Love Extreme 1 - June 13, 2010 in Puerto MaldonadoPosted: 06/22/10

Sunday was one of the favorite days for many short-term missionaries.  We worshiped at the Puerto Maldonado Church of the Nazarene.  We celebrated with the Peruvians what the Lord accomplished.  Part of our group learned and shared with the Peruvian adults and others helped lead the children’s ministry.  We sang together, “I Surrender All”. TNU Student, Kaylee Coggins, remembers this as one of her salvation and transformation songs, “I am a nanny for children at home.  Singing this hymn and assisting in leading the children’s worship time reminded me that God remembers me and allows me to use my passions to serve Him.“

The team prepared for a women’s conference and a children’s festival in the afternoon.  Many people prayed before the event, which was held at El Instituto Pedagogico; Nuestra Senora del Rosario.

Over 75 women and over 40 children attended the event.  The Women’s Conference consisted of a short worship time, prayer and two special speakers.  Liliana Vargas, (wife of Felix Vargas) shared her testimony and about 10 women came to the front for prayer.  Heather Bryant had the following to say about the event:  “To watch Liliana pray for these women was an incredible sight!  She is certainly a woman of faith and has a powerful intercessory prayer ministry.” 

Lonna Vopat also shared her testimony during the Women’s Conference.  Her story was one of incredible tragedy and brokenness, but is now one of powerful transformation and God’s love.  Fifty women came forward for prayer.  Many women were crying and rejoicing.  TNU Student Yesenia Ruiz served as translator for Lonna Vopat.  Yesenia said, “God really used me and my abilities to make an impact for Him.  I never really thought that being bilingual could have such an impact.”

The children’s festival was successful, too!  The children played games, learned more about Jesus and watched a children’s film.  Team members went to the plaza to eat a meal after the conference was over.  We had the chance to get to know the 40/40s better.  TNU Sponsor Heather Bryant said, “I am thankful for the way the Lord has made the entire team one body focused in one spirit. The Lord has stretched our minds, our bodies and our hearts to make us His servants for the people of Puerto Maldonado.”

Quotes:

• People in the US have so much and when they don’t have something, they blame God.  Here in Peru, they don’t have much and don’t blame God; instead they pray.  They have so much joy.  People in Peru have taught me to pray more and rely on God more.  I want a more intimate relationship with God.  God is a personal God.  –TNU Student

• At the women’s conference, as I served drinks to women for refreshments, I saw a lady crying and people praying for her.  I started tearing up.

• If you answer the call, God is going to take over.

• I can see Christ radiating through her (statement about Women’s Conference Speaker Lonna Vopat).  I want to be more like that.  I want people to say that Christ is in me without even having to talk to me.

• We need to focus on what we do today and not worry about tomorrow.

• It makes me so happy to witness this event this afternoon.  It looked like God had sent two women that these ladies could relate to.  There couldn’t have been two more perfect people to send and talk.