Tuesday, October 9, 2012

PERU: THE LAST MEETINGS NOW FOR HOME

When I talked to you last, I had Monday through Thursday free, except for some meetings with pastors and some Peruvian missionaries.  Those days were great but it was very hard to “slow down.”  Strange but when you are. moving at a fast pace, to slowing down is difficult.  But I succeeded.

Friday, October 5th - 7th: Chincha

The two and one-half hour journey south, but that mean you are headed into the cooler climate.  That is sometimes hard to get through your mind when at home south means warmer climate.  Trip?  No problems.

My first meeting was at Mision Cristiana Agape, pastored by Maria Isabel Martinez.  This is a new church, but there were about 20 present and on a Friday evening, which is difficult due to their Peruvian lifestyle and work schedules.  But upon departing we rejoiced at the new birth of two youth in their twenties.  Pastor Maria has here ministerial credentials under Life Church.

Then on Saturday evening we were at Hoja Redonda A/G with pastor Obed and Abigail Nitac.  This was one of the churches we worked with through the Wilkerson Ministry and assisted them in rebuilding after the earthquake five years ago.  The attendance was about 60-70 and a great service, EXCEPT!

What? Okay I will confess, but be careful what you do with this information.  On my way to the platform I passed a large vase filled with fresh flowers.  Guess what?  You are right!  My coat tail caught one of the flowers and upset the vase with all the water right onto the platform all around the pulpit.  And the vase broke!  Yup!  They did not scalp me because who wants a bald scalp.  I was forgiven and finally got my composure to get on with the delivery of the Word.

Sunday, two services at Apostolico Temple, A/G pastored by Honorato and Teresa Martinez.  Pastor Honorato is the father of both of the girls at the previous two churches.  In fact, this Church was the first extension for Universidad Pacto De Vida (Covenant Life University) in Peru.  It was their communion service and so the ministry of the Word was all about the Passover Table and how it lead to and gives us a greater understanding of the Lord’s Table.

Now you cannot go to the Martinez house without leaving carrying large sacks of fresh Peruvian fruit, and as always the sacks will contain a new and hitherto never eaten by you, a fruit from Peru.  This trip was again the same.  A new fruit, a new taste and once again with great insistence told that this fruit is a “miracle fruit for lower blood pressure.”  Anyway you get the picture.

October 8th:
Monday we headed home - Lima - so I could spend the afternoon with Dan and Brenda Clowers, WMM Continental Coordinators for Latin America, Caribbean Region (LAMCAR).  Though Lima is their home away from home, well that is their home base, we always have a hard time making our schedules so we are here at the same time.  But we made it and had a great time discussing the Peruvian ministry and how to proceed with the same pattern, so we are both headed there together.

October 9th:
Packed, waiting to depart my home here for the airport, departing at 2:01 through Panama then Miami.

God bless and thanks for your prayers,

Dr D