Joy through Pain.

Joy unexplainable Joy.
Joy through the fire and the flames.
Joy through the thick and the thin.
Joy through all of the pain I choose Joy.
Joy when it gets tough I choose Joy.
Joy.

What is your choice?
When we are drowning in pain, everything seems to be going wrong, we have a choice.  We can either choose to be overwhelmed by everything around us, let the pain get to us, and get all mad. Or we can choose to bring Joy into the situation, Rejoice even though the world seems to be caving in around us, Praise the awesome name of God when it doesn't seem right to be giving praise.  In John chapter 16:20-22 says," I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.   A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.  So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."  Even though you may be going through birth pains now push through the pain because in the end comes a joy that no one can take away.  When you are pregnant with dreams and desires inside of you they will be pain.  Just like when a woman is pregnant she may go through morning sickness, her back may hurt, she is going to eat some funky things, and things may be a little out of place.   It is the same in the spiritual.  Things may seem out of the ordinary but push through the pain.  In the end will be unexplainable Joy that not one person can take away.   This is just something I am saying to make you feel better, it is biblical.   I just read the bible verse.   I didn't make this up.  A one way convo is pretty cool.....but what is your opinion??

To trust or not to trust that is the question??

I hope that everyone has had a great start to their week.  I have been pressing into the word of God this week.  Looking to see what He has for me.  I found an old journal today. It is crazy to read things that you wrote, To look back and see how much you have grown since then.  There is this one journal entry about Trust I want to share with you. 

Life revolves around trust.
Who do we trust?
The guy who works at the supermarket or the girl at school?
Trust is the issue.
Not just an issue for you or me but for everyone. 
How do you gain someones trust?
When do you start trusting someone?
There are so many questions to ask yourself about trust.
I do know this one thing about trust, You can trust God.
He always has your best interest at heart.
Sometimes it doesn't seem like he has everything under control and sometimes you wonder if He is ever really there.  I am here to tell you He is.
Even if things are crazy and you don't understand everything He is always looking out for you and has an amazing plan for your life if you let Him in your life.

It may be hard to put your trust in people, But that is okay.  It is not people that we are suppose to trust anyways. In Proverbs 3:5-6 in the message says,"Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all."

Quit trying to figure everything out on your own. Put your trust in God. He is the one to trust!
Even though we may be smart people there is still a lot out there for us to learn.  We don't know it all yet.  Listen for God's voice.  He is speaking even right now.  If you just take a moment and stop talking and do the listening then you will hear His voice.
One way conversations are great..... But what is your opinion?

Are you contagious?

We had youth service last night.  God really moved and spoke to me.  One of the leaders got up on stage and made a very powerful statement.  I want to infect this nation, this world with a disease called Christ. I want to be the one contagious to spread His name throughout places.  What are you doing to spread Christ? As much as I love a one way conversation, and trust me I do love hearing my own voice I want your opinion! Do some talking please...

Tu eres la Luz, You are the Light!

I have been back in the United States for two weeks now.  I am in a part of life that most people get to but rush right out of it.  Transitions.  I don't think people really honestly like having to sit and wait.  The waiting periods are the most important periods in people lives.  What we do in those periods determines the outcome of our future.  The cool part about the waiting periods is we are never alone! God always is there to help guide us through. Something that God has been sharing with me is that He is the Light to direct our paths.  There is a song that a very good friend of mine wrote.  It talks about Jesus being the light!  It is in Spanish so I will have to translate it. It says, "You are the light that enlightens my path.  You are the source to man's life.  You are the truth Jesus that sets me free.  You are the way, the truth, and the life.  I do not need to see reasons to realize that great is your love my Lord.  I look beyond on the storm so that I can find you.  I would give everything for just one moment in your presence.  All of me to just worship you before your throne.  Nothing is as important as your love." I love this song.  I think it is so beautiful.  The first phrase of this song say that You are the light that enlightens my path. Don't forget that He enlightens our paths. We don't need worry because He is the lamp that guides our feet. As long as you let Him.  Are you letting God light your path this week??

Premature, Overdue, Or right on time!

Well the time has come to finish up the blog! This will be the very last blog that I write!


Last Friday after leaving the Internet and we went out shopping! Jean Carlos, Rosita and I went out to find gifts for me to bring home to my family! It was a beautiful day. We had a fabulous time laughing at everything. I do have a funny story from that day. We were just walking and looking at the shops and me and my Spanglish was just talking away! I looked and Jean Carlos and said," Si perro." For all who don't know the word pero with one R means but and the word perro with 2 R's means dog! He looked at me and said I can't believe you called me a dog! I put on my big sad face and said you knew what I meant ha ha! It was a fun day and a fun way to bring an end to my trip!
That night we went down to the beach with Jovana as well and took pictures! The beach was absolutely gorgeous. God is just so amazing! I can't put into words how beautiful He is!

On Saturday night I went back to one of the first churches I ministered at to minister again! The pastor there (Pastor Agustin) is so sweet! Him and his wife are an amazing couple! I spoke about what gear are you in! A lot of people believe if they are going forward then that is a good thing but in reality if you are going forward but God says wait then you are doing something wrong!
It's not about the direction your going in, it is about the obedience you have to go in that direction! It went very well that night! God used me to speak to about 30 youth! I am so thankful that God chose me! There are a lot of people in the world that He could use to share His word but he chose me! And He has chosen you too. Just listen to what He has to say. He could be calling you now. Don't become comfortable where you are that when God calls you immediately say not now! Open your ears and listen to what He has to say....It won't be easy! One of my new favorite statements is this," Faith makes things possible not easy." Just because we have faith does not mean it will be easy it will be possible though!

Sunday was my last day in Peru and probably the hardest I had! I never realized on how much of an impact the people had made on my life, and that I would be leaving them! I was speaking that night and very nervous! For everyone who knows me goodbyes are not something I am good at, nor do I like doing them! I remember thinking that day as I was preparing to speak God why do I feel like this on the inside, Why does it have to be so hard? I just felt a spirit of peace right after that, telling me everything will be ok!
That Sunday afternoon I read my entire journal from the day I left the states to that day! It is crazy to see how much I grew from that! What I preached on the Sunday wasn't some radical dropped dead in the spirit message. I just wanted to encourage them. I believe God had shared stuff with me while I had been there and I wanted to share that with them so they could press on through the hard times! My first point was Trust and Be Led. Render the steering wheel of your life to God and let Him lead you. The second point was Let God be God. He is so amazing! Nothing we do can even compare to Him! So let God be God. The third point was when your heart is overwhelmed go to the Rock that is higher than you! The fourth point was an old song that I remembered it goes," Say the name of Jesus. Say the name so Precious. Say the name of Jesus. There is no other name I know. That can dry your tears, erase your fears, and wipe away the pain. When you don't know what else to say and you can't find the words to pray, Just say the name of Jesus." I believe sometimes we forget the power the name of Jesus holds! It doesn't take a fancy prayer or some big speaker with a great message to make big things happen! The name of Jesus is all we need! His name is all we have to say. The fifth thing was to have roots before branches. We have to dig deep and really know who we are before we produce fruit! You can't get a tree without planting a seed at first. Plant your seed and let your roots get down in deep! The last thing I shared with them was about being pregnant with dreams and desires! This was something that God really shared with me the last week I was there! Everyone has been impregnated with dreams and desires, But just like a real baby our dreams can either come premature, overdue, or right on time! Sometimes we try to push before the dream has developed and so there comes many complications through this. A lot of hospital time. Or we become comfortable and don't push! God is whispering in our ears to go, go , go, now is the time for your dream to come forth. Instead of listening and being obedient we become complacent and our dream isn't as fruitful as it could have been! We can also be right on time! To be on time you have to listen, Be obedient, and be willing to sacrifice! I don't know about you but as for me I don't want a premature or overdue dream! I want my dreams to be fruitful and be healthy.

I have a kind of tear jerking story to tell you. This happened on Sunday before, during, and after service. It really touched my heart. Before this week there is a couple who had been hurt and stopped coming to the services. I really loved this couple. Pastor David looked at me and told me on Saturday," Austyn I don't know if they will come." I was very saddened on the inside to know that I may not get to say bye. I wouldn't get to say bye over a super silly situation. I was in the front singing along with Jean Carlos and Jovana. Really worshipping and asking God to speak through me tonight. We were singing a beautiful worship song and I lifted up my head to raise my hands. When I opened my eyes I saw them both in the service. I just started to cry. I was so happy to see them there! Near the end of service Pastor David wanted to pray over me. He had everyone come and lay hands on me! I just broke. Seeing a big man in tears made me cry even more! After service was over and we had had a little goodbye party, It was really time to say goodbye. The couple that I wasn't sure what going to come said goodbye first. His words will always stick with. He said, "Miss Austyn, whenever someone comes here to Peru from another country I try and stay away because I know I will get attached and not want to see them leave. Then it comes time for them to leave and I am very sad. I tried to do that with you but I couldn't. But you know what? You different than all the other missionaries that have come down! I know that you will be back here sometime. And until I am going to do to what you said to do." I couldn't stop crying after that! I will never forget his words! It was what I needed to hear right when I need to hear it! That night was very rough to say goodbye to everyone! I miss them dearly! They are truly my second family! I wish I could have brought them all back with me!

Now being back in the United States is very different! It has its weird moments. I have very happy to be back with my family. I really missed them! Being back brings forth new challenges and new difficulties. I am ready to face them and for the next step in life! I don't know where God will bring me next. I do know that I will rest in Him until the next door is open! For everyone who is wondering I will make it back to Peru sometime! I don't know when but I do know that this was the first of many times I will be there! My stomach is having a little harder time than I excepted. It takes some getting used to when you go from eating all natural foods to processed foods.

I want to encourage everyone to keep a humble spirit! To lean not on what you have always known but what God has said about you. He will direct your paths and He will tell you the next step! Sit and wait in His presence until the time is right! Let Him be your strength. Let Him help you through the process! We serve an awesome God! He is truly amazing beyond explanation!

Please Continue to pray for Peru. Continue to pray for Pastor David and Cecilia Hodges. There is always stuff going on. I have received some crazy information this past week since being home and we need to continue to pray for them. I believe that God's name will be exalted and glorified through every situation!
Love Austyn

Are you dreams premature??

Counting down the days till I say good bye to Peru! I have different feelings. I am very excited to come home and see everyone but I am also very sad to say bye to my new friends and family here in Peru. It is a lot harder than what I imagined it be based on what people told me. I am trying to remember all of the things that have happened since last Friday.

I told you in my last blog that we had an Outreach or Campaign on Saturday. It went super great! We had around 100 people there and between 15-20 gave their hearts to Jesus. It was super neat to see!! We worked on the outreach for a couple hours during the day with another church. They had to come a long way to help and they were such a big help. I am so very thankful for their help!! Sunday was great service. We had a guest pastor from the amazon. It was a little hard to understand and translate because he spoke very fast, but he was funny. We had some visitors at church who were at the outreach the day before.I was excited to see that!! It was a great weekend!

Monday was an ordinary day. Nothing new or exciting really went on. But Tuesday was another story. We woke up early that morning because this was the day we were going to the Hillsong United concert. I was so excited! Wow the concert was amazing. I started to tear up before the concert when I realized that I was leaving. When we got in the concert and they started to sing the songs in Spanish and English I couldn't help but cry. I was crying because the lyrics in the song. They kept talking about making God your all and lifting His name up on high! God really spoke to me saying that it is not about where you are and who you are with it is about bringing glory to his name. When you have this perspective then it helps you wherever you are in life.

Wednesday and Thursday were pretty normal days. I am going to say that there is not a day that I don't cry now. I am crying every day because just realizing that I am leaving here. Thursday was terrible. One of the ladies in the church was telling me something and I had to walk away. She was telling me about her little boy Jeimy. I teach him English everyday of the week. I told all the kids on Wednesday that Thursday would be my last class with them. He went home and asked his mom what did Miss Austyn mean by that I don't understand! She told him she has to go back to the United States. He looked at his mom and said but she lives with the pastor she lives with pastor... mom. I just started to cry when she told me this. I love the people here. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would come here and feel so loved and feel so at home. No one could have prepared me for this.

Today is my last free day. I am going shopping with my best friends and people that will always be in my heart. I want to bring them in my suitcase with me lol. Tomorrow night I am preaching at a youth group again. It is the same one as I went to in the beginning. I am super excited!! On Sunday I am preaching here in Jicamarca for the last time on this trip. I am believing that God will speak through me and will move in mighty ways! I am very excited to see what God has to do these last days!

Something that God spoke to me yesterday which was very good. You can be impregnated with dreams and desires and give birth prematurely or be overdue. Or you can give birth at the right time. As long as you are seeking His face and glorifying His name then it will be the right time!! You may be pregnant with a dream but if you try to push to soon or wait too late then there could be problems with the dream. I want to give birth to a healthy dream! Something that will live long after I am gone! So are your dreams premature? Are they overdue? There is always a time of waiting, of growing, and of stretching. It is very uncomfortable... so sometimes we try and push before the dream is ready. Sometimes even though it is painful we get use to the pain so we don't push!! Whatever your situation is I want to encourage you to last through the pain and push when the time is right. Wait... but don't wait too long! Listen! Tune in your ear! See with the eyes of Christ!

Thanks everyone for your prayers! I am very excited to be coming home and to see everyone! I will be getting on the plane on Monday morning bright and early. Please continue to pray for Jicamarca and Pastor David and Ceci! There are a lot of things going on with the land that I don't understand. We just have to know that it is in God's hands. Please pray that God speaks through me on Saturday and Sunday. I want His presence to fill the room. I know that He has something great in store. Thanks again everyone for praying! I can't wait to tell you all the stories!
Well it is time to go shopping! I am very excited! I am going to buy gifts hehe! I also have my last English class with the adults. It should be a great day.
Thanks again for everything you do!
Love,
Austyn

Every Heir Goes Through The Slave Stage!

What a wonderful week!
A lot has gone on since the last blog!!

Last Friday, after leaving the internet we went straight home. I have English class with the adults on Friday nights so we went home so I could prepare. After class around 10 at night there was a knock on the door. A lady and her father were at the door... she had been beaten up by the gang members. Her face was terribly swollen and she could barely close her mouth. It was a horrible thing! The next day they did everything they could to get a report filed. I was at home all day wondering what was going on... they went to the police station and filed a report but the police officers had been payed off by the gang members. It was a pretty twisted situation! She is scared because she knows she is doing the right thing and in doing so it puts her life in danger. Everything seems to be good with the situation now. Pastor David talk with a congressmen and I believe she is going to receive protection. God is so awesome!

Sunday was such a fun day... but before I get to the fun part I have a serious story to tell you. Pastor David had a meeting with Mario (who is a land owner) and some other pretty important people. One of whom is in politics and has a lot of money. This politician is a "not so good" man. They came to the church about 1 hour before we were suppose to start. I was in the church with Jean Carlos, Cesar and Rosita when Pastor David walked in the church and called my name. He gave me his cell phone, looked at me very sternly and seriously and said,"Austyn take my phone and pretend like you are talking on it. I have something serious for you right now. There is a white car in the road, and in that white car are the bad guys that beat up the girl. They are terrible. I want you to go to the guys pretending to talk on the phone and take a picture. DON'T let them see you. I need this picture." My hands started to tremble and my knees started to shake. I walked to the house, got out my camera and took pictures. But of course when I did this... I took them of the wrong men. What happened was, when I got to the house there was no white car... so I took pictures of the only men outside! It was kinda funny inside the house with Jovana. You should have been a fly on the wall for that situation.
After that happened and things calmed down we started church service!
Sunday just couldn't be a normal church service... now could it. Jean Carlos asked me to sing. UGH JC! So it was Jean Carlos, Me and Jovana singing! I knew most of the songs we sang that day which was good until we got to the two songs I didn't know in English or in Spanish. It was pretty hilarious if I do say so myself!
After service we celebrated Jeimy's Birthday. It was lots of fun! After the party we had a little drama practice which went good. We have an outreach tomorrow so we needed to practice a drama. We also broke out the guitar and had a little worship time. It was so great.I love acoustic worship. It was lovely.

Monday and Tuesday were pretty normal days. I did school with Eliel Hodges, studied Spanish, taught English to the kids, and studied the Bible. This is pretty normal and as uneventful as possible in Jicamarca.
Wednesday was a fantastic day. Wednesday night we had a small group in the home of one of the couples in the church. It was a very good time. One of the ladies asked a question at the end and even brought her own bible. I love seeing God move in the lives of people. It's a lot of fun to watch.
Yesterday....hmmmmm...what happened on Thursday?
You see when you have something interesting happen almost everyday it is very easy to get your days mixed up and confused!
I will have two not new students tonight. They are two students who barely ever come to English class. I am very excited. One said, "I will be there at 8 on the dot" and the other said, "I will be there at 7:59 and 59 seconds!" I don't really believe them...we will see!!
If they do come I think my mouth may drop to the ground. It will be pretty crazy!
We almost had an extra client in the business today because we said I was going to cook but then I realized I was going to the internet! Whoops lol!

Yesterday I was reading in Galatians. In Galatians 4 it talks about being an heir. Every heir before they are ready to take the throne goes through a process to get him ready for the throne. Every heir starts as a slave. Even Jesus went through that process. He served first before he sat on the throne next to his father. We have to serve first. There is a time for everything. There is a spot on the throne for us and there is a time for us to take that spot!

Something else God spoke to me this week was He is the Power! A very powerful ax in the Master's Hand accomplishes much. The very same powerful ax in the hands of a little kid has no power! It is not the weapon that matters but whether you have the Master's Hand wielding the instrument. Who is wielding your instrument?

I am beginning to prepare myself to come home. I am leaving here in 10 days! I feel like I just arrived in Peru and now I am getting ready to leave. It is a hard thing to leave relationships behind. I am very excited to see family and friends and share the stories with everyone.
I am going to finish this phase strong so that I start the next one strong. I am ready for whatever God has for me.

Thank you everyone for your prayers. They have been a big help. Please Continue to pray that God's will be done. One of the men in Congress is suppose to be coming out this week and bringing an investigator! Pray that the Lords will be done. Also tomorrow we have a BIG outreach. We are expecting a lot of people and for GOD to shake Jicamarca! It is going to be an amazing night were God shines. I am very excited of the things to come. Thanks again to everyone for you support. Your prayers have made a difference!
Love you,
Austyn

What are people saying about you?

Asu (wow) what a week this has been! My days are kinda jumbled! I am trying to remember what happened on which day! 

I don't remember what day this was exactly but I visited a lady in the church who wasn't doing so well this week! Giovanna, July, Rosita, and Me all went to visit! She began to tell us how she felt depressed and all alone! she is a single mother of two gorgeous girls! She also began to tell us how she was hurt by people in the past and she was very angry about it! Some of the ladies spoke with her and then asked if i had anything I wanted to share! I said yes first of all about the depression and feeling of being all alone, My biblical answer is this your not alone because it says in the bible that Jesus sent us a helper, the holy spirit, so you can't be alone! I continued to say that you are also not alone because you have these amazing people who have taken time out of their day to visit you and lift you up!! You are definitely by no means alone! Then the anger... Everyone who talked before me said that she needed to forgive and let go of what had happened! I looked at her and said you need to pray for those people who hurt you, those who are hurting you, and those who are going to hurt you! When you do this not only do you allow forgiveness to reign in your heart but you are blessing them in return! It takes a lot to pray for people who hurt you! She said your right! I'm tired of feeling this way and I am ready for a change! I know it won't be easy but I am ready for it! Wow I just love seeing God work in peoples lives!! 

Now onto Saturday! It was a wonderful day to be alive and in Peru!! I left the house with Rosita at 1 in the afternoon! We went downtown and had so much fun!! We got to see some cultural dances! They were so beautiful! They made me want to learn how to dance! While we were walking this guy yelled out hola greenga! I looked at him and then Rosita! I said Rosita he doesn't know me because I am not a greenga I am a cahacha! A Cahacha is a native peruvian from a certain part of Peru! Most of them are taller and lighter skin! It has become quite the joke now!! 

Later that evening I went to a church to speak to the youth!! I was excited because my peruvian family was coming and it was going to be great! I spoke on relationships!! It went very well!! I didn't have an explosive Holy Ghost blow out in the end but the Holy Spirit ministered to there hearts!! I really enjoyed! I had fun there and showed my funny side of speaking!! I used the movie cinderella and they all started to laugh! It was a great night! 

Then on sunday I also spoke in Jicamarca at Iglesia Vida! It went very well! I spoke on modesty and purity! We were ugly pieces of coal at first but after going through the fire and accepting Jesus we became beautiful diamonds!! Sometimes we forget that we are diamonds and we cover ourselves up with dirt! I used a glass marble as my diamond and dirt! It was great! In the end I had one of the ladies in the church tell me that her in her husband we going to change the way they dressed and that they were going to change what they let in them! I was excited to hear that! 

Monday was the start of a very busy week for me! We started the restaurant! I have been here in Peru for a lot of first times for the people! It has been fun!! David and Ceci made profit from the restaurant that day even after feeding four families for free and paying help!! It's pretty awesome the way God works!! I am getting more and more excited to see him shine in everything that I do! 

 

Tuesday started out as just a normal day!! Rosita and I went to the market and bought stuff for the restaurant! I went in my pajamas! That was hilarious! The taxi driver sure was laughing.... at least my teeth were brushed and my hair was fixed lol!! While we were at the market we found a friend of ours Corey! I am going to tell you a little about corey! He is a very sweet person! He is a taxi driver that we all know very well! He hasn't been on the right path and he knows it! There is always problems at home and he doesn't get showed love! His dad actually cursed him a couple days ago! That night he came to church! Tuesday nights is prayer! We had already started and we praying when he walked in! He cam in sat down and started to cry! i have never seen him this broken! Pastor David gave him a hug and prayed with him! It is crazy how when you become desperate for change and for God how quickly you can change! He is like a completely different person now! He got rid of all his bad music and pictures! He plays hillsong now in his car all day! he has been coming to church and just amazing!! When I first arrived to Peru I could barely get him to talk to me! I would have to ask him over and over again before he would say anything, but these past couple of days he won't stop talking lol! He even read a bible verse out loud in church! I am just in awe of the way God works and moves! It is amazing!! 

Wednesday and Thursday were pretty normal days! Last night we had two visitors come to church which was great!! After church a group of us piled into Corey's car and went down to the Porton (the bus station) singing hillsong really loud! It was so much fun! When we were down there we picked up mi cachorito! (my buddy) He had gotten off of work really late!! It was hilarious!! We went back to the house and chilled out! Just talked, listened to music and had fun!! There is no gas in the house which means no light, no hot water, no nothing! FUN FUN FUN! I am hoping that we get gas today or tomorrow! 

God is so good!! When you take time out of your day to seek after Him it is amazing to see him reveal everything to you!! I just love it!! I read in Proverbs 27:21,"The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, and a man is valued by what others say about him" What are others saying about you? It really made me think! What am I doing to make people say the things they do! For every statement made about me there is a reason it was made! I challenge to watch your actions, watch what you say, watch how you treat others because this is how you are valued! That is how we elect are president! We place are value in him based on what we see and by what others say about him! So what are people saying about you? I am so excited to see God reveal himself to me in mighty ways in these next two weeks! I am both happy and sad to see that I only have two weeks left! 

Yesterday when I was out praying July and her Daughter Shantal came out and started talking with me! Shantal said that she was my hermanita or my little sister! I was holding back tears! July and Carlos are like my Peruvian parents! I love them dearly! It was so cute when shantal said that yesterday! It is a lot harder than what people think... but I know that I have made connections and relationships here that will never go away! 

Tonight I have english class and drama practice! It will be a very fun night! Thank you everyone for your prayers! It really has been a help to me and those around me! Please continue to pray that Gods will be done in the land! We are still working on the paperwork and getting everything in order! Continue to pray for David and Ceci that they receive rest through all of this and that God refresh them on a regular basis! 

The last thing I want to put in here today is our of Matthew chapter 7:6,"Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you in to pieces." What we have is precious so we need to guard it and guard it well!! You wouldn't hang you most valuable possession out the window of the car while driving on the highway! So why do we do it with God! Remember what you have on the inside of you is a very precious gift that no one can take away or ruin but you! It is your decision in the end! So what will you decide? 

Oh yeah I almost forgot my spanish word for the week is Cachorito for a guy and Cachorita for a girl! It means little pet or puppy when you translate it but it is something people call there friends that is cute! My spanish phrase is lo que sea! That means whatever in spanish! a very important phrase to no hehe!!! Thanks for the prayers! Please continue to pray that Gods will be done! 

Love you guys,

Austyn

Be the Change you Desire to See!!!

Wow what an amazing week to see God move in mysterious ways! Testimony after testimony of what God has done!
I will begin with Saturday....which for you who don't know is like one big testimony! That morning we were suppose to have the owners over for breakfast to talk about the land! They arrived about one hour late! A little disappointing and nerve racking having to sit and wait! When they finally arrived they took a quick tour of the property and then we ate! Well when I say we ate I mean they ate while we watched and drooled! Pedro cooked chicharon.... which is fried pig! Yum did it smell good! At the end of eating they went outside to the mountain to talk about the property. While they were talking we were praying for favor! Well did God move or what! At the beginning of all of this they wanted an outrageous amount of money for the property, at the end they ended up donating more than what we were asking for! The paperwork will be finalized in a couple of days I believe! Pretty crazy how God works! When you trust, obey and don't back down when things get tough God truly blesses His children! That was just the daytime on Saturday!

That night I went to a church and spoke to their youth! I was super nervous! This was the first time for me to speak at a place where I didn't know anyone not even my translator! I prayed before the service and asked the Holy Spirit to move! Speak through me and allow me to minister to the hearts of these young people! My topic was identity! Who are you....I asked! What have you become? I really dislike the statement "I want to change I really do!" My reply back to that is "then change!" There is either change or no change... not want! My motto for how I live my life is "Be the change you desire to see happen in this world!" The word "be" means to have the identity of! Therefore we need to have the identity of the change that we want to see! After I got done sharing I had the worship team come play and opened up the altars! God really allowed me to minister to many people! I am so thankful for the experience and for being able to be used! I desire to see more events, more youth services, more church services like that....not just through me but through youth! It's time we step up and stop handing it off to the adults! WE CAN DO IT!! I did ask a very important question near the end of my message! I asked,"How old do you think I am?" I was shocked with what I heard! They thought I was 28-29! I think I almost had a heart attack! Oh my 29!!! Wow I said, "oh no no no no!!!" It was hilarious!! I asked them because I wanted to make the point that they could be up here speaking too!! What you put in you, eventually comes out! If you fill yourself up with good stuff then good stuff will come out!

Sunday and Monday were kinda rough days for me! When I first arrived I had my eye set on the day of my return home. I was really missing everyone! The longer I am gone, it's so sad that I have to leave here! I really wish that I could communicate better with everyone! That has been one of the most frustrating and fun parts! On Sunday after service we were sitting around talking! Of course everyone was talking in Spanish....normally that doesn't bother me because I can understand what they are saying! Except on Sunday I couldn't understand anything and my brain hurt so much from having to translate in my mind! I just wanted a break! But I have to tell you this...The people of Peru are amazing! One of the couples in the church (Julie and Carlos) are just awesome! Carlos came and sat next to me and started talking to me and looking at pictures with me, To make me feel better! When he got home Carlos and his wife called me and asked how I was and how the service went on Saturday! They are truly the most amazing people ever! They have a special place in my heart!! Mi Tortuga y Mi Loco! I love them so much!

The rest of the week was pretty calm! Rosita and I went to Julie and Carlos' house and played some games! It was hilarious! Then we walked back home with Carlos! That was the greatest walk ever!! I race Carlos up the street! Then I decided it would be easier if he carried me on his back up!! Good times!!

Last night we had church and it was interrupted by yelling! Everyone ran up the mountain (except me because they said I wasn't allowed!) I stayed at the house with the kids watching through the window for some action!! A lady who bought land about one month ago for a brand new start was fighting with gang members hired by the owners of the land! The owner sent these gang members to kick her out! She was pregnant and had another kid, but was ready to fight! Pastor David went up and was the mediator between them all! Everything is fine now! Just praying that Gods will reign over the land of Jicamarca!

Psalms 51:10-11 says this," Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence and do not take you Holy Spirit from me."
That has been my prayer this week! Renew a steadfast spirit within me! Let me stay in your presence and sit at your feet! I want to feel your heartbeat! Let my words be few, and your words be plenty! I continue to seek the face of God for direction and answers! I believe that God has something great for me still! Please keep me in your prayers because I speak again this Saturday and Sunday! I am excited and I know that God will speak through me in mighty ways!

Thank you to everyone for praying for me and for David and Ceci! Your prayers have been a big help to us! I have a word of the week for you: guacala.... which means yucky! The phrase of the week is ¿Que pasa mi barrio? Which means what's up my gang, crew, or friends! Its some slang for you! Can't wait to write again! Praying that everyone has an awesome week!
Love, Austyn!

My Tongue is like a pen of a ready writer!!

Wow what a crazy week this has been! Really pressing into God and searching His face! I have exactly one month left today till I journey back to the states! God has really been working in me and helping me to hear his voice loud and clear!!

Nothing new going on with the squatter situation as of right now! Still praying that God's hand is over everything!! I will keep everyone updated as I am updated!!

This week I have been busy decorating the kids school room and cleaning everything!! I have the opportunity to speak this Saturday in a church to the youth! I can't wait to see what the outcome is!! God has amazing things in store and I know if I submit to the process then the outcome will be amazing!! Yesterday in my daily bible reading in psalms 45:1 it says,"My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the king; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." My prayer is that the Lord be the writer!! Not just in things concerning the church but in my everyday life! What is it that you want me to say! What is it you want to say through me! Give me discernment and wisdom!
Another thing God has been dealing with me is not to see the whole picture! Sometimes (Most of the time) we don't see the whole picture we see it piece by piece! It's okay to not know everything right now! Just take a deep breath!! Be still and know that He is God!! Its crazy how easy it is to become overwhelmed with life and to forgot who GOD is!!

In Jicamarca Peru we are planning an outreach to youth in the neighborhood! At first it wasn't going to be anything big! Just something small to kick the youth ministry off! Now It has turned into a huge event! We have churches from all over coming to help! Its going to be fantastic!! Doing dramas, worship and all the planning and preparation is great! We practiced a funny skit last night! It was so hilarious!! I will video our next practice so you can enjoy the humor as well!! Please pray that through this we reach the community and that lives are impacted!!

That is all I can think of at this very moment!! I am trying to rush to finish this because my computer is about to die and I forgot my charger! CRAZINESS!!! I will leave you with this statement found in proverbs 16:1,"The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from God." You do the preparation and God will show up! You prepare the table and He will come dine! You prepare the heart and He will come dwell!!

Please continue to pray that God reign over the situation here with the land and that in the end glory is brought to Gods name!!

Diligence is the Key!

This has been quite a week!! I will start from the beginning with my trip to the zoo!
Wow was it fun and funny!! Es fue muy graseoso! It was Me, Jovana, Jean Carlos, and their little brother! We had a blast! I have so many Peruvian traditions to tell you about! The first one is that every time a blonde American comes and goes to the zoo they have to wear a tiger hat on their head! It is a must! Oh and then its another tradition that when you see water you have to jump in and go swimming! You can't pull the native Peruvian in with you because that is very offensive! Last but definitely not least when birds poop on you its good luck! Did we have fun or what! They also bought me a Popsicle called pintura lengua! Which translated means painted tongue! They gave me the green one because they wanted my whole mouth to be green! I figured it out though because I am so smart!! What a wonderful Saturday I will never forget!

Now onto Sunday.....was another great day! I preached! ME!!!! I actually spoke to adults! I was really nervous about it because I have never done it before but at the same time I had such peace about speaking! I knew what I was going to say and I knew it was from God for now! The title of my message was praising through the race! I was using the story in the bible where moses was on top of the mountain with his hands raised while the Israelites were fighting the battle! And God just spoke to me and said," Austyn you have to praise through the race!" Life as a lot of people say is like a race! Its a pretty long marathon in my opinion! Sometimes its really easy for us to become distracted by all the other runners that we forget the purpose of the race!! At the end of a marathon only one person wins! At the end of my marathon I want people to be praising God not singing praises to my name! I want God to be glorified!! What we do during times of endurance determines the Glory brought to Gods name!! Had a great Sunday! After service we played volleyball! So much fun!

MONDAY! On Monday a lot happened! David and Ceci were gone almost all day working on trying to get papers for the land! It's a really confusing situation! It was a real tranquil day for the most part! At night I taught the adults English! That was the funniest class yet! You see one of my students was making fun of me the day before! I told him that he was laughing now but I had in class for one hour so I would be laughing soon! Sure enough did we laugh! I did a review of what we had learned so far! At the end of class I walked to up to the misbehaving student and said,"VETE A LA ESQUINA!!!' Which translated means go to the corner in a very strong voice! I moved an adult man to the corner and tried to take a picture it was hilarious! After class they tried to teach me some Spanish! It was wonderful! I had such a great time!

TUESDAY! What an eventful day! David and Ceci were gone all day! I was at home with the boys and hermana Julie almost all day! We started prayer at about 7 p.m.! In the middle of prayer there were squatters on the mountain behind the church! They were shooting fireworks towards the church and throwing rocks and saying bad things! We all went outside and started to praise God and pray! It was wonderful! After that they stopped and went away so we all went inside the house! And wow was it fun in the house! I showed them how to do the cupid shuffle! We were all dancing for like 2 hours! It was such a great time! Videos of this are going to be on my FB and on YouTube!

WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY! Well these days have been a little less eventful! Today is my Internet day!! Soaking it up lol!! I will tell you this funny story! Last night Jean Carlos was trying to call Jovana but her phone was dead so I told her to use my phone! So we used my phone and she called him! After like 20 minutes he called back so I answered considering its my phone! He said hey can I talk with Jovana! I gave the phone to Jovana and told her to tell him I was really hurt that he kept calling my phone but never talked to me! So today I sent him a message and He called! I said HEY Jean Carlos how are you doing? How is work coming along? The funny thing is I just saw him like 20 minutes before! He said what you think your funny you think your funny...well you are lol!

Well that is all as of right now! I did the prayer meeting last night as well due to other things going on! It was really good! I shared about the difference between hearing and listening! Had a good time! Please continue to pray about the squatter situation! We have a feeling that they will try and invade this weekend! I am really excited to see what God has in store! He has done so much already what else could possible happen! Seek understanding diligently and He will give it to you! Not just whenever but diligently! Diligence is the key! I serve an Amazing God!!
Thanks to everyone for praying!! Love you all oh so much!!

Trust and Be Led!

Wow....Its the beginning of my third week in Peru! I can't believe I have almost been here for one month! God has already spoken to me so much I can't even imagine what He will say next!!

I will give you a little insight as to what a week looks like for me! I wake up every morning around 8 and eat breakfast! After breakfast I teach school to Eliel Hodges, Then is English classes with the kids! There is three church services a week and the nights we don't have church I teach the adults English! A pretty full week yet so much fun!!

God is so good! On Tuesday night during prayer God really spoke to me! We were praying and singing songs to the Lord and God brought to my remembrance the story of Esther! He said,"Austyn just like Esther had to undergo a beautification and purification process before being brought to the king.....so do you! Now is your process! Esther was taking away from her natural surrounding, away from her family, away from everything she knew to undergo this process! It was uncomfortable I am sure but she was never alone! Pretty neat when God tells you things! I just love the way He reveals it to me!!

The next day (Wednesday) we went out to evangelize! I taught about 14 kids English and then a bible lesson about Noah!! It was awesome because God used the little kids to let us be able to lead 3 parents to Christ! God is so amazing!!

Yesterday in my devotions God really revealed to me to TRUST AND BE LED! Everyone thinks they trust till they are taken out of their comfort zone then its a whole new aspect of trust! I never realized how much I didn't trust God until I was in Peru! Trust and Be Led! We have to learn to be willing to let God do his will and delight in it!! So do your part and Be Led by God and He will to the rest!!

Please continue to pray about the squatter situation! It has been quiet for now but we believe they are getting organized for a big invasion! We are praying for confusion in the enemies camp and just like God just the mouths of the lions in the lions den with Daniel that He will do the same here!! TRUST AND BE LED!!

It's My Choice!

A lot has gone on since my last blog!

I will start with the wedding! It was so much fun and very beautiful! It started out with worship music and then very similar to a normal ceremony in the States! I do have a funny story from the wedding! We were all standing and the Father of the bride was taking pictures on the stage when all of a sudden he stepped to far and fell off the stage! Then he was trying to get up he couldn't grab on to anything!! Pretty hilarious if I might say so myself! Then the Mother of the groom was so short her feet couldn't touch the ground when she was sitting down lol! Anyways it was lots of fun!

Now I have a scheduled day for now!! I have been teaching Eliel Hodges (that is the missionary family that I am staying with son)! I do school with him everyday in the morning! Then after lunch I teach English to a group of about 6 kids! They are so smart! I also teach the adults English 2 times a week! We are having are third class tonight! They are so funny! The very first class I had with them one of them brought me an apple! hahaha!

It is so neat how sweet they are! They are really making me part of their families! One of the ladies in the church told me that the reason she wanted to learn English was to be able to communicate with me while I am here! WOW just amazing how sweet they are!

On the 23rd of September we had another squatter scare! There were about 5000 squatters trying to take the mountain again! The police and lawyers took them away this time! Now there are rumors that they are going to try again today or tomorrow! We just continue to pray that God will shut the mouth of the enemy!

God is so awesome! I have really learned that since I am here it is my choice how these two months go! If I want them to be a good and productive two months then I have to make it good and productive! It is my choice! I have really been seeking Gods face in a way like never before! There is something about being somewhere were you don't speak the language and you don't have you normal leaders to speak into your life that you have to speak for yourself! It has definitely been a growing experience for the time that I have been here! I can't wait to see what this next week holds!

Well thanks everyone for your prayers! I will try my best to keep you as updated as possible!
P.S. (The food is amazing! I already have recipes to bring back with me to the states! The only meal that I don't really really like is called ceviche! It's raw fish lol!)

¡Peruvian Wedding!

Today has been an ok day! My dad left this morning which was very hard for me! When I woke up at 7 he was gone! I said goodbye at 3 in the morning and it didnt hit me bacause I was so tired! I read my bible and is Psalms 18 it says that God is our strength! It doesn´t matter where you go God will still be your strength and help you! I am really relying on that verse right now to help me make it through! I am trusting in God to give me peace!

Tonight I am going to a Peruvian wedding! I am so excited! I will take tons of pictures to show you! Its going to be so much fun!

On monday I start teaching! I am a little nervous because I have never done it before but I know I will do good!

Dame un abrazo Senor!!

My Door To The Nations Is Open!

I have been in Peru for 5 days now! It has been a great experience so far! For all who don´t know the second night I was here I experienced a tremor! All you do is run out of the house and wait for the earth to stop shaking....pretty awesome right? Then the next day i was woken up at 5 in the morning due to squatters on the mountain! They were trying to get land to live! I heard gunfire and rocks were being thrown and people were yelling in spanish! I was a little nervous because I didn´t know what was going on! I had my friend Rosita translate for me! Now everything is fine! The police made them leave! God works in mysterious ways! I was telling David Hodges (the family I am staying with) that God had it all planned out for them to have that property! See what he didn´t know was that congressmen and a mayor and the president has land near him and because of that they don´t want trouble! So God knew that on that property he would be safe! Then lateron that day we climb to the very top of the mountain and it was pretty awesome! It reminded me of how amazing and beautiful God is! He created the most beautiful things in the world!


Tomorrow Morning my dad leaves! Its a bittersweet moment! I have sad to see him leave but ready to grow more! I will start monday teaching! I am super excited to get started! God is going to stretch me and I am ready to be stretched like laffy taffy lol or a rubberband haha!!

Well I am sorry that it took so long for me to get on hear and write but internet access is limited! Continue to pray for me and Peru!

¡Jesus Dijo: Yo soy la camina, la verdad, y vive!

Last Sunday!

Today was a very bittersweet day! For the bitter part it was my last sunday and last day till I leave and embark on an adventure! The sweet part I AM GETTING READY FOR AN ADVENTURE!! It was really rough this morning saying goodbye to everyone. (I think I am all out of tears at this very moment.)  I leave bright and early in the morning! I am so ready for what God is going to do in me and through me! I realize that this is an opportunity that not many people my age get to experience! Grace, Grace, Grace!!  God has given me the grace to walk through this next season of my life! WOW..... I just can't believe that it is already here! I am getting ready for an adventure that only I can partake in! God has something special in store for me and I can't wait! I don't know how much I will be able to get on here and update but I will try my best! It gives me a lot more space than FB hahaha!! Please do keep me in your prayers as this is the first time I will be away from home for this long! I know that it will be a stretching and growing experience that I am as prepared for as one can be! Thank you all for encouraging me and pushing me to the next level! Tomorrow is the day! Not the end but the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life!! 

12 days and counting...

As I count down the days I am getting more and more excited! I know that this is going to be an amazing trip where I will discover not only more about God but also more about myself! I believe that God has something amazing in store for me and I can't wait to get there!  

Ok so now that there is only 12 days to go I have to begin to pack... its a never ending process! The list of things to get is forever long! I mean what if I forgot something... that would be a world crisis! Ok so maybe not but I have a lot to pack!  Any suggestions on what I can do to make packing easier???

Tonight we had hour of power at the cathedral of praise! It was very powerful and very sad at the same time! It was the last hour of power till I leave! I am beginning to realize that I am going to be gone! I know that I will only be away for two months but its still two months! I am nervous, excited, scared, happy, full of joy, ready to go, anxious and pretty much any other emotion you could possibly imagine! 

"Be the change you desire to see happen in the world." Ghandi

Preparation!

I have around 4 weeks before I take off on an amazing adventure to Peru! There are a lot of things to get done and not much time! I decided to start this blog to keep everyone up to date with everything that God is doing while I am gone! I still have to finish putting together a Kids church curriculum, acquire teaching material, and of course all of my personal necessities! Oh and I have to learn SPANISH haha!! I think that is really big one! It is always good to be able to communicate with the people your staying with!  Well I believe that God has some great things in store and I can't wait to see what's next! Like it says in the book of John chapter 14 verse 12," Most Assuredly I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater than these he will do, because I go to My Father!"  He has already surpassed my expectations and I haven't left yet...so who knows what is to happen next! Sometimes you have to give God a yet praise, which is a praise you give while you have not yet received! I am praising God and thanking him for everything now because I know that He has great things planned for me that I can't even wrap my mind around!  It is time not just for me to get up and do something , but for you too to impact the county, the city, the state, the country, the continent, and the world you live in! I can't do it by myself! I know I know that have God on my side.... now it is time for you to get linked up and join the army! I hope you enjoy this ride as much as I do! And know that you are just as much on this journey with me through your prayers and support!