Can you believe it? The TEAM actually received a letter the first day they were in Peru! Imagine that! They got mail, well, e-mail to be exact. The letter was very personal and meaningful. Jan Daigle wrote to them, and she has graciously allowed us to post her thoughts to the TEAM for their family and friends. Here’s what she shared with them.
Hello Crosswave and Arrows!
Welcome to Peru! I pray that you had a safe trip. I actually boarded the plane with you in Miami as I was talking with Mary on the phone when she was boarding! I was glad for that moment for it really gave me the feeling of "being there with all of you."
I know that a part of your theme this year is about hope. I pray that hope grows large in each of your hearts and that you are given many opportunities to pass God's message of hope to others. Hope is something that is certainly needed by many who live in Peru. Hope is big for me too, but I must admit that I have been thinking a lot about choices the past 2 days. I would love to invite you to add choices to part of your theme as you go thru the coming week. YOU are so much a part of why choices has become my theme for this week and let me explain why this is so...
Many of you know me, although some do not. However I have heard that all of you have prayed for me and I am so very thankful! I have been in Peru with the Crosswave team every summer since you first came in 2003. I love Peru, I love the Peruvian people, I love what God is doing there as He is pouring out His love thru people like you and me. My plans have been to be in Peru every summer but this year it was not to be. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of this year, 2 days before I was to leave for Peru with a team from my own ministry, Face to Face Missions. I did not make that trip, and now not able to make this one. If you know me at all, you know how difficult it is for me not to be there with you. Heather says I am practically Peruvian! I had become quite sad about not going this summer...until God reminded me of choices. You see, no one made me not go to Peru this summer. I had a choice, it was my choice, and I chose to remain at home. Even with a diagnosis of cancer I could have delayed treatment and gone to Peru anyway...but it would not have been the right choice. It was not an easy choice to stay home, but it was the right choice. Many times in life we are faced with difficult choices, ridden with emotion. Not easy choices, but gut wrenching ones. My choice this week to remain at home is because I am choosing to move to the front like in my fight against cancer. While you were en route to Peru I sat in a chair in the chemo room of my Dr.'s office receiving my first chemo treatment. I chose to be there. By choosing to be there, I chose not to be in Peru. It brings God's light into my situation and lessens the pain of not being with all of you to know that I had a choice..and I am choosing life.
What choices will you make this week? You will have many opportunities to make choices. You can choose your attitude, you can choose an opportunity to give when you would rather receive, you can choose to go the extra mile when you are already bone tired, you can choose to love, you can choose to serve, you can choose to bless, you will even be faced with a choice to forgive someone. Or, you could choose to be selfish, unforgiving, unloving, etc. What choices will you make? What will you do with your choices? Some choices may be difficult for you. Some may even bring you to tears just as my choice to remain at home has brought me to tears. However, it is in those type of heartbreaking choices that you may discover the most tender intimate moments with Jesus that you have even known! Jesus is our example of such deep and heart felt choices. He prayed and cried tears of blood in the garden, but in his struggle over choices he came to the place of "not my will, but yours’ be done." That's what it all boils down to...what choice will bring the most glory to God. Aren't you glad that Jesus made the right choice!
God spoke of choices in the Old Testament. In Deut. 30:19 Just before going into the Promise Land, God spoke to the Israelites concerning choices. "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life." Don't you love it? God not only gives us choices, He even tells us which one is the better choice to make!
So this week, choose life, and choose blessing!
I love you and am praying for you each step of the way!
Dios te bendiga mucha!
Jan
Saturday, June 11, 2011
God is BIG all the time, and all the time God is BIG!
Friday – the end of the week and beginning of a weekend for most everyone.
In the case of the Crosswave and Arrows TEAM ministering in Peru, it is the start of something BIG! Why do I say BIG? Because God is in it and He does things up bigger and better than we could imagine.
He has already shown us a little of His "BIGness".
- The Arrows TEAM, from Indiana, flew through Atlanta last night and had to change planes. Their flight was delayed due weather. Within 5 minutes of their departure, all other flights were cancelled. That’s a BIG God taking care of His ambassadors!
- The energy and excitement of the TEAM members is BIG, as they join in worship and ministry with a purpose! I mean, BIG worship, a swelling of praise in music and prayers, I witnessed today. And this is before the team even hits the streets with their dramas introducing Jesus to the community. Can’t wait to hear what He does in the next few days.
- The generous donations by families and friends in the states were unpacked today and it was BIG. I mean BIG! After lugging the baggage around, we could not only see how big it was but we could feel how big. About 45,50 lb suitcases, and approximately 25 duffle bags were provided by BIG hearts, which will result in BIG smiles and appreciation by many Peruvians.
- Pray for Carla Dennis, please. She took a BIG fall down a flight of steps today. Don’t panic. She’s doing fine. Why? Because we have a BIG Father who protected her from serious harm.
- The Women’s Workshop and Conference tonight had a BIG response to the stories, testimonies, skit and drama the TEAM members shared. What a fabulous night to be able to pray with dozens of women and see God move in the lives of those in attendance.
What will be next? We don’t know. But as I watched and listened to the TEAM members in prayer groups this afternoon, I have confidence they are looking to Him for guidance as they step out in faith to share with the Peruvians that Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by Him. We have hope in Jesus and that is the message they have come to share.
God is BIG all the time, and all the time God is BIG!
In the case of the Crosswave and Arrows TEAM ministering in Peru, it is the start of something BIG! Why do I say BIG? Because God is in it and He does things up bigger and better than we could imagine.
He has already shown us a little of His "BIGness".
- The Arrows TEAM, from Indiana, flew through Atlanta last night and had to change planes. Their flight was delayed due weather. Within 5 minutes of their departure, all other flights were cancelled. That’s a BIG God taking care of His ambassadors!
- The energy and excitement of the TEAM members is BIG, as they join in worship and ministry with a purpose! I mean, BIG worship, a swelling of praise in music and prayers, I witnessed today. And this is before the team even hits the streets with their dramas introducing Jesus to the community. Can’t wait to hear what He does in the next few days.
- The generous donations by families and friends in the states were unpacked today and it was BIG. I mean BIG! After lugging the baggage around, we could not only see how big it was but we could feel how big. About 45,50 lb suitcases, and approximately 25 duffle bags were provided by BIG hearts, which will result in BIG smiles and appreciation by many Peruvians.
- Pray for Carla Dennis, please. She took a BIG fall down a flight of steps today. Don’t panic. She’s doing fine. Why? Because we have a BIG Father who protected her from serious harm.
- The Women’s Workshop and Conference tonight had a BIG response to the stories, testimonies, skit and drama the TEAM members shared. What a fabulous night to be able to pray with dozens of women and see God move in the lives of those in attendance.
What will be next? We don’t know. But as I watched and listened to the TEAM members in prayer groups this afternoon, I have confidence they are looking to Him for guidance as they step out in faith to share with the Peruvians that Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by Him. We have hope in Jesus and that is the message they have come to share.
God is BIG all the time, and all the time God is BIG!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Reunited!
The MINI-TEAM is settled in at the hotel in San Juan de Lurigancho. The excitement was unbelievable as they joined the Crosswave half of the MEGA-TEAM. Both are awaiting the arrival of the Arrows half of the MEGA-TEAM. Arrows has landed, cleared customs and boarding the bus to the hotel as I write. Finally, they are soon to be reunited!
Think about that, are you ready to be reunited with the Son of God, Jesus Christ when He calls you home or returns to gather His own? This is the message that the TEAMs will be sharing this week. There is one way, and only one, to know without a doubt that we will be reunited for eternity! Crosswave and Arrows have come to bring this message to the Peruvians.
That means there is HOPE! And the theme this week will be centered around a message of hope for the women, youth, and adults here in SJL.
Think about that, are you ready to be reunited with the Son of God, Jesus Christ when He calls you home or returns to gather His own? This is the message that the TEAMs will be sharing this week. There is one way, and only one, to know without a doubt that we will be reunited for eternity! Crosswave and Arrows have come to bring this message to the Peruvians.
That means there is HOPE! And the theme this week will be centered around a message of hope for the women, youth, and adults here in SJL.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Thought for Today
The Lord gave me a verse today for the CrossWave TEAM and those co-laboring with them here in Peru.
Proverbs 16:9
In our hearts, we plan our course, but the Lord determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9
In our hearts, we plan our course, but the Lord determines our steps.
Monday, June 6, 2011
They're here!
The Crosswave MINI-TEAM arrived in Lima tonight and are getting settled in at the home where they will be staying for the first four nights of their trip. We praise God for His hedge of protection around them during this day of travel.
Tomorrow is their first work day and they are very excited to get started! The time they spend at the Good Shepherd Orphange will pass very quickly, and Thursday afternoon they will be assisting with the final preparations for the MAXI-TEAM's arrival! That will be the onset of the second leg of their journey.
Please continue to pray for God to work in and through each TEAM member. The many plans, prayers and preparations over the past few months is only the beginning. Now it's time to practice what we preach and put it into perspective.
Tomorrow is their first work day and they are very excited to get started! The time they spend at the Good Shepherd Orphange will pass very quickly, and Thursday afternoon they will be assisting with the final preparations for the MAXI-TEAM's arrival! That will be the onset of the second leg of their journey.
Please continue to pray for God to work in and through each TEAM member. The many plans, prayers and preparations over the past few months is only the beginning. Now it's time to practice what we preach and put it into perspective.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
2011 Missions Team to Peru!
Hi everyone,
We're getting the site back up into action for the 2011 trip, leaving on June 9. And we have a small 5-person team leaving on June 5 to have several days at the Good Shepherd Orphanage. Here's a picture of this year's team:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Peru Trip by the Numbers
A message from Bill:
Some folks asked me for some ministry stats from our trip. We did not try to record this data during the ministry, but here are some conservative estimates of what happened through your labor of love during the ten days we were on the ground in Peru:
These things were accomplished by the Lord’s strength, and your service to the people of Peru via:
And we give thanks to our fantastic Peru staff who were instrumental in all that happened:
Thank you again, for your strong commitment to the team, your fantastic attitudes early and late and through out each day, your willingness to step up and out of your comfort zones, your joy and laughter in every situation, and your love for Christ and the people of Tablada, Pamplona, Villa Maria, Pachacutec, Good Shepherd Orphanage, and San Juan de Lurigancho. I believe God answered all of our prayers!
May Jesus be praised and may our lives shine brightly for Him!
Bill
Some folks asked me for some ministry stats from our trip. We did not try to record this data during the ministry, but here are some conservative estimates of what happened through your labor of love during the ten days we were on the ground in Peru:
- About 5000 people heard the gospel message of Christ’s offer of salvation and other key truths from the word of God concerning Integrity in Christ, the Marriage Covenant, and encouragement to women.
- Almost 400 prayed to receive Christ as Savior and Lord of their life
- Over 1500 people received prayers for their personal needs and concerns
- Several hundred believers in four churches were greatly encouraged by your sacrifice of self and love for Jesus!
These things were accomplished by the Lord’s strength, and your service to the people of Peru via:
- 3 Women’s Conferences
- 3 Marriage Conferences
- 2 Youth Conferences
- 2 Medical Clinics
- 8 Sports Clinics
- 32 SpellBound Drama presentations
- 8 Sunday Worship service messages
- 2 prayer walks
- And countless smiles, hugs, pictures, conversations!
And we give thanks to our fantastic Peru staff who were instrumental in all that happened:
- 10 cooks and custodians
- 15 translators
- 4 bus drivers
- 5 project managers
- 7 pastors and wives
- 3 medical professionals
- 2 hotel staff
- None of this could have happened without them!
Thank you again, for your strong commitment to the team, your fantastic attitudes early and late and through out each day, your willingness to step up and out of your comfort zones, your joy and laughter in every situation, and your love for Christ and the people of Tablada, Pamplona, Villa Maria, Pachacutec, Good Shepherd Orphanage, and San Juan de Lurigancho. I believe God answered all of our prayers!
May Jesus be praised and may our lives shine brightly for Him!
Bill
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