My Call To The Mission Field in Arequipa, Peru
In our previous blog post, I shared the story of how God led me to return to Bible School. In this edition, I will share my testimony about how God called me to embark on my first mission trip to Arequipa, Peru. However, at that time, I didn't realize that God was truly calling me to the mission field. It seems that everyone has their own version of a calling, often aligning with what they always thought they would become or do. I was no different! I had already planned to be an itinerant minister, traveling across states to teach and preach the Word of God.
Upon receiving my acceptance letter, I also had to choose which group to register for. I felt a calling to teach, but each time I selected that group, I sensed I should pray about it first. Initially, I thought I already knew the right group for me, so why pray? I'm grateful I didn't follow my stubborn instincts and actually prayed before deciding. To my surprise, I was guided to join the pastors' group. I had doubts for a moment, but it was the only decision that gave me peace, so the matter was resolved. I would join the pastors' group!
To keep this story brief, let's skip ahead to the day I felt God's guidance to go to Peru. It was December, after being in session since September, if I recall correctly. I was at the back of the room in my missions class, where my sole responsibility was taking attendance. The missionary teaching the class was covering basic topics about missions, nothing particularly emotional, yet there I was, crying at the back of the room for reasons unknown to me. Trying to avoid drawing attention, I wiped away my tears, influenced by the myth that real men don't cry. But I know that's not true. In the midst of regaining my composure, out of nowhere, I heard a voice telling me I could go to Peru. This was the same place where the teacher was serving as a missionary. So, even though I only heard "you can go to Peru," I was thinking, yes, I can go to Lima! It's amazing how we can hear one thing while thinking of another. It was clear to me because the visiting teacher was a missionary in Lima, Peru, so I assumed that was where I needed to go as well. Thankfully, I didn't miss the plan God had for me by trying to follow my own.
During that same week, I visited the Alumni Offices to check if there was any ministry or church in Peru seeking someone to serve in their mission field. I had heard they often receive requests for assistance from various places. As I started reviewing the files, I couldn't find any requests for help in Peru. However, I felt certain there was a need somewhere in Peru, so I decided to go through all the folders again, this time more thoroughly. On my second review, I stumbled upon a city I hadn't heard of before, AREQUIPA, especially since I was subconsciously searching for something in Lima. As I read the entire file, I saw Arequipa, Peru, and immediately felt a strong sense of confirmation, realizing that was where I needed to go!
After finding the place I wanted to help, I asked one of the staff members what I needed to do to make my desire known to the church in Arequipa. She then gave me a list of several things I needed to do, with writing a letter to send to them being one of the major tasks. During that time, the mail service was slow when it came to sending letters internationally, so I waited and waited for a reply from them, and it arrived a month or two before the end of the class year. In the letter I wrote, I expressed to them the desire I had in my heart to be of service to them, so I asked them to pray about it first, then send me their reply, yes or no. If that meant I missed God, if the answer was no, we don't need help at this time, I would keep praying and looking for the right place for me. But my heart was filled with such joy to receive their open arms, welcoming me as the first missionary to serve in their ministry! I had never been outside of the States before, so I had no idea what to expect, but I was up for the challenge because of the peace I had in my heart about this trip!
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