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.
