Our final service in Chincha was with Pastor Honorato Martinez and the Apostolic Temple Assemblies of God. It was a special time because we were able to spend time with Maria Ysabel Martinez, the pastor of Iglesia Vida in Chincha. Because the building in which they were meeting was condemned by the government due to the earthquake, the people are only meeting in cell groups and are being shepherded by her sister and husband in Chincha Ica.
However she is in the process of establishing Iglesia Vida in Chincha (not Chincha Ica) on the property owned by her father. They will be meeting in a garage. At this time she is assisting her father with Pacto de Vida Universidad. They have a second round of students for the second year who will be completing their sessions in the next couple of months. The first year students have been waiting for them so they can all be together in the second year studies. AND, they have another group ready to start their first year of studies.
Pastor Honorato and Maria Ysabel have also helped to start two other schools in their area and will also be taking it into the jungle area in which they have been establishing a ministry.
We returned home about 12:30 AM on Monday, slept, unpacked and re-packed for our trip to the Bagua - Jaen area. This is about 800 miles south of the equator and is in the area adjacent to the jungle. It is also the very region in which a rebellion against a government edict erupted about 3-4 weeks ago. The government had established a curfew of 3:00 PM, then 6:00 PM, then 7:00 and finally 9:00. They had just removed the curfew a couple of days before we were scheduled to go – and so we embarked on the journey.
Maybe I ought to speak about the rebellion. The area indigenous people had rebelled against a government decision to allow other countries to mine valuable minerals in the area without the consent of those who live there. They have a very strong tie to their ancestors and the land upon which they lived. So they massed and marched against the police and in their area as a protest. Fearing what may happen the police called Lima and were told to shoot the protestors. They began firing and when it was all over, 12 policemen were dead and the indigenous people say over 200 of their people are missing. Witnesses say helicopters dropped the bodies in the river to cover-up the number of deaths. So you can see the situation is settled because the government rescind their edict and they are currently in negotiations but there is still an undercurrent in the indigenous community.
Tragically, the aftermath can be more devastating than the original shootings. The local people who protested have a 6 month mourning period and if they are unable to adjust it is common for them to take their own lives. Already 4 have committed suicide and more are expected. The pastors are very concerned and desire to reach out to those families.
Our path led us right by the police station where all of this took place. It was a strange site to behold.
We traveled 12 hours by bus – a very pleasant 12 hours in first class seats like the airplanes have with 2 meals from 7:30 PM to 7:30 AM to Chiclayo. Then we caught a taxi to take us to the “transportation station where we rented a car along with two others – that meant five of us in, plus the driver, in a Toyota station wagon meant for a maximum of five. The three of us sat in the rear and the other two had the glorious privilege of setting in one bucket seat for over five hours.
The journey took us up over a section of the Andes Mountains to a height of about 6,500 feet which wound up and down with some very scary curves and drop offs along with some sections of the road that had fallen away due to the impact of the river that ran parallel the majority of the way. Now then, put a “Mario Andretti want-to-be” (the race car driver) behind the wheel with tires that are slick on the outside due to the continuous curves. Add to that the fact that much of the time he was on the left side of the road attempting to or at least getting around the drives ahead of us. Put hair-pin curves one after the other into the picture. Place herds of goats on the road, people on the road, speed-bumps and then areas designed to allow the water to cross the road with a down and up again shape. What else? Drivers like ours coming the other way.
Then go around one curve and see a tanker truck over-turned on a curve and the diesel fuel cascading out of the tank and running parallel to the road down hill with vehicles belching their exhaust with the potential of a fire looming.
Scarred? NO! Why? Because I knew this was God’s time for me to make this journey after four years of promise. But my left shoulder did get sore holding onto the car door – with the window open so I would avoid falling into the lap of Marco who was privileged to sit in the middle of the back seat.
We arrived, checked into our hotel and were then taken to the pastor’s house for suppler. The star of the evening meal was “Mr. Rooster.” He thought he was tough in the yard and I agree and will add that he was tough in the “mouth” as well. But that is what he deserves, because he is now in the “ministry.” As we were completing supper the pastor informed me that I would be eating fish for breakfast and “Guinea Pig” for lunch. Now try sleeping knowing what was facing you the next day.
We had a great service with a congregation that was very receptive to the Word. Many were still not willing to venture out because of the recent events, but we still had a good representation with the faithful who did make it.
The “Guinea Pig” day arrived – of course after beginning it with fish, rice, potato, and yucca – and I must not forget that with the rice you have an option of onions soaked in vinegar to place on the rice. I did! I ate! I was satisfied and well-pleased with the fish and the taste. It comes in second on my all-time overseas fish meals!
Then it was on to a meeting with the pastor, his son and some Pacto De Vida Students. It was question and answer time. It was motivation time! And it was very inspiring as the students shared the impact of their studies on their life as a believer.
One student told of how her faith was built to believe God would heal her brother who could not walk and was facing surgery. He now walks and the doctor said he would not need surgery. Another shared how their studies have challenged them to consider the a ministry in the Church. The pastor stated he would rather give up his position in the denomination he held than give up Pacto De Vida.
Then it was on to attack and master “Mr. Guinea Pig!” My portion was the back half! It was fried crispy. It WAS tasty. It did have one piece that was “chewy” and so I hid it under the bones. All-in-all, I have to say, “It was good!” But I must learn to say that after leaving the table, because the pastor’s wife heard me and brought me another piece, which to be an appreciative guest, I downed with smiles. Yes, I will eat it again when offered. But not for dinner the next day as it was suggested by the pastor, who had said he would have the pastor in Jaen fix one for me.
The journey from Bagua Grande to Jaen was only one hour again with five riders and the driver. The road took us up in altitude and so the ride was more pleasant temperature wise and we arrived in time to catch a three hour nap before the evening service which turned out to be a BIG blessing.
Our host for Jaen was the pastor of a Pentecostal Nazarene Church. I wondered what was going to happen and how this mix would play itself out. I sat in the rear of the Church waiting on the people and the Apostle to arrive and watch what happened when they entered. All would kneel just inside the door and pray, then many made their way to the altar in the front and began to pray for the service. Even the little children would kneel and pray. My thoughts began to run wild as to what would happen in the service.
The worship began with a “golden oldie” – How Great Thou Art – in a slow but loud tone. A leader came forward and prayed. Then a different leader began to lead them in choruses. Interesting I thought. Then they “got with it” in the next two choruses and the clapping moved all over the house. The pastor (I would tell you his name but I do not have it written down and therefore I cannot spell it) introduced me. I greeted the people and shared about the plans for additional classes. I announced my message title and noticed the pastor almost stand. I stopped and called him over and asked if I was to preach the Word, he indicated that I was to go ahead and told me I had 40 minutes. No problem! I did and I made the time limit! I was shouted and clapped over several times and I had a great time – as a “former Nazarene youth” (you did not know that did you?)
When I finished the pastor and a worship leader came forward, moved the pulpit out of the way (it was on the floor in the altar area), made sure the mic cord was also out of the way. Then things began to escalate. The worship picked up, hands were raised, tears began to flow and immediately one lady began to “dance”. It was a dance like I have never seen. It was almost a slight jumping up and down like a “jack-hammer”. I looked around and many were beginning to do the same. That lady constantly for 50 minutes moved around, up and down like a fast “jack-hammer” and with her eyes shut never touched another person even though 30 or more others arrived doing the same dance. One man arrived from the back having “jack-hammered” all the way down the isle and into the altar space.
It was evident that this was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. I watched this in amazement and blessed the Lord that a Nazarene pastor was baptized in the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, found out all that was available through this baptism and refused to deny the experience and led his people forward even though he was officially removed from his mother organization. I do not say this to bring any discredit to the Nazarene Church. I have a deep appreciation for it but I do thank God for the position taken by this pastor. And I do have video of the worship time.
The next morning, Thursday, we met with six pastors and repeated our remarks about Pacto De Vida and again answered questions. Their major request was, how soon will you finish all four years and do you have any teaching available on worship and to assist musicians. Then do you have teaching available in any other field that will help the people of the Church, like teaching and then they hit me: Do you have any teaching or material available to help people grow food, purify water and to learn new trades that would be effective here in Peru. I cannot begin to tell you how this hit me and how their remarks of appreciation for the college hit me.
I can only summarize it with: Finally, someone cares for those of us who live away from the big cities and cannot receive Biblical education. Thank God for Pacto De Vida Universidad!
We hit the road again, with the same driver we had from Chiclayo to Bagua Grande from Jaen to Chiclayo and arrived just in time to place our bags in the hands of the clerk, grab a 15 minute chicken dinner and get on the bus for our 12 hour trip back to Lima. Oh, did I tell you that it takes almost two hours to get from the bus station to the outskirts of Lima? And it took one and one-half hours for me to get from the bus station to Jicamarca, Marilyn and the Hodges.
Saturday, tomorrow, we fly to Arequipa for four services in four days with one day of rest.
Keep checking for up-dated blogs. I will get them on line when I can.
God bless,
Dr D and Marilyn
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