One thing I am LOVING about being in Arequipa, Peru with the McKenzie and Smith team is that they live out their mission lives everyday. It is not set up to just pass out pamphlets and preach at people it is living among them, working with them, hanging out with them, doing business with them....basically, sharing their lives with the people that they are "targeting". Please excuse my use of the word "them" as if they are separate and a part from anyone else, because they are not. My use of "them" is my attempt to distinguish between the missionaries and the people of Arequipa.
Sunday Lisette went to church in the morning with Larissa at one of the members house that lives out in a community that's about 40 minutes away from here where they ate and fellowshipped. While Lisette was at church, we (Kayla and I) went to the market and grocery store with Megan and her children. At home, the children had Sunday school. I had my personal devotional. When Lisette returned home we (Lisette and I) took Anna to a Peruvian birthday party which was quite lovely. (For pictures and videos please refer to my Facebook page).
Returning from the party we got ready for church service at Megan's house. Usually, Greg is the one that leads the service however due to him being out of town and this being our first Sunday with the church (remember the church is the body, not the building) Megan had the members share their testimony's with us on how they came to Christ and we shared what brought us to Arequipa. I found it interesting that all the members that I have met so far has come in contact with Christ through relationships or through the business Team Arequipa has. The church continues to grow and it is also the members talking to their family members and bringing them around.
Some of the ladies used to be Catholic and shared that they did not learn a lot about Christ in Mass and not about having a personal relationship with Christ. They all shared that now they know more about Christ and feel that they have a personal relationship with him now than they have before and how he is a part of their everyday lives. Javier, the only male member of this congregation, besides Greg, came later and shared that he came to know Christ through CoC missionaries in Argentina. As he got older, he lost touch with the church because the ones he went to visit did not seem right (as in close knit, and an actual family). When he met the Arequipa team, he finally felt a part of a family that had the love of Christ. He especially, felt close and comfortable with Greg to share his struggles with.
Sunday was a lovely day!
Everyday is a Christ filled lovely day here in Arequipa...so far.... (giggles)
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