One Week Away...

Just last night we were laughing together.

We met as a team to review a number of important details and prepare ourselves for what we were about to experience in Peru. Seeing the buildings and rooms in photos and video sure makes everything seem a whole lot more real and seven days closer...

We went over what to bring and what not to bring. Did you know there was a such thing as a gas-powered curling iron? Air Canada has specific advice on how to handle them so they won't confiscate them. I love it when they state the obvious too. Like when they remind us that we should not bring knives on the aircraft. That makes sense, right Carson?

We also talked about what to do and what not to do:

Do smile. 

Do not pet animals. 

Do sanitize your hands discreetly.

Do not brush your teeth using tap water.

Do not be alarmed if you are greeted with a kiss.

There were a lot more thing we discussed and I hope we remember everything! Altitude medication instructions, dates and times that might or might not change, FLEXIBILITY. It's all important. It's a good thing that we have each other to remember those things that each one of us might have missed individually. Even with all of this on our minds, there are so many good things to look forward to.

I look forward to the food. 

After returning from Peru last time, I couldn't eat cilantro for months, but most of the food was still pretty good. Pollo y patatas fritas, aji de gallina, alpaca, coey - it was a great experience.

I look forward to the crisp air in the morning.

I look forward to some amazing hikes and seeing things most North Americans never get to see.

I look forward to seeing some familiar faces in Peru.

Fredi, Bernaldino, Yoni, Milagros. These are all people who have got a great passion for God and desire to see the Quechua people presented with the whole gospel. Such amazing people.

I look forward to making a difference.

At times we may feel helpless there and feel as though we are the ones being served far more than those we have come to help. I pray that God would give us a great love for the people - His love - and that it would multiply and grow and spread throughout the region for the glory of God and the name of Christ.

I look forward to spending time with our team.

I'm excited to listen to each team member share how God has shaped their lives. I'm excited about flying together, playing together, eating together, experiencing new things together, praying together, working together, and so much more. 

I look forward to time with God.

I'm sure we will be returning from Peru with more stories of God's goodness that will add to the great things we can share with others of God's work in our lives. Even though life tends to slow down a bit when we get there, there seems to be no time alone. I pray that we will all find the time we need to meet with the One who is most important in our lives to find what we need for each day.

I'm looking forward.

- Pastor Mark

^{4 "}Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." ^{Philippians 4:4} NLT