The Power of Prayer

Luke 12:28, "If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

Recently, I was having a really down day about fund raising and not being able to return to Peru. I needed to sell my house. That was not going to be an option without losing thousands and thousands of dollars. Thank you economy. Okay, I needed a renter. Where would this come from? How do you find a renter? Hmmm, I am not sure. What would I do if I could not raise enough funds to return to Peru? What if I only raised a portion? How would I live and where? I was tired, stressed, and at the end of my rope. Basically, I was having a good ole pity party for myself. Rather than immediately going to the Lord in prayer, I sunk right down into the pity pit. It was deep and crowded with doubts and second guessing.

This culminated on a Sunday afternoon when I was driving back from a church visit and had several hours to pray and think about returning to the field and all of the needs that had to be met before I returned (sell or rent the house, raise a ton of money, etc.). I ended up on the phone with my good friend, fellow team member, wise counsel, and pastor, Allen Smith. Bless his heart. He had no idea what he was walking into, but he was a champ and walked with me as I paced in my pity pit.  (He too was in the car returning home after visiting a church.) We covered all the topics, what to do about the house? how can I cut my budget? maybe move in with them (rent free)? other areas to cut money? and on and on. After a lengthy conversation, he said something that made me think, "Duh? What am I doing? Why didn't I go there first?" He said, "Alleen, we've done all we can do talking about this.  It is time to pray."

Allen said, "In 15 minutes of prayer, God can untangle all of the problems and messes that the Devil is able to make in one year. God can accomplishes more in one hour of prayer than what we can accomplish in 10 years. So let's just pray." I was so overwhelmed with how I had forgotten to go to the Lord in prayer. Here I was trying to do it. To answer every question and doubt and overcome each obstacle on my own will. When, in reality, I was utterly and completely dependent upon the Lord to provide all of my needs--but failed to ask.  Allen prayed the sweetest prayer for me as I felt the tears run down my face.  I was crying at my lack of faith, at my own sin of control (I can handle this and do it all!), and of just plain tiredness.  I felt so much better after Allen's prayers and my own silent prayers to the Lord.  I turned it over to the Lord.  I did not know how He would do it all, but knew, it was not up to me!  He could and would bring His perfect will to fruition.

After hanging up with Allen, I walked into my sister's home where I was staying.  She and my brother-in-law were on the way out the door, but as they were leaving, my brother-in-law said, "Oh yeah, I have a guy you need to call.  He called and wants to rent your house." Wow! Talk about immediate answered prayer! I called immediately and yes, the Lord has provided a renter for two years. It is a unique situation that is a blessing to the family moving in and to me. God provided exactly what I needed and more. 

Fund raising and all that goes with it. . .it is a daunting task. It is my least favorite part of the job. And it is how the Lord constantly reminds me that He is Lord and He cares for me and will always provide in his perfect timing all that I need. He shows me who is in control and that no matter what I do, He is the one to bring in the money and to meet my needs. It builds my faith. It stretches me. It draws me closer to God. It sanctifies me. And while I may not like it, in the end it builds me up. It reminds me of the Power of Prayer.

Delays that I wish I could blame on an Airline

I am supposed to be packing my bags and readying to leave tomorrow for Peru!  Instead, I am writing this blog and it is with a heavy heart.  My heart and desire is to be in Peru, but this fund raising trip has not been as fruitful as I had hoped.  So, I am delaying my return to Peru.  I cannot return until I have more support raised.  Lord willing, this will be soon.  To help me return to Peru give online now:  https://p2p.paperlesstrans.com/default.aspx?i=cms&c2=McLain%20Family

The original plan was to be home for two months visiting churches and raising funds.  At the end of those two months, I am still short of my fund raising goal.  I have canceled my return flight to Peru and will remain in the United States to continue raising more funds.  Fund raising is always a faith building experience.  How else can one raise support, but for the Lord's good and faithful provision?  We, however, must do our part also.  It has been discouraging to postpone my return date to Peru, but I must remain faithful that the Lord will continue to provide for me in His perfect timing.  Would you consider partnering with me financially?  Monthly donations are preferred.  Even the smallest amount makes a difference.  I think that often people think, "What can my meager contribution do?"  My answer is "A lot!"  Even if it is $30, $50, or $100 a month, it greatly contributes to the work we do in Peru and assists me to live and work there.

Also, I would love to come and visit your church or group to speak about what the Lord is doing in Peru.  It is exciting to see how He is growing His kingdom!  Please just email me at alleenmclain@me.com if you'd like me to visit your church.  I am scheduling visits for January and February now.

While fund raising is challenging, stressful, and hard work, there are some wonderful benefits of being stateside.  The main one is time with FAMILY!  I was so grateful to be with my family this Christmas.  It was a big change from Peru last year.  I traded fake snow covered trees in the Plaza de Armas for the real thing in Atlanta, GA.  It was a wonderful season of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior with my family.  And while I missed my Peruvian family, I am eagerly anticipating joining them as soon as possible in the new year.

Christmas in Peru 2009

White Christmas in Georgia 2010

Back in the USA

Well, I am home for a visit to raise funds, visit my supporting churches and enjoy the holidays with my family.  The first time I raised support to go to the mission field the Lord used it as a huge faith building experience as I was constantly in awe of how He brought the money in and got me to the field so quickly!  It was a great time of encouragement and reassurance that I was indeed in His will.

And here I am again, two years later, raising support and wanting to return to Peru for 2 more years.  Again, fund raising is a faith building experience.  This time it has been more of faith that the Lord will provide in His own time, reminders that I need to be patient, reassurance that I am also called to work at this fund raising (it doesn't come in on its own!).  I am thankful that the Lord has called me to serve Him in Peru and now am home to raise the money to return for another 2 years.  I will be in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi.  I would love to come and visit your church or talk to you about Peru Mission and what God is doing in Peru!  Please email me at alleenmclain@me.com if you would be interested in partnering with me.

In addition to the fund raising, I am getting the opportunity to visit family and friends.  It has been great to be home and see my family.  I arrived Halloween day and got to enjoy some traditional trick or treating.  Also, it has allowed me time to reconnect with prior Peru Mission team members.  Heather Calin Cunia are living here in Atlanta and I got the chance to have dinner with them and it was very encouraging to have a little bit of Peru in the US.  We enjoyed a delicious pizza dinner, practicing my spanish, and then great conversation until late in the night as if we were still in Peru.  And I still am looking forward to more family visits in MS and prior Peru Mission team member visits in Tennessee!

 Grace was little red riding hood for halloween.

 Walker was a ninga.   Not sure what his friend was?

Look at all this candy!! Lucky for me no one likes Butterfinger.  :)

Grace and I playing Banagrams.  This makes me happy.

 

Heather and I reunited!

Celebrating Adele's birthday.  Yes, a gift from our woodshop.

You can order this online also!  www.parishfurniture.com

My brother-in-law, Steve, and me at dinner.

Celebrating Adele's birthday at The Counter.  Yummy dinner!

Welcome to the Ueltschey's

We are excited to have the Ueltschey's in town!  They have finished 3 months of language school and arrived in Trujillo just as I was leaving to go home.  Marcus will be working as a physician in our medical clinic and in addition to home schooling, Whitney also will be helping in the clinic as a physical therapist.  They first came to visit a little over a year ago and were some of my first visitors/guests in my apartment here in Trujillo.  We became friends and I am excited to have them return!

 Whitney and Sam greet Meg and Satomi Mills.

Welcome friend!  I am so excited you are here!!

A Blessed Sunday

I had the privilege of joining Cristo Rey as an associate member this past Sunday. It was a wonderful Sunday worship. We had a small ceremony before the service started to accept me as an associate member. Prior to the service, I had asked if there was anything I had to do or just answer the standard questions. I was told, yes, just respond in the affirmative. Well, the ceremony was much more than this! It was several pages typed out single space. I professed my belief in Jesus Christ (in Spanish) before the Church and it was a beautiful ceremony. The pastor then prayed for me and it was such a sweet prayer. It really made the worship service extra special as a true member. And afterwards, my brothers and sisters were there to wish me "felicidades" (congratulations) and share in this special day with me!

 Pastor Jaime praying for me.

The ceremony.

Pastor Jaime and me after the service.

Each Sunday is such a wonderful time of worship with our Peruvian brothers and sisters, but then we also enjoy lunch at a missionary home with worship through song and prayer in English.  This Sunday everyone had a bit of football fever (it is fall there right?).  And so a few of the guys, and even some girls, enjoyed a game of football in the park Sunday afternoon also.   Enjoy a few photos from our slice of American fun on a Peruvian Sunday afternoon.

A Medical Campaign in Los Pinos

I thought this video Nate Henderson created from his recent trip to Peru with Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah, GA, was a great glimpse into what a medical short term team does.  You will see us setting up for the campaign in Los Pinos and a little bit of the actual campaign.  Los Pinos is in a suburb of Trujillo.  It is near our medical clinic in Wichanzao.  We were able to serve many of the residents of this neighborhood and share the gospel and love of Christ.  Thanks to Nate for sharing his God given gifts and using them for the Lord's work in Peru!

Peru Mission at Los Pinos from Nate Henderson on Vimeo.

New Look at Arevelo and Rick Phillips' Visit

We are excited about the growth we are seeing in Arevelo.  The Lord is really blessing the work of the saints in this church.  The morning services are full and they have a very active Adolescent Group that is encouraging for the church's future.  This group was even attracting an older crowd sufficient for the church to start a Youth Group (here youth group is pretty much 18 and older).  The first Youth Group meeting had 20+ attendants!  Many of these were unchurched and men--what an answered prayer.  And now we have just finished a new pulpit for the church.  It is really good looking and we finished it in time for Rick Phillips to preach there while he was here.

 A view of the new pulpit in Arevelo.  

 Next we plan to build a communion table and pastor chairs.

Lacking a final stain (this is naked wood), but off to a good start.

Rick Phillips recently visited us and blessed us with several days of lectures and preaching for both our seminary students as well as the members of our congregation.  Thursday and Friday he taught to the seminary students in the morning and then in the evening he taught our congregations on the subject of family and prayer.  To see the large crowds, including families, was a real encouragement.  Sunday before leaving for Cajamarca, we also enjoyed a wonderful sermon (the first) from the new pulpit at Arevelo.   Sunday, October 3, was election day and so public meetings are prohibited during election hours.    Therefore, we hosted a breakfast at Arevelo and then held our service at 7:30 a.m.  It was a great turnout to see the new pulpit and have a time of worship and prayer on this important day in Trujillo.  

 Enjoying breakfast at Arevelo Church.

 Rick Phillips preaching and Wes translating at Arevelo.

A great crowd turned out to hear Rick Phillips.  What a joy to see His churches full.

 Celebrating Hermano Wilzer's birthday!  Thanks for your work with the church.

Pastor Percy, Pastor Wes, Pastor Rick, and Pastor Ricardo.

The pastors from Arevelo, Wes Baker and Rick Phillips.