Jaen Graduation: Pentecostes Del Nazareno - Antonio & Marina Quintana
It was celebration time in Jaen for the Pentecostal Nazarenes! It was the first graduation of any kind to be held in the Church and they did it up BiG! The service was already rocking when we walked in. The auditorium was about one fourth occupied but by the time we started, at 9:50 PM, there were over 400 Pentecostal “Rockers.”
Each of the seven graduates marched in accompanied by a “sponsor” - their spouse to a loud and boisterous heralding of the trumpets to the tune of “When The Saints Come Marching In” and the booming voice of the music pastor. The next in line did not start until the previous was standing in front. Immediately I was called on to present them with their Certificate of Theology for completing the first year.
Each was then once again “heralded” as they moved to their seats, followed by the graduation message. I kept it short – 35 minutes with the interpretation. The message was followed by two prayers for the graduates – both by me, and then once more we heard the trumpets, the trombone, drums begin as the students departed the auditorium.
That was not all! Then we (Marco, Javier and I), the graduates – which included the pastor – left for a celebration meal at a restaurant. The remainder of the people stayed for an all night prayer meeting – on Saturday night!
I was informed they had two more classes already in the process of studying, one in the third cycle and another in the fourth and would be looking forward to starting the second year. AND – they would also be starting other classes in some of their “daughter churches.”
Pastor Quintana is requesting I return for their next class graduation and stay for three days to minister to the people.
To say the least, I “flopped” into bed in the “wee hours” of the morning knowing it would be a short night because we had to be ready for the regional coordinator to arrive at 7:30 for preparation to take a “car” (hired car) for a one hour trip to Bagua Grande.
Bagua Grande: Asambleas de Dios del Peru Bagua Grande - Amado & Caruajulca
The Church at Bagua Grande is one of the early extensions of Pacto De Vida. They were slowed down due to the “uprising massacre” in 2009. But they are up and continuing study.
They normally have their Sunday service in the evening, but due to our schedule which required us to depart Jaen at 3:30 PM, they rearranged and we arrived at 9:00 as the doors were being opened. The congregation was slow to arrive due to the change but we had a full house – meaning all the chairs were full – not the building.
Then Pastor Caruajulca announced to me we were going to his house for “Rooster.” It seems every time I am there they kill the pet rooster. This one was not “tough” and must have been a young one. Two years ago the rooster was still crowing inside at noon when I tackled “Cuy” (cooie) (Guinea Pig). Pastors wife promised to fix me “Cuy” the next time I came. Honestly, I look forward to it. She fixes a “mean Cuy.” And NO! I do not eat their pets! They raise them for food!
Once again, the power of God was manifested as was attested to by testimonies.
Then it was back to our hotel in Jaen. Let me tell you! We had the same drive both ways. It was a fast trip. By driving standards in Florida, he should have been arrested at least 30 times each way for speeding, passing on curves and various other fractions. YES! I prayed both ways – though not all the time. I just trusted it to the Lord and relaxed – except for holding on to the handle above my head to keep from being thrown into Javier who was seated next to me with Marco on the other side.
As you can see, we made it safely to the hotel, finished our packing then rode the “Moto-Kar” to the bus terminal. A “Moto-Kar” is a combo of a motorcycle and a “ric-shaw”. And we made record time on the bus portion. It took six and one-half hours to get there, but we made it back in 5 hours and 23 minutes. Do not has me how! But we did!
Now to fly to Lima in the morning and prepare for the final phase – ministry in Kimbiri with Go International. I fly to Ayacucho then take a van over the mountains on a one lane dirt road for about 5 hours.
God bless and thanks for your prayers,
Dr D
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