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Mark
and Teresa, you attended CCBC-Peru as a mature couple with adult
children. Can you give some perspective on this unique challenge?
One is never too old to attend Bible College
if that is God's design. We were truly honored and blessed to have had
the opportunity to attend IBCC for one year as students. Short-term
mission trips give a person a taste of a culture, but attending Bible College
in a foreign land gives one a full course meal. We learned of Peruvian
ways in Lima. We were able to visit Canta, a Quechuan Indian village
for a retreat; we visited Chile where one son ended up meeting his wife. Attending Bible College
with our sons gave us a bond in this transitional time of their lives.
Relating to missionaries is easier. When connecting with other
cultures, we try to be more sensitive. Our whole view of life is truly
expanded. It was so awesome to have a year to focus on the Word of God
with another part of His body.
Teresa and Mark Butterfield, CCBC-Peru, fall 2006
In what way,
Rocio, did the Lord work in your life by studying at CCBC-Peru? Have
others been affected by your time in South America?
 Through
various ministry opportunities in Lima, and other cities of Peru, I got
to see first hand the eternal impact Gods people can have when sharing
the love of Jesus with the poor, the hurting, the needy. The list of
what God did in my life during my two semesters in Peru is endless.
Looking back, I know that Peru was a rich time in which I was molded
and refined. A verse that spoke to me throughout my time in Peru (and
even now): But take careful heed to
love the Lord your God, to
walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him,
and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
(Joshua 22:5) Although I already had a heart for the mission field,
being in a foreign country, surrounded by people who were hungry and
ready for God further developed my heart for missions."
Rocio Acevedo, CCBC-Peru, Spring 2005
Leona, please explain how the Lord has increased your vision for missions at CCBC-Peru:
"When I first came to Peru I came with a heart
that was willing to be a missionary, but what I learned is that a
missionary is not what I thought it was. I thought that being a
missionary was something like living in a hut with one pair of clothes,
a Bible, and a smile, and it is--but it can be so much more than that.
Being a missionary is simply ministering to the people, no matter where
you are! I don't have to live in one specific place to share the love
that God has for the people. You don't even have to speak the whole
language to share Gods love! You simply have to be willing to be used!"
Leona Baca, CCBC-Peru, Fall 2007
What was it like, Arthur, to study at a smaller campus?
"My experience in Peru was one of the most amazing ones, not only in my
four semesters at Bible college, but in my whole life. Living together
in the community of people that love the Lord and want to learn more of
Him brought quite an impact on my perspective of serving the Lord in
various mission fields. When you stay in the small community of a few
people you begin to really discover the deep work of God in your life
when He starts to expose the little things you have never seen about
yourself before. It's like looking through a microscope where you begin
to see not only the work He is doing in you but a new vision and the
heart He is giving you. That's what it was all about while listening to
Chuck tapes, doing different papers and book reports, street
outreaches, simply watching God's lifetime transformation in your life.
I realized that being in missions is not me trying to do something for
God but it's God doing something in me and me being a part of this
"BIG" work He is doing in and through me. It was a great blessing for
me to stay four months in Lima, I really enjoyed it!"
Arthur Davydov, CCBC-Peru, Spring 2002
Karie, there
are certain advantages to living and studying overseas, but did you
find CCBC-Peru to meet your academic expectations?
"I have never been so challenged, encouraged,
and refined as I was by studying at CCBC-Peru. A large part of this
came in the form of friendship and teachers. These men and women have
true, pure, and beautiful hearts that radiate Christ Jesus. I was
challenged in my understanding of Christianity, of Jesus, of religion,
of the dynamic relationship between faith and works, and in my own
relationship with my God, my Father, and my Savior. At CCBC-Peru, I
learned not only how to read the Word of God, but how to be a student
of the Word--to rightly divide the Word of the Truth. I learned the
incredible gift of the Word and of the Holy Spirit inside each believer
to discern His Word."
Karie Barnett, CCBC-Peru, Fall 2005
Do you feel like studying at CCBC-Peru is helping you to know Jesus better, Ashley?
"The greatest thing that I have enjoyed in Peru
is growing closer to the Lord. He has shown many of us the testing of
our faith produces patience! I love it down here; I love how God is
working in the peoples hearts and in the students lives! I have learned
to wait on Him. God has increased my love for missions while I have
been here. I love the people here especially the kids, but God has
really shown me that wherever I am, that is my mission field! I
remember getting off the plane and meeting John Bonner at the airport
and John saying, "Welcome home!" It really did feel like I was home! I
love the atmosphere around the campus as we really feels like a family.
I am very excited to come back next semester!"
Ashley Graber, CCBC-Peru, Fall 2007
How much of a need is it to know Spanish, Brittnay? Will students pick up the language over time?
"Looking back on my two-years in Peru, as a
student and later as an intern, I am brought back to when I first
arrived: with wide-eyed innocence not knowing but maybe five words of
the national language. The Lord gave me a hunger to be able to
communicate with those around me--those who had so graciously accepted
me into their country. He then equipped me to be able to learn Spanish
slowly but surely, opening up a whole new branch of Christ's body--my family.
Not only that, but also to be able to share His Word and glorify Him
among those who do not know Him. In the beginning I simply played with
the children, loving them with my actions as at the time I knew no
Spanish. Being a little timid, I was completely comfortable and content
just playing with the children and any thought of being in a position
of teaching could not have been further from my mind. By the end of two
years the Lord had me teaching them in their language!"
"Therefore said he unto them, The harvest
truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord
of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest." -- Jesus (Luke 10.2)
Brittnay Webster, CCBC-Peru, Fall 2006
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