Lots of thoughts

 Every week we drive to a place that is about an hour away to teach English, and we always pass by this area where there are just a ton of lights lit up for miles. It is so beautiful.  It just seems to go for miles and miles where you can see so many houses represented by one little light. Every week without fail I am reminded of "A City on a hill", and the light that Jesus calls us to be.  This particular ministry spot has proven to be difficult and it seems like our objective has changed 100 times, but I am always reminded on the drive that I am called to the the shining city on a hill.

 Matthew 5:14 "  You are the light of the world a city on a hill cannot be hidden"

 We have such a responsibility to let our lights shine brightly.  In this day and time when the light is blurred, dusty, and dim, we must continue to shine. When Christ is illuminated in our hearts, He shines so brightly that even people in the valley and in the darkness can look and see that there is something more than darkness.  The actions in our every day lives matter, people are watching.
 There have been times, when I just didn't want to teach English. I just didn't feel equipped to handle a class of 25 very basic English speakers.  However, when I applied my best abilities, Jesus illuminated himself in my life, and has been faithful to show himself through me!  I know it doesn't seem very profound, but I am reminded of this every week. Reminded of the responsibility that we have as believers to be different and let our lives shine radiantly just like these little towns in the picture. It is really one of the most beautiful things that I think I have seen while I have been here in Peru.

 "Shine make them wonder what you got,
 make them wish that they were not on the outside looking bored
 Shine let it shine before all men,
let them see good works and then
 let them glorify the Lord. " - Newboys

-CR

Just Walk

Last week we took a trip up to the mountains. It was a great time with the team and some other friends. We were about 11,000 ft up, which was a totally new experience for me! It was on the agenda for us to go on a hike one day. Technically when you go up to that kind of elevation, you are supposed to spend a couple days before you hike, but since we were only there for a couple of days we needed to make the most of our time! .. Just in case you were wondering.. Breathing really isn't that important.

Generally, I am not an avid hiker. As a matter of fact, when the word is mentioned I cringe a little. I had been sick the day before, so I wasn't super enthused to go, but I knew that the other girls really wanted to go so I decided to suck it up.  I knew that it would be worth it and beautiful in the end. 

Have you ever been on a journey like that ?  You really wanted to get to the top, but the path there wasn't super ideal? So many times I think.. If I just know the route and I know what to expect then it will be easier because I can pace myself.  There is just something about looking up a daunting mountain thinking.. oh my gosh... I have to climb up this and I have no idea how long it is going to take. It looks really steep and it doesn't even look possible. 

 I think so many times we just back away from opportunities because they just look impossible. .. 

Anyways, here I am..walking up this mountain at 11,000 ft. We were about halfway up when we decided to take a "short cut" a little off the beaten path. It was literally vertical.. in the rocks and dirt.  In my head I was gripping.. UGHH... huffing and puffing... SERIOUSLY. There was no stopping point in sight. I was so focused on getting to the top of the mountain and looking at the end goal that I was not focused on the steps that were at hand.  I  had a baseball cap on and I pulled it down so that I could only see  Carissa's  feet in front of me... I guess it was a little like blinders that a horse wears. Just one foot in front of the other.. just follow the steps that she takes in front of me. It made it so much easier to just walk and not anticipate what was coming or the journey that was ahead of us.. Just walk..  

When we focus on Jesus in front of us, we are a lot less likely to be distracted. Less likely to quit... Less likely that we will psych ourselves out..  When we were climbing up that really steep part I envisioned our path to be straight up, but just when I thought I had the path figured out.. Our guide would make a turn to the left or right. It was just enough to lighten the load of the hike.. It never got easy, but it was just enough relief to give me hope that maybe we would eventually make it up to the top. It always took me by surprise because I thought I had the path figured out.  (Don't ever assume you have the path figured out.. you'll always be on an adventure with Jesus).

 What if I hadn't followed? What if I decided to quit because I knew the path, and I knew it wasn't going to get easier? I would have missed out . I wouldn't have gotten to see the beautiful view overlooking San Luis and the highest peaks still covered in snow. The victory that surges your body as you arrive at the top makes you feel like you are on top of the world, and it is priceless (maybe a little mix of adrenaline too).  Standing on the top of that mountain and seeing a new side of God's handiwork is really just another glimpse of our creator and his indescribable beauty displayed through the nations. 

There is something to this whole thing about putting your head down and walking. Just focusing on the next step. It's important to trust and just enjoy the journey.  Stop trying to figure out when you will be finished and start thinking about this step and what you are supposed to be learning.  Sometimes this means that we have to put our blinders on.. They aren't always put on for us. There are times when we have to make the choice to put them on and trust the person leading us! This can be an act of faith on it's own .Making the choice to stop listening to all the things that grab our attention and discourage us  is pivotal to our walk. It could determine whether you will make it to the top of the mountain.

There is a season for everything. A season to embark, A season to climb, A season to question, A season to endure, and A season to rejoice in victory in Jesus.  Put on your baseball cap and maybe even your rain jacket hood and Just walk up the mountain trusting your guide, OUR GOD, the One who works all things for your good when you commit your way to honoring him!... by the way we made it to the top!

-CR