On Mission with God in Peru 2005

I'm Moving!

2006-05-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

Attention!

I moved to another blog. Please use the below link to stay updated on where in the world I am!

For-His-Renown.blogspot.com

Thanks alot!

Bendiciones,

Logan

I'm Going Back!

2005-11-02T05:56:00.000-08:00

Hey to All!

I am sorry that I have not been updating you'll on what's been going on with me, but now that God has made it plainly clear what my immediate future is, I want to share it with you all.

Ever since I have been back from Peru, I have thought about going back; this excited and scared me at the same time. But as I began school for this semester, I started my internship, school work and ministry at the BCM. I starting hearing from my peers and friends about what we are to do after graduation (or what american society tells us to do). Anything from job hunting to graduate school were mentioned and I considered the possibilities. But something kept on nagging me about missions after graduation. As the stubborn, ignorant child of God I am, I decided to go ahead and pursue what I wanted because God wasn't exactly being clear on His direction in my life at that time. So I began to actively seek a job within my major. Sure, it's exciting and I love what I study, but something still wasn't right. One night, I called one of the ladies from the church that went to Peru for a couple of weeks this summer just to catch up. We were just chatting, and all the sudden I began to talk about the possibility of returning to Peru for the summer, and even considering staying for six months. After I hung up the phone, I thought to myself, "What did I just say? What the heck was I thinking?" So I dismissed everything I said, but of course, Wendy(the lady from the church I served with) on the other end of the phone, took to heart what I said. She spoke with Julie George (the head of missions for Westside Baptist Church of Gainesville) about it, and not soon afterward, I got a phone call from her. Julie asked me to pray about going back to Peru and lead a team and possibly stay for an additional 4 months. I hung up the phone and hit my knees. Was this my calling? Am I trying to, somehow, get out of God's will? What the heck is God asking me to do? All I had was questions for God, but He was faithfull and answered them faster than I had ever seen or expected. The following sunday, I asked my sunday school to pray for me. Just one week later, I got a response. My sunday school leader Roberto, of whom I have the utmost respect for as a person and spiritual leader, cornered me and said, "I have been praying for you about Peru, and I really think you should go." Man, did this come out of nowhere! Was this from God? Should I take this as confirmation? I drove home after church, locked myself in my room and prayed. I just bluntly asked God the questions that were nagging me. I continued to pray off and on throughout the day. That night, in my room, I began to present my hesitations to Him. He plainly interrupted me and said, "You're going to Peru." I had not heard the voice of God so clearly than that night in my room. Then I replied, "Ok God, you win...I'm going to Peru. But you have to take care of some things for this to happen." I had little faith, but when you present you're requests to God, He takes care of them!...and He did, within a week of asking all of my "hesitations" were answered. Talking about a quick response!

So...I'm going back to Peru. To the country where God has called me to serve yet again. I'm still excited and scared at the same time, but mostly excited right now. I just have to get through school now, and that's a bit of a struggle. So, if there is anything you could pray for me for, it's that I persevere through school to get to the place where God is leading me.

I will keep updating this now that God has rocked my world. I think that it is important to share things like this with fellow believers who have so faithfully kept me in their prayers. Thanks to everyone.

Blessings,

Logan

Missions Presentation

2005-08-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been back home for a week now, and it has been great seeing friends and family. I have truly enjoyed everyone's company and especially the southern cookin' (said with a Sopchoppy accent).

Just to let everyone know, I will be doing a presentation to my home church, Sopchoppy Southern Baptist Church, on Sunday night, August 13th at 6pm. If you need directions look it up for 117 Curtis Mills, Sopchoppy, FL 32358 I tried it on Mapquest, and it gave good directions.

I hope everyone can come, but it's not that big of a deal. I'll have plenty of stories to tell everyone once school starts up. I plan to hang out in Sopchoppy for a while then eventually move up there around the 20th, but I'll be in and out of Tally until then, so gimme a ring: (850)264-2471.

Have a Blessed Day!

Logan

Going Home!

2005-08-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

This is it! It is my last "full" day here in Peru! I cannot believe that 10 weeks have passed so quickly...it is crazy to think that tomorrow night, I´ll be on a flight to the states. It is just beginning to hit me that within 48 hours I´ll be back in Sopchoppy with family and friends eating REAL southern food....I can´t wait! I have been here in Lima for about a week now, and the sounds of the city are starting to get to me...I´m ready for the quietness of Sopchoppy!

I am flying out from Lima at 12:05am and getting into ATL around 7:30 eastern time. Then jumping on a plane to good ole Tally! I´m going to make it for lunch, and my padres are taking me to Sonny´s...it´ll be awesome!

For all my Tally people, I´ll be in town on Monday. My parents have their first day of school, so I´m going to take the opportunity to see some people up there. I know that Ridgecrest is going on, but I also know that not everyone will be going. So, gimme a call if you wanna hang out on monday, same number and everything.

I love you all. Thanks for all of your faithful prayers and support. God has touched my life in a way that I could never forget. I hope to do somewhat of a presentation to my church in Sopchoppy to give more details, and show some pics of the trip. I will post another blog saying when it will be. Love you and see everyone soon....really soon!

Logan

Finishing Up!-Weekly Report (7/16-7/23)

2005-07-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

Hola Amigos!

We´ve had a rather busy week...so I´ll get right to it! After a nice relaxing weekend after the tough hikes, we set out for Marcabamba to do some follow-up work for a couple of days. We got there, and were able to successfully set up meetings with local believers and Jonny, who was the focus of our reason of going to Marcabamba. We met with Jonny on two occasions, both really amazing and successfull. Jonny still hasn´t made a decision yet, but I know that God WILL stir him in a way that the only road to take is toward His Lord. So, I have claimed Jonny for the kingdom of Heaven...BUT continue to pray! He still has to decide himself. During our second meeting with Jonny, one of his co-workers wanted to listen in on what we had to say, and she is incredibly curious also. It´s funny that when you expect God to do something, He always "one-ups" us! I can just see Him up in Heaven laughing and saying, "Do you think you can limit me by your expectations? Take this!" then totally blows us away with His glory! It´s awesome to see this, and has been such a blessing to me in every sense.

We came back to Pausa on thursday to prepare for the baptism of Jubert on friday morning. But when I finally found Jubert, he told me his mom was sick and that he had to take care of her, so he couldn´t do it. But no worries, we rescheduled it for sunday midday, and it will be an awesome experience. I also have had many unexpected meetings with other locals to witness and share the gospel, which is always a huge pleasure.

The festival is going full-blast here in Pausa. It is really sad to see all of the idolatry here, as they worship their Patron Saint "Apostal Santiago" and hold a week long celebration in his honor. It is loud here 24/7 with bands parading around the streets all the time. We are going to Marcabamba to meet up with the Parkridge Team tonight to brief them before we head back to Lima on Monday. I´m actually looking forward to the peace and quiet of Marcabamba. Then sunday we´re doing the baptism, packing, possibly going to a bull fight, having a series of going away parties, packing then leaving for Lima in the morning.

It´s crazy how I have less than 2 days left here in Ayacucho. God has blessed me well beyond deserving, but I am so grateful that he would allow a lowly sinner like me to participate in the furthering of His kingdom. Praise be to my AMAZING GOD!

I will be spending just over a week in Lima, doing debriefing, some tourist things, and some shopping. Then I am leaving at 12:05am on the 4th of August to fly back to Atlanta, then to Tallahassee!

I miss everyone, but I will see all of you´ll soon! I will try one last post in Lima before I come home.

Chao,

Logan

Weekly Report (7/9-7/16)

2005-07-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hey to Everyone!

I hope this finds everyone blessed and enjoying life to the fullest! I sure have been enjoying my time here in Peru. God has blessed me more than I could ever think or imagine!

Brad, Jay and I got back from Oyolo on friday night after a 14 hour day, including a four and a half hour hike and a 6 hour combie ride...it was a killer! But we arrived safe and sound and enjoyed a day of rest on saturday...but I want to start back on tuesday when I arrived in Oyolo...

I got there on tuesday night, just before dark finding Brad and Jay at the hostel almost immediately. It was so good to see them and for us to share stories of their experiences in Usua and Corculla. The next morning, we got straight to work, talking to a local about starting a house church, and witnessing to the children and people of the town. On thursday we were astonished to learn that both the elementary and high school were more than willing to let us speak in their classrooms. So we went from room to room preaching the gospel and sharing our testimonies to the children of Oyolo. No decisions were made, but that didn´t hinder us having faith that someone will come by and sow the seeds we planted. After we were able to talk to the teachers, and they were incredibly curious and wanting to know how to study the bible. Not only that, but were wanting to give the children of Oyolo the hope for something better than what they were experiencing there in a such a poverty stricken town. The teachers told us that the kids never get attention, and are abused regularly and that the husband normally leave their wives to raise the kids by themselves. So they agreed to meet us that night at 7pm to talk about this. Only one teacher came, but we were grateful for that. She was so wanting, but something was holding her back. Her sister is the lady that is starting the house church there in the city, so I KNOW that God will work in her life. We also met a guy named Jonny who is a native of Marcabamba, and he is very close to a decision. We are going to spend some time with him this next week. God is slowly but surely breaking the hold that satan has on Oyolo. He doesn´t like what is going on there, but God WILL have His way, and I expect some really awesome things to happen there.

Please pray for the town of Oyolo, the lady that is starting the house church (Teresa), and for Jonny´s salvation. These are all really important things...and God will show himself in all of this. Jonny is a dentist and a prominent leader in his community, so if he would come to know Christ and be willing to share this gift to others, there is no telling what God could do.

Sorry this is so long, but there was so much to say. I only have one more week left here in Ayacucho, so pray that we use our time wisely and that we will accomplish what God what´s us to.

We are leaving to go to Lima on Monday the 25th...but I hope to get one more post in before I leave.

Miss and love everyone so much. It´s just over two weeks and I will be home!

Seeing God Work!

Logan

Going to Oyolo!

2005-07-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

Hey to All!

Just a short post to say that I am off to Oyolo in the morning. Brad and Jay notified me that they are leaving a couple of days early, and are already there in Oyolo. I have found a guide and we are leaving first thing in the morning. Please pray for safe travel. It is a 5 hour drive, with another 5 hour hike. Also, the guide that I am taking is a friend of Milton, and he trusts him, so that is always reassuring. He is not a christian, so I will have plenty of time to talk and witness to him, if the Spirit is willing. I am not sure when I will be back, but I will post another entry as soon as return to Pausa, where there is internet.

I am expecting God to move in a radical way like the last time we were in Oyolo. Please pray that the hearts will be softened ahead of us, so that all we have to do is speak the gospel. I am also doing some follow up on some of the people that accepted Christ back in June, including Espiritu who I led to Christ the last time I was there. I yearn to see him and see how he is doing.

Thanks for all of your prayer. The ministry here would not be if it was not for you prayers.

Thrilled in Christ,

Logan

Matthew 28:18-21

Weekly Report (7/2-7/9)

2005-07-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

We have been working hard with the group from Westside BC in Gainsville all week. We have made contact with many local believers and had many successful meetings, studying the bible and allowing God to work in their lives. Faye, Carmen and I have been regularly meeting with Janet and her husband Fredy. They have agreed to invite many people that are close to them to have a bible study. Pray that this will be the beginning of a house church, which is our ultimate goal here with the Rapid Entry Advanced Plan.

On wednesday we went to the local Institute because we were invited. Joy gave the gospel, and I had to interpret because of the situation. Four came to the Lord, and I led one of them, Jubert, and he is an awesome guy. I gave him a bible last night. I will be following up on him the rest of the time I am here. We are having another bible study tonight with the Institute students. Pray that they will come, and come hungry for the Lord. I was astonished how the Lord prepared Jubert´s heart way in advance so that all he had to do was hear and accept. Our God is an awesome God! We are planning to do baptisms later this next week.

I am praying for everyone in Pensacola about the hurricane. I know that the Lord will protect.

Look out for another entry by tuesday. i have been graciously given the opportunity to go to Oyolo again. I am meeting Brad and Jay there. I will be doing follow up from the June trip that we took.

I love and miss everyone as always....It´s only about 3 weeks, then I can tell everyone stories in person about how God has blessed me emmensly!

In His Love,

Logan

Romans 5

The Team is Here!

2005-07-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hola!

Well, the team got here late sunday night, after a very bumpy, rough ride (as it always is here in this region). We were split up into 4 individual teams, each with a summer missionary, a Westside person and a translator. I was grouped with Faye Pfeiffer and Carmen. Faye has been such a blessing to me. She is the sweetest and most encouraging person. Not to mention...she´s a trouper! She is 74 years young, and hikes up and down these streets better than most people from Florida would!

We have been very busy with work and following up with people that made decisions on past trips. We successfully had a meeting with a woman named Janet, and then this morning, we had our first bible study. God is doing some amazing work here with this group and within this community...KEEP PRAYING!

I love you all and miss you. I will do a longer more detailed entry later in the week when I have more time. We´re going to meet a lady at her house at 5pm...so I gotta go!

Bathing in His Glory!

Logan

Isaiah 6

Weekly Report (6/25-7/2)

2005-07-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

¿Que tal?

How is everyone doing? We got back from Nazca and R&R week on thursday night. It was truly a rejuvenating trip with Hot Showers, great food and great fellowship with the other summer missionaries. Jonathan and I were able to go on the flight tour of the Nazca Lines, which are supposedly the 8th Wonder of the World. It was really incredible, and I enjoyed myself, even though my stomach thought otherwise (it was my first time in a prop plane). I was able to call friends and family, and without a five second delay...another amazing thing about the trip. Oh yeah....I had peanut butter sandwiches, and man! were they good! I had one of the career missionaries bring me some peanut butter from another big city, since it is rare and hard to find. It cost me $4, so do not take for granted the PB&J´s in the states!
Us summer missionaries and Vic Hanson, a career missionary, are now here in Pausa preparing for the team that is due here on sunday. Vic wants to visit some believers in the area today, and I believe we will be prayer walking on saturday for the areas of ministry we will be working on when the team comes. Please pray that we will work together and do God´s will. Some towns are very catholic, and it will require a huge sensitivity to the situation in order to get some ministry done. But when it comes down to it, only God will be able to soften the hearts of the locals here in Ayacucho, so pray for this first and foremost.
We only have about 3 weeks left here in the province of Paucar de Sara Sara, so pray earnestly and hard that God will fervently guide us during this "crunch time".
Also, one more prayer request. The High Regions Team will be setting out soon to do work. They are hiking and walking almost everywhere they go, and it is physically demanding. Pray for their travels and work as they are in Corculla, Oyolo and San José de Usua. Their names are Brad and Jay.

I love and miss everyone...thanks for praying for me and all the others serving God here in Peru!

Logan

James Ch.2

Weekly Report(6/18-6/25)

2005-06-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

Hola y Buenos Dias a Todos!

Hey guys! Just another one of those weekly reports! I hope that this finds all of you good, and that you´re enjoying you summer and falling in love with God more and more each day!

Our team had a change of plans about this week. Instead of doing research in Maran, we realized that we needed to set up meetings with the existing towns that we have already researched so that when we return after R and R week, that we would be prepared for the group to arrive on the 3rd of July. We successfully set up meetings within the community and the school for bible studies. I think we will have plenty to do with the group when they come. Please be in prayer that we will be sensitive to God´s calling when the group arrives on the 3rd and that we will accomplish what He has in store for us. Also pray for their travels, as it is pretty difficult to get around once you´re off the paved road.

I will be in Nazca late sunday night until late thursday. Please pray also that this R and R week will replenish and rejuvenate all us summer missionaries and that we will come back refreshed to do God´s work. We will only have about 3 weeks left on site after returning, so this will be a critical time in doing work and ministry and following up on any decisions made.

I love and miss everyone as always. I can´t wait to see my Tally friends again...I miss you´ll alot.

Spreading His Grace,

Logan

Tough 24 Hours

2005-06-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

Hey to All,

Well, this past 24 hours was definitely a test. I woke up on Tuesday morning sick to my stomach. So, I tried to get up and do my normal routine anyway, going to the local café for some coffee, but my stomach thought otherwise. I went back to my room and laid down, then rushed to the bathroom...the details are not needed:) So when the locals found out that I was sick, everyone wanted to take care of me, and that was special. Hermano Antonio came and gave me some "Mate de Oregano" which I think was Oregano tea. Then my sweet landlady fixed me some soup. Then I proceeded to sleep all day, getting up every-once-in-a-while to go to the bathroom. I hit rock-bottom in the late afternoon, when I was too week to even speak. But God was there for me the entire time. I woke up around 5ish, ate some crackers, and walked over to Anne and Stacy´s apartment. Their landlady, Maria Luisa fixed me some more tea and sent some home with me. I called my mom and dad, just to make sure they weren´t over-reacting, which was good to hear their voices. I fell asleep around 9pm and was woken up by my landlady at 8am, who had made me some tea, and gave me some sort of pill, but I decided not to take it, not knowing what it was.
Today I feel alot better. My stomach is still alittle queazy, but compared to yesterday, it is doing great. We went to Sacraca and San Juan to set up times to meet when the group comes in a couple of weeks. Everything is going good now...no need to worry. God just wanted me to experience true sickness in a foreign country, thousands of miles away from my Mama....THANKS GOD!
We will be doing work around here in Pausa until we set out for our R and R week in Nazca next monday. WOW! I cannot believe that we are almost halfway through the summer....it has flown by!
But I still miss everyone. Shout-out to all my tally friends! I miss you all!

In His Love,

Logan

Weekly Report (6/11-6/18)

2005-06-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hey to All,

Well, since we got back from Quilcata on Wednesday, we´ve just been chillin´ in Pausa, resting and relaxing, digging into the Word, listening to God and what He has to say. I have really enjoyed these past few days to really spend time with God. I feel that we´ve been so busy with research and travel, that I haven´t been able to feast on God´s word like I have wanted, but since He has blessed us with a couple of days off, it´s been amazing to here what He has to say to me and the team. Instead of spending only 30 minutes or so in the word, it´s been more like 2 to 3 hours, just experiencing Him. Since wednesday, other than hanging out with Jesus, we´ve been spending alot of time with the locals. I have offered to disciple one of the believers here in Pausa, but he didn´t show for our first meeting. I will see him tonight at the service. We have also had the chance to go out to Hermano Tomás farm, where he has cows, geese, mules, and apple orchard, orange trees and yes, guinea pigs. They guinea pigs here in Peru, it´s actually a delicacy. I haven´t had the pleasure to eat them yet, but I have a feeling that I will soon. I tried to explain to the peruvians that we have guinea pigs as pets, and that I had one when I was a kid...it´s name was Patches (do you remember Mom and Dad?). They had hundreds of them...and I think they grow them to sell to the community. Yet another culture difference.

Our team will be setting out to do our last week of research this next week. Maran and the outlying annexes will be our target. These towns are supposedly lower and elevation, and I have also been told that there are mosquitoes there, which is a huge surprise, cause there isn´t many bugs here in this area.

Love and miss you all. Keep the prayers coming. Please post comments, it´s really not that hard, just click on the comments link under this post. Love ya´ll!

Diving into His Love,

Logan

1 Timothy 4

Quilcata

2005-06-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone out there! Well, our last trip wasn´t as long as I thought it would be, so we are here back in Pausa until we set out again next monday.
Quilcata was alot of fun. We got there and realized the community was welcoming us with open arms. The city authorities accompanied us personally to get our questions answered, and they even treated us to lunch at the local restaurant. I hope that when the team comes in July, that we can meet their needs as they hope, and that more so, we can bring the hope and joy of Christ to their town. We arrived on monday morning, and was given the tour of the town. We did lots of stuff in the community, including visiting a local arts academy ( I guess you could call it that) where one of the christian ladies we knew was teaching local moms how to croquet (sp?) and knit in a way to make things and sell them to support their families. We were all given a bag, so to speak, and yes...I have a man purse now! Haha! I´m not sure how long I will use it, because I have been getting some strange looks lately.
The next morning we got up before the sun rose, and a guy that worked at the municiple guided us personally to the outlining towns we were supposed to research. Half of them didn´t exist, so we went to the ones that did (pretty obvious). We walked an hour to Acoquipa, then another hour to Huallahua. Then we caught a bus back to Quilcata, grabbed a bite to eat and were off to Pararca. We were told it was a 2 hour hike, down a mountain crossing a bridge, then up the mountain....well, it was all that and more. The scenery was beautiful, and the hike was an adventure in itself. After we hit Pararca and got all the info we needed, we headed off to Aulla, which was another hour away. One the way there, we met a local high school student, and he was curious about why we were there, then once he figured out that we were missionaries, he had some questions about the bible. What an opportunity! I shared with him the gospel, but I wasn´t compelled by the spirit to pray with him, which was a little odd to me, but I have confidence someone will come in behind me and finish what I have started. After Aulla, we headed back to Quilcata, which was one of the most gruelling hikes we´ve done so far. I was definitely sore afterwards. We had dinner after we got into the town. After that, we went to bed although it was only 8pm ( I know I can´t ragg you Mom and Dad anymore) but it was so cold, that is all we wanted to do. I´m sure it got down to at least freezing that night. Then we got up and headed back to Pausa early this morning. We (the team) are just having to day to rest and relax, cause this short, but hard trip took alot out of us.
Alright, there´s the update. Keep praying. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and thoughts. I feel them each day! I love and miss you all!

All I Have To Give,

Logan

Researching-Weekly Report (6/4-6/11)

2005-06-11T14:27:00.000-07:00

Stacy, Anne and I had a pretty busy week. Anne and I helped out for childrens church on sunday. Stacy could not be with us cause she was sick. The next day, we got up and set out to do research between here in Pausa all the way to just before Marcabamba. The first town we got to was San Juan, then we proceeded to San Sebastion and Lampa. We stayed in a local hostel/hotel in Lampa where it was freezing cold. We got up the next morning to continue our reseach and got to Coltabamba and Naguapampa. We then spent the night again in Lampa. Stacy was getting worse in her sickness, so we went to the local postal to see a doctor. She diagnosed Stacy, and during the conversation she found out that she was one of only five christians in the town of Lampa. She was very hush-hush about it cause they are very catholic in Lampa. People were very suspicious of our prescense there in Lampa. The next morning we got up and headed back to Pausa, cause we needed some more info on the rest of the towns we were to research this week. We spent the night in Pausa, in our comfy apartments then set out for Nahualta and another town that nobody seemed to know about. Well, we found Nahualta, but not the other. One of the locals said that a meteor hit it or something. Pretty funny, huh? We caught a combi back to Pausa, then woke up the next morning to hit Santa Rosa and Mirmarca. Both of the towns are pretty close, so we hiked them...first Santa Rosa then Mirmarca. The hike was a little more brutal than we thought. Jay and Brad came over friday night to take care of some internet business, then we woke up this morning to go to the local hot springs. That was a blast. They ran a pipe all the way from Sara Sara (the volcano) to where they built concrete pools. It was definitely an experience. Brad and Jay returned to Marcabamba this afternoon.
In almost every town we went to, there were opportunities and doors opened. God was always with us, even during the tough hikes. We would find local christians in the most strange ways, but it encouraged us in our mission. We are going to have lots to do when the Westside group comes in July.
To all back home in Sopchoppy. I hope all is well with the hurricane and all. I wish I could be there. Stay high, dry and safe. I love you all and miss you. Thanks for all your prayers.

Seeing Him Work,

Logan

Phillipians 2:1-18

Weekly Report (5/28-6/4)

2005-06-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Parkridge team and us summer missionaries split up for the week that we were here. Pastor Eddie, Ray, Brad and I went to Oyolo and got there on wednesday. We saw many to come and know the Lord. Follow-up is definitely needed there. We came back to Pausa on friday and I spent the night at the hotel with Jay, Brad and the Parkridge team. They left for Pausa this morning. I just got a place to stay at a local internet cafe, different from Stacey and Anne. It will cost me 150 soles per month. Stacey, Anne and I are meeting Antonio to discuss a plan for the summer. We know that we have lots on research to do in the area, but there is also needs here in Pausa. I will get back with you Mike on our plans for this next week. Testimonies of this previous week are in the entries below. If this is not sufficient for a weekly report, email me. Thanks for all your prayers. God is doing some great stuff here in the Paucar region.

Logan (Paucar del Sara Sara-Lower region)

God Moving in Oyolo

2005-06-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

We made it to Oyolo on wednesday..finally! Although we had to go through so much to get there, God knew exaclty what He was doing. When we made our 2nd attempt to traverse the desert, we picked up a guide along the way. He just so happened to be a believer that lived in Oyolo! We discussed many things with him, and he could potentially be a "man of peace" that the city needs to come to know Christ! We arrived wednesday afternoon after 12 hours of driving. Oyolo is a very remote town that is surrrounded be mountains that reach between 11,000 and 13,000 ft, so it is very difficult for anyone to get there. When we came into the town, all of the children were jumping on the truck and laughing because they rarely see a vehicle in their town. They were all really beautiful children but there is not much of quality of life there.
On thursday, we went to the elementary school to hand out children books that told the chronological story of Christ. We were also blessed to show the Jesus film to all the children in the school. They were so curious about Him and why He died. I answered them in spanish as best I could, but they had to get back to classes, so we really did not have an oportunity to sit down with them and offer them the gospel. That night, we showed the adult version of the Jesus film to all the adults. We were able to use the mayors office to show it. I felt that I was not to watch it with them, but to wait downstairs for opportunities. Some children came and sat next to me. All of them except one left, and there I sat with a boy named Espiritú which translates to "Spirit". He lives in Oyolo but is homeless cause his father left him when he was just a boy. He had questions about the Jesus film he saw earlier in the day. I answered them and he asked me, "Can I have this Jesus like you?" I said, "Absolutely!" He prayed to recieve Christ there on the steps of the mayors office. He cried like a baby. He then says, "I now a father that loves me and wants me!" When he said this, I almost cried. But God was not done. A young guy about my age named José came to the Jesus film that night, but was not really interested in the film. So I started to talk with him, and we began to discuss his spiritual life and I discussed mine. I could tell that he wanted what I have, so I began to give him the gospel. He was SO receptive to it, and he prayed to recieve Christ also! He said he felt like he was missing something his whole life, and that was the love of Christ! What a night! The other group members led 2 more to Christ. God is moving in Oyolo. Another team is doing some follow-up soon. I want to go, but it is not my region, so I will have to see what happens. Pray that these two grow in their new faith.
Bye for now, and keep praying cause God is doing incredible things in the highland regions of Peru!

Experiencing Him,

Logan

Trials in Peru

2005-05-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has taken so long to get this first post since I have been in Peru, but here it is!

I arrived fine. The plane ride went great...a little long, but not too bad. We had orientation in Lima up until saturday then left for Pauza. The ride here was beautiful. We went throught deserts, by the ocean with huge waves and then up in the mountains, but what I want to talk about is the last 36 hours. I arrived here in Pauza on sunday night, then left for Oyolo with two guys from Parkridge Baptist from Coral Springs, FL and another summer missionary named Brad. We were riding in a passenger truck and it was aready packed because we were giving a lady from and her two kids a ride, and the way to Oyolo was through lots of little towns. Just outside of Pauza we picked up two ladies on there way to where we were headed. But there was not enough room in the truck, so one of the ladies and I had to get on the back of the truck, sitting on all of the suitcases hanging on to the truck rails for dear life as we navigated through the rough roads of the Andes. I felt the Spirit stirring, so there on the back of a truck, I witnessed to Paulina. We talked for at least a half an hour and when we arrived in San Sebastion, the lady with her kids invited us to her house to continue our conversation, her being a believer also. I honestly cannot remember what I was saying to her, only that the Spirit empowered me and I was just a vessel of the Spirit. She accepted Christ with tears flowing. I was overjoyed that the Lord would have me witness to a stanger on the back of a truck. I did not stop praising God for the rest of the day. The other summer missionary witnessed to the other lady sitting in the truck, and she accepted Christ! What a blessing! We said our goodbyes and set them up with the local believers for followup.
We continued our journey to Oyolo, but we did not know how to get there. The roads were really bad, like all of them here in Peru, but this was in a category all in itself. We stopped and asked many people, but they did not know themselves but some gave us some hints on how to get there. We got on this road that was not traveled much and drove for about 3 hours. We ended up on a desert that was around 15,000 ft above sea level. We drove around, convinced it was the right way but it was starting to get dark. At about 8pm, we decided to wait to morning and drive back to Pauza to get more gas. So we stayed there in the middle of a desert for the night. When the sun went down, the temperature dropped rapidly. Our bottles in the back of the truck froze solid, so I think that it got down into the lower twenties that night...it was REALLY cold!! We got our sleeping bags out and tried to sleep, but it was a little truck with 4 grown men in it. Brad (the other summer missionary) and I got altitude sickness pretty bad. We stuggled through the night, but drove back to Pauza this morning...6 hours after hardly any sleep. We agreed that we reached the ends of the earth. The desert we were in looked like the moon....and no people or animals. It will be an adventure that I will be telling for years. We are going to try to reach Oyolo again tomorrow, but this time we know the way. Please pray for the people of Oyolo that they would be acceptive to the gospel and that we would have the discernment to lead these people to Christ. I love you all and miss you.

Going where I´m sent,

Logan
Jeremiah 1:4-10

Last full day in the States

2005-05-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

It seems as if I've been running around in a mad rush to get things done for my trip. I have LOTS of packing to do. My mother and I are going to Tallahassee to get some last minute things and spend some time together. As some of you may know, this will be my second summer mission trip. The last time I was preparing to leave for Venezuela and I was thinking about how I will miss everyone; family and friends. But this time is different. I'm totally excited about how God will work through me and the chance to see a glimpse of His glory! God has promised me that He will do great and marvelous things while I'm away in Peru. I'm definintely looking forward to seeing Him away from all the distractions here in the states. Please be in prayer for safe travel for all the team members flying down in the next couple of days; some of them are already there! I will miss everyone back home dearly, but I know that God will be with me and that's all I need!

All I Have To Give,

Logan

Preparing....

2005-05-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

In almost 48 hours from now, I'll be saying goodbye to my family and friends and jumping on a plane headed for Peru. It still hasn't hit me that I'm going to Peru yet, but with me, this happens all the time; it just slams me in the face when the plane starts to take off and I know that I won't see American soil for another 3 months.

God will do amazing things in Peru; He has promised me this. God has warned me that He is going to stretch me more than He has ever tried to in the past. I know that only relying on God will be the ONLY way this summer. Please pray for the entire team serving in Peru and also for my team: Stacy Groff, Anne Malthaner and I. We will be serving in the state of Ayacucho and more specifically the province of Paucar del Sara Sara. More than anything pray for the Quechuas of Peru and all the Peruvians to come to know their Lord and Savior.

Going in God's Name,

Logan

This is it!!!

2005-05-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

Well, here I go! God has blessed me and given me the opportunity to serve in Peru for the summer of 2005. It all started back in November '04 when I felt the leading of the Spirit to call me to missions this summer. What an answered prayer! Ever since my trip to Venezuela back in 2003, I had been anxious to get back on the mission field. Through prayer and circumstances, God called me to the country of Peru in South America. I know that God will stretch me, almost to the point of breaking, but will show me His glory and how faith is required to be the servant He wants me to be. Even though I will be leaving in less than a week from now, I still am not sure what exactly I'll be doing. I'm taking this as the first lesson God is teaching me this summer about leaning on Him and having faith in His will. Hopefully I'll be able to post updates regularly so that everyone will know what's going on. Thank you for your prayers and please post comments so that I can stay in touch with you.

Going in God's Name,

Logan

Psalm 96