There really is nothing like staying awake since you have to depart for the airport around 2:45 a.m., checking in your bags after waiting in line for an hour only to find out that your plane that was scheduled to depart at 6:15 a.m. is delayed at least until 7:40 a.m.
We make a connection with a flight in Miami and will still hopefully get there in time to jump on the right plane. If we don't then I'm just going to start walking...
Our time in Lima has been very productive. We learned lots about our possible strategy, what types of equipment are available for us as we begin sending teams and about the Peruvian culture.
We again would like to say thanks for your prayers - they have made a huge difference!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Back in Lima
We have arrived back in Lima and will spend some time working on our stategy, debriefing the trip and purchasing supplies for the future teams that will come to Peru. We have learned so much on this trip that will help us prepare for the future. The past two trips have been pioneering work to prepare and learn and God has been so faithful in teaching us. We praise Him for His leading in our lives - His has done more than we can explain.
Please pray for us to have the strength to finish well on this trip. We have travelled many miles, slept little and have eaten some crazy food. I will post some photos later today from some of our experiences.
We will also work today on putting together all of our notes, photos and thoughts so that we come home with a complete picture of what God has shown us on this trip. This work is crucial so that the next team will be able to travel by themselves to the villages. We will not have a person from the team here in Peru with us on the next trip.
We would also appreciate your prayers as we adjust to being back in the modern world. The transition from the villages to the modern city such as Lima is challenging emotionally and sometimes even physically. I ate way too much being back in the city after eating small portions throughout the week in the villages! However, that cheese burger was good!!
Thanks again for praying for our team. We, too, have been praying for you.
Please pray for us to have the strength to finish well on this trip. We have travelled many miles, slept little and have eaten some crazy food. I will post some photos later today from some of our experiences.
We will also work today on putting together all of our notes, photos and thoughts so that we come home with a complete picture of what God has shown us on this trip. This work is crucial so that the next team will be able to travel by themselves to the villages. We will not have a person from the team here in Peru with us on the next trip.
We would also appreciate your prayers as we adjust to being back in the modern world. The transition from the villages to the modern city such as Lima is challenging emotionally and sometimes even physically. I ate way too much being back in the city after eating small portions throughout the week in the villages! However, that cheese burger was good!!
Thanks again for praying for our team. We, too, have been praying for you.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
poco a poco
Little by little - a new phrase we learned today. It is sure to become a regular part of my thoughts. Today showed us that this task will only be accomplished one step at a time.
Today was a painful step but it was exactly the step that God had planned for us to take. We spent the day experiencing the lostness of these villages. I really believe we are all a little stunned at all that goes on in this culture. It is amazing to see how lost they are here in Peru.
At the end of the day we are confident that God is wanting to work here and that the light always shines brightest where it is the most dark. There is a great opportunity here!
Tomorrow we will begin the long trip back to Lima. We had a flat tire today so we have to drive 4 hours to Puquio to find a replacement so we have another spare. Please pray for all of this to work out - we don't want to be stranded on the side of the mountain wondering where we get another tire!
We have learned so much on this trip that will help us prepare our strategy. God has been very, very good and we know that this has to do with your prayers. We are so thankful for you!
I'll post again tomorrow night if the travel day works out as planned.
Today was a painful step but it was exactly the step that God had planned for us to take. We spent the day experiencing the lostness of these villages. I really believe we are all a little stunned at all that goes on in this culture. It is amazing to see how lost they are here in Peru.
At the end of the day we are confident that God is wanting to work here and that the light always shines brightest where it is the most dark. There is a great opportunity here!
Tomorrow we will begin the long trip back to Lima. We had a flat tire today so we have to drive 4 hours to Puquio to find a replacement so we have another spare. Please pray for all of this to work out - we don't want to be stranded on the side of the mountain wondering where we get another tire!
We have learned so much on this trip that will help us prepare our strategy. God has been very, very good and we know that this has to do with your prayers. We are so thankful for you!
I'll post again tomorrow night if the travel day works out as planned.
If everyday were like this...
It will be very difficult to find the words to describe how wonderful yesterday was as we finished in Andamarca and made the move to Cabanna. The only realistic attempt is to say that God consistently blessed us with His presence, ordered our steps and revealed His Glory throughout the day. We are in awe of Him!
On Sunday night we worked to be intentional in what we thought needed to be accomplished on Monday. We worked together to create a list of things that we needed to do in Andamarca and in Cabanna. We thought the things in Andamarca would take most of the day but we were astonished to realize how quickly God worked things.
While we were returning from breakfast the mayor was in front of the municipal building. We saw the people we needed to get necessary contact information. We met an English teacher and another young man who spoke some English. This all happened in a very short amount of time. We thought it would take most of the day to locate these folks and have the time to begin forming relationships with them.
One of the highlights of the day came when the English teacher asked us to come and speak to his class. It was awesome. The interaction with the students was a lot of fun but also encouraging as we were asked to come back and help in the future. Imagine spending a week in a school like this. There are no limitations in this setting…
We then drove to Cabanna and checked into the hostel before heading to the plaza. We did not have a plan for the evening since we finished so early in Andamarca. They were having a small festival celebration at the plaza where there were many ladies and children. Randy pulled out his balloons and instantly had several kids surrounding him. Jaime, Anamaria and Kristen played some volleyball with the children.
When they finished the festival they then invited us to come and eat with them. I have taken pictures of what we ate because words just could not do it justice. Anamaria had the skill of sharing hers bowl with 4 children. The rest of us somehow got through it but for me the taste remains in my mouth even this morning. I’ll not soon forget the smell as it reminded us of musty animals like sheep and dogs.
As we prepared to leave a man came up to us inviting us to attend their festival on Wednesday. It ended up that this man is the mayor that we wanted to meet with on Tuesday. We met with him for about 20 minutes and he invited us to meet with him this morning to go and visit the farmers out in the field as they worked on their water canals. He is a very enthusiastic man who offered us many things. Our prayer today is that we will learn more about him and his motives. The Peruvians are often very skilled as seeing people from the United States as people that they can utilize for their purposes.
We finished the evening by receiving balloon lessons from Randy. We are all now very good at making swords, dogs, rabbits, hats, and sword holsters. Anamaria said that she was just going to make snakes. I’m not sure that all of our attempted creations look their part but I am very confident that these children will enjoy them all.
Thanks for your prayers – we are confident that this is why we had such a great day yesterday. You joining with us gives us great joy and strength.
On Sunday night we worked to be intentional in what we thought needed to be accomplished on Monday. We worked together to create a list of things that we needed to do in Andamarca and in Cabanna. We thought the things in Andamarca would take most of the day but we were astonished to realize how quickly God worked things.
While we were returning from breakfast the mayor was in front of the municipal building. We saw the people we needed to get necessary contact information. We met an English teacher and another young man who spoke some English. This all happened in a very short amount of time. We thought it would take most of the day to locate these folks and have the time to begin forming relationships with them.
One of the highlights of the day came when the English teacher asked us to come and speak to his class. It was awesome. The interaction with the students was a lot of fun but also encouraging as we were asked to come back and help in the future. Imagine spending a week in a school like this. There are no limitations in this setting…
We then drove to Cabanna and checked into the hostel before heading to the plaza. We did not have a plan for the evening since we finished so early in Andamarca. They were having a small festival celebration at the plaza where there were many ladies and children. Randy pulled out his balloons and instantly had several kids surrounding him. Jaime, Anamaria and Kristen played some volleyball with the children.
When they finished the festival they then invited us to come and eat with them. I have taken pictures of what we ate because words just could not do it justice. Anamaria had the skill of sharing hers bowl with 4 children. The rest of us somehow got through it but for me the taste remains in my mouth even this morning. I’ll not soon forget the smell as it reminded us of musty animals like sheep and dogs.
As we prepared to leave a man came up to us inviting us to attend their festival on Wednesday. It ended up that this man is the mayor that we wanted to meet with on Tuesday. We met with him for about 20 minutes and he invited us to meet with him this morning to go and visit the farmers out in the field as they worked on their water canals. He is a very enthusiastic man who offered us many things. Our prayer today is that we will learn more about him and his motives. The Peruvians are often very skilled as seeing people from the United States as people that they can utilize for their purposes.
We finished the evening by receiving balloon lessons from Randy. We are all now very good at making swords, dogs, rabbits, hats, and sword holsters. Anamaria said that she was just going to make snakes. I’m not sure that all of our attempted creations look their part but I am very confident that these children will enjoy them all.
Thanks for your prayers – we are confident that this is why we had such a great day yesterday. You joining with us gives us great joy and strength.
Monday, September 8, 2008
A Profitable Day
Yesterday was a great day as we learned much more about this local church and about Andamarca. We believe that God has given us clarity as to whether we are to partner with this church and about the importance of having a sharp focus both now and with future teams.
We have spent quite a bit of time this weekend learning about the church that is in Andamarca. While they are a very sincere congregation it is evident that we will not partner with them in planting churches. There will be many opportunities to consider cooperating with them but we would share a difference in how we are going to plant churches in these villages. It has been a great learning experience to spend time with them and see their sincerity as they worship in their cultural context.
We will spend today here again in Andamarca attempting to visit with the mayor and in the schools. Our goal is to learn more about what the community sees as their needs and what their perspective the impact of the local congregations. This information will help us as we develop our strategy.
This evening we are planning to drive to the next villages, Cabanna and Aucura. This is where we spent most of our time on the previous trip. Please be praying that God opens doors to meet with some of the local leadership of the community. We are also going to follow up in the schools that we visited in order to learn more about their needs. We specifically are seeking to learn what they need when they asked for help with construction knowledge and how to grow some types of grasses faster for their livestock.
We have also learned that this time of the year will be more challenging than our April trip due to the changes in weather. We are actually in their winter season and it has been challenging. The temperature is lower than we anticipated. There is a strong wind that is constantly blowing which brings both more coldness along with lots of dust. It reminds me of a dust storm in an old western movie.
One of the goals for next summer is to have college students from our church come and serve as summer missionaries here in these villages. We have spent a considerable amount of time discussing this in light of our experience. These students will have to be grounded people with a strong walk with God. It will be a very challenging experience.
We covet your prayers as we are confident that this is what helps us in discerning what God is saying to us during this journey.
We have spent quite a bit of time this weekend learning about the church that is in Andamarca. While they are a very sincere congregation it is evident that we will not partner with them in planting churches. There will be many opportunities to consider cooperating with them but we would share a difference in how we are going to plant churches in these villages. It has been a great learning experience to spend time with them and see their sincerity as they worship in their cultural context.
We will spend today here again in Andamarca attempting to visit with the mayor and in the schools. Our goal is to learn more about what the community sees as their needs and what their perspective the impact of the local congregations. This information will help us as we develop our strategy.
This evening we are planning to drive to the next villages, Cabanna and Aucura. This is where we spent most of our time on the previous trip. Please be praying that God opens doors to meet with some of the local leadership of the community. We are also going to follow up in the schools that we visited in order to learn more about their needs. We specifically are seeking to learn what they need when they asked for help with construction knowledge and how to grow some types of grasses faster for their livestock.
We have also learned that this time of the year will be more challenging than our April trip due to the changes in weather. We are actually in their winter season and it has been challenging. The temperature is lower than we anticipated. There is a strong wind that is constantly blowing which brings both more coldness along with lots of dust. It reminds me of a dust storm in an old western movie.
One of the goals for next summer is to have college students from our church come and serve as summer missionaries here in these villages. We have spent a considerable amount of time discussing this in light of our experience. These students will have to be grounded people with a strong walk with God. It will be a very challenging experience.
We covet your prayers as we are confident that this is what helps us in discerning what God is saying to us during this journey.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
An Early Start
Everyone has an early start here due to the leader of the town making the morning announcements over the town’s loud sound system. The announcements began at 5 a.m. today and are now being followed by songs. I am not sure what was announced or what is currently being sung but I am confident that it is loud!
Our team will meet together at 8:30 this morning for breakfast. Hopefully they will turn on the hot water this morning – yesterday’s cold shower was a fast one!
We are eating in the local restaurants on this trip so that we can get to know the people better. We ate fish yesterday – the offer the entire fish. One person on our team told me that they would eat the fish head if I would – I did but they did not! I am still alive this morning so I guess it was okay to eat. It did not taste like chicken. The locals eat the entire fish so I was hoping it would help me speak Spanish better. Can’t say that worked either.
The people in these villages live a very hard life. They are dependent on their crops and their livestock for survival. They are out already this morning heading to their fields to work. It is very cold and windy. There faces reveal the toll that is paid to survive in these elements.
The older generations do not express much joy in their lives. The children, however, remind me of my own. The girls are giggling while holding hands and walking down the streets. The boys are racing around on bicycles and laughing. Something happens in their lives between these early years and their transition into adulthood. This reality makes it evident that they really need the hope of Jesus in their lives. It is so evident on their faces. They need Jesus – not religion. They need it now – not tomorrow.
Please join us in praying that we would have God’s sense of urgency in reaching the nations. Our team realizes the privilege that we have in being here and we want to be involved in God’s activity here in Andamarca today.
We all miss our families and have prayed for you all. We had an incredible time of prayer together yesterday on the cliff of a mountain. God met with us in a very real and special way. We listened to a song that talked of the voices of praise rising from the valleys and mountains to fill the air. God’s desire is for these villages to know His peace. Our desire is that He uses us – however He desires.
Our team will meet together at 8:30 this morning for breakfast. Hopefully they will turn on the hot water this morning – yesterday’s cold shower was a fast one!
We are eating in the local restaurants on this trip so that we can get to know the people better. We ate fish yesterday – the offer the entire fish. One person on our team told me that they would eat the fish head if I would – I did but they did not! I am still alive this morning so I guess it was okay to eat. It did not taste like chicken. The locals eat the entire fish so I was hoping it would help me speak Spanish better. Can’t say that worked either.
The people in these villages live a very hard life. They are dependent on their crops and their livestock for survival. They are out already this morning heading to their fields to work. It is very cold and windy. There faces reveal the toll that is paid to survive in these elements.
The older generations do not express much joy in their lives. The children, however, remind me of my own. The girls are giggling while holding hands and walking down the streets. The boys are racing around on bicycles and laughing. Something happens in their lives between these early years and their transition into adulthood. This reality makes it evident that they really need the hope of Jesus in their lives. It is so evident on their faces. They need Jesus – not religion. They need it now – not tomorrow.
Please join us in praying that we would have God’s sense of urgency in reaching the nations. Our team realizes the privilege that we have in being here and we want to be involved in God’s activity here in Andamarca today.
We all miss our families and have prayed for you all. We had an incredible time of prayer together yesterday on the cliff of a mountain. God met with us in a very real and special way. We listened to a song that talked of the voices of praise rising from the valleys and mountains to fill the air. God’s desire is for these villages to know His peace. Our desire is that He uses us – however He desires.
Photos of the team
Here is our team at the Miami airport, our new pet named Millie and our time at the church on Saturday night.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Cold in Andamarca
Wow… it is cold here. We arrived into Andamarca and were welcomed by cold temperatures and high winds. But we are glad to finally be here.
We were able to spend lots of time with the people here today. As we traveled closer to town we would pick up folks who were needing a ride into town. We gave a ride to a boy who had been traveling for two days to pick up beef from an uncle. A pair of boys who had left home at 8:30 this morning to milk the cows were returning home around 3:30 in the afternoon. We also gave a ride to a lady who was bringing an injured lamb home – it rode in the cab of the truck with us!
We spent the evening attending the church services of a group of believers here in Andamarca. We learned lots today but will certainly learn more in the morning as we help teach the children in their Sunday School. The adults will having their service tomorrow night. Please join us in praying that God gives us wisdom as we determine if we are to partner with this church in our strategy.
Thanks for your prayers as we traveled. We really had a great trip into the villages.
We were able to spend lots of time with the people here today. As we traveled closer to town we would pick up folks who were needing a ride into town. We gave a ride to a boy who had been traveling for two days to pick up beef from an uncle. A pair of boys who had left home at 8:30 this morning to milk the cows were returning home around 3:30 in the afternoon. We also gave a ride to a lady who was bringing an injured lamb home – it rode in the cab of the truck with us!
We spent the evening attending the church services of a group of believers here in Andamarca. We learned lots today but will certainly learn more in the morning as we help teach the children in their Sunday School. The adults will having their service tomorrow night. Please join us in praying that God gives us wisdom as we determine if we are to partner with this church in our strategy.
Thanks for your prayers as we traveled. We really had a great trip into the villages.
El Camino - What a ride!
When I was in high school I drove a 1979 El Camino. Yep… it was awesome. You have the car and truck all in one. We always thought El Camino meant something about the brilliance of making an automobile that combined the car and truck. Well we were wrong. I learned on this trip that El Camino means the road. We experienced El Camino yesterday – all day. We made the trip in much better time than what we did on our previous trip in April.
We arrived in Puquio around 7:00 p.m. instead of 10:00 p.m. That means Andamarca will only be 14 hours instead of 17. Somehow that makes things much easier. J
We now believe we can make the trip in one day as long as we have good notes for our future trips.
Today we will drive the last 3 hours to Andamarca and begin meeting with the people in the village. On our last trip we met some people from a church but did not have the time to investigate much of what they shared with us. They have a church service tonight and in the morning that we will visit in order to learn more about them.
Please join us in praying that God gives us great wisdom over the next few days as we gather information to use in our strategy to reach these villages with the gospel. We will also be looking for opportunities on this trip to share the gospel.
We are grateful for your prayers and encouragement. God has put together a neat group of people on this team. We all recognize that it is a real privilege to be here.
We arrived in Puquio around 7:00 p.m. instead of 10:00 p.m. That means Andamarca will only be 14 hours instead of 17. Somehow that makes things much easier. J
We now believe we can make the trip in one day as long as we have good notes for our future trips.
Today we will drive the last 3 hours to Andamarca and begin meeting with the people in the village. On our last trip we met some people from a church but did not have the time to investigate much of what they shared with us. They have a church service tonight and in the morning that we will visit in order to learn more about them.
Please join us in praying that God gives us great wisdom over the next few days as we gather information to use in our strategy to reach these villages with the gospel. We will also be looking for opportunities on this trip to share the gospel.
We are grateful for your prayers and encouragement. God has put together a neat group of people on this team. We all recognize that it is a real privilege to be here.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Arrived Safely
The team arrived at the hotel in Peru last night and had a good nights sleep. They headed out about 7:30 CT this morning to the village.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Underway...Again
The plane took off close to 6:30 so they are on their way to Peru! Will probably arrive close to midnight ET.
Air Conditioning Delays
Here is a message from Kevin:
We are still at the Miami Airport becuse the air conditioner on the plane is not working correctly. Yes, we are on the plane! This is yet another reason why I don't like the Miami Hurricanes.
We are still at the Miami Airport becuse the air conditioner on the plane is not working correctly. Yes, we are on the plane! This is yet another reason why I don't like the Miami Hurricanes.
Peru
The team headed to Peru is safely underway. Just spoke with Kevin as they were boarding the plane. Please pray that nothing hinders the team from experiencing all that God has planned for them.
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