Christmas: Came and Went

It was definitely a Christmas season that I’ll never forget. It was more different than anything I’ve experienced, or even dreamed I would be doing. I have to be honest and say that I would rather have passed it with my family in our warm home in my pj’s but I think in hindsight it was worth it. I am after all a missionary, and I couldn’t help but think that this season is all about giving, especially when our contacts need it most.

Let’s look at the biggest events for Geremías and I this holiday season:

We planted potatoes with a family for the church. They had the idea that Geremías and I could plant potatoes in their field and then we could invite everyone to harvest the potatoes and eat them as a community of brothers and sisters. The only catch was that we had to do all the work. We tilled with pick axes one Friday from about 7:00AM to 4:00PM. Then the next Saturday, in about an hour the two of us and two of them planted the seeds. Now we’re just waiting for the potatoes to grow so we can harvest them, make an oven out of the ground, and eat them with the other church plants!

I also killed and ate a chicken that day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We did a “chocolatada.” This same family always does a “hot chocolate” for the public. But this year they wanted to do it with us so that we “could add brothers and sisters to the church.” Perfectly fine idea for me. On a Sunday morning in Salcedo at about 10:00AM we put kids Christmas music on for about an hour as the kids started coming. It was a hit! About 70 kids came and I got 10 names of parents to visit in their houses and share the news of Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We handed out clothes/gifts to families. To those 10 families I told that we could come by, we gave out clothes/household accessories for the parents and coloring kits for the kid on Christmas Eve. So even if they had nothing, they could at least have something this holiday season. Even greater that that, we were able to share the great news that the Savior was born in Bethlehem and he contains the gift that keeps giving. From that “chocolatada” we have been able to arrange visits for 3 new people to study the Bible with them.

 

On Christmas Eve, we went to a very needy family of the church in Rinconada. There are 4 of them: a grandmother, mother, a little 11 year old girl, and an 8 year old boy. They literally have nothing because the father abandoned them and the mother doesn’t have a job, and the grandmother just underwent surgery. It was the idea of Chad and Amanda to give out gift baskets and we chose this family. We entered their house and surprised them with a basket of rice, sugar, oil, fruitcake, yogurt, and other goodies. They were so taken back and couldn’t even thank us with words. I was so glad to be able to bless this family with something this Christmas season.

We did a Christmas Day service. Although few people came, it was good to be able to be with the few people from Salcedo that did come. Geremías and I split the sermon and we preached on the good news of the birth of Christ. We sung Christmas hymns and ate traditional Peruvian Christmas food afterwards (awkward fig salad, rice, maize and mayo salad, peaches…) It was a real “Peruvian Christmas” for me, not just a “Christmas in Peru” where I could’ve easily escaped to an American Christmas inside this country.

Salcedo grows. As a result of almost all of this work in Salcedo, we’ve seen a turning of the tables in Salcedo. We’ve got a good group of people coming to the services (possibly a direct result of the pain we had to endure for many, many months before.) I remember walking in Salcedo one day this month and saying to God, “Why? Why are you blessing us? What have we done to deserve this? and why now?” Well I don’t think I will ever know the exact reason why God decides what he decides for any situation, but I know I should thank him for whatever he decides. I don’t know what the future for this church is, but I can tell you that you need to pray that God’s will be done in my life to see the will of this church carried out.

Until next time, check out this song I heard on the radio here!

Dear Lindsey,

 

I feel that this blog is the most powerful mean of communication that I have at my expense. In that sense, I would like to write an open letter to my big sister for all to see if they so desire.

Dear Lindsey,

It may be saddening that this is one of the best ways I have to congratulate you in light of the recent events. But in reality, we both know that this is exactly how it should be. One of the most difficult things about being here in Peru is not being there for your family when they are going through difficult times. Even more difficult than that is not being there when those times are joyous. More than anything in the world, as cheesy as it sounds, I would like to be in the United States to share this moment with you.

I’m proud of you big sis. You’ve done it the right way. I can tell that you’ve been sensing the Spirit in your daily life, seeking Him fervently. How many people have we seen look for their spouse the wrong way? and still you didn’t take example from them. You’ve trusted the Lord your God to bring to you the right man, and look at the joy with which He is rewarding you.

I tell people that my sister is my mejor amiga. And filling that place with someone else is going to be weird for me. They’ve got big shoes to fill and it kinda sucks that you’re not going to be the one in those shoes. Selfishly I don’t want to look at the big picture, but I’d rather continue on forever with our single lives, not losing a best friend. Who’s going to call you a man? Who’s going to sing in the car louder than you? Who’s going scare you walking out of the bathroom? Who’s going to make fun of your iDevices? WHO?!

The journey just now really begins, and let it begin with these words on your heart:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

In this journey, just as the day you gave your life to Christ Jesus as the Ruler of your life, is just the way you live everyday. I’m no expert in marriage, because I have little to no experience. But I think you’ll do just fine living as a model as Paul describes in this letter.

Enjoy these next couple of months being engaged. Plan well, and don’t forget me please. Your little brother is always thinking about you and always praying for you. It won’t be long until I’m cutting a rug at the reception. (There will be dancing. Loads of dancing.)

I love you and miss you. Blessings.

Your Little Brother Always,

Garren

P.S. Looooads of dancing.

Thanksgibbin

For those faithfuls out there, you may remember a post this time last year called “So Thankful” and if not you can go back and read it no problem. Looking back on that post, I can’t believe how much I’ve changed since then. I look at what I was thankful for and realize how centered around what I didn’t have at the time. I’d like to redo that list right now, giving thanks for what I do have.

The Andes Mountains. Their beauty, splendor, greatness. And I get to live in the middle of it all.

Skype. This is the best thing that has happened to technology. It shrinks the world for me, and does it for free.

Books. Have you read my last blog?

Stores. It’s so nice to have a store that is right at the corner with almost anything that you may need in that moment. Obviously little stores can’t provide all the needs we may have but certainly they do fulfill the majority and they’re right there.

Coffee. I’ve learned to love coffee without being addicted to it.

Running. I run about twice a week and sometimes it’s so majestic and refreshing. It  has the tendency to remind me of where I’m living.

Mornings. The peace and tranquility and the productivity that comes to me in the morning is something I’m learning to appreciate more and more.

El Criollo. This is Puno’s best lunch menu. 3 and a half soles and the best white rice you will ever eat. Did I just say that? That I like the rice? It’s really, really good. Trust me. I look forward to Thursdays because we eat at the Criollo for lunch.

Change. Most of all, I’m thankful for the change God has been able to make a reality in my life. I’m different. Lots different. I surely can’t give any credit to any human, book, country, or culture. To constantly have a fire burning within you is the passion I want for all, because that’s what am everyday, all day. I am eternally grateful for the new creature I have become through the work of Christ in me.

Books & Books

When I get free time, I like to spend it reading a good edifying book. I have here a list of books that I’ve recently read, and a short description. My desire would be for everyone to read all of these books, as they all have given me a new perspective on an aspect of Christianity. I know that’s not a realistic desire, but if you could, pick one out and read it. You might have been wondering on what level does a crazy missionary read, well here you go!

 

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Called one of the “most excellent works of the 20th century,” Bonhoeffer really cuts to the quick. He was a martyr in WWII attempting to assassinate Hitler. The book can be summed up by saying, “When Christ calls a man, He bids them to come and die.” He really elevates the standard of being a Christian, and backed it up by giving his life for others. A great writer and a great example. Easily the most challenging read of this whole list (Bible omitted.)

 

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. I can say I wanted to highlight 75% of this book. What does it mean to be a “follower of Christ”? Tozer beautifully describes that and how it is to be done. How does one get God? How does one’s life look in doing that? We all thirst for something supernatural, but grasping that concept is something on a whole new level. Tozer hits the nail on the head and it doesn’t make you feel good with the realities he brings up. For you Kindle owners out there, it’s available here on Amazon for $1.

 

Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Definitely more milk than meat, this in my opinion is a book for people still grasping Christianity. I put it on here because there are 2 chapters in particular that give examples of the “lukewarm Christian,” and the “sold-out Christian” which we all can benefit from. If you’re looking for the same deep challenging material found in the majority of these other books, you may be left wanting more.

 

 

Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. Other than the Bible, this is the only book that has changed my life. It did that by changing my perspective of God. It made me think of how small I thought of God before and how dangerous it is to put Him in a box. It’s hard to get used to Tozer’s writing style in this one, but once you get it, it’s definitely one you’re going to want to read more than once.

 

 

 

Radical by David Platt. This book surprised me because it was so different, but so new. It really hits on the process in the American church and how and why it needs to change its dead self. I think every pastor should read this book, but not only read it but do what it says. I know too many churches in the US that are explained in this book, but I would like to see them ready and radical to take it old school to the church in Acts.

 

 

 

The Bible by more the 40 authors. Obviously I’m reading the Bible. I am currently in a chronological inductive study of the Old Testament. In other words, I’m studying every little detail of the events as they happened in history (the Bible is not placed in timely order.) It’s a great method, but definitely a challenge. I wanted to know all the history in order to understand as much as possible.

As far as a certain version, I recommend the ESV, NIV, or NKJV. My dream Bible would be a NKJV Wide Margin but I don’t have access to that here, so right now I’m using an NIV Study Bible (with built in commentary.)

That’s all. But one more thing: I would love love love recommendations from you guys for what to read in the future! Until the next time, let this oldie but goodie keep you busy!

Pray, Without Ceasing

One of the most mystifying aspects of those who follow Christ in my opinion is prayer. Those who are on the outside will never understand, and those on the inside can never explain. Since my arrival here to Peru, my concept and practice of prayer has bettered exponentially. I’m not going to try to explain II Thessalonians 5:17 to you. I believe that is something that every individual must discover on there own through the inclination of the Holy Spirit. No, I just want to look at the prayer implemented in the life of a missionary.

It has been pressing on my heart for awhile. My devotional prayer life has been increasing since my arrival to here in Peru. Getting up in the morning and the first thing I do was not always prayer, and it’s not anywhere to perfect now. God is always calling to a higher standard. You can always set the bar higher on quality and/or quantity. That is something I’ve been working on for a year and a half.

Only since my arrival to Puno has prayer bettered in other ways. This is what really made me understand it better, and then I gave more importance to my morning prayer times. Praying with people, praying with my compañero, praying in front of people, praying when people ask for prayer, praying as an instinct.

Praying with people. People love to be prayed for here, they say they need prayer but never do they expect us to say, “Ok let’s pray. Right now.” Maybe they think it as a common courtesy to say that you’ll pray for them, it’s not any different than the U.S. How much more powerful is it to pray for that person in that moment than say you’re going to pray for that person in the mornings or when you get home. This aspect was something that hit me early on when we arrived to Puno.

Praying with my compañero. We used to do it every Tuesday, but now I’m trying to get us to depend on it, praying 2 to 3 times a day. Whether they’re scheduled prayers, or random ones because I feel we need to do it. Either way, I can’t be frustrated with him after we pray. It’s impossible to fight the peace in my heart.

Praying in front of people. Specifically non-believers. In public and usually with my compañero. Without shame, instead praying for those people who might be amused by us. It’s very humbling.

Praying when people ask for it. “Hey, can you pray for me, I’m having a rough day.” “Ok, I’ll be praying for you.” Guilty as charged, I’ve done it numerous times thinking that they just need to hear that they’ll be prayed for. Take the time to put aside a few quality minutes and intercede for that person. You, after all, would want them to spend that quality time interceding for you if you were to ask them. When I tell people that I’m going to pray them, I’m going to pray for them the first chance I get.

Praying as an instinct. Is that how it is for you? Is that the first thing you depend on? Or only when you’re scared? You breathe don’t you? I say that you should rely on prayer the same way you rely on oxygen or food. I’ll be the first one to admit that it’s not an instinct for me, but I can honestly tell you guys that I’m striving for it to be. It’s hard, sometimes I don’t want to but it’s definitely worth it. Prayer changes lives. The lives of the intercedees and the interceders.

On the subject of prayer, I would like to ask you readers who’ve gotten this far in my blog for some prayer. It recently been my decision to increase the number of services we do in each church plant. We’re trying to unite the family of our churches by prayer. We’ve added a prayer service on Thursdays at 6:00PM in Salcedo and another Tuesdays at 6:00PM in Rinconada. We’ll read a Psalm, ask for prayer requests, and then sit in a circle and give all the chance to pray. If no one comes, then Geremías and I will have another opportunity to pray, which is never a bad thing.

This will also force us to spend more time in our districts, which is something that has been weighing on my heart. I want to leave here with a clear conscience and knowing that I have worked with integrity. Seeing results or not seeing results won’t matter, as long as I know that I put my all.

I need your prayer because this puts us at 6 services a week. That’s a lot of church, and it’s not like I’m the one getting served in a church service. It’s going to wear down on me in numerous ways. Please be in prayer that lives are changed, that I am strengthened, that people are united, and that in the end God is the one who is glorified.

Thanks for reading this blog, I hope you’ve been challenged. Until the next time, check this song out.

Drive

I want to take a break from writing about anything ministry related and talk about one of the largest aspects of my life down here in Puno: driving. It’s no secret anymore that I have a motorcycle, and while it helps a lot with our work, I don’t want to get into to that.  I just want to share some fun experiences and differences about the driving here in a 3rd world city.

Puno is where I bought my motorcycle and where I learned how to drive one. The picture above is me now where I first learned to drive. The pastor and I bought it, and the next day he taught me how to drive it here on the shores of Titicaca. Pastor said and I quote, “This isn’t the first time you’ve driven a motorcycle, you’ve been doing this for a while.” (We would soon find out how untrue that was.) I only seemed like I knew what I was doing because I had thought the process through in my mind on how to drive it, and just did it when the time came around.  Then the pastor said, “You just lack city driving.”  He hopped on and we started to go through the unfamiliar (at the time) city of Puno.

I was driving along  when the road was blocked off and we had to turn left or make a U-turn.  We took the U-turn option but apparently the cop that was standing at the corner didn’t see that as an option.  He started yelling at us, to move the bike, and that’s when we found out how untrue what pastor said was, and I froze. Everything I had learned had left my mind in that instant. Then the cop says, “He’s just learning, isn’t he…” Keep in mind that I have my helmet on so the cop doesn’t actually know how white this kid (me) actually is. The pastor argued with him. I didn’t say a word. The pastor got of the bike and continued arguing. I didn’t say a word. Somehow, the pastor got us out of it and then he took the handlebars and we took off. Me about to faint. That cop is sometimes at the station by our house. Sometimes I see him and I think, “Sucka! You don’t even know that this white boy was driving that day!” That was day one.

I’ve gotten pulled over once since then. It was because they were checking everyone, drug tip or something. I handed the female officer my insurance and registration (which are in the name of the pastor,) holding back my American license. She then asked me for my license and I gave it to her, with big letters saying, “OHIO.” She compared the names of the license and the registration and with a confused look and a smile said, “Have a good night sir.” I sped off without having said a word!

As far as rules, limits, and laws here…there are two: If it’s green, go! If it’s red, stop! Everything else is open game:

Do I park on the left of the right side of the street? Can I go right on red? Is there a speed limit? or even a lane? Is this road one way or two way? Turn signals are optional?

Now, there are very few stoplights so you can imagine how barbaric these roads are. I say very humbly that I am a pro now, and very pridefully I say that I am Puno’s best driver. I do everything with an American base, but still like a Puneñan, which makes me the one who does things right, but not alone in my own little world.

You’ve also got two classes of vehicles here: slow and fast. Slow would be combis (public vans that are a bit bigger than minivans) empty taxis, and commercial trucks. Fast would be personal cars, taxis with someone in them, and motorcycles (esp ones that deliver propane gas.)

Combis (com-bees) are by far the worst for one reason: They stop on the right side of the street to pick up/drop off people. They stop in groups. And when they’re done with their business on the right, they dry turn the wheel cranking it to the left, hit the gas, and cut right into traffic. I’ve seen this process a million times way before it happens. You literally have to drive on the left side watching for those wheels being cranked to the left. I’ve laid on my horn on numerous occasions but it doesn’t phase them. You just gotta put on the brakes.

When in Arequipa, I always thought that horns were over used. It’s not true. I now know why they are used so much. People don’t know how to walk. They are in the street not looking almost constantly. They are very irresponsible (Originally I had a different choice of words other than “irresponsible) when it comes to walking. What’s worse is that cars here have the right-of-way!

I love driving here though. To be able to have a motorcycle in South America next to the highest navigable lake in the world is truly a dream for me. It’s one of my favorite things to do here, and I’m going to be sad when it’s over. I drive in the city, not just the outskirts. It makes things easier and life more enjoyable (public transportation is a disaster!)

El Proveedor

The Provider. I have seriously been amazed in the timing of God. I am sensitive to these things lately, and I am also sensitive to burdens. Burdens of others, burdens for others, human burdens, and burdens that God has placed on my heart. I’m not a sad person, nor heavily pressed or weighed down. I just can’t help but feel the agony of the reality. It may be because I care.

One burden that I have been carrying lately is the burden of fruit. this burden has been a deceiving one though. I’ve had the burden of seeing the fruit, of being able to control it, and getting the results that should be expected. I am quite mathematically minded when A + B = C, then A + B = C no matter what. That “C” hasn’t been showing up in the form of a “C” or in any form at all in some circumstances.

This past Tuesday, we had our weekly meeting with the pastor. He always has a message for us usually based out of a Pauline letter. Two weeks before, I meant to thank him for his message, this week I couldn’t not thank him because it was meant for me.

Based out of I Corinthians 15:58:

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

What I had been deceived by this burden I soon was shown the truth. The pastor said that if any of us aren’t seeing fruit, it doesn’t mean that we should change what we are doing. We should “stand firm.” Our job is not to harvest, but rather to plant the seed. Others may see the harvest, we may see the harvest, but either way it is not our responsibility. He said to never think that our work is in vain. Don’t let the devil get to us like that.

It’s easy to question this work. Especially when you’re constantly giving and never getting. When no one comes to church, when people tell you yes, but don’t come through (maldito el hombre que fia en los hombres!) when you can’t see change, when all is stagnant.

Yes, it’s easy to question. When there’s so little support coming your way, not because of unwillingness but because of inability to relate. When you’re not in your element. When there are huge distractions. When giving up is so close. When the countdown til the end begins.

It’s easy to question. But I’m not here to do the easy stuff. It’s hard to stand firm, it’s hard to recognize that this is not in vain. Doing the hard stuff is what makes sense here. This isn’t in vain, it’s also not our harvest, it’s His.

I thought last week in our empty church service, “I’m here to worship. And without shame or embarrassment I will worship regardless if anyone is here to worship with me.”

I printed that verse out. It’s hanging in my closet space. I can’t ever forget that I am the planter and nothing else. And I will continue without shame to plant and plant and plant the Word of Christ in others.

You too should consider yourself a planter in God’s eyes. If you’re not planting, with what will the Harvest come?