Faithful

Well we've had this blog for a week or two, but have yet to really write much about Peru. I hope you all have taken the time to look at our pictures, they really do describe Peru much better than I could with words. Hopefully we'll have even more pictures once we "get" some from our dear friend Tabitha.

I'd like to share a little of how God brought me to Peru. For years I have always thought that foreign missions was for others, and not for me. The little portion of scripture Matt 28:18 where Jesus says to go into all the world, well that didn't apply to me. I was just fine staying here in Alabama being a witness to my family, friends, co workers, etc. I might go on a mission trip in the States, but not overseas.

My life verse is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts I have towards you, says the Lord. Thoughts of peace not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." The reason this is my life verse is because so many times in my life, MY plans, MY thoughts, have been changed. You see as you follow Jesus His plans become yours, His desires become yours, His thoughts become yours. This happens only if your first die daily to yourself, and pick up His cross to walk out this life. But I digress, the point is MY plans were changed.

Ever since coming to Fountain of Grace church, and hearing about them going every summer to Peru I knew I was supposed to go. Again, my plans & thoughts were keeping me from going. But that all changed. In December 2007, we were in Gatlinburg on youth retreat. One of the girls played a video she had made of Peru that summer. My heart was hearing, "this year you'll be there." Then one of the guys came up to me and said, "You should go to Peru." Then later in the evening Pastor Phil mentioned that I should go to Peru. They all thought they were just making conversation, but really the Holy Spirit was making a point to me. So after a couple of years of ignoring the Lord about Peru, I finally gave in. I knew He wanted me to go. In early 2008 I came to the point of surrender. I surrendered my plans, my desires, for the Lord Jesus. As I was praying one day, I came to a point of realization. This is not my life. Yes, I am the one living it, but God is the one who gave me life. Both physical & spiritual. So I had to surrender my life over to Him. I even have written in my Bible, This is not my life Lord's but Yours! So part of my surrendering of my life to Jesus was going to Peru.

I went to Lima, Peru for 1 week in 2008. It was absolutely wonderful! So wonderful I wanted to come back in 2009. And I wanted to come for 2 weeks, because Pastor Phil said we were going to the jungle in 2009. And I wanted my husband Chris to come with me. He didn't go in 2008, and I missed him terribly. I came back to the States, and life resumed. In the fall life became very difficult as me & Chris had to walk down a long, hard, tough road together. I didn't know about Peru 2009 anymore. I didn't want to think about it,nor did I have the strength to think that far in the future.

But God is faithful. You see I believe whole heartedly God called me to missions in Peru. That is just where he has designed for my church (including me) to go. Other churches, and individuals He calls elsewhere. But He wants the whole world to hear the gospel. And God wanted me & Chris to go to Peru this year. Remember, I said that I surrendered my plans, desires, and life to the Lord. Well, I thought that maybe Chris & I shouldn't worry with Peru, but try to work on us here in the States. But God used Peru to help restore & heal our marriage. He gave us a wonderful 5th anniversary while down there (I'll share more on that later). But I realized when making the decision to follow the Lord to Peru what better way to celebrate 5 years of marriage than on a mission trip. What better way for healing & restoration than with a mission trip. So Peru was more than a mission trip. It was healing. Healing took place both in preparing for the trip and in the actual trip itself. I am very thankful to God for His ways that are higher, and His perfect plans & thoughts.

One more thing on God's faithfulness. I have been living by this verse for quite a while too. 1 Thess 5:24 "Faithful is He who called You, who also will do it". God called me to Peru. He made it happen. Last summer I knew I was to come back for two weeks, and with my husband. God made it happen. He brought Chris to the place where He felt led to go, and he brought in the money. The money was a big deal. For the two of us to go for two weeks it cost $4600. That is a lot of money!!! But God brought it all in. Yes, Chris & I gave some of our money. But most of it came from others, and fundraisers! Praise the Lord!

I just want you to know God is faithful. He will never leave nor forsake you. When He calls you to something He will finish it!

I hope this all makes sense to you. Sorry if I seemed to be rambling. It's just hard to put into words all that He has done for me. I know this blog wasn't really about Peru, but it's something I wanted to share with you. I will try to write more about our time in Peru later.

God bless you. Have a Jesus filled day!
Amanda