Mi vida!

Logging on, I see that it has been awhile since I have read many blogs... So I almost feel guilty posting with the expectation that you will read mine. But as I promised to keep my family and friends up-to-date on Lima happenings, here it is from Sunday to Sunday. (Or should I say Domingo?)



Last Sunday, we all went the 11:00 am Spanish Service at Calvary Chapel Lima. I understood more than I expected, adn even learned some Spanish. Lunch, as always, was good. Then I just hung out til dinner time. Then, we went to Enfoque! The best service I've been to in awhile, billingual, with great teaching. (Enfoque means focus, ie Jesus es mi enfoque.)



Monday, I started class, and it's basically amazing. But the book is hard to read. Mostly because it is so easy to get distracted.... I have to read over 300 pages by Friday morning! We are studying Church History in light of Acts and Jesus letters to the 7 churches in Revelations. It is really sad to see how we are now in the Age of Apostacy. I pray that young believers would rise up and be filled with a passion to reach the people dying around them. I have such a heart for America's youth, and being here, I am even more convinced that I will return to them and be a light for Christ there someday. I just don't know how long I will be gone. I feel like Paul, longing to see my people come to Christ, but seeing acceptance from anyone but them.



Tuesday, I lead devotions.... It was crazy that I went first. Each day a different student leads, but I am first and last (ironic) and I am the only one who will lead it 4 times instead of 3. I spoke about how sacrificing our lives for God is our reasonable act of worship. And that is something God was teaching me a lot on my way here.



Wednesday and Thursday... more of the same. Classes. Homework. Chill time. Thinking that denominations and 'movements' are not perfect, and I can't wait til the Body is all one, whcn we are united with our bridegroom.



Friday, I witnessed to a friend, and tried to give a reason for the hope that is within me... I was frustrated. (But God reminded me the next morning that I do not win souls, and that I must keep sharing my faith.)

Saturday: Field Trip Day! We went to the Museum of the Inquistion here, and to a church. Can you say Paganism? And perverting the name of Christ.... terible'. We had some Chifa (Chinese food) for dinner. AWESOMENESS!!! Then we watched Star Wars Episode IV.

Today, I went to church in Spanish and in English. Then ate lunch. Then down time... mostly because I was locked out of mi cuarto. Then, dinner, and an awesome concert. Fantastic!

Please pray that my Spanish will improve, and that I will learn how to walk blameless before my God... He has given me the word "blameless" several times this week, and I am sure it means something important to my near future.

My Week in Lima

Ok, so I only arrived Wednesday night, but I figured that Sunday was a good day to post a regular week-to-week update, so we will call this week one. I have been trying to journal every night so I don't forget anything I wish to share with you. So, here is a basic rundown of my week and some pictures (more to come) because everyone loves pictures! :)

This is on the wall by our lounge area. I took more pictures, but the internet is slow, so I don't want to load more right now.

This is what I see when I step out of my room. It is coool. In case you know zero Spanish, that means, "Jesus loves you."

This is the desk and closet shared by four girls including me...

The last picture is my bunk bed, I'm on top... It isn't that messy anymore.

Thursday: I woke up in Lima. I was scared. It was early and cold. I wasn't sure who or where anyone was. i wandered aroung for awhile before doing what I knew I should: read my Bible.
Then I prayed, "LOrd, show me why you have brought me here." By lunch, I had made many friends. By dinner, I heard many testimonies, and by bedtime, I was convinced, and still am, that I am in God's will and that Lima has much to offer.
I have Masa's picture by ny head and my fairwll cards under my pillow. Every night I fall asleep to audio books and prayer for you all.

Friday: We had a great day. I met even more people. Some of us went for a walk around the block and I was finally able to exchange some money. John Bonner is the head pastor of the church and basically in charge. His son graduated that day, and is leaving soon for York, England. So we celebrated with him today. I am so glad the Lord has brought me here with all these great people. I can't wait to see what He will do in and through us this semester.

Saturday: Orientation.... It wasn't too bad. It was pretty exciting to talk about the semester ahead. I also talked to Traci a lot (she's from AZ, and we met before we came). Which is good because we needed to catch up. We also got to meet John's wife Pilar. She had all the girls over for waffels and ice cream. Yum. It was a fun time.
There is always an opportunity to be doing something here. My prayer for my fellow students is to seek God first and to make quiet time a priority when we get busy with our studies this week.

I will put today's summary in next week's post as there is still much of the day ahead of me. Please pray for the students as we continue to seek God's direction for our lives beyond this semester.

I´m here!

Well, the room is dark, so I´m not too sure what it actually looks like. And I can´t get my stuff out without waking my roommate. And I suddenly feel certain that something is going to go wrong. But maybe that is lack of sleep. Still, I am super excited. I just don´t know what to do. I made it through the customs and imigration with no mishaps or missing bags, so I´m off to a good start.
 

--Rachael

Sky Harbor

I am just waiting for my flight and completely excited. I said my goodbyes and was sent away with a prayer. I am hoping to meet up with a classmate in TX. I feel certain that God has great plans for me on this trip! I will blog again soon, but I wanted to get down all my initial leaving thoughts.

Right now, I am so greatful to all of you who are praying for me and are supporting me in so many ways. I can't wait to share with you all that God does over the next few months! See you soon! We just started boarding!
 

--Rachael

I think I figured it out finally!

If you are reading this... it worked!

Test..1..2...3

Hey there bloggers. (This may post twice. I am emailing this as a test to see if I can post via email. This way, even if blogger doesn't work, I will be able to post from anywhere!!!) I wanted to say I am so sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have had a crazy month. I was so busy preparing for my trip, and working. Then, I have been sick and well, it really doesn't matter.
So, what you really want to know is where I am on this journey with my Prince. Well, so far, I have been on this roller coaster of emotions. I am sometimes excited, sometimes terrified, and mostly just ready to go. I want to squeal in the anticipation of what I will meet on the road ahead, and cry at the sad thought of what I am leaving behind. Today was the emotional climax (so far).
In all my life, I have become very close to few people. There are four families I can think of in California (I am still in touch with them all), but most live here in the Pheonix area. I am leaving behind my brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, two sisters and my parents. I am leaving behind the comforting power of my purring kitties. I am leaving behind two great church families who have come to mean more than words can testify. I am leaving behind children who I have watched grow for years. I am leaving behind two of my three closest friends, and a college group that better exemplifies the church of Acts than any congregation I have previously been part of.
But all of this is not in vain. And I say this with confidence for many reasons.
First of all, because all of you have surrounded me with love and support. Because I am following the prayers of righteous men. I am being held up in prayer like Moses. I am going with the support, not only of the people I love, but of people who love my Lord.
Secondly, I am not really leaving forever. Since I first felt called to ministry I have learned a lot about the life style of the missionary and my previous misconceptions have slowly been torn away. I want you to know that even though I call Sacramento my home town, I have learned it is not my home. Niether, though, is AZ. And niether is Peru. I am merely a visitor on this planet, and I find "home" in the company of my family, the Body of Christ. You are all my home. And one day, we will be at home together. And we will laugh at the idea of seperation, because our temporal lives will seem as only a moment.
Third, I am not alone on this journey. I go to do the work the Lord has already prepared in advance for me. I know He will be with me, and that I will always have have His Holy Comfortor, even when I feel lonely. I will not go anywhere He has not been or He has not allowed me to go. I feel confident in His calling on my life. Which leads to my final point.
I do not leave in vain, for this is a work of eternal reward. I am doing this for my God, and this is a step to show that this is not my life. I know that now. I can say that with conviction. I still try to claim it sometimes, but this life is His: I'm just along for the ride.

I don't know where I will be in ten years, five years or even a year from now, and the part of me that packed two weeks early absolutely can't stand that. And everytime, I see the face of my niece, I ask God why. But I am learning to constently empty that "me" out and replace it with the Word of God, which tells me not to even worry about tomorrow. The Word tells me that even to be hated by my family would be a blessing if it was for the glory of God, and I am much more blessed than that.
Thank you too all who have helped me get this far in my life and ministry. I love you and am more greatful than you could know this side of eternity.
My challenge: Ask yourself, and God, what you should leave behind for His sake?