Glordinary Goings

“God will use any number of extraordinary things to chisel the detail of His ‘lily work’ in His children…He will use anything and everything, no matter what it is, and we shall always know when God is at work, because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring” (Oswald Chambers). Here is our family pictured on March 4, 2018, 10 years following our Victoria Grace’s passing from this earth into our Lord’s presence. Her living legacy of God’s victory by His grace marches forth. Here are a few glimpses of recent glordinary goings here in Peru…

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Only God Himself is pure, honorable, and powerful enough to cover sin and cast out fear. Because He is love, Peter and John tell us that His love both covers a multitude of sins and casts out fear (1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:18). John describes this love as “perfect” love, which carries the sense of completeness and wholeness. For the children we minister to through Kids Alive Peru, God’s love for the whole child casts out fear. It begins by seeing God’s love formed in our own lives as His servants, and it extends to children like the one in this story…

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God’s kindness is so strong that it leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). Repentance brings change. In surveying the pastures of Kids Alive Peru, over and over again we encounter changed lives among the little lambs, who were previously lost, scattered, broken, and sick (Ezekiel 34:16). However, joining in His search for the lost sheep, bringing them back, binding them up, and strengthening them comes at a significant cost. Our Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep (10:15), then showing His followers His wounds overcome on His resurrected body, He then sends them as He Himself was sent by the Father (John 20:20-21). Read More

How appropriate that Christmas falls on a Monday this year. Christmas has become something in our time that seems to fit best on the “weekend.” Monday mornings are dreaded by many as the start of another week of work and routine, with the next weekend being so far away. Sacrifice does not really excite us, and the many comforts associated with Christmas try to shield us from the reality of suffering. But the manger will not allow us to escape this reality. The birth of Jesus marked the beginning of the only sacrifice that could make all things new, so rejoice with us as we reflect on the unspeakable glories we remember this Monday…

A census called to measure greatness in man’s most powerful kingdom

The pregnant virgin with her betrothed journey from their home Nazareth, or “Nowhere”

To the city of Israel’s royal hope for everlasting rule, still with no king enthroned

Until the Child laid aside eternal greatness and was laid in a feeding trough

And grew to hold in His own arms those He called the least of these

Until He opened His arms to be lifted up, cursed, and killed on a tree

And broke the seal of death through resurrection victory

From the trough to the tree and to the throne above

Heaven’s hosts declared peace, favor, life and a promised return

To those in fields and faraway lands who came and knelt

To those who lifted their heads from their nets and were left looking into the sky

Waiting for the King’s return while following Him as sent ones to the least of these

To receive one such child…the One holding…and the One sending

Merry Christmas,

Mark, Kristin, Caleb, Jacob, and Rachel Coté

Director of Discipleship and Development, Kids Alive Peru

mark.cote@kidsalive.org
kristin.cote@kidsalive.org

www.kidsalive.org
www.kidsaliveperu.org

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Our mailing address:
Apartado 25
Pucallpa, Peru

When encouraging others to have a broader perspective, we might say, “Let’s consider this from a 10,000 foot level.” In such cases, the complexity and detail at ground-level can distract from seeing the big picture clearly. During our recent trip into the Peruvian Andes Mountains to the remote town of Andahuaylas, we literally flew on a smaller plane from an airport with an elevation of about 100 feet, and we landed at an airport outside of Andahuaylas at over 11,000 feet. At ground-level throughout our trip, we would once-again encounter first-hand the big perspective of the kingdom of God; and once again, children were at the center, called to His side.

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From Caleb:

“In one of Jesus’ parables (Matthew 20:1-16), He talks about unfairness. It is where workers get paid the same, and some worked less than others. It says that the master, the one who paid them, was generous. So I came to the conclusion that unfairness is actually Jesus’ generosity. Read More

Huge celebrations occur around Mother’s Day in Peru. This year on Mother’s Day weekend, away from the noisy streets and large crowds, we heard a mom’s cry that we will never forget. Read More

In His final hours before going to the cross, and just days before raising from the dead, Jesus washed His disciples feet and said:

If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you” (John 13:14-15).

I (Kristin) recently had a holy experience when I joined the other teachers of our Care Center’s Awana Bible Club to wash the feet of nearly a couple hundred children over two days.

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Our two-week assignment in Arequipa, Peru provided an opportunity to return to our first Peruvian home, where we lived for seven months after first moving to Peru in September of 2014. Our children’s delight matched ours as we stayed in the same apartment, visited favorite spots, and re-connected with dear friends. God gave us some very meaningful opportunities to help the children we serve through this assignment.

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In the Weight of Glory, C.S. Lewis believes that “glory” involves being noticed by God, and that only the humble can carry such a weight. What we might call our “burden” as missionaries here in Peru also represents our privilege, which involves seeing what we believe God notices and reporting such good news to others. We invite you to take a few moments and “notice” some new things happening here in the jungle. Read More