Thoughts from Alex Tribo

Hello, everyone! Right now we are about to eat lunch at the hostal.(I am not sure where the apostrophe key on this Spanish keyboard is, so I cannot use contractions). :D

So far, it has been a really good time here. The experience is overwhelming. It seems so cliche to say, "Wow, Americans are so rich compared to these people," but when one is here in the midst of so much poverty, there is hardly a sense that is more powerful. Last night, all of us sat in a circle and each talked about what touched them most during his or her stay in Peru. Everyone had some powerful things to say, and regarding the poverty here, Tam made a good point - so often in America we confuse what we want with what we need. Always thinking we must buy a new dress for a party, or we have to go get a burger because we are craving it. But what are these people craving? They crave the necessities. Food, water, love. Nothing more. I think all of our eyes have been opened. The people here are so passionate about our God as well, and so joyful. Why is it that so many of us in America are fighting depression? Why is it that we cannot see beyond our small inconveniencies to see the blessings that God has poured on all of us? In the BIble, it says that he who as been given much, is expected much. That hits me, personally, very hard here.To everyone who is reading this, I ask that you would pray with me, that this experience will stick with the senior class of 09 forever. So often, after returning from mission trips the fire for God in us dulls, and we are back, undulating in our routine, which has the tendency to suck all passion for the good from us, and replace it with apathy and thanklessness. Please pray that all of us would remember this trip. Please pray that the fire for God which has been built in all of us these nine days would not dull, but instead would grow and spread through prayer, and a healthy relationship with Christ. I pray that for those who did not have that relationship with Christ before this trip, that their hearts may host a spark for Christ, which may set ablaze.

This morning, we went to a church (I believe it was Pentecostal). It was certainly very difficult to not get lost because half of the service was in Spanish. We studied in Mark 6. The pastor discussed Jesus and his choosing of His disciples, and how we, as people of God, should also seek disciples of God in many nations! Because of their faith, the disciples were able to cast demons out of many, and heal many people. Likewise, we should have a strong and unwavering faith! It was wonderful to see all of these people in such a poor town, in a church that had no air conditioning, and was constantly disturbed by cars honking outside - and they are all just praising God and worshipping Him with such graciousness and joy that I cannot help to desire to want to mimick that in America, and we should. A large part of a relationship with Christ is faith, and faith keeps the fire in our hearts ablaze.

One particular story the pastor told was very inspiring. He explained, if I am not mistaken, that an unbelieveing woman came tot eh church, and asked that they would pray for her daughter, because it seemed she was possessed by a demon. The woman also had an infection in her throat. The pastor visited the home of the woman, and saw that the daughter, indeed, was possessed. This demon prevented her from doing ordinary things like writing, eating, and sleeping. With his unfailing faith, and his humility to give glory to God, the pastor was able to cast the demon out, by the grace of God. Amazingly enough, later on, the woman had a dream in which she was told to read the Bible. She did, and is now beginning to walk with God. How amazing is our God! This story really spoke to me, because it tells me that God not only loves us, but He is not distant from us! He wants to be personal with us, and He wants us to trust Him.

In church, the pastor asked that we introduce ourselves. So, we all went to the front, and sang songs for them in English, and Daniel and Marcie gave their testimonies, which were translated by Billy. The church people were very kind and received us joyfully. As I went back to my seat, one older woman gently grazed my arm with her fingers and mumbled something and smiled, and that was just very moving. Although we may be divided by our culture and language, it is amazing because we are united with our love for Christ! And love certainly is a language within itself, that all people can speak and understand.

Anyway, at this point, we are all so very exhausted and hope to arrive home safely to see our families and sleep in our own beds! :P I ask that you would pray we are able to get home safely, by the grace of God. I hope that the seniors or 09 will come home with a new perspective, and take what they have learned on this priceless missions trip to college.

Pro Rege,
Alexandra R. Tribo