Hey there! Well we are back at it! On the road more than not, but thankfully the police stops have been much much fewer and we've been safe. This past week we were able to go back to San Jose de Quero- still probably our favorite place here. Cambridge Baptist Church- partner with Grace Community, arrived Wednesday night and we hit the road Thursday morning. We arrived in Huancayo that afternoon and after being appalled at hotel prices in El Presidente, we settled into Los Balcones. We had dinner and then a few of us braved Plaza Vea (grocery store) which rivals a super Wal-Mart and is ALWAYS packed with people. The next morning we drove the 1.5 hours to San Jose de Quero. We spent the rest of that day setting up meetings and touring the market in Chaquicocha a neighboring town. We took it easy that night- as the first night in that altitude usually has its effect of making everyone sleepy. The next morning, we did some prayer walking around San Jose and ran into all sorts of people that we know there, Elizabeth and her 3 kids, Norma & Alexander, Gomerciendo, and a few others. I always love getting out and walking around out there. Its the closest to feeling at home that I've felt here, pastures and the smell of cows...
We spent the afternoon in Usibamba, meeting with Godofredo and Armenda. The rainy season makes things more challenging. The back roads are slippery to get from town to town, people don't come out as much, and some even leave town to go to Huancayo. This made things more difficult, but I am proud of the team for making the most of every opportunity! After we met with this couple, I was able to call Mama to wish her a happy birthday- which I was glad I could do. Godo. & Armen. have a tienda with a phone and they wouldn't let me pay for the call! They are sometimes difficult to talk with, but they are so welcoming and sweet to us.
Sunday, we headed back to Usibamba to meet with them again in the morning. This time Godofredo invited a young man who had a lot of questions about salvation and the Christian life. We were able to share with him for over two hours and he seemed encouraged and thoughtful about what was shared. We are glad to have made a new contact there and will hopefully be able to follow up with him in March. The afternoon the girls had planned a kids event in de Quero, but rain made attendance a little low. However, the 5 kids that did come seemed to enjoy themselves, singing, playing and listening to the story of Jonah and the whale. David was Jonah in the dramatization:) That evening we had a Bible study with the believers in San Jose and again there weren't many who would come out in the rain but we still had about 8 or so. Don't be quick to judge them for letting rain deter them. They usually only have 1 set of clothing and when they get wet- they stay wet for a long time and its cold up there. Miserable. The time with the group is always a highlight for me- they are a sweet group!
We met the owner of the town's restaurant and he expressed some interest in joining the group and potential leadership. I am still unsure how to take this, given that he's never attended the Bible study but is willing to lead it. However, we encouraged him to meet with the group and pray for the Lord's leading.
Monday we spent the morning walking down to the river- always one of my favorite things to do. It was muddy and the river is way up- overflowing in the canals. There are tons of little flowers blooming now that the rain has started and you wouldn't believe how green it all is! Its like someone plugged it in and now instead of brown its electric green.
That afternoon we visited Santa Rosa- a potential ministry town that has been in the backs of all our minds for a while now. We also made a trip out to San Pedro de Sulcan- a place we've been a few times but have not done anything past showing the Hope film. we just went to look around and ended up talking with the owner of a tienda there named Lydia (no coincidence in the name). Uncle Guy and Aunt Gay and translator Hector had visited there and had lunch one day last March. Hector was with us on this trip and remembered eating there. We came into her shop and began talking. Aunt Gay had enjoyed a green soup that she served there and had told me about it. I mentioned to Lydia that Gay was still talking about what a wonderful soup she had served there and Lydia remembered that it was a green soup. What small impressions can do!! This opened some doors and before long Hector was sharing with her and praying with her to receive Christ. She had the quote of the week saying "no one has come to teach us, we would change if we knew, but no on has taught us." Wow, talk about your open doors huh? We are praying for her and that town and hoping that maybe our churches can do some teaching there.
The next day we departed for Lima, taking a chance on that back way through Yauyos again. The other two times we've taken it, we've encountered serious delays. But promises of completed paving and beautiful views made us take the bait. And third times a charm- because we made record time and it was indeed beautiful! Herds of llama, lakes, racing rivers, flowers blooming everywhere, and less trucks on the road. It was a great trip!
We spent a day in Lima resting and running some errands and then retreated to Huanuco the next day. We are glad to be home at least for a few days. Monday we head to Huaraz for a pastors conference that one of the SC churches is hosting. We are expecting several hundred peruvian pastors and their families.
I think we will be on child care along with several teammates. We are looking forward to seeing the "Alps" of Peru and the city of Huaraz. After that we have some down time here in Huanuco- I'll keep you posted. Here are some things you can be praying for !
- Pray for the believers in San Jose and Usibamba for encouragement and growth and development of leadership.
- Pray for Lydia and her town Sulcan
- Pray for Michel and his mother Berta in Usibamba (the young man we shared with)
- Pray for the Pastor's conference in Huaraz
- Pray for safety in travel
- Pray for guidance and wisdom for us in reference to extending and the future of REAP North as short term missionaries' terms end.
- Pray for continued language learning!
Thanks so much to all of you!
