Beep! Beep!

Beep, beep! Honk, honk! Cock-a-doodle-doo! These are just a few of the sounds that are constant companions here in Chiclayo, and I love every minute of it. More than the place, though, I love the people. There are people everywhere – in the city, on the beach, along the roads. God has showed me just how much He loves everyone and how He desires for them to become part of His family. . .

This last week one of the churches in the area was hosting a three-night youth conference for any youth in Chiclayo. We went on Thursday night, and I still can’t get over my excitement every time I look around and see my brothers and sisters praising God with me in another language! God is a God beyond any barriers or borders. Anyway, the sermon was about worshipping God and how we are His temple. It was challenging and gave me plenty to think about the rest of the night. On Friday, I had a cold and was not able to attend the meeting, but I heard that it was another great night. Saturday was the big finale and we were all going to go as group; I was really excited. However, at the last minute plans changed, and we didn’t have a ride available. I was disappointed, but then I remembered and thanked God for how He is bigger than my disappointments. One way I’ve heard it put is that our disappointments are often God’s divine appointments. Did He use the 8 chairs we would have sat in to bring another 8 youth who needed to hear the Gospel? Was His purpose for Saturday night to be a time where I was later able to talk and pray about some things that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do had we gone? Was He simply using this as a teaching lesson on how I should praise Him regardless of whether or not things go my way? I may never know the answers to these questions, but I am content just to know that God is in control. His wisdom is far wiser than my wisdom and His ways are far higher and better than my ways.

Sunday morning brought an opportunity for us to visit the church service at the deaf school next door. They had a service for hearing people, so we attended it. Again, I loved looking through the window to the next building where the deaf people were praising Christ through their worship! In the evening we had Bible study at the house. It was another great night of worship, teaching, and fellowship. Our worship of God goes far beyond songs we sing – we worship something/someone with every part of our life, whether or not we worship God is our choice.

Every day here is not necessarily packed full with tons of stuff to do or places to go, but God is still at work. He is teaching me, allowing me to teach/disciple others, and showing me once again how everything I do is an opportunity for my life to show His Son. The opportunity is there for you too. Stand in awe of Him!

Prayer requests:

*For the Gospel to be spread like a wildfire in Chiclayo

*For everyone who attended the youth meetings – that we would take seriously what we heard and that others everywhere would see Christ

*More opportunities to use my Spanish and speak the Gospel

*Unity among God’s family – that we would stand strong in Him and be His light around the world

In Christ,

Shirley Anne