There's More Out There...

These past few weeks of visiting the States have been a great time of renewal, rest and fellowship with family, friends and churches; however, this Friday I will begin the journey back to Cusco, Peru--my home now. As I go back, 2012 looks to be a very intriguing year with so many opportunities. As we have already begun the work in the Quechua community of Ampay, I look to the amazing things that God has in store for that community and it's people, but also to the countless others that are still out there. This is the year that we get to them with the life-changing Message of Jesus, through proclamation and demonstration. We are looking towards a year of supernatural ministry as we are guided by the Holy Spirit into communities, homes and lives. I love to immerse myself in stories. Especially stories of missionaries from the past. One quote from Robert Moffat (a Scottish missionary to Africa and father-in-law to David Livingstone) has continued to stick with me as we continue to all...

July 18, 2006. That date is marked in the back of my pocket Bible, and reminds me of a cold night, high in the Andes--one of the greatest nights of my life. Beside that date is a name and small commentary: “Erlinda (12 yrs.), Comunidad: Chanta (cerca Limatambo, 2 horas).” All that I have to do is read that entry and my mind traverses over 3,000 miles into the Andes Mountains, to the secluded Quechua community of Chanta. There had been a small, mud-brick church constructed there in Chanta (This is somewhat of a rarity as many Quechua communities do not have a ‘building,’ or even a meeting, local body of believers). We went there with the local pastor from Limatambo in a bright yellow station wagon to hold a night service. As the powerful sun went down over the mountains welcoming the crisp, cool air, Quechua people could be seen walking, making there way to the small building (some with circa 1970s flashlights in hand). We surveyed the building, greeted the people, and waited fo...

“And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” -Mark 13:10 Tonight, I can't help but think of the Andes. I close my eyes and try to go back in my mind, up out of Cusco, out of the Sacred Valley and up higher and higher into the hills. We start passing 11,000 feet, you know, up 'till we start touching the clouds....literally... That's where my minds at, not so much with the geography, but with the people. The millions and millions of Quechua and Aymara people nestled up high in the Andes. What's going on there tonight? What's going on with 'the forgotten?' Is it cold? Are people hurting? Are they wondering, "is there more to life?" Many don't really know or understand His love for them, His crazy, deep love for them. Many are living in darkness. Few or no Bibles, and even so, many cannot read. There are few to preach, proclaim, disciple, just plain love. Yet, how much do we hear about Him? We've almost grown cold to it. Why, just in...