Peruvian Way

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

As of May, 16 2009 that perfect gift said, “Yes” to me. And even over 2,000 years ago, before the foundation of the world, the Lord knew, who… when… where… and how… He only waited 2,000+ years for this day to happen, and I have waited 27 whole loooooonnnnnng years. But I can say that I am blessed to have waited and would not take it back or have it any other way.

The verse above was given to the both of us by the Lord, a verse that we hold and cherish dearly; knowing that we are a gift, a perfect gift from the Lord and for each other. That no matter what or through what, God has given us each other and it is Him who holds us together.

So the first time we meet was the summer of 2006, when I was on a 5 week mission trip to Atalaya, Peru (small jungle city). She had come out with the YSOM for a week, as a leader, to help.  My first impression  of Sandra was, “Wow, she’s got a great heart; passion for the Lord, mission hearted and etc…” I saw in her that it didn’t matter how dirty she got or how many kids were hanging on her or what people thought; being goofy to make some kids day. She knew and I saw that it wasn’t about her, but all about those kids and the love they needed, no matter what the cost was, reaching to the needed!

And so from there we became good friends, but clueless of what the Lord had in mind.

It wasn’t until of April 2008 when we started courting, but long distance. Her being in Lima studying at the Bible College and me in Iquitos. But this didn’t happen oh so easily but through much trails and fasting.  But yet learning through it all, the storms that the Lord took us through was not to destroy us but to build us up, to stretch us, to teach us; if not now then for later, to accomplish something, for Him to be glorified.

But after the storms there is always that peace, that rainbow, that promise…(Psalms 66:10-12) over and over the Lord keep speaking to me, “Jeremy, be patient, just wait, have faith, trust Me.” As most of us we are a, “want it now generation.” Well that was definitely me… but through it all I have learned some life changing experiences.

And from it He has given me the most precious, beautiful gift….  My Sandra!!!

The Engagement:

So I am sure by now you are wanting details of how it all went down… The Engagement!!!!

Well I first want to give thanks to the Lord b/c none of this would of happened unless for Him, it is definitely a God story at that; my faith was most definitely stretched through it all.

With a time window of a week and a half, I needed to find the ring, get it sized, order the bible I had found online that I was going to give to her, get it engraved with her name on it, and have it shipped to California to a family who was coming to Peru to see their son graduate from Bible College.

All to say that everything came together but at the tick-of-time.

The ring was suppose to be done by that Thursday but didn’t get in until Saturday morning for my Sister to over night, and arrive Monday but of course it didn’t arrive until Tuesday; the day they were leaving for the airport….. Well, when the package arrived no one was home. So, Package Boy left a note for re-deliver, but of course re-delivery is not until the next day and that would of been to late, they would of been on a plane to Peru, long gone and w/o a ring. So through some phone calls of explanations of the situation, it ended up that the post office boy in that area, just un-expectantly disappeared from work, which later finding out, he had chased after the two trucks that the ring might be on to get it to the Gunderson’s in time, before they left. But to note the Gunderson’s didn’t know all this was going on until they received a phone call saying we have the ring…

 So, guess what…..it all arrived!!!!

With some planning ahead I had arranged for Sandra’s dad to pick me up from the airport; coming from Iquitos to Lima for her graduation. But her not knowing that I actually arranged it a day early than what I told her, so that I could not only surprise her but for the main reason of talking to her dad, asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

It was pretty funny b/c during Sandra’s graduation from Bible College, all thought I was going to do it then, so all eyes where on us thinking that I would propose to her then. But of course that’s not how the story went down.

So with the help of her parents I was able to get everything prepared for that Saturday, May 16th. Her dad and I found a place for me to engrave James 1:17 on the inside of the ring. Also I had talked to some good friends of ours to see if they could play paparazzi for us while I proposed. And two days before her parents and I went to her favorite restaurant to make a reservation for the two of us for Saturday and explained the details of how I would like it.

With plans and all set, I had told Sandra that I wanted to take her out to eat somewhere nice for her graduating that day. Well, it ended up that she got a little sick, she wasn’t feeling good or up to going out to eat or dressing up. On top of that some medicine that she had taken made her a little sleepy. But all in all, in the back of my head I was saying, “It’ll all be worth it, just wait, if she only knew…” With a little tug and pull…

Off we went, a little late but worked out perfect, first plan was to hit up Starbucks to get some coffee b/c I thought a little caffeine might do her a little good and we were going to walk to the cliffs (over looking the beach, 30 min. walk) where I had my paparazzi waiting and where I was going to give her a bible study and the bible I had boughten for her with the ring inside.

With pulling off some delays due to our fast but normal pase, we made perfect timing. Arriving at the bench I had picked out where I would propose. It wasn’t the best view of the beach, but the best bench to where Darwin and Annie wouldn’t be seen (paparazzi). To note the spot that I wanted to take her to was a bit further down to where we were but with her being sick and to cold outside, I decided to do it here. (the other place was where we sat down and talked about the future and all for the first time.) I know ahhhhh….!!!!

Well, when sitting down I started to give her the bible study that the Lord had put on my heart; what I said I have no idea, I was more focused on what was about to happen next, hahahaha. But the funny thing was, that a couple came to us asking if we can take a picture of them, but really to let us know that for about 20 mins. there has been some guy filming and taking pictures of you two, and he said that we should leave if we wanted. After they left Sandra got a little scared and wanted to look back and see who it was, but of course if that would of happened it would of all been over. So I told her not to worry I am here and then putting my hand on her back so that she wouldn’t turn around. She thought in her head, “thats weird, he’s usually protective over me, why doesn’t he want to leave.”

Shortly ending after that, I told her that I had a gift I wanted to give her. She thought, “oh no, hes doing to propose to me,” but I then pulled out the wrapped bible. The first thing she saw was the engraving on the bible with her soon to be new name, “Sandra Swan.” Then when opening it up she saw what it looked like a ring but then really didn’t think much of it, so real quick I told her to first read the note I wrote and then after that I told her to turn to James 1:17 I want to show you something.

While she was turning to James 1:17, I then got on my knees and asked her if she would marry me. With excitement, joy, laughter, hugging, she couldn’t believe that it was happening, speechless. I then took the ring off the book marker and put it on her finger and then began to talk more… you know the mushy gushy stuff! With her not knowing still that Darwin and Annie are still behind us filming, I then told her to turn around; more shock, joy, excitement, speechless…. she couldn’t believe it. As well I had asked Annie if she could prepare some worship songs for us to worship to after but with all the excitement all that didn’t happen but before leaving for the restaurant for the next surprise, Darwin prayed for us.

Off to the restaurant we went, upon arrival I had asked them to play a cd (one of her favorite singer’s: Andrea Bocelli). Right away when entering she had to go to the bathroom, but not hearing the music until she was in the bathroom and with amazement she couldn’t believe it, “out of all day’s they are playing Andrea.” Later finding out of course that I had it all planned out.

On the table I had a special card made out for her, something to reserve the table with but also something for her to keep and remember this day by. Also there was a mix of red rose petals, little delicious hershey dark chocolates that were spread all over the table. A candle and to cups to toast with (don’t worry it was a fruit drink). But as we were about to make a toast, she realized that she never officially said yes. So I then asked her, ” So whats your answer?” And of course it was, “YES!”

And that was pretty much how it all went down; the day I became the most blessed man, engaged to the most precious, beautiful woman (physically and spiritually).
 
So, the wedding will be September, 26 2009 in Lima, Peru.

After the Honeymoon we will be returning to Lima for a few weeks and then returning back to Iquitos were we will start our new lives together!!!!

As of right now I am in Iquitos but will be returning to Lima at the end of July for a friends wedding and then staying there till ours.

With some closing words; Thank to all, for you prayers and support of me being here. If it wasn’t for you all this wouldn’t of happened.

A special thanks to my Mom, my sister Haley and the Gunderson’s for doing all that you did… Ma and Haley thanks for putting up with me through it all

And a special special thanks to Sandra, I love you sooooo much and am so blessed to have you apart of my life, you mean the world to me… James 1:17

Ps. If you would like to support in anyway with the wedding or honeymoon, please see my home page and click on the tab that says, “wedding support.”

“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”  I Thess. 5:24

Faithful- one who is true, sure, worthy of trust, one who shows themselves faithful. There is no other name then He Himself, who is faithful… JESUS!!!!

In these past several months I have seen the faithfulness of the LORD in my life. Even when I haven’t been faithful He remained faithful, even in my doubt’s of wondering, “where is He,” He was faithful and will always be faithful.

He is one who is so true, so loving, one who is a Father to the fatherless, a King to who is in need of a King, a Redeemer of one who is in need of being redeemed, a Savior to one who is in need of a Savior, One who is faithful even when we aren’t. He is…. our JESUS!!!!

So with that, here is a quick view of what the Lord has been doing in the ministry here…

IBCC Student Mission Trip:In April we had some of the students from the Bible college come and help out. We saw the Lord use them in many ways. Since we had such a big group we were able to divide the team at times and allow some of them share not only at our church but at Pastor Javier’s church, (Baptist Pastor) a good friend of Albert and I’s. They were locked, loaded, and ready to go for what the Lord had. Through all the evangelism, drama’s, hanging out with street kids, visiting Belen, Panguana, and sharing at the church, I can say that seeds were planted, lives were touched, and turned around. 

El Terminal: Through thick n thin, through trails and blessings, I have seen the Lord at work in our church. Not only in the church but for me personally as well. But when the Lord is at work the enemy is always right there as well trying to destroy. When coming back from the states I saw just that, him at work… and the words that keep coming to me were, “Jeremy, tend My sheep, go after them.” And even today the enemy is still at work, but I am reminded of these words that were spoken to Judah and Jerusalem in II Chronicles 20:15,17 “Do not be afraid nor dismayed b/c of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you…. Do not fear or be dismayed…for the LORD is with you.”

One, don’t be afraid or dismayed at what we see. Two, the battle is not ours. Three, don’t fight but allow the LORD to fight for you. Four, Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you. So does that mean we are off the hook, are we free to go… Heck No!

He is still at work and so are we!!!!

Just a quick update:
Albert, continues to pour out to the kids in Belen and wherever there is a need he is always there with a willing heart to help. He’s also been on the rivers a bit inviting Pastors for our up coming conference here in June.
Jose, continues to teach on Wednesdays and Sundays, he is going through the book of Daniel and Exodus.
Raul, who is fairly new to the church here, but has been a blessing in leading worship and going to Panguana, and covering for Jose or I when needed.
For me I am still going through the book of Proverbs with the youth. With my discipleship group I am currently reading through the book, “Why grace changes everything” by Chuck Smith, as well going with Raul to Panguana.

Panguana:
But due to the river being to high, for the past 5 weeks we haven’t been to Panguana, which soon in these weeks we hope to return. Traveling in a small canoe at night time, not knowing whats looking at you or what’s praying for as they are about to eat you, doesn’t sound to fun to me. Definitely adventurous but not to fun, so we have decided to wait till it is safer to go.

But the last two times we did go we were able to paint the church and the pastoral house next to it. I was more in favor of the natural jungle look but it turned out pretty good, they love it so i love it.

Every time when going back I see the kids getting older and older and more and more I pray that as they do grow up that they would take to heart all that they have been taught and heard. That the more they mature in age the more of an understanding of who God is would mature as well.

The Youth:
If you could continually keep the youth in prayer, the enemy really has a stronghold on them here and has even gotten a hold of some in our youth group. It has been hard at times seeing this, but I know that He is FAITHFUL and knows what is going on. The battle is not over….!!!! The words reside in my head, “Jeremy, feed My sheep…”