My heart is particularly heavy today. Saying goodbye is really hard, over the past week we have said goodbye to countless people. It began with graduation a week ago, a night full of goodbyes to the many graduates who will now be heading to all different parts of Peru. Then all the remaining students and staff leaving for the holidays, and today to the last remaining family who is leaving on a quick vacation after a busy semester.
In just three short days, we say goodbye to our home in Cajamarca as well. This trip, though very full and blessed, has flown by all together too quickly. We must decide by December 1st whether or not we are keeping our house on campus. So we are praying fervently that the Lord would give us clear direction about this decision. Please pray with us over the next few days that the Lord would provide above and beyond our expectations and that we would be able to return in January, ready to start the upcoming semester.
Luke 10:2
“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
The Lord is working in great ways here in Cajamarca and we are incredibly thankful that He has seen fit for us to play a part in that work. Our prayer is that our church, our friends and our family would get to see a glimpse of what the Lord is doing here. We pray that God would reveal the value of this Bible college out in the mountains of Peru and the great work that He is doing within these walls. May the Lord stir in your hearts a love for His people all over the world and allow you to share the vision of training believers to seek the Lord wholeheartedly.
The pastor speaking at the graduation put it this way, “We love the Bible college here in Cajamarca, because we send them students who are like diamonds in the rough and they send them back to us as polished gems.” I felt like this was such a great summary of CCBC Peru. The students came in their first semester struggling to get along, frustrated with living out in the country, facing various trials and God worked mightily in their lives allowing them to leave with hearts that were committed to doing whatever the Lord had for them next. Their love for the Lord, attitudes towards others and their hearts for service and outreach grew in so many ways. What a beautiful thing to get to watch first hand.
Our desire is to be back this upcoming semester as several new students and families are set to come and it is a great opportunity to be able to get to know them, and be a part of their time here from the beginning. We are ready to be back in Cajamarca in our own home and to be part of the ministry that God is calling us to. Won’t you pray alongside of us that God would stir the hearts of those called to partner with us and pray that He would open the doors quickly for us to return.
Romans 10:14-15
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”