As we settle back into a home that we haven't lived in for 5 1/2 months there are lots of jobs to do: unpacking, restocking, cleaning, organizing, repairing, etc. Since the inside of the house is mostly done, this afternoon I decided to tackle the rose bushes which had been growing for all that time without any trimming. Since it's rainy season, the bushes were very overgrown. As I looked more closely I realized that most of the blooms were already gone and that most of the leaves were covered with an orange rust. I decided a radical pruning was the best course of action. The bushes look like bare sticks now, but I hope soon the plants will be covered with healthy leaves and lots of rose buds.
As we settle back into ministry in Peru after a time away, we always take a little while to get back up to speed on what has happened in our absence and to reevaluate ministry goals. After doing this we sometimes decide that some ministries need to be pruned back or cut out entirely. Some things need to be watered and fertilized carefully. And some need to be allowed to flourish, perhaps under a different gardener.
The roses in the photo above were the only current blooms on five rose bushes. I hope to be able to show you another photo soon, and to be able to share with you what ministry God will bloom in Peru in 2014,
