Sunday, October 17, 2010

A BUSY WEEK WITH MARILYN, ALLYSON AND DAVID

Monday, October 11th - Saturday, October 16th

This is a summary from Monday - Thursday: I got everything ready. I picked them up at the airport. They made it through immigration with no hitches, but when they picked up their bags, they got the “RED LIGHT!” For those who are familiar with this term and its meaning then pardon me while I quickly explain it to the others.

After securing your bags from the carrousel, you then hand your declaration document to an attendant and then you push the button on the green post. If you get a “green light,” you proceed to meet anyone awaiting you, but if you get a “Red Light,” then you take your bags and run them through the scanner where they check to see if you are brining in anything for which they can “tax” you.

This is a big problem when you are a lady, traveling with two GRANDchildren and have six bags packed to the hilt, each one within one pound of being over-weight, and six carry-on’s loaded. You must unload your carts, put them on the conveyor then walk to the other side and reload your bags. So Marilyn had to go through the process but they passed the inspection and proceeded to meet us on the other side. A quick trip to apartment and then all hit the sack.

Wednesday after breakfast, we journeyed to Jicamarca to see the Hodges and for all to see where we would be staying the last 10 days. This was an “acclamation visit” to prepare Allyson and David and for all to see the new Hodges - only two or three weeks old (I am a man why should I know exactly?) Then back to the apartment.

Thursday we did the “tourist thing” so we would not have to do it the last day and because we had to stay in Lima at the apartment to avoid overcrowding David and Ceci – David’s mother is there helping with the new born.

But Friday afternoon we headed out to Jicarmarca to stay until Saturday evening. We had services in which to participate – Allyson and David had a children’s service Friday evening and Saturday afternoon as well as Saturday evening. Marilyn had a ladies meeting Saturday afternoon. I attended a “gang rally” at the indoor soccer field with Pastor Everth Ipanaque - the blind pastor. He had a dynamic ministry to gangs because he was once in a very powerful gang involved in drugs and much, much more. It was while hiding from the law that a one ton rock fell on him severing his optic nerves, and forcing the amputation of his right leg. A lady had been following him for days and even weeks preaching to him everywhere he went. One day she said, “I will not die until you are standing in the pulpit preaching the gospel, even if it requires you lose your sight and a leg.” It was prophetic. He lost his sight and one leg and is now found in the pulpit having started nine churches. And Saturday evening I had my opportunity to share with some of those who were formerly in gangs but who have now found Jesus and attend Life Church, Jicamarca, Peru.

So now we are back in the apartment for 16 hours. We minister tomorrow, (Sunday) here at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church – Allyson and David with the children and me in the pulpit. Then it is out to Jicarmarca until Tuesday, October 26th when we return for the night and an early departure for Marilyn, Allyson and David on the 27th, then I depart early on the 28th.

Now you are up-to-date (that is: I am!)

Thanks for your prayers,

Dr D, Marilyn, Allyson and David

Sunday, October 10, 2010

GOOD BUSY SUNDAY ONLY 11½ HOURS LONG

Sunday, October 10:

Two services, one at 10:30 and the other at 5:00 but from start to finish the day ended up being 11½ hours! That included dinner, a short 15 minute stretch and the travel time to and from the services.

The morning service at Iglesia Centro Christiano De Avivamiento was focused on healing. A minimum of ten people testified of being healed as other believers prayed for them. I only prayed for one lady. The goal God laid on my heart was to get the people active in believing God to use them to bring healing to people.

I reminded them Jesus did not heal as God but all the healing He did was because He saw His father do it and therefore He healed. So we as, sons and daughters of God, have the power through our relationship with Him as our Father to also do the works of God. The response was very interesting and the excitement was high as they saw the works of God accomplished before their eyes.

I also was blessed by those who stepped up and said they were willing and desired to do translation for me as their investment in the Kingdom of God in Peru through the lives of Pastors and Church leaders around their nation – a total of six. And their pastor said he would be available again the last week I am here to do more video interpreting for me. Thank God! I will hand out translation assignments and see what we can get together for the last week. I think I have three days available to do it during the day and maybe also in the evenings.

After a braised chicken dinner and a one hour trip we arrived at my evening assignment – a graduation for the first year students of Universidad Pacto de Vida (Covenant Life University) in the city of Ancon at Comunidad Carismatica Cristiana Cristo Sanador with Pastor Everth Ipanaque. We had 21 who have completed their first year and the most exciting fact is that around 8-10 of them are from 16-21 years of age – YOUTH!

Pastor Everth is blind in one eye and 80% blind in the other and has one prosthetic leg, yet he is impacting that area of Ancon and in particular the youth. Not only is he doing that but he also completed very successfully his first year of Pacto de Vida. His goal is to take the youth and start another church in a different area. AND - he also has another church in Ventanilla. There are three pastors who work with him in these churches and they also completed their first year of Bible Training.

One of the pastors told me he has 12 people who are completing their requirements of discipleship training and are anxious to begin their college work.

So the question? Does missions pay? NO IT DOES NOT PAY IT PRODUCES! There is no pay! But it sure does cause a multiplication process when the people are discipled to disciple others! No one can reach their city, their country better than the people who live there and can relate on the same level. And I count it the greatest pleasure in my life to have this opportunity to invest in the training of disciples who will disciple others!

All I have to do now is to get ready for Marilyn and the two grandkids - Allyson and David. That means do my laundry, go shopping and meet them at the airport.

God bless and thanks for your investment into the Kingdom of God!

Dr D

Saturday, October 9, 2010

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! VIDEO PROJECT!

Wednesday, October 6th - Saturday, October 9th:

Victory! We almost completed everything I originally desired to get on video, except two sections which I now see should not have been part of the class and will be expanded and made into two separate courses.

The time from Wednesday through Friday were hectic! They required much editing of the material and re-editing of the Spanish to get it correct for the PowerPoint which was an integral part of the video work. In fact one section does not have either the interpreter or me on screen. The only thing on screen are the maps of the Old Testament World, the land of Israel, and the New Testament World with Paul’s journeys.

It was as different approach but one I believe will add to the course called: The Development, Scope and Study of the Bible. Anyway, that is my OPINION! And since I am the author, the director and the PRESIDENT – who is going to argue with me? Can I help it if I believe I am right? Anyway we have 21 hours of video for this course. Now to write the lesson plans, the assignments and the exams.

Fortunately, several people have stepped forward to translate into Peruvian Spanish any material I will need. They need to translate 240 pages each for a college course in English, so why not translate something that will benefit the kingdom. They are “sowing” into the Kingdom of God. So, I will leave several outlines of material I want translated here for them to get ready for the future.

And today, well I have just relaxed – almost – but I sure wish I could see some college football and hear the commentators in English. I can see at least one game and I just remembered it is on right now so if you notice a pause, you will understand – Florida State vs. Miami.

WOW! Florida State is ahead 24-7 and it is only the second quarter. I wonder how Florida did today? Does anyone know? I have lost track of the won - lost of all Florida teams.

Well, I did go downtown to meet David Hodges so we could ride with him to Jicamarca, eat supper with them and return back with the van. I have two assignments tomorrow. The first is at Iglesia Centro Christiano De Avivamiento, pastored by Gustavo and Jenny Rodriquez and then at Ancon, Comunidad Carismatica Cristiana Cristo Sanador for a first year graduation with pastor Evert Ipanaque. This will be our largest graduation to date here in Peru with 21 students having completed their first year of studies.

Then two days of preparation for Marilyn, Allyson and David and their arrival Tuesday evening at 9:00. You know, food, water, and some medications for emergencies for now and future trips.

Thanks for your prayers,

Dr D

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

NEWS FLASH FROM PERU AND DR D

Sunday, October 3 - Tuesday, October 5:

There are experiences! There are various experiences! And then there are experiences you have on foreign soil!

I have just experienced my first election weekend on foreign soil! This was the weekend for Peru to elect their “mayors.” They have local city mayors and also regional mayors. This year the battle was between two ladies for the mayor who would be over the Lima Region – a first for Peru. Sunday evening the count was too close to call a winner. Monday, the count was less than .8 (8/10 difference.) And last night I was not able to discover who the winner is – “if” they have even finished the count.

NEWS FLASH! I JUST RECEIVED WORD THAT THE COUNT IS STILL TOO CLOSE TO DETERMINE AND THEY ARE WORKING OF REVIEWING AND CHECKING THE BALLOTS!

And because it was election weekend, Sunday services were forbidden so people would be free to go vote. And “IF” you do not vote, then you are “fined!” That’s right! YOU MUST VOTE OR YOU GET A COURT FINE! So as you can imagine there is a major turn out that requires many people to travel great distances to get back to the regions and cities where they are registered. FUN! FUN!

I return you now back to the “spiritual” world for which I came to Peru. That is I “would” “IF” ---- we were able to record on Tuesday and completed four hours of teaching. That means I have one major area to cover and when that is completed, I will call it a success, even though I have one more I would like to record, but I can live without it and instead include it in another class.

I am living on “peanut butter and jelly sandwiches” for breakfast. Really! No I also have fresh mangos for breakfast with the peanut butter and jelly – including a glass of yogurt and Starbucks instant coffee with French Vanilla coffee cream – all compliments of my wife! BUT the coffee is running low and will be out by the time she arrives with a “fresh” supply on nest Tuesday evening with Allyson (Ryan’s oldest) and David (Nicole’s oldest). Their first missionary trip! They are both excited and counting the days.

God bless until I report again,

Dr D

Saturday, October 2, 2010

TAKING A “BREATHER”

Tuesday, September 27th - Saturday, October 2nd:

OOOPPPSSS! I did not think it had been so long since I “blogged” but it was, so here I am! And I am glad you are glad! (I said that in “faith!”)

Anyway this has been another week of ups and downs. Agustin’s wife, Jessica, was sick on Tuesday and Thursday and he had to stay home and be the nurse as well as take care of their three children - you know the routine - feed, bathe, get off to school and get them home again. So “two” days of working in my studio came to a halt.

But Pastor Gustavo Rodriquez did make it for two days and we were able to record five sessions - hours - as well as do some more proofing of the Spanish . And it was needed. We even had to go back and do some special “cuts” to insert later because of errors on the PowerPoint as well as a couple of scriptures which in the English were correct but translated differently in Spanish and so when I did my expository dissertation on the passage it was incorrect but correct (Figure that one out!).

I am currently at the home of Dr. Roger and Magaly Falcon with their daughter, Abigail who is 19 months old now and can be very entertaining. They had contacted me and insisted that I spend a couple of days at their apartment. So here I am.

We chose this weekend because it is election weekend here. On Sunday no one can have any church services and businesses are to be closed to facilitate the election process. As well, no alcoholic beverages can be sold from Friday evening till Monday. It is to keep the potential of violence down.

So, since I went to service on Friday evening with them, I, we are now on a holiday weekend. And since I only brought “part” of my work with me, I will be forced to do some relaxing.

This afternoon Roger took me to see a relative of his who raises and trains the Spanish dancing horses. Their “stable” and “bunkhouse” is fabulous and is located in a very secure area just outside the main metropolis of Lima. We were fortunate as his cousin was there and we were able to get up close with horses that are valued at $10,000 each (they had 10 there and 50 more at a different location– the “ranch”). The uncle, the father of the cousin, is famous for his riding skills and the horses he has raised and trained. It was “very” interesting and I got some great shots of some of them in action.

Well, that about brings you up to date on my activities this week. Over-all it was productive but not as productive as I wanted or needed it to be. However, I believe we will still be able to complete the desired classes before departing Peru. And several have stepped forward to volunteer to translate other material for video production later.

So, God bless and thanks for your prayers,

Dr D

Monday, September 27, 2010

PERU - WHAT’S UP DOC?

Sure glad you asked that questions! You jogged my mind and now I remember I haven’t blogged since Thursday morning of last week. So, while I finish my breakfast of a “substitute steak sandwich” (better known as a peanut-butter and grape jelly) which is accompanied by a small glass of peach fruit juice and Starbucks coffee (travel packets), I will attempt to bring you up-to-date – THAT IS IF I CAN KEEP THE EXCESS PEANUT BUTTER FROM GETTING ON THE KEYS!

Thursday & Friday, September 23rd - 24th:

Both days were not filled with anything more than continuing the process of recording the classes for The Development, Scope and Study of the Bible. I would like to tell you that everything went smooth, but I would not be telling the truth. But we finally were able to make some adjustments and now have 5 sessions complete but that is only about 20% of the total. So we have a long way to go.

This week I will have two different interpreters but we are not able to start until Tuesday, so Monday becomes a lost day.

Saturday, September 25th:

Everything was geared to getting ready for the second of a two-part series on The Will of God. There are four churches who have at least one combined youth meeting each month on Saturday at 5:00 pm. I was asked to speak to them about the importance of discovering God’s will. There seems to be a basic cultural philosophy of just getting an education or training and then getting married without any real concern for what God may want out of their life. And because of the culture, their families place a lot of demands upon them beyond what is biblical.

So the first week I shared with them how easy it is to discover God’s will: receive Christ, then serve Him full-time – your “vocation” as Paul calls it then discover your “hobby” (defined by me as the job which will give you the finances you need to accomplish the task of serving God in their “church” – not “the Church.” “Their church” is describe by the place of employment where God places them. They have a “pulpit” to “make disciples” and to “train them” as they have been trained. Plus, the only difference between them and their pastor is that God has called him to earn his living by serving the Church in the capacity of one of the 5-fold ministries described by Paul in Ephesians 4.

Saturday, the challenge was to “Place Your Life Before God.” And the basis for the teaching is found in Romans 12:1-2. I simply went through the verses explaining the words in basic terms which would describe their life.

That completes Saturday!

Sunday, September 26th:

I was only supposed to have one service, but because I needed an interpreter and the ones I generally use are pastors who have services on Sunday morning, I asked David Hodges, who’s service is at 5:300 PM to accompany me as my interpreter for the morning.

My assignment was to speak for the first year graduation ceremony of six students from Ancon, Iglesia Cristiana El Camino pastored by Walter & Clarisa Villajuan. Ancon is located about one hour from my present location – the apartment I call “home” – on a Sunday (during the week it could take up to two hors to get there).

But to be able to use David, knowing we would not get to his home and church until about 5:00 PM, I volunteered to speak for him. So off we went! The day began with a 10 AM departure and ended with a 11:10 PM return. However the day was a success both for the graduation and for the time with Iglesia Vida in Jicamarca.

Now it is Monday and because we will not be recording, I will have time to complete preparation for the final recording sessions.

And “maybe” get my hair cut! Oh, get off of it! I still have some “hairS” which need to be cut!

God bless and continue to pray.

Dr D

Thursday, September 23, 2010

A DAY FOR FRUSTRATION!!!!

Thursday, September 23rd

The goal was to tape at least 4 sessions! But all we got done was ONE!

Put very simply – microphone problems!! I have a wireless system with two mics. They operate on different channels and different groups. Whenever we would turn Mic 1 on it would work okay, but with Mic 2 on – hey this is confusing to explain, but one mic works good with great volume but the second mic did not have enough volume to record and then it caused interference and produced a hissing sound.

We tried for almost three hours to find a way to eliminate the problem but finally gave up and set the one good mic up on a tripod below the sight of the camera and used it to record both my voice and that of the interpreter. And to be sure that we ha good sound, I also used my small Sony recorder and we also have the sound through the air into the camera. However the room produces a slight echo but it may be the best anyway because it gives it the feeling of a room with people in it.

So we did finish one and had to quit due to the time. I guess that is just part of the “game” – but I do not like to lose to a short in the mic system.

Tomorrow is another day and Pastor Agustin, the interpreter is bringing a system of his so we can get rolling and make some progress

God bless,

Dr D