Asking God for Wisdom

It has been a long wait to know if it will be possible to do the surgery to implant the "pacemaker" for the brain to control my seizures.  

My neurologist here in Modesto says he can do the full programming before we leave for Peru.   However, I would not have much of a voice during the last four weeks here in the USA as the programming causes severe hoarseness.

We want to talk with the doctor in Peru, which we hope to do in the next few days.  If he/she is in Arequipa we may be able to continue forward.  If he/she is in Lima, that trip would be quite difficult to make from Arequipa.

Thank you to those who have asked us how things are going and thank you for praying!  

Our hope is in God not in the VNS implant nor in the medication treatment.  This is what gives us strength!

Thanksgiving Blessings!

Vikki and Nelson

The Waiting is Over...Almost

In 1996 I went to Arequipa, Peru and was certain that God would keep me there...for the rest of my life.

In 2001, with great sadness I had to leave Peru.  From then on I continued to pray that God would take me back to the country that had captured my heart.

After 13 years, serving in three additional countries  and with a change in marital status, God's answer of "Not Yet" has become "Yes".

Lord willing in January of 2015 we will be on our way to Peru, working on our long-term visa with our hearts prepared to serve in evangelism, discipleship and leadership development through relationships.  Our heart's desire is to remain in Peru for the rest of our missionary days.

We would like you to come and take a walk with us into Peru through a 2 minute video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fliGXtFzIpk&feature=youtu.be

Let us know if you would like a copy of our newest prayer card.  We appreciate your prayers and friendship.  Hope to see you while we are in the USA until January 7th.

Times of Transition

Times of Transition

Six years ago today we were in transition- from being single to being married. 

Today we are once again in  transition-from serving in Colombia to serving in Perú.    Many boxes are packed.  Everything is sold. Tickets will  be purchased this weekend.  Good-byes will begin soon.

Lord willing, we will be in California from September 8th, 2014 to January 6th, 2015.  Our purpose is to provide time and space for Nelson to further his English and also reconnect with our current home team of supporters as well as establish relationships with new ones.

We look forward to sharing God's plan for our future as we head for Peru in five months!  We want you to  join us in the process of getting from Colombia to Peru!

After living outside the USA for over 18 years it is difficult to make new contacts.    If you know of others who would be interested in hearing about Peru, God's work there and how He is including us in His plans, would you consider helping us establish a relationship with them?

We appreciate you!

Vikki and Nelson

Spanish is Spanish correct? Think again.

I find it fascinating that the Spanish spoken in each Latin American country can be so very different.  At times normal, everyday words in one country can be very offensive in another country!  (We seem to learn those words by using them in large group settings!) 

So, it will take us some time to remove many words we use in Colombian Spanish and replace them with Peruvian Spanish.  What?  Did you say you want some examples?

• When we arrive in Arequipa we won't be looking for an apartamento (apartment) rather a departamento (apartment in Peru).
• In Colombia when you want to indicate that you will do something or want something in 20 or 30 minutes you say, "Ahorita".  However, "ahorita" in Peru means RIGHT now; at this very moment!  Big difference especially when I asked Nelson when he wanted his coffee!
• In Colombia avocado is aguacate while in Peru it is palta.
• In Peru  your closest friends are called patas (which in Colombia means the legs of a cow, horse or other animal.)

So, as you can see, yes we will be doing some language study upon our return to Peru!

Packing the Bags

In 48 hours we will begin our trip to Peru!  We plan on keeping in touch through Facebook and our blog- http://www.aminutewiththemayas.blogspot.com/ posting photos and sharing some stories.  

The picture below is from my last trip to Arequipa in 2004.  Ten years later God is allowing me to return as a married woman and ready to resettle, as a family in the land He called me to in 1996!  He is so good!  Thank you for joining us on this new journey!

Sometime No Really Means Wait

When God Said No

Thirteen years ago I asked God but it seemed like He was saying no.
Fifteen years ago Nelson asked God and He seemed to say yes, but then it became no.

I (Vikki) left Peru thirteen years ago and at that time began asking God to allow me to return.  He took me to Chile, Costa Rica and Colombia but His answer to Peru continued to be no.

Nelson sensed a call to serve as a missionary outside of his own culture.  He did so in Costa Rica, receiving his theological studies and helping plant a church.  But then God took him back to his homeland, Colombia.

We accepted His no, responded to His call to serve in Colombia and held on to those two desires in an open hand.  

Then, God did something that was unexpected to us!  He quickly provided a Colombian pastoral couple to take over the church plant, Journey of Hope in Patio Bonito, Armenia, Colombia.   We began working with them in November of 2013.   Everyone responded well and by March of 2014 we were able to transition out of the minstry. 

We looked at that desire in our hands.  We began praying, waiting and listening; to God to our mission leaders, to missionaries in many other fields in Latin America.  I saw the desire to go to Perú in my open hand.  Nelson saw his desire to serve in another culture in his open hand.  Where would God lead us?  

One evening Nelson shared with me that he sensed God was providing clear direction; that He was leading us to go to Peru!  

The No Was Really Wait

The no we accepted was really a wait for awhile.  
Our hearts are grateful.  Our heads are spinning.  Our bags will soon  be packed for a vision trip to Peru.

Pray with us as we travel to Peru on June 10th.  We will be in Arequipa from June 11-22 and in Lima from June 23-30 to visit former ministry partners, talk with new ministries and missionaries.  

God knows just where He wants us to serve, with whom and in what specific ministry.  At this point we are simply keeping our hands open to receive from Him the rest of His answer to our prayers!

We will be sharing more with you in the coming weeks and months but are so excited about God's work we could no longer keep quiet!

We will be in California from September through December and hope to be traveling to Peru in February, 2015.

Thanks for joining us on this new journey!
Vikki and Nelson- your missionaries in Latin America

Lessons Learned from Children

At first it was amusing, but the more I thought about it the more I realized it was insightful as well.

Just as the Kids Club was set to begin the skies opened and the clouds poured buckets of rain in and around Patio Bonito.  Would the kids come?  Many of them must climb stairs or hills and others need to cross busy streets.  We waited and wondered.

Just before 3:00 pm 10 year old Luis walked in the door.  He was drenched!  Raindrops fell from his hair, clothing and umbrella. 

He had an umbrella?  you might ask.  If so, why was he soaked?

In his hand Louis held his black  umbrella, large enough to cover three children.  However, the umbrella had never been opened!
A closed umbrella does little to provide protection from the rain something Louis discovered that afternoon.
I continued to think about this amusing moment only to discover deep and thought provoking  lessons.

What things are closed in my life that I should open?

• I can think of times when my Bible remained closed far too long.  So many truths that provide hope and transformation but a closed Bible does little to change my life.

• At times my heart has been closed; to forgive someone to reach out to someone in need.  Our hearts are designed to be open to Him and His purposes just as an umbrella is designed to be open to fulfill its purpose.

• Is there anything in your life that is closed that you need to open today?

And don't forget to open your umbrella in the rain!