Today was all about balance that's what I'm learning... It was a complicated yet amazing day, this morning two members of the charleston mission team left on a flight back to Lima because they're visiting Machu Pichu, so we were down to ten people today, eight of them and Ben and I.
Today was a day about the group they made the decision to venture out of Nvo Valentin and explore a town close by, but it was very hot today so the walk was a trying. We visited this community and brought them toothbrushes...
But instead of focusing my blog on our adventure outside of Nvo Valentin, I'm going to focus on what I learned from my experiences in Nvo Valentin, and highlight some of my favorite memories :)
This week really goes back to that idea of balance internal spiritual balance, because although this experience has already greatly shaped my life, by teaching me how truly furtunate I am in my own life, to have such an amazing family that would allow me and support me while I try to live and work in Peru, but this experience this week is not something I embarked on, on my own, I don't really believe an experience can truly be embarked own alone. In this experience I had to balance my feelings and concerns with the feeling and motivations of the mission team, as well as Pam and Ben. We covered a ton of ground this week spiritually, emotionally, physically... It could definitely be described as jumping in both feet first :) but it was throu all that we did that I learned that my personal struggle this summer is going to be finding that balance between my experiences and goals and the experiences and goals of those around me...
In Devotions last night, Ashley a member of the mission team from Charleston, asked us to right out one thing we had learned or experienced during our work in Nvo Valentin that, once this experience has ended, we would take back and plant in our own lives in the U.S. Mine was the important of difficult service, it's far to easy to serve the lord by doing something you love... Like talking to people, or playing with children, the true gift to God is doing something that challenges you and is difficult, recognizing that and doing it anyway. There are days, like today, where I would much rather not get up at 5:15 am and trek through the jungle, under the hot sun while getting bitten by bugs, or days where I would rather not translate two sermons and two prayers, and one speech in a hot room full of blank faces... But I get up because this is the challenge God has placed in front of me, he's challenging me to rise to the occasion. And I'm trying to find the balance within myself to rise to where only God can see me going...
And after this week, and the steps I have taken to rise to that occasion, all I can say is "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the lord and his strength; seek his face always. " 1 Chronicles 16:8-11.
Highlights from the week :)
All the games we got to play with the kids :)
How much they enjoyed playing with us, and how popular we became :)
The adorable children we got to meet
The amazing things we saw... Like a pet SLOTH!!!!
The kids who in a short four days became people we will pray for...
And the amazing relationships we formed with people we very well may never see again....
Relationships so strong that their were tears shed today when we said our good-byes... It was an amazing experience that has and will continue to have a profound impact on me as a person as well as a Christian :)
Tomorrow we're spending our last day with our first amazing mission team from First Scot's Presbyterian church in Charleston South Carolina, these men have taught me determination and these women, ESP. The three young teachers I had the privilege of working with this week, have taught me compassion! They are an amazing group of people Who I have loved getting to know, we'll stick close to the center of the city tomorrow, exploring a little before they fly out tomorrow afternoon...
I miss you all and hope your doing well :)
Stay tuned :)
Location:Iquitos, Peru
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