to know that we have a safe haven in God Himself.  This is why we felt led to name our fellowship and kid's ministry Refugio.  We want everyone to know this place of rest which is found in Jesus through His Word. Please be praying for our ministry and for the people that the Lord brought and will bring.  Be in prayer for the faithful servants that God has raised up. Here is a list: Ivan and his family, who are such an incredible blessing for us.  Truly like minded and full of Jesus, without them we wouldn't be were we are at.  Natalie who is taking on the great task of children's ministry. Viviana who has such a heart for Cajamarca.  Victor who is in Lima at this point, but we are praying the Lord opens the door for him to be able to come back and serve with us.  Alfredo, who is translating for me and just a close friend who has been a blessing for us.  All the students of the Bible college who are helping out.  Our great friend Mesod who helps us out with everything.  For  Estella who made all of our curtains and is just an amazing women of God.   And also Pastor John and his wife Pilar who have taken us under their wings and given us great wisdom and guidance in this step of faith.    
May the love and grace of Jesus shine through this ministry. Soli Deo Gloria!!!!!!!

Annyka sweeping!

Singing Praises to Jesus!

Teaching 1st Thessalonians with mi amigo Alfredo translating.

Our First Sunday Service at Refugio

This Sunday we will be having our first church service at Refguio!!!!!  We are very excited and nervous, but above all blessed that God has called us and given us the privilege to share His word and love on the people of Banos del Inca.  We start at 10 AM so please be in prayer for us.  We have a great worship team and great help in the children's ministry.  We are blessed by every one stepping up to serve.  May many come to know the grace of Jesus through this ministry.

My plans or His

"It has always been my aim, and it is my prayer, to have no plans with regard to myself, well assured as I am, that the place where the Saviour sees meet to place me must ever be the best place for me."  Robert Murray McCheyne

M'Cheyne isn't saying that he doesn't plan or that to plan is sin.  What M'Cheyene is saying is as far as mapping out what I will accomplish, I recognize the most important thing is not my plans but God’s plans. So when ever I make plans I am aware that I do not know what a day may bring forth. So no plans that I make, can I make them in such a way that I hold to them so tightly, with both hands, so if the Father says I am taking that, I will not be able to release them into his hands with great joy and confidence that He means to bless me in it.

There is that saying 'bloom where you are planted'.  Now more than other I am beginning to understand what that means.  I always thought that saying was a trivial phrase.  Never thought it carried any weight, just something to throw out there when you got nothing to say.  Lately though I am seeing that right where God has you is right where He wants you.  It might only be for a minute, but for some it could mean eternity.  There is nothing wrong with planning for the future.  James tells us to say "If the Lord wills" should be our planning.  We can get so caught up on the "big picture" that we miss what is going on right in front of us.  

If we get to attached to what we are planning, to what we are trying to accomplish, when the Lord plucks us up and moves us on, our hearts may become bitter.  Trust in the Lord and lean not on your understanding.  God means to bless us.  Make plans, but make your plans as M'Cheyene said "to have no plans with regard to myself".  If God chooses to uproot you, go with a joyful and willing heart.  In the place God has planted you, give it your all because that is where the Savior has placed you and it is the best place for you.

Devotional from Spurgeon.  This is something that I needed this morning, I hope it blesses you as well.

"I know their sufferings" Exodus 3:7

The child is cheered as he sings, "This my father knows"; and shall we not be comforted as we discern that our dear and tender Friend knows all about us?

1. He is the Physician, and if He knows everything, there is no need for the patient to know. Calm down, you silly, fluttering heart, prying, peeping, and suspecting! What you don't know now, you will know later; and meanwhile Jesus, the beloved Physician, knows your soul in adversities. Why does the patient need to analyze all the medicine or estimate all the symptoms? This is the Physician's work, not mine; it is my business to trust, and His to prescribe. If He shall write His prescription in a fashion that I cannot read, I will not be uneasy on that account, but will rely upon His unfailing skill to make everything clear in the result, no matter how mysterious the process.

2. He is the Master, and His knowledge is to serve us instead of our own; we are to obey, not to judge: "The servant does not know what his master is doing."¹ Shall the architect explain his plans to every bricklayer on the job? If he knows his own intent, is it not enough? The pot upon the wheel cannot guess to what pattern it will be conformed, but if the potter understands his art, the ignorance of the clay is irrelevant. My Lord must not be cross-questioned any more by one so ignorant as I am.

3. He is the Head. All understanding centers there. What judgment has the arm? What comprehension has the foot? All the power to know lies in the head. Why should the member have a brain of its own when the head fulfills for it every intellectual office? Here, then, the believer must rest his comfort in sickness—not that he himself can see the end, but that Jesus knows all. Sweet Lord, be forever eye and soul and head for us, and let us be content to know only what You choose to reveal.

The Plan of God

      As I woke up this morning, I was looking out of our window, watching the sun rise over the mountain peaks.  The steam from the Banos is rising and the sounds of the traffic is starting to pick up.  On the one mountain straight out from our house, there is a lone tree on the top and then about half way down the mountain there is a line of trees.  When we first moved down here to Peru, my daughter told me that she saw this as a picture.  The tree that is standing on the top of the mountain is a picture of Jesus.  The trees that are lined up half way down are the people of Cajamarca and they are looking up to Jesus and worshiping Him.  She said these people need to learn about Jesus so they can worship Him.  As I was looking out this morning I was looking at that tree remembering what my 8 year old told me months ago.

     Upon returning from our 6 week visit to the states, the Lord has opened doors that only He could.  A building on the main road through town was available for rent.  After inquiring about it, we signed papers for a year lease.  While in the states the Lord provided for us additional financial support that was almost exactly what the cost of the building was!  He is so incredibly faithful.  The owners are going to repair the roof at our request and as soon as the construction is done we will acquire the building.  At the end of August we are hoping to start church services on Sunday mornings and then throughout the week using it to facilitate Refugio de Amor, the kids outreach.

     What is God's plan here?  I was reading and came across this quote from E.M. bounds,

"All God's plans have the mark of the cross on them, and all His plans have death to self in them.... But men's plans ignore the offence of the cross or despise it. Men's plans have no profound, stern or self-immolating denial in them. Their gain is of the world."


This is as much for me as it is for the people who God has called us to.  Though the people here maybe aren't trying to gain the world in the same manner that people back in the States are, the fact remains, self stands in the way.  The message of the cross is as Paul put it "is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God."  This morning looking out and seeing this beautiful creation, it all the more motivated me to preach Christ and Him crucified.  Creation declares the glory of God, but it is through the message of the cross that people will be saved.  Here in Cajamarca if it only took creation, I don't know how any wouldn't know the Living God.  See creation holds all accountable to know there is a God, but it is through the preaching of the Gospel that lives will be changed.  All of God's plans have the mark of the cross.  We long to see people here come to know Jesus for His glory, we long to see the people here radically changed for the cause of Christ.  We long to see the people looking up to Jesus high above, worshiping just as my daughter views the trees on the mountain.


Soli deo Gloria