Standing Alone

In my last two posts, I talked about 2 young people that are also students at our Christian school. Today, I wanted to mention our other student, Sasha. In the picture, she is wearing the leopard print top with a black skirt. I am proud and thankful for the growth that I have seen in the life of this young lady.

In our first year of school, she had a difficult time transitioning from a public school setting to doing the majority of her school work online under my supervision. However, she has stuck with it, and her academics have improved this year.  🙂

Without going into detail, she recently came to a place in her life of decision, which lead her to take a stand that I know was difficult for her to do. However, I know that God blessed her for it, and He continues to bless her as she serves Him. It’s never easy to take a stand, when you have to do it by yourself. In reality though, when you stand for what is right, God is standing with you, and that is what really matters. I believe God has great plans for Sasha’s future, and I look forward to seeing God “unfold the rose” of her life.

Piano Player In The Making

Yesterday was Trinity’s first time ever to play the piano during worship service! In case you don’t know, Trin is the young lady to the left. Her good friend and schoolmate Sasha is on the right. I wasn’t able to get a picture of Trin playing, because I was on the platform at the same time praise singing.

I wanted to let everyone know that she did a great job! I know it can be intimidating and make one nervous doing something for the first time in front of a group of people, but I’m glad she took the plunge, and I am proud of her. It’s encouraging to see young people that will let God use them, whether it be playing an instrument, singing, witnessing to a friend, praying with someone in the altar, etc.,etc. I love the young people of our church. They are not perfect(but then again, who is?), but they are striving to live for God, and I’m very thankful and blessed to see growth in their lives. What a precious thing it is to be able to serve God in your youth!

Daniel’s First POP

This past Sunday was Daniel’s first time to do a POP. In case you’re wondering what a POP is, it’s an acronym that stands for Power of Proverbs. The first and third Sunday of each month, we have a young person speak for 2-7 minutes on something they have gleaned from the book of Proverbs. This is a good exercise to help young people get practice in speaking in front of a group. It is also something that hopefully encourages and motivates them to study out a verse or verses. Many times these little sermonettes have been a great blessing, spot on and timely. I know there was a least one instance when after a POP, Pastor gave an altar call.

Daniel did a great job for his very first time. I know he was nervous, but God helped him. The Scripture he talked about was Proverbs 11:23.

“The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.”

It is amazing too how a lot of what he said tied right in with our visiting evangelist who preached after Daniel spoke. I just love when God does that!

I am proud of Daniel and all our young people. Our youth group is not very large, but it is so wonderful to see all of them making strides in living for Jesus. To God be the glory!

 

Importunate Intercession

Sheer persistence, shameless audacity

bold importunity, unrelenting tenacity

on part of the suppliant in prayer

gets God’s attention and draws Him near.

 

We must have a firm faith

that for answer won’t take no;

a determined stick to itness

that won’t let God go.

 

Such a one that prays

meeting this condition

obtains their miracle

sees souls saved from perdition.

 

Great God eternal,

this is my plea,

that you would put such steadfast

doggedness in me.

 

Don’t let me faint in prayer.

Help me to prevail.

The furtherance of your kingdom

may my petitions surely avail.

 

2/20/18

 

Darkness Vanquished

You ruled my past.

    Like a merciless monster you

                   came to me in many forms.

                            Depression, ignorance, false doctrine,

                                       thoughts of suicide, foreboding clouds, betrayal,

                             self-loathing and feelings of doom, just

                      to name a few.  You sought to encompass my heart

        in a cocoon of hopelessness in a manner so sinister,

conniving, oppressive and strangling. So near you were

               to me that your icy cold breath felt like heavy

                         chains around my neck.

Helpless was I to penetrate your tangible shadows

until one day I found

The Light that could!

             That Light now lives in me, glows through me

                  reigns in me. I still fight you, my enemy, but

                       it is no longer in my strength alone, and I want you

                                to know that even in my toughest days,

                                      although it may feel like my flame is dim,

                                              darkness can never extinguish

                                                    even the tiniest light!

 

9/12/17

 

Quote For Today

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.” Jim Rohn

 

I heard this quote today while listening in on my students’ high school Bible class. It’s good practical advice to consider. 🙂

How Do You Spell Culinary Bliss With Five Letters?

Este restaurante es la bomba! The food here is incredibly good, and the service is outstanding. This is my husband’s favorite restaurant, and we actually ended up eating here 5 times during our stay.

The thing in the middle covered with sauce is a fish called Paiche. This was so delicious! I ate it on my first and second visit to Nanka.

This is duck with a very rich adobo sauce and two corn tamales. This was absolutely delicious too, but when combined with a lucuma frappucino which I had later in the afternoon and Arroz Thai Con Pollo that I ate it the evening…………………let’s just say that my stomach wasn’t too happy during the night. 🙂

I had this dish on our last visit to Nanka. It is artichoke stuffed ravioli.

 

If you are ever blessed to go to Lima, Peru, you must go to this restaurante. Es la bomba!

What An Amazing Trip!

On January 21, my husband and I were privileged to be able to take our third trip to the country of Peru. This excursion was going to be a little different for us, because our primary purpose in going was to get some much needed dental work done for a lot less money.

This is hubby with our Peruvian dentist, Dr. Nelson Junes. I’m probably going to be dead meat for posting this picture, but this is the only one we had of the dentist. I had a dental exam, deep cleaning, 3 root canals and 3 crowns inserted. My husband had a lot more work done on his teeth than I did. I’m so thankful for the help from the Nix family in helping us communicate with the dentist. I know some Spanish, but I just haven’t reached that level……………….yet. Our dentist was very kind, and God opened a door of witness to him. He allowed his 12 year old son to come to the youth camp that was going on while we were there. His wife and sister-in-law(she also works in the dentist’s office)came and visited one of the evening services at the camp as well. If you think of it, please mention this dentist and family in your prayers. We would love to see God add them to His church!

We were privileged to be in Peru during the time of their National Conference. Rev. Rick Treece and Revered Kelly Patrick were the speakers this year, and they did an outstanding job. There was a wonderful move of the Holy Ghost in every service. The two men in the photos above are pastors from a Trinitarian organization that received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Gloria a Dios!

The evening before the conference started they had their Bible college graduation. I know I’m kind of biased, but the speaker that they had for the graduation was really tremendous. It was my husband! 🙂

The week after the National Conference was the youth camp for ages 12-35. Brother Carl Brown and his son Preston were the preachers/teachers, and they were greatly used of God. The young people’s response to the Word of God was beautiful. There were altar services that went on for an hour or longer. What a blessing it was to see new dedications and consecrations made to the Lord!

 

I have to take a break for now, but I hope to post more about our trip soon. There is some updated info on La Aventura de la Gringa page also.

 

The Gift

When I was a young child, you were an old gray headed man that shuffled along slowly, aided by a cane. You never could move fast enough for me, and although I tried to hurry you, you would not be rushed. I looked forward to things like going to kindergarten, summer vacations and the holidays that never seemed like they would come soon enough. As I got older, I looked forward to graduating 8th grade, graduating high school, graduating college and finally getting married, but I was always waiting on you, for you were ever with me. Things just had to be done at your pace.

An amazing transformation happened to you after I got married. Suddenly you were much younger, and it seemed you and I were moving together at an almost equal speed. Now we were getting somewhere! We seemed to be in sync until I had my first child, at which point another alteration took place in you. You became even younger and seemed to have the energy of a teenager, while at the same time, I noticed that I was getting older.  I was enjoying being a mother.  There were days I just wanted to marinate in the experience, but you with your boundless energy kept pushing me forward. Before I even realized what was happening, my children were graduating from high school and growing up. Oh, you rambunctious youth! You just wouldn’t stop and rest even for a minute.

Then one day, I had an epiphany concerning you. In all honesty, you had been the same all along and had never changed. The only thing that had changed was my perception of who you are. You have been God’s faithful servant throughout the ages, and I am learning to cherish you more each day.  I will do my best not to try and hurry you or slow you down or squander you, but with God’s help, I will let you run your course. You are precious to me, Time!

1/3/18

A Not So Silent Night

Silent Night, the songwriter wrote,
but that’s not what I think.
I believe those barnyard animals
in more ways than one, raised a stink.

Though they may not be as advanced as man,
and some say that they are dumb,
I can’t help but surmise that those creatures knew
to their stable, the Creator had come.

To that Babe lying in a manger
what homage could they pay?
The cows could moo, the horses whinny,
and the donkeys could loudly bray.

It’s so irreverent of you, some do say
to sing so loudly and shout,
but I can’t help but lift my voice in praise
since from sin I have been brought out.

You might think it’s just grand to sit in the pew
with your silent pomp and your poise
but pardon me while I rear back my head
and let out a joyful noise.

You say you are not the emotional kind,
but at football games you scream and yell.
I can’t help but let out a mighy roar
for my soul has been saved from hell.

I can’t stop you from quiet meditation
if that is in what you delight,
but I guarantee when you come to my church
it won’t be a silent night.

12/7/17