PERU MISSONS TRIP

Sunday: May 19:

Sunday was another busy but glorious day.

The LTI students had a service for children in the mountains. The service was held outside. Boys were hitting each other on the heads with rocks during the service but no one drew blood and so I guess it is true in any culture, “Boys will be boys!”

On the way back from their children’s meeting the pastor took them for a tour toward the jungle. They were thrilled with the experience and wanted to go on into the jungle area but time prohibited and so they returned, riding in a Toyota extended-cab with four people standing in the rear bed which had high bars on all sides. From the looks of the girl’s hair, it must have been an exciting ride. Do not worry! You do not go that fast on those roads with the Peruvian traffic.

We journeyed to “San Felipe’s Brasa Chicken” restaurant for dinner with pastor Carlos Mendoza, his wife and children. Upon our arrival we discovered that all the worship team was there, along with the students from Universidad Inpacto De Vida. So the lunch was crazy, loud and enjoyable.

Following lunch we jumped into two small taxies (regular small cars) and drove to the Huanaco Archaeological Dig, “Kososh” for a tour of the ruins. This site was inhabited about the time of Christ. We discovered that the people were very intelligent in astronomical information, with building techniques, methods of feeding air to their altar of sacrifices as well as a sewer system for removal of any water that came into the “White Temple” (as they call it).

Then back to our Huanaco home for a short period of relaxation – no food because it is best to travel over the Andes on an empty stomach – so we are told. Anyway the students preferred to take another walk (this had become a ritual) to the bridge about two blocks down the street and enjoy the fresh mountain air, the sound of rushing water and their voices.

About 6:00 PM we once again stopped the three wheel taxis and made our voyage to the evening service, which is scheduled for 6:30 PM. From my past experience and the youth service on Saturday evening, I had talked with Pastor Carlos and told him we need to conclude the service by 9:00 so we could return to our home, change clothes, finish packing, move the luggage to his vehicle and be ready to leave for the bus station at 9:50 PM. (I allowed 10-20 minute cushion of time because I knew we would not leave at 9:50). And I had to spend a few minutes discussing the University and its operation in the Huanaco
Region. He is the regional coordinator.

The people had planned to honor the team and with great flare they did so, presenting us with gifts, special songs and words of appreciation for the university. And they started on time even though there were only a few people present. But as in Life Church the miracle of multiplication of people (fish) took place and the auditorium was almost filled by the time I stood to minister the Word.

Thank God for our audio/video team. Their mic cords have many shorts and were constantly popping and cracking. And when I approached the worship leader and requested my wireless microphone system – which I had left in their care from Saturday morning, at their insistence, to save me carrying it back and forth – they could not find it! There were several minutes of frustration and speculation, but in the end they discovered the pastor had placed it in another location.

So the service proceeded and concluded with a powerful time of prayer for the sick and prophetic word for Pastor Carlos and his wife Lenora. The pastor stepped forward to conclude the service – I thought – but that is when they proceeded to present another song to honor us and a dance from one teenager. I turned to Marco – my coordinator for all of Peru – and told him to be prepared to put the team in taxis when I gave him the signal. I waited until the last minute, gave him the signal and the pastor then concluded the service in prayer as the team headed for the door.

We completed our preparation for departure, including the session with Pastor Carlos and headed for the bus station. When I arrived and the students were unloading our luggage, I turned and saw many people from the Church. They had come to see us off. Along with them we packed the already crowded bus station. After MANY pictures, words of appreciation and who knows what, the call came for us to board. We did! Then we looked out the windows to see the people lining the street to wave good-by! It was VERY encouraging to see that the Students had such an impact upon the people. The frequent question was: When will you return? Will you be here December 15 for our first graduation?

The bus ride back over the Andes went without an complications. Zag, Brian, Mikaela and Bethany engaged in a game of “Slave” and the rest chatted until the lights went out. About 12:00 Marilyn passed out the medication to assist us with the altitude and in a short time all were in the “lights-out domain of sleep”. We arrived on schedule but to discover that our van had mechanical problems and they had sent a mini-bus to return us to Pastor Augustin’s residence.

Marco had been sick the last 24 hours plus and he just called Dr. Falcon – who is the assistant pastor of the church he attends and with whom we have a close relationship – and after the conversation the verdict: Kidney Stones! So pray for him.

The youth are asleep, except for Zag and all are well. Today will be a day of fun and relaxation begins – until their scheduled session this evening with the youth of New Strength – Pastor Augustin’s Church.

Thanks for your prayers.

Dr. D. - Marilyn, Zag, Mikaela, Bethany, Lindsay, Brian

Friday - Saturday - May 17-18:

Friday was the long anticipated (and dreaded) trip over the Andes Mountains with an altitude of 16,000 feet. We were well prepared with medication and oxygen. We had conflicting reports about what we should do and everyone seemed to want to share their knowledge and opinions. In the end, we decided the advice of the person co-ordinating the trip is the one we would follow.

Jessica gave us some last minute advice about how to breathe at high altitude and what it might do our stomach and intestines. Trust me, some of the info - you don’t want to know - these trips always offer us opportunities to have more information about each other than we need (or desire).

The bus was incredible. We had first class seats on the lower level of the bus. They were wonderful recliners that will afford us great rest on our night trip back to Lima - and afforded a lot of rest on our way here to Huanaco. At the advice of the stewardess (yes, you read that right) we took our medication upon leaving Lima. We hadn’t gone fifteen minutes when most of the kids were asleep and some of them slept most of the trip. Marco thinks it was more the heavy schedule they have had rather than the medication as he always takes the medication but he doesn’t usually sleep - and he was asleep as well.

My husband and I were anxious to see the Andes Mountains and although we slept off and on we were able to experience the most awesome scenery. There is no way to describe what we saw as it was ever changing. There were the dirt mountains, the boulders, the snow and the closer we got to Huanaco we began to see trees and green - what a welcome sight. We saw alpaca, llamas, donkeys and other creatures.

We went through one of the four most polluted places in Peru. Mining is a big resource - gold and other minerals. We saw adobe houses and a scattering of satellite dishes. It never ceases to amaze me – you know a man has to be involved!!

Bethany, who had dreaded this trip the most, slept through the entire climb and descent of the highest place. Lindsay and Zag were nauseous. My husband and I were neither one sick but we could tell we were at a high altitude but can’t describe exactly what was going on. My husband’s hard-drive video camera didn’t work for a period of time in the highest altitudes. Why? That is the question.

We arrived and got settled in our rooms. We brought three air mattresses and the three rooms housing the single team members are wall to wall beds. We have a spacious room right on the main street of town with a bus depot right beside us. Across the street is a wonderful river with rushing water but it can barely be heard over the street sounds. We have a private bath but it is open to the team as it is the only toilet in the house with a toilet seat. As Zag so aptly put it, “I don’t like those hover jobs” so our room has been busy.

We had NO water Friday evening night but this morning the water was on and a brave few took a shower – there’s no hot water. Zag said it was like glacier water. Reminds me of our first few years in Ukraine - we rarely had hot water. Tonight, whether I want to or not, I’ll have to brave it. Micaela said she was screaming the whole time. Angel, our interpreter said she won’t take a shower until she gets back to Lima. She is from the privileged class and it shows at times.

After my husband stayed up half the night, Thursday, before leaving to prepare for Saturday morning, the flexible rule concerning Missions Trips was in effect, and we had to do something for couples. He had no notes and didn’t bring his printer. Since all his material is on his computer, they went to a shop and had copies made for him. Because of the hand of God, the pastor had a projector and we proceeded with the expected presentation.

The students had a service for children this morning and they loved it. The children had prepared a dance and presentation for them. They insisted on teaching the dance to the students. The children and their mothers had made “stocking style” hats for them with “Huanaco, Peru” on them.

When we arrived and to get to the Church this morning our mode of transportation was a taxi made on a three wheel motorcycle. I don’t know any other way to describe it. They vary in style from very nice with a plastic or fiberglass enclosure to a tarp enclosure. Everyone should have the experience. To go to their meeting this afternoon, they were picked up in a dump style truck and they all climbed in the back and held on. Not what would be legal in the States but is part of the “Missions experience.”

The meeting with the kids went well this afternoon. They had 150 children and they were interactive and attentive. You can’t ask for more. I didn’t get all of the details as the students are getting ready for tonight but one of them mentioned being mobbed by the kids and I took it that it was in a good way.

We have different ones suffering in their bodies with different things, colds, sinus problems and stomach issues. All in all they are doing good and continuing to do what they came for. This is when I dislike being out of internet range so I could to ask for extra prayer but I do know that you are praying for us.

Friday evening we had no water and now the electricity is off. Just one more experience for the students to remember in times to come. Hopefully, it will come on before tomorrow morning. Although flashlights were on the list of things to bring - we don’t seem to have any except for the little one I have in my purse that has to be held on.