So I’m back in Gainesville, for a few weeks anyway! Peru was amazing and like always, God moved in so many ways. In ways that I’ve come to expect Him to move and ways that I never really imagined He would. Again, He brought our team to new places of freedom and intimacy with Him. He opened our eyes more to the hurt and hopelessness that is found in a world that lives apart from Him, but also to the hope of redemption and life that every person can find in Him. There were times when we felt victorious and times when we felt defeated, but no matter how we felt, God’s faithfulness was so undeniable! His love and grace continued to abound exceedingly every where we went and in every situation we faced. I have so many stories that I could tell you that testify to this, but there are too many to write in this blog, so I’ll just share the first one that came to mind.
It happened in a town called Requena. Requena was the first town that we came to along the river (and the same town that I saw God heal people in last summer) and it took us an 18 hour barge ride to get there. After being on the barge for so long and having some down time, I was really excited to go out into the town and meet some people. So a few of the guys and I decided to do just that. As we were walking, one of the guys spotted a monkey on a boat(for some reason he really likes them, but I think they are disgusting!). They really wanted to go see the monkey, but I was more focused on going to meet people. I finally relented (with a sarcastic statement of “fine maybe we can minister to the freakin monkey”) and we headed down to the boat. When we got to the boat, we saw that in addition to the monkey, there were two people on it as well. They invited us onto the boat and after talking for a few minutes, the man pulled out a Bible. He began to tell us how much it meant to him and how he loved reading it. What he said next blew my mind! He told us that just that morning he had gone to a church so that someone could lead him to receive Jesus, but the church was not open! Was this a coincidence that we found ourselves on this boat with a man that was wanting to surrender his life to Jesus, but wasn’t sure how? I think not! This was God directly intervening in order to bring one of His children home! We talked to him about what it is to truly believe upon and surrender your life to Jesus and that it was between him and God, not him and man. And right there on that boat He gave his life to Jesus! It was awesome the way that God lined everything up and didn’t need us to do anything but be there. He had taken care of everything and allowed us to be a part of what he was already in the midst of doing! 
I am convinced that the lives of the students that go on these trips will never be the same, because they have been completely wrecked for the “ordinary” of this world. Once you’ve seen the injustice and hurt that people are experiencing, it’s really hard to continue turning a blind eye to them. And once you’ve experienced the power of God’s love in those situations, it changes you forever!
I feel that after not being able to communicate with any of you for the majority of the summer, I have so much that I need to share (like what’s next on the agenda, what God has been revealing to me and what He wants me to share with His people), but I don’t want to overwhelm you with too much to read at once! This just to say that I will be posting a few new blogs over the next couple weeks and I hope that through them, God will speak to
your heart as He spoke to mine. I love you all!!
I can hardly wait to hear more!
Jesse that is an awesome testimony. I never grow tired of proclaiming how amazing God is! Praise God for cute an disgusting monkeys:) I look forward to reading more about your Peruvian adventure and hearing where God is leading! Love ya, Sha’
Jesse, That sounds so amazing! I can’t wait to hear about all of the other things God has revealed to you. Thank you for all of your service in advancing the kingdom both with the students and the broken in this world. I’m praying for ya
First let me say I am glad you are home safe, even tho I know this is only for a short time. Praise God for the first encounter on the first day. I know God will add many more souls during this mission. God has surely annointed you, both for the teaching and training you do with the students who came with you, and for spreading the word to the lost. My heart swells with pride just knowing you are truely his and also for the small part I have had in your life. I miss you terribly but know someday I will rejoice with you in the new Kingdom. God bless you with more souls and keep you well and safe.
Love what the Lord is doing in and through you Jesse!
Wow! Might be a word I could use to express, “His Awesome Power”.
Like you have said, in so many words, “God moves in mysterious and marvelous ways. Whether it’s a monkey, or a spider’s web, we just follow the path He puts before us.
Thanks for all your efforts Jesse. Our prayers are with you. Take care and Godspeed to you and your team members.