"PRAY WITH EXPECTATION!!"

We had a short term team down here about a month ago now and it was a huge blessing to the work we are currently doing here. Jessica and I started working together in January and have had some challenges. Not only did we have to adjust to one another but we also had to adjust to starting with nothing; no contacts, no leads, and actually no idea where to start. I then burned my feet and we were out a month where I could do little to nothing. It has been hard but with this team in May it really helped us get some things moving.

There were many different ministry events going on along with some intense prayer times during this short term trip. Jessica and I were in charge of the Prayer times, the Flash Mob, and Cultural fair. The Flash Mob was a fun event that caught a lot of attention. We weren't sure if we were going to connect with anyone since this was way out of the box evangelism,  but since this event we have had a lot of luck meeting with people so we can start investing in lives. It has been awesome to meet so many young women who are generally interested in what God has for them. Here is a link to the Flash Mob we did and if you are confused about what a Flash mob is you can catch it here - http://vimeo.com/68932393

The Cultural Fair was an event that was born out of many different ideas. We had 2 other pairs of 40/40's plus Jessica and I working to put on the event that included photos of famous people, dance workshops, baking workshops, carnival games, English lessons, and an evangelism station. So once people started showing up we had people going through all the stations ending up talking to Pastor Elvin who was able to lead them through the salvation message. His table was never empty for very long.

Finally Jessica and I were able to organize all the prayer times. We started with a journey through the city that allowed the short termers to get to know the city and be able to lay the groundwork of prayer for the events we were going to be doing. Prayer walks can be challenging as prayer is very intimidating for many people and can be very frightening for some to take part in. Jessica and I had been reading books and looking up many different resources for prayer that we wanted to present in a fun and interesting way. We wanted to be able to impact lives not only here in Arequipa but the lives of the Short Term Team and those people within their personal ministry areas at home.  Our goal for the time the short termers were here was that they would pray for a total of 24 hours and that was accomplished. God worked through this time; on the people of Arequipa, on the college students that were here, and in my personal life. One thing that was said over and over by many people to be "Praying with Expectation." That means praying that even in the rain (when no sane Arequipaeno will leave his or her house) that there is someone out on the street. That means praying that this little flyer that most people would throw away gets someone to come to an event that changed their life.  That means praying that even though a baking workshop that started out with 3 people can become an event that fills the church to the top. Praying in faith that God is and will already be working in the lives of everyone. I was stretched and moved by the people that I was trying to stretch and move. It was an amazing and powerful experience.

I have been a part of many different short term projects that have always impacted me in some way. We have said as a church that prayer is the foundation of everything we do. I can now honestly say that it is a foundation that everything needs to be built on. That is the impact that this team has left me with, they believed that prayer changes thing and there is no way I can doubt that now. So thank you to this team and I am super excited to see what God is going to do as we get closer to Love Extreme.  

Back in Arequipa

After looking at my last blog post I came to the realization that this Blog should have came a lot sooner, especially since I saw that the last time I posted a report was back in October. Since that time I have left Paraguay, been home for vacation, and arrived back in Arequipa, Peru. Before I go into why I am now in Arequipa, Peru I would like to share about the last few months of my time in Paraguay. 

God blessed us immensely while we were in Paraguay and we saw many lives changed. One specific story about God changing lives that I would like to share is about Graciela. While working in Paraguay we met many different people who were all looking for many different things. Graciela was looking for some help. She did not have many clothes, food, or even a way to get back to her house. Two of the boys from our team met Graciela as they were walking around the neighborhood and invited her back to the church so my partner and I could speak with her. We talked for a while, prayed for her, and then sent her on her way home with some money for the bus ride and a little bit of fruit. We also invited her to church. As you may know, if everyone we ever invited to church came we would have reached the goal of 1,000 members attending the Church in Asuncion a long time ago. However not everyone comes... in fact very few ever come. So we were not surprised when Graciela didn't show up for church. However, I was surprised when early one morning about a month and a half later, shortly before service started there was Graciela standing at the gate calling my name. Graciela has now been attending regularly and has even brought a friend with her. She is attending discipleship classes and I believe that one day she will be a leader in the church.

Our goal when we arrived in Paraguay was to see a church with 1000 members in attendance and while we didn’t see that goal reached while we were there we did see God at work and great things happening. The church is now averaging over 100 people every service. With the missionary teams leaving in December there has been many new leaders who have stepped forward to take on many different responsibilities within the church. The church has also started doing different outreach events starting in kid’s homes around the church. One area of growth that impacted me the most while I was in Paraguay was seeing the growth of the teenagers. At the church there is a small dirt soccer field and many of the teens used to come hang out and play and then the moment something church related started they left as fast as possible. Now they have started attending youth group and getting involved with what is happening at the church. It is something amazing!

With all of these victories in Christ we have also had some very challenging moments. Our team has experienced the loss of many team members since I started in April of 2011, leaving only three people on the ground in Paraguay at the beginning of December, with the latest four members leaving the field in November. With the latest shift of team members leaving it signaled a change Extreme’s Paraguay project as well as my missionary journey. Local leadership is now completely leading the church in Asuncion as it continues to grow and reach others for Christ. Mike and myself have been asked to join the team that is on the ground in Arequipa, Peru - which is where I am writing to you from. This is an exciting change because we get to be apart of Extreme South America!!! By the way if you have not heard about Extreme South America check is out here.

After spending Christmas with my family in the states I have made arrived back in Arequipa, Peru. My new partner, Jessica, and I have started our work and recently were able to open a cell group, or as they are called here: Casa Abierta (Open House). We have also been calling and visiting contacts as we start getting into the swing of things. I am so excited for the future here in Peru and I know that I will see more of God hand at work as we continue.

I would like to share a few items to be praying for:

• With the change of coming to Peru came a commitment of 6 additional months of missionary service in Peru, which means instead of coming home in June I will finish my service in December 2013. Pray for faithfulness and strength for these additional months.
• After 20 months of service here is South America I have come to realize that a year in not much time and we have a huge job ahead of us! Pray now that we will stay focused on the goal and not become discouraged.
• Pray for the 2 Casa Abiertas that we currently are working with and the host families of Delsi and Diory.

I want to say thank you to everyone who has been with me through this point of my journey. It has been hard, but your prayers and support are valued and felt. I cannot express how much it means to have faithful people journeying together with me.

In closing I also ask that you prayerfully consider joining my support team through prayer or financially. If you would like more information on how to join the team click the following link: Kelsey Extreme Peru Click to donate or join the prayer team and follow the steps provided. The most efficient way to donate is direct withdrawal from a bank account as credit cards have fees associated with them so not everything you donate makes it to the mission field. Thanks in advance.