Hello Friends! :)

It's unreal to think that this time last year Kelly and I were packing (or stuffing in my case) our bags to head off to Peru, and that by the grace and mercy of God, this year we are able to do the very same thing. I think it's only fitting to continue using this same blog as we leave again this summer because not only can you look back and see all that God has done in the last year, but you can also go with us this summer as we return to Nauta once again with our only hope being to further the Kingdom of God while we are there.

Last year I left for Peru thinking that I knew a lot and had a lot to offer. I returned feeling I knew nothing and the more I learn about Christ and his indescribable power and compassion, the less adequate I feel to do His work, but is with this inadequacy Kelly and I go, clinging to the hope that Christ will move in incredible ways this summer, not because of our skills or human knowledge, but only because of His power. Although a lot has happened in this past year, there is a specific moment of my year I will never forget. I heard a sermon by David Platt on what true Christianity should look like. I think both Kelly and I both came to a pretty serious turning point in our faith after hearing that message. It is with this same challenge I leave you today:

"Over 4.5 billion who are without Christ are right now heading to an eternity in hell. That is a vast spiritual need. Add to that a vast physical need. 26,000 children will die today because of preventable disease. God has chosen to determine the measure and integrity of faith by our response to the poor. If this book [the Bible] is true, then we do not have time to play games with our lives. We do not have time to play games in the church. I want to call us this morning to forsake hopes, plans, dreams, possessions, and ideas of a nice, comfortable, safe middle-class American life. I want to call you to forsake it all in radical abandonment for Jesus Christ"

We hope to follow this radical call not only in Peru this summer, but every single day for the rest of our lives. I am excited to see the opportunities that will come this summer. Praise the Lord we won't have electricity...at least this way there will be no hope for making poisonous cookies (you may have to refer to last summer's blog for that story). We aren't exactly sure what our summer will look like. There are many kids to love, people to meet, and adventures to be had. We know we will be living with the missionary Crystal and helping her with whatever she needs in her work with the missionary training center that has begun. We may be going into the jungle for a few weeks as well. We will try to update this blog at least once a week or so to let you know how life is going and hope you all will pray for us and leave thousands of comments for us to read.

Con Paz y Amor

-Sarita and Kel