Time has gone so fast and the work has been very intense. Traveling in Lima to go almost anywhere and back is like driving to Tampa – 2 hours minimum! Therefore the days become long and tiring before I can lay my body down for some rest. But is has been very rewarding.
Sunday morning we were in the city or region of Ancon at Iglesia Cristiana El Camion, pastored by Walter and Clarisa Villajuan. We departed from my apartment here at 8:00, drove to Agustin Ciccia’s house to get my Bible and notebook (which for the first time I forgot and left it on the pulpit.) Then we went to the home of Dr. Roger Falcon – he was my interpreter for the day – all this by taxi. We arrived at Ancon at 10:30 with 30 minutes to spare.
Pastor Walter had invited four other pastors friends to be in the service. He had also requested that I minister on the subject of marriages. The worship was one of the finest I have enjoyed in Peru for some time. The Word was well received (And they Lived Happily Ever After). By the time the altar service was over (2 came to Christ) and I had prayed for every couple as well as those who spouses were not present it was 2:30. We walked to a restaurant, accompanied by the four pastors and spouses then were requested to take a walk along the beach – the city is famous for its resorts of the rich and famous. By the time we got finished with the walk and back to the Church and our car, it was time to leave and go to our evening service about a 15 minute drive.
Comunidad Carismatica Cristian Cristo Sanador, pastored by Everth Ipanaque is a very interesting Church. Pastor Everth is blind. He was blinded by a large rock that hit him in the forehead when he was 21 (now 43) and another rock from the rock slide tore of his right leg just above his knee. At the time this happened he was heavily involved in a drug cartel moving drugs from the jungle. At some point their cartel was involved in the robbing of several banks and a guard was killed by one of the men. He came to Lima to hide and it was here while helping his brother that the accident happened.
The Church was celebrating their 11th Anniversary. I was shocked when I walked in! The room was filled with youth who enthusiastically greeted us. By the time the service began there were over 150 people present and a minimum of them were youth – probably 50-60. They were involved in the worship which was led by Pastor Everth playing his guitar and supported by two youth who were vocals and another on the synthesizer – drums and another guy on the keyboard. Their worship was intense and you could see the depth of their commitment by the expressions on their faces. The older generation were as excited and involved as the youth.
I took time at the end of my message to pray for the youth. It was thrilling to watch them and experience the moving of the Holy Spirit upon them as I prayed for them.
The “FUN” all began after that! They had a Peruvian Church Party! The youth and children did their skits, choreographic dances including rap dancing. The approval on the faces of the adults was fascinating to watch. We were then fed a meal of rice, with onions on top, yucca and a chicken leg. Because it was already 8:45 and it would take me two hours to get back to my bed, we excused ourselves and departed.
Now for some very important information. This area is a “poor” area. Yet the Pastor takes the youth and adults to other churches to do evangelistic meetings. They take with them clothing, food and money to assist others! This information crystalized in my heart the reason why the Church was dynamic and the youth were so deeply involved.
The pastor shared with me that many of the youth are involved in Pacto De Vida and because it is so inexpensive (only 50 soles per trimester – about $16 – yet even this is costly for these who live in this area) these youth who cannot afford a secular education are attending the university to get a Biblical Education.
Monday, well it was a day of going back to an adjoining city and meeting with pastor Guillermo Sifuentes and his wife, Lisset. They also have Pacto De Vida and wanted to discuss some ideas for classes they wanted in their local curriculum. I have designed the curriculum to allow the pastors to produce courses they want to teach to their people and this is what they wanted to discuss. They will have their first group complete the first year in November.
While there, he told me of a couple who had been luke-warm and struggling with their marriage when we were there in February. During that service I spoke a word from God to him and his wife. It was exactly what he needed and spoke directly to the need in his life. Since that time he and his wife have become solid and are working closely with the pastor and taking a load from him so he can more adequately what God wants him to do.
We departed for the meeting at 10:00, arrived at 11:00 and departed at 2:40 to meet Pastor Walter (from Sunday) to discuss his involvement in the university. He was the original contact who got the invitation for us to present Pacto De Vida to the meeting of the leaders of the pastors organization throughout Peru. He will be helping us to move forward in curriculum and coordinating the new schools.
So with the new challenges of many more schools, God has also caused Pastors to step-up and declare their assistance to move forward and meet the challenges.
I finally found my bed – I even skipped supper and ate only some chips, Oreo’s and some yogurt – and did the bed ever feel good.
Well, thanks for your prayers. Pray that we will know how to step up and complete the vision God has given.
Dr D
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
AND THE WORD SPREADS!
The meeting with the ‘Fraternity of Fraternity of Pastors” (Confraternidad Peruana De Pastores Evangelicos – CONPPE) can best be explained in the terms of the speaker from the Peruvian Health Department as he spoke about the spread of “flu” when he said “it is passed from one to another” and that is what happened today.
We used our allotted time to share the vision and burden of Pacto De Vida. Then, because I had my computer and projector I found myself as the “media technician” and projected for several other speakers. It seemed strange for a North American to be serving the pastors of Peru. It was a “big” “ice-breaker” and produced much communication.
After the close of the meeting about 1:00 PM (it started at 9:00) Marco Aroni, our National Coordinator and Walter Villajuan, our regional coordinator from Ancon, were kept busy for 30 minutes answering questions and taking information from those pastors who were interested. And I had to find Jose Navarro, one of the officers of CONPPE to translate for me so I could assist others.
One pastor began his discussion with me by asking, “Have you been to or are you now working in Ecuador?” Of course my response was “No.” Then came the inevitable statement and invitation: “Will you come to Ecuador in January or February? If you will, I will set up a meeting with the pastors of the 25 Churches related to our Church and make introduction for you to the organization of 1,000 pastors.”
What do you say and do? Ecuador has the same law which requires pastors to have a degree and if they do not, the present government is doing all it can to shut the doors of those evangelical churches.
I hear Jesus saying, “Behold the fields! They are white unto harvest!” Why else would Satan be trying so hard to stop the voice of the evangelical pastors?
Here we stand, poised with the answer to the crisis and we did not even know about the crisis!
And then we return to my abode and get a call from a fellow North American who has been using ISOM materials (the same teachings we currently use for the first year and one half). He requests we come to his house for lunch on Saturday. He wants to discuss how we can work together to help the pastors who do not have the required education. He states he has been able to take 2,500 people through the first year of ISOM and wants a way to help them go further. We are the answer to “further!”
I was invited upstairs to speak to the local students. This is only their 3rd or 4th night of classes. Pastor Jorge introduced me to two young girls, not more than 20. He said that because of the money donated by Destiny International, St. Augustine, FL, pastor Donovan Tinsley, they are able to scholarship them. They are currently working with youth in a very poor area just outside Lima. Their faces were beaming with excitement! They are now able to attend Bible College!
Someone please give me a “handle to hold on to!” This is a bigger challenge than I had anticipated! And yet the results can impact the nation of Peru! We must meet the challenge!
I need you! I need your prayers! I need your involvement! I need a financial investment in this “Peru Challenge” to take it to the next level.
Thanks for your prayers!!!!!
Dr D
We used our allotted time to share the vision and burden of Pacto De Vida. Then, because I had my computer and projector I found myself as the “media technician” and projected for several other speakers. It seemed strange for a North American to be serving the pastors of Peru. It was a “big” “ice-breaker” and produced much communication.
After the close of the meeting about 1:00 PM (it started at 9:00) Marco Aroni, our National Coordinator and Walter Villajuan, our regional coordinator from Ancon, were kept busy for 30 minutes answering questions and taking information from those pastors who were interested. And I had to find Jose Navarro, one of the officers of CONPPE to translate for me so I could assist others.
One pastor began his discussion with me by asking, “Have you been to or are you now working in Ecuador?” Of course my response was “No.” Then came the inevitable statement and invitation: “Will you come to Ecuador in January or February? If you will, I will set up a meeting with the pastors of the 25 Churches related to our Church and make introduction for you to the organization of 1,000 pastors.”
What do you say and do? Ecuador has the same law which requires pastors to have a degree and if they do not, the present government is doing all it can to shut the doors of those evangelical churches.
I hear Jesus saying, “Behold the fields! They are white unto harvest!” Why else would Satan be trying so hard to stop the voice of the evangelical pastors?
Here we stand, poised with the answer to the crisis and we did not even know about the crisis!
And then we return to my abode and get a call from a fellow North American who has been using ISOM materials (the same teachings we currently use for the first year and one half). He requests we come to his house for lunch on Saturday. He wants to discuss how we can work together to help the pastors who do not have the required education. He states he has been able to take 2,500 people through the first year of ISOM and wants a way to help them go further. We are the answer to “further!”
I was invited upstairs to speak to the local students. This is only their 3rd or 4th night of classes. Pastor Jorge introduced me to two young girls, not more than 20. He said that because of the money donated by Destiny International, St. Augustine, FL, pastor Donovan Tinsley, they are able to scholarship them. They are currently working with youth in a very poor area just outside Lima. Their faces were beaming with excitement! They are now able to attend Bible College!
Someone please give me a “handle to hold on to!” This is a bigger challenge than I had anticipated! And yet the results can impact the nation of Peru! We must meet the challenge!
I need you! I need your prayers! I need your involvement! I need a financial investment in this “Peru Challenge” to take it to the next level.
Thanks for your prayers!!!!!
Dr D
Thursday, July 9, 2009
GREAT DOORS ARE OPENING!
My last Blog was written on Saturday, July 4th. Today is Thursday, well it was, because it is just about over. This week has gone very fast. So allow me to fill you in on the happenings since Saturday.
Saturday we spent the day with Doctor Roger (MD) and Magaly and Abigail (their 5 month old daughter.) Roger went with me as my interpreter for the Saturday evening service at Escuela Biblica Corazon En Fuego where Hector Carpio, the engineer on the Hodges home is connected. The Church has one of our largest University classes - 44 in the 3rd Trimester and 20 in the 1st Trimester. It is about 25 minutes from the airport and in a very, very poor area.
Pacto De Vida’s success there is very exciting. Not only does the local Church have many students but their students come from other area Churches and include several pastors. I was able to spend about 45 minutes sharing with a couple of them. Their excitement about what they have learned is indeed gratifying and helps to propel me forward to do more to help them do the work of Christ among their own people.
Sunday, we departed from Jicamarca earlier than we, David and I, needed because we had the incorrect information about the starting time of our morning service at Iglesia Pentecostal de Santidad, with Pastor Jorge & Janine Watanabe. He is the superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church here in Peru. Upon arrival we discovered that the pastor was very sick with the flu and that many of the congregation were also sick. But in-spite of not having any musicians we had a good service.
We returned back to Jicamarca just in time to stretch out for 45 minutes and then prepare for the evening service at Iglesia Vida (Life Church) pastored by our own David and Ceci Hodges and boys. Sometimes you’d think that their eldest, “El-E-L” (I just discovered I do not know how to spell his name) was the pastor to listen to him. Anyway, wearing my leather sport jacket and my Ukrainian black sweater shirt, I made it through another cold evening at Church without any heat – the Holy Spirit and fire assisted greatly.
Monday, I spent the entire day going from one place to another in the greater Lima area to accomplish many tasks. The most interesting was that of having the privilege of hosting four pastors from Lima. These men are the officers of the “Fraternity of Leaders of Fraternities of Pastors of Peru.” That is the only way I know how to explain who they are. You will understand more in a moment.
The purpose of the meeting was to share with them about Pacto De Vida (Covenant Life University). The President wanted to meet me and discuss the university prior to my sharing with the Presidents of the Fraternities of Pastors throughout Peru. There will be 100 of them gathering tomorrow, Friday. Together these men represent all the Fraternities of Pastors in all of Peru. The bottom line is this: They represent literally thousands of Churches in Peru.
Now listen to this: The government of Peru is or has prepared a bill that will require all pastors to have an education equivalent or parallel to that of the Catholic Priests. Meaning, that the majority of the pastors of Peru do not have an Biblical education. AND THAT MEANS: Pacto De Vida is being given the opportunity to share how it can help educated the pastors and they can remain at their task of pastoring their churches and keep their jobs and not leave their homes to fulfill the requirements of this law.
I felt like Esther - destiny wise: “For Such A Time As This!” Here I am, the doors swinging wide open to the entire nation of spiritual leaders of all faiths! All four pastors opened their hearts and gave me complete support to be the first item on the agenda on Friday morning! One offered his lawyer to help Pacto De Vida secure government registration. Another shared how the classes have impacted his Church and how many were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke with tongues as they listened to A.L. Gill teach on the Holy Spirit.
The President, who teaches at three or four different Bible Colleges said that he was completely behind our method of Biblical Education and offered to teach any course that would assist and allow us to use it on DVD without any fees attached. Another, who speaks excellent English and also is fluent in Quechua - the language of the mountain people said he would donate his time and effort to assist in dubbing any teaching into the Quechua tongue.
And then the evening concluded with 25% of the people present in Jicamarca being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in Tongues! Well, allow me to say that means five – an another so hungry and so close but fear kept him back. This was the culmination of the teaching on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the Initial Physical Evidence of Speaking With Tongues – a four part, four hour teaching requested by Pastor Hodges.
Tuesday was a repeat of time spent traveling in Lima to complete the tasks begun on Monday, picking up my laptop that had developed even more serious problems (I hope it will last until I can get my new one). And shopping for a new printer for the University here – the other one developed a leak in the ink system and ruined the mother-board – we are still looking and checking prices.
We had to do some last minute grocery shopping so we would have the necessary food for the guests for supper. Pastor Agustin and Jessica Ciccia and their three children and Pastor Gustavo and Jenny Rodriquez who had been invited by the Hodges to eat with us. They are close friends of the Hodges and also are special to us. And, well, after picking up some material for the Restaurant being built on the Church property to assist with local expenses, I made it back just in time to sit a spell and then get geared up for the evening.
Let me tell you – a trip to Lima and its many, many adjacent “burgs” is an all day, tiring trip even with a car and a driver. I can’t imagine doing it by foot, moto-cab, taxi, bus and then repeating the same to get back home. Yet the Hodges have no other means at this time.
Wednesday was a day off! Hush! I am not “off every day!” It was good to relax, but it also meant that we had to complete many small tasks, and then pack to be ready to leave at 3:30 AM Thursday to take Marilyn to the airport for her 7:05 departure for Miami and home. It would have been easier but some of the people of the Church decided that Marilyn needed to spend some time with them – the ladies! So they arrived and she did! They finally departed at 11:30 PM! We completed the necessary things and decided to shower, shave, etc. before retiring since the generator was on and we had electricity for lights – which we would not have at 2:45 AM!
Problem! Sleep never arrived! At least for me, though I thought I heard some strange sounds from the bunk below. Please be careful how you handle this. No one needs to know that my lovely wife makes sounds that sound like “snoring.” So we completed the hours and departed from Jicamarca at 3:35 AM and did find the airport and Dunkin Donuts as well as “Starbucks” – which between the two it helped the body do without the sleep it wanted.
Marco and I said good-by to Marilyn about 5:20 AM and made our way to my new place of abode – at the International Pentecostal Church Headquarters here in Peru which also houses the Church pastored by Jorge Watanabe.
Dan Clowers, the Latin American - Caribbean Missions Director had offered me a room in his apartment and I had accepted, provided he take me out to eat “Alpaca Steak”. However, due to the death of his mother, he is not here. Thanks Dan and may God bless and strengthen you at this time.
Marco and I crashed for two hours, worked for four, caught some food at a very nice buffet filled with a Chinese-Peruvian mixed foods and drink – all for 50 soles (divide by 3 to get dollars). Since I thought it would be my first and only meal today, and I had only one meal yesterday – I took advantage of the great food – including chevechi (fish cooked in lemon juice). It was great!
Then back to the bed for another nap and up and back to work on the presentation for the Fraternity of Pastors tomorrow.
Here I sit - tired, glad I have finished this blog, and very happy to be back in communication via the internet and can catch up on some very important communications and work.
God bless!
Dr D (Marilyn is home! I spoke with her and watched her via Skype and the computer.)
Saturday we spent the day with Doctor Roger (MD) and Magaly and Abigail (their 5 month old daughter.) Roger went with me as my interpreter for the Saturday evening service at Escuela Biblica Corazon En Fuego where Hector Carpio, the engineer on the Hodges home is connected. The Church has one of our largest University classes - 44 in the 3rd Trimester and 20 in the 1st Trimester. It is about 25 minutes from the airport and in a very, very poor area.
Pacto De Vida’s success there is very exciting. Not only does the local Church have many students but their students come from other area Churches and include several pastors. I was able to spend about 45 minutes sharing with a couple of them. Their excitement about what they have learned is indeed gratifying and helps to propel me forward to do more to help them do the work of Christ among their own people.
Sunday, we departed from Jicamarca earlier than we, David and I, needed because we had the incorrect information about the starting time of our morning service at Iglesia Pentecostal de Santidad, with Pastor Jorge & Janine Watanabe. He is the superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church here in Peru. Upon arrival we discovered that the pastor was very sick with the flu and that many of the congregation were also sick. But in-spite of not having any musicians we had a good service.
We returned back to Jicamarca just in time to stretch out for 45 minutes and then prepare for the evening service at Iglesia Vida (Life Church) pastored by our own David and Ceci Hodges and boys. Sometimes you’d think that their eldest, “El-E-L” (I just discovered I do not know how to spell his name) was the pastor to listen to him. Anyway, wearing my leather sport jacket and my Ukrainian black sweater shirt, I made it through another cold evening at Church without any heat – the Holy Spirit and fire assisted greatly.
Monday, I spent the entire day going from one place to another in the greater Lima area to accomplish many tasks. The most interesting was that of having the privilege of hosting four pastors from Lima. These men are the officers of the “Fraternity of Leaders of Fraternities of Pastors of Peru.” That is the only way I know how to explain who they are. You will understand more in a moment.
The purpose of the meeting was to share with them about Pacto De Vida (Covenant Life University). The President wanted to meet me and discuss the university prior to my sharing with the Presidents of the Fraternities of Pastors throughout Peru. There will be 100 of them gathering tomorrow, Friday. Together these men represent all the Fraternities of Pastors in all of Peru. The bottom line is this: They represent literally thousands of Churches in Peru.
Now listen to this: The government of Peru is or has prepared a bill that will require all pastors to have an education equivalent or parallel to that of the Catholic Priests. Meaning, that the majority of the pastors of Peru do not have an Biblical education. AND THAT MEANS: Pacto De Vida is being given the opportunity to share how it can help educated the pastors and they can remain at their task of pastoring their churches and keep their jobs and not leave their homes to fulfill the requirements of this law.
I felt like Esther - destiny wise: “For Such A Time As This!” Here I am, the doors swinging wide open to the entire nation of spiritual leaders of all faiths! All four pastors opened their hearts and gave me complete support to be the first item on the agenda on Friday morning! One offered his lawyer to help Pacto De Vida secure government registration. Another shared how the classes have impacted his Church and how many were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke with tongues as they listened to A.L. Gill teach on the Holy Spirit.
The President, who teaches at three or four different Bible Colleges said that he was completely behind our method of Biblical Education and offered to teach any course that would assist and allow us to use it on DVD without any fees attached. Another, who speaks excellent English and also is fluent in Quechua - the language of the mountain people said he would donate his time and effort to assist in dubbing any teaching into the Quechua tongue.
And then the evening concluded with 25% of the people present in Jicamarca being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in Tongues! Well, allow me to say that means five – an another so hungry and so close but fear kept him back. This was the culmination of the teaching on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the Initial Physical Evidence of Speaking With Tongues – a four part, four hour teaching requested by Pastor Hodges.
Tuesday was a repeat of time spent traveling in Lima to complete the tasks begun on Monday, picking up my laptop that had developed even more serious problems (I hope it will last until I can get my new one). And shopping for a new printer for the University here – the other one developed a leak in the ink system and ruined the mother-board – we are still looking and checking prices.
We had to do some last minute grocery shopping so we would have the necessary food for the guests for supper. Pastor Agustin and Jessica Ciccia and their three children and Pastor Gustavo and Jenny Rodriquez who had been invited by the Hodges to eat with us. They are close friends of the Hodges and also are special to us. And, well, after picking up some material for the Restaurant being built on the Church property to assist with local expenses, I made it back just in time to sit a spell and then get geared up for the evening.
Let me tell you – a trip to Lima and its many, many adjacent “burgs” is an all day, tiring trip even with a car and a driver. I can’t imagine doing it by foot, moto-cab, taxi, bus and then repeating the same to get back home. Yet the Hodges have no other means at this time.
Wednesday was a day off! Hush! I am not “off every day!” It was good to relax, but it also meant that we had to complete many small tasks, and then pack to be ready to leave at 3:30 AM Thursday to take Marilyn to the airport for her 7:05 departure for Miami and home. It would have been easier but some of the people of the Church decided that Marilyn needed to spend some time with them – the ladies! So they arrived and she did! They finally departed at 11:30 PM! We completed the necessary things and decided to shower, shave, etc. before retiring since the generator was on and we had electricity for lights – which we would not have at 2:45 AM!
Problem! Sleep never arrived! At least for me, though I thought I heard some strange sounds from the bunk below. Please be careful how you handle this. No one needs to know that my lovely wife makes sounds that sound like “snoring.” So we completed the hours and departed from Jicamarca at 3:35 AM and did find the airport and Dunkin Donuts as well as “Starbucks” – which between the two it helped the body do without the sleep it wanted.
Marco and I said good-by to Marilyn about 5:20 AM and made our way to my new place of abode – at the International Pentecostal Church Headquarters here in Peru which also houses the Church pastored by Jorge Watanabe.
Dan Clowers, the Latin American - Caribbean Missions Director had offered me a room in his apartment and I had accepted, provided he take me out to eat “Alpaca Steak”. However, due to the death of his mother, he is not here. Thanks Dan and may God bless and strengthen you at this time.
Marco and I crashed for two hours, worked for four, caught some food at a very nice buffet filled with a Chinese-Peruvian mixed foods and drink – all for 50 soles (divide by 3 to get dollars). Since I thought it would be my first and only meal today, and I had only one meal yesterday – I took advantage of the great food – including chevechi (fish cooked in lemon juice). It was great!
Then back to the bed for another nap and up and back to work on the presentation for the Fraternity of Pastors tomorrow.
Here I sit - tired, glad I have finished this blog, and very happy to be back in communication via the internet and can catch up on some very important communications and work.
God bless!
Dr D (Marilyn is home! I spoke with her and watched her via Skype and the computer.)
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Final Comments And Thoughts On Arequipa Ministry and Now Jicarmarca
I am sitting at the table in Jicamarca. It was a full day to get here. We were up and “at-em” at 7:00 AM. And then we departed for the Airport at 8:45 AM. As we made our way I began to reminisce about our time in Arequipa, Iglesia Comminuted de la Vin
Our hosts, Pastor Rolando Romero and wife were the finest. The atmosphere of their home and the conduct of their children were exemplary. I am not indicating in any way that the homes, children and hosts of any other homes were lacking. But I am only commenting on our experience in their home because it made the time there enjoyable and allowed us to speak to that issue when addressing their people in the Marriage Seminar on Tuesday Evening. We were able to place their pastors as an example of the type of home and family relationships that set forth the best Christian example.
Speaking of Tuesday evening. It was a casual evening of teaching. BUT the temperature was Zero Centigrade – that is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Just call it “COLD!” We both taught with our coats or insulated vests on and then when I sat down, I got cold. The room – that is the Church is not heated. People brought wool blankets to wrap around themselves. And they sat there for two hours of teaching with questions and answers. That is dedication! Then when the service was dismissed they stood around and fellowshipped for over 45 minutes – until the pastor indicated by pulling down the steel door it was time to go home.
One of the struggles faced in that of your interpreter. We have had many “first-time” interpreters. But our experience on Tuesday evening was a delight. I have never had a “first-timer” do so good – and I am probably one of the hardest to interpret. Vanessa was excellent and I have already informed her that she will be interpreting for me when I return to Arequipa – that is “if” her schedule as a Doctor will permit. She and her husband are doctors.
The ministry at both Comminuted Carismatica Arequipa, Pastor William Arteaga and Iglesia Buenas Nuevas Asambleas de Dios, Pastor Armando Castillo was a pleasure and there invitation and along with that of our host Church, Iglesia Comminuted Christian La Vina will be a pleasure to accept when our schedule will allow. And therein lies a problem – rather a burden! The growth of relationships is growing so fast it will become necessary to spend more time here in Peru. That is good and yet it is.............(I am not sure what to say.) Anyway, God is opening more and more doors and the hunger for spiritual relationships, training, counsel and fellowship is expanding very fast. If we were to spend three days with each contact who has requested, we’d be here for over six months.
Our ministry has been good for the first two nights. The subject of the ministry is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the Initial Physical Evidence of Speaking in Tongues. The attendance has been about 30 and the interest has been very good. David Hodges is translating for me and Rosita, Ceci’s niece is reading the scriptures from the projection on the wall. This help to keep their attention and the different voices helps to keep them awake.
The weather has been cold! You keep moving while teaching to stay warm, but because we are videoing the teaching my movement is limited. When I say cold, maybe it is because the home is not heated, the weather is damp from the mist, and the sun does not shine. Yesterday, the clouds settled in and you could not see the mountain right behind the house. All you could see is about one-fourth of the way up the mountain and the distance from the house to the base of the mountain behind is only about the length of a football field.
Remember: When you want to go upstairs from the bedroom, you go outside then up one flight of stairs to the kitchen and living room. If you need to go to the laundry area, then you go up another flight to the roof and the open room where the washing machine / dryer is found. And then of course you must conserve the water so you wet down, turn the water off, soap up, then turn the water on and rise off. Then you step out into the cold to complete the process. But because you know you are where you belong, you rejoice in the dedication and work of those who labor here all year.
Today we are in Lima, with Doctor Roger and his wife, Magaly, and their five month old daughter, Abigail. Roger came to Jicamarca last night and brought us to their home to spend the day with them. He will translating for me this evening and Marilyn will go back to the Hodges for a birthday celebration for Ceci.
So we are alive and well and enjoying fellowship with special people and following through on what God has called us to do here.
Next week the transportation will be a mess. Those who labor with the transportation – buses, taxi’s and such vehicles will be on strike. The new laws governing them is very, very hard to comply with and will more than double the number of buses and taxis needed to carry the same people. And if you have a family of more than 5 – then you cannot take them in your own personal car if there are only 5 seats in that car. Then the fine for even accidently running a red light will be 1,000 soles – that is about $350 – which is equivalent to more than half of their monthly income. Imagine that! The strike will be on Wednesday and Thursday!
Thank God Marilyn departs from Lima at 7:00 AM which means we will take her to the airport and be there before 4:00 AM and will be able to avoid the problem – which will include the burning of tires in the streets. But it means that my activities will be limited during those two days – my schedule must be adjusted.
Remember to pray for us and the potential problems arising from this difficulty.
God bless,
Dr D and Marilyn
Our hosts, Pastor Rolando Romero and wife were the finest. The atmosphere of their home and the conduct of their children were exemplary. I am not indicating in any way that the homes, children and hosts of any other homes were lacking. But I am only commenting on our experience in their home because it made the time there enjoyable and allowed us to speak to that issue when addressing their people in the Marriage Seminar on Tuesday Evening. We were able to place their pastors as an example of the type of home and family relationships that set forth the best Christian example.
Speaking of Tuesday evening. It was a casual evening of teaching. BUT the temperature was Zero Centigrade – that is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Just call it “COLD!” We both taught with our coats or insulated vests on and then when I sat down, I got cold. The room – that is the Church is not heated. People brought wool blankets to wrap around themselves. And they sat there for two hours of teaching with questions and answers. That is dedication! Then when the service was dismissed they stood around and fellowshipped for over 45 minutes – until the pastor indicated by pulling down the steel door it was time to go home.
One of the struggles faced in that of your interpreter. We have had many “first-time” interpreters. But our experience on Tuesday evening was a delight. I have never had a “first-timer” do so good – and I am probably one of the hardest to interpret. Vanessa was excellent and I have already informed her that she will be interpreting for me when I return to Arequipa – that is “if” her schedule as a Doctor will permit. She and her husband are doctors.
The ministry at both Comminuted Carismatica Arequipa, Pastor William Arteaga and Iglesia Buenas Nuevas Asambleas de Dios, Pastor Armando Castillo was a pleasure and there invitation and along with that of our host Church, Iglesia Comminuted Christian La Vina will be a pleasure to accept when our schedule will allow. And therein lies a problem – rather a burden! The growth of relationships is growing so fast it will become necessary to spend more time here in Peru. That is good and yet it is.............(I am not sure what to say.) Anyway, God is opening more and more doors and the hunger for spiritual relationships, training, counsel and fellowship is expanding very fast. If we were to spend three days with each contact who has requested, we’d be here for over six months.
Our ministry has been good for the first two nights. The subject of the ministry is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the Initial Physical Evidence of Speaking in Tongues. The attendance has been about 30 and the interest has been very good. David Hodges is translating for me and Rosita, Ceci’s niece is reading the scriptures from the projection on the wall. This help to keep their attention and the different voices helps to keep them awake.
The weather has been cold! You keep moving while teaching to stay warm, but because we are videoing the teaching my movement is limited. When I say cold, maybe it is because the home is not heated, the weather is damp from the mist, and the sun does not shine. Yesterday, the clouds settled in and you could not see the mountain right behind the house. All you could see is about one-fourth of the way up the mountain and the distance from the house to the base of the mountain behind is only about the length of a football field.
Remember: When you want to go upstairs from the bedroom, you go outside then up one flight of stairs to the kitchen and living room. If you need to go to the laundry area, then you go up another flight to the roof and the open room where the washing machine / dryer is found. And then of course you must conserve the water so you wet down, turn the water off, soap up, then turn the water on and rise off. Then you step out into the cold to complete the process. But because you know you are where you belong, you rejoice in the dedication and work of those who labor here all year.
Today we are in Lima, with Doctor Roger and his wife, Magaly, and their five month old daughter, Abigail. Roger came to Jicamarca last night and brought us to their home to spend the day with them. He will translating for me this evening and Marilyn will go back to the Hodges for a birthday celebration for Ceci.
So we are alive and well and enjoying fellowship with special people and following through on what God has called us to do here.
Next week the transportation will be a mess. Those who labor with the transportation – buses, taxi’s and such vehicles will be on strike. The new laws governing them is very, very hard to comply with and will more than double the number of buses and taxis needed to carry the same people. And if you have a family of more than 5 – then you cannot take them in your own personal car if there are only 5 seats in that car. Then the fine for even accidently running a red light will be 1,000 soles – that is about $350 – which is equivalent to more than half of their monthly income. Imagine that! The strike will be on Wednesday and Thursday!
Thank God Marilyn departs from Lima at 7:00 AM which means we will take her to the airport and be there before 4:00 AM and will be able to avoid the problem – which will include the burning of tires in the streets. But it means that my activities will be limited during those two days – my schedule must be adjusted.
Remember to pray for us and the potential problems arising from this difficulty.
God bless,
Dr D and Marilyn
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