Mission Peru

Mission Peru Blog

Archives

  • Mar12Mon

    We serve a big big God

    March 12, 2018 Mara St. John
    Mara St. John
    One thing that has been on my heart is how big our God is. I often simplify who he is; he is loving, he is forgiving, he is strong. These things are true and fundamental to who God is, but he is so so much more than that. The God that watches over the small children who wake up every morning to the smell of burning garbage, the God that missionaries like Rich and Lisa Brown serve day in and day out, the God who built these mountains and the God who tames the sea is the same God who loves and cares for me thousands of miles away in London Ontario. To think that this very God loves me and has a plan for me is overwhelming. Being here has slightly widened my perception of God and who he is. All I can say is our God is a big and powerful God, and I am thankful everyday I am his daughter and not his enemy. 
    I also want to speak to the heartache I have been feeling. To watch a little boy crawl around in the glass infested sand and to look around is utterly heart breaking. He has no idea how horrendous his living conditions are or how utterly exposed he is as he falls asleep around walls of tattered tarp. To drive away from Elim in the garbage dump and see a little girl, face caked in garbage, leaves me feeling destroyed. But there is hope. These people are the lowest  of the low, picking through garbage even street dogs have gotten at, but the God who spoke light into existence, who is more powerful and good than we can ever comprehend, loves them. It is wrong for them to live like that and it is a place infested with the sin of people like me but their time on earth is limited and they have been given the opportunity to live in the presence of God forever. So in that promise, in that hope, it has encouraged me to display God in anyway I can. Their life without God will be bitter and lonely and excruciating, but if they seek the Lord and put their trust in him, the bitterness of sin will only cause the glory of heaven to be even more sweet. In that promise, the promise God has given us of eternal presence with him is the ultimate hope. With it the impossible becomes possible. So I will lean into Him, remember His promise to me and to those children, and I will pray that he holds me close. I am prone to wander from the God I love, but my God is prone to hold me close and lay his infinite grace and mercy on me. What more could I want but to serve the God who has served me so well. And with that I have been greatly encouraged and pushed to further His kingdom.

    Comment

    On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, Graham said:

    Mara thanks for sharing your refuge in our Big God in the midst of your experience

     

    On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, Manuela Kesseler said:

    Hi Mara, I'm Daniel's mom. I'm so grateful that you could have this amazing (yet sometimes tough) experience. Thanks for sharing some great thoughts. Each of your team's posts is like a devotional for us on this end! :) Yes, it is so hard to watch people suffer, it seems almost cruel and yet, we would not know what compassion is if it were not so. We would not have the opportunity to help others if help weren't needed in the first place. We don't have to look far to find opportunities to serve "the least of these". And God is a just God, the first will be last and the last will be first. He has not forgotten them. He will right everything in His perfect timing. God bless you and the rest of your time in Peru!:)

     

    On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, Julie Mix said:

    Thank you so much Mara for sharing so personally, it blessed me and reminded me yet again that we have been given much and much is required of us! May God spirit continue to lead you each day on the trip as well as long after you get home. May your life grow for Jesus and the world he came to save.

     

    On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, Corinne Klassen said:

    Yes, we serve a big God! And with each missions trip you go on it helps us see how God is exactly who he needs to be for each person, no matter where you live or what situation you find yourself in. It’s so complex and simple at the same time. Praying the whole team understands that in a way they’ve never experienced before.

     

    On Tuesday, March 13, 2018, Mary Stanley said:

    So enjoyed reading your post, Mara. May God continue to greatly encourage you.

     

    On Tuesday, March 13, 2018, Alysa Portillo said:

    Mara, Reading your post brought goosebumps and tears to my eyes. I can't even put into words how I am feeling. Thank you for reminding me that God is so merciful and life without him would be so bitter as you put so eloquently. As you wrote;

    "But there is hope. These people are the lowest of the low, picking through garbage even street dogs have gotten at, but the God who spoke light into existence, who is more powerful and good than we can ever comprehend, loves them."

    Wow! I don't really know what to say, I'm at a loss for words. Thank you for convicting, I continue to pray that God will relight the fire that burns so strong, reminding us of what He has done and that our request would be to be changed.

     

    On Tuesday, March 13, 2018, Barbara said:

    Mara, reading your opening statements of who you are seeing God to be this week made me think I was listening to your mom speak! You are describing God with the same love and awe that she does. So beautiful! I love that! May the Lord continue to open your eyes to see him and to know him. Praying for you!

     

    On Monday, March 12, 2018, Karen MacDonald said:

    Wow Mara! Thank you for such a beautiful testimony of all that God is revealing to you in these last few days! You have blessed me so much with the reminder of just how powerful, mighty, merciful and good the God we love and serve is...even in apparent heartbreak and darkness. You are so right..the promise that He will walk with us through each day and the proimse that He has guaranteed us eternal presence with Him is our ultimate hope. I will continue to hold you up in prayer as you trust Him in the days of heartbreak, serve Him amongst the meek and lowly and sacrifically demonstrate His love to the lonely. Hugs to you!!

     

    On Monday, March 12, 2018, Mary Wright said:

    Mara, thanks for sharing your heart here. So much to think about and process! Your thoughts remind me of the Psalms: holding onto the majesty and love of God as you survey the people around you. Keep loving the ones God brings across your way and keep hoping in Him. Praying for you all to continue to see God and to see Him at work there in Peru.

     

    On Monday, March 12, 2018, Jude St. John said:

    Mara,

    this post is beautiful and brave and big; just like the God that you write about so passionately. Mom prayed that this trip would wreck you, and your sister, and all of your teammates. God answers your mom's prayers.

    "Their life without God will be bitter and lonely and excruciating, but if they seek the Lord and put their trust in him, the bitterness of sin will only cause the glory of heaven to be even more sweet." I've read that line four times and cry each time. Amen and amen.

    You should write more often; clear, concise, convicting and convincing. I love it.

    May God continue to wreck you all; he is big like that.

     

    On Monday, March 12, 2018, Mom said:

    What a beautiful devotion for us all to read! Praying you can press into the Heavenly Father who loves you so much are able to hear His words of wisdom and love be for you. Proud of you Mara! Xo

     

    On Monday, March 12, 2018, Ena said:

    Such amazing ideas God is opening your heart, eyes and mind to! I love the picture too! Cant wait to hear more and more and more in the days to come, love you so much (obviously not as much as god;)! Praying for you, Adele and, everyone that God keeps opening you to new situations, feelings, emotions and experiences that guide you closer to him and his good plan for you! xo

     

    Leave a Comment

About Trujillo, Peru

Trujillo is a city in coastal northwestern Peru and the capital of La Libertad Region. It is located on the banks of the Moche River, near its mouth at the Pacific Ocean, in the Valley of Moche.

This was a site of the great prehistoric Moche and Chimu cultures before the Inca conquest. expansion. It is the centre of the second most populous metropolitan area of Peru and most populous city of the North macroregion of the country.

Trujillo, Peru

Read More

Follow Us: