April 26, 2010

We went to Miraflores, Kennedy Park, and Larco Mar. It was a nice, and relaxing day. On the bus on the way there though, I was struck with the overwhelming need for Christ here. We passed so many stores and street vendors selling saints and candles, and other Catholic stuff.... There was a cathedral where people were lining up to light candles and pray to a statue of some saint.... The grip of Catholicism is strong here! And it seems to be blended with some of the traditions and religious beliefs of the Incas too...
Anyway, as i looked out the window of the bus, i began to cry. My heart heart as i saw in my mind’s eye, a whirlpool of people/souls sinking into darkness, and screaming.... They are lost even in their religion. It is sad because so many are doing everything the have been told to do, and working hard for their salvation.... they know of Christ.... but do not KNOW Him....
These are my observations anyway... please take them with a grain of salt, as i am not a native of this culture and language.... I could always be wrong in the way i see things- But in this case, i believe the principle applies cross-culturally. How many of us in the States, even in evangelical churches are caught up in “doing” for God and “earning” our salvation? How many of us know “about” God, but have not really given us access to our hearts, to really KNOW Him, and be known by Him?

There was a young couple that came on the bus. They looked like they were both about 17 or 18. She had an infant and was breastfeeding. He played two instruments at the same time, and she played an instrument while nursing her baby... (Talk about talent!). They sang traditional Peruvian songs, and then he explained how they were a new family, and for whatever reason, playing songs on buses for donations was their only source of income at the moment. This is a pretty common story here, almost everyday someone comes on the bus and tells their story asking for donations.... there are a lot of beggars and peddlers... and you never know who is sincere and who is not... However, with this particular couple, I was so moved. Since they stepped on the bus I was convicted to pray for them. I cried with their music... I have never been so burdened to pray for someone, nor had i ever wished so hard to have adequate language skills and a tract to share with them... as they got off the bus, i continued to pray, for as long as i could see them. I as you to, please pray for this young family. I had a sense that if they find truth, if God gets a hold of them they will be a powerful instrument of His!