Extreme Life Makover: Peru Edition
One of the proudest memories I have from the trip to Peru, is the work our team did. We were asked when we arrived if we were up to building a home. YES! So the church chose a deserving family, and we went to work! It took 2 days to complete. The homes in Lima are not like homes we have here. They are small and many are falling apart. This particular family's home was created out of a variety of wood and beams, there were also piles of rocks inside & outside there were used in different ways. There were no windows, just a crooked door to enter and a roof that covered part of the living area.
Here is a picture of the home BEFORE we started.
This was a common site in Peru, actually, this would be considered a nice home compared to some other homes in some other neighborhoods.
So our team started demo! There was not a lot to the home, so demo was not extremely difficult, and did not take too many people. So within hours the home was brought down and clean up was in process.
It was amazing to see the community come together! We were the 1st Mission group to visit the area, in fact we were the 1st American group to visit! So when the community heard us working on the home, they gathered around in disbelief! Many of them actually jumped in and helpedb clean, shovel and clear debris! There seemed to be a lot of unity and compassion among the people of Bocanegra.
After two days the old house was gone and the new home was complete, we even painted it!
Here is the final result....
Bus driver....
MOVE THAT BUS!!!
Quite a difference! The family was very happy to say the least!
Here is a picture of the home BEFORE we started.
This was a common site in Peru, actually, this would be considered a nice home compared to some other homes in some other neighborhoods.
So our team started demo! There was not a lot to the home, so demo was not extremely difficult, and did not take too many people. So within hours the home was brought down and clean up was in process.
It was amazing to see the community come together! We were the 1st Mission group to visit the area, in fact we were the 1st American group to visit! So when the community heard us working on the home, they gathered around in disbelief! Many of them actually jumped in and helpedb clean, shovel and clear debris! There seemed to be a lot of unity and compassion among the people of Bocanegra.
After two days the old house was gone and the new home was complete, we even painted it!
Here is the final result....
Bus driver....
MOVE THAT BUS!!!
Quite a difference! The family was very happy to say the least!
A little about the family... the daughter Yessica is a Christian who attends the church we partnered with. Her brother, mom & dad do not, and are not Christians. So as our team worked, we also prayed for her families hearts. That they would see that we are not only delivering a new home, but also a message that God loves them. And even though the family didn't "DO" anything to deserve a new house, we gave them a free gift.... just like God... we don't deserve to be a part of such a beautiful place like Heaven.. but he gave us the free gift of Jesus Christ, through whom we are saved. A beautiful thing.
Yessica's mother was so impacted by our generosity and love, that she made the decision to accept this free gift. She has since became a part of this church and has gained the precious gift of salvation where she will spend eternity with her daughter Yessica. We still pray for her father and brother.
To make this story even sweeter, as we worked on this home we found out even more support money had been given and we had enough to rebuild a SECOND home! So we were able to bless another family and shoe them the love of an awesome God!
I love this illustration from another "missions trip" story that took place nearly 2000 years ago.
A few guys who had experienced the love of God and committed themselves to the work of Jesus were traveling around talking about this message of hope. After a while they had some people who were following them and who believed the message. These followers missed a crucial part and began to declare... "I am a follower of Paul" and "I am a follower of Apollos".
This is what Paul said to them: "After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building." (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)
This is our message, this is how we live... we do our part.. whatever that is, and let others do theirs. And step back and let God do His part.
We planted some seeds in Bocanegra, and now there are people watering them, and God is growing the seeds that are ready to grow.
And remember... after a seed is planted in the ground, before it can grow into what is designed to be, it must die. The seed dies before it grows. Hmmm.. there is a lesson there. Am I willing to die to my own desires to let God grow me into what He designed me to be? Or to let Him bring me on a journey to discover what that is?
Yessica's mother was so impacted by our generosity and love, that she made the decision to accept this free gift. She has since became a part of this church and has gained the precious gift of salvation where she will spend eternity with her daughter Yessica. We still pray for her father and brother.
To make this story even sweeter, as we worked on this home we found out even more support money had been given and we had enough to rebuild a SECOND home! So we were able to bless another family and shoe them the love of an awesome God!
I love this illustration from another "missions trip" story that took place nearly 2000 years ago.
A few guys who had experienced the love of God and committed themselves to the work of Jesus were traveling around talking about this message of hope. After a while they had some people who were following them and who believed the message. These followers missed a crucial part and began to declare... "I am a follower of Paul" and "I am a follower of Apollos".
This is what Paul said to them: "After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building." (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)
This is our message, this is how we live... we do our part.. whatever that is, and let others do theirs. And step back and let God do His part.
We planted some seeds in Bocanegra, and now there are people watering them, and God is growing the seeds that are ready to grow.
And remember... after a seed is planted in the ground, before it can grow into what is designed to be, it must die. The seed dies before it grows. Hmmm.. there is a lesson there. Am I willing to die to my own desires to let God grow me into what He designed me to be? Or to let Him bring me on a journey to discover what that is?
Labels: Part-Time Peruvians
posted by Dan at 12:41 PM
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