Believing God for the impossible!

For those who know my family, you know we love people! We love to spend quality time with you and care for your needs… especially if you are a foreigner and are visiting Lima for a few days. God gave us this ministry, this great ministry.

Since I can remember, my family always loved to host people. Maybe not as often as we do now, but I remember thinking: Man, I have so many uncles and aunts! They all come to my house, stay for a few days and visit my family. Little did I know that God was preparing my family for greater things! Nowadays, it is a joy for us to be able host teams from different parts of the world. Perhaps you have stayed in my house before, and know what I am talking about. Well, let me share with you our new challenge.

After hosting Austin (our first missionary, who became a friend and a brother to us, who stayed in our house for 4 months in 2005), I knew the Lord wanted us to keep on hosting his servants. My dad is a very people person, and loves to serve you. He will give you out of his own plate just to make you feel welcome. My mom, of course, she is the crazy cleaner, always cleaning the house before visits. Sometimes I think she cleans just because she is bored. Many times I’ve gotten up at 2 or 3 in the morning and she will be doing dishes or cleaning the bathroom… Because of these and many other reasons I knew the Lord was preparing us to host more and more people.

A few years ago (2006) when Anita and I left Peru for the very first time, we were doing mission work with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Pittsburgh. We traveled to many countries sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. We were hosted by church members; it was always a great experience! One day, in Bulgaria, a couple gave up their bed for me and a friend to sleep in. They went in to sleep with their youngest boy in a single bed. I couldn’t speak the language, however, I tried to stop them, but they wouldn’t. The very next morning we got a great breakfast… we got pizza!!! J Then, when I went to take shower, the owner of the house put some water to boil and prepare a nice hot shower. I was so humbled and honored by this man’s servant heart. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to do the same, share even what I don’t have with my fellow missionary, my brother.

When we got back to Peru in 2008, we decided as a family to host and help as many missionaries as we could. I remember telling my mom: “As you host them, is how we (Anita and I) will be hosted in other countries.” At the beginning we had 2 beds in each bedroom, that is 3 extra beds, and usually I was moved to my grandma’s and would give up my bedroom for the visitors.

As we started to host people, we didn’t have enough space. The demand was so high. So, one day I felt the Lord asked me to give him my whole month support (at that time was 400 USD). So, I called the carpenter and asked him how much would it be to build two extra bedrooms. He told me it was exactly 400 USD for the materials, but his handwork would be more. I don’t remember now how much he asked for. So in faith, I decided to buy everything he needed to build it, without the money to pay him. I told the carpenter to come back in a couple of weeks to start the project. Not even a week passed, when we had another guest. This time it was my good friend, Chad Crowmer, From Pittsburgh. I love this guy by the way! Jesus is all over him! Anyway, I told him what I was planning on doing, and he told me, “Cesar, I can help you build it. I’ve done it before.” So we built the 2 extra rooms! It was awesome! I really enjoyed working with him.

A few days later my grandmother donated 4 bunk beds, and some single beds, (all with mattresses and bedding). You could imagine my excitement! I was so thankful to God for the things He was doing. Oh I almost forgot about my good friend James. It happened the same as Chad… he offered to paint both bedrooms! And I helped too! Another learning experience as well. In the red bedroom we have one bunk bed and a king size bed. In the green bedroom we have 2 sets of bunk beds. Now we are able to fit about 12 people. However, many times we host over 20! Is always so much fun.

Recently the Lord spoke to me about building the 3^rd floor of my house for the same purpose. Just like He asked me for my only 400 USD to buy the materials for the two spare rooms. He now has asked me for all my savings to start this new project, His project.

Thanks to the donations of some missionaries we were able to build the steps (600 USD), 20% of the floor (600 USD) and our first column (80 USD) there is still much more to be done, but I trust God to bring people like James and Chad to help build it. As for me, I already gave all my money (His money) and we are going to finish the floor in the following weeks.

We have designed the house in a way that will be able to hold up to 30 people. And there will be one large study room, a dining room, 2 full bathrooms, and a kitchen. This building will be use by YWAM Lima next year for the first 3 months of their DTS. And the rest of the year will be open to any missionary or church, or any brother or sister in Christ who wants to do missions in Peru.

As you may know, I am thrilled and so excited to see the completion of this project, to see people coming and going. Blessing them and helping them in any possible way. I will keep you updated and will post some pictures soon.

Love you guys!!!

Cesar