LTI IN PERU

Thursday - May 8:

All the kids were anxious to sleep late this morning but Jessica had breakfast ready at 10:00 so everyone had to get up and get with the program. We sat down to fresh pureed papaya and pineapple blended with some fresh orange juice. This is a very typical Peruvian breakfast drink.
We had to unload all of our team bags and sort everything. Thanks to all those who generously donated we have lots of gifts to give. Those include 200 beanie babies, 14 cd players (we have brought cd’s of Life Church worship team and Zac and Mikaela recorded 3 songs on a cd), matchbox cars and lots of candy. They sorted all the candy into Zip Loc snack bags ready to be given away.

We had a very typical Peruvian lunch. Chicken, potatoes and carrots and a green sauce with rice and chicha which is a drink made from purple corn.

In the afternoon, the students prepared for the evening service. They were having a children’s service and they had made preparation but had never gone through the complete program. Agustin and Jessica’s Church meets here on their property. They have a "Tabernacle" that is a tent (25 x 50) with trusses and a beautiful wooden floor. The students decided to go there to practice. Agustin’s 10 year old son served as their interpreter. Visiting here in the home at the time was a young man who hadn’t been to Church for 3 months. The theme of their teaching centers around the tongue and the problems it can cause. During their "practice" they were talking about lying and this young man was convicted. Although this teaching was prepared for children, God knew this young man would be present to hear and it was a God moment for him and for our students.

Our transportation is a 12 passenger foreign made van. It is small, I’m not complaining, just letting you know it isn’t spacious. When you try and put 12 passengers and all the buckets for the drum line and everything else we carry with us – it is crowded. I always forget about how the foreign traffic effects novices – it is fun to "see" through their eyes. It is indescribable. Last night we saw bus drivers driving with their right tires on the sidewalk and always mores lanes of traffic then the roads were made for.

My husband and I had a service for couples. We usually do some sort of tag team speaking. ALWAYS, people want to hear how their marriage can be different and better.

The students had about 10 children but they came away totally blown away by the response. When Zac encouraged them to worship - they raised their hands, sang and tears ran down their faces. Obviously, they have been the recipients of some good examples and teaching.

We went to Pardo’s for a late night supper of typical broasted chicken. Zac is our adventurous one and wants to try what he can’t get in the States. He ate beef heart skewers. The rest of us got something more identifiable. Agustin was suggesting things for Zac to eat. Worms which they eat in the jungle. Or how about frog juice. They keep the frogs live and drop them into a blender – let’s say, he isn’t to anxious to try that one.

This trip we have some advantages over last year and the kids have some challenges as well. My husband shares a space with the guys and I share with the girls. BUT, we have one bathroom for the boys and one for the girls while last year we had one shower for 12 people to use. I had encouraged the kids if noise bothered them to bring ear plugs - especially if snoring would bother them. Zac said he would have his mp3 player so it wouldn’t bother him. NOT!! My husband’s snoring woke him up even with music playing in his ear. My husband gave him ear plugs, he was able to sleep, except when they might fall out of his ear.

Thanks for your prayers for all of us.

Marilyn, Dr. D, Bethany, Brian, Lindsay, Mikaela and Zac