Since our family’s arrival to Arequipa just over a month ago we have been overwhelmed by the ways in which the missionaries who have preceded us, as well as the Peruvians, have gone out of their way to serve us and make our transition here smooth. One of the ways the church here has served us is by aiding us in our involvement in God’s kingdom here in Arequipa.
Each month we get our church groups together for a “Celebration” Sunday. We focus on time spent together, on the kids, on communion. In March we decided to shake things up a little after Abraham, who used to meet with one of our groups, came to propose a joint meeting with the church he is currently leading. After running the idea by the church, everyone was in agreement and looking forward to meeting new brothers and sisters.
Together our two groups rented out the cafe on a Sunday morning and gathered around the patio. All told we had over 50 people in attendance (children included) and enjoyed a good morning of singing, study and fellowship. Both groups were encouraged by this shared time, as we were reminded again that God's family extends beyond whatever smaller group we call our own.
Earlier this month Megan, Larissa, Bethany, and I went to a renewal retreat with missionaries serving across South and Central America. The theme of the weekend was Exodus, and everyone was encouraged to find their place in the story.
I've been in Arequipa for two months. For nearly a year it has felt like the desert, a place with constant longing and constant transitions. It was easy to place myself with Moses at the burning bush as he wrestles with his calling.
Yet Moses's questions resonated with my heart. God had patience in answering his every fear, knowing the great things he had in store. And God used the week to remind me of all the provisions we have been given in the past few weeks. Important questions have been answered and fears have been relieved.
Evan loves school...we have a permanent place to call home...our container has arrived. There are still more uncertainties and insecurities, but I am reminded that our God is the God of provision. Even in the desert.
I had the gift of leading a devotional among the team in the past week as part of our team meeting.
We read Philippians 4:4-8. If you haven't read it lately, read it. Through the stresses of the day, the difficulties we face, our challenges, our distractions and our emotions. The words ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus' are truly wonderful words. If I genuinely reflect on the times I have prayed for God's work in my life I can see a peace that I would not ever have otherwise. If you reflect on it too, I believe that you will find the same thing.
I also have a default position, which is using God as a Lucky charm (only praying when I ‘need’ or strongly desire something). I’m sure God knows that is my normal heart, so every time I read it I feel like God had me in mind. God knows what we need, of that I am certain. But not only that, he gives us the assurance that only He is able to; that the master of the universe has our concerns in mind and through Him we will have a peace that we can’t understand, but can be ever-so grateful for.
If you haven’t heard about CUDA’s community development program, you should visit the CUDA blog and read this post.
Recently, some participants in this program and other neighbors began studying the Bible. It is always our hope that CUDA beneficiaries will be interested in talking more about faith or reading the Bible, but we try not to make anyone feel pressure to do so. Instead, we talk openly about our own faith and make invitations to have personal conversations. Very often these invitations come to nothing, but sometimes a seeker will take us up on the offer.
Then there are the times when program participants invite us to share more with them. That was the case for the community development program. After we had got to know each other a little, some of the ladies in the program were chatting with me after a meeting, asking what I do in Arequipa. This is a common question, and I usually explain that I moved my family to Arequipa because we want to tell people about the kingdom of God by serving in different ways, such as through CUDA, and by sharing the Bible with people who are interested. Before I could get to an invitation, they asked if I would be willing to study the Bible with them. Those are fun situations for a missionary—when you can just say yes. This is not a fairytale story, though. These women live hard lives, and they work whenever they can. It is difficult to find a time to meet with them, so our studies are sporadic. I’m praying that we can find a regular time and really get into the story of Jesus together.
Another Bible study has come out of a loan group. After finishing the biblical business ethics class that is part of their curriculum as borrowers, a few of them requested to continue studying. Paty and I meet every Thursday with this small group to read Mark. Alcoholism afflicts one participant’s life, and we have tearfully begun to work through difficult family dynamics. Paty and I were glad to have Mark Clancy visit from Lima recently and play an encouraging role in the study. Sometimes it is hard to see they way ahead, but we trust that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. It is a blessing to be reminded of that when other Christians visit and reflect the light.
It is good to be home! We had a great furlough, but were tired by the end and ready to get back. Our Sunday meeting was like a breath of fresh air as we settled back into the rhythms that are most familiar to our family. The group met at the Gray’s home for our celebration meeting, which is when all the house church groups come together to share. We all contribute some food items toward a meal together, spend time in worship, collaborate on a lesson for the kids, and open the floor to anything that anyone needs to say. It is beautiful.
Having been gone, this still feels like the beginning of the year, since we’ve missed a few weeks. I enjoyed seeing friends and piling all our kids on the rug for high energy songs and a hilarious drama led by Megan about Moses, kicking off a series on average people that God used in powerful ways. I hadn’t realized just how much I miss the relaxed, familial feel of our meetings until I joined them again. I love these people, my brothers and sisters in Christ - Peruvian, American and Australian alike. They are my people and without them, this would not be home.
I am proud of this family. We constantly push for growth, learning how to live out our faith in community, focusing on establishing habits that cultivate a faithful life. Greg has challenged each person in the church to give 1 sol every week, all year. I am excited to see what can come of little sacrifices, giving of what you have, however little it may seem, because I know God loves taking bits and pieces and building beauty. He does it with our individual lives and will now have a new chance to use our community to bless others. Another new effort is in our church-wide verse memorization. We have introduced a new verse every month for the last year and many of our attendees, children and adults, have met the challenge each time. This year, we are tackling a longer passage of scripture a little bit at a time, so that after a few months, everyone will be able to recite several verses in a row, engraving more and more truths on their minds and hearts.
This family is still young. We have many people in attendance who haven’t decided what they think about the whole thing, but they keep coming back to find out more. Some have stepped up into leadership positions and we are continually thankful for their hearts and willingness to dive in. All are welcome, and no one has all the answers, but we know that we’re better together than apart.
On January 13 of this year, I did something I had never done before: moved away from Arkansas. I was born in Searcy and over the years, I have lived in Judsonia, Paragould, Jonesboro, Bono, Pocahontas, North Little Rock, Little Rock, and Searcy, but I have never lived outside of the Natural State. Instead of moving to a different state like a normal person, God would have it that our family should move to Arequipa, Peru.
So, what is Arequipa like to an Arkansan? It’s awesome, yet life is almost completely different! The transition was and is difficult, but our teammates are great. The food is delicious and it’s hard to breathe. (Yes those two go together!) The Peruvian history and culture is expansive. Arequipeños (Peruvians who are born in Arequipa) are curious yet friendly.Their worldview is complex but God can always be found. Our schedule is hectic. Rest is a priority! But the transition is and will be worth it!
Here are some notable observations in my first month or so. Peruvians don’t build up as much as they build out. For example, Arequipa is approximately 3,800 sq. miles while Searcy, AR is barely 15 sq. miles. It’s over 250 times larger! With that much space you would think that everyone would have plenty of personal space; not so much. For instance, the buses are out to make as much money as possible and therefore it is not uncommon for fifty people to be crammed into a twenty passenger bus or worse twenty-five people in a fifteen passenger van! And my normal size of 5’ 11” is three to four inches taller than most Peruvians which makes for a tight fit!
With only six weeks under my belt in Arequipa, my first learning goal is Castellano (Spanish). When I first arrived my experiences with Spanish included two years in high school (9th and 10th grade), four mission trips to the Dominican Republic, and six months of Duolingo (google it). It is amazing how much I have learned in these first few weeks. Prior to Arequipa, I had no understanding how hard it was to listen and understand Spanish but hearing it on a daily basis makes for great ministry practice. It is a spiritual gift to learn the art of listening. And speaking of practicing and listening, singing worship songs with my brothers and sisters does wonders for my soul!
In my short time here in Arequipa as part of a seven family-church planting mission team, I am reminded of what the Teacher says in Ecclesiastes, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Every adventure has a beginning and for most missionaries the first year can be the hardest, but I am reminded of its purpose. Just as God became flesh and blood to become like us, in a small way, God is allowing this Arkansan to see life as an Arequipeño. He is teaching me about his people, whom he loves and whom Jesus died for and lives for. And just like a typical season, the enculturation process will not last forever. To that end, just as God is faithful, I too will strive to be faithful because of the hope found in the life of Jesus Christ.
We serve a God who has created infinite diversity in people. We have different languages, skin color, facial features, customs, world views. Yet, as I listened to a Peruvian sister share her testimony this past Sunday, I realized how we all long and yearn for a God who gives us unconditional love and acceptance.
Greetings! We are the Morgans: Justin, Sarah, Lorenzo and Maya. I, Justin, am 32 years old and I’m from Santa Rosa, California. Sarah is 28 and grew up in Bergamo, Italy. Our son Lorenzo is almost three years old and Maya is three months old. My wife and I are both nurses with combined experience in long-term care, cardiac and medical-surgical nursing. I also have a Bachelors in Bible and Ministry from Harding University. We currently live in Little Rock, Arkansas and are supported by the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ here. We are blessed to have our future work overseen by the elders and missions committee of this church. We will be arriving in Arequipa on February 5th. Our vision for the work there is to strengthen the church and add more to God’s kingdom as He works through us to do so. We hope to become like the Peruvians so that we can reach them with the life saving news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please keep us in your prayers as we strive towards this endeavor. We’re excited to be joining this great team.
There is a young woman that has been in and out of our meetings with the church. She will come and participate for several weeks, and then we won’t see her for months at a time. She is single, works a job in the center, and formed a relationship with one of our more mature Christian women some time ago. She has never committed to following Christ, but everyone in our church knows her. During my time home on furlough, I received an email from the Christian that has the strongest tie to this young woman, Paty. This young woman started showing up to the women’s meetings, pregnant out of wedlock. She was so very ashamed. But our beautiful group of Christian sisters hosted a baby shower for her, and Paty was writing me to ask if I could pick up donated items for the baby from the states. I brought this need before the Shiloh women, and I express with such thankfulness that such generous Christians support us and the petitions we bring before them. I didn’t have room in my suitcase for many baby items, but these women provided cash so that we could buy things she needs here.
I had the privilege of going to visit this young woman this past Wednesday with Bethany (my new teammate) and Etelvina (one of our dear Christian sisters that lives close to this young mother’s new home). Her little boy is absolutely precious, and the mother looked well, but the situation and the tears that she poured out before us that day were heart-wrenching. I can empathize with a new mother. I remember giving birth to our Anastasia. Not only was the whole birth experience scary, but going home with that little bundle and learning so many new things about babies was scary. I had family come to help, I had friends bring me food, I had a husband that shared the burden of night shifts and caring for the baby. And I was exhausted. I was so exhausted that I was on the verge of tears many days. I share all of that with you to say that it came as no surprise to me that this young mother was in tears when we began our conversation. But what I cannot empathize with is her situation.
The father of the baby is not present. Her family has kicked her out of their house because of the shame. The baby is less than 2 months old, and this mother is having to continue her job to make ends meet (how is that for a 6 week maternity leave). We were able to count some of her blessings that day: she is in a “house” (it is one room with a little area outside to cook over a fire) and she only has to pay utilities; she is able to continue to work her job from the home; the baby is healthy. But can you imagine!? She was so appreciative of our visit. We are going to go visit her every Wednesday, and we are going to read through the book of Mark with her (something she says she has never done). When I shared with her that Christians from home sent a collection for her baby boy, she burst into tears. She is so humble and grateful. Etelvina, Bethany, and I laid our hands on her and prayed. We prayed for strength. We prayed that this young mother could experience the reality of family in God. We prayed to have the eyes of Christ that do not look at others in shame but who see someone as completely unique and special in the purposes God has for them.
This is the pastoral gospel. We share the message of Jesus not to save people from hell. We share the message of Jesus because the kingdom is here and now. He says to repent and change. With transformation comes heaven on earth, and we experience this heaven with others that have confessed his name, his body, the church. We, the church, are his hands and his feet. We are his voice to the ashamed. We are the light in the darkness. We are the family to the fatherless. Because we are Christ on earth. His kingdom come, his will be done, on EARTH as it is in heaven. Please keep the young mother, Sandra, in your prayers and keep your eyes open to ways that you are the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus.
