I am thankful.

Around this same time in 2009, Melissa and I began talking about going into missions.  We didn't know where, only that we needed to begin the process.  Just 2 years later, we were on a plane to Peru, with plans for a long term commitment to the MB churches there.  Today, on Thanksgiving 2014, and just over 6 months after leaving Peru, I want to give thanks, to my family, for going on this journey with me.  Here are a few stories:

I am thankful for Timothy (here with Capitan in the park down the street from our house in Trujillo).

A little over a year ago, he and Toby joined me on a trip to northern Peru for the installation of a good friend as Pastor of a small rural church.  Somewhere along the way, he came down with a serious stomach infection.  The 7-hour bus trip home included a very worried dad, and a little guy with a growing fever, in a whole lot of pain.  That night, after reaching home in Trujillo, he and Melissa spent the night in the bathroom, and by the next afternoon, we decided to take him to the hospital, where he was admitted with severe dehydration from 24 hours of diarrhea.

The next 30 days were a journey of fear, discouragement, concern, and so many other emotions.  As we left the hospital 3 days after checking in, we thought we were out of the woods.  It turned out that, for the next few weeks, we would be in and out of the doctor's care, visiting the lab for blood and stool tests often, and spending so many more hours in the bathroom together.  He was eventually diagnosed with so many illnesses, a crazy cocktail that devastated his little 6 year old body.  And eventually, he got better, with all thanks to God.

Today, I am thankful for Timothy.  I am thankful that throughout this journey in Peru, he was a trooper.  He traveled often with me, even after that scary health event in Oct 2013.  He loved the people we visited, and they loved him.  He loved the stewed goat in Vichayal, and hanging out with Otoniel in San Antonio.  He liked riding the "combi's" in Lima rather than taking a taxi.

I am thankful for Toby (pictured here on our Trujillo second-story deck)

Toby was a constant source of joy during our journeys in Peru.  Of course, his blonde hair and blue eyes were a hit as well!  It was common, when walking down the street, for people to reach out and tussle his hair and comment on his eyes.  He usually didn't mind.

One of my favorite trips with Toby was early this year.  We were invited to the anniversary of the church in Sullana, and in January, that region lives up to its name as the "land of eternal heat"!  We spent several days with our friends in that city.  We spent several nights in the hot rooms at our friend Neptali's hotel.  We went birthday shopping for Pastor Antonio at the local grocery store, where the attendants worked hard to figure out excuses to get close to Toby!  But he took it all in stride, and was my constant companion.  Today, I am thankful for Toby.

I am thankful for Mikaela (pictured here at her 13th birthday party last year)

Mikaela really grew up in Peru.  We ended up driving down to Los Angeles to fly to Peru on her birthday in December 2011.  She was so very giving, and continued with that heart through our years there.  She began to develop some serious stomach pains shortly after arrival, and continues with some of this even today.  Last year we finally determined she was pretty significantly gluten-intolerant, meaning that so many typical Peruvian dishes were off her menu.

Despite these health challenges, Mikaela so often participated, and blessed those around her.  She wanted to join Melissa at the Women's Retreat at church in Trujillo earlier this year, and traveled with her for a similar event last year to Sullana in the north.  She was at home conversing with older women, and playing with friends as well.

I remember well her joining me on a trip to Lima to find a car in summer 2012.  We quickly found we were out of our element, after trekking up and down multiple neighborhoods in search of something we could afford and would meet our needs.  We actually never found a car there, but Mikaela was with me the whole time!  I was so very thankful that I did not have to face this challenge alone.  Today, I am thankful for Mikaela.

And finally, I am thankful for Melissa, my beautiful and patient wife.  (pictured here on our getaway to Arequipa last December)

Melissa truly joined me on this journey.  There were so many challenges for this mom and wife that had such a different life experience from mine.  I grew up on the mission field, but this was new for her.  But she adapted so well!  Through the challenges of figuring out schooling for the kids, setting up a home in a place like Piura, adjusting to constant requests to do ministry, and seeking balance.

I am thankful for my wife, for the many conversations where she was my support, through the hard times, and the one to celebrate with in the wins.  Today, I am thankful for my wife, Melissa.

I am blessed, and once again, thankful.  Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you.

Lowell
Thanksgiving 2014

I Have Treasures

I read this today for my morning devotional.  It hit me a bit differently given the new transition we are looking at soon.

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

After much consideration and prayer, we have decided to move back to the US in May.  And just as we have done during each of the past 5 transitions we have undertaken since starting this missionary journey almost 4 years ago, we are going to have to get rid of "treasures".  Things we acquired, either new or used, because they caught our eye, we "needed" them, or we just wanted them.  It makes a person begin to evaluate what is important, what really matters.  As in the last 5 transitions (ok, moves), it is also a time to look at the heart.

I am a bit of a tech geek.  With the amazing joys of the internet, I can buy techie stuff from my desk in Peru, have it shipped to my folks in Fresno, and then get it here with the next available "transporter" or visitor coming this direction.  Over the past 2+ years, this included a wifi camera to see who was at the front door in Piura, a 10" Android tablet that I don't use much anymore, a PogoPlug networking hub (which never really worked here), cameras, cell phones, misc. connection cables, an LG Smart TV adapter (which also seemed to never fully work outside the US), a solar-panel charger (because I thought I would need it...somewhere along this desert coastline....or something like that), a networking hub (which I thought would make it easier to print wirelessly, but didn't work either), and so, so much more.

And that is just the techie stuff.  The coffee table I adapted to hold all those precious shells we found at each beach, and some fossils too.  The kid's toys and swimming pool.  The potted plants that we had hoped would include a crop of maracuya fruit at some point.  The fishing poles from Todd and Gene.  The camping stove, tent, and sleeping bags for that unknown trip to that unknown place somewhere in the Andes, someday.  The plates your wife likes.  The non-stick pans I like.  The fold-up canvas chairs that Melissa finally bought me.  The gas bbq that I waited to buy cause they are built in the States and really, crazy expensive here.  The tools the kids bought me for birthdays and Father'd Day.  And....the dog (ok, he might come with us if we can fit him on the plane).

It is hard to think about, once again, getting rid of these treasures.  We have done it so many times now, and to be honest, I am kind of tired of it.  Guess in some ways that is the life of a missionary often.  Even with furloughs every few years, there is often a need to move.  But also, it seems it is, once again, a way for God to purify my character, to show me where my "treasure" lies.  And once again, I must accept and admit, that, in so many ways, it lies with these earthly treasures we have acquired in Peru.

And yet, yesterday I was blessed with a visitor from Piura.  Pastor Saul, the new president of the national Peruvian MB conference and lead pastor for a group of 4 rural churches.  As we shared our hearts, spent time together, and went through a box of my earthly treasures I wanted him to have, we experienced some of what Matthew 6 talks about I think.  Storing up those heavenly treasures.  Time spent together, talking about the Word, trying to understand it together, dreaming of expanding the Kingdom, sharing joys, struggles, sickness, and life in our families.  And a good chance to readjust my understanding of "treasures".

As we pack up to leave Peru the 1st of May, we are going to be selling some of our earthly treasures.  Once again, probably for a whole lot less than what we paid for them.  I am tempted sometimes to do what my fellow Kingdom-builder Jose did, and just give it all away.  In some ways, that seems easier.  Maybe we will do that with some of it, like we did yesterday with Saul.

And probably every little item will challenge my understanding and desire to follow what is found in these verses in Matthew.

In transition and reviewing/thinking about my treasures,

Lowell

2014. Grace and Peace to you.

I (Melissa) wrote and posted this on my other blog, but it seems to fit here too, (since the name of the blog is "Grace and Peace" and all) so I thought I'd share it with you. : ) Like I mention below, every year since 1995 I've been choosing a new word for the year. My word for 2014 is PEACE. Richest blessings of God's grace and peace to you in 2014!

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PEACE. It's there at the beginning of NINETEEN of the books of the New Testament. Almost always alongside it's best friend Grace. Over and over and over again it's declared: Grace and peace to you!

Peace. If I've ever had a "holy grail", it's PEACE. I have longed for it, searched for it, dreamt about it, schemed about contriving it, cried over not having it... but it has eluded me in many ways for many, many years. You have to know, though, that I'm not talking about peace in my relationships with people. Sure, I like it when my kids are all happy and when my hubby and I are laughing together. (Who wouldn't?) But being the good middle-child that I am, I've always been pretty good at making people happy and keeping the peace. Everywhere, that is, except inside my own heart and mind.

That's why when I started to sense that 2014 was supposed to be about peace I hesitated to embrace it. Why, you might ask, if that's all I've ever wanted? Well. For nineteen years now (yes, I'm also noticing this is the second reference to "19" I've made in this post.) I've been choosing a new word for my new year. I don't even know how it started, I just remember back in 1995 wanting to learn more about grace. I didn't really understand it and wanted to. So my New Year's tradition of picking a new word to study for the year was born. Since 1995, I have picked a variety of words (some that I loved, some that I was scared of, some I've forgotten, some I've remembered) and often they became my wrestling partner for the year. This last year my word was "Alegría" (Spanish for joy, happiness, and/or gladness) and as happened often in years past I found myself in December saying "OK, Lord. Our time is almost up. Am I ever going to get this or not???" The quick end of that story is that YES, God indeed tied 2013 up with a bow of alegría - but my point is that it took much of the year to learn the lessons.

So when considering choosing (or accepting?) PEACE as my word for 2014, there was some fear that it would mean wrestling with peace all year - or practically declaring it would be a year of struggling with peace. And I don't want that. I mean, I've had enough of that already and sometimes it seems safer to leave well (or not well) enough alone rather than actually intentionally wrestling with it. Or wrestling with myself.

But there was no other word. Peace beckoned. Peace wooed. Peace won. And I believe my Prince of Peace has whispered to my heart that this year will be different. He is offering peace and it is mine for the taking and I don't have to wrestle with it for a year first. (And really, I already KNOW I'm going to need it this year in extra measure.) So I have accepted the offer. And I think instead of a wrestling match, this year is going to be more of a dance. I might not be much of a dancer and will probably trip and step on God's toes a lot as we do this, but we're doing it anyway.

19 years.
19 words.
Starting with Grace and finally coming around to Peace.
Sounds perfect to me.

"Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace) and be thankful." ~Colossians 3:15 NET

Grace and peace to you, friends.
~Melissa

(Oh and by the way. Photo credit for that awesome flower picture goes to my brilliant daughter. Isn't she amazing?)

A Tale of Four Girls... Of the Monastery, the Mountain, the Messiah and Mine

Lowell and I were blessed to spend a couple of days last week in Arequipa, Perú without our kids. (Lowell's parents are here with us and took care of the kids while we were gone.) While I missed them all, Mikaela (who just turned 13 the week before) was especially on my mind. I couldn't help imagining what her life may have been like if she had been born here in southern Perú a few hundred years ago...

Of the Monastery... (Girl #1)

The Santa Catalina Monastery was founded in Arequipa in 1579. If Mikaela had been born in Spain or Peru 400 years ago, she could have been sent to the monastery there to live a cloistered life of solitude, meditation and prayer, never to have physical contact with the outside world or her family again. Girls would typically start their service as young as 12 or 13 years old. They could talk to their family members through a set of lattices and pass items to each other through a small rotating door, but no physical contact was allowed. Whether the young ladies went there and then stayed there permanently or not was all determined by the father of the family. The mothers had no say and their daughters (or other family members) didn't either.

We were told it was an honor. In a tangible way, you were your family's representative to God. The monastery there was indeed a beautiful and peaceful place. The wealthier nuns (young and old) even had private apartments and could bring their own slaves to do the chores (so the nuns could devote themselves to prayer, etc.) But I still can't help but imagine the heartbreak, sadness and loneliness their life would include as well, especially for a girl at the tender age of 12 or 13. And never being able to leave? To go to the beach or the mountains or outside the walls of the monastery? It's hard to imagine Mikaela living a life like that, now or ever.

Of the Mountain... (Girl #2)

The Inca Empire was in full swing around 1450 when the girl now known as "Juanita" was born. She was born into nobility and chosen from birth for a very special purpose: to be sacrificed to the mountain gods at the end of her childhood. She likely grew up knowing that would be her end - to give her life as a pure, perfect offering when the volcanic mountain gods would not stop the eruptions indicating their anger at the people. She was somewhere between 11 and 15 when she was led up the long, harsh, rocky climb to the summit of one of the volcanoes outside of Arequipa where her life ended. Again, we were told it was a high honor and a privilege to be offered. She was buried with pottery and other things she would need as she passed from this world to join the gods in the afterlife. The National Geographic video we were shown even dared to say, "Who knows? Maybe they were right." We know about "Juanita" because in 1995 archaeologists accidentally stumbled upon her frozen body that had been recently unearthed by volcanic activity. Her body was so well preserved (being buried and frozen for almost 550 years) that they even know what she ate that day and exactly how she died. (Coca leaves (locally used for altitude sickness prevention) and the alcohol in the chicha would have drugged her to some extent and a precise, hard hit to the eyebrow with a blunt ceremonial instrument killed her.)

To see pictures, do an internet search for "Ice Maiden Arequipa"

During certain months of the year, her still frozen corpse is on reverent display in a dimly lit museum room in Arequipa. We saw her last Tuesday morning. It was quite surreal. Her death and burial are described in rather hushed, reverent terms, but it doesn't change the fact that she was killed as a sacrifice to appease the gods. Perhaps she and others (17 other bodies have been found) who suffered similar fates felt honored, but it must have been frightening and in the end many families were left without their children, those who gave their lives did not go onto an afterlife with the gods, the volcanoes continued erupting and the fear continued. I'm so thankful that we no longer have to face that kind of decision (or "honor") and the fear and deception that led to it in the first place. I can't even imagine what it must have been like for "Juanita" or her family. I don't even want to imagine my daughter being chosen for an honor like that.

Of the Messiah... (Girl #3)

Maria. Her name was common 2000 years ago and it's various translations are even more popular all around the western world today. Yet common name or not, there was nothing common about her life and the special purpose she was born for. Maria (or Mary) was probably around Mikaela's age when she learned she had been chosen to give birth to and mother the Messiah. It's hard enough to imagine Mikaela being engaged at this age. But to imagine her dealing with the shock and emotions and very real dilemmas that came with this most unexpected, unusual, impossible pregnancy... it's quite hard to imagine. It makes me appreciate Joseph more than ever. (What a guy!) Oh, but then the journey... the labor and delivery and escape to Egypt... all without her mother nearby! (Sniff, sniff!) Oh, Mary... she had much to treasure in her very real, tender, human heart, didn't she? Once upon a time she was an ordinary girl with an amazing task and the amazing faith and grace needed to carry her as she carried the Christ child - from her womb to her arms, through the years that followed. She too was chosen. Honored. Blessed. HIGHLY FAVORED. But I have to say I am thankful Mary's job was Mary's alone and that Mikaela doesn't have to do anything of the sort today.

And Mine... (Girl #4)

Of course, it's Mikaela. : ) Her story is still being lived, though Psalm 139 suggests it was written long ago. I watch her grow more beautiful every month and I wonder what her future holds. Some things I know... Her father won't be sending her to live in seclusion in a monastery. She wasn't chosen at birth to die for her people on top of a lonely mountain as an offering to the gods. She won't be giving birth to the Messiah. But what has she been chosen and created for? What will her life calling and purpose be? God knows. As we watch her talents, intelligence and heart grow into who He is continually forming her to be, I thank God for the work He has done in her these two years we've been living in Peru. Mikaela may not have been chosen for the the monastery, the mountain or to mother the Messiah, but she has been chosen to know and love and worship her Maker and to reflect Him in all His glory. To make music and art and spread smiles and laughter. And I can't wait to see what her story looks like as my Girl lives the life she was born for. Here and now and in the years to come.

With Much Love from the Ens Family

Audibibles!

Audibibles!

Merry Christmas!  As many of you begin to plan for Christmas events with family and friends, the weather is probably getting colder as well.  Here in Trujillo, it is actually heating up!  We are looking forward to a warm Christmas here in the city of eternal Spring.

In June, Pastor Nzash Lumeya (Fresno/Congo) brought with him 2 solar-charged “AudiBibles”, tough and small audio units preloaded with 18 Bible study sessions in Spanish.  In the rural community of Almirante Grau, south of Piura, these have been a hit!  Pastor Saul Yovera and his wife Isabel have been sharing these two units with new and old believers, old and young, sometimes in groups of up to 20 people surrounding this little radio-like device.

This Christmas, we are looking to purchase more Audibibles, for the 4 churches in and around Almirante Grau, and those in the northern regions of Vichayal and Miramar.   We have found these to be extremely effective in teaching and discipling in these rural areas, where many older folks either struggle to see written text or have limited reading skills.  Each one is around $25, and the software to customize the audio content is $100. 

Would you consider contributing to this project as a Christmas present to our brothers and sisters in Peru?  A generous donor has agreed to match up to $500 in Audibibles.  Funds can be sent to: Butler Church

Audibible Peru Project

4884 E Butler Ave

Fresno, CA  93727

until December 31, 2013.  Thank you for partnering with us in this effort!  Please send us any questions you may have.

We appreciate your prayerful support this past year and wish you God’s blessings during this season.  Merry Christmas!

Lowell, Melissa and the kids in Peru

A Special Visit

This past week, we had a special visit here in Peru from some special people.  Galen, Sam, Dora, Paul, Eva, Maria, Helen, and Duane.  Each brought a unique perspective on life along with them, and a unique ability to interact with our friends here in Peru.

Galen brought his experience as a team leader and MB Mission coordinator.  He preached, led, shared, and encouraged.  Here he is with Pastor George in Trujillo.

Helen shared her experience as a pastor's wife, led a great workshop on marriage, and kept an on-going log of pictures with her iPad!  Here she is at the top of the hill, next to the Miramar church and after a 2.5 hr journey to get there!

Sam provided long-term pastoral insights and encouragement to many pastors along our journey, and was an overall blessing to the group with his consistent comments from the Word.  Here he is with Julia and her husband, who asked for prayer.

Eva was a joyful person!  She was always ready to share, and encourage church leaders.  Here she is with Isabel, one of our rural leaders

 Paul (Eva's husband) was a trouper, sharing joy with everyone despite some knee challenges.  He never complained, and I know they were hurting.  Here he is receiving a Peruvian flag from Pastors Antonio and Fernando in Sullana, after bringing the Word that evening.

Maria was a quiet but prayerful support to the team.  She was an encourager, and despite getting my cold, kept going!  Here she is sharing with a woman at a park in Chiclayo, as we prayed through that city for a possible future church plant.

Duane was the only one without the Spanish language on this trip, but that didn't stop him!  By the end, he had learned several phrases and had some grammatical basics down so he could at least gather the gist of most conversations!  A long time friend, he was a particular encouragement to me, and a joy to watch as God worked through him.  Here he is praying for Marcos, a leader in El Indio, and studying the Word during our devotional times in the Plaza de Armas in Piura.

Dora (Sam's wife) was a encourager and motivator!  She helped keep us on track and on schedule, and provided leadership whenever Galen or I got tired of doing so!  She was an encouragement to the team, to the people we visited, and shared her faith with every van driver we traveled with.  Here she is with Ivan in Trujillo, as he shared the history of this wonderful city.

Thank you all for coming to Peru.  You were a blessing to us as a family, me personally, to the people and leaders in our churches here, and to our ministry.  We were encouraged, blessed, challenged, and so much more.  May God richly bless each and every one of you for your sacrifice of time to join us on this journey, if only for a little while.  We look forward to your next visit!

Lowell

Yet Not Without Hope...

The road to Otuzco

In a moment, everything can change. Yesterday morning at around 4:30am a friend of ours and her children were asleep in their beds at home while their father was (likely asleep) on a bus that drove off the side of a mountain road killing him and around 40 others. 

It may be true that nothing prepares you for something like this, but I’ll tell you something else. There is SomeONE who prepares you for tragedy like this. Jesus. Walking with Him, trusting Him, KNOWING HIM prepares you for the shocks and sorrows of this life because when they throw you flat on your back knock the wind right out of you there is no knocking the Spirit out of you. He remains with us and helps us take another breath when we're sure we can't.

We grieve, but not as those who have no hope. Edgardo, our brother in Christ, knew His Savior and we take great comfort in the knowledge of that. He was received with open arms in heaven today, and for that we rejoice. Yet we cry and mourn because while Edgardo is now in the presence of the One who will carry his family through this tremendous loss, the rest of us – we and our Peruvian family here – are stunned and hurting. 

Some kinds of wounds never heal completely this side of heaven. But there is always Jesus. And our Father who understands. And the Comforter who consoles our spirits in ways we can’t explain. And there is the Body of Christ – sometimes more beautiful than ever in times of suffering. 

We covet your prayers for Edgardo’s family… Maribel (his sweet, beautiful wife), Andres (his 20-something yr old son) and Gianella (his almost 12 yr old daughter and Mikaela’s good friend); for the church family here in Trujillo as they grieve together… and for us as we grieve and feebly attempt to serve them.  

The road home to Trujillo