Ok, a second blog from Jeff.  Sorry it's been a while but we've been a bit crazy.  I've got a few minutes until my afternoon class so I'll try to share a few things with you.

There are a few stories to tell you about horns, wood, and bricks (all separate), but first let me say a simple "Thank you".  

I tend to fall into the mindset of self-sufficiency, foolishly forgetting that God repeatedly describes me as a sheep.  Being the dumbest and most helpless animals in the world, they of course need everything from others in order to survive.  Like the poor idiotic little creatures, I very often forget my need.  Maybe that's why I've been "given" so many broken bones and surgeries (at least that's what Dot Dot thinks!).

I think God has used this trip to help open my eyes a little bit to my (and our family's) need and subsequently how so many have provided for us.  We are very much "rookies" at all this.  So, going off to a far country for a couple of months with a young family has made me aware of how much I/we "need".  Amy and I have been blown away by how many of you are praying for and thinking about us.  I frankly don't remember another time when others' prayers have meant so much.

So, Amy and I very much want to say, "Thank you!" to our family, friends, and community at Redeemer. We are fortunate to be allowed to come on this trip.  We're certainly not experienced or "spiritually qualified" in any way except for the gifts God has given us in being able to come.  And a very big part of these gifts has been your love and prayers.  

We are also continually humbled by the missionary team here.  If I were the Eby's, I would have invited my hairy a__ to vacate the premises days ago.  In the past, I've at times enjoyed quoting old Ben's famous words ("fish and guests smell after three days") to MY guests.  But we've ended up tagging along with the Eby's for twice that.  We've been babes with the cord not yet cut.  Yet their hospitality seems to know no bounds.  With the Eby's and others on the team here, I am continually encouraged by their servant attitudes (especially of course when I'm the one being served). 

We do want to share a few prayer requests with you.  Please continue to pray for our basic health and safety.  Please pray God will use us all to be a small part of what he's already doing here with Peru Mission (go to their website www.perumission.org for more information on it).

Also, please pray for my classes at SALI.  SALI (one of the ministries of Peru Mission) is a Christian language institute where Peruvians pay to learn English, which is very important to their opportunities to make a living.   It's a great opportunity to not only teach English but also build relationships and share the Gospel with a very captive audience.  So, please pray that God will use this time.  

Ok, not to put the old "bait and switch" on you, but the "horns, wood, and bricks" will have to wait as I've got to go.

Take care,

Jeffersonian