Creativity and Adaptation

This summer, Katie and I are getting to utilize a bit of creativity and adaptation as we settle into our short-term roles here with Inca Link in Peru.  We came in with what we thought were very few expectations, but quickly realized that we had more expectations than we thought.  We both have a bit of missions experience, and a lot of ministry experience, and that led us to start making some plans and ideas before we got here.  However, we're adapting into our new adventure.  All the construction has been an interesting change for us.  It took us a while to change gears into it, but manual labor is not new territory for me (John) and as I've switched my mindset from one of doing ministry all summer into one of doing manual labor all summer with ministry on the side, I'm enjoying seeing the work progress.  Katie is of course adapting into new experiences of living in a developing country, and she's enjoying seeing life lived in a different style than in Texas.

We also are developing what we call our creative projects for the summer.  Creativity is one of Inca Link's core values, so all the interns come up with some initiative that they can do in the handful of weeks we are here to further the ministry from behind the scenes.  Making meals and serving the other interns has become part of mine.  I'm meeting with one of the other interns once to twice a week for discipleship and that's great too.  I've also begun an experiment in composting.  I call it an experiment because this is an unusual attempt, in the midst of a children's home, in the desert, in a colder climate.  Humidity isn't a challenge, but heat is in the winter, and it's dug underground which limits air, and often people throw grass clippings in and there's no grass here.  Regardless, if we can generate some compost, it would help to start some gardening here for the kids.  The final part of my creative project is to do some home improvement on our living quarters, which will become the room for the children's caretaker in this building.  Shelves, towel bar, toilet paper holder, paint, etc.

Katie has been finding ways to serve using her gifts creatively.  In addition to leading worship for our team of interns, she's been leading worship for the mission groups that come through.  She has been investing a lot of time in improving her skills on acoustic guitar, learning songs, and writing out song lyrics on large posterboard for people who need the words.  She hopes to create a whole book of songs, chords, and lyrics for long-term use here at the children's home.  In addition, she is helping Marion with the sewing and baking ministry to the women in the community around here.  They're developing recipes to leave behind and hoping to develop a new leader to take over after September when Marion leaves.  When mission teams are coming through, they're also making baked goods (banana bread recently) to sell to the North Americans, the profits of which will go toward shelves and equipment for the women's ministry.

A large team of 33 Canadians, mostly high schoolers, mostly girls, just left this morning.  The Superintendent of the C&MA Canada was here with them, and one of the former Inca Link directors, Jeff, is here leading them.  It's kind of a groundbreaking moment for Inca Link here in a variety of ways, one of which was a young adult gathering Saturday night where Inca Link was the focus of the evening.  Inca Link hasn't been widely featured at this large church before, and the leaders here are hoping that the church will become a strong supporter of the ministry and outreach.  Jeff, who grew up in Bolivia, is preached at all 5 church services there on Sunday and we believe that we'll see a lot of fruit from that.

Blessings to you all, and we hope you are feeling strong in the Lord and encouraged by each new day in His service and leadership!  May you be spurred today to think creatively about how you can use your gifts to serve Him this week, and strengthened to adapt yourself to new and stretching situations regularly!