Saturday, February 27, 2010
Catching UP!
Wednesday, February 24
This was the day to “shift gears”. First we had breakfast with Jenny Rodriquez at her house then we ventured out onto the streets to take Mark and Rachel to the airport and their return to US soil. And being the “strong man that I am” I was able to enjoy fellowship at Starbucks (or should that have been “week man”) where we were joined by Magaly Falcon, Jenny’s sister who works just a couple of blocks from the terminal and is involved with shipping of zinc products around the world. She is the wife of Dr. Roger Falcon who is also the assistant Pastor of the Church where they worship – Gustavo, Jenny’s husband is the pastor.
Marco and I then returned to pick up my belongings from the Clowers’ apartment at the IPHC Church and move everything to the Falcon residence for three nights. This was so I would be in the center and closer to where everything was happening for the next four days.
We picked up David Hodges at 5:00 PM and drove to my speaking engagement at Communidad Cristiana La Vina, pastored by Guillermo Sifuentes and his wife Lissett. The journey required that we leave the Falcon residence at 3:45 to pick up David at his house and be on our way from there at 5:00 so we could be at the church for a 7:00 service. If you could see the traffic at that time of day you would understand about the travel situation that is utter “chaos”.
As is common in this part of the world, many do not have vehicles and take the bus which when traffic is bad will make the Church service begin late – just to avoid confusion. It did and that make the conclusion take place at a late hour. That was because I was to teach two approximately one hour sessions. I made it and the hour was late which made it almost midnight by the time we dropped David Hodges off and make out way to the Falcon residence.
The day ended as the new day began!
Thursday, February 25
I got to sleep a little late and found out that my scheduled appointment had been cancelled making the day an almost “free day.” It allowed Marco and me time to go van shopping – that is looking. Success was not in the picture. All vans we found were too beat up and too high to even consider. So after 3 hours we called it quits and returned to the Falcon residence to enjoy the evening and permit me to make some decisions regarding the material for Friday nights engagement.
I did a “Babel Fish” translation of the student outline of my lecture into Spanish just to assist Roger who would then be able to correct the final so I could make a PowerPoint Presentation for those attending. We made it by 11:30 PM and called it a day.
Friday, February 26
Up earlier than I wanted to but I got my day started and it went from there. For our 11:30 appointment we shoved off by 10:00 and forced our way through the traffic and arrived on the other side of Lima and climb the mountains, flew down the other side and followed our host, Gene Gayle – a missionary from southern Louisiana to the vacation house where he and his family were staying. They had to come into Lima to renew their residency in Peru and get their new documents.
Gene is interested in establishing an extensions of Pacto de Vida in his city, Peor. It was a good time of sharing experiences, discoveries and concerns for the people of Peru. And of course! I cannot forget the sirloin steak! Delicious! And so was the salad with a special tomato, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, oregano, and something else all put through a blender.
2:30PM arrived and we had to cut short our visit and return to Lima proper to be ready to depart of for the evening service – family seminar at Iglesia Centro Christiano De Avivamiento pastored by Gustavo & Jenny Rodriquez.
As seems to be the case more than not, Pastor Gustavo and I cannot seem to get our schedules together. When I am in Peru, he is gone. When he is in the United States, I am gone. There must be something wrong with both of us if both of us keep trying to avoid the other. If you can determine the problem, please — oh forget it! We really like each other, or I would not be speaking to his people.
But it was one of “those nights!” The fuse box burned up one breaker just before starting time. It seemed like an hour before they accomplished getting “some” electricity on. We had only lights in the back half. Extension cords kept my computer and the projector and video camera going. BUT!!! It as next to impossible to see my notes. That made for many confusing statements that made it very difficult for the interpreter. It is the only time I have walked away from any service of meeting on any trip outside the US and felt like I blew it! I still am not sure of what I said.
And to make matters worse, I was depending upon getting a good video of it to add to others on the subject of marriage to complete a course for the University. I had to forget including the PowerPoint in the video and after looking at what I did get – I really got almost nothing that is usable.
But ONWARD AND UPWARDS! That is the way the old ball bounces!
It is now Saturday AM and I quit!
Love,
Dr D
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A SABBATH TUESDAY - IF SHOPPING IS A DAY OF REST!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The “rush” was over but the activity did not produce a full rest only a different mode but it did provide a break from the pressure. And since this as the last full day for Mark and Rachel it was necessary for them to get a view of the city, its food and its shopping extremes.
What better place than to begin the day with lunch a “Rustica”. It is a quaint but large place where they serve buffet style with Peruvian food. Ceviche of three types; potatoes with their special sauce; fried blood - but no one with us would touch it; Lomo Saltado; “purple corn drink” and time nor space permit the listing of it all (only because I can’t remember all the different dishes).
Then over to the Inca Mall for some tourist treasures. And who could go to Lima without venturing to Polvos Azules (Blue Dust). It is one small cubical after another of all kinds of clothing, gadgets, records, tapes, videos and anything you desire (almost). And if you are not satisfied, as Rachel wasn’t then off to a typical style US Mall! And thank goodness to be able to gt a Café Vanilla Frap from Starbucks.
We finally returned to our apartment and wrapped up all financial transactions, records, etc. and then watched “Invictus” before retiring for the night. Honestly, I retired Wednesday morning after completing preparation for teaching on Wednesday evening.
So, now it is on to new adventures with Jesus for the next week.
God bless and thanks for your prayers,
Dr D with Mark and Rachel
The “rush” was over but the activity did not produce a full rest only a different mode but it did provide a break from the pressure. And since this as the last full day for Mark and Rachel it was necessary for them to get a view of the city, its food and its shopping extremes.
What better place than to begin the day with lunch a “Rustica”. It is a quaint but large place where they serve buffet style with Peruvian food. Ceviche of three types; potatoes with their special sauce; fried blood - but no one with us would touch it; Lomo Saltado; “purple corn drink” and time nor space permit the listing of it all (only because I can’t remember all the different dishes).
Then over to the Inca Mall for some tourist treasures. And who could go to Lima without venturing to Polvos Azules (Blue Dust). It is one small cubical after another of all kinds of clothing, gadgets, records, tapes, videos and anything you desire (almost). And if you are not satisfied, as Rachel wasn’t then off to a typical style US Mall! And thank goodness to be able to gt a Café Vanilla Frap from Starbucks.
We finally returned to our apartment and wrapped up all financial transactions, records, etc. and then watched “Invictus” before retiring for the night. Honestly, I retired Wednesday morning after completing preparation for teaching on Wednesday evening.
So, now it is on to new adventures with Jesus for the next week.
God bless and thanks for your prayers,
Dr D with Mark and Rachel
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
MISSION COMPLETED!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
We are back in Lima and access to the web so I will bring you up to speed on the events since Saturday.
Sunday morning were at Iglesia Pentecostal de Santidad in Lima. Rachel King, the Discipleship Director for the SonShine Conference shared the Word. O yes, lest I forget, pray for Pastor Watanabe. He had to undergo surgery to remove kidney stones.
We were privileged to hand out backpacks to the children who were in Sunday School here before we made a mad dash to our car and the highways of Peru to travel two and one-half hours south to the city of Chincha. We made it, and we checked into our hotel, changed clothes and darted off to Emanuel Pentecostal Holiness Church for their Sunday service which began at 5:00 PM.
We noticed, because we read the sign on the elevator and had to take the stairs that the electricity would be off from 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM. So even though we trudged up the stairs there was no concern because we had knowledge that it would soon be back on. But when the clock said 5:15 PM and the lights were not on at the Church concern did begin to set in. Soon Pastor Escalante spoke to his son, Desi and the message was relayed that we would go ahead with the service but in a shorter fashion since the lights would not be available until 6:30 PM.
So a prayer and three choruses later I heard my name and saw the Pastor’s hand motion me to the pulpit. Since it was darker there, we moved to a table directly in front of the first row. All this means that I must complete my message before darkness set in. But I had to be sure and adequately convey the Word because there were many visitors present because “if” they wanted a back pack for their child they had to attend and get a required identification card for Monday’s distribution. It worked! They place was full, 125-150 – as compared to an average of 80-90.
Anyway, that also meant I had to “trim” my message on the “fly”. Did! Done! Twenty hands raised for salvation culminated the meeting. So we said our “good-byes” and departed to find some food and then test out the beds. No problem, we did succeed.
Monday, February 22, 2010
10:00 AM and we were at Emanuel Church for the distribution of the last group of back packs. They used the occasion to also make special contact with their students and parents who are enrolled in Compassion International. And this was just the beginning of “organization”. The event was under the direction of the Pastor’s wife and she kept every thing in order and moving.
The activity commenced with dinner and fellowship and we returned to our hotel for a late check out preceded by a much needed time of rest prior to the evening activities which centered around the graduation of seven more Pacto de Vida at the Apostolic Temple Assemblies of God pastored by Honorato Martinez. This is the second group of students to complete the first year from this extension, which was also the first extension established here in Peru.
Their first group were waiting for these to complete their first year studies so they can all begin the second year together. The class will be approximately 20. And more news!
Maria Ysabel Martinez, the pastor’s daughter and even more a pastor herself, informed me that Life Church, Ica was growing under the leadership of her sister and husband and that she had another growing congregation right in Chincha. They have been building a 100 sq meter building and the only thing remaining is the roof. (Funds are not available for this but needed!) Maria also requested the privilege of establishing an extension in the Church she pastors. The work of God is going forward.
We were able to depart at a decent hour – 9:00 PM and returned to our home here in Peru by 11:30 PM. We all tumbled into bed with relief and joy knowing that we – you who gave to purchase the school supplies for the children – had accomplished a great task.
God bless,
Dr D with Mark and Rachel
We are back in Lima and access to the web so I will bring you up to speed on the events since Saturday.
Sunday morning were at Iglesia Pentecostal de Santidad in Lima. Rachel King, the Discipleship Director for the SonShine Conference shared the Word. O yes, lest I forget, pray for Pastor Watanabe. He had to undergo surgery to remove kidney stones.
We were privileged to hand out backpacks to the children who were in Sunday School here before we made a mad dash to our car and the highways of Peru to travel two and one-half hours south to the city of Chincha. We made it, and we checked into our hotel, changed clothes and darted off to Emanuel Pentecostal Holiness Church for their Sunday service which began at 5:00 PM.
We noticed, because we read the sign on the elevator and had to take the stairs that the electricity would be off from 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM. So even though we trudged up the stairs there was no concern because we had knowledge that it would soon be back on. But when the clock said 5:15 PM and the lights were not on at the Church concern did begin to set in. Soon Pastor Escalante spoke to his son, Desi and the message was relayed that we would go ahead with the service but in a shorter fashion since the lights would not be available until 6:30 PM.
So a prayer and three choruses later I heard my name and saw the Pastor’s hand motion me to the pulpit. Since it was darker there, we moved to a table directly in front of the first row. All this means that I must complete my message before darkness set in. But I had to be sure and adequately convey the Word because there were many visitors present because “if” they wanted a back pack for their child they had to attend and get a required identification card for Monday’s distribution. It worked! They place was full, 125-150 – as compared to an average of 80-90.
Anyway, that also meant I had to “trim” my message on the “fly”. Did! Done! Twenty hands raised for salvation culminated the meeting. So we said our “good-byes” and departed to find some food and then test out the beds. No problem, we did succeed.
Monday, February 22, 2010
10:00 AM and we were at Emanuel Church for the distribution of the last group of back packs. They used the occasion to also make special contact with their students and parents who are enrolled in Compassion International. And this was just the beginning of “organization”. The event was under the direction of the Pastor’s wife and she kept every thing in order and moving.
The activity commenced with dinner and fellowship and we returned to our hotel for a late check out preceded by a much needed time of rest prior to the evening activities which centered around the graduation of seven more Pacto de Vida at the Apostolic Temple Assemblies of God pastored by Honorato Martinez. This is the second group of students to complete the first year from this extension, which was also the first extension established here in Peru.
Their first group were waiting for these to complete their first year studies so they can all begin the second year together. The class will be approximately 20. And more news!
Maria Ysabel Martinez, the pastor’s daughter and even more a pastor herself, informed me that Life Church, Ica was growing under the leadership of her sister and husband and that she had another growing congregation right in Chincha. They have been building a 100 sq meter building and the only thing remaining is the roof. (Funds are not available for this but needed!) Maria also requested the privilege of establishing an extension in the Church she pastors. The work of God is going forward.
We were able to depart at a decent hour – 9:00 PM and returned to our home here in Peru by 11:30 PM. We all tumbled into bed with relief and joy knowing that we – you who gave to purchase the school supplies for the children – had accomplished a great task.
God bless,
Dr D with Mark and Rachel
Sunday, February 21, 2010
THE DELIVERY OF 200 BACKPACKS COMPLETED
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The day has been exciting but long! Nothing is more fun than watching the eyes of children as they receive gifts. It is the same everywhere around the world – I’ve witnessed it! Today was no exception!
It all began with breakfast – okay I’ll skip what I had to eat and get to the point. We joyfully toed 200 backpacks filled with school supplies from the Church out to two vehicles and headed on our way to Ventanilla where we would have two groups of eager children waiting to see what surprise was coming their way today.
Ventanilla is a large area of poor families about 45 minutes drive from Elio, Lima – our home while here. The local church has reached out to children in this area with a feeding program and also launched two Churches. The activities at the first stop included a teaching time to the children pictures to color depicting the Bible Story and then they were given a meal. The children received the Word with gladness and also the food.
Then we were privileged to see them line up to be given their personal backpack loaded with school supplies. Their faces and the noise level expressed their joy. And as we were walking to our vehicle to depart two 8-9 year old girls had pushed another girl in a wheelchair into the space between our vehicles. It was easy to see what they wanted. And we could never have ignored them. They had not been part of the those in the church but they were at the doorsteps and we happily shared love with them and filled their hands with their own pack and supplies. It was hard to keep the flood back from your eyes as you saw the love the two had for the third girl in the wheelchair.
BUT then we saw what was about to happen! In the distance more children were rushing our direction! They had heard or seen what their friends had been given and they were on their way to see if they would be given the opportunity to be a recipient. We pulled away quickly knowing what remained were designated for our next destination.
The scene was repeated at the next Church, but without the food. But the conversation we had as we drove away after three hours was, “Did you see how those children came in and walked up to greet each of us as they arrived – the boys with a handshake and the girls with the typical Peruvian greeting of a “peck on the cheek”! Their actions spoke highly of the training they were receiving from their Pastor and his wife.
A stop at Dominos for pizza and the “purple drink made from purple corn” and then home completed our activities except for a visit from David & Ceci Hodges along with their boys, Eliel, Jordan as well as Rosita, Ceci’s niece.
Thanks for caring so we could be on the receiving end of the joy from the children.
Dr D with Mark and Rachel King
The day has been exciting but long! Nothing is more fun than watching the eyes of children as they receive gifts. It is the same everywhere around the world – I’ve witnessed it! Today was no exception!
It all began with breakfast – okay I’ll skip what I had to eat and get to the point. We joyfully toed 200 backpacks filled with school supplies from the Church out to two vehicles and headed on our way to Ventanilla where we would have two groups of eager children waiting to see what surprise was coming their way today.
Ventanilla is a large area of poor families about 45 minutes drive from Elio, Lima – our home while here. The local church has reached out to children in this area with a feeding program and also launched two Churches. The activities at the first stop included a teaching time to the children pictures to color depicting the Bible Story and then they were given a meal. The children received the Word with gladness and also the food.
Then we were privileged to see them line up to be given their personal backpack loaded with school supplies. Their faces and the noise level expressed their joy. And as we were walking to our vehicle to depart two 8-9 year old girls had pushed another girl in a wheelchair into the space between our vehicles. It was easy to see what they wanted. And we could never have ignored them. They had not been part of the those in the church but they were at the doorsteps and we happily shared love with them and filled their hands with their own pack and supplies. It was hard to keep the flood back from your eyes as you saw the love the two had for the third girl in the wheelchair.
BUT then we saw what was about to happen! In the distance more children were rushing our direction! They had heard or seen what their friends had been given and they were on their way to see if they would be given the opportunity to be a recipient. We pulled away quickly knowing what remained were designated for our next destination.
The scene was repeated at the next Church, but without the food. But the conversation we had as we drove away after three hours was, “Did you see how those children came in and walked up to greet each of us as they arrived – the boys with a handshake and the girls with the typical Peruvian greeting of a “peck on the cheek”! Their actions spoke highly of the training they were receiving from their Pastor and his wife.
A stop at Dominos for pizza and the “purple drink made from purple corn” and then home completed our activities except for a visit from David & Ceci Hodges along with their boys, Eliel, Jordan as well as Rosita, Ceci’s niece.
Thanks for caring so we could be on the receiving end of the joy from the children.
Dr D with Mark and Rachel King
Friday, February 19, 2010
THE BACKPACKS ARE READY!
Friday, February 19, 2010
WOW! That is all I can say! We had 10 people filling the backpacks this morning beginning about 9:45 AM and we were finished by 11:15 AM. Then we packed 200 into big Peruvian sacks and two boxes for shipment by bus to Chincha.
Marco, Manuel and JC took them by taxi – imagine that – to the bus station and after some discussion with the manager got a tremendous price for the 320 kg of total weight (for you North Americans – better for you US Citizens that is 705 pounds!) What was the price? Okay I’ll tell you. It was .7 soles/kg - which is about $70. That was a bargain!
Marco and the boys returned about 2:30 with the mission accomplished and we breathed a sigh of relief and just sat around for a while. Then we loaded into two taxis and made our way down to the tourist center of Lima - La Marina where we gave Manuel and JC (Jon Carlos) the privilege to select the place to sit down and eat a meal. They chose Chili’s and we accepted the challenge and ate the food.
The car we had been given to use developed some potential problems with the transmission and so we had to rent a car. Agustin Ciccia, pastor of New Strength, came to our rescue and we were able to rent his for the next even days for $125. He even delivered it to us at La Marina.
Because we were so tired from the past three days, we returned to our apartment and have spent the evening just relaxing and getting our heads together for tomorrow and having the privilege of passing out the backpacks. That will be special as we watch the excitement on the faces of the children.
I’ll bet you wish you were here! Right? Well, plan now and we could do another one next year.
Since it is now 10:15 PM and I need to rest, I will stop this fabulous blog and allow you to continue your activities.
As you were!
Dr D with Mark and Rachel
WOW! That is all I can say! We had 10 people filling the backpacks this morning beginning about 9:45 AM and we were finished by 11:15 AM. Then we packed 200 into big Peruvian sacks and two boxes for shipment by bus to Chincha.
Marco, Manuel and JC took them by taxi – imagine that – to the bus station and after some discussion with the manager got a tremendous price for the 320 kg of total weight (for you North Americans – better for you US Citizens that is 705 pounds!) What was the price? Okay I’ll tell you. It was .7 soles/kg - which is about $70. That was a bargain!
Marco and the boys returned about 2:30 with the mission accomplished and we breathed a sigh of relief and just sat around for a while. Then we loaded into two taxis and made our way down to the tourist center of Lima - La Marina where we gave Manuel and JC (Jon Carlos) the privilege to select the place to sit down and eat a meal. They chose Chili’s and we accepted the challenge and ate the food.
The car we had been given to use developed some potential problems with the transmission and so we had to rent a car. Agustin Ciccia, pastor of New Strength, came to our rescue and we were able to rent his for the next even days for $125. He even delivered it to us at La Marina.
Because we were so tired from the past three days, we returned to our apartment and have spent the evening just relaxing and getting our heads together for tomorrow and having the privilege of passing out the backpacks. That will be special as we watch the excitement on the faces of the children.
I’ll bet you wish you were here! Right? Well, plan now and we could do another one next year.
Since it is now 10:15 PM and I need to rest, I will stop this fabulous blog and allow you to continue your activities.
As you were!
Dr D with Mark and Rachel
400 BACKPACKS THAT IS THE MISSION!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
We, Mark and Rachel King (Rachel is the Director of Discipleship Ministries for the SonShine Conference of the International Pentecostal Holiness) and I flew out of Orlando, landed in Panama and then arrived in Lima all on schedule, well a few minutes ahead of time – all without any problems.
Then we began our trek through immigration and customs. Immigration let us in without any questions. Can you imagine that! Then we located, waited that is, on our bags. Three were tagged as “priority” and then the other three, well all we could do was to “believe” after prayer that they would be on the conveyor belt. They were and we moved our luggage and lined up in the “Green Light - Red Light” line. This is where you hand your documents to the custom’s official and then push a button. If it responds with “green” then you proceed to leave, but if it shines “red” then you must run all your bags through the screener.
Mark and Rachel led the way and got the one you do not want to get – “RED”. I received the favor and mine was “Green” and was I glad because my bags had some items which may have raised a question with the officials. So I moved my cart out of the way and spoke to a custom’s official and told him that my friends did not know what to do and so I was going to assist them. Every other time I attempted to do this I was forced to move on out of the area. He nodded and I understood his Spanish to say, “Okay!” At least that was the way I interpreted it and so I proceed to give them help in quickly grabbing their bags and putting them back on their carts and told them to follow me. No one stopped us and so we breathed a sigh of relief and moved out of the customs area.
I could not find the familiar face I was looking for, Marco Aroni and so I used my Peruvian Phone (it is a Ukrainian phone, a Dominican Phone, whatever I need it to be by switching to the local sim card. He answered and instructed us to meet him at the ATM machine where he would pay the parking fee. In a couple of minutes he arrived, we paid and moved to load the Nissan station wagon. Because of my expert packing abilities (no brag, just facts), we were able to get all of our bags into the car and headed for our apartment at the IPHC Peru Headquarters. Dan and Brenda Clowers had graciously invited us to stay in their apartment and use their car, so we quickly moved in and began planning for Thursday.
Thursday, February 18, 2010:
It was a short night amid the tossing and turning but rest did come but morning seemed to arrive too early. I had just finished my preparations for the day when the door bell told me that Marco had arrived with our breakfast – ham, cheese, Peruvian bread, some yogurt and water. And with him was Jenny Rodriguez, Pastor Gustavo’s wife. She had so graciously offered to assist us on our mission for the day – purchasing the supplies for the 400 backpacks. WHAT A BLESSING SHE WAS! It did not take us long to devour the sustenance and head out for the day.
I’ve never seen such a frenzy of activity at an office supply store. Nor had I ever had to walk three blocks to get to one. And I had never had to keep my eyes peeled for “thieves” on my way to purchase office supplies. And you would never walk down the middle of the street to do it! But we did! I mean the streets for three blocks were open only to pedestrians. So we became “pedestrians.”
The people were packed three or more deep when we arrived, but because Jenny had been there and established a relationship with a couple of employees, we were granted “up front” status. Well, that is, Jenny Marco and Rachel. Mark and I stayed in the background and took pictures and chatted with one employee who spoke about as much English as I do Spanish. But we had a good time – well it was really a long time as they went over about every item in two or three different qualities/expense.
Mark and I could see them waving their hands and heads, sometimes up and down and at other times sideways and so we could just about tell what was transpiring. When they were finished I thought well since we purchased supplies for 400 backpacks we will be here for about an hour – WRONG! We were told to leave and they would call Marco and tell him when to return and pick up the supplies. Remember we had walked three blocks to the store? So I began to feel my muscles aching even before we returned!
Well we took advantage of the time and opportunity to get lunch at Pardos where I enjoyed introducing Mark and Rachel to some Peruvian style meals but with the familiar chicken main feature. Pardo’s is a step up from KFC in my book. It was fun watching them as they watched Jenny eat her bar-b-qued “cow heart”. Because Jenny had to be back to her home before the supplies would be ready dropped her off and at that time got a call that we could return because they had our order ready, rather would be ready by the time we got there.
So off we went, found the same parking garage and walked the three blocks back through the mass of humans going in all directions in the middle of the street. We were told to go around the corner where the service department was. We did and the crowd there was worse than the one at the front counter. But the man who had completed our order from the front had come back personally to supervise the collection and packing of our supplies so we once again had favor.
I gasped as they began to carry out the boxes. I knew that Mark, Marco and I would die before we got these supplies to the car. AND! The question was, “How many trips would it take?” But we used our heads, I mean pocketbooks and hired a man with a cart – a large style two-wheeled tip-back Peruvian cart. I could not believe how many boxes he piled on that cart! I did not see how one man would be able to bend over, take hold of the handles and then life that load and steer it three blocks to our car. He did, but with the command that Marco, Mark and I keep our eyes open and watch to keep thieves away he tied everything down and we were off.
We filled the entire back of the station wagon from the front seat to the rear with boxes and they were in their tight. Mark and I had to take a taxi while Marco and Rachel took our vehicle and headed to the Church and our apartment. Marco and Rachel arrived before we did because our driver did not listen closely to Marco’s instructions and because neither Mark nor I knew how to get where we were going. All we could tell him was “that is the building” when we saw it. After one call to Marco and an additional four minutes we arrived safe and sound.
We toted them there boxes into the auditorium, took a short rest, had Marco go to get us some food and led by Rachel, Mark and I followed instructions to set up an assembly line. We ate our pork sandwich, drank our Inca Cola and completed our assembly line with pride. To be sure everything was okay we each took a backpack and went through the process four times to see if we had everything perfectly. Being “perfect” people that we are, we accomplished the feat with ease. Before going up stairs, we did take a few moments to admire our labors.
Why did we set up an assembly line? Because the local church has some people who were to arrive at 9:00 AM to assist us and they would be joined by two young men from Marco’s church.
After some time of talking about the day’s activities and deciding that the car we were using was too risky for the trip to Chincha, and acquiring another for those two days, we planned the next morning’s menu, bid goodnight to Marco and stumbled into our beds.
I tried to write this blog before I crashed but my computer decided it did not want to labor anymore so it acted like an upset teenager (please forgive me teens, maybe it was really acting like a “pre-teen”) and locked up and I lost everything I had written. I wonder what you would have thought about or how you would have compared it to what you are now reading? Regardless it was good and this is great!
I’ll bring you up to date on Friday’s activities when the day has drawn to a close. Besides you have so many great thoughts from what you have read and your brain can contain any more, so relax and rejoice with us.
Dr D and Mark and Rachel
We, Mark and Rachel King (Rachel is the Director of Discipleship Ministries for the SonShine Conference of the International Pentecostal Holiness) and I flew out of Orlando, landed in Panama and then arrived in Lima all on schedule, well a few minutes ahead of time – all without any problems.
Then we began our trek through immigration and customs. Immigration let us in without any questions. Can you imagine that! Then we located, waited that is, on our bags. Three were tagged as “priority” and then the other three, well all we could do was to “believe” after prayer that they would be on the conveyor belt. They were and we moved our luggage and lined up in the “Green Light - Red Light” line. This is where you hand your documents to the custom’s official and then push a button. If it responds with “green” then you proceed to leave, but if it shines “red” then you must run all your bags through the screener.
Mark and Rachel led the way and got the one you do not want to get – “RED”. I received the favor and mine was “Green” and was I glad because my bags had some items which may have raised a question with the officials. So I moved my cart out of the way and spoke to a custom’s official and told him that my friends did not know what to do and so I was going to assist them. Every other time I attempted to do this I was forced to move on out of the area. He nodded and I understood his Spanish to say, “Okay!” At least that was the way I interpreted it and so I proceed to give them help in quickly grabbing their bags and putting them back on their carts and told them to follow me. No one stopped us and so we breathed a sigh of relief and moved out of the customs area.
I could not find the familiar face I was looking for, Marco Aroni and so I used my Peruvian Phone (it is a Ukrainian phone, a Dominican Phone, whatever I need it to be by switching to the local sim card. He answered and instructed us to meet him at the ATM machine where he would pay the parking fee. In a couple of minutes he arrived, we paid and moved to load the Nissan station wagon. Because of my expert packing abilities (no brag, just facts), we were able to get all of our bags into the car and headed for our apartment at the IPHC Peru Headquarters. Dan and Brenda Clowers had graciously invited us to stay in their apartment and use their car, so we quickly moved in and began planning for Thursday.
Thursday, February 18, 2010:
It was a short night amid the tossing and turning but rest did come but morning seemed to arrive too early. I had just finished my preparations for the day when the door bell told me that Marco had arrived with our breakfast – ham, cheese, Peruvian bread, some yogurt and water. And with him was Jenny Rodriguez, Pastor Gustavo’s wife. She had so graciously offered to assist us on our mission for the day – purchasing the supplies for the 400 backpacks. WHAT A BLESSING SHE WAS! It did not take us long to devour the sustenance and head out for the day.
I’ve never seen such a frenzy of activity at an office supply store. Nor had I ever had to walk three blocks to get to one. And I had never had to keep my eyes peeled for “thieves” on my way to purchase office supplies. And you would never walk down the middle of the street to do it! But we did! I mean the streets for three blocks were open only to pedestrians. So we became “pedestrians.”
The people were packed three or more deep when we arrived, but because Jenny had been there and established a relationship with a couple of employees, we were granted “up front” status. Well, that is, Jenny Marco and Rachel. Mark and I stayed in the background and took pictures and chatted with one employee who spoke about as much English as I do Spanish. But we had a good time – well it was really a long time as they went over about every item in two or three different qualities/expense.
Mark and I could see them waving their hands and heads, sometimes up and down and at other times sideways and so we could just about tell what was transpiring. When they were finished I thought well since we purchased supplies for 400 backpacks we will be here for about an hour – WRONG! We were told to leave and they would call Marco and tell him when to return and pick up the supplies. Remember we had walked three blocks to the store? So I began to feel my muscles aching even before we returned!
Well we took advantage of the time and opportunity to get lunch at Pardos where I enjoyed introducing Mark and Rachel to some Peruvian style meals but with the familiar chicken main feature. Pardo’s is a step up from KFC in my book. It was fun watching them as they watched Jenny eat her bar-b-qued “cow heart”. Because Jenny had to be back to her home before the supplies would be ready dropped her off and at that time got a call that we could return because they had our order ready, rather would be ready by the time we got there.
So off we went, found the same parking garage and walked the three blocks back through the mass of humans going in all directions in the middle of the street. We were told to go around the corner where the service department was. We did and the crowd there was worse than the one at the front counter. But the man who had completed our order from the front had come back personally to supervise the collection and packing of our supplies so we once again had favor.
I gasped as they began to carry out the boxes. I knew that Mark, Marco and I would die before we got these supplies to the car. AND! The question was, “How many trips would it take?” But we used our heads, I mean pocketbooks and hired a man with a cart – a large style two-wheeled tip-back Peruvian cart. I could not believe how many boxes he piled on that cart! I did not see how one man would be able to bend over, take hold of the handles and then life that load and steer it three blocks to our car. He did, but with the command that Marco, Mark and I keep our eyes open and watch to keep thieves away he tied everything down and we were off.
We filled the entire back of the station wagon from the front seat to the rear with boxes and they were in their tight. Mark and I had to take a taxi while Marco and Rachel took our vehicle and headed to the Church and our apartment. Marco and Rachel arrived before we did because our driver did not listen closely to Marco’s instructions and because neither Mark nor I knew how to get where we were going. All we could tell him was “that is the building” when we saw it. After one call to Marco and an additional four minutes we arrived safe and sound.
We toted them there boxes into the auditorium, took a short rest, had Marco go to get us some food and led by Rachel, Mark and I followed instructions to set up an assembly line. We ate our pork sandwich, drank our Inca Cola and completed our assembly line with pride. To be sure everything was okay we each took a backpack and went through the process four times to see if we had everything perfectly. Being “perfect” people that we are, we accomplished the feat with ease. Before going up stairs, we did take a few moments to admire our labors.
Why did we set up an assembly line? Because the local church has some people who were to arrive at 9:00 AM to assist us and they would be joined by two young men from Marco’s church.
After some time of talking about the day’s activities and deciding that the car we were using was too risky for the trip to Chincha, and acquiring another for those two days, we planned the next morning’s menu, bid goodnight to Marco and stumbled into our beds.
I tried to write this blog before I crashed but my computer decided it did not want to labor anymore so it acted like an upset teenager (please forgive me teens, maybe it was really acting like a “pre-teen”) and locked up and I lost everything I had written. I wonder what you would have thought about or how you would have compared it to what you are now reading? Regardless it was good and this is great!
I’ll bring you up to date on Friday’s activities when the day has drawn to a close. Besides you have so many great thoughts from what you have read and your brain can contain any more, so relax and rejoice with us.
Dr D and Mark and Rachel
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