Lauren in Peru: Yo Soy

"Yo Soy" (I am) in English is the theater production we did for Christmas. "Yo Soy" is an extremely popular TV show here in Peru. It is kind of like American Idol. Each contestant dresses, acts, and sings like a famous singer. There are judges and the audience votes just like American idol. Basically everyone in Peru including little kids have seen this show, so that is what we decided to do for Christmas this year.

Last year, we acted out the Christmas story using costumes and the kids that came to Bible study, but we knew we couldn't do the same thing this year, so we just said let's make costumes like Santa, a snowman, reindeer etc, and then we will come up with a script. Literally 2 days before our first performance, I still did not have the script written. It was about 3 am and the Holy Spirit just showed me what needed to be done. Thanks to God, He had already help me get everything done for Christmas, the only thing that was left was the script. The hardest part..... We had already filled 1,000 Christmas gift bags for the kids, made 1,000 Christmas art projects, hand made all the costumes, made and delivered 14 gift baskets, toys, decorations, and clothes, and now the only thing that was left was to write the script and perform in a lot of different places.

The Holy Spirit literally just poured out ideas to me one Saturday night at 3 am. About and hour and a half later, the script was done. On Sunday night we practiced for a couple of hours, then we had our first performance on Monday afternoon. We spent all day Monday rehearsing and decorating the chapel at the Community (the orphanage) and between 500 and 600 kids came that day. It was great! All Glory to God. The skit was about winning "true joy". Once Santa Claus won "true joy" he didn't feel any different, then someone from the audience ran up and explained how only Jesus brings true joy, and in that way we were able to share the gospel! Then we made Christmas tree decorations, and gave out gift bags and paneton (Christmas cake). We did the same thing in Huaral and 215 people came. We did it in Calle 10 and about 75 people came. We did it in our neighborhood for 100 people. We did it at Miligros' house for about 160 people. We also did another performance for about 25 people at my house. In total we were able to share the gospel with about 1,175 to 1,200 people. All glory to God! It was tremendous how God brought SO many people to help us, Christians and non-Christians!!! We had people stay and help us till 2 am one evening putting together the art project and gift baskets. Women who helped us make the costumes, and a whole set of Peruvian actors that went all over performing and sharing the good news. It was such a blessing. Christmas was filled with such amazing blessings. God was working like crazy here, and I was just in awe of all that he was doing. I am not going to lie though, I was glad when it was over. :) It was exhausting!