Day 1 & 2
Due to the lateness of the hour, and
the fact that we are being hosted in various homes,
I am sending this quick update on behalf of the team.
The Peruvian SportReach team met their American counterparts
at the airport late last night. After all baggage
was successfully picked up the team was taken to their
host homes for the week. Most of the team feel asleep
some time after 2am.
On Sunday morning the team reconvened
to fellowship with Roca Eterna church here in Lima.
The team was introduced to the church, Grayson shared
his testimony and Bethany sang a song with Alexis.
After church and a quick bite to eat
the team headed off to knock out the task of shopping
for gifts and souveniers. During the time at the Indian
Market we were able to share the gospel and one new
believer was born. Praise the Lord. By 6 p.m. the
shopping came to a close and the team headed to our
house, the Jessen's, to fellowship with their Peruvian
counterparters and share a meal together.
In His grip,
Kelly for the team
Day 3
Peru is very fun and the people are
wonderful. Each day we are building relationships
with the people. Although there is sometimes a language
barrier, we are finding ways around it and truly having
an amazing time. This morning and afternoon we passed
out flyers to advertise the camps we will be working
with. Many of the people were interested so we hope
there will be a good outcome.
Later on we practiced with the Evangecube, a tool
we will be using to tell people about how and why
it is important to be saved. We also practiced spanish
phrases with Peruvians from the host church to get
the correct pronounciations.
We also discovered a part of the Peruvian culture.
For the whole month of February, they throw water
balloons at cars and each other. One of the girls
we were with got chased and hit three times.
All of our host families are wonderful. They are very
welcoming and really want to make you comfortable.
More soon,
Jessica and Brittny for the team
Day 4
Today was our first day at the sports
camp, and had many children that attended. We taught
them soccer, basketball, and volleyball. They seemed
like they enjoyed our company and learning the sports.
We were also able to start making relationships with
the children. During the breaks Misty, Brittany, Jessica,
and Amber gave their testimonies. Then we broke up
into groups and used the evangecubes to share the
love of Jesus. Jenni and Bethany also shared about
the mind and body of an athlete. About 95 children,
teenagers and adults attended the camp and around
50 accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
The weather here is very hot and we ended the day
a little pinker than we started. It was a fun but
long day so we are all a little tired.
Jesus is continuing to move here in Peru. We hope
that you will continue to pray for our team as we
will be going out tomorrow to share the message of
Jesus.
More soon,
Misty and Amber for the team
Day 5
The first part of the day was kind of slow, with only
a few people playing basketball with Adam and Amber.
It seems that all the kids wanted to play soccer!
However, in the afternoon session, we really saw things
begin to pick up with every sport full of excited
kids. By the end of the afternoon a huge amount of
people had gathered providing opportunity for a great
harvest. We had almost 70 youth, parents and grandparents
come to know our Lord and Savior. After a hard day
of work and play, we were able to go to Pizza Hut
for dinner. Here in Peru they drive very different
from people in the USA, so that makes it an adventure
just going to a restaurant.
Adam and Valeri for the team
Day 6
What an awesome day!
We were back at the park we started at on Tuesday.
Many kids came back after the Tuesday clinic for the
morning session so it was a good opportunity to challenge
them to start walking as a Christian. Max a young
Peruvian had the privilege to preach for the first
time the message of the Gospel in front of a group.
The afternoon was distinctly the highlight! The Lord
brought a good size group with some new kids, and
we were especially excited to see older girls there
and desiring to participate.
We shared several testimonies. Some of them were about
how we came to know Christ, but two of us shared about
struggles in our lives. One was about a sickness which
God healed and the other was about a good friend passing
away. We hope both challenged the kids to really think
how God influences and affects our lives in everyway.
Several of the American and Peruvians put on a silent
skit for the last session. It showed how appealing
and alluring sin is, but also its non-escapable grip
with out Christ. Each person (arrogant athlete, drunkard,
music freak, seductive woman, and medicine man) tried
to help the sinner get free but without success. Then,
along came a Christian who shared the victorious and
overcoming power of Christ. The sinner was free!
After the skit we divided into small groups to present
the Gospel again, and give them another opportunity
to accept Christ. 50 more made a decision for the
Lord which greatly blessed our hearts. Praise God!
Not only are children hearing about Christ, but their
parents and grandparents who come are hearing and
making decisions for the Lord. Amen.
A great opportunity the male Peruvian team is getting
each day is a competitive soccer game with the older
boys when the sport clinic has ended.
It is great for them to be able to show the character
of Jesus even when playing a rough game.
God is doing great things down here!
Please pray for a few of our requests?
Strength to finish strong.
Soft hearts prepared for the Gospel.
The people to come who are meant to be there.
The mighty work of the Holy Spirit.
Bethany and Nylia
Day 7
Today was the last day of our work out
on the streets and the team dug deep to pull out all
the remaining energy so they could be a reflexion
of Christ. As the afternoon session came around it
seemed more like a family reunion. Laughing, games
and a good old game of freeze tag. The kids that accepted
Christ the first day had counseling sessions where
the importance of disipleship in their new walk was
discussed. The team did a repeat perfomance of their
drama. The Gospel was preached and still others came
to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Day 8
Last day, and to celebrate we headed
to the beach. 15 new friends from Roca Eterna Church
went with us to enjoy God's creation. The water was
chilly and the waves were HUGE. It was a neat time
of fellowship. After showers and packing the team
headed to the church for one last time with the youth.
Following the service and the giving of gifts, a teary
good-bye was shared between many. After one last meal
together the team headed off to the airport.
What an amazing testimony to the power of the God
we serve. Seven people from North Dakota, a family
and friend from Colorado, coming together with a church
in Lima, Peru to see what would happen. Let me tell
you, we were blown away. Around 190 people made decisions
to follow Christ and filled out an information card.
There was an untold number of seeds planted that I
have no doubt the Lord in water in His own time.
Thank you team, thank you Minot, thank you Steed
family.
Gracious a Dios!
Kelly for the team
(Yep, he's really asleep. Adios)
