Hello again from Peru!
It’s hard to believe it’s already the end of August! Some of you are launching into a new school year, or enjoying the end of the berry season, and I know at least one person who is breaking out the Christmas music! Here, I’m still wearing my winter coat most days, but there are roses blooming in the parks and the sun came out a couple days last week.
I recently enjoyed a really wonderful visit from my good friend Bryna Hardy. We met while attending Trinity, but since she also lives in the Portland area, we had some good bonding time after graduating last summer and we’ve been in touch while I’ve been in Peru. She was here August 14-24th and it was a whirlwind week of good conversations, late nights, fabulous food, and some sight-seeing. For me, it was a privilege to be able to share my life with someone from home. It’s good to be able to share over email and the phone, but it’s a special blessing to be able to go through daily life with a good friend. One (of many) highlights from her visit was our outing with the Ibáñez family to the “Magic Water Circuit” in downtown Lima, a series of gorgeous lit fountains, including one “choreographed” to lights and music. Hopefully you’ll be able to see some pictures, if you follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=150076&id=616631150&l=b23e3c1c4e. I’m feeling a bit lonely, now that I have my room just to myself again and I have no excuse to go out for evening adventures! But I’m thankful that God gave us that time together. And thank you to those of you who sent little notes along with Bryna. That was a wonderful surprise!
In other news, please be praying for us this weekend. The landlady of the house where the church meets and where we are living has given us until Monday (August 31st) to pay the five months of rent that we owe ($5,000!) or leave the house. We continue to pray and trust that God will do His will in the midst of this situation. These circumstances have completely escaped from our control, but fortunately He specializes in what seems impossible. Please pray for God’s provision (because whether or not we are able to continue living and working in this house, we need to pay the debt) and also for His peace and guidance. In the midst of this, we are also praying that God would raise up 10 people who would commit to give $100 monthly toward the rent until the church is able to support herself. So far, three people from the church have stepped forward and commited to give for this purpose! It all seems a little crazy to me, but these are the perfect circumstances for God to show off His power and glory.
Many thanks to those who responded to my last letter, for your encouraging emails, your prayers, and your financial support. Please continue to pray for God’s continued financial provision for me personally, and prayerfully consider supporting me on a regular basis.
I’m encouraged by what Paul has to say in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT):
We all face various troubles in life, Jesus guaranteed that (Jn. 16:33)! But these troubles and this life will quickly pass and we will step into the joy of eternity, which C.S. Lewis compares to the holidays after the difficult school term. I know for me sometimes what I lack most deeply in moments or days or months of crisis is hope, which is what these verses offer: a little life raft of hopeful perspective.
Thanks for being there for me and know that I also pray for you. Hold onto hope!
Much love,
Anna Shimer
Link to pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=150076&id=616631150&l=b23e3c1c4e
