Today we lived in a place that was far beyond our imaginations! Arequipa, a city of over 1 million, is tucked away in the Andes mountains of Peru. The darkness that overshadows these people is thick and breaking into that darkness is a long and tedious task. Satan doesn't want to see us here; he doesn't want to see the power of God transform the lives of the people here, but today, Satan lost.Like a lightening bolt in the midst of dark skies, God's great love reached out to some 10,000 people that entered into the gates at Love Extreme today. Our family invested our time watching and playing with children all day while parents had the opportunity to hear stories of hope from Lonna Vopat and Felix Vargas. With huge smiles and painted faces these wonderful children heard the story of the love of God and had opportunities to accept Him as their own!
Miles, Joel and Ryan also had an opportunity to be missionaries today! As silly as it sounds, their light hair and blue eyes drew crowds of moms and children saying "que lindo" (how cute) and gave us the opportunity to be Christ to them! Ryan also led Rico Cuy around to meet 100's of children!"Where is Nick Vujicic?" This is the question! Many Peruvians wanted to know when they could see this amazing guy. At 5pm, this man who lives a "life without limbs", stood up, sort of, and shared the hope and peace of Christ with 1,000's of Peruvians! At the end he offered them the same hope and peace that God has provided for him. A wave of hands arose as he asked who had prayed with him! Chad and I wept as we watched 100's, of people take a step of faith and walk up the conference center to receive their bibles and give their information!
At this point we have no clue how many names were etched in the book of life today, what I do know is that over the next weeks each of these people will get a visit from a missionary and begin to be discipled by the 40/40 missionaries working here in Arequipa! 
To God be the glory, great things he hath done!-Rachel
Wow! I was totally enthralled by the ministry and message of Nick Vujicic. I waited with anticipation as he approached the "alter call." I began to pray and to feel the hope that God would do what Extreme had hoped and prayed for. He had already filled the Cerro Juli fairgrounds with a number I assume was very close to the "shoot-for-the-stars goal" of 10,000.
As Nick began to to ask people to pray the sinner's prayer with him, a few folks began to leave. I prayed that those who were leaving would feel God's urging and return to to pray. Nick asked for only those who would be praying to stand, but much of the crowd had been standing all night in the open field in front of the stage and most remained that way. Apparently concerned that many people standing were not going to pray the sinner's prayer, Nick repeated that everyone should sit down, that this prayer was only for those who were making a FIRST-TIME commitment to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Still the crowd remained on their feet.
Finally Nick led the Peruvians in the prayer and asked for those who had prayed with him to raise their hands and wave. Still the number of those waving was incredibly too great. "No, no. Only if you prayed with me and have accepted Christ into your heart. Then wave at me." Only a few hands went down. By Nick's estimation nearly 80% of the crowd accepted Christ. Those waving their hands were directed to follow a yellow flag to where they could begin being discipled. 
Jesus said that the field were ripe for harvest- and I have just seen what can happen when we pray that God will send workers into the harvest fields (and when we are willing to be those workers).
-Chad
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