Would you just grow up!

We just came out of a leadership team meeting at El Camino. At the beginning of the meeting the team leader asked us a question. We all had to come up with our own personal answer and then not take it back when we shared our answers to the question, "What is the greatest need in El Camino and why?"

Every last one of us said the same thing: Lack of maturity.

What do we mean by that? People think and act in a manner which shows a lack of development and progress in their personal lives. Here are some examples.

* College girl goes out with a non-Christian guy who gets drunk, argues with her and leaves her feeling miserable. But, will she break up with him?

* College guy is failing 4 of his 6 classes this semester. "They are boring" is his only answer. By the way, he doesn't pay for any of his classes. Are we surprised?

* Married couple with some heavy problems in their relationship. But it is always his/her fault.

* Salesman constantly yells at and insults his co-workers. Then he can't figure out why no one respects his opinion.

* Lady in the church notices that one of the pastors has been busy (which he is) and a little distracted (because of many, many needy people at his door). So she tells him that she is offended that he has not been more friendly and enthusiastic when he greets her.

I could give you a lot more, but I think you get the point.

These attitudes and actions result in broken relationships, depression, lack of service and a failure to attain leadership and good influence in the church. It also results in a constant series of counselling sessions where we end up repeating the same thing to the same people. Then they get upset with us for saying the same thing every time and not solving their problem.

At times we want to take these people over our knee and "fix 'em up good!" Of course, that wouldn't solve a thing. You also see that we as missionaries and pastors can get discouraged and frustrated.

Ephesians 4:15 & 16 says, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work"

This means that there is a process and a goal to reach. The goal is to be like Christ. The process is speaking the truth (teaching the Bible) in love (with the attitude of Christ) and having all contribute. The center of this whole passage is Christ. He Himself is our goal. We are to be like HIM, not a cheap, "Made in China" imitation that we ourselves make up. Everything we say, do and think must be centered on the person and work of Jesus. Our attitudes and actions must reflect Christ. As we mature in these attitudes and actions we will become more and more like Jesus.

To expect to break bad habits and destructive patterns by following our own prescriptions is to invite more trouble into our fragile lives. To expect ourselves or anyone else to grow from baby to adult in one day is absolutely ridiculous. Biologically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually it is impossible. But growth will occur as we aim for and depend on Jesus Christ. If we base our lives and growth on THE TRUTH (found in the Bible) the growth will occur.

Pray with us that we as leaders in El Camino would "grow up" to be like Christ and that we would lead others into this same maturity.

God bless.

Partnership in the Gospel

3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3 - 6 NIV)

Arequipa, Peru is a long way from North America. Of course, by plane you can travel from Toronto, New York, LA, Houston, Miami, Houston or Atlanta to Lima within 8 hours. Another hour and some in a plane and you are in Arequipa. But the long way has to do with language for many. Cultural differences for others. Time constraints for some. It's a long way.

Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Philippi to encourage them in their faith and ensure they were following God's will. The distances and times of that epoch were very great, yet Paul still opened his epistle saying how grateful he was for the partnership he and the Philippians enjoyed.

The same goes for us in Arequipa, Peru with El Camino. During the last half of August we enjoyed the blessing of a team from Winnipeg, Manitoba. They came down south to participate with us in the work of El Camino. They were up to their eyeballs sometimes in many activities: puppets, music, children's ministry, painting, Bible studies, marriage group and youth group activities.

In between there was tourism and shopping. They did everything with a smile and a lot of enthusiasm. They threw themselves into not only the tasks at hand, but more importantly, into the lives of the people in El Camino.

They didn't come to be the "great white saviours" by any means. They came to share. They came to serve. And, they came to learn from those in El Camino who could teach them.

This is partnering in the gospel. Paul and the Philippians shared this. We experience the same with many others.

If you want to share in this partnership, begin by praying with us. Contact us and see where and how you can fit in.

God bless and we, too, thank God for your partnership with us in the gospel.

Brad Quiring

¡MI PATRIA! - Translated!!

I ran out of time to translate the latest post. I had posted it on my hi5 blog for our church members here in Peru, but I wanted everyone to have a chance to see it. Now: here is MI PATRIA in English:

MY COUNTRY

I am a Canadian. I was born in Canada and lived there for 29 of my _______ years of life ;-)


I love my country. In my opinion, it is the best country to have ever existed. In spite of the brutal winter cold and the hot, moquito infested summers, my country is the best...in my humble opinion, of course.

Canada is perfect, just like Heaven. HAHAHA!! LOL!! No way! Frankly, I think the leadership and citizens of Canada have committed so many foolish errors that I'm not sure the nation will recover. Especially in the area of ethics and morals. The general conscience of right and wrong has diminised to the point that I fear for the wellbeing of my country and fellow Canadians. I am saddened by this while at the same time celebrating my citizenship.

If I feel this way about Canada, why did I leave it to live in Peru? Many Peruvians have asked me this question. I honestly answer them: because of my love for God and the mission he has given me to share His love with others. In spite of this great mission, several Peruvians look at me as if I had lost a few neurons in the high altitude of Arequipa, Peru.

It seems like many Peruvians see their own nation like a dead end street. They don't see a future, possiblities or hope. This is particularly strong among young people. The Hollywood image as well as certain North American immigration promoters is that Canada and the USA are just one step below God's Heaven. They only show the best and most attractive of the northern countries. They never reveal the whole truth. Yes, Canada and the USA are beautiful places and good countries, but I doubt they are the solution to people's problems.

Why do I say this? Because almost every person that wants to leave Peru to live in Canada or the USA is because they want more money. The problem is they arrive in Canada and realize all their experience and education in Peru amounts to very little. The cost of living in Canada is very high and one has to put up with a lot to simply live there.

The focus is money. 1 Timothy 6.10 says: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Amen!

God has given us our countries for a reason. The reason for our lives is to honour God in EVERYTHING (Colossians 3:17). God also wants us to trust in Him in everything. Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

If we remember that we have a Great God who can supply all our needs and give us a life full of satisfaction, we won't be looking for something "more" from another country.

God is the creator of the entire world. God made this country of Peru as well. He has placed in Peru one beautiful thing after another. There are untapped resources and opportunities everywhere. Unfortunately, there are many problems in Peru. Corruption, crime, inefficiency and other factors diminish opportunities to grow. But, the solution isn't to escape from the frying pan into the fire. The USA or Canada do not offer a better life.

You have the chance to make Peru a better country. Your education, energy and ability will give all Peruvians chances they've never had before. Above all, your relationship with the God of the universe, through faith in Jesus Christ, will result in a blessing for your own nation.

Your salvation and the salvation of your Peru doesn't come in the form of money nor government. It comes through the work of Jesus Christ. Imagine if you and your friends lived according to the new life and power of God.

You don't need to be ashamed of being Peruvian or living in Peru. During the national celebration of independence (July 28 and 29), show your pride in Peru and pray for your country.

I'm Canadian and I love my home and native land, the true north strong and free. I live in Peru and I love the country that has adopted me.

¡¡¡¡¡QUE VIVA EL PERÚ!!!!!

P.S. for all my friends in Canada and the USA. Your prayers for your own country and for Peru will really make the difference.

I know that there are people from other countries that would love to make their new home in North America. Most of these people have talent and education that will be of tremendous benefit to their own country and their exit further deepens the damage in their home. On top of that, if they are true believers in Christ, their Christian influence is desperately needed.

Of course, there are situations where the terror of persecution and danger raises its head and God chooses to remove those faithful from their nations. But in the case of Latin countries, that doesn't exist or at least not with the severity of the past.

When someone wants your help to leave their native country to live in North America and find a "better life", pray for them and encourage them to pray for a decision like that. Pray for the leadership and opportunities of their nations so that the way will be opened for these valuable people to step forward and bless their countries. Pray for encouragement in the many discouraging situations they face. Please be careful with your good intentions to not leave the impression that things will be better if they leave or that you will help them.

One of our youth, who went to the USA on a special work experience program came back saying, "I like America, but now I love Peru even more and I want to stay in my country and with the help of God make it a great nation."

¡MI PATRIA!

Soy Canadiense. nací en Canadá y viví allá por 29 de mis ______ años ;-)

Amo mucho a mi país. En mi opinión es el mejor país que ha existido. A pesar del frío brutal de invierno y el calor infernal con zancudos en verano, mi país es mejor...en mi opinión, no más.

Canadá es perfecto, como el cielo. JAJAJAJAJAJA!!!! Para nada. De ninguna manera. Francamente, pienso que están cometiendo tantos errores necios que mi país probablemente nunca va a recuperarse. Particularmente errores de ética y moralidad. La consciencia de bueno y malo se está disminuendo de tal manera que temo mucho por el bienestar de mi patria y compatriotas. Lamento de eso mientras gozo de mi ciudadanía.

¿Por qué dejé, entonces, mi Canadá para vivir en el Perú? Muchos peruanos me preguntan esto. Yo les contesto, honestamente, que por amor de Dios y la misión que Él me ha dado de compartir Su amor a todos. A pesar de mi gran misión, muchos Peruanos me ven como si me hubiera perdido unos neurones al llegar a la altura de Arequipa.

Es que muchos Peruanos ven su propio país como una calle sin salida. No ven futuro. No ven posibilidades. No ven esperanza. La imagen de Hollywood y ciertos promotores de turismo es que Canadá y los Estados Unidos es solamente un escalón menos que el cielo de Dios. Sólo muestran lo más atractivo y bonito de esos países norteñas. La cosa es, nunca revelan la verdad. Sí, son bonitos lugares y buenos países, pero yo dudo mucho que son la solución a los problemas.

¿Por qué digo esto? Porque cada persona que quiere irse del Perú a Canadá solamente quiere irse por dinero. La gran mayoría de Peruanos en Canadá ya se dieron cuenta de que toda su educación y capacitación no vale nada. El costo de vivir de Canadá es muy elevado y tienen que soportar MUCHAS cosas para simplemente vivir.

Su enfoque es dinero. 1 Timoteo 6:10 dice: "Porque el amor al dinero es la raíz de toda clase de males. Por codiciarlo, algunos se han desviado de la fe y se han causado muchísimos sinsabores." Amén.

Dios nos ha dado nuestros patrias con propósito. El propóstio de nuestras vidas es honrar a Dios en TODO (Colosenses 3:17). También, Dios quiere que confiemos en Él en todo. Filipenses 4:19 dice, "Así que mi Dios les proveerá de todo lo que necesiten, conforme a las gloriosas riquezas que tiene en Cristo Jesús."

Si tomamos en cuenta que tenemos un Dios grande que puede suplir todas las necesidades nuestras y darnos una vida de satisfacción, no vamos a buscar algo "más" de otro país.

Dios es creador de todo el mundo. Creó este país del Perú, también. Ha colocado en el Perú belleza tras belleza. Hay riquezas y oportunidades que todavía no hemos descubierto.
Lamentablemente, hay muchos problemas en el Perú. Corrupción, delincuencia, ineficiencia fiscal y otros factores disminuyen las oportunidades de crecer. Pero, la solución no es huirse de la olla al sartén. Los EEUU o Canadá no te ofrecen mejor vida.

Tú tienes la oportunidad de hacer que el Perú sea el mejor país del mundo. Tu educación, tu energía y tus habilidades van a darles a todos los Peruanos oportunidades que nunca han habido. Sobre todo, tu relación con el Dios del universo, por medio de fe en Jesús, va a resultar en bendición para tu patria.

La salvación de ti y del Perú viene no en forma de dinero ni del gobierno, viene por medio de la obra de Jesucristo. Imagínate si tú y tus compañeros vivieran según la nueva vida y el poder de Dios.

No hay nada porque avergonzarse de ser Peruano ni de vivir en el Perú. En la semana de fiestas patrias, anuncia al mundo de que eres del Perú.

Soy Canadiense y amo a mi patria. Vivo en el Perú, y amo a mi patria que me ha adoptado.

¡¡¡¡¡QUE VIVA EL PERÚ!!!!!

Something works!

"Is this really working?"

Each one of us has had this come out of our mouths after putting hours, no...days, no...months into an important project. It has almost become a member of the family. All our intelligence and energy has gone into completing a set of tasks that we'd like to see result in something very beneficial.

Get into the business of establishing a church and you think and say this often. Not only regarding the project as a whole, but in the different activities and programs you throw yourself into in order to reach the goal of an established church work.

Contrary to the uninformed popular view of Christian workers, we do not spend hours and hours per day kneeling in prayer, mumbling away in a cloister. Nor do we spend the rest of the hours surrounded by Greek and Hebrew texts as well as libraries of works by ancient and modern theologians. We'd like to, but it doesn't work out that way. We do pour a lot of time into just visiting people, buying things, on the phone, and on the 'Net.

Sometimes we're literally in the mud and mess of a building project.

We sit in meetings planning and strategizing, trying to come up with creative ideas that will be attractive, relevant and meaningful.

In the end, we wonder if it works. People start into a new study with gusto, and in the end lose interest after about 3 or 4 weeks. The sermons feel good to preach, and several people in the congregation sleep. The counselling sessions are intense and the couple wants to work things through. In the end they fight more furiously than before and you get blamed for it. Is something working at all?

Well, when we as leaders leave the pity party and actually evaluate things realistically, we see that, yes, things are working. But not according to our standards of success.

We see the most "unlikely" of characters stepping up as the most mature and capable members and leaders of the congregation. We see the "impossible" type come around and change completely as a person. We see the "totally lost little one" understand deep, complex themes. We notice that eventually the wall gets painted, the door gets fixed and the burned-out light bulbs get changed.

This is when we realize our standards are low: we want one thousand people in the congregation, 80 pastors and missionaries, an unending stream of people at our counselling door that walk in with problems and walk out an hour later with solutions. We want a big building with a huge, lit sign. But that's pretty shallow and weak.

What God wants is to touch us deeply through His powerful Bible and Holy Spirit. And through us, wants to touch others deeply. That's it. If we get a thousand people and a hundred missionaries and a one-block square campus, that's just some minor stuff that tags itself onto the work we do.

How are you doing? Is everything working? Like Larry Norman sang: "Why don't you look into Jesus? He's got the answer!" Looking to Him will help you see what really "works".

You can count on God!

The week-end of June 21 and 22, 2008 has been an awesome, inspiring time for us as a family.

Lori and I have had the great privilege and blessing of being able to be in Winnipeg for my dad's last official Sunday not only of Waverley Baptist Church, but also the closing of full time ministry after 43 years as a pastor.

Attending the Saturday night banquet and Sunday morning service at Waverley were a host of people who represented each one of the churches dad has served in. For me it was an awesome experience because home is in each one.

But it was more than that: God was honoured and shown to be the Lord of our lives, churches and ministry.

My dad's last sermon on June 22 was titled "You can count on God!"

The main points were:
God is Great
God is Good
You can Trust God's Word

These powerful statements were acted out time and time again in our life as a family and in the churches where dad served. Obviously, God will continue to act this way in the future for my parents and for each one of us.

What a great time it was to celebrate God this week-end. What a great time to celebrate with family and friends. There were tears and a lot of laughter. The memories came flooding back to us and it was so special.

Thank you for your prayers and we look forward to seeing how God will continue to show His power, love and goodness to us and others.

Brad, Lori, Kayla, Brandon and Elizabeth Quiring

Great View: not of the city, though

I just returned from a couple of days in Lima, the capital of Peru. My teammate, Craig, and I had a couple of tickets for a conference we were to attend. Well, the conference was cancelled and Craig and I were looking at losing the tickets, so we decided to use them and take advantage of the time to get away from Arequipa to get certain things done.

Note: we have nothing against Arequipa, but if you are close to a phone, someone will find you and you'll never get anything done!

Contrary to many people's thinking, South American coastal cities are not all beautiful, colonial style, palm-trees-by-the-white-beach paradises. Lima is a massive city with a high degree of poverty. As you fly into Lima-Callao airport the sight that greets you are dirty factories, warehouses and partially finished brick buildings. To add to the "charm", at this time of year (June through September) the clouds close in and hang close to the ground. There is no sun until October and there is a constant, cold damp feeling in the air. Really, the view isn't great at all. Our view wasn't that great.

The view that was fantastic was the view we got of church. Craig and I were able to sit down and truly evaluate how El Camino is doing. We sat most of Monday at a street café in Miraflores drinking great coffee and working through an evaluation of each ministry. In between we walked around the historic district and enjoyed some sights worth seeing in Lima.

There is much to praise God about in El Camino. People's lives are changing. More are coming to church and to the different programs. Leaders are stepping up. On the other side, there is still much immaturity. Immaturity in that people are very slow to move to service on their own, slow to trust God in everything. They continue to make huge issues out of small problems and communication is a tremendous challenge for many.

Then, on Tuesday we were able to sit in the pastors' meeting at the Christian Bible Church of La Molina and hear how God has been working there. We encouraged the pastors and prayed with them in their many challenges.

The view was great: the view of God's work in people's lives. We were hoping God would have given us a better view of the city :-)

Brad