Looking back and Looking forward

The plans we all make throughout life….think about it, we make them with good intentions, many times with conviction, and others times with affirmation. What happens when they don’t “happen”? Someone or something doesn’t follow through. Often times it is we, ourselves.

Looking back, we review our original plans (January 2009) and they were documented after much prayer and counsel. We had intentions of working with Pat’s Place and Hope House to start cottage industries to help the residents as they one day would move out and become self-sufficient. We saw the need, felt the call, and had affirmation from the pastoral staff that a study for Christians and their place in the church was needed and would be appreciated. This study has since been named, “Lumps of Clay”. The desire to help the struggling business person who works 60 hours a week or more, was a seed planted in our minds and the mission/vision statement established is: “To assist Peruvian Christians connected with the local evangelical churches through the provision of funds and education to establish or enlarge businesses or ministries.” This arm of our ministry is called “Help from Above”. The AWANA ministry has been close to our hearts for many, many years. Therefore starting clubs with the goal of reaching the children with the gospel of Christ was work but also pleasure!

As year number one unfolded, we discovered God provided some additional tasks for us, and that of managing resources for American Mission Teams in Peru, to enable the work they started to continue in their absence, was one such new area of service. Another active area of service is ‘grandparenting’ the children of three safe havens. Visiting at least once a month, and oft times providing parties, crafts, watching videos, and just hanging with the kids, or taking them on a field trip strengthens the relationships. The AWANA clubs were seven in number this year!
In addition to the above-mentioned ministry areas, the second year (January 2010) we found Don deeply involved with construction projects; their review, architectural drawings and design, material lists and quotes, along with budgets and securing Peruvian laborers to assist the Americans, and overseeing purchase of materials. Our first AWANA GAMES was held with over 250 children and adults in attendance! Being Field Managers of resources and seeing specific needs of some Peruvians, we find ourselves bringing the needs and resources together and thus are “Conduits for Christ”. Grandparenting continues and we love it as much as the kids do. Although the makeup of the families at Pat’s Place, Hope House and the Good Shepherd Orphanage consistently changes, we remain faithful to our commitment to visit and love on ‘em.

Here it is the beginning of year three (January 2011) and we must review where we have come from and where we are going. The closing of the AWANA clubs (in July 2010) by a new pastor was a disappointment to us, but we cling to the scripture that promises His word will not return void. There are many other churches seeking an outreach program, and three new clubs were started early this year. Praise God! With the Lumps of Clay teacher manual and student workbook completed, printed, and now being used in small group setting, another study is being researched. There are and always will be many children to love and to share God’s love with, so we continue to “grandparent” them on a monthly basis with the goal of living a life which they can relate to even when language is a problem. The Teams from the USA have scheduled their visits for this year and have asked for our support again before, during and after their visit. This is an on-going commitment we are only too happy to make.

At the beginning I asked a simple question. What happens when our plans don’t ‘happen’? In Proverbs we read that “we make our plans but the Lord directs our steps.” Two of our dreams and plans have fallen by the wayside.

The first was to begin some cottage industries for the residents of both Pat’s Place and Hope House. After living in Peru for the past 2 years, we realize this is easier said than done. We are open to helping in any way we can. However, the door has been closed at Pat’s Place so when a mother and her children choose to leave and become independent, we will be there for her at her request. The older girls at Hope House need to seek additional education and if they choose to leave and go out on their own, hopefully we have built a strong enough relationship that they would come and visit. That’s exactly what three of the girls have done.  At this point in our journey, we seek opportunities to help those from these two homes who help themselves.

The second was to establish a Peruvian business “Help from Above”. The question we have to ask ourselves is this: Was this God’s plan or ours? Unfortunately we still do not have an answer to this question. But what we do know is that God’s timing is not our timing. Peruvian businessmen (an attorney and a banker) need to be called by the Lord, discovered by us, and step up to the plate willing to help their fellowman. This arm of our ministry may not be functioning at 100% at this point in time, but the framework of the business plan has been established and we need to fervently pray for God to raise up the people He wants in this ministry, or close the door. Please pray with us for clear direction.

We look ahead and see ourselves continuing with the research and writing of a new Bible Study as a tool for the Peruvian Pastors to use with their church family. We continue to serve as “Conduits for Christ” for the American Teams, work in medical clinics, minister to the Good Shepherd Orphanage, start additional AWANA clubs and grandparent the children as opportunities arise.

There are two other outreach programs that are heavy on Don’s heart. Without any detail at present, just let me ask that you pray for the doors to open or close on: 1.) a neighborhood volleyball court and 2.) the opening of a coffee house in San Juan de Lurigancho.

We do not know what the future holds, but as you know, we are confident who holds the future!