Esse Quam Vederi

Sometimes God whispers it into your ear and sometimes...He shouts it.

We started today off bright and early in Cerropon doing VBS...in the middle of the street. We blocked off the street with benches for kids to sit on and sang some songs...ones even we knew! The kids loved the actions. Later we played tag with them until we were red in the face. Not that it takes very much to do that in the heat but...They were so sweet and Beto and Anna (the peruvian sunday school teachers who are AMAZING) were overly appreciative of us. We hardly feel that we are doing anything productive here and everyone seems to think we are the incredibles. God's grace is hard to digest! Crossing the highway between Las Brisas and Cerropon is always an exhilirating challenge. Vans don't slow down they just...beep their horns and speed up. Oh the joys of Peru. Speaking of joys, " Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." On our way back from roofing in La Paz today, the girls and the "Boys from Peru" were mugged by some guys with weapons. It was an interesting experience to say the least, (and ask each girl individually and you'll get their take on it) but we are all safe and no one was harmed. God had his angels surrounding us and "Rocky 7" Henrik Christopherson waiting for us at home. Just don't ask us why we don't have a lot of pictures...All three of our cameras were stolen. Personally, it feels great. I am being here, not appearing as in a photograph. Now we really have to tell you our stories for you to know anything. I think it is better this way. But, we all have emotions.
After lunch and a little debrief, some of us went to the "mall". Personally I was horrified, but I hate malls to begin with. Chiclayo is such a diverse city: There are the rich who want to show off that they have money (which is a very very small percentage), there is the middle class, and then there are the punks who live in shanty town, or cardboard boxes, the desert, and the beach, as well as green fields and trees. There is so much to take in.
You can pray for us by giving thanks to God for his faithfulness, love, goodness, grace, and protection, as well as casting out fear from our hearts so that we can continue working out of love. The safest place to be is in the center of God's will and we believe this. Thank God for the Boys who were with us who are so good to us. As well, thank God for the Christophersons and the stories and wisdom they share with us. not to mention the hospitality and amazing food! Pray for the spiritual warfare that is going on in Chiclayo. Thanks to you for your continued love and support...we feel it all the way down here!

Getting the true peruvian experience (being mugged, that is)
Elli (team peru)