PERU MISSONS TRIP

Tuesday - May 20:

The next to our final day here in Lima, Peru.

Monday for me ended late and Tuesday began too early! I had to arise early to prepare for the meeting of the Regional Coordinators for Universidad Impacto De Vida which convened at 9:00 AM and lasted until 2:30 PM. We were able to deal with some critical issues that were a hindrance but today the action taken was well received. We now have 14 schools actively involved and 12 more waiting for the sound of the “starting gun” to begin. In fact we had a pastor with us today who wanted to have a school in his church but was somewhat skeptical. We invited him and after the meeting he told Marco that he was ready to begin. He said that he could now see the benefit of having the university in his church.

We were even able to remove one pastor from his responsibilities and he was pleased because he said he could now see that we were consistent and did what we said would happen if the guidelines were not followed. He even requested an opportunity in the future to help the man we placed in the position of regional coordinator in his area.

The LTI gang were permitted to sleep in until about 10:00 AM! They deserved it! In fact, they were permitted to play “Slave” in my wife’s room while she slept. I had been “cruel” and told them they had to go to bed because our hosts deserved some peace and quiet after midnight. They approached Marilyn and asked her if they could play slave in the room she shares with the girls. She told them it was okay with her “if Dr. D. gave his approval.” Do you think I am crazy and would say “no?” I gave permission “if” they kept the sound in the room. I then turned over and crashed! In fact I emitted the loudest sound I have expressed while sleeping last night. How do I know? Zac moved his bed into the adjoining room! And when I awoke at 6:00 AM my mouth had the feeling that the entire Chinese Army had marched through my mouth! When that feeling is present in the mornings, I almost feel sorry for those in the room. Well, enough of this!

They youth were invited to an exclusive Chinese Restaurant for lunch and even though they may have to pay out of their pockets, they accepted the invitation. I do not know “if” they were treated or if it was a “Dutch treat”. But they returned with a satisfied look!

Tonight they had the second session on drama with the local church as well as a visiting youth. It appears to have been a success! At least the party is still going on downstairs and the sounds rushes up the stairs.

Marilyn and I had a counseling session this evening with a couple whose 17 year old son has gotten involved in witchcraft. e is now manifesting demonic activity, welcoming his friends with a special handshake with a greeting them with some allegiance to satan. He had formerly been involved in their church worship team. They share a house with an uncle and his family who hold witchcraft meetings twice a week. Added to that, their marriage is struggling. Throw on the fact that he is not involved in the ministry as he once was. Top all that with three other children at home.

There isn’t much more to say. It is now time to start the packing process. Go shopping tomorrow afternoon. Return home to load the bus and head off to the Lima airport. We MUST be there three hours before departure and it is best to be there three and one-half hours early because the lines here get long and slow.

Our flight departs at 11:00 Lima time – that is 12:00 Ft. Myers – and we arrive in Miami at 5:35 AM.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing in person the events of this trip.

So “IF” we do not post tomorrow – we will do our next “posting” on Sunday! See you in the service!

Dr. D. - Marilyn - Zac - Brian - Bethany - Lindsay - Mikaela

Monday - May 19:

What happened on Monday? It was sleep, go shopping at the Inka Market and the Indian Market across the street. There my job was to be sure no one got lost. I almost did trying to find someone. We survived and the “gang” had fun trying to accomplish their goals of purchasing their gifts and doing their bargaining to get the best deal. Did they? You determine if they did when you ask them what they bought.

In the evening they had their first “Drama Seminar” with the youth from New Strength and from Iglesia Centro Christiano De Avivamiento where they had ministered their first night here.

I spent my time trying to get some busy work accomplished like: getting my financial records in order and being sure that the dollars and the soles were accurate. I did it!

Then I crashed and – the rest of the story is in Tuesday’s blog.

God bless,

Dr. D. - Marilyn - Zac - Brian - Bethany - Lindsay - Mikaela