Let me introduce you to your partner church...

Today we had a chance to meet our partner church for the first time. They are located in Negritos, Peru. Several times...I wept.

About two years ago I talked to our Global Missions Director, Steve Swan, and told him I wanted to adopt a village in a third world country (or situation), which was centered on kids, could use medical support, and I thought a beach would be great too. Wow. God heard that prayer. There are SO MANY needs in this village. They do not have a medical clinic in this town of 1,700 people. The average home makes about $150/month. Some homes do not have electricity. Many homes have concrete floors, but some have dirt floors too. Water is a huge issue. They get water pumped into their village three times a week, for only two hours each time. Some homes have water tanks on their roof (about 55 gallons), but others cannot afford it. The water is simply not enough. They share with their neighbors when they run out of water. Their are two petroleum companies that have oil rigs all around here. Hey have their rigs, get their oil, but do not invest one penny into this village. They are literally taking the oil right under the feet of the poor.

As I said earlier, one of the pipe dreams was to have it along the beach. It was purely a selfish desire as I thought our people would really enjoy the ocean since we live along the rockies. Well, this village is right on the beach...but it's not what you think. I found out today that in this area, those who live along the beach are the poorest people. When I discovered that, I remembered my desire, and I wept. When I said it would be cool for it to be along the beach it never dawned on me that I was predetermining the economic condition. God have mercy on me! Unlike the United States, this area beach front property is not valuable property. It's the poor of the poor.

Today I witnessed Steve Swan visit two of his Compassion International kids. Let me tell you...the kids you sponsor through compassion are REAL KIDS! Steve's kids were so grateful to see him and even gave him a gift. Their home was smaller than an average two car garage. I saw Steve hug his Compassion kid and I just had to walk away and wept. Isn't this what every Christian is called to do? Love the orphans, love the children, love on the poor? Am I missing something?

The church that we're adopting is called Negritos Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Paul is the Lead Pastor. He is a humble man with a loving and very involved wife. It's obvious their church loves him. They treated us as if they had been waiting for us for months. Their hospitality was so warm. Everyone was so excited to see us. They are the biggest protestant "Christian" church in this village. There are SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES to make an impact for God's kingdom in this place. They have physical and spiritual needs. We will spend the next two months identifying what that looks like. ThornCreek is the ONLY church in the whole village that is partnering with this village.

This church currently has a Compassion International program called CDSP. It develops kids physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiriutally. Right now they have over 200 kids! If you were to see their rooms, the size of their church, and the location, you would be amazed. These people love Jesus and love kids. This whole church is in love with God's word. The teens are a HUGE part of this church. We saw them getting ready to practice their drama, but before they practice they are reading their bible and going through a devotion. They all had their bibles. God's word gives these wonderful people hope and joy.

Tonight we went to their youth services. It was full of energy. It's a small worship center, and it was packed. There was a live band, drama, and preaching. Sound familiar? Adults were in attendance too! The pastor called me forward and people gave me an applause like I was a rockstar (I'm not). They are so excited about ThornCreek Church. Please hear that.

Begin to PRAY ThornCreek Church. You will have an opportunity to sponsor a child through Compassion International that lives in Negritos! You will be able to see them when you visit, enter their home, and hug them! They look forward to letters from you too. It's a huge deal to them! You will have an opportunity to go on a missions trip to Negritos in July 2012. It's an investment in your soul. You will forever look at your garage differently. Rethink Peru 2012. Don't write it off. Pray!

God made it clear to me today that this is where he wants ThornCreek Church to invest globally. WE NEED YOU!!!

Love you guys. Look forward to coming home soon. So much to share. Looking forward to it!

- Pastor Ruben