His Purpose is for this Minute

We are apt to imagine that Jesus Christ constrains us, and we obey Him, He will lead us to great success. We must never put our dreams of success as God's purpose for us, His purpose may be exactly opposite. We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal; He is not. The question of getting to a particular end is a mere incident. What we call the process, God calls the end. 


What is my dream of God's purpose? His purpose is the I depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay in the middle of turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God. God is not working toward a particular finish; His end is the process-that I see Him waling on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea.


-My Utmost for His Highest, July 28  

Machu Picchu

Last time I was in Peru, for one very long night, I vomited violently and experienced explosive diarrhea. The following day, I sweat profusely as I attempted to rest.  I ate saltine cracker and tried to stay hydrated.  It was miserable. 

Today was nothing like that day. 

Travel Peru

Lately my expectations for travel have been very low. In Houston, we were stranded on the tarmac for two and a half hours. In Peru any bus ride is guaranteed to be unpleasant.  Even the taxi rides are stressful.  Arriving alive is my most important expectation (which sometimes is in question in Peru), after that everything else is a bonus. 

As a result these low expectations are creating more satisfaction.  

I heard that TACA Airlines was the worst airline in Peru. I expected to be crammed, uncomfortable, and probably delayed.  But instead TACA upgraded us to first-class. It was the most enjoyable flight I have ever been on. 

Taking the train from Puno to Cusco, I didn’t expect more then beautiful scenery. The trip was anything but bourgeois. There was a five-course meal, a live band, with dancers, teatime, a fashion show, and observation car with free beverages. Oh, and also the bathrooms were real clean, which is not normal in Peru.

Between New York City & Los Angeles

I am here at the Peruvian Union University with Brittany.

She taught English here for nine months.

There tends to be a lot of curiosity, when there is a foreigner on campus.  

“Where are you from?”

“I am from Lincoln, Nebraska.”

Blank gaze.

“I mean… I live between New York City and Los Angeles.”

“Oh!!! OK!!!”

[Nana, Peru]

Miraflores

[Lima, Peru]