Mission Peru

by Calvin DeLancey

Hello Canada! I feel it's appropriate that I share the struggles and joys God has put in my life here in Peru. On June 30th, our first morning in Lima, the boys and were enjoying a game of soccer in preparation for the nights matchup against the local youth group. The game was going fine; my team was losing, however! We were on the brink of catching up. As goaltender, I reared back into a position that I might jump up to catch a lobbed ball that was seemingly hanging in the air above my head. So I jumped, but I didn't go as high as I anticipated because in my way was the crossbar of the soccer goal. To my dismay, I wound up suffering a minor concussion. This at first appeared to me to be a devastating end to my mission in Peru. I knew that I would be unable to do the heavy construction, I would be unable to travel around Trujillo and I would spend the rest of my time in bed, counting down the days the days till the chemicals in my brain returned to their original locations.

I knew this because last September, I retained a concussion from playing football that would take me six weeks to recover from. The first two weeks of my recovery I spent in my bedroom in complete darkness with no forms of cognitive stimulation; no reading, no TV, no cell phone and no music. Those whole six weeks put me in near danger of losing my high school credits for that semester, which would have meant that I would not have graduated last week (June 28th). But God prevailed and not only healed me but He also miraculously allowed me to maintain and keep my credits. The Lord further blessed me when I was accepted into Western University this semester, something my teachers and doctors had completely written off. So having God work in my life very recently (I certainly wasn't fully prepared for this concussion) rather, I had the hope of healing and I knew that I was going to have to rely on my team members and leaders to help me get through this through prayerful, emotional and physical support. In spite of the discouraging truth that I would be unable to do much of the physical labour, many people took the time to be an encouragement to me by sharing with me the their stories of when God challenged them with circumstance and direction that was beyond their control.

First off, my leader Graham has been an encouragement and also a counselor during a time in which I have had a difficulty in making the best decisions. His wise instruction, prayers and loving support have really helped stay grounded through this challenging trip. Graham told me the story of his first month at Bible college. An accomplished basketball player, he was fired up, ready to play. However, instead of playing basketball, Graham had to spend a month recovering from mono, unable to aid his team on the court. But God had willed this, in Graham's words; He really spoke to Graham and challenged him during his time of rest. Taking his story into account, I began working through what God was saying to me during my time of rest. Other leaders have taken the initiative to encourage me with conversations and prayers as well. Luke shared with me how God challenged him with sickness when he was 16 and that he came very close to dying. So his church congregation gathered together, earnestly praying to God to make him well. One week later, Luke remarkably, no, miraculously, was in attendance at the church service Sunday morning. His story spoke to me about God's awesome power in His Sovereignty and the astounding work of prayer.

Ryan of Chatham also encouraged me when he told me that he had sent word back home to Canada about my injury and that people who don't even know me where praying that Jesus would make me well. All of my fellow youth were huge inspirations to me with their collective joyful states of being throughout the entire trip. They truly acted as the hands and feet of God, doing His work with great joy. The Nationals' smiles and embraces have given great joy to not only myself but the entire team. They have shown us continually that Jesus' love is unconditional and knows no boarders, whether they be geographic, cultural or language barriers.

But if it had not been for my concussion, I would not have had the chance to hear how God has shaped the lives of the Inca Link Interns. On Tuesday, everyone had left to go the day care from West London Alliance. The bus ride and all the excitement that occurs while playing with energetic children were two factors that prevented me, with a concussion, from attending the home with them. So I found a quiet spot and set about journaling about what God had challenged me with. Just when I had finished, one of the interns Brent came up to me to give me an orange that a lady from the kitchen had given him to give to me. That clementine was the gateway for Brent to start an inspiring, thought provoking conversation. Brent told me about his past two years in the mission field. His work for the Lord took him from going on the World Race, which is a missionary trip with 11 countries in 11 months, to working in Peru for Inca Link at the children’s home. Instead of becoming a gym teacher and making lots of money after college and then going into missions, Brent felt God's call to start missions work right after graduation (he spent weeks praying and much of that time fasting as well). Brent's story really challenged me to think not about my will for my life, rather what God has willed for me in life in accordance to His story.

Other encouraging conversations took place on several occasions with Kyle and Christy when we shared late night crackers and eggs because I had been unable to go out with the team for dinner (they told me that crackers and eggs is a "missionaries' dinner"). They helped me work through the experience that I had at the dump, helping me to recognize that God's work is accomplished when we set out to love the as Christ loved, not just physical needs. Our human interaction needs to be made up of words and physical embraces because God created us to be in community, so by greeting the people in the dump with a smile and a hug, we truly spread the love of Jesus.

I have titled this entry, "Stories of Sovereignty" because this week, for my part, has looked a whole lot different than what I anticipated it would look like a week ago. Prevented from working, I was in possession of more time for listening and sharing with others. Throughout this week here in Peru, I have both heard and experienced the divine an sovereign will of God working in the lives of His children. Although circumstances may be rough, and yes, the going gets tough, God has a plan and a love for every one of His sheep that is beyond   our human comprehensions and carefully calculated plans.

On Thursday this week, I woke up without a headache for the first time since Saturday. To my great joy I was able to go to the daycare with the second group that day and amazingly I returned to camp without a headache. The next I participated in the hike up the mountain, mixing cement and even the final soccer game against the Nationals. God has His perfect timeline, independent of ours, and he answers the prayers of his children, all praise for Jesus! For anyone who is experiencing a tough circumstance you should know that what ever your situation may be it, God is using it for a reason. I challenge you to take the time to listen; listen to those who have had had difficult trials, draw inspiration from their stories, and listen for what God may be trying to say to you, take heart that He has a plan for you. Sometimes, it takes a twist in the plot before it becomes a good story, and knows one is a better author than our Great God.

God bless you in all your circumstances, Calvin.