Working in the mission field is an incredible experience for so many reasons, but one of my very favorite things about it is that we get to meet so many incredible people who are doing amazing things in God's Kingdom!
We met Carolyn Canouse for the first time on a week-long mission trip to Peru in 2011 and since then we have had the privilege of meeting her husband, Jack, and their 3 daughters as well! They are amazing people who have an incredible heart for Jesus and for the people of Peru! This year, Carolyn and Jack started a non-profit organization called Make A Miracle that works to provide sponsorship for Peruvians who are in need of education, job training, housing, and other needs.
I had the awesome opportunity to interview Carolyn and to visit with her while we have been home and I am so excited to be able to share the story behind Make A Miracle with you guys! I encourage you to check out their website and pray about becoming a "Miracle Maker!"
Ellyn: Carolyn, when did you first travel to
Peru and what was your first experience like?
Carolyn: I first went to Peru with
New Covenant Ministries in 2009 with my 3 daughters. It was a life
changing experience. I gained perspective of the world we live in and
just how big our God is. Looking back, I spent most of my time
looking around in shock and just hanging back observing, and
processing what I saw.
E: You have traveled back often
and built relationships with the families at Pat's Place and in San
Juan de Lurigancho. Could you share a little bit about how that has
affected you and your family?
C: On my second trip 2 years
later I felt much more comfortable down there and was much more
active with the work our group was doing. I loved seeing the friends
and contacts I had met on the prior trip, and decided I wanted to do
more. After Joy and Don Norris shared an opportunity with me, I
started sponsoring a young woman’s college education in 2011.
Eventually in 2013 I brought my (somewhat reluctant) husband Jack
with me, and he was immediately hooked on Peru. Our family has
returned every year with funds to improve Pat’s Place, as well as
open arms and hearts full of love for everyone living there. We love
seeing the changes from year to year with the residents of the
women’s shelter, and have sponsored two more teens living there to
go to college.
E: What led you to start Make A
Miracle?
C: For a couple years Jack and
I had talked about our desire to pay for more Peruvians to go to
school and about starting a non profit to do this. We felt convicted
to do this after attending House Church at Chris and Ellyn’s
house in February 2014. We got verbal confirmation through some of
their friends that God wants us to take our giving to the next level.
We have expanded our reach beyond education to small business start
ups, child sponsorships and buying an actual house for a family!
E: What is the heartbeat of Make A Miracle?
C: This may sound weird, but one of the things driving our
ministry is Facebook! The world has become so much smaller with
social media, and we are able to see the benefits of our giving.
Between the wonderful pictures and messages of thanks we receive, it
keeps us focused on helping more and more people!
E: For someone who is unfamiliar with the Peruvian people
and their culture, what are three words that you would use to
describe the Peruvians that Make A Miracle works with?
C: Resilient, Loving, Godly
E: Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone who wants to make a difference in the lives of others through missions?
C: I recommend everyone go on an international mission trip asap if they haven't already. The perspective you gain is amazing and long lasting. Your problems at home that seemed so big shrink to almost nothing. The love you give on the trip comes back to you 10 fold. But the great thing is your mission is not about you, it's about the people you are helping so it's a win/win situation. Remember Matthew 25:40. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters
of mine, you did for me.’ If you can’t physically go
the next best thing is being able to give knowing your money is going
directly to the "least of your brothers". Make a Miracle
helps make this possible to give from afar but to feel involved with
the family you are helping through Facebook, pictures and
correspondence :)
E: How can a person get
involved with what God is doing through Make A Miracle?
C: Our website has more information: MakeAMiracle.net and you can contact me directly at carolyn@makeamiracle.net. We can work with you on anything from a small monthly sponsorship to buying a house for someone.
E: Do you have any prayer
requests that you would like to share with our readers?
C: We ask for prayers that the
most needy and deserving Peruvians are brought to us through our
contacts in Peru. We pray that lives are changed and God uses us to
make HIS miracles happen.
Carolyn Canouse has lived in Alpharetta, GA for 19 years with her husband Jack and three daughters Casey, Rachel and Elise. They are partners in Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Centers, which has 8 locations in the greater Atlanta area. In March of 2015 they formed Make A Miracle to grow their support for Peruvians in the Lima area. They invite you to make a difference or even make your own miracle!
You can find Make A Miracle on their Facebook page here and their website here. Labels: featured, missions, peru
