Listening prayer in Peru.

It took us two full days of travel to get from Gainesville, GA to the town of Musho in Peru, at the base of Huarzcuran (the tallest mountain in the Andes).  Musho is the town where the Peru Highlands Ambassador team would be staying for three weeks.  The team would be partnering with a local church.  The pastor, Pedro had a vision to reach his town and the surrounding towns…primarily in the neighboring village of Tumpa. Tumpa was about a 20 minute walk from Musho. This walk was a great time for the team to build relationships, pray for the town, and prepare for the day of ministry that was before us. 

 

(The Ambassadors Peru Highlands team)

One example of this was on the first day in Tumpa. I had this image of an empty glass of water.  I didn’t understand why I was receiving this image while asking the Lord what we should do that day, but I filed it in the back of my mind.

We went through our day and it wasn’t until later that afternoon when I went with the other three guys from our group to talk with some young guys we saw hanging around the plaza.  As the conversation progressed they asked us why we were in Tumpa.  After sharing about the mission work, one of the guys asked us about our beliefs.  One of our guys from the team, Barton, shared the story of the Gospel and what Christ had done on the cross.  The young men continued to ask questions and probe.  As we talked I felt prompted to that image of the empty glass.  I grabbed my empty water bottle and talked with them about it.  I explained that there had been moments in my life when I had felt like that bottle.  I shared how Christ desires to fill those empty spots (bottles) in our lives.  I then asked them if they could relate to this.  They said yes.  Jason… one of the team leaders, then pressed on asking if they wanted to enter into a relationship with Christ receiving forgiveness for their sins.  Our translator Pricilla translated and then shared some things from her own life.  Two of the young men then prayed to receive Christ that day.

 

 

(In picture…Barton, Jason, Don and Kyle with guys who gave lives to Christ in Tumpa)

As we wrapped up the conversations and made plans to meet again the next day pastor Pedro walked up.  We introduced him to our new friends/brothers in Christ. Later that night as we walked back to Musho, pastor Pedro shared with the group of us that the two young men that had excepted Christ that day were leaders in the local gang in Tumpa.  He said that they had attacked him the previous month and attempted to beat him.   He was excited about their salvation and was hoping that they would serve the Lord with the same passion that they chased after the things of this world.