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
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
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
"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
Thursday, June 25, 2009
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
"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
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
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
"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
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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
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.
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.
Monday, June 22, 2009
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
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
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