Mid-Summer Retreat.

I don't have a whole lot to say except that I have met some amazing believers and strong warriors in the Faith this weekend! I want to talk about one man that I met that really encouraged me. His name is Arnold Austin Sr, he is an amazing warrior for Christ. He was such an amazing man...he put it very plainly...

we don't pray enough.

do you?

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

Ica, then Nazca...

Here is a verse that encouraged me this morning...

"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
-James 4:7

It is a war everyday, resist the devil, win the battle today!

We are in Ica for a couple more hours, then to Nazca for Mid-Summer. There isn´t much to what we are doing right now. We rode on a bus all night from Arequipa to Ica, and that was scary to say the least...mountain roads + bus + front row side = terrifying experiences.

Continue to pray for all of us.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

Last Day in Arequipa.

This morning I was reading in James and wanted to remind people about some truth in James 1.

"If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless." -James 1:26

If you are on leadership or attend THE CHILL or if you go to church all the time, but you gossip, slander, and use offensive/profane language, you are useless to the Kingdom of God. Obviously you may slip every once in a while and gossip or maybe a "bad word" comes out, repent and move on. However, a lifestyle that glorifies such behavior sends your friends down a path to hell. No great leaders for the movement of God have ever used profane language regularly that we know of, what makes you think that you are better than those? I am ranting a little today just because I can, but it is a serious thing, so what if using profanity doesn't offend you, that does not matter in Christianity, its not about us. I know of several people that do not go to NewSpring youth service because they say that they hear to much profanity, in the youth building! I pray for any of you that struggle with these things and pray harder for those of you that have been blinded by Satan to think it isn't a big deal...you will get angry reading this, thats how you will know if you are blinded :)

Ok...now for the last day in Arequipa. Yesterday was Sarah's birthday, she is an amazing woman of God that serves here in Arequipa (tough life) and teaches English at a Church, she also does Bible Studies in town. So, the Ayaviri Village Team, one member of Chupa Village Team, ESL Arequipa, Research Team, and Oruillo/Barnabus Team are all in town to celebrate! We went Horseback riding in the mountains for about 3 hours and I am feeling that today...wow. Well, Beth and Claudia both fell off there horses and Jared of the Ayaviri team got kicked by a horse in the ankle. Beth had a tooth chipped and Claudia had some minor bruises. Please pray for all of them.

Then, most of us went to Gauchos for dinner. Gauchos is a steakhouse...and for 30 soles (10 dollars) you get a HUGE steak, all you can eat fries and salad, the steak was one of the best I have ever had, it was great! Then, we went back to Sarah's apartment and watched a movie and ate some more, then we left. It was a good day and another lovely "vacation" day. Today we are going to the movies and shopping...I am gonna buy a few things here, but everything is a little more pricey here than in the State of Puno.

This is it, the last day :( I LOVE THIS PLACE. I WILL RETURN AT SOME POINT IN MY LIFE! Tonight at 7, we leave for Ica, it is a 9 hour bus ride...I think. Then, after a day in Ica, we will travel 1 1/2 hours to Nazca for Mid-Summer Retreat! By the time these days are over, I will be geared up to work in Oruillo!

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

Invisible

Here we are in Arequipa and I am sitting in a beautiful room looking up at snow-capped volcanic mountains and reading the Word. Sounds like a great start to a morning...and it was! I decided to re-read Hebrews 11, then continue to finish the book but Hebrews 11:27 stopped me in my tracks. Here is what it says,

"It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the King's anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible."

I could talk about not caring what man can do to you, to be a rebel for Christ, but that isn't what hit me this morning.

Hmm...he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible?? WOW! That is complete and total faith. I cannot imagine a more amazing verse about our faith in God than this one.

I mean, think about it, we have faith in lots of things we cannot see. I am sitting in a chair, and of course you have all heard that analogy, so I will let it be. How about the force it takes to type the keys on this laptop? I cannot see the force, but I can definitely feel it when the keys are pressed in and words form on the screen. God is the force that tells the story of our life, it is an amazing force that we will never understand, however, we trust in Him for our life plans. What key is Jesus typing on your life's screen? I don't know what words Jesus is going to write on my life's screen, or when...or even why! But, I have faith in the invisible and with my eyes focused on Him, the rest is up to Him. Praise the One who knows beginning from the end and has my life in his hands.

So do you trust the one who is invisible?

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

Travel Blog Number One.

I call this post Travel Blog because I was just a tourist today! Arequipa is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. People in Arequipa are nicer and cars actually stop at crosswalks! There are tons of tourists here, apparently Europe knows how awesome this place is! Americans need to get their act together and experience this place, it rivals any place I have ever seen, even in pictures. The plaza and cathedral are the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I am completely in awe of this city and have loved the 24 hours I have spent here so far. Now for the goings on of today...

This morning we were headed to Sarah's apartment (ESL Arequipa team/Journeywoman) and were stopped by a hostel staff member with fresh orange juice, so of course we stopped. Then he brought fresh bread, jam, butter, and coffee. The cool thing about the cafeteria here at the Buena Vista Hostel (look it up, its incredible) is that you can see the huge volcanoes that are right outside of the city. We eventually made it to Sarah's for French Toast Casserole...which was from Heaven.

Then, John, Nathan (ESL Arequipa, Summer Missionary) and I went out on the town. We went to the Plaza, Cathedral, and shopping in the market. Although none of us bought anything except some cookies at Cusco Coffee (Amazing) it was a great time.

The afternoon started with a trip to the mall and Pizza Hut for lunch. It was good to have a Meat Lovers Pizza and tasted pretty fantastic. There is Burger King, KFC, and Pizza Hut at the awesome mall in Arequipa. After that, the guys went back to the Hostel for about an hour before merengue dancing lessons, which I was less than excited about, but it was a ton of fun.

Then we went to capricios and it was good, but I just wasn't very hungry. After that, it was back to coffee at Cusco Coffee and then to ESL classes at Jerusalem Baptist Church. There we got to meet about 10 peruvians that are trying to learn English through Bible Stories, it was encouraging to meet them!

Lastly, this is an awesome place and a great vacation from the work we are doing in the Mountains, I pray that God is preparing the hearts of the people in the State of Puno for an amazing move of God in July!

Arequipa...you need to get here...yes you. It has everything you could possibly want, at cheap prices compared to the States.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

So much for plans...again!

Yesterday after I wrote the post about the plans for Monday, it was totally changed! The Ayaviri team had heard that a strike was starting at midnight in their village and since we had to go through Ayaviri, it only made sense that we would all leave together. So, we packed up and headed to Ayaviri to meet the Ayaviri team and CMT to head to Juliaca to pick up John from the Chupa Team. After that, we loaded a bus and headed to Arequipa. Our team started traveling around 1130 and got to Arequipa around 11, with stops in Ayaviri and Juliaca.

This is our mid-summer vacation, although I have only been here two weeks, everyone else has been here a month and was in much need of some R & R. Arequipa is a beautiful, modern city that rivals anything I have seen. It is gorgeous and everyone should put this city on their list of places to travel.

The guys, Me, John of Chupa Team, and Jared of Ayaviri Team are living it up in a nice hostel with controlled temperatures in the rooms, cable, hot water, and great mattresses. The triple room is 45 dollars a night, so split that in three and its 15 dollars a night, so in Peru, expensive, but totally worth it!

Be praying for us as we enjoy this city for a few days. We are all excited about this break and I will keep everyone updated on its awesomeness.

Faith and Upcoming Plans.

This is the last day we will be in Oruillo until July 2nd. Here is our schedule:

23rd-25th: Arequipa through Ayaviri and Juliaca

26th: Nazca through Ica

26th-28th: Nazca

29th-1st: Cusco

2nd: Back here in Oruillo

Today we are going to talk to some people here in town and hopefully teach some people the Bible. We have spent some time at the local hospital trying to encourage nurses to start a bible study and they seem interested. Help us pray for creative ways to interest these people in studying about God. We are leaving some Bible stories with some people here in town and we are encouraging them to start bible studies while we are gone for a little while. We pray that when we come back on the 2nd that they will be ready to have a self-sufficent bible study.

We have all been reading in Hebrews and I love Chapter 11 so much! It is so nice to read of the faith of the great men of God from Biblical Times. May this verse help and encourage you: Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."

I was asked a tough question the other day while hanging out with some locals for lunch. The question was "How do we know there is a God?" First off, I was amazed that anyone here would ask that because God's creation is so beautiful all around us. But anyway, I told him that we have to have faith that he exists. Then, I said it is better to believe in God and be wrong than to not believe and be wrong. He pushed back with, "has there ever been a time when you felt God?" I told him about countless times when I would pray for guidance or peace and God would grant it to me. I told him about the many times that I would ask for a Bible verse for something I was dealing with and God would lead me straight there. He nodded his head and appeared content with my answer.

We visited a church in another village yesterday and it was awesome to see them worship Jesus in their native Quechua language. These people have very little compared to most in America, but they are thankful and faithful to God. There was one woman that had to be 90 and during prayer she would raise her frail, old hands to God and pray. Her life of faith has not gone unnoticed by me and I only spent 2 hours around her.

Now for my two tough questions for us...since I had to answer two tough ones the other day!
Will your life of faith go unnoticed?
Are you faithful with what you have been given?

May God strengthen all of us and help us to be faithful people.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

Happy Fathers' Day

Please remember Fathers here in Peru on your day of celebration. Many fathers here are alcoholics and the amount of males involved in church is much lower than females. This is a common problem in many countries and cultures, but it seems to be the norm here.

I am so thankful for my father today and excited for August 2nd when he picks me up from the airport and we go to Cracker Barrel for lunch!

Today, we went to church at a Quechua speaking church. Some of the people there do not speak any spanish, its all Quechua. Anyway, none of us know this ancient Native language, so it was interesting to listen to.

In Conclusion, it is so important that we make our Heavenly Father famous today...

The Weekend is here.

**Update on John of the Creative Ministries Team**
John is recovering in Juliaca and should be able to stay in Peru! He had an intestinal blockage, which was fixed, now he is on meds for an infection in his pancreas, but it is minor and he will be fine!

We had a productive Friday but also very busy! We started out by biking to Batsapata, about 3.5 miles away. I am starting to get used to the elevation and didn't have to hard a time getting there. One thing that has surprised me is that I get sunburnt very easily here. I didn't think about how thin the air is and how high in elevation we are. After all, we are about 11,000 feet closer to the sun than I am used to! Anyway, we told bible stories, taught English, played volleyball, sang songs, and got to see the primary school practicing a native dance for the big competition this week! It was awesome!! They even brought us chairs to get a good view and we just enjoyed the performance.

In the afternoon, we made our trek back to Oruillo. We took an hour break, then it was out on the town! We went to a store and talked about Jesus, we went to a Hospital and talked about Jesus, and we were able to get people to allow us to come back and teach them more! The main objective of our trip is to start bible studies that continue after we leave and this curiousity is the first step in that.

Today...we are going to stay in Oruillo and mingle with the locals. We are revisiting some people and doing bible studies with them.

Tomorrow...we are going to church in a nearby village, about 15 minutes walking. They have service from 10-12, 1-3 so we will attend those and then come back to do a bible study at the Hospital at 4.

The work here is slow, but we are confident. Many of these people are Catholic, but when you ask them what they know about the Bible, they can't answer. It is just like what I teach in small groups and at THE CHILL, you have to be in the Word!!

Pray for Divine Appointments for us.

We are leaving on Tuesday for Arequipa, I will have my computer, but updates may be slow.

On an amazing note to anyone who knows me...I have not had anything Carbonated all week. Also, I have had less than 3 cups of coffee all week.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

An Update on What's Going on

Ok...so Wednesday and Thursday were pretty eventful. Wednesday we had the opportunity to visit Oruillo Primary School, but no kids were there. So, we went to an area of town where everyone was gathering and the CMT started playing songs and many of us got to share the Gospel. I spoke about how God stands at the door and knocks on our hearts, others used the Romans Road, Creation Story, and other places. We were able to share the Gospel in several different ways to about 100 people. Many people had questions afterwards and others just wanted prayer. That was a pretty amazing morning. Then, off to lunch and then we went to the plaza to mingle. Beth was able to form a bond with a little Down Syndrome girl named Cynthia. This girl is precious! I was able to kick the soccer ball around with her for a little while. Please pray that God will open the eyes of the villagers here to see that we are here to love them unconditionally and don't want anything from them!

Thursday started out with a visit to Oruillo Primary School, where the kids were there and playing that day. We were able to play soccer and the CMT did some puppet shows for the kids, it is amazing how many different ways the Gospel can be presented! Praise God that he just wants everyone to know and doesn't care what angle we take! After that, John of the CMT was really sick, so Ashley and I took him back to the hostel to get some rest. But he kept getting worse so the CMT left for Ayaviri, a bigger town about 1 hour or so away. The plan was to drop most of the team off there, but John was too sick to leave, so they took him to the clinic there. They figured out that he has a intestinal infection and needs to go to Juliaca for further treatment, they left last night and I haven't received an update yet.

We haven't seen any salvations yet, but the Gospel were never return void. We have presented the Truth to hundreds of people in Oruillo and Batsapata and have full confidence that God is moving.

Today we are headed back to Batsapata and hopefully we will ride a Convii (A big van/small bus that carries people from town to town for a small fee) because walking sounds like no fun at all! Anyway, we are going to present the Gospel to Batsapata Primary School today and then hopefully hang out at the High School for a while!!

Please remember John of the CMT in your prayers.

I will update when I know something. We are unsure about how long we will stay in Oruillo because Claudia may need to go to Ayaviri to translate for the CMT if John stays in the Hospital for an extended period of time (the other translator is at the hospital with John).

Anyway...although we are completely uncertain of God's plans, God is not!! We are just here for the ride!

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

All of Me

Yesterday while we were at the High School, a young girl, probably around 16 asked us to translate a song for her. The song was all of me by evanescence and it apparently came with her cell phone. So claudia translated while the song played through the cell phone and I didn't think anything else about it until this morning. Something hit me...this girl had heard the song, she knew the voice was beautiful, she was intrigued by the song, artists, etc...but she had NO IDEA what she was listening to! All of the sudden, once she had the song translated, she understood the song. It was no longer a mystery.

Translate the Gospel for your friends and family...it doesn't have to be a mystery to them forever.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

High School in Peru and CMT Arrives!

Ok...so today has challenged me physically. I had not been feeling well when I went to bed last night and woke up feeling weird. I was never sick, but I just didn't feel well. It is a combination of dehydration, sunburn, and exhaustion...which comes from the dehydration and sunburn. I wasn't able to eat breakfast because I felt terrible, but I ate a couple of potatoes for lunch and drank enough powerade and water to drown a small child. So I am feeling a little better, and I am excited to eat dinner tonight!

This morning we went to the High School in the same village. We were asked all kinds of questions, but I ended up answering the most since I teach high school in the states. After answering questions about life in American High Schools, I was bombarded with questions about America in general. It was very fun to enlighten these high schoolers to the world outside of the altiplano of Peru. Since I had their attention, I shared my testimony and hopefully a seed was planted there. After my testimony, I showed them all the pictures I had on my camera and explained them...The Chill, My Classroom, My House, Some of My Family, etc...they were intrigued by all of them.

After being at the high school for a couple of hours, we started walking back towards Oruillo...luckily a Van with the CMT (Creative Ministries Team) pulled up and gave us a ride! It is a good thing because I know I was not going to make it back walking...I was too weak! But, the Lord provides!

We all came back to Oruillo and ate lunch, however, I felt weird so I ate very little, downed some Powerade and took a 2 hour nap.

Today was challenging, no doubt, but I can feel your prayers!

Tomorrow...we are going to the Primary School here in Oruillo so that the CMT can do skits, songs, and puppet shows. The CMT is an amazing group of college kids with a passion for serving Christ! Remember them in your prayers! They are college kids from all over the country, from FL to WI.

So recap on prayer requests :)
Oruillo Village/Barnabus Team (US)
Chupa Village Team
Ayrivi Village Team
Creative Ministries Team.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

Today...

Ok...so today was pretty great and very challenging. We went to a small village about 3.5 miles away and told bible stories at a primary school. Public schools in Peru really have no rules against Christianity in school, so we were allowed in. Before arriving at the primary school, we passed through the village. Many people there were not very welcoming of us. What we have figured out is that there are some misconceptions amongst the locals about gringos (white people). They have found minerals in the area and many locals believe that we are only there to get their money and resources. Others actually think we want to steal their babies! I know, it is crazy, but we need to remember the locals in our prayers.

At the primary school we played with them during recess and I scored a goal! It is true that they are only up to age 11 or so, but still! Then we went inside a 6th grade class (in Peru, that is about 10 or 11) and taught them the colors in English, using the Salvation Story to represent them. Then we taught them a song in Spanish and movements to it. After spending time in the 6th grade class, we went to a younger class and did the same thing, only we added greetings in English because Beth and Claudia had been in that class the week before.

After going to the primary school, we went to the high school to talk with the principal. The principal told us to come back tomorrow to talk with teachers about our experiences teaching in America! So...we are in the high school now too!

The only problem...the creative ministries team was supposed to be in Oruillo today but there was a local strike in their village which made travel impossible. Hopefully they will make it tomorrow!

Tomorrow's Schedule
9:00 Back to the Primary School to teach more English and Bible Stories
10:30 To the High School to talk with teachers.
1:00 Back to Oruillo

Thanks for all your prayer and support! The laborers are so few here but we are trying to break down Satans stronghold on these commmunities, continue to pray.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

Open the Door.

God hit me with something this morning that I felt I should share. I woke up around 7 o'clock here, 8 back home...and since the bathroom at the hostel is downstairs and outside, I made the trek down to brush my teeth and use the facilities. As soon as I opened the door to my room, a spider dropped right in front of me...a big spider. So, I promptly killed it and continued on my way. A couple steps further and I saw one of the dogs that lives here at our hostel/home shivering in front of my room. I felt so bad for the little dog, so I tried to get her to come into my room, which is a little warmer, but she wouldn't move. So I went down and used the restroom and headed back up to my room, the dog would still not move.

You are probably asking, how did God hit you with something...so here it goes...

The Spider: I could have been paralyzed by fear and went back into the room, but I had to go to the bathroom. If I let that spider keep me from going to the bathroom, I would have missed an opportunity to help something in need! I would have been so consumed with my circumstances that I wouldn't have even noticed the burden right outside my door!

The Dog: It's true, the dog would not move. But in a spiritual sense, it is not our job to make people in need move. Yes, your friend or loved one needs a savior, but you cannot make them move. The dog would have found warmth and I would have wrapped her up in some of my clothes until she stopped shivering, but she refused.

Who are the dog and spiders in your life? Are you fearful? Are you discouraged by the refusal to move?

All I know is that God still calls us to live without fear and to create opportunities for others to come inside and find the warmth of God.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

There finally.

It is pretty funny that it took us this long to get to our village! The crazy thing is that we didn't leave Juliaca last night as planned, because we had another setback. This setback was the same one as before, my luggage was at a church, the pastor came back around 3 yesterday, but he didn't have a key! So, we had to wait on someone with a key, which was too late for a bus to Oruillo. Anyway, we ended up leaving Juliaca this morning and the pastor brought my luggage to the hostel! I am positive that all three of us were happy to leave Juliaca behind, especially after Beths I-Pod was stolen...its a sketchy city :(

We stopped off in Ayaviri, a beautiful town, and met with the Ayaviri Village Team. These college students are doing amazing things for Christ and have English Classes planned in a Government Building there! They have been ministering to the staff of the hostel and God is starting to work and move there! They are all from Texas and it was a pleasure to meet them, remember them in your prayers!

Lastly...this village is beautiful, but very small and only one restaurant! However, they do have llamas and wifi!!!

Thanks for the prayers...my heart goes out to all of you and I am praying for you daily.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

Still in Juliaca...

So the plans were to leave Juliaca yesterday or this morning...no luck there! We actually left my luggage at a church here in town and planned on going to get it after breakfast and head to another city on our way back to Oruillo...I say back there because my team was there before. It will be my first trip to our village...I hear there are llamas in the streets and a beautiful lake nearby, so I am excited about that! However, the pastor is not in town until 430 today...so we will be leaving then, at least thats the plan (I am learning more and more that our plans are more like hopes). Anyway, we will do what we can where we are...after all, this whole country needs Jesus, not just our village.

Now about Juliaca...I have read terrible stuff about this city, but I kindof like it! Sure its dirty and cold...and the people hate having their pictures taken, so my camera has stayed in my backpack. But...we did see a pretty cool parade today with a marching band and native dress and dance...it was pretty cool. Also, the people are pretty friendly, especially if you are friendly to them.

Enough about that stuff...this is all about Jesus! We were able to eat breakfast with the Chupa Village Team this morning, this team of four is amazing and really loves the Lord. Two girls from Spartanburg, one guy from Tennessee and another guy from Peru have been serving the Lord in Chupa...a village with fairly primitive accomodations! Please remember Chupa and the Chupa Village Team in your prayers. We had a great breakfast, with decent coffee and now its almost lunch time here and I am hoping for more amazing food.

As we continue to work for our Lord, please continue to pray for us. I have been praying for THE CHILL, NewSpring, and TLH and will continue to for the rest of my time here.

In conclusion, I want to leave you with something that I have been reading that has challenged me.

"And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching"
-Titus 2:7

Souls around you are lost...this is serious, this is real serious.

May God bless and strengthen you as you do His work.

P.S. I haven´t bathed since Tuesday morning...you know.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

So far, so good...

So I have been in Juliaca, Peru since yesterday around 3. The hostel is pretty clean and I basically slept from 5 to 7 the next morning...14 good hours!

Today we did some errands for a church here. Everything has been pretty good. I have had a slight headache, but no nausea. This altitude and climate change will not stop me! Anyway, its pretty cold here at night (25-30), with no heat, but God will give us the strength.

We have two options right now, we will travel to Chupa to help the village team there, which is actually here in town now...now for that story!

We were on our way at 5 am to see them tomorrow in Chupa, which would have stunk because they were here! We ran into them randomly on the streets of Juliaca...which is pretty crazy considering this is a pretty big city! I shouldn´t say random, it was God appointed! Gods plans are better than ours EVERYTIME!

Second Option...we go to our village in Oruillo. I have never been to either one, so i´m cool with whatever!

Please be praying for Peru and the State of Puno, which is where we are staying...they held a strike yesterday and there was busted glass in the streets were they had been demonstrating. These strikes are of no danger to us as long as we stay away, but they can be quite a hassle. They have another big strike planned from the 23-26, which will make travel near impossible...remember us in your prayers as well, we are all healthy and upbeat...ready to do work for the Lord.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

The Start of "Winter Break"

First of all, its wintertime here in Peru which means flu season and all the airport workers are wearing masks over their faces...which made me feel real uncomfortable! Anyway, God is in control of this whole trip so I am gonna trust in Him. I am currently sitting in the Airport in Lima, Peru waiting for my next flight...then Claudia and Beth will pick me up at we are going to Chupa until Sunday! There we will be serving alongside some amazing college kids who are sold out to the cause of Christ.

When flying from Atlanta to Miami last night, we flew around a Thunderstorm. It was the most awe-inspiring and beautiful thing I have ever seen. To me, there is nothing on Earth that displays Gods power and beauty more than a thunderstorm. I sat there staring out the window of the plane and tearing up at the thought that the God that made that amazing display of beauty and power holds me in His hand!! Praise God! I am humbled and in awe of our God.

Next thing....pray for me. I am exhausted! I cannot sleep on planes, I just can't do it! I didnt want to take a sleep aid because I already get "randomly screened" everywhere I go! My guess is because I am traveling by myself and I am a man...but I don't know for sure, basically I didn't want to be drugged up when I get asked questions!

Last thing...I met a youth group from First Baptist Church, Oxford, MS...remember them in your prayers, they are serving the Lord in Northern Peru through the International World Changers!

TO THE LOST.
Chase Culbertson

Today is the Day.

I want to let all of you know that I am so thankful for all of you. This morning was a great ending to my summer vacation and now off to do work. Going to IHOP was a great decision and getting Pancakes, Bacon, Eggs, and GRITS was a great choice as well. I am so happy that many of you were able to come out and eat breakfast with me.

Ok...now to the work. I am leaving at 2 today for the Atlanta Airport. Here is a list of flights and times so you can keep up with me if you so desire.

Here are my flights
June 10th:
Flight AA1945: ATL to MIA 7:10-9:05
Flight LA2511: MIA to Lima 11:55-4:35 A.M.

June 11th:
Flight LP111: Lima to Cusco to Juliaca 11:30-2:10 UTC-5, one hour behind :)

I am confident in God's plan this summer for my life. I don't know the details or how he will make each event work, but I know he has it all under control. My job is not to look at how big the task in Southern Peru is, but to look at how big my God is. I am so ready for this amazing experience and I am hopeful that many souls will be saved.

I am so encouraged to know that God has a plan for my life...so humbled by it actually. What is God's plan for your life? Whatever it is do it wholeheartedly and with total confidence, not in yourself, but in your God.

Last thing...pray for me as I travel...I love flying and being in airports, but I will essentially be in airports and flying from 4:30 P.M. today until 2:10 P.M. tomorrow...almost 24 hours straight. I will be tired and ready to sleep, but it will be time to work. Pray that God gives me the strength.

Oh yeah...I keep being asked if its hit me that I am going to be out of the country for the next 7 weeks...the answer is no, not even a little...I guess it will eventually!

Tomorrow...Yes Please.

I am so excited that I am leaving for Peru tomorrow. I am making my final preparations for the trip, doctor's visits, etc. and I cannot wait to get on a plane or four and head to Oruillo, Puno, Peru...that is like saying that I am in Anderson, South Carolina, USA...in case you were wondering. :)

I am reading 2 Timothy 4 today and God has been teaching me so much! Here are some quotes that encourage and challenge me.

"Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching."

In case you didn't know, my main job in Peru is just this!! Encourage...therefore, I have to be prepared...no matter what!

Are you prepared? Are you ready to preach the Word no matter what the situation, circumstance, or how you feel that given day. It is time to step up, the summertime is NOT a time to take "time off" from your faith (there is not a "time off" for a real Christian). What can you do for God this summer? Think about it.

Ok...Got it??

Think again, dream bigger...

Got that thought?

Ok...that is still nothing compared to what God can do in your life!

Paul continues in 2 Timothy, chapter 4 by giving his final words to Timothy...he is close to death and he knows it. However, he says these words in 2 Timothy 4:7 that is every Christians hope for the end of their lives.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."

This doesn't mean that Paul never sinned, it doesn't even mean that he never struggled with his old sin nature, but he always remained faithful to Christ. In the end, he could look back over his life and say with confidence that he remained faithful.

This is a heavy post...think about your life to this point...have you remained faithful???

May God grant mercy and grace upon all of us for our shortcomings.

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

2 Days...

First of all...read this blog. barnabus09.blogspot.com My follow team members are in place and doing amazing work for Christ!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO JOIN THEM!!

Second. I am ready to go to Peru.

Third...My Uncle, Aunt, and 2 Teenage Cousins are leaving for Israel tomorrow. They will be going to the Holy Lands...and my Uncle will be singing on the Sea of Galilee! With that said...please pray for safe travels as they go to spread the Good News and see places that most of us dream about seeing!

Fourth...If you read the blog, comment on stuff...as a matter of fact...I would love if you would post a comment about a blog that you think we should all read!

Lastly...I have lots of stuff to do before I go to Peru. Mostly stupid little stuff like cleaning house and getting bills ready...so pray that I won't lose my mind doing what I do not want to do! Be praying for me while I pray for you.

I WILL GO
Culbertson

3 Days Til Peru.

It is so fitting that in my journey through the New Testament, that I would be reading 2 Timothy right before I take a trip to do God's work. Granted I may not be as young as most scholars believe Timothy was, I am still a young man, at least in my own eyes! What an amazing book.

As I was reading this morning, I noticed some passages that are so incredible. I really do not have anything inside of me worth saying, so I am gonna quote these verses instead!

All verses from NLT
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:12
This is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

And my favorite verse I read this morning...2 Timothy 2:10
So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory to those God has chosen.

So yeah...Praise God! I have said it before and I will say it again. I fear nothing I will encounter in Peru because I know God has called me there. I have confidence that he who began a good work with be faithful to complete it, and he can complete it anyway he sees fit.

On another note...I am going to two services today because I will not be at NewSpring Church for the next 7 weeks. I look forward to "enjoy(ing) the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." (2 Timothy 2:22)

I WILL GO
Chase Culbertson

5 days to go.

I am leaving in 5 days...here are the updates I can pass to you.

My team has made it to Juliaca and they will be heading to Oruillo soon.

I have started packing...well, starting thinking about packing, at least.

Prayer Requests...
PERU and All 120 + Summer Missionaries that are doing work in the country.
Students during Summer Break
THE CHILL
FUSE
NEWSPRING

Feel free to comment any of the posts that have been written on this blog, maybe your comment will help someone come to Christ!

I was with my little niece tonight...and I learned something that I could have never learned without her help. As I was watching her and playing with her, I realized how helpless she is. I thought about how dependent she is for everything...and she doesn't even realize it. She just cries when she is hungry until it is no longer an issue. She whines and cries when she is tired, fighting sleep with all her might, although she can't live a full, healthy life without it.

In my life, I often find myself doing the same thing in my relationship to God. I go through my day, eat, drink, think...and completely forget how dependent I am upon God. I was thinking today about just how fragile life is...we are all one unfortunate event away from death.

Just like my Niece cries when fighting sleep, I get "cranky" and fight when God calls me to do something that I need to live a full, healthy life for Him.

Are you a baby? I'll admit, sometimes I am.

I WILL GO.
Chase Culbertson

6 days.

I really don't have a lot to post today, but I promised my students that I would post everyday...so here I go.

Today was the last day of school and I will miss my 140 9th graders so much! But, I get a whole new group next year that I can teach and hopefully disciple some of them.

I was reading some blogs today...and there are some blogs that you need to start reading. They will change your life!

Steven Furtick (stevenfurtick.com)
Mark Batterson (evotion.com)
Perry Noble (perrynoble.com)

Find Steven Furtick's post on anxiety!! It challenged me sooooo much!

Be praying for me as I get ready for Peru.

Here is a song that has been ringing in my ears constantly...

"I will go, I will go, I will go where you send me...to the World, to the Lost, to the Poor and Hungry...take everything I am, I'm clay within your hands I will go, I will go...send me."
-I will go by Starfield

One Week Ya'll!

I am leaving for Peru in one week. As a matter of fact, I will be sitting in the Miami Airport this time next week waiting for my next flight! I go Atlanta to Miami, Miami to Lima, Lima to Cusco, Cusco to Juliaca (you better believe that will be a nice airport...not). I am so excited and feel so blessed to know that God called me to do His work in Peru.

Tonights service at FUSE, The Student Ministry of NewSpring (Shameless Plug), was incredible. Brad said some really amazing things, but I love how he said that Jesus spoke to Thousands, but not all of them came to Him. How He laid it out there, but he didn't beg. It hit me in that moment that I must look at my ministry in Peru that way...tell them about Jesus Christ and let God do the rest. When we focus on numbers and our own desire to see people come to Christ, we can so easily become discouraged. Do not get me wrong...Christians are to desire to see people come to Christ, but we can't make them. Love God, Love Others...and let the rest happen in Gods time.

I am so sad that tonight was my last FUSE service until August 5th, but have no doubts about my next step. I must follow the calling of God on my life to preach the Gospel in Peru, it is my next step. So what is your next step...salvation, baptism, membership in a local church...or is it something HUGE, something people will not believe, something that will make people question your sanity!! I think for someone that will read my blog, this is the case. GOD IS CALLING YOU TO SOMETHING INCREDIBLE...are you ready for your next step?

In Conclusion, I will be at NewSpring Sunday and I am going to worship God in that place like I may never return there...but after all, shouldn't we be doing that anyway?

I WILL GO.
Chase Culbertson

Wow...Last Full Day.

8 days and counting.

Today was the last full day of school and now I get to spend the next three days trying to close out my grades and pack up my classroom for a good cleaning over the summer. Thankfully, I will be in the same room for year 4 and that makes me happy.

This morning I started reading in 1 Timothy and it was as awesome as it has ever been. I should be honest, I definitely considered skipping it because I have read it so many times, but I am glad that I didn't. One little thing that I want to point out is from 1 Timothy 2:1.

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them."

Pretty much awesome, right? Of course it is...but something hit me. I asked you to pray for me, but in many cases I am not praying for you. So...if you need to be prayed for, please let me know...I would love to put 1 Timothy 2:1 into action for you.

Last day with two amazing classes...that was sad. :(

Lastly, most of you know that I have an affection for Screamo music...it's true. However, I do not buy music from artists that use profanity, so the choices in the genre are pretty thin. With that said...Emery had a new CD come out today that I bought on Itunes at 630 this morning! IT IS INCREDIBLE! Check it out if you like that style.

I WILL GO.
Chase Culbertson

God, Seriously...

9 days and counting...

Ok...so you may have looked at the title and thought "Wow, he is crazy." First of all, don't even pretend that you haven't had this thought before! Anyway, here is how my story happened.

I was driving home from church last night at NewSpring (legendary service, possibly the best messages I have ever heard) and I was thinking about some of the guys in the youth group. Now if you know anything about NewSpring, you know that the "youth group" is about 700 students, but these guys are older guys that have been around a while. I was thinking about some of the things that they struggle with and how I can't imagine stuggling with those things (little did I know that God was about to drop the hammer on me).

Then as clear as day God said "You don't take care of your body either" Now the kid I was thinking about has picked up a tobacco habit and I was thinking to myself how terrible it is. Don't get me wrong, tobacco in any form is unhealthy and a bad idea, but God opened my eyes to something.

Ok...So the next part is why the title of this post is "God, Seriously." So then God says, "Get up at 5 and go running tomorrow morning." I said out loud in my car "you're joking right?" Of course, I just kept hearing that same thing, so I knew I had to obey God...

The Alarm goes off...it's 5. I get up and run through my neighborhood. Lightening didn't fall from the sky and angels weren't singing. But God was challenging me to take care of myself.

It's amazing how in your walk with Christ, you get convicted of new stuff. As you become more sanctified, God challenges you with something else! Let's be honest, sometimes we don't like it!

"Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusastically." Romans 12:11.

In conclusion, I am leaving in 9 days for Peru.

I NEED YOUR PRAYERS! I COVET YOUR PRAYERS! I LONG FOR YOUR PRAYERS! The Bible says that the Prayers of a Righteous Man Availeth Much...so you followers, go to the Lord on my behalf!

I have found out that there may be Internet where I am going, so I should be able to stay in contact some days!! Anyway, I will post again tomorrow...have I mentioned to pray for me :)

I WILL GO,
Chase Culbertson