Its been entirely too long since I have communicated with you all who are my friends, pray-ers, donors and family. You may laugh at me, this truly is a symptom of my generation... in all my communication from facebook, to blog, to texting to calls, it somehow slipped my mind. I feel very "connected" I guess you could say. So, here is a brief update since February:
- I spent the month of February living in my friend Doris' refuge while the owner of my apartment was back in Peru visiting family. In the meantime, the Lord spoke to me about safety, space, rest... and I found an apartment in a MUCH calmer part of town. Its cost is double but the safety and peace, ability to walk almost everywhere without being so concerned about robbery, kidnapping or worse and be close to friends from church, staff, and the refuge has been a gift. I moved in and settled and seem to be having meetings, dinners, & lunches at least 4-5 times a week. Its a wonderful place for rest... and I have 2 extra rooms already booked full with missionaries, visitors, and team through August. W college student I know from Arizona will probably live with me during her 3 month exchange Sept-December.
- Our Capernaum team in the Dominican Republic is beginning all over again. New team. New area of the city. Clearer vision more closely tied to the vision of Young Life with its emphasis on TEENS (it had become mostly adults and truly life changing for them, just not Young Life). The old team continues to work with the old kids. I am preparing to visit at the end of May and welcome a bilingual volunteer leader from California for a month. I will be back in August for a national director conference and will get to have follow up time to our training. Praise God for 7 new leaders in training in Santiago!
-Many have asked of we were affected by the earthquake here in Peru. Thankfully, we were not at all as an earthquake of the magnitude here in Peru would shut us down. Our government is not as well prepared as Chile! However, the earthquake has affected Capernaum and Young Life in Chile. Our area director in Santiago, Chile wrote to me and informed me that they would have to set aside Capernaum for at least a year to respond to the needs created by the earthquake. Though saddened, I trust he knows and God's time will be right to begin again.
-In Peru, the Capernaum team has dwindled. Those who study here, tend to be in classes at least 20-30 hours/week. On top of that there is always work to survive. Full time work is about 60-70 hours/week typically. This makes it nearly impossible for one to volunteer. SO, we have made some changes, have a new plan, new schedule, and last night had an interest meeting. Changing our emphasis to the government-run pr[hanage on Saturday mornings has opened up the possibility of serving to MANY! 22 people came last night. I am praying for 12 leaders to join our current team of 3. Our Capernaum (volunteer) director cannot continue in his role due to work, so I am taking this on until the Lord provides someone else to lead. Please pray for Janet whom I think could be our lady! Please pray for those who came last night and are considering their role!
-Its been an odd season of life and death. My dear friend Monica gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and on the same day, a sweet leader, friend, and sister in Christ from our Peru team lost her battle with leukemia. Leaves some hard questions and a wrestling with God.
-Personally, its a hard time of year. We are enjoying the last (half or quarter) days of sun. The clouds roll in like a dark heavy blanket and linger and weigh on us for about 7 -8 months. I struggle with motivation, energy, and even depression in these months and find myself needing the Lord more than ever. To prepare myself, I am walking daily with a friend, taking any "get-aways" possible outside of Lima for glimpses of sun, and grateful for Christian's presence with me in this as he encourages me, prays for me, and really is my best friend. Please do pray that the Lord would carry me through this and I would be able to continue to serve with joy!
-Raquel... I do still get to see Raquel from time to time and its a gift. She is doing really well and my relationship with dad and the girls is good. She was here last weekend and while she was still asleep I was reading and came in to find she had invited my dog right up into bed with her and proudly announced the spanish version of "Deza goes night night with me in your spot, Mommy!" I had to laugh and snap a picture.
Thank you for your prayers, concern, and friendship. I always say this, but I really, really mean it... I want to know about your life. a friend pointed out to me that she at times feels intimidated to write to a "missionary" about her "boring" life. BUT, first its not boring and second, I want to stay connected to you all. Sharing your lives is a vital way to feel connected to "home."
Christen
1 comments:
Hey there... we should chat soon! Good job!
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