Sending a short blog now, since I have a few moments. If you do not see another blog do not be concerned, I may not get back to Maria´s for the remainder of our trip to update again.
If I have not told you there is a real working bathroom in David and Cesi´s house now! The men made a make shift door so it can be used by all. And, of course the question of the day was, "Does the water in the toilet bowl really swirl the opposite way in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere?" The answer is "Yes!"
Yesterday the men and myself were very tired. David went to the hardware store in the afternoon so we did not need to go in the evening. Yeah!!! So some of the men went to bed really early and others went to relax in the hotel sauna. We had ordered pizza delivered to the hotel.
Today is our last real day to accomplish projects at Jicamarca. Tomorrow we will only be there until noon and will finish projects started and clean up the site.
Lunch today consists of chicken, rice, potatoes and vegies. Maria is an exceptional cook and all the meals have been wonderful. She always has different sauces she makes with fruits and vegetables to put on your food. Everything is very healthy because it is all made from scratch. The men have really enjoyed filling up with this good, wholesome food. There is always a big supply of fresh rolls from the market also which we have really enjoyed, maybe a little too much!!
Wives be prepared to cook next week and get those rolling pins out! It may take the men awhile to adjust back to life in the states!!!
Must sign off as we are taking lunch to Jicamarca now. If I get a chance to update again later today I will. Our flight leaves Lima at 5:30am on Sunday so will need to be at the hotel and it bed early Saturday night.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
We have some very exciting news. One of the Peruvian men that is working on the job site this week accepted Christ this morning! Felipe had been speaking with him and asked him if he knew where he would go if he died today. He hung his head low and said, "To hell." Felipe continued to speak to him about that and prayed with him!!! Praise the Lord. We are working on getting him plugged into a church so he can be decipled.
Yesterday the men worked until dark and returned to the hotel to clean up. They again needed supplies from, yes you guessed it - the hardware store!! The plumbing supplies here are not properly manufactured and they do not go through quality control. So they do not always fit properly. Paul has had to try many fittings just to find one that will work.
We also went to Applebies for dinner. The men had planned on going to a soccer game, but it was raining here and they needed to go to the hardware store. Yes, it does rain here. Like a very heavy mist, but enough to make puddles. It never storms with lightening or thunder, just mist.
Today was an early start back to Jicamarca after breakfast at the hotel. Maria, JoVanna and I brought out a Peruvian meal of Rice, Beans, Hamburgers and Vegies. Tom had been wondering what a Tres Leche dessert was. So we surprised them by bringing a large cake out today. It is a cake that is made with three different milks and is very good.
Yesterday at the hardware store I had asked Marco where the restroom was and he pointed. Well it was not marked very good and I found myself in a mans bathroom! Thank God no one was inside!! Everyone thought that was just too funny expecially Marco. Today I found out that Gary had walked into a womans bathroom when at Applebiels last night but there was someone in there! He was very embarrased!!
Thank you for your continued prayers. David is feeling much better, just a sniffly nose and no fever. Continue to pray, the week has been long and the end is near. The rain and dreariness have made it challenging to work in at Jicamarca. God has been so faithful and good to each one. We have had time to sit and chat about the week and what the Lord is speaking to us. We are blessed to be here.
Yesterday the men worked until dark and returned to the hotel to clean up. They again needed supplies from, yes you guessed it - the hardware store!! The plumbing supplies here are not properly manufactured and they do not go through quality control. So they do not always fit properly. Paul has had to try many fittings just to find one that will work.
We also went to Applebies for dinner. The men had planned on going to a soccer game, but it was raining here and they needed to go to the hardware store. Yes, it does rain here. Like a very heavy mist, but enough to make puddles. It never storms with lightening or thunder, just mist.
Today was an early start back to Jicamarca after breakfast at the hotel. Maria, JoVanna and I brought out a Peruvian meal of Rice, Beans, Hamburgers and Vegies. Tom had been wondering what a Tres Leche dessert was. So we surprised them by bringing a large cake out today. It is a cake that is made with three different milks and is very good.
Yesterday at the hardware store I had asked Marco where the restroom was and he pointed. Well it was not marked very good and I found myself in a mans bathroom! Thank God no one was inside!! Everyone thought that was just too funny expecially Marco. Today I found out that Gary had walked into a womans bathroom when at Applebiels last night but there was someone in there! He was very embarrased!!
Thank you for your continued prayers. David is feeling much better, just a sniffly nose and no fever. Continue to pray, the week has been long and the end is near. The rain and dreariness have made it challenging to work in at Jicamarca. God has been so faithful and good to each one. We have had time to sit and chat about the week and what the Lord is speaking to us. We are blessed to be here.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Written Wednesday, June 25th
Thank you God:
Yesterday afternoon Maria, JoVanna and I brought a sandwich dinner up to Jicamarca since we had planned on staying for the prayer and worship service at David Hodges church at 7:00pm. We ate in the Hodge´s dining room with a light on!! We now have power!! After dinner David and the team needed supplies to continue their work today so we were unable to stay for the prayer service.
I was dropped off at the hotel since I was not interested in shopping at the hardware store again this week. Not my usual place to shop if you know what I mean. Tom and Walker decided not to go as well, making it an early night for them. The rest of the team shopped and purchased the supplies needed and arrived back at the hotel around 10:30pm.
This moring I woke to laughter, lots of it! The men have been having breakfast down the hall from our rooms at 6:45am. I have been sleeping until 8:00 since I am not picked up until 9:00am to go to Maria´s to cook. The hotel is tiled from ceiling to floor so any noise in the hallway can be heard by all. When the men get together they are so full of joy and love to have fun. They are laughing and joking all the time. I believe everyone sleeping at the hotel this morning heard the joy of the Lord through these men as they fellowshiped at breakfast!!
Maria and I (mostly Maria) made a really good meal of rice, beef and vegies. We also made a delicious Peruvian dish. We rolled mashed potatoes like you would roll cookie dough, which had lime juice and an orange pepper mashed in also. Then we stuffed a little avocado inside. So very good, I will be trying this dish at home!
The men accomplished a lot this morning. By lunch time they had installed a ceiling fan, a real toilet, numerous other lights and outlets. The steel work continues with all the stair railing done. Marco is finishing and painting it before it can be installed. More plumbing is being done on the roof for a washer and sink as well as for the gray water and sewer on the lower level.
Tonight some of the men are talking about going to a soccer game. David felt wonderful throughout the day yesterday but ran a fever last night and today his sinus´s are causing him some problems. He has decided to call it an early night and get some rest.
Continue to pray that all the men get the rest they need. They are doing fine but they are working very hard, long days and we are now entering into the end of the week. Pray also for David that he feels better and is healed of whatever is causing these symptoms.
Blessings
Yesterday afternoon Maria, JoVanna and I brought a sandwich dinner up to Jicamarca since we had planned on staying for the prayer and worship service at David Hodges church at 7:00pm. We ate in the Hodge´s dining room with a light on!! We now have power!! After dinner David and the team needed supplies to continue their work today so we were unable to stay for the prayer service.
I was dropped off at the hotel since I was not interested in shopping at the hardware store again this week. Not my usual place to shop if you know what I mean. Tom and Walker decided not to go as well, making it an early night for them. The rest of the team shopped and purchased the supplies needed and arrived back at the hotel around 10:30pm.
This moring I woke to laughter, lots of it! The men have been having breakfast down the hall from our rooms at 6:45am. I have been sleeping until 8:00 since I am not picked up until 9:00am to go to Maria´s to cook. The hotel is tiled from ceiling to floor so any noise in the hallway can be heard by all. When the men get together they are so full of joy and love to have fun. They are laughing and joking all the time. I believe everyone sleeping at the hotel this morning heard the joy of the Lord through these men as they fellowshiped at breakfast!!
Maria and I (mostly Maria) made a really good meal of rice, beef and vegies. We also made a delicious Peruvian dish. We rolled mashed potatoes like you would roll cookie dough, which had lime juice and an orange pepper mashed in also. Then we stuffed a little avocado inside. So very good, I will be trying this dish at home!
The men accomplished a lot this morning. By lunch time they had installed a ceiling fan, a real toilet, numerous other lights and outlets. The steel work continues with all the stair railing done. Marco is finishing and painting it before it can be installed. More plumbing is being done on the roof for a washer and sink as well as for the gray water and sewer on the lower level.
Tonight some of the men are talking about going to a soccer game. David felt wonderful throughout the day yesterday but ran a fever last night and today his sinus´s are causing him some problems. He has decided to call it an early night and get some rest.
Continue to pray that all the men get the rest they need. They are doing fine but they are working very hard, long days and we are now entering into the end of the week. Pray also for David that he feels better and is healed of whatever is causing these symptoms.
Blessings
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Written Tuesday, June 24th at 4:00pm
WHEN HIS PEOPLE PRAY...
Felipe is back!! He arrived Monday night at 12:00am and is working hard today!!
David was very ill yesterday and ended up in bed with fever, chills, aches, etc. He woke up a new man this morning like nothing had ever happened!!
The generators are working efficiently even with the load that is required!!
Praise the Lord and thank you for praying.
Yesterday afternoon David took ill and had to return to the hotel for the afternoon and the evening. The men did an awesome job in his absense and knew exactly what to do. I opted to stay at the site in Davids absense and had a wonderul time with the Lord on the mountain and did a little construction clean-up. Walker and Tom went to town on the stair railing. The two were quite a team and got a lot done. Paul worked on plumbing and assisted Gary who is working on the electricity.
Maria cooked a wonderful American spagetthi lunch which I helped to prepare along with Cesi´s niece JoVanna and took it to the site. In the evening we went to Pardos Chicken a restaurant where they cook this very good chicken, then it was off to the hardward store for a few items before heading back to the hotel. Gary volunteered to go with Marco to the airport and get Felipe.
This morning everyone including David and Felipe headed back to Jicamarca after breakfast at the hotel. We brought a lunch to them, very good Peruvian chicken dish and brought a new fruit, Chire Moya, for everyone to try. It is a very good juicy sweet fruit.
I can´t say enough about this team of men. Each one has worked very hard, pitches in at a moments notice, gives expertise advise, is flexible and I have never heard a grumble. Well, except maybe there isn´t enought hot water. Yesterday when we arrived back at the hotel these grown men were running down the hallway of the hotel trying to outbeat the others to their room, claiming, "I´m in the shower first" so they would get the hot water before it ran out!!! Lots of work but lots of laughter and fun too.
Keep praying for our men and remember to include Marco as well. He works for David and Cesi Hodges and is with us night and day. We couldn´t do this without his help. He tranlates, drives, helps with construction and his knowledge of the local area, customs and people is so valuable to us.
Till tomorrow...
Felipe is back!! He arrived Monday night at 12:00am and is working hard today!!
David was very ill yesterday and ended up in bed with fever, chills, aches, etc. He woke up a new man this morning like nothing had ever happened!!
The generators are working efficiently even with the load that is required!!
Praise the Lord and thank you for praying.
Yesterday afternoon David took ill and had to return to the hotel for the afternoon and the evening. The men did an awesome job in his absense and knew exactly what to do. I opted to stay at the site in Davids absense and had a wonderul time with the Lord on the mountain and did a little construction clean-up. Walker and Tom went to town on the stair railing. The two were quite a team and got a lot done. Paul worked on plumbing and assisted Gary who is working on the electricity.
Maria cooked a wonderful American spagetthi lunch which I helped to prepare along with Cesi´s niece JoVanna and took it to the site. In the evening we went to Pardos Chicken a restaurant where they cook this very good chicken, then it was off to the hardward store for a few items before heading back to the hotel. Gary volunteered to go with Marco to the airport and get Felipe.
This morning everyone including David and Felipe headed back to Jicamarca after breakfast at the hotel. We brought a lunch to them, very good Peruvian chicken dish and brought a new fruit, Chire Moya, for everyone to try. It is a very good juicy sweet fruit.
I can´t say enough about this team of men. Each one has worked very hard, pitches in at a moments notice, gives expertise advise, is flexible and I have never heard a grumble. Well, except maybe there isn´t enought hot water. Yesterday when we arrived back at the hotel these grown men were running down the hallway of the hotel trying to outbeat the others to their room, claiming, "I´m in the shower first" so they would get the hot water before it ran out!!! Lots of work but lots of laughter and fun too.
Keep praying for our men and remember to include Marco as well. He works for David and Cesi Hodges and is with us night and day. We couldn´t do this without his help. He tranlates, drives, helps with construction and his knowledge of the local area, customs and people is so valuable to us.
Till tomorrow...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Peru Missions Trip June 2008
Monday, June 23rd 11:00 am
This is the first opportunity to sit at the computer and write. One of the most important things taught and learned by a missions team is the need to be flexible!!
We arrived in Lima, Peru without incident. Both flights were on time and lines were short. All of our luggage was slightly underweight and this was after David Hodges has packed additional items for the family and the church. It is a blessing we were able to bring so much of their things along with our tools for the week.
Once we landed in Peru, though, things started to change. Felipe was not allowed to enter the country because; being a citizen of Honduras he needed a Visa, which he was not aware of since he has traveled many times to Latin American countries and this was not needed. He was flown back to Panama where he will try to get a visa and return. Once Felipe returned to Panama the airline admitted that they should have caught this in Miami and because of their error they have put him up in a 5- star hotel with food vouchers until he can get his visa on Monday! Please pray, Felipe is trying to get his visa today and return to Peru. We know that God chose Felipe to be part of this team, he is still part of this team and we expect that he will be returning shortly to Peru.
After regrouping we set off to claim our baggage and go through customs. We got three red lights and two green lights. Red lights mean that they want to check your baggage and could tax you on items such as tools. The good news is we received favor, we were questioned on the tools, but they did not tax us!
We then went to the hotel, David had already checked us in so we went right to our rooms and had a few minutes to get ourselves settled. Then it was off to Maria´s (Cesi´s) sisters home for a wonderful Peruvian meal. Rice, potatoes, mixed beef with vegtables. Then back to the hotel for a good night of sleep.
We need two generators to work at Jicamarca. David came down early to purchase one and rent one. The purchased generator was not in stock when he got here but will be on Monday. The rented one was supposed to be available for pick-up on Saturday but later this changed and would not be available until Sunday. So with no power it would be difficult to accomplish much in Jicamarca on Sunday. So a new plan was developed.
We went to Jicamarca first thing Sunday morning after breakfast at the hotel. Jicamarca - WOW. No words can explain it. Lots of rock, dirt and mountains. The team spent time looking over the job site and walking the property. They discussed plans and laid out the work for the week. I too walked the property while the men were stratigizing. When near the base of the mountain you look around and there is so much poverty. Poverty I have never experienced like this before. Through tears the Lord spoke to me and said it is not about the job site we have spent so much time concentrating on, it is about what is around the job site. The people need this church and David and Cesi´s ministry in a mighty way.
After we left Jicamarca we went to a mall on the beach. Gary, did not want the culture shock to get to us too bad and treated us to Tony Roma´s! What a blessing. Then it was off to get the rented generator an hour away and we did some sight seeing on the way along the beach.
The generator was not in good order. So we decided not to try to fix it and use it for the welding not knowing if it would be able to handle the job. So an unexpected purchase was made of a 2nd generator. More blessings though as several of the men pitched in to purchase the generator which will give opportunity for David and Cesi to rent it in the future and will give them additional funds for the ministry.
This morning the men have gone to the job site and I am at Maria´s cooking spaghetti to bring to the men at noon. We have been stretched in the last 48 hours but the Lord is good and we have seen God´s hand in all of it. The team is great, they have been so helpful and funny! They have laughed a lot and have enjoyed one another while working through the challenges. God knew what He was doing when He put this team together.
Please pray for Felipe´s return to Peru-TODAY, that the generators do what is required for this week of work and for David who was not feeling his best this mornng (chills and aches).
God Bless
This is the first opportunity to sit at the computer and write. One of the most important things taught and learned by a missions team is the need to be flexible!!
We arrived in Lima, Peru without incident. Both flights were on time and lines were short. All of our luggage was slightly underweight and this was after David Hodges has packed additional items for the family and the church. It is a blessing we were able to bring so much of their things along with our tools for the week.
Once we landed in Peru, though, things started to change. Felipe was not allowed to enter the country because; being a citizen of Honduras he needed a Visa, which he was not aware of since he has traveled many times to Latin American countries and this was not needed. He was flown back to Panama where he will try to get a visa and return. Once Felipe returned to Panama the airline admitted that they should have caught this in Miami and because of their error they have put him up in a 5- star hotel with food vouchers until he can get his visa on Monday! Please pray, Felipe is trying to get his visa today and return to Peru. We know that God chose Felipe to be part of this team, he is still part of this team and we expect that he will be returning shortly to Peru.
After regrouping we set off to claim our baggage and go through customs. We got three red lights and two green lights. Red lights mean that they want to check your baggage and could tax you on items such as tools. The good news is we received favor, we were questioned on the tools, but they did not tax us!
We then went to the hotel, David had already checked us in so we went right to our rooms and had a few minutes to get ourselves settled. Then it was off to Maria´s (Cesi´s) sisters home for a wonderful Peruvian meal. Rice, potatoes, mixed beef with vegtables. Then back to the hotel for a good night of sleep.
We need two generators to work at Jicamarca. David came down early to purchase one and rent one. The purchased generator was not in stock when he got here but will be on Monday. The rented one was supposed to be available for pick-up on Saturday but later this changed and would not be available until Sunday. So with no power it would be difficult to accomplish much in Jicamarca on Sunday. So a new plan was developed.
We went to Jicamarca first thing Sunday morning after breakfast at the hotel. Jicamarca - WOW. No words can explain it. Lots of rock, dirt and mountains. The team spent time looking over the job site and walking the property. They discussed plans and laid out the work for the week. I too walked the property while the men were stratigizing. When near the base of the mountain you look around and there is so much poverty. Poverty I have never experienced like this before. Through tears the Lord spoke to me and said it is not about the job site we have spent so much time concentrating on, it is about what is around the job site. The people need this church and David and Cesi´s ministry in a mighty way.
After we left Jicamarca we went to a mall on the beach. Gary, did not want the culture shock to get to us too bad and treated us to Tony Roma´s! What a blessing. Then it was off to get the rented generator an hour away and we did some sight seeing on the way along the beach.
The generator was not in good order. So we decided not to try to fix it and use it for the welding not knowing if it would be able to handle the job. So an unexpected purchase was made of a 2nd generator. More blessings though as several of the men pitched in to purchase the generator which will give opportunity for David and Cesi to rent it in the future and will give them additional funds for the ministry.
This morning the men have gone to the job site and I am at Maria´s cooking spaghetti to bring to the men at noon. We have been stretched in the last 48 hours but the Lord is good and we have seen God´s hand in all of it. The team is great, they have been so helpful and funny! They have laughed a lot and have enjoyed one another while working through the challenges. God knew what He was doing when He put this team together.
Please pray for Felipe´s return to Peru-TODAY, that the generators do what is required for this week of work and for David who was not feeling his best this mornng (chills and aches).
God Bless
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