Stretch X

While I don’t have a specific subject, update, nor opinion to update you on today, I would like to share the ways I see God stretching me.

So I am a new person, this I can see in myself, but how have I been growing lately, what is God teaching me?  I can answer that.

Doubt.  I read James 1:6 while witnessing to a person:

But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.

  In reading it for them, I was actually reading it to myself.  Lately, I’ve noticed the first instinct to doubt in my mind and heart.  For example I read this quote by A.W. Tozer today:

The whole transaction of religious conversion has been made mechanical and spiritless.  Faith may now be exercised without a jar to the moral life and without embarrassment to the Adamic ego.  Christ may be “received” without creating any special love for Him in the soul of the receiver.  The man is “saved,” but he is not hunger nor thirsty after God.  In fact, he is specifically taught to be satisfied and is encouraged to be content with little.

And even though this explains our mission to a “t” and the way we set up for failure, and even though I pumped my fist agreeing with it, doesn’t mean it has to be true.  I first thought that if we do fail, then it can be easily explained by what Tozer says. I realized a couple minutes after reading it that it was a really good way to doubt, to not be different.  If that quote is the mission, why shouldn’t I be different? I read that out of a Christian book, but I still used it to be tossed around like a wave.

Not doubting would be saying, “What Tozer says is the reality, and what I need to do should be something different.”

I catch myself in the act all the time: meeting someone for the first time and not seeing a future, going to a church service expecting nothing etc.

But God says, “No.” he says, “Garren you’re are being tossed around by circumstances, too easily controlled by what you see.  Look at the big picture, brosak.”  And that’s what I’m trying to do.  Change your actions is one thing, but the source of your actions come from your thoughts.  And changing those I am finding out is quite the task.

As far as our work, my limits are being stretched more than ever.  We’re dedicating more time than ever in Salcedo, and seeing less and less fruit that ever.  Last month God was able to touch the hearts of 5 people, new people, in separate cases.  I personally had the privilege of leading 3 of them to Christ, and Geremias the other 2 (which is another way I am being stretched.)  It wasn’t a whole family, but rather 5 new contacts, different people, led to Christ.  But, they don’t come to church.  Talk about wearisome.  It gets to you.

My limits are being stretched in Rinconada as well.  We’re cultivating great hearts, and those hearts are getting into deeper and deeper subjects, and I am to have an answer for these subjects.  Geremias and I disciple people separately, with the goal of a carbon copy of us as individuals.  Deep subjects stretch, yes, but then when your coworker doesn’t agree with what you say makes it even harder, and makes the stretch even tenser.

Oh, and Jayllihuaya.  A family told us, after 3 months of discipleship, that they don’t want us to come anymore.  That they, “Already are Christians and don’t need to learn more about the Bible.” Wow, ok.  And then after that we went and changed one of our contacts’ diaper.  No lies, that is some serious mental stretching right there.

That’s all.  I know there is a ton of you out there that read this, how is God stretching you? Are you growing? If you’re not, I question your position before God.  Take a minute to reflect and listen to this song so appropriate for this post.

Upon Arriving

Time flies.  I’ve been back here in Peru a little over 3 weeks now.  This week we’re starting our 4th week of work.  A lot has been going on, and I’d like to update what exactly it has been looking like.

Getting back has been rather easy…nothing big that shocked me.  The only thing that has been bad are the smells.  I was riding in a bus after getting off the plane and the lady handed me my change and it smelled like toenails.  That’s when I realized that the smells were a huge change.  Walking through the streets, and just everyday life are an abundance of challenges to smell your way through!

Big news in our districts: we have changed locales in Rinconada de Salcedo.  Before, we had rented out basically a party center.  While we were gone they threw a couple huge parties, even though we rented that space out.  They were drinking and getting their funk on, with a sign outside that said, “Church of the Nazarene, Called to Holiness.”  A little comical looking back on it, but the activities that took place did not honor God.  This wasn’t the first party they ever had either, it was actually the third.  The place was actually too big as well, so we’ve downsized.

The picture above is the new place.  Basically all the green you see we have rented out.  By downsizing we’ve been able to get a better deal economically too.  It is just a bunch of pluses moving to this new “church” building.

We had our first service in the new place this Sunday, the 4th of September (as pictured above.)  It was great, we had a great turnout and a nice little band to get us going.  For some reason people just have a hunger for a Church in Rinconada.  They are attracted and want to get involved.  It is really encouraging.  We meet a lot of people in the actual church services, and try (and fail often) to disciple them in their houses throughout the week.

As far as Jayllihuaya, it looks like we’re going to send our contacts that we’re discipling to Salcedo.  It’s on the bus route, and if we’re being 100% honest with ourselves, it doesn’t look as if we’re going to raise a church.  Now I don’t want to doubt God, and we’re definitely open to any possibilities that He might have in store for us.  I am also a strong believer that God gives us wisdom (James 1) to make decisions like this.  Humanly we might say that we didn’t raise a church in Jayllihuaya.  But divinely, I feel God will use it as a victory and have much greater plans.

A burden on my heart is not for Jayllihuaya, but rather the pueblo of Salcedo.  It’s our most “cityish” district…but people DO NOT want to congregate.  We disciple many people, I pour my heart out sometimes to these people.  They aren’t growing, it doesn’t click, something is not working.  I place it in the hands of God every time we go.  It’s the hardest thing not to get frustrated, or start to worry.  I just put it in the hands of the One who has any control whatsoever of the situation.

On another subject that doesn’t matter…I’m going to climb Chachani again.  I can’t decide if I’m excited or not.  But whether I’m excited or not…I’m going to climb it the same date as last year, New Years Eve Day.  And starting like a week ago, I’m not going to shave until I’m on top of the Chach.  Gotta spice things up, keep the variety going.

And lastly and randomly, I went to a Puneñen wedding…or it might has well been a funeral.  No one looked happy.  But then we went to the reception out in the sticks, which was pretty neat.  Pictures below.

 

That’s all for now.  Thanks for the prayers, thanks for reading, and thanks for all the support.  I hope you’ll listen to this and be able to enjoy it!  Don’t forget to email me at gmoore@extremenazarene.org.

June, July, and 1/2 of August

Well, it has been awhile since my last post, over 2 months in fact.  My utmost apologies to all the faithful readers out there.  The truth is that my computer broke because I dropped it.  But we’re back on track with another comp and I’ll be pumping out the posts on a bi-weekly to monthly basis.
With this blog, I wanted to give you an update with what has been going on and about my vacation to the States.  The pictures may be a little scarce, because my camera was pick pocketed from me at a running of the bulls event.  But without further ado, we continue on.  Thanks and enjoy.
Since May, my last post, my partner and I have been going strong discipling people, making contacts, and altogether working our rears off.  We’ve seen one church plant area flourish (Rinconada de Salcedo) while being rather stagnant in the other two.  It’s very discouraging sometimes, but as I get into talking about vacation, I’ll elaborate on how I have been encouraged.
Every week I preach (yes in Spanish) at our church plant areas, not in the mother church in the city.  It has really helped my Spanish vocabulary, my memorization of Biblical references, and my spiritual walk altogether.  I preach on what I love about the Bible, and it has really been speaking to me, even more than to the people.  I’ve grown accustomed to my daily studies and devotions.  But preaching really stretches me and makes me think about how to explain what I am understanding.
That’s basically the short gist of what we’re doing: working our butts off, Rinconada is flourishing, I preach on a weekly basis, and my camera and computer were KIA or MIA.
During the month of July I was completely restless.  Counting the seconds until I would return home to see my family and friends.  I had a humungo list of restaurants that I wanted to eat at, and visions in my head of how awesome it would be.  And vacation was awesome! But I definitely have learned that the idea of it was even better.  Peanut butter, yea I missed it, but the idea of eating peanut butter was better than the actual peanut butter itself.
The day finally came when I got home.  And the closest feeling I can describe that I had was “overwhelmed.”  Not culture shock, (I actually don’t believe in that now) but just this huge impact of everything: carpet, doors, bananas, AC, driving, trees, TV’s, dogs, fat people.  It was all just so unique, all that I had forgotten.
When I first got to the States, I was in love.  I didn’t even want to think of Peru.  Then, to be honest, I started to think about not going back to Peru.  Just calling it quits because I had such a negative opinion of Peru.  Especially after hanging out with friends and talking to so many people.  But after about 2 weeks, I started to get an “itch.”  An “itch” to be back.  Not excited nor happy.  But a little “itch.”
The second Sunday that I was there, I was to say something in the English service at my church, as well as the whole Spanish service.  There were three really encouraging moments for me that Sunday: 

1.) When Pastor Terry prayed for me and just touched my heart with his unique words for me.  That impacted me, to be prayed for in English by someone you never hear pray for you (thanks PT if you’re reading this.) 
2.) Another moment was when this dude came up to me after church and genuinely thanked me for what I do, because he couldn’t do it.  He told me I was needed, and I could just tell he was genuine. 
3.) And then after the Spanish service, Rafi, the Spanish pastor told me that I have a “gift.”  The gift of tongues or languages. Rafi told me that I sound like I’m from Peru, not like I’m an American missionary.  This really encouraged me to get back down there and use this gift to expand God’s kingdom (a great group of people going to that church by the way, I can’t wait to get back and get involved with them.)

The itch I had began to grow stronger, and I actually couldn’t sleep the night before I left.  It really was a miraculous change to go from an almost hatred of Peru, to this strong itch to get back into the game.
As I sit here on the plane to Houston, I’m looking to the year ahead.  I’m looking to what can become of me and the people I’m going to be around.  Ya know, I’m just trying to put my heart into this, not focused on the end results.  And that’s how this time will be worth it.  Garren Moore will put his heart into the work he was called to do, and you can’t go wrong doing that. 
I miss you all, 3 weeks was all too short, but I’ll be back all too soon to start up a mission in the hearts of other people who need Christ.  I pray for you daily, and I look forward to Skype and emailing you!
PICTURES: What I packed, at the pool with Lora, my last meal, and me and the brosak.

GOALS

I would like to share some long term (year or so) goals that do not relate to my ministry whatsoever.  I basically have 3 planned habits over the next year to keep me sane in Puno after we’re done for the day, or before we’ve started.  Maybe you can keep me accountable, encourage me, or share some tips.

1.) I would like to be conversational in Portuguese by the time I exit Peru.  Portuguese is very similar to Spanish as far as the grammar aspect.  They’re both romance languages.  It is my dream to live in Brasil, and this is the first step.  I’ll be self taught with podcasts and I bought a book.
2.) I would like to weigh 165 pounds by the time I exit Peru.  I’m talking muscle mass here, and I weigh 155.  Without using any protein or supplements.  I’ve already gained ten pounds  and I’d like to put 10 more on.
3.) I would like to pass the Actuarial Science Exam P (30% pass rate) as soon as I can after I exit Peru.  I bought the study manual, and I’m ready to put my nose into a math book.  I don’t know when the next exam will be after I am done in Peru, but the soonest one I want to be able to pass.  Somehow God gifted me with the ability to learn languages, and do math!

That’s all folks! I encourage you to set some goals as well and tell me about them.  Until then, I hope you can enjoy this song.

Welcome to Peru

In honor of my one year anniversary, I would like to do a short blog post on how exactly things are different here, things that are out of the normal, and how you can’t forget that you’re in Peru. Caution: there may be a hint of sarcasm or exaggeration.

You know you’re in Peru when…

You’re talking to a woman and she starts to nurse her 3 year old child in front of you.

There are signs on walls that say “No peeing.  There is order to slaughter.”

You see a family and a half on a motorcycle.

Clapping on beat is an option.

You saw a stop light, once.

People throw rocks at motorcycles and cars.

You get drenched by water, in the times of carnival.

People still go on strike.

Traffic is backed up, because of sheep on the road.

You see an alpaca in the trunk of a bus.

Bands go down the street at any hour of the day, night, morning.

People swing an axe and dance around a tree completely wasted.

A meal is not a meal unless there is rice.

There are 60 people in a 20 people bus.

Propane is delivered by motorcycle.

You have to vote.

The public colleges are better than the private.

Rotisserie chicken is a gourmet plate.

People have silver teeth.

You find your class pet on restaurant menus.

You automatically have money because your skin pigment is a touch lighter.

You see a beautiful government building next to a shack of a house.

People shoot off fireworks at presidential rallies. Or when they’re bored.

You live in a cash dominant country, and no one has change. Ever.

You see me :)

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

So I’ve got a few updates to give, but we’ll start with the biggest: Won’t you be my neighbor?  Yes.  We now have a locale, where we will be starting mini-services this Sunday.  It is in Salcedo, even though we weren’t looking for a place there. 

One day we were about to play some soccer with some kids, when I happened to ask them if they rented rooms nearby.  One of the kids said yes, and guided us the way to see it.  We actually “raced” there, and these kids were hard to not lose to.  Anyways, it was perfect.  It’s in a secure neighborhood, with night watch and a community “board.”  It’s on Avenida Gardenias, and it’s directly on the street.  You don’t have to go through other rooms of the house to get to it.  It has a clean bathroom.  So this place is 100% perfect, even though it’s a little small.  It’s a step though.

We had to buy benches and a desk in order to start the services.  From here on out, we’ll be augmenting the tithes and offerings as much as possible in order to better this place.  Hey, if they want a better sign, chairs, or a coffee maker we’re going to have to raise some money to but that.

As far as the services, we’re keeping it simple.  We’re taking these people as babies.  We’re going to teach them a song one week and sing it.  Then we’ll sing it the next week and teach them a new one that week.  After we sing, we’re going to have a short reflection on the Bible, based on the lessons that we’re supposed to give to further these people in their walk with God.

By the power of modern transportation (motorcycle), we were able to visit 20 different people in one day in order to invite them.  Until I started writing the invitations, I had no idea that we knew so many people.  We didn’t just hand out invitations, these are people that we converse with on a regular basis about the Bible.  It was really encouraging to fitting it all in one day to invite them.

We’re going to have services at 5:00PM on Sundays and kids Sunday school at 10:00AM on Sundays as well.  I invite you personally to pray for these services, but especially for the 5 o’clock service.  Pray for guidance on my part, for enthusiasm as well, for soft hearts, and for wisdom on my partner’s behalf.

On another note, I had guinea pig for the first time.  I had to eat it like a barbarian, because that’s what the people I were sitting with were doing.  You can see in the picture to the left the guinea pig paw.  I picked it up to eat it by the paw.  It tasted like greasy chicken, what little there was.

 

Speaking of guinea pig, it was my partner’s birthday and he is in love with eating “cuy” as they call it here.  Happy Birthday Geremías!  He tore into this sucker and destroyed it.

To end this random blog post, it is my year anniversary coming up here in a couple days.  The 24th of May to be exact.  What are you going to buy me?

Numbers 3

My partner, Geremías, and I decided to take today as a “spiritual reflection” day.  Our work has grown immensely over the last 2 weeks, and God has really harvested.  But one of the requirements of this job is to have an “intimate relationship with God.”  One of our professors, Jim Lynch, told us not to let our ministry interfere with our relationship with Him.  That’s exactly what we’ve done, and we decided to devote today to renewing our hearts and minds for the One who deserves it most.

I had a profound study in Numbers today, and I decided I should write it down to share, but also to elaborate my own thoughts by writing it out.  So here you go, off the normal rhythm of my blogs, but in my mind necessary.

I encourage you to read Numbers 3 before reading this. (Actually this blog is worth nothing if you don’t put your face in the Bible)  I will be using the NIV.

Numbers 3 tells about the duties of the Levite clans, being the only non-military clan.  All the other tribes and clans of Israel were devoted to military power, but the Levites had been set apart (actually by killing their “brothers, friends, and neighbors”) all the way back in Exodus to do this duty.  They even have a whole book in the Bible dedicated to how they’re supposed to be priests.  In other words, these guys are a big deal.

So God had just demanded a census of the people, and arranged those people.  All of that was military strategy.  These people are getting ready to take off to the promise land, out of the Desert of Sinai, where they had received the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses.

Before they take off, they’re going to need a formation and responsibilities as well.  Verses 21-26 give duties to the Gershonites.  They are, in summary, to handle the curtains, coverings, and cords of the Tabernacle and were to camp to the west of it.  Verses 27-32 give duties to the Kohathites.  They were privileged with handling the “most holy items” of the tabernacle such as the arc, the table, the altars etc… They’ll be putting their stakes in the ground to the south. Verses 33-37 give duties to the Merarites.  They were to handle the structural stuff like the frame, crossbars, and posts and were to camp to the north of the tabernacle.

“Levi” means “unity,” and no son served under another family.  Verses 21-37, which I have just summarized for you, are the Old Testament reflection of 1st Corinthians 12.  Look at verses 4-6 in Corinthians and look at verses 12-26.  God had called the Levites to be serving Him, but they all had different ways, talents, gifts, and duties.  But it all honored God.  That is the key to being a part of the body of believers.  It is only healthy if it is an unselfish talent or gift glorifying God.  The OT says it in a different way, but you can obviously see that God has a plan to get things done as one.

If we look at verses 10 and 38 we see a common phrase: “anyone else who approaches the sanctuary must be put to death.”  The mediation of the OT could not bring the individual sinner into close communion with God.  If a person tried to approach God in the sanctuary, the pain of death was their penalty.  That’s the world in which they were living.  But in the dispensation in which we live today, we have not only access to God through the Great Mediator but also boldness to enter into His very presence.  This is according to Hebrews 4:16 which says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  A beautiful verse, and comparing these two thoughts, makes me realize how blessed I am to be able to boldly approach God, have communion with Him, and He with me.

Finally, a third theme I found comes from verse 15: “Count the Levites by their families and clans.  Count every male a month old or more.”  The Levites were predestined, were chosen to be hallowed to God, a servant.  They were counted to compensate for the firstborns of the rest of the tribes.  Taking into account that they were to serve God when they were 30 but they were actually a prospect since they were born. Paul says it twice, in Romans 8:29 and in Ephesians 1:4 how we are predestined to do the Good Work.

Isn’t it great that God had predestined us before we were born to do our part, our own unique part, so that others and ourselves can have a communion of boldness with Him!

God bless!

P.S.  This is something I designed using one of the pictures I took in one of my districts.  If you like it, click it and download it or set it as your background.  I would be honored.

Twitter: Good Friday

These would be my tweets throughout the day if I had the power to tweet.  I carried a pad of paper and wrote what I normally would in a cell phone.  All the pictures correspond with their tweets.

This is the account by Twitter of my 17 hour day, the Friday before Easter:

4:03AM – Just finished off the Nescafe Original, since we’ll be unable fast.

We got invited to breakfast, so there was no sense in fasting.  Chad had bought a special gift for us…high grade instant coffee.  So I decided to finish it.

4:29AM – Normal traffic. Normal day. Just the sun hasn’t risen.

People everywhere, cars everywhere.  So that was normal, but it was 4 in the morning and usually the city is deserted.

4:46AM – Rinconada=eerie…

4:48AM – Honked the horn, no signs of life #uhoh

We get there and it looked like the house was dead.  This was a bad bad feeling.  I was about to be out in the middle of nowhere at 5AM and not be able to climb the hill to pray, because I couldn’t leave my motorcycle out.

5:26AM – Still waiting #lahoraperuana

We started to see a couple faces that we knew and that was great…but we woke them up haha, even though they told us to be there at 5.  Turns out the mom had to go out of town for a funeral and didn’t wake up the rest.  They always have excuses, this one seemed reasonable.

5:36AM – This kid is owning me.

An 8 or 10 year old kid was just dominating me up the mini mountain.

5:49AM – The wall #dangerous

I had to help these two kids up this 20 foot wall at about an 89 degree angle.  It was crazy, even though they told me it was “the best way.”

5:52AM – We have summited #chachani

Got to the top and everybody had candles and were building these rock structures to put their candles in.  No one was praying or reading the Bible.  I started to pray and had a great time and a great peace.  I started to read my Bible.  Geremías whipped his out too.  I read the story of what happened on Good Friday in John.

7:19AM – Edith is reading John 19 and 20 to me.

I asked Edith, one of our new Christians, if she wanted to read to me. She said yes.  I tried to stop her when she was too far in the story.  She said, “That’s great” and kept reading.  It was cool to see a hunger for the Bible.

7:44AM – We have started the descent.

8:25AM – The matriarch says “Let’s pray and read the Bible.” Ok.

Sticking with the theme, Geremías read in John.

8:48AM – It’s not even 9 and a couple people accepted Christ.

My partner explained what all Jesus did for us and then what we need to do as well.  He asked them if they wanted to invite Christ and to make it really short, now the rest of this family has come to Christ!

9:04AM – My partner is still talking.  The preacher lives!

9:14AM – Golf clap for the ol’ partner.

He was playing guitar and singing.  I was laying in the grass.

10:31AM – Food from Cuzco in Vicki’s house. Tamales. Bread. Tea. #breakfast #notenoughfood

Quick run to Salcedo for breakfast.

10:35AM – Jehovah’s Witnesses  just dropped by… #awkward

Vicki says, “Their religion is not correct, like ours.”  Good, very good Vicki.

11:31AM – At home for a bit.

To get the equipment ready for the movie tonight.  And to grab some papers.

1:02PM – Drunk guy just tried to kiss my hand, then proceeded to spit in my mouth #pleasant #sarcasm

In Jayllihuaya now.  This is the same drunk guy that when he sees me it’s the same 4 questions: Is WWE real or fake? What’s the difference between religion and science? Why are their blacks and whites? Where is God? I’ve answered them all.  10 times.

1:47PM – Dang it, I just finished my Pepsi.

Then this lady offers us potatoes straight out the ground and boiled.  She tells me not to peel it, more nutrients that way.  Great, bad after taste and no Pepsi.

2:08PM – Playing musical chairs up hurr in Jayllihuaya.

My partner decides to buy a big glass of Coke to share. And when I say share, I mean they use one plastic cup.  For everybody.  So I was hopping around, trying to avoid being next to receive the cup.

2:44PM – Telling people about our movie tonight.

2:51PM – Geremías is talking to the Catholic priest to borrow electricity #trojanhorse

3:21PM – I’m an uncle.

While talking with Betty, I greeted an old man by saying “Mr. Chino” and she said “Uncle Chino.”  I told her I didn’t know that he was her uncle.  She said that they’re a big family in Jayllihuaya.  Then she said, “Don’t you notice that all the kids call you uncle?”  I’m part of the family.

3:56PM – Guaranteed the electricity. Equipment will be here within the hour #hope

Not from the Catholic church, rather from a store on the other side of the plaza.

3:57PM – Peed in a bush #notuncommon

5:31PM – There’s a sheep in the soccer field #normal

5:55PM – Movie is all ready to go.

Oh, we start on time.  None of this Peruvian hour stuff.

6:00PM – Started! Time to sleep.

6:41PM – People showin up erywhere.

At one point, about 40.  Which is like the whole town.

7:03PM – Finally sat down, having good convo with the Rimarachin sisters.

Who are the daughters of the Nazarene president of Peru.  Really nice girls, and we let them do the invitation over the microphone.

7:31PM – Can’t feel my toes.

It’s cold.

8:11PM – Couple strong contacts and a convert! #winning

8:16PM – Stupid dog just peed on our equipment #welcometoperu

9:17PM – Enjoyed first real meal of the day. Quick internet break and bedtime. #missionsuccessful #sleeplikeababy