Hola Team!

Hey everyone! I’m kind of new to this whole blogging thing, so I’m not sure how well this will go. I just wanted to echo the sentiments that I have read on this blog about really diving in to God and allowing yourself to be open with those on our team. Ever since learning that I would be blessed with the chance to serve with you all in Peru…before I knew your names….I began praying for 3 things for this team: 1. unity 2. authenticity 3. growth. I think that as we allow God to work out these things in our team, we will see much more effective ministry and you all will see God move in your own lives in ways that you could not have imagined. So, what does that look like? I think at this point it requires a couple of things from each of you. 1. Begin praying now that God will bind us together. Read Ephesians 4 and determine to allow God to bring us closer as we share this incredible experience. 2. Start communicating now with your teammates. Allow yourself to be open about the things you are dealing with now…whether that is the fact that you are scared, that you are overwhelmed with school, that you are so excited about Peru that you talk about it daily and your friends look at you strangely, you are worried about what leaving your boyfriend/girlfriend for a month will look like, you don’t know what this trip will look like for you, and the list could go on. The point is, we are going to be living in community for 4 weeks this summer, and although that seems like a short time, if you allow it too, it is more than enough time to build deep friendships that you have never imagined with those of like heart and mind. Don’t be afraid to open up and be real! 3. Start to dive in daily with the Lord and search out his heart and what he is leading you to. Pray for Peru. Pray for your teammates. Listen to the Lord and see what he wants you to do NOW with those around you. I confess that this is something I need to work on, so don’t think you are alone if you struggle with this. Just because you signed up for a mission trip doesn’t mean you have to be super Christian right now…get honest with yourself and with God and allow him to move in your life now to bring you to the place he wants you to be and how he wants to use you this summer!

Those are the main things on my heart right now. I’m sorry I haven’t used this blog as much to communicate with you all. I am still sending weekly beginning of the week emails so PLEASE read those for all the logistics and whatnot…and respond so that we can know what is going on with you!! I hope you all are having a great week! Let me know if you have questions. If you haven’t already done so, join our facebook group because we’ve had some good discussion there and answered some questions as well. I can’t wait to see you all and am praying!

Twhite