HOME AGAIN BUT BACK TO THE PAST!
TUESDAY:
I guess I should rewind before I start and return to the events of Sunday, then Monday before I concluded the tales of Peru, February 09!
SUNDAY:
Sunday began as other days. First your awaken, then you put one foot on the floor ... oh well that is not what you want to read so I’ll cut to the chase and get on with it!
Two services, two congregations and the day was filled the day lives challenged and changed. It all began in Iglesia Centro Christiano De Avivamiento’ in the central area of Lima with Pastor Gustavo Rodriquez and his wife Jenny. There we were greeted by approximately 200 eager believers who warmly received us and the Word of the Lord.
You can tell a lot about the ministry of the Pastor by the way his congregation receive the ministry of the Word. A “receive” it they did – with enthusiasm of face, response and heart. I can sum it up by relating the words of one man who spoke with the pastor and me at the conclusion of the service. H said that he had been reading from the book of 1 John and crying out to the Lord to speak to him. He had been reading the exact passage I chose as my text. I could only listen to his words and rejoice with him as he poured out his heart of hunger and then the satisfying words of joy as he spoke. There was nothing else to do but to put my arms around him and rejoice with him in the way God answered his prayer and say, “Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a vessel through which you ministered to your servant this morning.”
About 1:00 PM we were able to slip into the four person elevator and ride down six floors to the street level. Just think about it! You either walk up the stairs, and I do not think anyone did or does, or wait your turn for 200 plus or minus worshipers to take their turn to go up and afterwards descend in this manner. It provides for one thing, well at least two – patience and fellowship either on the first floor or on the sixth, coming or going. Would you do this every service and remain faithful to your Church? (Please do not raise your hands, I want to continue to think that you are spiritual and dedicated to your Church.)
We found the food court at Jockey Plaza (pronounced Jo-key) and after meandering through the mob were able to select an establishment from which to secure our food, find a table and enjoy it. Marilyn and Marco chose KFC. Why? I am not sure, but not me! If I am going to eat chicken at a fast food place it will either be at Pardo’s in Lima or I’ll wait and return to “my chicken place - Popeye’s.” ( No payment received for this commercial.)
A short nap at our family run hotel, and a stop at Starbucks (Marilyn wanted something “cold” and I would not deny her that privilege, after all, I am a cultured gentleman and will endure something like that for the sake of my wife.) Then we, Marco Aroni our faithful Peruvian guide, trip coordinator and friend and MD/Assistant Pastor, Roger Falcon made our way back to Point Puerta and Communidad Cristiana La Vina with Pastor Edgard and Lisset Guillermo.
There we drove up a dirt street, parked in front of a small building as they were opening the doors – I should say the “wall” and saw a small room with two center posts dividing it. Sixty-four chairs sat in order in the room. These chairs would be filled and others would stand in the opening made by the retracting wall.
In the front of the room, a teenager moved her fingers over the keys of an electronic keyboard. A guitarist strummed his guitar and something looked strange, VERY STRANGE! I fastened my eyes on the guitar and discovered what it was. The man playing it was left-handed. There isn’t anything “strange about that, but what was strange were the strings! They were “upside down.” Better yet it was playing the guitar, simply placed on his shoulder as a left-handed person would, but with the strings in the same position as a right-handed person plays. He strummed it, from the higher strings to the bass strings. The sound was fascinating. His hands moved with great expertise as he placed them in the proper position for the chords. However, his finger wrapped around the neck of the guitar from below as though he were right handed – well it is best to say that he played the chords “up-side down,” and strummed it opposite from what I was taught. (Bet you did not know that I once played a guitar! ONCE! EARLY TEENS! ONLY FOR ONE YEAR! Followed by early retirement!)
THEY GUITARIST WAS GREAT! I was told he has many invitations to play with well-know professionals in Peru.
Anyway, I did get spiritual – I mean I did preach! I did minister to the people at the conclusion of the service. God allowed me to share some prophetic ministry but as we were leaving, having just stepped through the vacancy left by the retracting wall, I came face to face with a man I had seen while preaching. He, his wife and children were leaning against our car, so I stopped to speak to him. I shared what God spoke to me regarding him, and then asked his wife if what I said to him was true. Tears filled her eyes as she responded. Tears began to flow down his face. Both were believers but he admitted that God was dealing with him about becoming the spiritual leader of his home.
As I concluded my prayer for the family, Lisset, the pastor’s wife came out and seeing him said to him, “You were in my school. I know you!” Sure enough, they had been to school together. They lived just a few doors from the Church, but were not part of that congregation. I believe God used that moment to tie another family into the local body that worshiped there.
We finally made it home after a stop a famous eating establishment . You probably have heard of it all the way from Lima to the United States! McDonald’s!!!! Why? Nothing else was open! Arriving at our bed, breakfast and lunch, supper and Church of our hosts we fell into bed, exhausted and at least I was so tired I could not got to sleep and so I took my Zune (I switched from I-Pod) out and watched a session of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman before I fell asleep.
MONDAY:
What do you do the last day? You fill it with special meetings! You fill it with special times with friends! You fill it by spending time with pastors and wives who need encouragement, who need and want advice, who desire to have additional pastoral helps and teachings. You pack it full of fellowship and promises that you will return at least two more times during the year of 09.
Why? Because there is such a need and so many requests from so many needy pastors and wives desire for someone to spend personal time with them regardless of the size of the Church they pastor or the name on the shingle over the door of the place where they worship and the network or denomination to which the belong.
You hear the cry of their heart and what can you say but, “Yes I will!”
Will you pray and assist me in returning in June? I need to spend at least 3-4 weeks visiting various pastors, Churches all because we are related through the teaching of the Word of God via the Universidad Pact De Veda which is changing lives and ministries of pastors.
BACK TO TUESDAY!
We departed Lima at 11:50 PM on Monday night aboard American Airlines flight 918, arriving in Miami at 5:20 AM Tuesday and found our way through Immigration and Customs to friendly faces awaiting our arrival, climbed aboard the van and immediately began to related experiences and share what is happening in Peru on the way across Alligator Alley to home in Fort Myers. Then the work of unpacking..............
God bless and thank you for your prayers and sending us to be your representatives of Jesus to the beautiful people of Peru.......and to the other beautiful people we are privileged to know and love in the other nations of the World,
Dr. D. & Marilyn
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Saturday, February 21
VISITING IMPACTO DE VIDA’S CAMPUSES
There isn’t anything more exciting that visiting a couple of the Churches, pastors and students of Universidad Impacto De Vida here in Peru. You can see the excitement on the faces of the students. You hear the message of spiritual growth, desire to learn more and the privilege that is theirs to be a student in Covenant Life University.
Their voices ring with eagerness to tell you what they are learning and how it is changing their lives. They tell you that for the first time they recognize what has been missing from their lives as believers. Pastors “stand tall” as they share how the teaching has impacted their ministry.
Then you hear the question, “I have a pastor friend in (they name a city in Peru, or a city in another country) and say, ‘Will you help me take the college to him? I have talked to him and he wants to receive more training and also be able to train his people.’”
This is not some “trite statement from the top of my head” but the words of pastors who have been deprived of the opportunity to further their education in the Word.
We have eighteen (18) campuses here in Peru now and four more churches waiting on the visit on Marco Aroni, our coordinator to explain how it functions and what they must do to be granted the honor of having Impacto De Vida in their city. Oh, pardon me, there is another pastor who has been granted a school and will start in the next few months. And I also remember that many of the Churches we assisted after the earthquake under the direction of the David Wilkerson Ministries in the Chincha - Pisco area have been told that we will meet with them about the college also.
So you can see there are many doors opening to assist God’s people to reach their nation for Christ.
This has been the emphasis of the day, (it began at 7:30 and ended – I mean we returned here at 8:00 PM) except for a period of three hours we were able to spend with Dr. Roger Falcon, MD and his wife Magaly and their first child, Abigail who arrived on January 31st. Well, the focus of my day. Marilyn joined me at the Falcons after spending the day with David and Ceci in Jicamarca review plans for the future and assisting them in knowing how to go forward with them.
Once again, thanks for your prayers on our behalf. We have two more services - Sunday AM and PM then a day to reflect and pack for our return. We will arrive back in Miami at 5:20 AM on Tuesday, February 24th.
Is anyone available to meet us at the Miami airport and drive us back to Ft. Myers? If so call the Church office on Monday. Or speak to Peggy or Pastor on Sunday. We would greatly appreciate the help.
With love for your heart for missions,
Dr. D. & Marilyn
There isn’t anything more exciting that visiting a couple of the Churches, pastors and students of Universidad Impacto De Vida here in Peru. You can see the excitement on the faces of the students. You hear the message of spiritual growth, desire to learn more and the privilege that is theirs to be a student in Covenant Life University.
Their voices ring with eagerness to tell you what they are learning and how it is changing their lives. They tell you that for the first time they recognize what has been missing from their lives as believers. Pastors “stand tall” as they share how the teaching has impacted their ministry.
Then you hear the question, “I have a pastor friend in (they name a city in Peru, or a city in another country) and say, ‘Will you help me take the college to him? I have talked to him and he wants to receive more training and also be able to train his people.’”
This is not some “trite statement from the top of my head” but the words of pastors who have been deprived of the opportunity to further their education in the Word.
We have eighteen (18) campuses here in Peru now and four more churches waiting on the visit on Marco Aroni, our coordinator to explain how it functions and what they must do to be granted the honor of having Impacto De Vida in their city. Oh, pardon me, there is another pastor who has been granted a school and will start in the next few months. And I also remember that many of the Churches we assisted after the earthquake under the direction of the David Wilkerson Ministries in the Chincha - Pisco area have been told that we will meet with them about the college also.
So you can see there are many doors opening to assist God’s people to reach their nation for Christ.
This has been the emphasis of the day, (it began at 7:30 and ended – I mean we returned here at 8:00 PM) except for a period of three hours we were able to spend with Dr. Roger Falcon, MD and his wife Magaly and their first child, Abigail who arrived on January 31st. Well, the focus of my day. Marilyn joined me at the Falcons after spending the day with David and Ceci in Jicamarca review plans for the future and assisting them in knowing how to go forward with them.
Once again, thanks for your prayers on our behalf. We have two more services - Sunday AM and PM then a day to reflect and pack for our return. We will arrive back in Miami at 5:20 AM on Tuesday, February 24th.
Is anyone available to meet us at the Miami airport and drive us back to Ft. Myers? If so call the Church office on Monday. Or speak to Peggy or Pastor on Sunday. We would greatly appreciate the help.
With love for your heart for missions,
Dr. D. & Marilyn
Friday, February 20
Another Day Ends! A Tired Body! A Blessed Soul! A Content Spirit!
The day has long come and gone! It is actually the “next day” and our heads have not hit the pillow! It may be some time before that takes place. We must be up and ready to go by 7:30 AM but the after-glow of today lingers as the fingers cross the keys of the computer. The mind races as it reviews the time with Pastor Jorge and Janine Watanabe from Iglesia Pentecostal de Santidad who is also the IPHC National Director.
They are such sincere, sweet people with a burden for their church and the work of God in Peru over which he has the responsibility. Our hearts have been knit together with the same vision for helping the pastors and churches go forward. It was evident as I laid out my thoughts and a smile flashed across his face. He expressed his thoughts and everything dovetailed together. Oh, that God would help me to convey the need and method of meeting the need to the IPHC Churches in the SonShine Conference.
Our mealtime was enhanced by the joy of just being able to add tidbits of thought to the prior conversation in his office. They have made such progress with their building. Yet there is much to be done. Tile to be laid. Bunk beds to purchase. Paint to be applied to the walls, shelves built, sheets purchased, a security fence around the top of the building with a canvass top to permit usage of the flat roof area for special occasions and fellowship. But more important was the concern he had for his pastors. What could we do to help the Church in Chincha to get the money to connect to the city sewer. Two hundred plus children are educated free and their existing waste disposal method is overflowing and MUST be removed. Is there any Church in the United States who would donate the $3,000 needed?
After a short rest, a quick trip to the downtown area of Lima to pick up the special made foam back and cover for the single bed in the living room of David and Ceci’s house so it would look like a sofa during the day and not another bedroom. Then on to Iglesia Centro Christiano De Avivamiento pastored by Gustavo and Jennie Rodriquez and their Church family for another marriage seminar. The word was that there were many singles coming to learn about marriage so they could prepare themselves for their special day and that special person in their future.
Now everyone knows that after service, preachers like to eat and talk! There is no difference here! So it is out to a Crepes and Waffle House for a quick “supper” of desert at 10:00 PM and then to head back to our “Home Base,” arriving at 11:50 PM.
Why does 7:30 seem so early tonight? But that is our schedule and so we go forward with joy knowing that our steps are ordered of the Lord.
A FOLLOW UP TO YESTERDAY’S BLOG: I did spell one name incorrectly: The youngest child a boy is named “Felippo.” Correction made! “Hey Tiger! Forgive me! I did make it right!”
I QUIT! It is 12:59 AM! Good Night - O yes, I mean Good Morning!
Dr D & Marilyn
The day has long come and gone! It is actually the “next day” and our heads have not hit the pillow! It may be some time before that takes place. We must be up and ready to go by 7:30 AM but the after-glow of today lingers as the fingers cross the keys of the computer. The mind races as it reviews the time with Pastor Jorge and Janine Watanabe from Iglesia Pentecostal de Santidad who is also the IPHC National Director.
They are such sincere, sweet people with a burden for their church and the work of God in Peru over which he has the responsibility. Our hearts have been knit together with the same vision for helping the pastors and churches go forward. It was evident as I laid out my thoughts and a smile flashed across his face. He expressed his thoughts and everything dovetailed together. Oh, that God would help me to convey the need and method of meeting the need to the IPHC Churches in the SonShine Conference.
Our mealtime was enhanced by the joy of just being able to add tidbits of thought to the prior conversation in his office. They have made such progress with their building. Yet there is much to be done. Tile to be laid. Bunk beds to purchase. Paint to be applied to the walls, shelves built, sheets purchased, a security fence around the top of the building with a canvass top to permit usage of the flat roof area for special occasions and fellowship. But more important was the concern he had for his pastors. What could we do to help the Church in Chincha to get the money to connect to the city sewer. Two hundred plus children are educated free and their existing waste disposal method is overflowing and MUST be removed. Is there any Church in the United States who would donate the $3,000 needed?
After a short rest, a quick trip to the downtown area of Lima to pick up the special made foam back and cover for the single bed in the living room of David and Ceci’s house so it would look like a sofa during the day and not another bedroom. Then on to Iglesia Centro Christiano De Avivamiento pastored by Gustavo and Jennie Rodriquez and their Church family for another marriage seminar. The word was that there were many singles coming to learn about marriage so they could prepare themselves for their special day and that special person in their future.
Now everyone knows that after service, preachers like to eat and talk! There is no difference here! So it is out to a Crepes and Waffle House for a quick “supper” of desert at 10:00 PM and then to head back to our “Home Base,” arriving at 11:50 PM.
Why does 7:30 seem so early tonight? But that is our schedule and so we go forward with joy knowing that our steps are ordered of the Lord.
A FOLLOW UP TO YESTERDAY’S BLOG: I did spell one name incorrectly: The youngest child a boy is named “Felippo.” Correction made! “Hey Tiger! Forgive me! I did make it right!”
I QUIT! It is 12:59 AM! Good Night - O yes, I mean Good Morning!
Dr D & Marilyn
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 19
A FULL DAY OF MINISTRY
Ministry comes in different ways at different times for different people. Today we spent five hours in pastoral counsel with our host and hostess, Pastor Agustin and Jessica Ciccia. They are great people with a true heart to see God change the lives of those He has entrusted to them. We are able to share experiences in sheep ministry.
You know about sheep, do you not? They are strange animals. They have no natural defense features such as physical strength, sharp big teeth, great speed, and they cannot even swim. So all they do is make a distressing sound. And well there are other characteristics, of which I shall not speak, because of the odor created by them. And when you walk among them be careful because they leave a mess everywhere. But they are our Master’s sheep and we pastors must shepherd them.
So we spent the time sharing advice on how to be a good shepherd and lead the flock even though at times they do not want to be led but somehow wander away without giving thought to where they are going but still headed somewhere toward danger that lies ahead of them.
Enough of my sermon on sheep and back to the happenings of today.
There isn’t anyway to have fellowship and share than sitting around a table of good food and so we journeyed to Pardo’s to have some broiled chicken, salad, fries, Inca Cola (it sells more than any Coke product here in Peru –- so guess what Coke did? They bought them out and added it to their line.) This also provided as time without their three children, Clemente, Chiara, Philepo (I just goofed on the spelling, but no one is awake at this hour to get the correct spelling, so wait until the next blog for a correction) who were able to play on the inside playground and give us time alone with their parents.
We returned to their home to wait for our next appointment, Gustavo Rodriquez, who was my first interpreter on my first trip to Peru. He is the pastor of Iglesia Centro Christiano De Avivamiento and a good friend of the Ciccias (our hosts). He was coming to spend a couple of hours with us before he joined us at our evening engagement at Communidad Cristiana La Vina, pastored by Edgard and Lisset Guillermo. The travel time is between one - one and one-half hours.
We have served them on two previous occasions, one with the LTI team in May of 08. They have one of the easiest people to minster to because they are so responsive. You can see their faces light up, frown or whatever the comments call for so vividly. They are a joy to serve. We will return there this coming Sunday evening for our first official Church service – all previous visits have focused on marriage seminar material.
By the time I got home, after a quick stop at the only fast food open, which is operated by your friendly clown, Brother McDonald it was close to midnight. Marilyn did not join me on this occasion because of a stomach irritation. I did not her to go and to have it develop into something more so she stayed back. She was no worse and thing had maintained status quo, so I believe she will be okay for Friday’s adventures.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Dr. D. & Marilyn
Ministry comes in different ways at different times for different people. Today we spent five hours in pastoral counsel with our host and hostess, Pastor Agustin and Jessica Ciccia. They are great people with a true heart to see God change the lives of those He has entrusted to them. We are able to share experiences in sheep ministry.
You know about sheep, do you not? They are strange animals. They have no natural defense features such as physical strength, sharp big teeth, great speed, and they cannot even swim. So all they do is make a distressing sound. And well there are other characteristics, of which I shall not speak, because of the odor created by them. And when you walk among them be careful because they leave a mess everywhere. But they are our Master’s sheep and we pastors must shepherd them.
So we spent the time sharing advice on how to be a good shepherd and lead the flock even though at times they do not want to be led but somehow wander away without giving thought to where they are going but still headed somewhere toward danger that lies ahead of them.
Enough of my sermon on sheep and back to the happenings of today.
There isn’t anyway to have fellowship and share than sitting around a table of good food and so we journeyed to Pardo’s to have some broiled chicken, salad, fries, Inca Cola (it sells more than any Coke product here in Peru –- so guess what Coke did? They bought them out and added it to their line.) This also provided as time without their three children, Clemente, Chiara, Philepo (I just goofed on the spelling, but no one is awake at this hour to get the correct spelling, so wait until the next blog for a correction) who were able to play on the inside playground and give us time alone with their parents.
We returned to their home to wait for our next appointment, Gustavo Rodriquez, who was my first interpreter on my first trip to Peru. He is the pastor of Iglesia Centro Christiano De Avivamiento and a good friend of the Ciccias (our hosts). He was coming to spend a couple of hours with us before he joined us at our evening engagement at Communidad Cristiana La Vina, pastored by Edgard and Lisset Guillermo. The travel time is between one - one and one-half hours.
We have served them on two previous occasions, one with the LTI team in May of 08. They have one of the easiest people to minster to because they are so responsive. You can see their faces light up, frown or whatever the comments call for so vividly. They are a joy to serve. We will return there this coming Sunday evening for our first official Church service – all previous visits have focused on marriage seminar material.
By the time I got home, after a quick stop at the only fast food open, which is operated by your friendly clown, Brother McDonald it was close to midnight. Marilyn did not join me on this occasion because of a stomach irritation. I did not her to go and to have it develop into something more so she stayed back. She was no worse and thing had maintained status quo, so I believe she will be okay for Friday’s adventures.
Thanks for reading and praying,
Dr. D. & Marilyn
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, February 18
Monterrico – Jicamarca – Different But Same!
Confused? It is easy to understand when you are here and go from the Lima area of Monterrico to the new development area of Jicamarca.
You leave nice buildings, homes, streets, electricity, water on demand, but you also leave the busy sounds of the city - buses, taxis, car doors slamming, people walking all times of the night. You trade all this for the quietness of the night, only interrupted by the sounds of a dog but the stillness is overwhelming and sleep is only troubled if you are used to the busy sound of the inner city.
You also have to deal with the sound of the generator during the evening before it is turned off. Then it is light by propane gas. You carry a flashlight with you around your neck so you can see when walking out of the one or two rooms where the gas light is hanging.
You must be sure the battery is charged so the water pump will pump water to the roof container. You are careful about your use of water – and the rhyme: “If yellow, let it mellow, if brown flush it down” is the law of the bathroom.
You travel outside to go downstairs to the bedroom. Thus you reverse the procedure to go upstairs for food and fellowship or to go to Church services. Well you do get a lot of exercise that way! And you do find sore muscles!
O yes! The Weather! It is summer here and the temperature in the area of Lima where we stay with Pastor Agustin is in the mid 80's. It gets hot here because there is no air-conditioning. (Marilyn just told me it was in the mid 50's in Ft. Myers.) So you do feel the heat. But in Jicarmarca, there is a breeze that moves from the valley area up the mountain through the gap above us. So it is cool in the morning and then the afternoon breeze picks up considerably as the thermal powers take control. At night – great – there is nothing better than God’s AC!
A BIG DIFFERENCE is the continual battle with the dust. The mountain area of Jicamarca is desert. The sides of the mountains are nothing but rock, rock, rock and dirt, dirt, dirt thus the continual presence of dust blowing through the open windows. And how can I forget the fact that there are no screens on the windows. So you do battle “some” this time of year but not nearly as bad as in their winter months.
Going to the corner store? It doesn’t exist so you must be sure you have everything you need for a couple of days. No car is available. It is travel by taxi – as you know a taxi – or a three wheel motorcycle or scooter with a “rickshaw” style seat but covered by a tarp with plastic windows.
THE ROAD! It is up hill all the way for almost two miles. And until recently and completed only Friday, February 13, it was a rock road half the distance to the Hodges home and the location of Iglesia Vida, Jicamarca, Peru.
Leaving all these things to be dwelt with by your flesh, you move to the spiritual side of your time with Pastor David and Ceci Hodges and their two boys, Elel and Jordan. The work there is progressing. Sunday evening we had close to 40 in the service with one lady coming to Christ. They twisted my arm and instead of a prayer meeting Tuesday evening, I spoke again. They had 50 present. Plus there were 25 regulars who were not able to be there. And again we had one man give his heart to Jesus. That wasn’t the only salvation, because a young man who was in the service Sunday evening came by to speak with the Pastor and repented from his sin of having walked away from Christ and the call of God on his life.
Pedro (name changed to protect him) - a former “hit man”who is in his 20's has come to Jesus in the past month. He lives in the Church, sleeping on the floor. You can hear him pounding the drum and singing praises and praying at various times during the day and night. He takes his drum and goes to the market every day to preach the gospel. In both services there were evidences of those he had contacted and brought to the service. In fact, it was his mother who gave her life to Jesus Sunday evening. He was 13 when his mother told him to do something and he hit her in the face and since that time has been an angry young man who made his living as a criminal. Only God knows the crimes he has committed, including murder. He does anything he is asked to do and with a smile. He is studying college courses with Pastor David. It was exciting to watch his face shine and to listen to his eagerness to learn some English phrases so he could communicate with us.
The Church is growing and impacting people so fast that the “Corinthians” - a Catholic based group down in the main area of the city have threatened to fire anyone working for them who goes to Iglesia Vida. One man has already been fired because he refused to stop. Others have stopped going to Church, but are visited in their homes. I believe they will return.
I weep just to think about the people there. If it wasn’t for David and Ceci and her relatives who are giving so much of their time to minister to the people, where would those who have come to Jesus be tonight?
Ceci’s niece, Jovana has moved to live with them and help them. She travels almost 2 hours one way each day to attend an institutional institution where she studies English. She has become an excellent interpreter and without any Peruvian carryover. Her cousin, Rosita travels also to Jicamarca to help in the services as does Jovana’s brother, John Carlos, who gives a Sunday every other week to lead worship. These youth do it they say because their Uncle and Aunt have given so much to them that they want to share what they have with others. Ceci’s sister, Maria travels almost two hours by bus three times a week to assist. She was the one who maintained the ministry while David and Ceci were in the United States for almost one year.
So you ask? Is it worth it to support the Hodges and their ministry and that of Iglesia Vida, in Jicamarca, Peru? I respond with a question: What do you think after reading about the sacrifice and impact the Church is making in the community?
I have so much to say and yet I need to close for today. Who knows? I may add more tomorrow.
With love from us and the Hodges,
Dr. D. & Marilyn
Confused? It is easy to understand when you are here and go from the Lima area of Monterrico to the new development area of Jicamarca.
You leave nice buildings, homes, streets, electricity, water on demand, but you also leave the busy sounds of the city - buses, taxis, car doors slamming, people walking all times of the night. You trade all this for the quietness of the night, only interrupted by the sounds of a dog but the stillness is overwhelming and sleep is only troubled if you are used to the busy sound of the inner city.
You also have to deal with the sound of the generator during the evening before it is turned off. Then it is light by propane gas. You carry a flashlight with you around your neck so you can see when walking out of the one or two rooms where the gas light is hanging.
You must be sure the battery is charged so the water pump will pump water to the roof container. You are careful about your use of water – and the rhyme: “If yellow, let it mellow, if brown flush it down” is the law of the bathroom.
You travel outside to go downstairs to the bedroom. Thus you reverse the procedure to go upstairs for food and fellowship or to go to Church services. Well you do get a lot of exercise that way! And you do find sore muscles!
O yes! The Weather! It is summer here and the temperature in the area of Lima where we stay with Pastor Agustin is in the mid 80's. It gets hot here because there is no air-conditioning. (Marilyn just told me it was in the mid 50's in Ft. Myers.) So you do feel the heat. But in Jicarmarca, there is a breeze that moves from the valley area up the mountain through the gap above us. So it is cool in the morning and then the afternoon breeze picks up considerably as the thermal powers take control. At night – great – there is nothing better than God’s AC!
A BIG DIFFERENCE is the continual battle with the dust. The mountain area of Jicamarca is desert. The sides of the mountains are nothing but rock, rock, rock and dirt, dirt, dirt thus the continual presence of dust blowing through the open windows. And how can I forget the fact that there are no screens on the windows. So you do battle “some” this time of year but not nearly as bad as in their winter months.
Going to the corner store? It doesn’t exist so you must be sure you have everything you need for a couple of days. No car is available. It is travel by taxi – as you know a taxi – or a three wheel motorcycle or scooter with a “rickshaw” style seat but covered by a tarp with plastic windows.
THE ROAD! It is up hill all the way for almost two miles. And until recently and completed only Friday, February 13, it was a rock road half the distance to the Hodges home and the location of Iglesia Vida, Jicamarca, Peru.
Leaving all these things to be dwelt with by your flesh, you move to the spiritual side of your time with Pastor David and Ceci Hodges and their two boys, Elel and Jordan. The work there is progressing. Sunday evening we had close to 40 in the service with one lady coming to Christ. They twisted my arm and instead of a prayer meeting Tuesday evening, I spoke again. They had 50 present. Plus there were 25 regulars who were not able to be there. And again we had one man give his heart to Jesus. That wasn’t the only salvation, because a young man who was in the service Sunday evening came by to speak with the Pastor and repented from his sin of having walked away from Christ and the call of God on his life.
Pedro (name changed to protect him) - a former “hit man”who is in his 20's has come to Jesus in the past month. He lives in the Church, sleeping on the floor. You can hear him pounding the drum and singing praises and praying at various times during the day and night. He takes his drum and goes to the market every day to preach the gospel. In both services there were evidences of those he had contacted and brought to the service. In fact, it was his mother who gave her life to Jesus Sunday evening. He was 13 when his mother told him to do something and he hit her in the face and since that time has been an angry young man who made his living as a criminal. Only God knows the crimes he has committed, including murder. He does anything he is asked to do and with a smile. He is studying college courses with Pastor David. It was exciting to watch his face shine and to listen to his eagerness to learn some English phrases so he could communicate with us.
The Church is growing and impacting people so fast that the “Corinthians” - a Catholic based group down in the main area of the city have threatened to fire anyone working for them who goes to Iglesia Vida. One man has already been fired because he refused to stop. Others have stopped going to Church, but are visited in their homes. I believe they will return.
I weep just to think about the people there. If it wasn’t for David and Ceci and her relatives who are giving so much of their time to minister to the people, where would those who have come to Jesus be tonight?
Ceci’s niece, Jovana has moved to live with them and help them. She travels almost 2 hours one way each day to attend an institutional institution where she studies English. She has become an excellent interpreter and without any Peruvian carryover. Her cousin, Rosita travels also to Jicamarca to help in the services as does Jovana’s brother, John Carlos, who gives a Sunday every other week to lead worship. These youth do it they say because their Uncle and Aunt have given so much to them that they want to share what they have with others. Ceci’s sister, Maria travels almost two hours by bus three times a week to assist. She was the one who maintained the ministry while David and Ceci were in the United States for almost one year.
So you ask? Is it worth it to support the Hodges and their ministry and that of Iglesia Vida, in Jicamarca, Peru? I respond with a question: What do you think after reading about the sacrifice and impact the Church is making in the community?
I have so much to say and yet I need to close for today. Who knows? I may add more tomorrow.
With love from us and the Hodges,
Dr. D. & Marilyn
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunday, February 15
LAST NEWS FOR THREE DAYS!
Just want to give you a quick update before we leave for Jicamarca and their five o’clock service. We will be without internet service until we come back here on Wednesday.
We have never been in Peru in the summer – and it is hot. I was watching the weather and it appeared cooler than it actually feels so we neither one brought enough clothes for the hot weather.
We had a good service this morning. Dave encouraged the people in their “faith walk” to launch out. This is a sweet body of believers who have a genuine love for each other and to enjoy fellowship. Refreshments and fellowship followed the service along with birthday cake for Dave and me. We had many good wishes not only for our anniversary yesterday but for our birthdays today (remember David is older than me by four years - that never changes).
We are looking forward to spending some time with David and Ceci. We are bringing them into town tomorrow and plan to have a meal at a restaurant with them – they are truly looking forward to that. They live pretty isolated lives.
Again, thanks for your prayers on our behalf. We love you.
Marilyn and Dr. D.
Just want to give you a quick update before we leave for Jicamarca and their five o’clock service. We will be without internet service until we come back here on Wednesday.
We have never been in Peru in the summer – and it is hot. I was watching the weather and it appeared cooler than it actually feels so we neither one brought enough clothes for the hot weather.
We had a good service this morning. Dave encouraged the people in their “faith walk” to launch out. This is a sweet body of believers who have a genuine love for each other and to enjoy fellowship. Refreshments and fellowship followed the service along with birthday cake for Dave and me. We had many good wishes not only for our anniversary yesterday but for our birthdays today (remember David is older than me by four years - that never changes).
We are looking forward to spending some time with David and Ceci. We are bringing them into town tomorrow and plan to have a meal at a restaurant with them – they are truly looking forward to that. They live pretty isolated lives.
Again, thanks for your prayers on our behalf. We love you.
Marilyn and Dr. D.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Friday, February 13
BUSY! WARM! GOOD! EVEN RAIN!
I say “rain” because for the last 24 hours we have had what we would call “an off and on again sprinkle,” but here it is “RAIN!” It is a very, very rare thing to have any such indication of rain and it is a double miracle for it to happen in the summer. This region is a desert on the side of the Andes toward the Pacific Ocean. Even in what they call their “rainy” season, it does not rain but only mists, mists and mists some more. They are all surprised and talking about it.
Today was a full day of activities here at the retreat site. “SITE!” Did I say “site”? YUP! I mean at the home of the Pastor! In his house. In his yard. In his Church facility. In his mother-in-laws sports arena (she has a large pool, a volleyball court, a small soccer court, a basketball court! This woman is in her seventies and at least once a week she holds court for her friends to play volleyball. She is the owner of a large wood processing and distribution factory. The wood is beautiful – I know I should be able to tell you the kind of wood, but my brain is “woody” and I do not know. Anyway, back to today’s activities.
Up at 7; devotions at 8 (Marilyn got drafted ten minutes prior to do the ladies devotions); breakfast at 9 (a Peruvian crusty roll with avocado) and a cappuccino (better than “fivebucks”; first service ast 10 (I spoke); lunch at 1; sports at 2; seminar session at 4:30; supper at 6:30; service at 7 (I spoke); hot dogs and Peruvian sausages after; devotions at 11 (Marilyn just got drafted again and this time without preparation time) and now time to allow it all to settle down, write this blog and then finish my message for 10:00 tomorrow.
It has been very interesting to see the new faces of the youth of Nuevas Fuerzas (spelled correctly today, but not in the first blog from Peru – sorry but my Spanish needs more work (if that is what you call it, but is more like a miracle). We found out that many of the youth here at this retreat are not really a part of the local Church, but come here to be fed, be accepted and recognized as valuable. You cannot tell by looking who belongs and who does not. That is beautiful to watch and be a part of.
There is so much to do and so many people to see and the time is moving too fast for me. I can see that it will necessitate a return to Peru probably two more times this year or more. We now have eighteen (18) schools in operation and more in the wings. Chile is opening and another country but I cannot remember which one even though Marco Aroni (our Peruvian coordinator) told me. There are at least two schools I promised to return to be there to hand out their first year certificates and others who are standing in line with the same request.
We found out that one pastor is taking the courses by himself under Marco’s direction and because of that wants to take it to his churches in Chile. This is exciting and we thank God for the reception and the privilege of being able to train workers for the harvest.
Signing off for today and requesting your continued prayers,
Dr D & Marilyn
I say “rain” because for the last 24 hours we have had what we would call “an off and on again sprinkle,” but here it is “RAIN!” It is a very, very rare thing to have any such indication of rain and it is a double miracle for it to happen in the summer. This region is a desert on the side of the Andes toward the Pacific Ocean. Even in what they call their “rainy” season, it does not rain but only mists, mists and mists some more. They are all surprised and talking about it.
Today was a full day of activities here at the retreat site. “SITE!” Did I say “site”? YUP! I mean at the home of the Pastor! In his house. In his yard. In his Church facility. In his mother-in-laws sports arena (she has a large pool, a volleyball court, a small soccer court, a basketball court! This woman is in her seventies and at least once a week she holds court for her friends to play volleyball. She is the owner of a large wood processing and distribution factory. The wood is beautiful – I know I should be able to tell you the kind of wood, but my brain is “woody” and I do not know. Anyway, back to today’s activities.
Up at 7; devotions at 8 (Marilyn got drafted ten minutes prior to do the ladies devotions); breakfast at 9 (a Peruvian crusty roll with avocado) and a cappuccino (better than “fivebucks”; first service ast 10 (I spoke); lunch at 1; sports at 2; seminar session at 4:30; supper at 6:30; service at 7 (I spoke); hot dogs and Peruvian sausages after; devotions at 11 (Marilyn just got drafted again and this time without preparation time) and now time to allow it all to settle down, write this blog and then finish my message for 10:00 tomorrow.
It has been very interesting to see the new faces of the youth of Nuevas Fuerzas (spelled correctly today, but not in the first blog from Peru – sorry but my Spanish needs more work (if that is what you call it, but is more like a miracle). We found out that many of the youth here at this retreat are not really a part of the local Church, but come here to be fed, be accepted and recognized as valuable. You cannot tell by looking who belongs and who does not. That is beautiful to watch and be a part of.
There is so much to do and so many people to see and the time is moving too fast for me. I can see that it will necessitate a return to Peru probably two more times this year or more. We now have eighteen (18) schools in operation and more in the wings. Chile is opening and another country but I cannot remember which one even though Marco Aroni (our Peruvian coordinator) told me. There are at least two schools I promised to return to be there to hand out their first year certificates and others who are standing in line with the same request.
We found out that one pastor is taking the courses by himself under Marco’s direction and because of that wants to take it to his churches in Chile. This is exciting and we thank God for the reception and the privilege of being able to train workers for the harvest.
Signing off for today and requesting your continued prayers,
Dr D & Marilyn
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Thursday, February 12
SUMMER IS HERE (Not at home!)
Today has been a day of preparation for the youth retreat that began this evening. It is hard to be prepared before you arrive. Things seem to change. There seems to always be a new twist. More than not it is in your own perceived understanding of what your host desired. So you arrive with thoughts and then sit down to get prepared. And so I - we - have been doing this all day.
I will be sharing a three part series called: The Priorities of Love. I Love God. I Love Me. I Love You. It is based on Mark 12:28-31 and the scribe’s question to Jesus: “What is the greatest commandment?” Two of those are finished and the third is struggling.
And then in the middle of it all, we have to have two sessions with the youth over 20 and up to ??? (I really do not know except that they are single and want to shed that label.) Guess what the subject is? You are right if you said, “sex” – well it is a major issue due to the legalistic vs. the liberal points of view that these youth have been involved.
Our assignment is to bring them back to middle with Godly restraints to guide them. So PRAY - PRAY - PRAY!
So what more can I offer today, other than we have been busy on the computer. And wouldn’t you know it but my computer has a mind of its own! There must be something wrong with the keyboard – loose or ?. Because it will do all sorts of strange things. It will even begin to type in the small box, upper left, where it tells you the font you are using. Then it may just get mad and erase one who section if one is not careful. Frustrating to say the least!! I guess it doesn’t like getting old. It is forced to work sometimes 12-16 hours per day because its owner will not let it rest.
You can tell I do not have more to tell you, can’t you? Well, here is the END!
God bless,
Dr. D. & Marilyn
Today has been a day of preparation for the youth retreat that began this evening. It is hard to be prepared before you arrive. Things seem to change. There seems to always be a new twist. More than not it is in your own perceived understanding of what your host desired. So you arrive with thoughts and then sit down to get prepared. And so I - we - have been doing this all day.
I will be sharing a three part series called: The Priorities of Love. I Love God. I Love Me. I Love You. It is based on Mark 12:28-31 and the scribe’s question to Jesus: “What is the greatest commandment?” Two of those are finished and the third is struggling.
And then in the middle of it all, we have to have two sessions with the youth over 20 and up to ??? (I really do not know except that they are single and want to shed that label.) Guess what the subject is? You are right if you said, “sex” – well it is a major issue due to the legalistic vs. the liberal points of view that these youth have been involved.
Our assignment is to bring them back to middle with Godly restraints to guide them. So PRAY - PRAY - PRAY!
So what more can I offer today, other than we have been busy on the computer. And wouldn’t you know it but my computer has a mind of its own! There must be something wrong with the keyboard – loose or ?. Because it will do all sorts of strange things. It will even begin to type in the small box, upper left, where it tells you the font you are using. Then it may just get mad and erase one who section if one is not careful. Frustrating to say the least!! I guess it doesn’t like getting old. It is forced to work sometimes 12-16 hours per day because its owner will not let it rest.
You can tell I do not have more to tell you, can’t you? Well, here is the END!
God bless,
Dr. D. & Marilyn
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday & Wednesday February 10-11, 2009
WE GOT THE “GREEN LIGHT” AGAIN!
If you have never been to Peru you will not understand this, so let me explain.
First you go through immigration. Then you pick up your luggage from the carrousel, load it on a cart and head for the exit. One last step faces you. You hand your declaration document to the attendant. He says, push the button. If you get a red light, that means you have to take your luggage and run it through the x-ray machine. There they can inspect each piece of luggage and ask questions about anything inside. It can mean they charge you tax for anything found therein.
However, if you get the green light, you zip on out to meet your party. Now the excitement is because you have packed many items for your missionary. Things like, cooking pots and pans; dishes – many – many – many; silverware; stirring utensils, cooking spoons, spatulas, etc. Well, you did not but your wife did – you know the woman who loves to go to thrift stores to see how many bargains she can get for our missionaries. Include with these items are such things as expensive cell phones purchased through E-Bay by a pastor from Peru and sent to your house for you to bring to Peru, as well as special ink for printers; an expensive bulb for an projector and other various and sundry items.
To top this off, in your carry-on is a 500 GB hard drive DVD/CD duplicator! This alone would raise eyebrows by the Peruvian Tax Police, even if it is used and for the College.
So you pray for the “GREEN LIGHT” You step forward as your turn arrives, hand your declarations document, reach forward carefully and push the button. You think - almost aloud - with the amount of luggage someone will push a secret switch and cause us to go through inspection. There is a delay .... your heart races and then that BEAUTIFUL GREEN LIGHT APPEARS! You begin to sing to yourself, “Free at last! Thank God I am free at last!” (You do it quietly because if they heard you singing you’d be in more trouble than for the items you have in your suitcases.)
There is nothing more exciting than seeing the faces of those waiting to see you enter through the security doors with a smile on your face and the first words out of your mouth are: “We got the green light again!” Their response is, “Really! Wow!” And so you traipse off into the darkness to find the van and head to your bed ...well, sort of. Why?
Because you know they want to see what awaits them in those heavy bags. Heavy you ask? Sure everyone weighed the maximum - 50 pounds. And even your carry-ons were over-weight! Mine alone was 48 pounds (24 is the limit). (It had the DVD/CD recorder and had to be protected.)
Whoops! I forgot to confess one thing! I had pulled both of our carry-ons through the Miami airport (the most of the time) — remember they were heavy! So my back was not all that good. It gave me an idea. So I approached the gate agents and asked is I could get on early because of my back. I expected that I might be allowed on with the early borders. She said sure, lets go now! So I did and it gave me time to put my heavy carry-on overhead without looking so conspicuous as I lifted it with all that weight. Wow! Another trave tip to remember.
Pastor Agustin met us with a young man from his church and with great appreciation took us to his home where we will make our headquarters on this trip. On the way he explained that the youth retreat would take place at his home – the church, Nuevas Fruerzas (New Strength) also meet there – in their yard, under a tent. It isn’t a normal tent. It has a fabric cover but with aluminum trusses, lights, fans, and a very expensive wood floor made in 12/12 tile like sections.
The girls would be sleeping in the room we normally used and the guys would be sleeping in the Church. Our home was to be the bedroom of their oldest son, Clemente. It is a great room having our own bathroom, twin beds, and twin work desks with a light for each. SUPER DUPER!
We crashed after just before 1:30 AM Wednesday morning, having put away the majority of our clothes and work supplies. Sleep came easily but did not last long enough as the door bell sounded and we knew that Marco Aroni, our Covenant Life University coordinator was arriving to take us out to David and Ceci Hodges for a few hours. So we had to stir around, get the bags ready to take to them the “collection of cooking tools, etc. for their newest project – a restaurant on the property.
I am going to permit Marilyn to explain the restaurant. So, “Marilyn, come here and tell the people about the entrepreneurial missions project. Now please, so I can finish this. Thanks!”
Restaurants in Peru aren’t and can’t be compared to a restaurant in the United States. Anyone can set up a roadside stand or have tables set up outside their house and call it a “restaurant.” The area where David and Ceci live is growing – it is hard to believe and those who have been there (like our work team) no doubt are wondering - why? But it has grown considerably since we were there last. There are also factories and businesses being established in the area.
Ultimately, they would like to obtain contracts from the businesses in the area to feed the workers. This would be a guaranteed income for them. Other ideas would be to “pre-sell” lunches for children to take to school. It is still in the planning stages and yet to be determined the details of when it will be opened and how they would pursue the clientele.
The thought is not only to generate income for David and Ceci but possibly provide a means of income for someone in their Church. For $3,000, they can build 32 x 19 wood structure on a slab and acquire all the necessary things to begin and give them start up costs. This building can also be used for Church functions so it will serve a double function.
“Thanks Marilyn!”
The schedule for this trip is to say the “least” - full! The youth retreat begins Thursday evening, Friday morning, afternoon, evening and the same for Saturday. I will be speaking three times and twice with Marilyn at this retreat. Then Sunday morning here at Nuevas Fruerzas, eat a quick meal and travel to Jicamarca to speak at Iglesia Vida for David Hodges.
We will spend Monday through Wednesday with the Hodges - no more speaking engagements and then return to the Pastor Agustin and Jessica Ciccia’s home for the remainder of this trip. Marilyn will be sharing with some ladies on Wednesday evening. Thursday and Friday evenings we will be doing a marriage seminar at different churches. Sunday I will be speaking twice and then, “That’s all Folks!”
We get to rest Monday, except for packing and heading to the airport for our flight back to the US which departs at 11:50 PM arriving in Miami on Tuesday at 5:20 AM.
So until you read the next blog—JUST KEEP ON PRAYING! We appreciate it!
Dr. D. and Marilyn
If you have never been to Peru you will not understand this, so let me explain.
First you go through immigration. Then you pick up your luggage from the carrousel, load it on a cart and head for the exit. One last step faces you. You hand your declaration document to the attendant. He says, push the button. If you get a red light, that means you have to take your luggage and run it through the x-ray machine. There they can inspect each piece of luggage and ask questions about anything inside. It can mean they charge you tax for anything found therein.
However, if you get the green light, you zip on out to meet your party. Now the excitement is because you have packed many items for your missionary. Things like, cooking pots and pans; dishes – many – many – many; silverware; stirring utensils, cooking spoons, spatulas, etc. Well, you did not but your wife did – you know the woman who loves to go to thrift stores to see how many bargains she can get for our missionaries. Include with these items are such things as expensive cell phones purchased through E-Bay by a pastor from Peru and sent to your house for you to bring to Peru, as well as special ink for printers; an expensive bulb for an projector and other various and sundry items.
To top this off, in your carry-on is a 500 GB hard drive DVD/CD duplicator! This alone would raise eyebrows by the Peruvian Tax Police, even if it is used and for the College.
So you pray for the “GREEN LIGHT” You step forward as your turn arrives, hand your declarations document, reach forward carefully and push the button. You think - almost aloud - with the amount of luggage someone will push a secret switch and cause us to go through inspection. There is a delay .... your heart races and then that BEAUTIFUL GREEN LIGHT APPEARS! You begin to sing to yourself, “Free at last! Thank God I am free at last!” (You do it quietly because if they heard you singing you’d be in more trouble than for the items you have in your suitcases.)
There is nothing more exciting than seeing the faces of those waiting to see you enter through the security doors with a smile on your face and the first words out of your mouth are: “We got the green light again!” Their response is, “Really! Wow!” And so you traipse off into the darkness to find the van and head to your bed ...well, sort of. Why?
Because you know they want to see what awaits them in those heavy bags. Heavy you ask? Sure everyone weighed the maximum - 50 pounds. And even your carry-ons were over-weight! Mine alone was 48 pounds (24 is the limit). (It had the DVD/CD recorder and had to be protected.)
Whoops! I forgot to confess one thing! I had pulled both of our carry-ons through the Miami airport (the most of the time) — remember they were heavy! So my back was not all that good. It gave me an idea. So I approached the gate agents and asked is I could get on early because of my back. I expected that I might be allowed on with the early borders. She said sure, lets go now! So I did and it gave me time to put my heavy carry-on overhead without looking so conspicuous as I lifted it with all that weight. Wow! Another trave tip to remember.
Pastor Agustin met us with a young man from his church and with great appreciation took us to his home where we will make our headquarters on this trip. On the way he explained that the youth retreat would take place at his home – the church, Nuevas Fruerzas (New Strength) also meet there – in their yard, under a tent. It isn’t a normal tent. It has a fabric cover but with aluminum trusses, lights, fans, and a very expensive wood floor made in 12/12 tile like sections.
The girls would be sleeping in the room we normally used and the guys would be sleeping in the Church. Our home was to be the bedroom of their oldest son, Clemente. It is a great room having our own bathroom, twin beds, and twin work desks with a light for each. SUPER DUPER!
We crashed after just before 1:30 AM Wednesday morning, having put away the majority of our clothes and work supplies. Sleep came easily but did not last long enough as the door bell sounded and we knew that Marco Aroni, our Covenant Life University coordinator was arriving to take us out to David and Ceci Hodges for a few hours. So we had to stir around, get the bags ready to take to them the “collection of cooking tools, etc. for their newest project – a restaurant on the property.
I am going to permit Marilyn to explain the restaurant. So, “Marilyn, come here and tell the people about the entrepreneurial missions project. Now please, so I can finish this. Thanks!”
Restaurants in Peru aren’t and can’t be compared to a restaurant in the United States. Anyone can set up a roadside stand or have tables set up outside their house and call it a “restaurant.” The area where David and Ceci live is growing – it is hard to believe and those who have been there (like our work team) no doubt are wondering - why? But it has grown considerably since we were there last. There are also factories and businesses being established in the area.
Ultimately, they would like to obtain contracts from the businesses in the area to feed the workers. This would be a guaranteed income for them. Other ideas would be to “pre-sell” lunches for children to take to school. It is still in the planning stages and yet to be determined the details of when it will be opened and how they would pursue the clientele.
The thought is not only to generate income for David and Ceci but possibly provide a means of income for someone in their Church. For $3,000, they can build 32 x 19 wood structure on a slab and acquire all the necessary things to begin and give them start up costs. This building can also be used for Church functions so it will serve a double function.
“Thanks Marilyn!”
The schedule for this trip is to say the “least” - full! The youth retreat begins Thursday evening, Friday morning, afternoon, evening and the same for Saturday. I will be speaking three times and twice with Marilyn at this retreat. Then Sunday morning here at Nuevas Fruerzas, eat a quick meal and travel to Jicamarca to speak at Iglesia Vida for David Hodges.
We will spend Monday through Wednesday with the Hodges - no more speaking engagements and then return to the Pastor Agustin and Jessica Ciccia’s home for the remainder of this trip. Marilyn will be sharing with some ladies on Wednesday evening. Thursday and Friday evenings we will be doing a marriage seminar at different churches. Sunday I will be speaking twice and then, “That’s all Folks!”
We get to rest Monday, except for packing and heading to the airport for our flight back to the US which departs at 11:50 PM arriving in Miami on Tuesday at 5:20 AM.
So until you read the next blog—JUST KEEP ON PRAYING! We appreciate it!
Dr. D. and Marilyn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
