sometimes, our plans are not God’s plans.
As you’re well aware, we’ve spent this month in Porvenir, Peru, in the middle of the desert, working on construction and building projects. We’ve had amazing missionary hosts and have loved our beds and ovens and team time, etc. We were ready to enjoy hard work and good memories for our last week there, but God had other plans.
Adios, wheelbarrows…
Because of a safety issue that arose, we went from waking up one morning, expecting a normal day, to packing all our bags and moving to a new location. Needless to say, there were tears and a little bit of frustration. But we’ve made a commitment to follow Jesus and His leading, and for some reason, He let this happen and led us away. Team Justice League and Team Fireproof have made the commitment that where He goes, we’ll go, and where He lodges, we’ll lodge.
So…long story short, we got on the bus, not really knowing what was going to happen, and ended up in a super cheap ocean front hostal in Huanchaco, Peru, about an hour away from our previous location. As I type this in my bed, I can hear the waves crashing constantly. Toto, we’re not in the desert anymore.
our front yard at sunset 🙂
This afternoon we sat on the beach, praying that the Lord would lead us into a specific ministry this week (we leave for Bolivia on the 10th). We were brainstorming, and since we are living in a surfing town, I brought up the idea of emailing Christian Surfers International to see if we could meet up with some locals and find something to do.
Tonight, as we were getting some street vendor food for dinner, a guy came up to us with his surfboard, and I looked down and saw the Christian Surfers International sticker on his board. Um, hello God? After talking for a while, we got super discounted surf lessons for Monday, and we are invited to his mom’s house Monday night for dinner with all the Christian Surfers from the area. They said missionaries never come here because it’s known for tourism and having us here “gives them strength.” I am 110% positive that we will have amazing stories this week. Keep us in prayer!
Here’s a video about Christian Surfers in the USA, and why surf ministry is legitimate and important. Chapters are in Hawaii, California, Florida, and Manasquan, NJ, where I was born 😉
After reading your latest transmission, all I can say is, thank the Lord for your willingness to follow His leading, whenever and wherever. His knowledge trumps all and is crucial to our daily lives and those of countless others.
Go in the love of the Lord!!!
amazing….
I really enjoy your updates. What a great video about the Christian Surfers. I had never heard about them. It made us think of living in Calif. when we were younger. I never surfed but was always fascinated just watching them. Let us know how the surfing lessons went. God Bless You in all your endeavors!! Marcelle
Hey Steph!
Really enjoying keeping up with what you guys are up to.
I am so blessed to see the ways God is confirming this trip to you and the people you’re with every day! You’re going to be (and already are) so changed by this experience. Praying for ya!!
Steph,
There were some of us at church with dad when he got the phone call about the experience that led you to moving your location. We stopped and prayed immediately for all of you, especially your host as well as all the parents that received that same phone call. I felt an instant PEACE beyond understanding knowing God is in control. I now can’t wait to hear the stories this week from your new location because there is a reason God has you there!!
Enjoy the view while you can and know that you and your team are lifted in daily prayer by many!
Love in Christ!
Traci
P.S. I love the new picture – I can see God’s Peace and Joy all over your face!!!!