2009 and 2005-the hair has changed. =)

quiet wonderings.

Sitting here this morning, quiet in the midst of my giant to do list and setting aside anxious feelings about leaving Madison with a few unknowns, I question so much of why God would have me be a part of this relationship, this Peru story. And with that I wonder why I am so overwhelmingly blessed to have La Merced de Neshuya play such a big part in my story.
I like Brian's post that talks about what side of the line are we living on. I'm sure that most of the time I'm putting God in my life so He can be part of my story, when honestly isn't His story and His redeeming work on earth so much greater and fantastic than I could have even imagined, much less created for myself. In the last five years, I will have been to this little village five times, an opportunity I cannot sufficiently express how thankful I am for. I have been transformed, loved, challenged, heart broken, joyous, cared for, prayed for, sunburnt, sick, blessed, taught, encouraged, and shown practically what it means live simply and with faith that overcomes. My hope for this trip is that I can spend lots and lots of time expressing clearly to my Peruvian friends the impact they have had on my life, the ways they have taught me and shaped the woman I am, that I can laugh and cry with them as we say goodbyes, celebrating the sustainable and development goals their community has reached. I pray that God's work would be the focus throughout this trip- the work He's constantly doing in La Merced, the work He's done in my life and the lives of others. I've began to understand more in this past year that my life means nothing without the unwaivering grace of our Lord. I'm humbled at what He's done with this little girl. May I be part of His story in La Merced, what an honor is has been.

Whose Line is it Anyway?

The idea for this post comes from last week's message (June 13th). It seems to be my food for thought and current inspiration for spiritual adjustment.

There are two sides to the idea. The first side considers that we make God a part of our lives to enhance our own life's story, and the other side is essentially the opposite - that we make God a part of our lives so that we can be a part God's story. I know I mostly fall onto side one.

I ask God for a lot - which is OK, and I should be. However, I rarely ask God what He wants of me...usually because I'm too busy figuring out how God fits into my plans.

I hope during this trip I will pay attention to how I can fit into God's plan - one that's built on love and kindness, humility, and justice - and that I remind myself of this daily.

The Team

Erin Mullan-Towns, Brian Idso, Jeanette Martin, Matt Braund, Laura Lucey, Ben Zimmerman, Dayna Sarver, Laura Traastad, Barbara Bergman, Brian Towns, Sara Zimmerman (not pictured: Cory Sarver)

Garage Sale Ministry?

I've never had a sale with a purpose before . . . well, other than getting space back in my storage room and making a little extra money. This year was different . . . in so many ways. First, it turned out to be a yard sale! Ministry is messy? No kidding! Second, I was no longer the friendly lady with the Hawkeye kids stuff, but a representative of a team, a church, and Christ.

Laura T. created some awesome posters with enlargements of photos of Peru. And Laura L. made a tent sign with "All proceeds go to support Blackhawk Church Peru Mission." That opened a lot of conversations about the church and the mission.

Maybe it is just my imagination, but there were several non-verbal conversations about Christ. In a helping hand, gentle eyes, compassion for the poor. One man from the neighborhood came and picked up the "leftovers" for a container shipment to Haiti. But the saddest story was of a woman who lost a granddaughter during the birthing process. The granddaughter was a twin. Her brother surrived and is twelve months old now. For some reason, the woman shared the intimate details of the joy of having her grandson and her grief in losing her granddaughter. She walked away in tears leaving me speechless at the end of my driveway.

It was a good reminder that I may be going to Peru to work with our Food For the Hungry friends, but there is a much greater "work" being done in my heart.

Loaves and Fishes

I thought it was interesting this morning, when our team leader brought up the "Loaves and Fishes" miracle. Cory and I have been confronted with one obstacle after another when it comes to this mission trip. We began with wondering if God even wanted us to go and expected him to open doors. We weren't sure if Cory's employer would allow him the time off, but again, God worked out that detail. Now our biggest obstacle, fundraising, shouldn't be that intimidating, but it is.


Loaves and fishes. Doesn't seem like much, a sack lunch really, but Christ fed thousands with it. I should be expecting him to do the same through the generosity of friends and family, but somehow, like Peter, I see the waves of lapsing time and a deadline and find myself sinking in doubt.


God, you said that if I have the faith of a mustard seed, you will move my mountains. Help me to stop fixating on the size of the mountain and focus on your faithfulness, provision for all our needs, and that you made those mountains!

A taste of life in Peru

Yes, that is a pig strapped to the back of car.

Corey, the primary Food for the Hungry staff person that works in La Merced, and her daughter Amy.

Creatures: a three-toed sloth.

Food for the Hungry-Pucallpa staff

Lomo saltado: famous Peruvian dish.

Children of La Merced in church.

Typical home in La Merced.

Fresh water spring where the community does laundry.

Visiting a family in La Merced.

View of the Amazon jungle from the plane.