HOUSE OF GOD - CHINCHA, PERU AND MORE

The ministry for this trip has started with a “bang!”

I had a meeting with Pastor Carlos de la Cruz at 5:00 before his evening service at 7:00. His request was that he had investigated our ministry and wanted to submit his life and ministry as well as that of the church he pastored - The House of God - to us. He poured his heart out and after setting forth some requirements and expectations we agreed to begin the walk together.

At 7:00 we arrived at the Church building, which earlier that day had been flooded because a water main had broken a couple of houses away. The people had worked very hard to take care of the situation and it was “spic-n-span” with the music already underway – the sounds of which echoed in our ears as we crawled out of the car.

David Hodges got a good work out as my interpreter and the announcement to the people of the new relationship was greeted with great applause and appreciation. This was announced after the sermon so apparently the message did not scare them away.

We were not able to retire to our hotel room until we had engaged our stomachs with some rotisserie chicken, some fries and well we just “forgot” the fresh salad in order to prevent stomach problems from developing. Midnight approached before we were able to lay our heads on our pillows and call it a day.

But in the meantime much to my chagrin I discovered a communication error had created a problem for Sunday morning. Neither Marco nor I had contacted the pastor of Emanuel Church regarding a service and then we discovered that his service was an evening service – which time was already booked. So what do you do?

We called him this morning and set up a time to meet – 10:00 AM for fellowship. The fellowship lasted almost 5 hours. We were able to see how much of their property had been redeveloped since the earthquake of 07 – which had destroyed all but their Church building. And he showed me the sewer work they had accomplished. It is almost complete, with the exception of about 10% which involves the final connection of two areas of their restroom facilities. They are very grateful for the $3,000 Life Church sent to provide the connection so the school children would be protected from a bad sewage situation.

Our conversation lasted and led us into an invitation to enjoy chicken soup – with vegetables, pasta, fried egg and even the feet of the chicken. It was tasty and I was not given the feet. That was reserved for the pastor’s wife and I gave thanks for her desire to have the privilege of eating them.

We are now sitting in our room attempting to rest and get ready for the evening service. Then a three hour ride home, a short day tomorrow with preparation to depart for Bagua and Jaen in the jungle area about 800 miles south of the equator and HOT weather. AND it is a 12 hour bus ride before we then take a taxi for couple of hours to reach our first appointment.

An interesting development transpired during our meeting with Pastor Escalante. He mentioned a pastor friend, a well-known musician who was originally from Lima. It was an interesting conversation because both Maro and David were acquainted with him either personally or through mutual friends. He has been isolated due to a rebellion within the leadership of a church he pastored. That was several years ago and since that time he has been isolated and has moved to a jungle area to attempt to begin anew. He has a strong desire to submit his ministry to leadership he can trust – this is what we were told.

So we made arrangements for him to take a bus and meet us in Bagua – a 10 hour ride for him but it was a 23 hour trip for us if we were to go to him. So he and his wife will meet us for a time of sharing and seeing if our visions and goals are the same. Another door through which to walk and see what God is saying.

It is interesting how God changes plans, opens and shuts doors.

Please keep praying,

Dr D