Month of Thanksgivings

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! In Peru, the seasons are reversed as we are on the other side of the equator. As the end of the year approaches, the weather continues to warm up. Beach weather is coming up!

God has continued to bless the relationships within the lunch Bible study. Allen and I met with these young people as well as several other musicians November 3^rd to talk about what was going on musically in Trujillo and how we could serve the city together. It was a good time of fellowship and good for me to hear their thoughts on the problems, struggles, and musical opportunities in Trujillo. This conversation led to a Bach seminar on November 22^nd. The study of Bach’s life was an encouragement for me to press on and to continue to strive for excellence even if the environment doesn’t encourage or nurture excellence. My prayer was that it would challenge and motivate these young musicians to approach their studies and music with a desire to glorify God and serve others. God’s grace was evident to me that evening not only as I spoke (I had never done anything like this in English let alone Spanish!) but also in the responses of each person who shared afterword that they were uplifted and challenged to work hard in their musical studies. My prayer is that we would work hard to be excellent musicians not so that others would appreciate us but that God would be glorified by our efforts and desires to serve Him and others.

The third week of November, God worked wonders for a dear Christian family of musicians who I worked with this past year. Branco, a former student of mine (the son of aforementioned family) received a scholarship to study the violin in the United States. Saturday, November 26^thhe was going to play a concert with the symphony to raise money for his plane ticket. Ronald, Branco’s Dad and friend of mine, asked me to play in the orchestra for the concert. We were supposed to rehearse Monday through Friday. On Wednesday morning, I arrived to rehearse only to find out that the concert was canceled due to the powers in charge of the orchestra not wanting the concert to happen. They kept the orchestra in rehearsal instead of letting us rehearse the repertoire for Saturday. I left very angry asking God why He let the wicked rein. That very afternoon was the choir practice for Sunday in which Allen and I prayed for God to work and change hearts so that this concert would be a reality. At 8:00 AM the next morning Ronald called me telling me that a miracle had happened! He ran into the conductor at 7:30 AM and he had a complete change of heart. He said we could rehearse with the orchestra half of the rehearsal time Thursday and Friday. Despite the lack of rehearsal time, God blessed the concert on Saturday night.

Thank you for your continued prayers on my behalf. Ministry starts, continues, and ends with prayer! God has graciously answered prayers about my living situation! My current roommate is moving out closer to where she works and I was going to have to move. Linda Bundy, a roommate from this past year’s internship will be moving in with me and we are staying in the same apartment! Another praise is that I am feeling better! I was sick for nearly 2 weeks with a throat infection in the beginning of the month followed by a skin rash.

The month of December has already started off crazy. Please pray for the concerts on December 6 – 7^{th (}Starting tomorrow!). I am collaborating with several local musicians in a concert series of popular, classical, and Peruvian music. Please also pray for guidance for the coming Peruvian vacation months of January through March. Pray for God to give me wisdom of who to reach out to, teach, and disciple. Lastly, Lord willing, I will be in Jackson for around 3 weeks for Christmas! I look forward to worshiping with the Body of Christ in the States as well as catching up with family and friends. You are in my prayers.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be uponhis shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Isa

iah 9:6-7

Nate Henderson was here these past few weeks and took pictures for Peru Mission. Thank you, Nate! *photo credit Nate Henderson

Puesta en Marcha

Greetings at last from Peru! Thank you for your faithful prayers and for your financial support. God provided for all my financial needs so that I was able to buy a plane ticket and leave August 22^nd. It was God’s work and provision that I was only in the States for 3 months. Thank you again. God is indeed faithful. What happened to the rest of August? I am still trying to figure that out myself. Week one was the Reese family reunion. God blessed our time greatly. I really enjoyed getting to know each family better especially Paul as he came down from Pennsylvania for more than a week! And thanks be to God, for a safe arrival! I have enjoyed catching up with people and getting back into a groove. The initial arrival was a big shock. Going back and forth between Peru and the States is like being transported to another world and obviously I wasn’t ready for it. Brain overload! The language changes, the panorama changes from lush vegetation and blue sky to mountainous desert and gray skies. Since Peru is below the equator, the seasons are opposite those of the United States, so it is currently winter in Peru. However, spring is already on its way so I am enjoying 60-70° weather with sunny blue skies. Once the arrival weariness and shock wore off, it was truly wonderful to get back involved in the world here; to worship with the Body of Christ in Spanish, catch up with friends, sing and pray Sunday afternoon with the Mission, eat Peruvian food, and walk all over town.

I moved to a different location of town so I have been learning the ropes of this part and where to get this that and the other as well as which buses to take to different parts of town. I am living with Yvette, a single missionary working as a nurse in the Wichanzou medical clinic. It has been interesting coming back as a missionary instead of an intern. My role in the Mission has changed which also changes how I interact with the missionaries.

After discussing various ideas with Allen, the main plan of action comes down to the following: First to network and evangelize in the music community by teaching violin, planning concerts, and hanging out together possibly doing a seminar on Bach his life, works (musical), and faith and secondly to head up a classical style of musicians for church. This would give me the opportunity to introduce more hymns to the congregation as well as provide the opportunity for trained musicians to come and play with us. This month, I am praying how to begin these things and who God would have me teach violin and invest in. Please pray for wisdom as I renew friendships and become re-accustomed to speaking constant Spanish. I have been very tired J

My new address which is valid until December is:

Avenida Fatima 113

Trujillo, Peru

South America

Itinerary

Just one month and a few days remain of my home assignment! I cannot believe that I have been in the States for over a month! This past month has been filled with reunions, sharing, and re-connections. It has been wonderful to see family and friends face-to-face and enjoy a bowl of Starbucks ice cream and a juicy hamburger! I have been getting back in touch with everyone as well as working on getting treatment for my left arm.

As many of you know, I have had tendonitis in my left elbow for almost 3 years. It is has made playing the violin difficult and inhibited professional activities. Monday July, 13 I went to see a Dr. Bond who practices in Lafayette, Louisiana. He told me that I do not need surgery! When tendonitis became an issue, I didn't rest it which caused my body to try to do quick fixes. My forearm muscles developed knots and became so tight that I couldn't physically relax them (I apologize to the doctors that I cannot explain in a more medical/technical way). The therapy that Dr. Bond prescribed was myo-fascial release massages to release the muscles. In this process, the scar tissue is ripped up and flushed out (hopefully I am drinking enough water :). Praise God that surgery is not necessary! I have been having these massages for about 2 weeks. It has become easier to play the violin but I have still been in pain. Thank you for your prayers on my behalf. I hope that my arm will be feeling better very soon.

I would love to see you if you are in town this summer. I will be in Jackson, Mississippi most of the rest of the month I have here. I will keep this blog updated with my itinerary. As of now, there are many pending dates so I will just put the secure ones below. If you can come I would love to see you there!

July 12th Ruth Circle 6:00 PM Krisan White's house

July 15th Russ community group 6:00 PM Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church

July 31st Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church Evening service 6:00 PM

Visiting Friends, Raising Support and Preparing to return to Peru

I greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I hope that all is well with each of you! Thank you for your faithful prayers and support this past year. God has done exciting heart transforming work in Peru and within me this past year! I am writing to share with you what God has done, how He has grown me and what this upcoming year looks like. God has definitely called me back to Peru and I need your financial support again!

Where I’ve Been

This past year was a great eye-opening and maturing experience for me. God taught me how important it is to get involved in people's messy lives. This past year has been a time of learning language and culture, and beginning to build relationships. My work falls generally into two categories. The first is to evangelize the music community in Trujillo, and second, to encourage and support the churches in their music ministries.

• August-December was about intense language study

• I taught English and violin to people in the church and community

• I had musicians in my home and played concerts with the local Symphony and with conservatory students

Being a North-American trained musician, God uses that training to open up many opportunities for me to get to know people and share the gospel. It was a full year, full of surprises, growth, relationships, gospel-rich teaching and sharing, and serving alongside the church in Peru.

God brought two musicians into my life who worked many hours with me preparing for a concert.

Ricardo started out as one of my advanced English students which lead us into many conversations about spiritual things. When he found out that I was a violinist he began inviting me to concerts and introducing me to his musician friends. One of those friends was Leonardo, a pianist, composer and professed atheist. Leonardo and I started out playing a variety of music for fun using the lunch hour for rehearsals and afterwards lunching together. As we spent more time together, he became more open about his beliefs. In turn, he heard the gospel, God’s work in my life, and the reason why I was in Peru. Before I left in May, I had begun to see a change in Leonardo. He respects my beliefs even in small ways like bowing with me as I pray over our lunch. He appreciates and respects my training and talent as a musician, which gives us much to talk about. God has also given me numerous opportunities to share and live out the gospel for Ricardo. I pray that the gospel is preached to him more and that God will soften his heart and open his eyes. I am excited to see what God will continue to do in both of their lives in the coming months. If you are interested in hearing more details about this past year, I would love to talk to you!

Where I’m Going

For several months I had been praying about whether God would have me stay another year in Peru. Peru Mission invited me this May to join their team as a missionary (up to this point I was a fellow). I am very excited to be working alongside the team in Peru Mission and for this opportunity to serve another year. God has used the musical gifts and instruction that I have received to develop relationships and to share the gospel. This coming year I am planning to co-teach my violin students from the churches with a Peruvian. My goals are to be more aggressive in teaching serious violin students from different parts of the city, to play chamber music, and to plan monthly concerts to serve students by giving them opportunities to share their gifts. Additionally, I would like to make it a weekly habit for people to come hang out at my home, ask questions, have discussions, and hear the gospel. These goals will give me opportunities to get more involved in their lives. One of the things I have learned about this year is that evangelism is a community endeavor. I have met several other Christian musicians and my prayer is that we can band togetherand share Christ’s love with the rest of the community.

What I Will Need

My prayer is to be back in Peru by August 10th, 2011. I ask you to partner with me in this calling God has given me with your prayer and financial support. Please pray that God would guide me in relationships and which gatherings will build more community. Also, pray that I would be humble and open to what God has for me, that God would help me form Christ-centered relationships with fellow Christians and non-Christians, and that we would have unity as a mission team. I need to raise $21,000 to cover my travel, and living, medical insurance, ministry expenses, and administrative costs. Would you pray about giving $200 either as a one-time gift or spread out over the year? If 105 people give $200 either as a one-time gift or spread out over the year that will meet my needs. You can either make a one-time contribution or recurring pledge online at www.perumission.org under Rachel Reese or send your gift or commitment to the Christian Missionary Society P.O. Box 53363 Knoxville, TN 37950. I am excited to see what God will do!

I would love to hear from you even if it is just a quick hello! May God bless you in your relationship with Him and as you grow in Christian community.

In Christ,

Rachel

rglorifygod@gmail.com

601-519-1336

Violin Students

So, as promised oh so many months ago.....pictures of my violin students :)

This video is of my youngest violin student. She is 6 and is learning twinkle right now. Soooo adorable....

These two violinists are Ronald's students. He is a friend of mine and has been helpful to me introducing me to musicians in the orchestra and getting me involved in the Symphony. Sandy is on the right and Fabiola on the left. Sandy and I recently played a duet with the Symphony. She is very brave! She had less than a week's notice that she was playing with the Symphony as a soloist!

These are my violin students from the Arevelo Church. Katy is 19 and an attendant of the church. Please pray for her salvation. She works hard at violin and enjoys it. She first heard it on TV and fell in love with the violin. The other chica is Dorothy. She is Pastor Ricardo's daughter. She has a sweet heart and talks a lot! She laughed heartily at my translation mistakes on the music theory papers I gave her :) Dorothy tells me that she remembers very clearly a girl from the States named Bethany who came and played the violin with such passion. (I had to tell her that I was actually on that music team as well jeje God has a way of keeping us humble, very humble...) Both Katy and Dorothy share a violin donated by dear friends in the States. So many strings were breaking or raveling that I asked them what they did to the violin. I found out that between the two of them, the violin was being played between 2-3 hours every day!!!

Thank you all for your continued prayer and support. May God bless you all!

Getting things rolling again

Praise God for a new to enjoy His dear presence! Getting back to Trujillo was in some ways less of an adjustment than I thought and in other ways more of an adjustment. I missed my family a lot as soon as I got here. Adjusting to life here was like normal though and it was good to catch up with friends and roommates! Sweet Linda has arrived! She is our new roommate and will be here until June. She is such a blessing to each one of us in her eagerness to jump in and learn new things as well as her attitude of service.

I am almost done my survey of the Spanish Bible study which has 10 lessons. I was encouraged to talk with three lady musicians at the Conservatory two of which I will be teaching during their summer vacations. God has been so good to provide opportunities and students for me! I now have a violin student named Maria Eunice in the Wichanzou Church and Dorothy and Kati in the Arevelo Church. I am excited to get started although teaching in Spanish is doubly exhausting! It is cool to see God open up doors for people who have been wanting to take violin and now they have the opportunity! One thing I really enjoy about teaching in the churches is the chance to get more out into the community and out of the office.

Two weeks ago I went and did interviews. My goal was to test their musical ear and find out their reason for wanting to take violin and their goals. I had to tell someone for the first time that they couldn't take violin because they didn't have good pitch. Every day there is something new to learn. That is the hard thing with violin. So far, God has provided 9 violin students. Here, even the beginners take for one hour. So, not only is my brain dead but I am exhausted after violin classes :) However, when I think about teaching violin in another language, I give thanks to God for that gift. As my brain adjusts, it will be less exhausting. Coming up next issue is pictures!!!