Family.
The one thing over the years that seems to get harder about living overseas from our birth country is being so far away from family. We adjust and begin to enjoy so much about life here, but missing family…. the births, deaths, weddings, events, and gatherings. It just seems to get harder the more time that passes, especially during the holiday season. BUT, the family of God is called exactly that for a good reason. Jesus said to His disciples, “There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30. Those of us who have left our own land and families for the sake of the gospel can expect fellowship with other believers as our family a hundredfold! Well just look at what that looks like!
We are so blessed to host Thanksgiving every year here on Petra base. The mission house is becoming a more and more comfortable place to host events in as we continually work toward its completion. The drywall is finished, and we are painting and tiling showers to get ready for the flooring installation!
The little phrase in the scripture above “with persecutions” is something that if you ask any veteran missionary they’ll tell you that just comes with the territory. We are told to expect it as a given part of this life, but right on it’s heels comes the promise of heaven! Jesus. He is the reason that we joyfully endure hardship and loneliness. He is the reason that we give thanks in ALL things, because He is our prize to look forward to at the end of our time on this earth.
We were caught rather off guard when a man who we know approached us this week and told us that he is involved in organ trafficking; a hunter of his own race. True or not, it reminded us to pray. We are not the only ones at work in this jungle. Evil is rampant, but our God is greater! Please pray with us for the lost people of Peru.
It is such a privilege for us to be ambassadors in the King’s service, and to live and work here, especially alongside our Peruvian family, like Felipe (pictured above). We are so very grateful for all of you precious brothers and sisters that are on our team that make this work possible! Please remember us in your prayers.
"The resounding evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the freedom from everything which is not like Him.” - Oswald Chambers