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!!