“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. “
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you who are reading this post. We have all made it to an end of a very unusual year. While many things have changed, our end of the year reflection remains.
Here in Peru, the strands of Christmas lights have 7 options to control how the lights on your tree and home can be presented. Included are random speeds of blinking lights, fading in/out, blinking WITH music and then at the very end of the options is the good old trusty constant light. Many, including Kaleb, love when all the lights blink and the music is playing. But I (Lisa) prefer the good old trusty constant light. It made me start to wonder why I like it so much. The simple reason is that to me, it is more pleasing to my eye. I can focus on just one constant bright light, instead of being distracted by all the movement….THIS is how WE want to remember 2020. How our focus shifted from all the moving lights of programs, events, travel, and social events (all good things mind you) to slow us down and then help us to put our attention on what is most important. The brightest and most constant light.
Here in Peru, we have been in a state of emergency for 290 days. Masks are mandatory outside your house and you can not enter any store if you have a temperature or don’t have a mask. There continues to be curfews at night that are enforced by law. Parties and social gatherings of any kind including church is not permitted. Beaches are closed Thursday-Sunday. Playgrounds continue to be blocked off or removed completely. Things are far from normal here, and much like around the world there are talks of a return to strict lock down due to increased numbers of positive cases. I can continue on, however these are things that we hear worldwide. All the stuff that is heavy and hard…..But, let’s talk about the things we have learned this year. Things that maybe we wouldn’t have learned without 2020. Here is our list…
We have learned that church is NOT confined to a building. We NOW understand what the true meaning of church is.
We have learned to slow down and been able to be more present with immediate family.
We have seen the importance of being intentional with people in our immediate circle and how that can be a ripple affect to others.
We have learned to fear less and be content with what we have, and that the ONLY thing that fills that aching hole in our heart is Jesus.
We have learned that we could not have gotten through this year without the promises that we read in the bible for every believer.
Every year around this time, there are trees all around Lima that bloom with these beautiful yellow flowers. They cover the sidewalks and streets like a blanket of snow. This year when we were thinking about it, it brought a few verses in the bible in the book of Revelation that describes the New Jerusalem. Here it says:
“The street of the city was pure gold, clear as crystal. I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb. The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” -Revelation 21:21-23 TPT
Then is says:
“Evil will not enter, nor anyone who does what is abhorrent or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Book of Life of the Lamb.” -Revelation 21:27 TPT
***What have we have learned most in 2020?***
We have learned that while the world is uncertain, God is not. We have a hope for a future that has streets lined with gold, with no evil, no sickness, and no death, ever again. Our mission to reach, share, and encourage those who don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus, is more urgent now, than ever. Thank you to every single person who has supported us financially, in prayer, and in encouragement this past year. Thank you for continuing to see how we as part of the local church here in Peru are extending our arms out to so many to bring hope and light to others. Thank you for keeping us here so we can do even more in 2021.
Below are some of the incredible statistics of how by you supporting us we can be a part of what God is doing here in Peru.
*More than 220,000 people reached since March 2020 through donations of basic needs including food, blankets, and a helpline for mental health and physical health.
*There have been approximately 100 wheelchairs distributed since lock down restrictions have been lightened in September.
* There have been 1447 small groups accounted for this year which is more than double than what was in person in the past year.
*Approximately 17,000 Christmas packs (small donated toy, box of chocolate milk, personal size fruitcake) were given to children throughout Peru over the month of December for Christmas. These children most likely would not have received any other gift for Christmas.
~Thank you again for your support~
As we enter into this new year of 2021, may we all continue to remember the promises that God has for us and share that with others who may not know.
Love to you all. Clever, Lisa, & Kaleb