Sunday, August 13, 2023 (Beth Gibbs)
Another amazing day here in Cusco, Peru!
Our group divided in two and we visited the Huacarpay and Lucre Churches. Steve and I, Josh, Rosemary, Joelyn, Micah, and Francisca (host mom for the others) went to Huacarpay. Pastor Roberto, Valeria, Carolyn, Bryan, Shawn, Steve, Bethany, Daniel, Luke, Moses, and Joel went to Lucre.
For us, being with Pastor Celestino and Ines and so many of our friends there is always a special gift. Tonight, as I write this, I am reminded of the beginnings of this church in a small, rented room with basically one family. Today we were with a church full of people who love Jesus and together we could worship our Father and Savior! Pastor Celestino preached on Jeremiah 17 and the blessing of trusting in the Lord (vs.7)!
I am particularly proud of Joelyn and Micah who bravely went to Sunday School with the other children during the sermon time. They stepped out of their comfort zone which is the beginning of cross-cultural ministry! Both are doing so well in Spanish! As church ended the children’s classes came in and shared a verse they had just learned. Joelyn and Micah recited the verse right along with the rest of the children.
Pastor Celestino and Ines with two of their adult children invited us out to lunch. We drove into Lucre and had a delicious lunch and time of sharing. As we were leaving, we met up with Pastor Roberto and the others in the church van, and we all headed back to San Jeronimo stopping on the way for a little store that cells home made ice cream with many flavors from the fruits available here.
We all packed up and headed to Pisac in the Sacred Valley as tomorrow we will go up to the ruins here and then take the train to Machu Picchu.
After arriving this evening, we gathered in the lobby for our devotions and daily debrief. Pastor Roberto and Valeria joined us. I was so encouraged as each one in the circle shared how they have seen God at work today.
Then, came the best part of the day for me! We invited Pastor Roberto and Valeria to share their testimonies. What holy moments! All they shared is more than I can write in the blog here. I have heard their testimonies before. Steve and I have lived with them through a lot of it and hearing them share how God lifted them from homes of violence and abuse and called them and transformed them was just precious! We serve a God who never gives up on us, who loves us and cares for us. I was especially encouraged that they could both say that they don’t regret the homes they grew up in or resent God for the many struggles. Instead, they are grateful that they can now minister to others because of all that God has done in them. And they are praying about what’s next for them in ministry and where God may be sending them!
What examples of humble, servant leaders! We are privileged to count them as our friends!
