Finally, an update!

It has been a whirlwind last couple of weeks and i have regretfully not had a chance to send an update, and for that, i apologize. I´ll do my best to sum up the past...i dont know, 2 weeks or so. Thank you all for praying for the Vacation Bible School, it was an amazing, exhausting, 5 days but God really moved in the lives of the kids and the lives of us, as a team. Elyse, one of the girls on our team taught the Bible studies for the kids. She taught on Ephesians chapter one and chapter two. Her heart, as with all of ours as well, was to teach the kids about the depth of the love the Father has for them. She really wanted to hit home the message that God has chosen them from before the foundation of the world. We labored in prayer for these kids that they would understand the weighty, yet simplistic truth of the Gospel that lies in the love and sacrifice of Jesus. Over and over again Elyse would tell the kids that God chose us not becuase of something we did to earn His favor (because we all have sinned and fallen short of God´s glory) but because He loved us, period. Honestly, it was a good reminder for me as well. I often forget about the hieghth and the depth of the love the Father has for me: I often forget to sit and reflect on this love and basque in it and let it change the way i walk out my daily life...as a daugther who is loved by the Most High God, because He loves, and for no other reason.

We were so thankful to have the team here, especially during the Vacation Bible School. It was so amazing because they were able to bring down a guitar which facilitated a lot of deep times of worship in song not only between us a team but with our Peruvian friends and family as well. We spent a lot of nights downstairs sitting around singing praises to God in English and in Spanish and I would have to say those were some of the sweetest times of this trip for me. Remembering that one day all nations will worship God together...i hope that it´s in every language and that we all understand each language! The time of worshiping God corporately as a team was also an incredible way God used to unite us so much so that a short ten days later, when the team had to leave, it was very difficult because we had been through so much and had grown so much as a team, for them to leave was a really big loss. The team left Sunday night and we were so gratefully surprised that after church on Sunday morning, we came home to a surprise going away party that our family and friends threw for us. They made an amazing meal and even put together a really touching video for us with pictures and music. After we ate we had a blast playing music and dancing with our friends. It was hilarious because we taught some of our Peruvian friends a few line dances, they actually really loved it!

Yesterday was the first day without the rest of our team and it was our day of rest. It was probably one of the funnest days i have had here. We spent the whole day with our family which was really special! We went to the beach in the morning to see the ocean and to do some sight seeing of a museum they have by the marina. After that we got to go on this little tiny motor boat around the bay area. That was special for me becuase i love the ocean so much and it is so relaxing for me to be on the water. It was a bit cold but thankfully it wasn´t raining or anything. After the boat ride, we went out to a really yummy seafood restaurant and had some authentic Peruvian seafood called Civiche. It was delicious! After enjoying the food and constant laughter, we made our way to the Indian Market where they have all the tourist things to buy. We had a great time walking, and chatting, and even bardering in the market. We were on our way home when our Peruvian dad (who is actually my age) mentioned to us that we should take this bus tour up to this lit up cross they have that over looks all of Lima. I had no idea what we were getting into but i´m so glad we did it. The bus ride up the windy road (i have no idea how much elevation we climbed but it seemed like a lot) was a little unerving but definitely a worth while experience. Unfortunately, it was pretty foggy so we couldn´t see as clearly as we would have been able to if it was summer here. It was definitely a great way to end a really great day!

I leave for Cusco tomorrow! I cannot believe how rapidly my time is coming to an end here. We pick up a few friends that are coming from the States at the airport late tonight and leave tomorrow morning. I am beyond excited! I have heard nothing but amazing things about Cusco and Macchu Picchu. Please keep us in your prayers for safefy and wisdom as we travel to an unknown area. I will be sure to send an update once i return.

I would love to write more but do need to go for now. But before i go, i wanted to mention that if you guys want to see pictures, you can go to my friend Fabian´s blog. He has posted pictures from the beggining of the trip, i just have not had time to do it here but please feel free to check his out. The address is fabianclark.blogspot.com.

In Him,
Shayla