Life; an adventure, a journey with Jesus!

Total Integrity in Christ

That’s what the t-shirt says! Yes, the theme for one of the American TEAM visits was ‘Total Integrity in Christ’ and some extra shirts were made available for us to share with some of the Peruvians after the team returned to the states. There was no doubt in my mind that Keila would be honored to receive the shirt and it would be honorable for her to wear it. She is a young lady who is on fire for Jesus and assists her parents in their small church just a few blocks from our house.

We have spent a little time over the past two years getting to know Keila and her family. She speaks some English so it is a joy to have her visit. We first met her when a family came from Alaska to serve here for the month of January and we arranged some of the details for their visit. We had a lovely dinner at their home at that time. Then this past year they invited us to speak at their closing VBS program one Sunday. Her dad has been a Pastor for 35 years. At this season in their lives they are working with a small church. It has about 25 members, with an additional 20 who attend the Saturday night youth program and another 25 attend their Sunday morning children’s program. The church meets for praise and worship and ministry on Sunday evening, and then both Monday and Tuesday night they meet for prayer. They also have some cell groups that meet midweek for prayer and fellowship. They are a few in numbers, but very active and of sound doctrine.

Keila read some FaceBook posts about the American TEAM coming to minister in San Juan de Lurigancho. She also has friends who attend our home church and learned of their visit. She asked me, no she begged me to ask Pastor Bill if the TEAM could come to her church. I told her their schedule was pretty full and I didn’t think they would have an opportunity to visit. She told me to “pray and then ask him again!” Talk about her faith! It was a pleasant surprise to see her at our church the night of the youth conference. We had a very quick moment to introduce her to Pastor Bill and told him of her hearts’ desire. But the schedule this year just did not permit the unscheduled visit.

With some of the donations still to be distributed after the TEAM returned to the states, Don and I felt that it would be a blessing to gather some of them together and give them to Keila for her church. She was very surprised to receive the t-shirt and put it on immediately! Then we provided her with a market bag of goodies from the generosity of the Americans. They received tracts, copies of the Gospel of John, 6 New Testaments, salvation bracelets, a “Big Book” wordless book with pictures telling the gospel, and silly bands. We also have a supply of beanie babies from Bridgeway, our home church in Georgia, and gave her 2 dozen for prizes or gifts for the children in her church.

Keila and her brother (she brought him with her) were very happy and wanted to pray for the Americans, for us and for the material blessings received. It was a precious time spent with them. Again, we feel being conduits for Christ and bringing the needs and resources together to glorify God is such a privilege.

Approximately six weeks later…..

Keila called and asked if she could come and visit us. She had read about Don’s TIA attack and hospitalization. The day and time were agreed upon and we looked forward to spending a little time with her. What a wonderful surprise we had when we opened the door and her parents were with her. They had come to visit and brought Keila as their translator.

After the Peruvian greeting of hugs and kisses, they presented us with a cake, and we invited them to sit down and make themselves comfortable. The next 45 minutes or so we chatted and learned that they had been praying for us since Keila read of Don’s recent episode. They, of course, wanted to know what happened, how he was feeling, and what our plans were. They asked more about our ministry, if we were ever lonely, warned us about the dangerous areas within walking distance, and encouraged us to visit them any day, any time. They reinforced what we have always said; building relationships with people is very important to Peruvians. They again invited us to worship with them anytime we could. We are all members of the Body of Christ Pastor Haura reminded us, so they hurt when we hurt and they wanted to make sure we knew they were always available. We continued sharing with one another and then they asked if they could pray for us before leaving. It was such a special visit. We were so honored that they would take their Friday night to come. Pastor Haura prayed fervently for us, for our health, for blessings, for our ministry, for our family, for God’s protection, physical healing, and for the Holy Spirit to work through us. He prayed for the work we have done and that which God has planned for us to do. (Yes, I got that much out of his rapid speaking!)

As we expressed our gratefulness for their visit, hugged one another and asked God’s blessing on each other, there was only final request from Pastor Haura and his wife. His daughter Darias would be celebrating her birthday on the 24th of the month and they would like us to join their family for the party. We thanked them for the invitation and said we would save the date. Keila will be contacting us with further details shortly. We were warmed by their presence, their present, their pleas for us to join their family and/or church anytime, and for their prayers!