My encounter with TRUST

With only 3 full days left here in Canada… we are spending each minute and second with precious friends. Pictures, late nights, dates, and sleepovers are what these last days consist of.
On Sunday night, Joanna, Darlene, Brianna, Simone and I went out for a evening of pictures at any place we could find. We didn’t really have anything in mind. Jo took us to a park and we got out. At this park there was a little kids play ground that we took off right away. Darlene, Brianna, and I jumped on a small train and Simone started snapping pictures.
After the train we moved to other items and just took pictures. I know that it may not be that big of a deal to some, but those pictures I will always have and those memories will never leave my mind. These girls here are some of the amazing girls that I know. They have such a high joy and spirit about them.
After taking pictures, we headed off to Tim Horton’s to get coffee drinks. We sat at a table and just talked about how things were going and how much we needed to keep in touch when we all leave. Every time the word ‘leave’ is brought up, I think every persons heads are turning and trying to make themselves forget that it was even said. Leaving here is a realization that I’m not ready to face at this moment. I don’t think anyone really is.
Today Steve Klassen took us to a monastery nearby and we spent a few hours alone with God. We could walk the forests, sit by the pond, sit under trees, or in a small lounge area to focus on hearing the voice of God. From the very first minute we started I knew that today and my time with God was going to be amazing. I walked the trails praying and snapping pictures at the beginning. Listening to the sounds around me and to focus on God. Later I walked into the lounge and sat down… pin and journal in hand… I asked God to speak to me. I started writing questions I had for God and then I wrote down the response I felt God speaking to my heart. This went on for a good hour and when I went back and looked it over, I found the word ‘TRUST’ over 20 times! I’m going to be going home to some things that will be hard to face, and I laid them all at his feet. And he kept saying… ‘Lisa, just trust me. I have everything in my hand. Just trust in me!’
As I was sitting in that lounge and watching a few flower seeds floating in the air, I started thinking about how much our life is like that seed. The wind has full control of where that seed falls. Where ever it is dropped, that is where it was meant to be. The same with our lives in Christ. Our life is like that little seed. We have no control over it at all. Where ever God puts us on this earth is where we are meant to be. No mistakes about it. That just reassured me that I was and am supposed to be here. It wasn’t a mistake that I was brought to Canada and was sent to Peru. It’s all in God’s plans and he knows what he is doing.
Earlier on in Debrief, Luke and John had commented about how we need to maybe think about an one-liner we can use when people ask how our trip went and how we can use that with out spilling our guts to them. And while I was journaling and listening to God, he gave me my one-liner. Just knowing that that sentence came straight from God, gives me chills!
Today was like a breath of fresh air for me. Just having God speak to me and knowing that he is with me and all I have to do is trust him, makes me feel safe and that I have no cares in the world. I am still amazed at how our God works in our lives and how little things are so significant in our walks with him! We serve a God that loves us and a God that we can trust with our whole entire hearts! Trust God fully with your life and see how God can open your heart to the things around you and how he can work in your life! Just trust him!

Back to Canada

I never thought I could love someone so much just after 3 1/2 months. Leaving that airport on Monday night was one of the toughest things I have ever done. Sitting in seats talking through our tears and knowing what was coming next. When it came time to say our good-byes, it was more then I could handle. We hugged our last hugs with everyone, crying and each hug lasting a good minute or longer, I felt my heart tearing more and more. We pulled ourselves away from them after saying 'I love you so much' and walked through the gates. I made the mistake of turning around one more time and looking at everyone standing there. I lost it again and cried harder then I have ever cried in my life. Going through security was a pretty funny sight. They gave us weird looks and allowed us to get away with over weight luggage because of the way we looked! But at that point, we didnt care, we just wanted to walk back to those people we loved so very much. Those people I walked away from in Lima Peru... I will never forget and I love them with my whole heart.

My time here on TREK is decreasing very fast. I only have 10 days with the people I have lived with for the past 6 months. When you go on a mission trip like this and have a year of experiences and memories shoved into 3 1/2 months... what are you supposed to do with all the information? I remember telling some people at home that those last 10 days of TREK in Canada are going to be the worst ever. I feared that they would drag and that it would be 10 times worst since going home is in reaching distance. But was I wrong!! Day 3 already and I'm starting to see that these last days have so much to hold and so many memories to make. I dont think these 10 days are going to be enough.

This morning Luke gave a session on re-entering our home towns. He gave one quote that stuck out...

"...Therefore, where you were may not be as it was because of who you are now..."

I have thought about this and I this hits home so hard. I have changed so much I feel like. But my friends at home... they haven't. They have been going on with life in Cannelburg Indiana while I have been here facing things that will stay in my memories for life. Who I am now... no one will know when I get home. I have changed for the good I feel... I just want to stay this way. I just fear that when I get home, I will remain on a 'high' for awhile, but soon, that will changed into the same routine as summer camps and youth mission trips. You are bound to stumble and fall back. But why?

Coming back to North America has overwhelmed me. There are so many white people, people staying in 2 lanes on the roads, people have the right-away on sidewalks, we can flush toiletpaper and not have to put it in the wastebasket, the tap water is good to drink, and everyone around me understand when i speak English. Being shoved back into this... tougher then I ever thought.

Seeing all of the girls that went to Japan, amazing. It's like I never left them, but then it seems like I have been gone for millions of years. We have already spent a lot of one-on-one and just hanging out. So many stories to trade and so much to tell about personal growth and life. I just hate the thought of leaving these people in 9 days!

All I can do is trust God and ask for your prayers as I finish this amazing trip. God has given me so much grace this whole time, I can only trust that he will continue until I get home and settle back into the life I once knew. The life and people who have been so faithful in supporting me! Thank you!

The loves of my life in Peru

We are winding down with time… and I’m beginning to think about going home and the things I will have to face when I get there. So many things have changed and so many things have happened to me and at home.. I just wonder how things will clash. Will I be able to fit back into my youth group, my church, and my friends? I have changed so much and things at home have changed as well… but… is it the same way? Will I be able to stay in touch with God at home as I have here? So much has been running through my head the last couple of days and I’m starting to think about them more.
When I think about leaving the people here that I have grown to love and have developed friendships with, it makes me sad and somewhat depressed as well. Living with the same people for 6 months, there are strings and attachments. They aren’t easy to let go. So I decided as a tribute to each one that I love here… I will tell you about each one and share memories I have with each. Hopefully I can give you some insight on the people I have grown to love.

Sarah Doucet: Team leader
This woman is a living example of Proverbs 31. With her being our team leader… it fits her all the more. She is willing to go out of her way to do the things that the rest of us sometimes forgets to do. She is our main cook and she is the one that does a lot of the shopping. She is willing to stay up late to make sure things get done and is the first one awake to turn the light switch on to get us up for the gym. When she is struggling, you see her with her Bible praying to her Father about whatever is bothering her. She doesn’t try to do things on her own… she knows and gives all credit to God. One of my good funny memories I have of Sarah is the fact that she hates rats and how many times we have playfully scared her. Just to see her facial expressions… its all worth the trouble to get her! Sarah has such a heart of gold and a hear for the ones around her. She cares for her team and she shows it.

Laura Adams: Team accountant
Out of the whole team, I feel like I know her the most. I have lived and slept in the same room with her for the past 6 months ( minus one night when my family came to Canada )! We say so many things at the same time… we often tease each other about us being in each others heads. She has became my sister and my best friend. Her faith and her love for God has encouraged me in so many ways. She is willing to reach out to the ones in need and to allow God to shine through her. I can count numerous times where she was there for me when no one else was. She sat there holding me, whipping my tears, and praying for me. She knows exactly what to say at the right moment. She isn’t scared to show her faith and to show her love for God. She is willing to let that show. One of my favorite memories are the dates that we have had with each other. We seem to have such a way of finding topics that we enjoy talking about and we have so much fun just being around each other and being able to connect with the other.

Dave Toews: Our only guy
When I look at Dave… I see someone who has the heart and courage of God himself. He cares for us girls so much and it shows so deeply. He is willing to go out of his way to make sure that not one of us girls go out alone. He is willing to make himself our protector and our guard. He has grown so much from day one of TREK until now. His spirits have lifted and we all can tell that he has grown so much in the Lord. Some fun memories are when he sang to ‘Amish Paradise’ at Laura’s birthday party and just hanging out with him during the days.

Breanne McDaniel:

Our artist and prayer warrior

When it comes to prayer and being able to encourage anyone in their moment of depression… Bre is willing to help and to be there for you. She is one of the most sweet hearted girls I know. She is willing to talk to anyone who is off on their own and is willing to get her hands dirty for the work of God. We are so much alike. More then we first realized. Our personalities… our ways of thinking, and some of our dreams… similar in more then one way. She has an idea in mind of something she would love to do and she is strong headed and she is determined to see to it that it gets down. Her ability to find God in any situation and to keep everyone else searching… blesses me! One of my favorite memories that I have with her, are all the times that we would walk together hand in hand and talk about our families and just things that we would love to do in our lives. And her encouraging my dreams and hopes for my life. She cares so tenderly for everything that goes on in my life and everyone around. Just hearing her dreams, her longings in life, everything… it made me want to be more like her. So pure in heart and so deeply in love with her Father.

Roxy Neufeld: Candy girl
When it comes to patients and joy… she is the girl that has both. She is so patient when it comes to the rest of us and just having a smile on her face all day… it encourages me to keep my spirits up and to keep going. She is so eager to share what she has and is never scared of trying new things. I have grown to love her so deeply. Just the way she checks up on you when you look sad or just the way she sits with you just to talk… it touches me. She has grown so much since we have came here and I can see Jesus in her with everything she does.

Otto Funk: My grandpa
From the very beginning… he has been my way of getting through. He reminded me of my Grandpa Yoder so much that I began seeing him AS family and I know that that is how I got through this whole 3 and a half months without much homesickness. I thank God everyday that he has sent him into my life. He has been there for me when I needed someone to talk to… and on our Trujillo trip, he was there to support us and to give us the best possible trip that we could have.

Lidia Funk: Our spoiler
Lidia has taken us in and spoiled us. She has welcomed us in and shown us how it is to be away from home but still be at home. I have grown to love her with my heart. She is always open to having girl nights with us and to just hang out with us to watch a chick flick or a romantic movie. And there is always fresh homemade bread when we really want it.

Kevin Funk: My yunker
I have gotten to know Kevin more and more each day. He became my uncle or ‘yunker’ by a couple weeks into our trip here. I feel like I didn’t get to know him as well as I could’ve because of his studies… but one thing I learned from him is that he is one that doesn’t give up easy and he is determined to see things to the end. He is always willing to help out in the church and to be there for the ones that need him. Some fun memories that I have with him are playing zip bong with him at youth. Seeing what all he gave up to come here… makes me know that God is real and that if you only trust in him… he will see that you will be blessed.

Jano Lopez: Our pastor and Papi
As the pastor and as the leader of the house we are staying in… he has done his share of welcoming us into his arms. He has went out of his way many times to make sure that we have everything we need. Making extra trips to the market with me, getting us extra stuff we didn’t really need, as well as making sure we are safe when we walk the streets. He has become one of

our best friends and has helped us get the feeling of being in a Peruvian household.

Angelita Lopez: Our Mama
I feel like because of her… we have become so involved with the culture here and the different foods. She does so much for us to make sure that we get to taste and to experience the real Peruvian culture. She does so much as well to make us feel welcome. She opens her arms for us when we need her and she is always there to tell us she loves us.

Gustavo Lopez: Mi tio
Gustavo is one that we have just recently became close to. He at first lived with us for the first week and then he moved to Trujillo. We became somewhat close to him on our trip up there and then when he moved back down here in Lima… is when I began to see who he really is. He is a lead singer in a Christian band and is awesome on the guitar. He has a personality to drawn people to him. He is one that helps to protect us from the street guys and he is always here when we want to stay up and sing. He has become one of the guys that I can trust here and that I feel comfortable being around. One of the good memories that I have with him is all the times we watch 24 with Jano and he calls me Nina Myers… and I reply by calling him Tony Almada. And all the times that I speak to him in English and how he understands every word I say and he will just replay in Spanish because he says he is to embarrassed to speak in English even though I have gotten a conversation out of him in English.

Ali Lopez: Our hyper night owl
She is one that was harder to break into becoming close to us. She was hard to become close to for awhile. But now… since we have broke her… she has become a hyper night owl. It seems like when the sun goes down… her personality comes out. She is a bright student who has so much going for her. She is a smart and beautiful girl. When I look at her I see someone who will do well in the hands of God. One of my favorite memories is when we taught her some English phrases and she taught us some. One that she loves to say is ‘shut-up garbage’!! she runs around saying it and we just laugh when she says it. The way she pronounces it… makes us happy to know her. She taught us ‘fa fa’ also known as ‘goosing’! We run around fa faing her and having so much fun.

Anni Lopez: Little fa fa
Little Anni! The girl that has so much energy and her smile is enough to keep you smiling. Her way of loving you as a person is remarkable. She is willing to go out of her way for the ones she loves and will do what she can to help. When I gave my testimony… she was there to help me with my pronunciations and spelling. She was willing to sit with me and work with me.

Jackie Hidalgo: King Kong’s mother
Living across the hall from her for 3 and a half months… you learn to love her and to develop a relationship with her. She is quite and has her ways of making friends with King Kong ( our monkey ) and other animals that are around this church. She is so kind spirited and gracious.

I have only touched on the things I could’ve said about each of them. There is so much more that could be said. Each of these people that I have mentioned means so much to me and they have touched my life forever. Part of my heart will remain here with each one of these people and when I head home… they will never be forgotten!!

Our blessed unexpected ministries

Going on any mission trip, there are things that you help with or participate in that you would've ever have dreamed you would do. I have 2 different ones that I love helping with but when I first arrived, they weren't even a thought in my mind. But with me participating and seeing the changes that has happened, I thank God for those oppertunities.

The first one is the gym we attend every morning at 6am 5 days a week. At first when Otto mentioned it, we were at a low point of our beginning... who wanted to work out everyday at that time on a trip to Peru?! We started going at first just to make people happy and to have the excuse to eat more! But as time went along, it became more then that. It because a place for some of us to get stress out by kick-boxing, others to just use that excuse, and still others who really wanna get stronger! We became really good friends with the instructor, Hector, a step-aerobics teacher, work-out barbie, and a kick-boxing teacher, captain insane-o. We have fun making Hector sweat more then us with chin-ups, singing along to the music, and attempting to get Hectors hat off of his head. We have also developed some new friendships with some of the people who also come to work-out.

At first, the gym caused alittle spat in our team now and then... and we complained everymorning about getting out of our cozy beds. But now... we walk home laughing about what was said that day, and how we have to get Hector to come to English classes. We work harder and we have proof of that. The thing that really touched us and proved to us how this is an unexpected ministry is the fact that one day Hector told Otto that he sees a difference in us. That there is something different about us then from any other white people he sees. That he can tell that we are doing what we say we are here to do... spread the love of God. Before we left for our Trujillo trip in the beginning of May, we bought Hector a dozen of eggs, chocolate, and a card and delivered it to him. It brought tears to his eyes and we knew then that when we leave, that gym will never be the same because of the opportunity we have to share there. The other instructors got alittle jealous over that gift-giving day!

The other is working with children at a home for HIV mothers and children. We go and help there every Thrusday along with Jackie. Jackie reads a story, then we help them color a picture, and then they get juice and a snack. They love our attention and they love to be held and to be the center of attention. This place has blessed me greatly. There is one little girl that has a hold on my heart. Her name is Ruth. She is so sweet and loves to sit on my lap and just hold on tight. It breaks my heart when I see those children and know that they are sick and can not be healed. Their smiles are one thing that brightens my day.

That is one thing that I have learned on this trip. Small things like working out, and passing out juice and candy, can effect a person on how they see Jesus and how they see the love of him. I have also learned that it only takes an hour and a half a day 5 days a week to reach out to a gym instructor and for him to see the difference in us. That is how big our God is... that is how much he loves us and how much he has trusted us with.