We made it! After months of planning and preparing, we are finally in Peru. God has been so good to us. We got into Lima around 12:15 am, and then to our apartment around 2.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are excited to see what God has for us this trip. We have had the opportunity to see more of His greatness just in the time we had raising support, and packing up.
Future schedule – We have plenty of adjusting to do! After hauling down four 50 lb bags, two carry-on’s, and two computer bags, we also have plenty of unpacking to do. We used about half of our allotted space to bring down needed items for the churches and missionaries down here.
Blog – We will/have already (depending on when you read this!) put pictures of our apartment on the blog. Make sure you check in often and check out the new photos and posts.
Interesting fact – I thought that I might need to clarify something, after receiving many blank stares. What is a “BLOG?” Well, if you may be one of those wondering, the word is a shortening of “weblog.” The meaning is, “a Web site on which an individual or group of users produces an ongoing narrative.” So, with that in mind, you are reading ours. Congratulations.

Crystal and I are still planning on going to Peru. The earthquake hit where we will be living, but the worst damage was to the south. Right now Cody Barringer (Crystal’s brother) is helping in those cities, and two of our good friends from Lima, Henry and Roman, are there as well.
Please pray that during this time of pain and fear, God will soften hearts to the Gospel.

With the death tole rising each hour, Peru feels more than ground shaking aftershocks. The recent earthquake has devasted the country, and raised questions. After a man found his wife and children among the dead after the collapse of a Catholic church during Mass, he was heard shouting ”Why did you go? Why?”
He is not the only one asking “Why?” I am confident that millions across Peru, South America, and the world are asking the same question. Each one of us ask the same questions when it seems like God has stepped out for a minute, and things just don’t go right. Why the bridge? Why the hurricane? Why the earthquake? Why the young girl murdered? Or maybe on a much smaller scale. Why MY job? Why my house? Why my family? We each ask the question when our security blankets of money, comfort and stability seem to deteriorate despite our frantic attempts to hold them together.
It is in these times that our faith is tested. Can we really say, “God is in control”? Can we arrive at church with a painted smile and respond to others with a quick comment as “God is good,” or “I am blessed.” Should we really say it if we aren’t so sure? What are we supposed to think when the bad times come?
These catastrophes do not point to the absence of God, as some would like to convince us, but rather to a creation that is hurting. A creation, that because of sin, is groaning, ready for it’s Redeemer. Romans 8 not only includes the commonly quote antidote for problems, “All things work together for good…” but also “the whole creation groans…” This world is deteriorating because of sin.
What can we say then? In light of these difficult times, what do we tell them? “Where was God?” “Why is this happening?” “How can you say God is loving?” Should we even respond?
I believe that even though bad things happen, it does not mean God is not in control. He is in control. These catstrophes point us to the fact that we are sinners living on a sin cursed planet, in a sin cursed universe. These times should not force believers to accept the idea that God doesn’t care, but encourage us to run to the cross telling us He does. Despite our sin, He loved us. While we were enemies, He still died for us. These times, thought difficult and painful can strengthen our faith in our loving and caring God. We may not have all the answers, but we know He does.

Pillsbury wrote an article about our upcoming trip, and can be viewed at http://www.pillsbury.edu/About/pdf/echoesvol18.pdf
If you have any questions about our upcoming trip, this may shed some light on those.