Sunday, July 22nd, 2007

OK well today was amazing, we all broke up into groups and went to different sunday schools, but i got to go to the same group as i did the week before today, so it was nice to be able to see all the faces of all the kids again.
well also again why the day was so amazing was cause i go to preach at the church service which i would like to THANK MATTHEW a big thank you for giving me the chance to do what i have always wanted to do..but here is my speech in my words

"Hello; how you all doing: The past days that we have been here: many kids have stolen our hearts but one kid stuck out in particular: on Tuesday this gentleman while everyone was doing craft was just sitting by himself; while he was sitting one of our members went over there and gave him the craft; he didn't say much of anything: we later found out that he w"as mentally challenged: while Alli was sitting there Peter went over there to translate spanish for her; but he still didn't say much of anything: God gave both of our team members strength to be able to go over to someone even thought it was hard for them but while they were sitting there with him some of the kids came over and would call him crazy and i would say no to them , in this world you will find people who are different :
quiet people; loud people, slow people, all sorts of different people but we all have to learn that we are all different even though it can be hard at times  (Matthew 9:9-13). As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

In this verse Jesus accepts the tax collectors and sinners for who they are, even if they are unhealthy, or crazy, because Jesus accepts us even when we fall and mess up .. in our own life we need to take a stand and help the ones in need and accept the ones who aren't accepted.

That's what Jesus did even when He wasn't accepted on the cross...

 

STEVEN

   TWO LEADER BLOGS TODAY!

Today is Sunday and I can´t believe how fast the days have gone. This morning we split into 4 groups and went to the area churches that Santos and Moises are overseeing. We did Sunday school with each group. Some of our groups were able to lead a few games or songs. They enjoy anything we can do with them. Once again they are so appreciative.  When we were all done we met back together at the Perales church for a final farewell for those who could not join us for the evening service. It was a very emotional goodbye as the team from the church here shared their thoughts and we shared ours.  Many of their younger leaders/disciples shared about how we will always be in their hearts and they will pray for us and love us forever. We thanked them for being an example of very hard workers and people who love their community and who are willing to do whatever it takes to see their community come to know Christ. They will forever be in our hearts and prayers as well. We ended our time together by singing Open they eyes of my heart. They in Spanish and most of us in english. It was pretty sweet.
 
In the evening we led part of the service with dances and drama. Steven shared a message. Christine, Stephanie and Mike P. gave their testimonies. They were all very powerful. The people were very gracious.   Many, Many more final hugs and tears and e-mail address exchanges were done.
We are off tomorrow to spend our FREE DAY shopping and touring. We love you all and look forward to seeing you very shortly.
 
Molly.

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Hola,
Wow, what an incredible week we have had here in Lima!  Today kind of closed the circle of a week of doing God´s work.
We got up to another incredible breakfast.  We piled on the bus, counted off, and Mathew broke us up into teams for the four different villages to do Sunday School.  My group was off to Manuel Correro.  This was the school that when we cleaned at on Wednesday.  I remembered this school very well because I didn´t pick up trash that day but rather worked at the school with Alejandro gardening.  Alejandro, totally left Keith and I in the dust with his hedge clippers and weed whacker.  The most memorable thing about doing the gardening at this school were the vines.  They were long and tough and EVERYWHERE!  One vine was so long that Keith and I thought we were going to land in China!  Anyway, back to the Sunday school.  We helped serve the children breakfast and sang wonderful praise and worship songs.  Then Rosa did the Bible lesson.  It was out of John 15:5 (The vine story).  How appropriate for us to hear that story.  Keith and I were in the same group yesterday also.  God is awesome.
When Sunday school was over we all met back in Peralas to meet with the Peralas team.  We had a wonderful time of fellowship, a soccer game Peru vs. US, and then some praise, worship, and sharing.  How touching the Peralas team was considering us family and welcoming us back to their country.  There wasn´t a dry eye in the room.  How humbling and convicting it was to hear the grateful hearts of these incredible God loving people.
We got back on the bus still in tears but joyful that we had accomplished what the Lord had sent us out to do.  We had lunch and some down time.  We met up at 5:00 p.m. for some group photos and devotionals before dinner.  After dinner we headed out the the Peralas worship service.  How incredible to know that we all serve the same God.  The Peruvians were trying to speak English and we were trying to speak Spanish and the communication was flowing.  Steven preached an awesome lesson out of Matthew.  Our final goodbyes were more of ¨You are in my heart,¨ ¨We will pray for you,¨and ¨See you next year.¨ This has been an incredible experience for everyone here including the people of Peru.  The students have been just great.  Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts this past week.  Can´t wait to be back home on Tuesday night. 
 
Serving Him,
Jan Shortall