Let the Children Come to Me - Peru 2010

Today (Wednesday, June 30th) was an amazing gift from God. Some of the mission team members and I were able to share the Gospel with High School students and younger students. It was awesome!

As the day began, Blanca, Corey, Marci, and Rob shared with High School students about moral purity. Here’s a picture of Rob and Marci talking through our interpreter. Marci showed the students two pieces of construction paper – pink and blue – which she cut out in the shape of a heart and glued together. As she talked with them about how we give a little piece of our heart away every time we become physically involved with another person, she began to tear the two pieces of construction paper apart. Of course, she couldn’t tear them apart completely – the paper ripped horribly. Some pieces of pink paper stayed attached to the blue sheet, and some pieces of blue paper stayed attached to the pink sheet. The point was crystal clear and powerful: When we have sex before marriage, we give a piece of our heart away, and our heart is torn and damaged.

Next, I was able to follow these testimonies with the Gospel message. And when it came time for a decision, I didn’t make it easy on the students. I asked all the girls who made decisions to stand up and walk to the back to talk with Blanca and Marci, and I asked all the guys who made decisions to stand up and walk to the back to talk with me and the guys. Not everyone responded but most did.

Then when the younger students came out, we had a little different way of speaking to them. We began with a song. Take a listen to this video clip, and I think you’ll recognize the tune without any problem.

Ah, good ole “Father Abraham”. Of course, God´s Word is true. He´s still using Abraham to bless all families of the earth as we share with them the message of salvation in Jesus Christ alone (Genesis 12:1ff)! Remember: The very first verse of the New Testament tells us Jesus is the son of David and the son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1).

And these kids were so great. They sat on concrete outside and listened to the Gospel attentively. And when we asked them to respond in the same way the High School students did, it was an amazing sight to see. For example, just take a look at how Blanca is surrounded my young girls who are ready to hear more about Christ!

Of course, we all had a delightful surprise right before we left the school. A teacher with two little Peruvian girls walked up to us to give us gifts they made. Here’s some of the team with these precious children. They made us little foam neck ties with beautiful red stripes glued to them. I didn’t have the heart to tell them I don’t wear ties much at all, but I would “wear” these because these kids were so sweet and thoughtful to make them for us - I know, I´m a hopeless push-over!

Now, before I wrap-up this blog, I have to leave you with just a couple of things. The first is a brief video of our very multi-talented translator. Here he’s doing a cool trick with a Peruvian toy that looks like a yo-yo and top combination. Take a look and enjoy…

Second, as we were getting into the vans, I saw this Peruvian woman cradling a little baby wrapped in a blanket. The woman was making the sweetest faces and sounds, trying to make the infant laugh or smile.

This sight just reminded me of something. All people are people. Sure, we may dress differently, speak different languages, have different traditions and customs, etc. But every person needs to be loved, and there’s no greater love than God’s love for the whole world who gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, so we might have eternal life in Him alone (John 3:16; John 14:6).

Let’s share this message through our words and our works beginning at home and throughout all nations until the whole world at least has the opportunity to know the one, true God and Jesus Christ He has sent because this is eternal life (Matthew 28:18-20; John 17:3). This was Jesus´ prayer, and may it be our passion!

(Pictures and videos mentioned in this blog will hopefully follow soon!)