Greetings friends, supporters, family....and other interested persons!!!!
Greetings in our time of transition and change at San Juan Camino de Esperanza!
The "logo" on our church door reads in Spanish: "El justo por la fe, vivirá". It is an appropriate Lutheran doctrine as it translates to English: "Justified by faith, (we) live".
With so many things seeming unsure and unstable with our little congregation right now, this doctrine takes on special significance. We live, work, serve, and persevere because we are justified (or saved) by God's grace. Because of our faith, there is hope in the midst of whatever hardships, instabilities or troubles lie in our path. This is such an amazing grace!!!
In terms of our construction, there have been some issues with building permits and licensing from the municipality, so much so that we have been left in a kind of "limbo" for the last six months. We know it's temporary. We know that God is working with us even still. We know that things will change, but limbo is tough sometimes. In this transition, we are worshipping in people's homes and our children's program and bible studies are continuing, too, in Ana Maria's home. But with limited space, the numbers are down a bit, which is of course, a bit disheartening. And so it is with transitions and periods of instability.
Picture above: the church grounds have been ready for several months...
We continue to meet and have bible studies, such as the one pictured here a few weeks ago. Pastor Erik Bjoran and his wife, Marla, were visitors to Peru and participated in our study group.Below: I am explaining which rooms will be built in which spaces. We hope to complete Phase One, which includes two levels of classrooms, a meeting space and the pastor's office.
And so, in the midst of the transition and changes, in the midst of our "limbo's", we continue to have faith that the God who has brought us to this place and time, will continue to provide that which we need to be sustained in the desert, in the "limbo's" in which we sometimes find ourselves.
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you..."
These verses from Isaiah 43 are so true and so needed: a call and reminder of whose we are, that we have the strength to carry on, and that we need not fear or be entirely overwhelmed with the changes and transitions that happen in our lives OR in the life of the church!!
And so, may the grace & peace of God be with us all in these often unstable times and throughout our life's journey!! Speaking of journeys, I look forward to visiting many of our ELCIC congregtions, with friends and family, to share stories of my life and work, and of OUR ministry in Peru, while I journey back to Canada this summer on home-leave!!!!!!
In God's service,
Pastora Fran.
