Today we met downstairs and had our first briefing session…don't drink the water, don't buy food made on the streets, don't go anywhere alone, etc. Adam led worship this morning and it was so amazing to hear all the voices singing in a small room. God is absolutely worthy of all praise, and it was cool to see the selfless worship for our Father. Prayer is a huge part of our trip to Peru and in all our lives. It is important for us to pray and listen to God, and let Him work through us.
Peru is nothing I expected, and I think everyone can agree that our hostal, the buildings, the trash and the wandering dogs were surprising. We arrived at the church for the first time today at noon and were served a delicious lunch. The people here in Peru are unbelievably polite! They have no idea who we are, but we're instantly greeted with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. The church is just radiating the Lord's light, and the people have a true love for the Lord.
We left to go on prayer walks in areas of Lima that are going through really hard times. Villa el Salvador is filled with miles of brick buildings, not in the best shape with trash all over. We pulled up to a cement futbol court and there were children running around and many dogs. It was sad and disheartening and we prayed over neighorhoods, houses, children, and anything we thought needed it. It was a culture shock, and also just an eye-opener to the lost world.
Daniel spoke through a translator tonight at church twice, he was nervous, but he wouldn't actually say it. Matthew and Diana shared during the first service and Chloe, Corey and Jocelyn shared their testimonies at night in front of about 300 or more people. There were 25 decisions for Christ! It was amazing! There are many angels celebrating tonight!
And speaking of celebrating, if anyone would have told me that our group would be dancing, jumping and crazily worshipping God in the front of a church in Peru, I would have called you crazy. But we did for near 15 minutes. I've never seen so many people loving worshipping the Lord in that way! There was glitter and smelly foam bumps and words we couldn't understand. But overall, a good day.
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Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 2 Samuel 6:14-15
Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD.[a]
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.