Dave and Cam's Peru Adventure

2011-12-30T07:32:00.001-08:00

2011-11-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! And Happy Thanksgiving this week!

Now, we don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in Peru, but we are still managing 2 meals:) We'll have a large mission-wide lunch on Thursday and then Mindy and I are planning a meal on Saturday for some of our Peruvian friends. So my freezer is filled up with a huge turkey and my meal plan for the week is impressive to say the least!

I hope you all enjoy your time with family, celebrating and giving thanks to the Father for all of His blessings to us!

What's going on here in Peru? Well, we are staying awfully busy even though its the slow season. We are still helping keep things going here in Lima and working towards our ever-approaching official merge with REAPSouth. We were able to travel with our home church back to San Jose de Quero a few weeks ago. Though it was challenging with Pete (who experienced his first cold while on the trip). It was great to be back and see some familiar faces. This was a medical and discipleship trip and we enjoyed getting to go around and meet new folks who needed some medical attention, while visiting those we've had a relationship with for a while.

Pete is doing well, he has grown quite a bit and is mobil! Though in reverse:) He hasn't figured out how to crawl forward, though he can go backwards at an alarming rate!

He's teething which is a challenge, but still so much fun!

What's coming up...

We will be here in Lima for the next three weeks, helping out the teams that are coming down. But our main task continues to be looking towards the future and how to hand over our work to nationals and to make the merge as seamless as possible. Mid-December we travel to the US to be with our family at Christmas time. We are so thankful that we are able to do this and can't wait!

Please be praying for us!

Thanks to all of you

2011-09-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

I am writing this from sunny and HOT Iquitos, Peru. David, Pete and I are here in the jungle city visiting teammates, Jeremy and Crystal Nelson (with karis and Adalyn) and Jake and Dodie Glover (with Hannah and Abigail). We are so enjoying our time with them and have a new respect for them living in this heat! Its wonderful in a way- compared to dreary Lima, but its hard to get used to! Pete has adjusted well and loves tooling around in just his diaper. He's a free spirit, what can I say?
The Nelsons and Glovers have generously shared their lives and ministries with us this week. We've met a lot of their national friends and had some great time reflecting on their ministries and life here.
They've also shown us some of the hot spots (no pun intended) of the town. We visited a great zoo where we saw real live jungle animals, including jaguars, wild boars, tapers, parrots, and yes, a monster snake. At least David and Pete saw the snake, I was shuddering as I rushed past! Ha! We also got to see the infamous Paiche, aka the river monster. Its a HUGE fish, unreal, that has an enormous velocity in grabbing a piece of food off a stick. Wow!!
We've had some great food, jungle pig and fish, a large fried plantain ball and camu camu juice.
Its been a fun trip and we are so pleased to have been able to be here.

We are continuing to seek the Lord's guidance in our role as team leaders. It is a hard change in our ministry focus. But we desire to be obedient. Please be praying for these things...

Unity among our REAP team- pray that we will work with a common purpose and develop an environment of encouragement.

Pray for the joining of REAP North and South into one team. Pray for the work and transition time and that we will do a good job merging the two teams.

Pray for an upcoming meeting with our supervisor, Marty Childers. Pray that it will be a great time of vision casting, brainstorming, and putting some legs on our ideas. Pray also that we will have some good time just being with Marty.

Please pray for Pete's continued growth and development and wisdom on how to be good parents.

Please pray for opportunities for David and I to do more ministry with nationals. This has been a struggle as our team leader responsibilities have taken more of our time.

Thank you all so much for your prayers- please feel free to send us an update and prayer requests for you and your family.

2011-08-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

So when a new mom can't sleep, and the baby is actually asleep...what do I DO???

I've mentally redecorated both this apartment and our house back in Rockville and planned all sorts of crafts and projects that I'll probably never get to. So on to something I've been meaning to do and ought to do. Productivity. That is the key at midnight on Thursday August 11.

Our trip to the USA was wonderful, warm, fun, and as always too short. Pete was a trooper on the flight. He barely made a peep, sleeping in the air and enjoying the whirling activity and chaos of Miami International Customs...

I made the second leg of the trip solo as David went from Miami to Atlanta for a REAP partners training conference. Pete and I went straight to VA. We did just fine and were glad to see Mama and Daddy on the other end.

We spent the 10 short days visiting as many as possible, both family and friends and enjoying summertime in Virginia. We were there during a heat wave and while most were complaining, I was letting out a big Ahhhhhh of relief! Pete enjoyed "swimming" in the pool with Grandaddy and with Papa.

He was also intrigued by the boisterous doings of his cousins- who showed him how to have a good time on the farm. (He filed it away for future reference.)

All too soon we headed back to Lima, sad to say good bye to all.

On our return we resumed work. Many have asked us what work is like for us now that we are the team leaders. I can't honestly say. It varies day to day and in a lot of ways, our role is not so cut and dried. Its more whatever is leftover, or whatever no one else wants to do, or whatever needs doing. Its very vague and challenging thus far.

Within a week we had a team come in from South Carolina. 5 gentlemen plus 2 excellent translators and ourselves, travelled to Huanuco for the dedication of the Bible in Huallaga Quechua. We are so blessed to have been able to be there for the culmination of 30 years of translation work. We have now been to 2 of these historic events! It is so exciting to see the joy and satisfaction of the Quechua people receiving a Bible in the heart language. We had a time of reunion at the dedication with many friends. Pete was a hit! We had strangers coming up and asking to have their picture taken with him. They don't see many gringo babies out there...

The next 2 days were spent in "vision trip" with the team from SC. We took some bouncy dirt roads to visit several towns in the Santa Maria de Valle (valley). It was great to get out and see some mountains again and some "real" Peruvians. We spoke with several people along the way. I found out the way to talk to Quechua women...bring a baby with you!!! In times past, we have found it very challenging to bridge the cultural gap and have women even interested in talking to us. They flocked to me and Pete and were very open and outgoing. It was a neat difference. Thanks Pete.

Pete did very well in the travel and the altitude. His mother did not. I have never had so many difficulties in a trip. I blame nursing. Gotta be. I can't have gotten that wimpy. Surely not.

Now we are back in Lima, sorting out emails and getting organized (a never ending task). Please pray for us as we continue to transition and learn and listen to the Father.

2011-07-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

Lima in the winter...

Its not so pretty. We've seen the sun for about 4-5 hours since we returned from Ica. Over 2 weeks ago. Vit. D deprivation is a killer! But the silver lining on our horizon takes place Monday! We will escape the gloom and head to the US! David is heading to Atlanta for a training conference for our Strategy Coordinator Churches and then flying up to VA when it is over for a few days. Pete and I are going straight to VA! And thus we embark on the adventure of international travel with a 3 month old. Pete is all set- he's got his passports (yes, he needs both of them to travel- his US to enter the US and his Peruvain to enter Peru-dual citizenship is complex). We are so looking forward to introducing him to everyone back home and letting his family get some time with him! I just want to lay by the pool. Is that bad?

Pete is growing growing growing!! It amazes me how much he changes every single day. This week he has learned how to really grab toys and has even found a few favorites. David and I were saying that he really seems to be engaging with us more now. This morning he was playing in his crib and I sneezed and he laughed really hard about that. Which is good because he used to burst into tears whenever I sneezed. Who knew a sneeze could elicit such emotion.

David and I have been especially busy these past few weeks. Of course this is the busy time of year, so there is the usual hullabuloo, but we have also been doing "team leader stuff". We've got a lot to learn and we need your prayers more than ever.

After our foray to the US, we will be back in Lima for a week and THEN! we go to Huanuco! It will be 11 months since I was in our old hometown and I can't wait to go! So we've got a lot of travel ahead, but we are looking forward to all of it.

Please keep us in your prayers! Thanks so much to all of you!

2011-07-02T19:32:00.001-07:00

I am writing this from lovely Ica, Peru. Which is south of Lima (which is not so lovely this time of year) in the desert. We are in a beautiful place called Las Dunas and the best part is ...is that there is SUN!!! Oh- we are so glad to see that lucky ol' sun rolling round heaven all day!

Ok- we are here for more than just the sunshine! We are here for “OGM” which in real people lingo means Occasional General Meeting. All the missionaries from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela & Columbia have gathered here with our leadership team to re-group, talk, learn, pray and fellowship together. This has been a very encouraging time for us. We've learned a lot, met a lot of people that we've heard about but never seen, and enjoyed the sun. Have I mentioned the sun?? Anyway...
This past month has been a transitional time for us and our team. Our Team Leaders, Jeff and Liesa Holeman have returned to the US for their Stateside Assignment, which was a sad day for all of us. We will miss having them around, their guidance and leadership, their hard work, and their good sense of humor.

Since their departure, David and I have stepped into the role of team leaders. Yikes! I love it when we tell people that and they ask “why did they pick ya'll?” Good question! We aren't sure either! But we prayed through the decision and felt a peace about accepting this role for now. Please please pray for us and we seek to serve our team and handle the new responsibility. We are excited after this week about potential changes that our team can make to involve our Peruvian brothers and sisters in our ministry. Please pray for the implamentation of these changes and ideas. All in all we have really come away from this time refreshed and ready to face the grueling summer months ahead.

Personally, we are doing well. Pete is 3 months old and just the cutest baby ever. Everyone says so:) He is smiling and laughing and enjoying learning everyday. He likes to play with that cute little boy in the mirror of his crib. David and I are ever learning to take care of him the best we can. So far so good.

David is as smile-y and as patient as ever. He's a great husband and dad to Pete and he continues to be ever hospitable and gracious to our Peruvian friends. Everyone loves David- and with good reason.

I'm plugging along, suffering from sun deprivation in Lima, but enjoying living in Miraflores where I can walk where I want to go. I've made more cake this past month than I have in a long time. And I've cut my hair- love having it so short. I may never go back!

We miss you all and we covet your prayers- we need them!!! Thanks for all of you who faithfully lift us before the Father. Here are some things to pray for that are coming up...

Training conference in July- David will travel to Atlanta mid July to attend a Strategy Coordinator Church training. Pray that churches will attend and hear what our missionaries have to say.

Please pray for an upcoming Bible dedication in the Huallaga valley. Early August we will all travel to Huanuco to attend this amazing event. This is the presentation of the Word of God in their Quechua language. The first written piece in their dialect. How exciting!

Pray also for Watson Chapel Church who are preparing for a vision trip this fall to the Cerro de Pasco area.

Please send us prayer requests and updates for you and your family!

2011-05-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

Like newborn babes, crave pure spiritual milk...
This verse has taken on new life to me! I know now what that looks like!
Pete is growing like a weed! He is teaching us a whole lot and we are enjoying him so much! He is a sweet little boy who already is very active, vocal and strong.

We have enjoyed a visit with my folks, who came and spoiled us for 10 days over Easter. We had a great time with them and were sad to see them go!
We are in the middle of a visit with David's mom, and next week his dad will join all of us. So Pete is getting to know his grandparents, which we are extremely grateful for! What a blessing!

We are in the middle of moving across town, closer to the “hub” of our work. Goodbye Lima traffic (sorta). We are moving into an apartment above team member Mindy McCord and are already enjoying the perks of living on this side of town. We can walk most places we need to go! We love that:)

Please be praying for us:
We are stepping into the role of REAP North Coordinators. Pray for this time of transition and change, that we will be servants to our team members.

David will travel in 2 weeks with a vision team from Ohio. Please pray for him as he plans for this time and for the group as they venture to the mountains of Huanuco. Please also pray for me as Pete and I stay here alone for the first time.

Pray that we will continually crave pure spiritual milk. That we will desperately desire God's Word and bring all circumstances before the Throne.

2011-04-04T04:50:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note...

In the midst of new parent sleep deprivation- please excuse any serious typos! I'm sure there will be many!

Well we are parents now! Peter Franklin Olson was born Monday March 28 at 5:09 PM. He weighed in at 6 lbs 7 oz and measured just under 19 inches. Not bad for 3 weeks early!

We ended up having a c-section for several reasons and are thankful for the excellent medical care and wise decisions of our doctor.

I'm healing very very well and head back for a check up next week.

Pete is doing great too! He's getting into the swing of life-eating, sleeping and pooping with gusto. He's a sweetheart and while he didn't get my dimples, he did get David's crooked pinkies:)

David is an excellent Papá, doing so much for Pete- especially since I can't pick him up yet. I think they are bonding very well! David's smiling percentage has risen significantly- if that were possible!

Please be praying for us:

1) Obviously as we rejoice and adjust to all this newness! That we will be wise parents that seek the Lord first in all things.

2) For upcoming logistical work associated with several of our SC churches and their trips.

3) Our wonderful tenants back in our house in VA are moving out of state. We are sad to lose such great renters. Please pray that God will provide new renters by August and that we will not doubt but trust in Him.

Thanks to you all ! We love you

2011-03-26T05:34:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

A quick update for all of you to be praying for!

It seems little Pete is anxious to get going on life "outside"! My appointment Thursday was exciting with some fetal monitoring which showed him super healthy- and a lot of contractions I didn't know I was having...

But he's dropped and engaged and I'm at 2 cms already... so it could be any minute now.

My doc has me on meds and bed rest trying to make it to Monday which marks 37 weeks and the safe zone. Thankfully, my "mature" placenta seems to be functioning just fine which is great.

So be praying for us all, that Pete will stay healthy, that I will be patient and calm, and that David will stop staring at me like I might have the baby any second now!

We have a houseguest as well right now- Rolando. Pray that we can still be hospitable in light of the circumstances.

Hopefully my next post will me as a parent:) Love to you all~

2011-03-07T08:35:00.000-08:00

Hey!

Things are going just fine here in Lima, Peru! Its a HOT summer here in La Molina- where the sun always shines (and the dust makes you really really wish for rain...).

I'm 34 weeks along - so a month and a half to go (according to Hoyle). Pete is baking nicely and pleasing us with a strong heartbeat. He is not pleasing my doctor who thinks he may be large. But I also learned that to him, anything over 6lbs is large. We are a small people here in Peru.

He has also caused me to graduate to wearing David's t-shirts because I don't have anything comfortable that fits. Hope I don't stretch em out too far!

David is out this week with a vision/medical/vbs/evangelism trip. Sound complicated? Good thats what I was shooting for! He has taken this team from Columbia, SC to the Huallaga Quechua of Huanuco, seeking the potential of a new Strategy Coordinator Church Partner.

They headed out yesterday and return Friday. Teammate Tommy Smith drove over from his digs in Huaraz to help out. They've got 5 great translators with them. And several members of JAWCA (a Christian quechua group who promotes literacy and Biblical training in the quechua language). There will most likely be a lot of 3 way translating going on this week- English to Spanish to Quechua.

Please pray for them this week:

Safety in travel to and from the villages each day. Protection from mudslides.

Organized and efficient ministry- this is a large team of about 21 total- thats a lot of coordinating to do...

Open hearts and honest responses to the gospel

Mutual encouragement through the medical and vbs opportunities

Guidance and leadership for the team from SC in a future partnership

Sensitivity to cultural differences (on both sides!)

Energy and clarity for translators

And most importantly- that God will be glorified. That the team will become less and He will become more.

Thank you so much for your prayers! We are as always desperate for them. We'd love to be praying for you - please send us some updates and requests so that we can specifically lift you up before the Father.

cameronanddave905@yahoo.com

2011-02-15T08:37:00.000-08:00

Please be praying for David as he travels this week. He is taking a team from Asheville, NC on a vision trip to a segment of the Lauricocha quechua in Huanuco.

Pray for safety in travel, especially from mudslides which are always a threat this time of year. Please also pray for direction and guidance for the team as they pray through several options this week for ministry. Pray that God will show them clearly where He desires that they minister. Jeremy & Crystal Nelson and girls have flown in from the jungle for Jeremy to accompany David on the trip and drive the 2nd truck. Crystal the girls and I are holding down the fort here. Its really great to have some company while David is gone and Crystal is a wealth of knowledge for having babies in Peru- what a great resource!

Last week we had a fun time with our friends Edmin and Maura from Panao. They along with their 5 mo old son Caleb came to visit for about 5 days. They were fun to have here and tired us out in a good way! We took them to the beach (their first time to visit the beach, and Maura's first time seeing the ocean), the zoo, taught them about the washing machine, electric stove, and garage door opener! They are so sweet! They actually came in for Edmin to dub the Jesus film into his dialect of Quechua. He was the narrator and it took 2 days of hard work to get it down! We really enjoyed having them and it also pushed us to use our spanish all week. Whew- quiet a workout!

We had a healthy report from our ultrasound- Pete is growing according to plan and everything is normal. We also had our first lamaze class last week- 1 down 6 more to go ! It was challenging to keep up with such rapid and technical spanish- but all in all I think it went well and they people were very kind and the teacher is very very qualified.

Thank you all so much for praying for us! Please let us know if we can be praying for you specifically!

2011-02-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

Hello all! 3 months later...Wow- I've fallen very much behind. Thank you for your patience!

We are doing great! We just got back to Lima after 5 wonderful weeks at home over Christmas. We enjoyed time with our families and friends, traveled to Phoenix, Columbia SC, Asheville NC, and Nashville, hit some of our old haunts, and ate. And ate. And ate. I had a doctor's appointment when the day after we got back to Peru and my doctor called me chubby. You know you live in a foreign country when your doctor is allowed to call you chubby.

Pregnancy-wise things are progressing well. Pete is growing like crazy and consequently so am I! He is kicking and moving a whole lot. We've got about 11 more weeks to go (hopefully). We have another 4D ultrasound coming up hopefully next week so we'll get to see how he's changed. We also are trying to get started on childbirth classes soon. In spanish. Pray for us.

Its summer-time here in Peru- and Lima is a whole new place! Sunny, warm, blooming and dusty. Ok- its always dusty. But its hard to describe Lima without saying dusty. The annual, national gender battle of water balloons is coming soon (though I suspect in Huanuco it has already begun). Kids are out of school and enjoying their freedom.

We've got a lot coming up for you to be praying about! David is taking out 2 vision trips in the next few months. He is traveling with a church from Asheville, NC mid Feb. He will also take a group from Columbia, SC out in early March. Apart from a few other day trips, after that he's grounded! Staying home til the baby comes:) Please be praying as our team continues to adjust to changes in the IMB. Pray that we will be effective and joyful in our work and continue to seek God's guidance and direction. Pray that we will continue to have opportunities to share Christ with those around us.

We love ya'll and we'd like to hear how we can be praying for you!

2010-11-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

I know I've been remiss in updating- but we've had several slow weeks here and I'm not too good about writing without subject matter:)

We are doing good and enjoying spring time here in Lima. As I said things have been slow...until this past week. When it rains it pours- except that we live in a desert now and it never rains...anyway.

We had our monthly check up last Wed. And things are looking good- the baby's heartbeat was good and strong and no problems with my health. The doctor fussed because I haven't gained very much weight yet- and then lectured me on eating healthy. I hate to tell him, but with my metabolism, I ain't going to get fat on salad. We go for a 4D ultrasound the day after Thanksgiving and should be able to determine the sex of the baby then! Yay!

The rest of the week we spent in meetings with leadership talking about upcoming changes in our team and method of work. We dont' have a lot of definate answers- but we know change is coming and that God will provide what we need to do what He wants us to do. Saturday we had a crazy morning involving a power outage which made for some creative problem solving. We had two teams to meet that morning and accompany one of them to their destination to cart stuff and some folks. Except that our truck was stuck at home b/c without power we couldn't open the gate:) We figured out an alternate plan and drove the team to their ministry spot about 5 hours from Lima. It was so good to get out of the city and see some countryside again. We didn't get back until that night and then early the next morning we met our home church and saw them off for their week-long ministry trip. It was good to be working hard and getting some things done. We are planning on going on a research trip to the jungle next week with our boss Jeff to do some research and right after Thanksgiving we are driving up the coast to find some beaches! More stories and photos to come!

2010-10-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow David hits the road again. Please be praying for him as he travels with a couple from Southside Baptist Church to the Tarma area. They will be in the Tarma area until next Wednesday. Pray for a sucessful trip with ample opportunities to share the gospel and to disciple growing believers in the towns.

Please pray for me as I stay home once again.

We had our 12 wk check up yesterday and everything is going fine. This baby has grown!!! I go back next week to have an ultrasound to check for Downs.

Please keep praying for us as we continue to adjust to all the changes.

Thanks to you all!

2010-09-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

Buenas Tardes todos!

I'm trying hard to adjust to this whole "seeing David off on a trip" thing, but its hard!

I've gotten so used to going everywhere with him this past year that it feels very weird to be apart so much. We've gotten spoiled!

I'm here in Lima, trying to adjust to life here. I've been learning a new market. Thankfully there is a market within walking distance- so I haven't had to completely revert back to being a grocery store girl. We've enjoyed attending Vida Nueva church nearby the past two Sundays. And in this dusty place we've been learning that the floor really has to be swept once a day at least. Hmm.

We've really enjoyed our housemates and teammates, the Nelsons these past 3 weeks. But yesterday their home became available and they have since departed to their own quarters! We will miss them...and their dog.

David got back fine from his last research trip which was fruitful and full! He said the average driving/researching day was 15 hours and he was in some high places! He'll be heading out again tomorrow for San Jose de Quero with Jamie Byers from our home church and super translator Hector. They'll be gone a short week- which will seem long back here on the ranch.

Please be praying for them, that God will direct their ministry and efforts, that He will bless and enrich relationships, and for health for all these guys.

I will admit, I am feeling left out a little bit and am concerned about what they will eat up there without me there to man the kitchen like normal??? But David reminds me that Hector has a reputation as a good cook and that there is a restaurant and hey, there is always PB&J. So I sigh and admit he's right...but I've become a part of that kitchen up there and it just doesn't seem right for me not to be in it:)

Hope you all are doing well and please please please let us know how you are doing and how we can pray for you.

2010-09-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

Howdy! We are writting this as official Limanos now! We've completed the move and are spending most of our time settling in and making this place our place. We are getting to be housemates with our team members the Nelsons, and that has been lots of fun. Things have slowed down which has been a great break for us after that crazy summer.

David will be traveling next week to do some research in the Pasco area and then a week after that, he will travel with Grace Richmond to Quero. I will staying home as I am busy growing a baby! We were thrilled to find out right before we moved that we are expecting and due this coming April! Please pray for us! Its all very new and already causing a lot to change. The sight of cheese has never made me sick before. I'm not sure what to do about that!! But it means that my ability to go with David on trips is very much limited right now. And that changes a lot of things! So please be praying for our flexibility and ability to adapt quickly. Also pray that I will still be able to be effective even though I'm not on the road all the time and I that I can work despite of the nausea. :)

Thanks as always for your prayers- they are our best support!

Please don't hesitate to let us know how we can be praying for you and your families.

2010-08-10T06:06:00.001-07:00

The sun is out full force today in Huanuco and it is great to be here. We are soaking up these last few days here- visiting with friends and enjoying the best weather in the world.

We've been hopping around a little this past month, but not so dramatic as the last post!

Crossroads came to do ministry in the form of a vet clinic- which is always fun and an adventure. This year Edmin took us way out to the boonies to work, out to where Quechua is definately their primary language. We saw a lot of sheep, pigs, mules, horses, chickens and guinea pigs. We also slept on a dirt floor- all 12 of us in the same room. It was interesting...

David and I could only be with them for 2 days and then we returned to Huanuco. Shortly after that, we headed to Tarma for a Pastor's conference there. This time I escaped kitchen duty and got to sit in on the ladies' sessions. It was a good conference and we love Tarma. After Huanuco it may be one of the best mountain towns to live in. After the conference, we spent a morning witnessing in a small near-by town. The following day we headed into Lima and dropped off our first truck full of stuff at the Holder's house. We have begun the move...

We headed back to Huanuco and rested for a few days, then set out to do some research and got into a fender bender with a bus on a blind curve on those mountain roads. His fender didn't bend at all. Our truck is still in the shop. Thankfully everyone was fine and we got to see the Huanuco police in action (had to file a report). So we rested a few more days and then went up to Panao again, this time for the dedication of the Quechua de Panao New Testament! After 26 years of work- they had a celebration and distributed the Bibles. It was a neat weekend and really special for us to be able to to attend.

So here we are, back at home and getting ready to head out Thursday night to go to Huancayo to meet up with our home church and go to Quero for a few days.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers, we found out last week that we have been approved for a second term! That means we will go home this winter for 2 months stateside and then return for 2 more years, putting us here in Peru until early 2013. Thanks for praying for us!

Miss ya'll!

2010-07-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

Whew! Its been a whirwind that's for sure. You won't believe some of the things I've done this week! But more on that later. We left Huanuco and researched our way to Cerro de Pasco and from there we drove to Huancayo and parked our truck at the church-bought our bus tickets for the overnight bus to Lima, saw a movie and took the bus all night. That was day 1. We arrived in Lima early morning saturday. David took care of 1 team's needs and in the afternoon we received the van for the New River team. The team arrived that night and the next morning we set out for Jauja. David did a great job driving the bus and we made good time. The hostel we stayed at was a treat! Very cool Colonial style with really hot water. We attended the church service that night. The next morning we started ministering in Molinos. We set up the medical clinic but the crowd wasn't coming. So we did a house calland the rest of the team went out tell people to come. By the time we got back from the house call they were lined up outside the clinic. Its difficult to share what all David and I did during the clinic. Generally we helped keep order, translated, brought lunch, coordinated the upcoming day, etc. I even translated a little in the doctors office and I can now say "do you have blood in your stools" in spanish. Of course I couldn't at the time, so you should have heard me try to "talk around" that one! We left this team early Wed morning and did some coordination for the upcoming medical trip this next week. From there we went to Huancayo and picked up a few things for the students in Quero. We made it up there and brought tears to their eyes when I told them that I'd brought stiff to make hamburgers for supper. Larry arrived that evening and we spent the next day visiting around Quero with them. Friday morning we drove early in the morning to the Jauja team, picked them up- left our truck there- and drove them to Lima. We spent the night and following day there in Lima, and that night we took another overnight bus to Jauja, picked up our truck, drove to Huancayo and then crashed for a few hours before church. We met the group from New Orleans at church and spent the day preparing for the week's upcoming pastors conference. I'd like to say the conference went well... but I don't know. I spent 15 hours a day either in the market or kitchen, helping ladies from the church prepare meals for 200 people. What an experience. I got lessons in my different types of ajis (pepper sauces), an even faster way to cut up a chicken (or 25 chickens to be exact) and the proper technique for cleaning chicken feet. Quite an adventure. I also had a major breakthrough that week. I had my first real dream in spanish- speaking and hearing in spanish. Of course it was about chicken... so I'm not sure if that was a breakthrough or just insanity... time will tell I suppose. The conference overlapped with the International World Changer's project in Huancayo- so we ended at 11 pm one night and started again the next morning at 7. Whew. We had a day of training and then we spent the rest of the week doing door to door medical visits. After this team, we headed into Lima to prep for our move there in September. We had a surprise awaiting us- some generous soul gave us a night at the Marriot- a cream of the crop hotel establishment located in the swanky part of Lima- every room with an ocean view. Very very swanky:) Of course we felt like the Beverly Hillbillies coming in with a very dirty truck and no clean clothes for ourselves. A little intimidating but a great time none the less. We got our errands done in Lima and then finally headed home to Huanuco, where we rested for a day. To celebrate this rest, the next day we took a 12.5 hour road trip to do some scouting for this upcoming week's vet clinic. So the past two days have been rest for the weary and now we have our vet clinic team in town and head out tomorrow. Please forgive the punchy note to this blog- but I think I just might BE punchy soo.... go figure ! Pray for us, our sanity and that the Lord will do great and mighty things here in Peru!

2010-06-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

We are in town for just a few days and are heading out again Tuesday!

We just got back from San Jose de Quero where we spent the last week. Our team is grateful to have a team of students staying in Quero for 2 months! Our job this week was to get them started: familiarizing them with the people and area and strategy, teaching them how to cook, and as always enjoying being up there. The student team is GREAT! Go - getters and very grounded in the Word. We are confident God will use them mightily this summer. I enjoyed holding "cooking classes" every day and teaching them to shop in the market in Chaquicocha. If anyone needs some tips- I found a much faster way to cut up a whole chicken. I'm a beast.

Please lift these students up in your prayers as they minister "on their own" these next few weeks. We will be up to check on them in a few weeks with Larry Pumpelly, but until then they are holding down the fort.

We are enjoying Huanuco and the warmth very much today! We had a great time of worship at church this morning and had a visit from our friends Lindor, Zoila and Samuelito this afternoon. What a blessing to have been able to live here and make friends. We will surely miss Huanuco come September. However, we are excited about living in Lima as well- being close to our team will be good and make us more helpful to them. Please pray for us as we say goodbyes these next few months to our friends here though.

Our schedule peaks this month and I've listed it below so that you can be praying for us in "real time". I may not be able to update the blog again until mid-July. Your prayers are definately needed and we earnestly ask for them. We can not do the work here- we desperately need God to do it for us.

Tomorrow is David's 28th birthday and I have made Betty's famous Mocha Chocolate Torte Cake to celebrate the occasion. We are glad to spend the day together and in a warm climate:)

Here is our schedule- please be praying for us~

June 15-18: Research in Pasco area

June 18-20: Travel via bus to Lima to meet New River Team

June 20-22: Minister in Jauja with New River

June 23-24: Meet Larry Pumpelly in San Jose de Quero

June 25-26: Return to Lima with New River Team and Stay the night in Lima

June 26-July 2: Return to Huancayo with team from New Orleans Seminary for Pastors conference in Huancayo

July 2-July 8: International World Changers Medical team: I will be leading a team to the Quero/Usibamba area and David will lead one to the Jauja area.

July 9: Return to Huanuco.

As you can see its a lot of traveling and a lot of work- so lift us before the Father that we may have the endurance and right attitude to do all this well.

Thanks! Love to you all! Please send us updates on how you are doing and how we can be praying for you!

2010-05-31T12:40:00.000-07:00

These past few weeks have certaintly been busy ones! We waited in vain for our new tires but the daily excuses added up to zero & so we left town and headed for San Jose de Quero. We made it with only 1 flat tire-not bad considering. There we met up with Mindy, Larry Pumpelly from our home church, and 10 South Carolina college students. They had already been there for five days or so. It was a great trip and a great team. We did some painting in Usibamba and some discipleship in Quero. We attended/led Bible studies in both of those towns and met with believers in Porvenir again. It has been a true blessing to be able to be in this area so many times this year. David and I are really seeing the difference that consistency makes in our relationships with the people there. We are looking forward to going back in a week or so to help get some suumer missionaries started. They will live and minister there for two months.
David and I had a really neat thing happen this past trip-the believers from Porvenir attended a Bible study in Quero one night and one of the couples wanted to dedicate their child that night and asked us to be godparents! So we are now godparents to a beautiful baby girl named Thaiza. What a sweet blessing for us!
Straight from Quero we along with translator JP split off from the Lima-bound group and headed to Huancayo. There we coordinated details for the upcoming pastors conference in June. Afterwards we went to Jauja to coordinate upcoming June and July trips there with our friend Miguel. We also enjoyed another flat tire (3rd of the trip) so we spent the night in the very nice Xauxa House and headed out the next morning for Tarma. There we met with Pastor Paul and planned for their upcoming pastors conference in July. We also awaited the arrival of the Southside Baptist Church team. We spent the next few days with them ministering in a town called Huasahuasi (wasawasi) focusing on evangelism. Now we are back home in Huanuco enjoying some much needed rest before we head out again.

2010-05-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

Post from Lima:

Just a short note today! We are in Lima for a few days for meetings and training and are having some fun hanging out with our team here. We just got back from 4 days in San Jose de Quero, Usibamba, Chaquicocha, and Santa Rosa. We had Pachamanca twice- a traditional Peruvian special occasion meal. We met with believers in Por Venir (near San Jose), San Jose and Usibamba. We spent some time in discipleship as well. Here are some prayer requests for us these days...

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for encouragement for the believers in these areas, especially for Arminda (Godofredo's wife). Pray for us as well as meeting with her can be very discouraging.

Please pray for us as we make decisions about the future- it appears an extension is very probable in our future.

Please pray for the intense months ahead of us! And the exciting work ahead!

2010-04-25T08:11:00.002-07:00

Well, we are back home for a little while anyway! We just finished up with a GREAT trip. A group from the South Carolina Baptist Convention came to provide medical treatment and counseling and widespread gospel sharing. We spent a day in Cansejos...

A camp of about 20-25 tents for the victims of a recent mudslide that completely destroyed this small town. Dr. Mark said that some of the older people had probably never had medical attention their whole lives. One young boy decided it was safer in the tree than seeing that doctor- poor fellow. We should have told him we weren't giving shots...

Even in the midst of suffering, these people showed their characteristic hospitality. After we had visited everyone, 2 men took us up to the hydrangea fields. Yes, fields of hydrangeas that they are growing to export to the US. He insisted on stopping to pick us "a few" and came back looking like this...

I think I might have swooned a little at these blooms:)

We were also blessed during the day seeing a group from Huanuco with our friend Edwin minister to the kids- they did a phenomenal job!

The next day- we enjoyed worshiping in the town of Ambo- site of the another tremendous mudslide that has left hundreds homeless and over 70 dead. We joined the congregation of the Alianza church and had a sweet time with them. After lunch we moved to one of the camps and shared the gospel and provided tent to tent medical attention. These days were challenging and sad, but joyful in being able to share the hope we have in Christ with these hurting people.

Monday was a travel day to Huancayo where we spent the night. The next morning we went to San Jose de Quero to minister there for 2 days. In this rural community, the house call method was more challenging and time consuming. But all around it was very effective. We know now where folks live and how to find them to check back up on them. We had a number of people pray to receive Christ and a full Bible study Wed. night.

One of my favorite stories is Elizabeth's mom. Elizabeth is a young mother we've developed a relationship with in de Quero. We stopped by to visit her and she asked if the team could see her mother who lived in a different town 15 minutes away. We agreed and picked up Eli. and her 3 kids later that afternoon. Her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago and had been living in fear of "death any day now" from it. The doctor was able to assure her that she did not have cancer and this relief opened her heart and she prayed to receive the Lord. What a blessing:)

We heard some sad stories these few days too. Please be praying for a 91 yr old lady who is still traumatized by the terror of the Shining Path, her murdered husband and disfigured daughter as a result of their terrorism. Also please pray for a young 8 year old boy who had fractured his thigh and received insufficient medical attention. He is now dealing with infections in his leg and chest due to being bed ridden. He has also become withdrawn and rarely will speak. Pray for his total healing.

This volunteer team was one of the very best I've ever worked with. They were truly hard working, servant minded and were a huge encouragement to us!

We welcomed a team from Crossroads Baptist Church to Huanuco yesterday. Today they headed out for a pastor's training in Panao- where we will join them later in the week.

But for the next few days we are going to kick back and catch up and sleep!

A piece of good news... we heard that there is a very high likelihood that we will be extended for another year! Thanks for praying about that for us!

2010-04-16T08:44:00.001-07:00

Hey there! I'm writing this in between batches of muffins and cookies- Cameron's Bakery is open today folks! Actually I am getting ready for a team coming into Huanuco this evening. This is a medical and evangelism team that is coming to serve in Consejos & Ambo- locations very near Huanuco that have recently suffered from devastating landslides. Hundreds of people are living in tents, having lost everything. We won't spend more than a day in each location, but we are hoping to encourage and help the best we can in that time. We have been told that the greater need will surface in 2 weeks when government aid pulls out. David and I will re-evaluate needs at that time and plan accordingly. After the 2 days here, we'll head out to San Jose de Quero to work for a few days as well.

Maruja's hostal will definitely be our second home this summer, well ok, maybe our first home and our apartment will be our second home.:)
We actually just got back from San Jose, where we spent a great week discipling, leading and participating in Bible studies and teaching in the schools a little.

Going there is always an encouragement to us- its the kind of place you can just go walking around and not worry about safety or unfriendly people.

Anecdote: We went to visit Rosa, Maruja's mother. She and her husband live outside of town a ways. Eugenio usually rides his horse to the store to see us, but he was visiting in another town when we came calling. Rosa was standing in her doorway, hand on hip, peering out to see who the group of gringos was. She welcomed us warmly as always. I'm always taken aback at how short she is. I swear she only comes up to my rib cage! SO tiny- we could just pack her up in a bookbag and carry her around. I'll bet she'd love that! She always invites us in her house which is a big deal culturally, not at all common. We came in and sat down and Rosa began show and tell. We started with her football sized potatoes, which she insisted on giving us a bag of. Then she brought in an apron full of abas, beans that is, which she promptly put in the potato bag, insisting that it was only a few. It was more than a few. Then she tried to give us some of her freshly sheared- yet unwashed wool. Thankfully, we convinced her not to give us that. But she did show us how to spin with nothing but your fingers. In about 10 seconds she produced a string of yarn nearly a foot long. She then showed us old photos she had, one of her as a young woman- probably early 20s, her brother and a few others. That was really special. She is 78 years old, sharp as a tack. She remembered a joke she made back in January and added to it this time. She sent us on our way with detailed instructions on which way to go to avoid the mud and huge smiles for all of us. Rosa and I have the same hat. I love that.

The next, oh I don't know, 5 months are going to be a little crazy, but we are excited about upcoming trips.

Please pray for us:

As we still seek an extension,

Keep up with logistics for teams,

Ministry for the summer,

That our current renters will renew their lease or we will find new renters without missing a month

Thanks so much to all of you, we miss you and love you. Keep us updated on whats going on with you! We love hearing from folks back home or wherever this finds you!

2010-03-11T12:27:00.001-08:00

We are just back in Lima for a few days now, enjoying the warm humid weather and the occasional sunshine! We had a great past week in San Jose de Quero and Usibamba with our home church, Grace Community Baptist, and some guest visitors from Asheville, NC.

After a night in Huancayo, we set out for the higher altitude of 13,100 ft of San Jose. This trip's purpose was discipleship and we saw God do some amazing things this week! Teammate Mindy McCord and I were the only ladies on the trip and we were able to spend some great time with a few of the women. We went through a few old testament stories with Maruja, one of the key people in town (store and hostel manager, mayor's sister). It was wonderful to see her read the stories for the first time ever, her excitement about the Word, and her insight into application! We were encouraged with her eagerness to share the stories with others, without any prompting from us. God really used us despite our limited language skills and spoke through the power of His Word. We also spent a few evenings with Arminda in Usibamba. Arminda has been difficult in the past due to her tendancy to dominate the conversation and overwhelm us with unrelevant questions. She has also expressed in the past a lack of regard for Mindy's and my ability to teach the Bible because we don't have kids. Yeah...

Well this time, we really saw a softening in her and more gentleness for which we were grateful. We had two great nights working through some discipleship material. God taught me a lot through this- showing His power in my inadequecies. It constantly amazes me when I give it all up to Him, readily admitting that I am not able to do anything, how sufficient He is and how gracious. The men had a great week as well, spending very concentrated time with Teodoro, Godofredo, Rolando, and a new member of the group, Manuel. They had great results in teaching them to lead a Bible study using a passage of scripture and 3 simple question, what do I like, what do I not like, and what can I apply? I think the leaders were encouraged through this week and we are looking forward to seeing what is going when we return next month. We had a Sunday night Bible study in both towns, and both went really well. We were blessed to have 2 of the very best translators with us: Hector and Mijail, and they not only translate, they minister and pour into the people as much if not more than we do.

We are thankful for a wonderful time that was refreshing and encouraging. God highlighted this time with 2 clear nights where we saw His handiwork in the stars! You've never seen stars like this back home- trust me! You look up into the sky and you get dizzy because you see so much!

We will be in Lima for a few days until Saturday when we travel with a church to Jauja to help out with a baseball camp! Looking forward to this! We will leave this team early and head up to Ambo to see College Street ministering there before heading home to Huanuco for a few days. Ahhh home.

2010-03-10T16:50:00.001-08:00

Blog Update:

So sorry its been so long! We have been on the move and when we stop- we still feel like we are moving...
So this blog is a recap of February!

After the great time with the team from College Street Baptist Church, we had a few restful days at home which were a blessing to us! I have been sewing and reading, David has been roof gardening and reading as well!
We headed into Lima around February 10 to meet an incoming team from Hesperia Baptist Church from Hesperia, CA. We arrived a few days early to meet with our bosses and discuss the near future and to sketch out our calendar for the next 6 months. We are going to be very busy- but are glad for that! More opportunities to see what God is doing here in Peru! We have also discussed the possibility of a relocation to Lima around September. While we love Huanuco so much, we have realized that it is not the most strategic location for us as our team changes. I would say that the move is pretty much a sure thing- but I wouldn't set it in concrete just yet.
We went with a team of 4 from Hesperia to a town called Tarma, nicknamed the city of flowers. Sounds pretty good huh? We drove into this mountain town that is located more or less between La Oroya and Cerro de Pasco, through fields of chrysanthemums, gladiolas, baby's breath and others! Que bonita! We stayed the week in the apartments above one of the Baptist Churches in Tarma. Hesperia is partnering with this church to reach a nearby town called Acobamba. Pastor Paul of Tarma was a great encouragement to us- to see his heart for the lost and for discipleship and training were remarkable. We spent the week partnering with Peruvian brothers and sisters from Tarma, evangelizing door to door 8 hours a day, for 4 days. At night we showed the Jesus film and the Hope film and had a Bible study.
They were one translator short for the trip, so David, Pastor Paul and I made our own team (no english allowed). We were stretched way beyond our comfort zone, in not only the language, but hey, the door to door thing. I think there are few who would say that is easy for them. But God was so faithful and was able to work through our shortcomings and fears show Himself powerful that week. David and I were able to share the gospel with over 50 people who received Christ as their Lord. As always its NOT about the numbers, but it was an encouragement to see their desire for a Savior. There are trained local leaders already in place for follow-up discipleship. WOW! Thats amazing! What a blessing to serve along side of these faithful brothers in Christ who desire to see their neighbors realize the love of Christ. We returned to Huanuco following this trip- thoroughly stretched, tired and refreshed. We spent a few days at home, during which time David helped a semi-local VBS by playing chauffer. So he didn't get a good rest from time in the truck. I did. Anyway. A few days later we headed back into Lima to pick up David's folks. We tried an alternate route which ended in a mudslide, detour, and a total of 13 hours on the road. But we made it to Lima nonetheless and spent the next day recouping while the truck had its day in the spa getting tuned up. We spent the next day on the beach! Rough huh?
That night Betty and Jim arrived. We spent 1 day in Lima, drove to Huaraz, drove to Banos, drove to Huanuco and stayed there 2 days, drove to Jauja, San Jose de Quero, and then to Paracas! Ahh Paracas! A day on the coast and we took a boat tour out to the Ballestas islands to see sea lions, pelicans, penguins and much much more! How fun for us! We went back to Lima and spent the night and got them on the plane the following morning. We had an adventerous time that morning, as our side mirror had been stolen the night before. So we set off on a quest to find a replacement. After 3 hours of fighting Lima traffic, we are not city folk by the way, we had the mirror replaced. We drove to the hotel to pick up the team from Santa Cruz from our home church Grace. I am writing this now from San Jose de Quero- but will post it in Lima- and will write more about this trip soon!

Pray for us as we go go go!

2010-02-03T03:38:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Just a quick one today but I don't want to get so far behind that I have to write a novel next time!

We've been getting to know the Huanuco/Ambo area a little better these past several days. College Street Baptist Church has let us tag along on their trip. These pros don't need our help when they come to minister as this is their 5th year serving here in Ambo as a Strategy Coordinator Church. However, they are gracious enough to invite us along and introduce us to all the contacts they've made. We visited several pastors in the area for follow-up and for preparations for a March pastor's conference they will be holding. We attended an Alianza service Sunday morning and a Pentacostal service Sunday night. In the Pent. we sang one song for 30 mins. I timed it. Same tune, the words changed about every 5 minutes!

This church is a great encouragement for us and we enjoyed getting to know some new faces on their team. We'll spend the next week or so here in Huanuco with maybe a few day trips and a day to celebrate my birthday.

Here are some prayer requests:

Safety in travel for the College Street Team

Language ability

Health- some allergy issues and stomach aches.

Cameron's sister- she needs about 5 more weeks until she delivers baby #3- and is on bed rest now. Please pray for her protection and the baby's health.

David's Great -Uncle Ed- recovering from surgery- pray for his healing and that he will come to know the Father.

Thanks ya'll! Miss you and appreciate the prayers more than you know!

2010-01-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! We are back in Huanuco and for longer than a few days this time!

We just got back from a trip to Huaraz for a pastors conference. We left early early early Monday morning and made the 7 hour trip with no hiccups! We drove through a National Reserve which was amazing! Huaraz is a beautiful city- with amazing views of snow capped peaks, including the highest mountain in Peru at over 20,000 ft. We spent the rest of Monday settling in and gearing up for the following day. David and I, along with 2 members of Ingleside Church from the US, 2 fabulous translators (what would we do without them) and Reap teammates: Amber, Mindy and Sandi were on day care duty. With over 250 pastors and their wives, we had a boatload of kids! most days we averaged around 85-100. Fortunately, we had a huge yard to keep them in - most importantly with a very high wall and gate to keep them in:) It also had a swing set, jungle gym, basketball court and most popularly a trampoline! The kids were a bit over enthusiastic about the trampoline so that became David's domain- he ran it like a pro carnival ride keeper! Somehow- I got talked into getting up myself (twice) and bounced myself back about 10 years:) We put the trampoline up after the second day to give it a rest- not to mention David. The majority of the kids were so sweet and very well behaved but as always there were a few trouble makers who couldn't stay out of trouble for very long. There is one kid I will never forget- a chubby 3 year old with a Batman t-shirt. Yeah- he got spanked a few times. Don't freak out- we are in Peru, you can spank other peoples kids.

We played a lot of volleyball, soccer, memory card game, colored and tried gamely to keep the peace. I think we did pretty darn good considering our lack of child experience. We all got badly sunburned as we were at 10,000 ft. playing in the sunshine for about 8 hours a day. But it was a good week of hard work and sweet rewards. The kids are so cute and most are so sweet. When you've got a 6 year old kissing your cheek in the cultural greeting of Peru calling you "hermana" (sister) it just melts your heart a little. We enjoyed it- but it is good to be home and have a little rest. We have a church arrive next Thursday- College Street Baptist- who has worked in a town about 20 minutes from us. We will catch up with them as time and opportunity allows- and are looking forward to tagging along. This church is a pro and doesn't need any help from us- but we are glad to ride around with them and are grateful they let us:)

After that David's folks will be coming out to visit and we are looking forward to that. I hope you are all well and know that we miss you! Thanks for praying for us- we need it:)

Prayer Requests:

As always, Language learning (we are getting better!)

Pray for decisions about our future ministry and timing

Pray for Lottie Moon offerings to be sufficient for His work

Pray for our team leaders as they plan the upcoming year's schedule and face the challenges of the diminishing short termers on our team.

Thanks so much!

Nose to the Grindstone...

2010-01-16T06:34:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-01-06T13:54:00.001-08:00

2010 Bienvenidos! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

I hope you all had a great time the end of 2009!

David and I are back in Peru-we came back about a week ago. We had a great time being back home and visiting folks. It was hard trying to see everyone and fit it all in- and frankly we needed a vacation from vacation! But we are very glad we got to spend Christmas at home and are grateful that we were able to do so.

I have not missed winter though! We were excited to have about a foot of snow the night we landed in D.C. and enjoyed that rarity- but I admit its nice to be back in warmer lands now!

We leave tomorrow with a team from Cambridge Baptist Church. We will spend tomorrow night in Huancayo and from there spend about 4 days in San Jose de Quero.

We are looking forward to getting back up into the mountains and seeing all the sweet brothers and sisters up there!

Please be praying for David and I in the following ways:

Our big decision lately has been whether or not to extend our term to a third year. We have decided to apply for the extension though the odds are not good that we will get it due to budget cuts. Pray for wisdom as we seek God's will on what's next for us.
Please pray for Lottie Moon Offerings this year. This is the money that keeps us missionaries on the field- pray that God will provide and those in leadership will be sensitive to where the money should best be spent.
Pray for continued language learning ( I just copy and paste this one every time).
Please pray for peace for our families as we change when we are coming home often.

Thanks so much to all of you- thanks for your prayers for us! We love you and I will update again after our trip!

2009-12-06T11:21:00.000-08:00

Whew! I know many of you have seen the You-Tube video of the "world's most dangerous road in Bolivia". Haha- you ain't seen nothing!!!! These past few days we have been on a research trip that would have scared Evil Canivel! We had plans to head out at 4 AM Thursday morning. Teammate Amber Smith arrived the previous morning from Lima for her first trip in the mountains. Also with us was a Peruvian couple who live here in Huanuco, Lindor and Zoila along with their 1 yr old Samuel. They are from an area near where we wanted to research and speak Quechua and Spanish. We all gathered together at 4AM- trying to beat the road construction that would have kept us waiting from 6 AM - 6 PM. But unfortunately- the lock on the gate had been changed and we didn't know- and our key didn't work. So we waited until 5 and then asked our landlord to let us out! Thank goodness for their dog who needed to go outside! So we hit the road at 5 and made it through the construction areas with no problems. We traveled 14 hours that day and still didn't make our destination. The rainy season began 15 days ago according to locals and I can't imagine what it will look like in a few months! The roads were really some of the scariest I've seen yet. Roads. Haha- thats a joke! They are usually wide enough for the truck- though completely mud- and some of these switchbacks were not designed for mud. About 1 out of those 14 hours was on pavement. We didn't have many options on where to stop and eat lunch- or to stop at all really. But we found one tiny town that had a restauarant that still had some soup left. So we sat in the kitchen with cats, rabbits and guinea pigs running around on the floor under our feet and ate our soup. We stopped the first place that had a hostel after it got dark and the six of us shared a room. Thankfully there were three single beds in it- but still... a little awkward. Anyway- the next day was easier- we only drove about 4-5 hours and spent most of the time in the town we had set out for- trying to find churches, believers, "campos blancos" as we say down here. It was a lot of walking around town, asking questions and at one point chasing a bus. Yes we chased after a bus trying to catch a pastor before he left town for the week. We didn't catch him.

Anyway- we ended up spending the night in the town which is "Huaycaybamba" and got rooms to ourselves! The next morning we set out hoping to return to Huanuco if all went well. All did not go well. We drove about 4 hours and our road was closed because of a mud/rock slide that closed the road at least until morning. So we turned around and found another route. We drove through part of the neighboring department of Ancash- and saw some incredibly beautiful areas. Everytime you turn a corner here it's different! Because its rainy season- we've seen tons of waterfalls! So beautiful- though you really have to work to get there to see them.

After another 12 hour day on the road- we made it to a town we've been to before "La Union" and were able to get supper and rooms for the night. Today- we drove the last 4 hours into Huanuco- thankfully most of which was on pavement. Quite a trip.

We were able to find out some of the information we needed to know about this area- though another trip may be necessary in the dry season for follow up. We saw areas that were so amazing- you could only look at them and say "wow, God!! Wow!" Places like this leave no doubt of a Creator! The intricacies, depth and power are unbelievable.

We also got to know Lindor and Zoila. Such sweet friends! They were a HUGE help to us! The questions coming from them rather than us made this trip a lot quicker than it would have been. They helped in everyway they could and it made a difference. Their Quechua came in handy a few times and the times the police stopped us went a lot quicker too. And Samuelito! Ahh- my new love:) He is a sweet little guy who wrinkles his whole nose when he smiles (which is often) and proudly displays his 6 teeth. Can you imagine taking a 1 year old in a truck for that many hours? They made it look easy. A great family to know and hopefully we will be able to work together often.

Amber was a great sport on a very difficult first trip to the Sierra! What a way to break her into the work here!

We are maybe going to remain in Huanuco until we head home for Christmas- but David is already talking about heading out to San Jose de Quero to line up things for the January trip there. Who knows! Here are some prayer requests we have:

Praise for a safe and successful trip
Please pray for safe travel to San Jose de Quero (if we go) and to Lima to fly home for Christmas.
That our time with family and friends over Christmas will be sweet and intentional.
Please pray for Lindor and Zoila as they minister in their day to day lives.
Pray for continued language learning (we are getting better!- but please keep praying!)

Thanks so much to all of you! Merry Christmas and we hope to see most of you real soon!

2009-11-30T07:58:00.000-08:00

We can't believe its already the last day of November! How can it be winter when we are wearing short sleeves and flip flops? Just doesn't seem right!

We are in Huanuco now- and will be until the 16th of Dec. when we head to Lima and fly out on the 18th for home! We are excited about seeing everyone and ordering in a restaurant in English. I hope I remember how.

David had a good trip to Jauja while I was in Lima- he got to meet some great folks out there. My parents came in November 18th- we had a great time together. We walked around Lima, to the beach, the Inca Market, Harry's, Wongs, all the best spots in Mira Flores! The next day we made the trip out to Huanuco. Saturday we braved the busiest market day and Mama was awed by the produce! That was the most fruit I've bought at the market yet! Then we headed up to Panao for lunch- fried trout at Lao's restaurant with Edmin and Maura. The next day we went to church and walked around town a while. Monday we headed back to Lima- the back way through Ambo- a beautiful drive- but almost all of it is on gravel/mud roads- I think we made Daddy a little nervous. But they got to see more of the countryside and a lot of llamas. The next day in Lima we visited the Inka Market again- Ma's new favorite place! Then we made thanksgiving supper- my first! And it turned out great! They left late that night- we were all grateful for the time together and that Christmas is close!

David and I rested a day in Lima and then drove back to Huanuco. We are preparing for a research trip this Thursday - Sunday. Teammate Amber Smith will be joining us- this will be her first trek out of Lima- pray for her as she deals with the altitude for the first time. Also accompanying us is a couple from Huanuco- Lindor and Zoila- they speak quechua and spanish and are from the general direction of where we are heading- though they have never been to our destination. This will challenge our spanish considerably- as they don't speak english. Please pray for this trip!

For safety on the roads- the cops have gotten more aggressive seeking bribes in time for christmas and have been giving us a hard time.

For clarity in language.

For thoroughness in research.

For health for all of us.

Please also pray that David's permanent license will come in soon- the police have been giving him grief about that too.

Thank you for all of your prayers!! I will try to update once more before we leave for the states! Love to all

2009-11-16T15:07:00.001-08:00

Blog Update :

I finally have a little time to update again. I am in Lima for a few days while David is out with another team.
Ironically enough, being a missionary has a slow season! Not really, but church trips from the states do start to taper off this time of year. Because of this, we were blessed to participate in a trip with our home church Grace Community Baptist Church this past week. For about 2 years now our church has committed themselves to church planting in the towns of San Jose de Quero and Usibamba about an hour outside of Huancayo. One of the great things about trips like this is that its like going home, without going home! It was so fun to see familiar faces and enjoy the camaraderie of folks from home. David's great aunt came on the trip and showed us all how to do it!!! 85 years did not slow her down and she was a joy to minister with and an inspiration to watch. Those Jones girls sure are impressive aren't they?
This trip was a dental clinic and over 85 teeth were pulled. On a happier note- over 25 people prayed to receive God's gift of salvation. This was part of the clinic- everyone was shared with while they waited for dental work. I will admit that I had a hard time with this form of evangelization, I always do. I cringe at the lack of relationship and I worry that they will say anything if they think they are getting free dental work. BUT- God really gave me a good reminder. I was able to share with four women and all of them prayed to receive Christ. Even after witnessing that, I was cynical in my heart. But God just reminded me that that is not part of my job. I just need to share His truth. He does the rest. He knows their hearts, He knows their sincerity or lack of and that is not my job to determine. I am still praying for these 4 ladies, that they meant what they prayed and that their lives will be forever changed. But I am resting in His sufficiency and thankfully that none of this rests on my ability or lack thereof. God is so good to teach us isn't He?

We had a great Bible study with the believers in San Jose one night and I had a great time sitting on a gas can with Norma and Maruja and seeing their joy in the Word and teaching. So refreshing to see their hunger. David had a neat opportunity to share with a construction worker there and after conversation with Guy and Mijail, he prayed to receive Christ as well. Please be praying for him, his name is Isaac.
We really enjoyed this trip- it was great to see God work and enjoy the fellowship of brothers and sisters. It was fortuitous timing for me. My grandfather went to be with the Lord the night before we went to the village. While it was hard for me to be around so many people right after I found out, I was encouraged by their gentle sensitivity to me and was encouraged by the ability to stay busy with good things- while having some time alone to grieve. The balance was good and healing for me. Please keep my family and I in your prayers as we continue to miss him tremendously.
David is on a trip now in Jauja, Junin, not too far from where we were last week on a semi-vision trip. Pray for him, he's such an amazing guy and can go go go without a dimming in that smile of his, but it is a lot of driving and it ain't over yet! So please pray that his heart will be encouraged by this trip- that the Lord will keep him healthy and strong to continue. He really is a great guy isn't he?

2 very exciting things that I have to share is that my parents will be here in about 2 days now and I'm so excited I'm not sure what to do with myself! I can't wait to see them and show them everything! Pray for safe travel for them and health while they are here! I am also excited that we will be cooking a Thanksgiving supper while they are here on Sunday- And I'm excited about stuffing and chocolate meringue pie. The other exciting bit of news is that my sister just found out today that her pregnancy is going very well and healthy and that she is having a boy this go round! I am excited after 5 sweet beautiful nieces that we'll now have a nephew to shake things up!
Please keep us lifted up before the Father as we seek His will and share His love with the people of Peru! Love you all!

2009-11-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

Hey! I know its been awhile and I will try to briefly summarize the past several weeks!

After our first vision conference we drove up to an area in Pasco called Santa Ana de Tusi to do a little research. We found the large town deserted for the day and just about the only person we found was a 7 year old boy who was running the local hostal. He reminded me of Short Round in Indiana Jones' "Hey lady, you call him Dr. Jones!" Anyway- he gave us the lowdown on the accommodations in town. We searched for several more towns and found most deserted as well. We think there may have been a festival in a neighboring town that we didn't know about.

We decided that it would be just as easy to spend the night in Huanuco so we bounced our way home for the night. The next day we drove down to Huancayo to visit with the baby churches that our home church is working with. We were about 10 minutes away when road construction stopped us and we were informed that all of the construction workers were staying in the hostal where we were hoping to. So we turned around and spent the night in the city and headed out the next morning. We spent a great day visiting with friends in the two towns, chatting and trying to encourage and pray with them. This day stretched our spanish considerably but it was really fun.

The next day we headed back to Lima and picked up the incoming vision team up from the airport that night. The next day was spent in orientation with the 3 men from Salem, VA. Through some unforseen circumstances I ended up staying in Lima while David took the team out to Santa Ana de Tusi.

It was a very challenging trip for the guys. Because of a political rally the hostal in Santa Ana was full so they ended up having to stay in another town that was considerably higher elevation. They all suffered effects of the altitude which was very an extreme change after the sea level of Lima. As a precaution they ended up going to Huanuco for the night. David-trooper that he is- drove basically 20 out of 24 hours. Whew. After a day of rest- they tried looking into another village to minister in, however they found one of the biggest healthiest churches we've seen! They worshipped with them, and then headed back to Huanuco for the night. Their last day they returned to Santa Ana de Tusi and had a great day talking to people and praying in the town. After a potentially very frustrating trip, it ended up very well and they are going to make a recommendation to the church to minister there! Please keep praying for this church as they make this decision.

After that - we returned to Huanuco for a few days rest. Then the team from Crossroads church flew in and we went with them up to Panoa for a day or so. Then we came home and promptly got sick. David escaped with only 1 day - I was more ambitious and was sick for about a week.

So here we are - in town until the end of the week and then back to Lima for a trip with our home church next week! Thanks so much for your prayers! We miss you all!

2009-10-08T22:08:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! Greetings from Lima! Yup we are back in the big town! We are actually back in Guesthouse room number 6 - our first home here in Peru! We've been going flat out this past week- working with the vision conference our team held. We attended a day of training for the churches and then hit the road to show the representatives from the churches some areas that we are hoping they will adopt. It was a good trip and we are joining these churches in prayer as they seek God's will for their church. They all left tonight to go back home and we are anticipating a "free" day tomorrow- and maybe even a date:) Saturday and Sunday we are looking forward to seeing Christi and Blake Weaver who are in town and showing them some of Peru! We'll drop them back off in Lima and then hopefully head up to Usibamba and San Jose de Quero for a check up on how the small groups there are doing. Then we will rush back to Lima in time to go out with another vision trip.

I am extremely excited that my folks are coming out to visit the 2nd week of November! Thats very special and I can't wait to show them around!

We met some really great people this week out in the villages, some that I will be asking you to pray specifically for very soon. However one of the men that we got to know is especially on my heart. He is an Assembly of God pastor in a town named Banos. He has a very passionate heart for the Lord and has been amazingly welcoming and helpful to us. We attended a Sunday night service at his church and it was one of my favorite nights in Peru so far. Please be praying for him to be strengthened and encouraged in the Lord. Pray also that a church will adopt this area soon and help him teach and raise up leaders for other churches. Please also pray for his wife who had a csection about 6 months ago and is still suffering a complication from that.

I am not sure how to spell his name right now- I will post that later, but if you will just pray for the pastor in Banos- God will know who you mean!

Please continue to pray for strength for us and we go go go. Pray for this upcoming vision trip and for wisdom for us as we still learn our job.

Thanks to you all! I hope you are doing great! We'd love to hear from you!

2009-09-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

Buenas Dias todos! I hope everyone is doing well with the new school year, and upcoming fall! What happened to September???? It has slipped right out from under us here! Tomorrow will mark our 4th Sunday in Huanuco and I think it officially feels like home away from home for us now. Our apartment is all set up minus pictures for the walls that we are hoping to buy in the Inca Market in Lima. We hung the kitchen curtains yesterday and I had a tablecloth made for a whopping total of about $3. I am loving shopping in the market- its an adventure every time we go, but I love the options in fruits and vegetables and the aisles of potatoes! I like the vendors, some of whom are recognizing me. They call the women "mamita" a term of endearment I think...

David, I and our teammate Christine just completed another research trip earlier this week. We traveled out close to an area we've looked at before and then to a cluster of towns in the department of Pasco. We were able to find 2 more potential fields for ministry for strategy coordinator churches. Which is good news because we are about to get crazy busy here next week. I'm posting our schedule here for you- so you can pray for us as we go!

October 1-9: Vision Conference--> We will be taking 2 churches out to our department for vision trips. This conference includes 8 churches- please pray for this! Its a new idea- and David and I are really excited for it- but its a lot of work for our whole team.

October 10-11: Time with Blake Weaver- Christi "Holloway's" husband who will be in Lima for a conference! We are excited to see him and show him around a little!

October 12-14: Possible trip up to San Jose de Quero and Usibamba to encourage the believers there.

October 14-20: Vision trip with a church from VIRGINIA! woohooo!

October 23-30: Pastors Conference Trip with Crossroads Baptist Church in Panao.

November 7-14: Grace Community Baptist Church trip in San Jose and Usibamba

November 18-25: My parents are coming for a visit!!! I'm very excited about this!!!!

So as you can see there is very little spare time in the coming months. We are excited though- we've been doing a lot to prepare for this time and we covet your prayers for us.

Please also pray that our spanish will continue to improve, we will develop relationships with locals, and that we will be moldable in the Father's hands.

We love you all- let us know how you are!

cameronanddave905@yahoo.com

2009-09-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

Blog update:

Hello all and welcome to our first blog from Huanuco! We have officially moved here- and are in the process of setting up our new apartment. It is quite a process. So far we've bought a bed and mattress and our appliances. Our next goal is a kitchen table and hutch. So far I have no cabinets- so we need something to put the dishes in! Something to sit on would be nice to- since right now our only options are the bed or the floor. No spaghetti in bed. Anyway- we are getting a little more used to the heat here- its a big change from Lima- its sunny and hot right now. We've been struggling through conversations in the stores to buy what we need, though we've made mistakes and I'm sure have been taken advantage of. But hey, not much we can do about that.
The drive out here was good- I actually braved the roads for about 5 hours of the trip! It wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. But it was a relief when David took over.
Please be praying for us during this transitional time of setting up house, making new friends, and learning a new city.
Also praise God with us as we celebrate our 4^th anniversary on the 10th!

Thanks you all- miss and love you.

2009-08-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

David and I have made it back to Lima after a week long research trip in the department of Huanuco. We left last Sunday and made the drive from Lima out to the city of Huanuco in a record of 8 hours. Traffic was very light and I think the police only stopped us to check our documents once. We spent the night in our destination city and hit the road for the "country" in the morning. We traveled around all week in the west section of the department. We were traveling with team member Christine Jackson- REAP North's best researcher and learning the ropes from her and leaning on her Spanish- which is better than ours:)

Basically we traveled from tiny pueblo to tiny pueblo asking people if there were evangelical churches in the town, how many people attended and how many people live in the town. We talked to pastors when we could, but many times the pastors were out in the fields working or didn't live in the towns they ministered in. It seems like a simple task but its really not. We are searching for places that have little to no evangelical presence in the area. We didn't find any Baptist churches but found a lot of Assembly of God and Alianza (a sort of pentecostal church- but pretty close to Baptist). Our days were long- and we went on some roads that really weren't roads. At one point we were driving up a stream and it was still the "road". Yikes. David has done an amazing job driving- I am so grateful for that- however, there are still times when I shriek and close my eyes. I'm working on it ok? I'm not quite Peruvian yet.

We were out in the middle of nowhere most of the week, though every night we made it to a larger town (2000 people) and stayed in hostals. We saw some amazing places- that I doubt few gringos have ever seen. We ran into a lot of road work- they are paving a section of road (gracias a Dios) and we found an alternate route to Lima. Its quite a bit longer from Huanuco - about 12 hours- but from a possible adoption site- only about 6-7 which would cut a teams travel down considerably. Plus its a nice road! David actually got to drive in 5th gear. He was excited about that.

We also moonlighted this week as a taxi! When you are out in the boonies- people flag you down for rides constantly- so we packed the backseat with all kinds of people, teachers trying to get back to the city for the weekend, a Quechua lady with a baby (who needed a diaper change) and a young teenager taking some produce into the city from his grandparents farm. Don't be alarmed- we aren't picking up strange men- we are being careful-but its a good opportunity to help someone and talk to them a little. I was able to explain what David and I are doing here to three ladies at one point. It really stretched my spanish- but was good to try the best I could. Peruvians for the most part are good about looking out for us- especially if you've helped them or bought something in their store:) But we met an especially nice man who owns a gas station in a town we spent the night in. We got some gas one morning and asked for some directions. We came back through several days later and stopped there to use the bathroom. He was kind in helping us with more directions, telling us where and why some places were not safe to go, offering some very good advice, letting us park our truck there while we went to a store and use the bathroom for free. David tried to give him a little money for helping us- but he wouldn't take it. Might not sound like much- but you don't get anything for free around here- its hard to get information, a bathroom and a parking place for nothing- not even buying anymore gas from him... We got ripped off at the hotel in that town and it really just made my day seeing the kindness of this man.

We have a signed lease for our apartment in Huanuco now! Horray! I expect we will be moving out there in about a week. We've got to get our Peruvian ID's this week and get some paperwork completed and then we are off. I'm very excited- every trip to Huanuco has resulted in a higher level of excitement about living there. Its a great city- and we are getting more and more familiar with it.

Please pray for us! We are so blessed that you go to the Father on our behalf!

Prayer Requests:

The ever-present homesickness for me
Language!!!!! Can't stress this enough
A good relationship with our new landlords and neighbors
An upcoming vision conference next month we are preparing for
An abounding love for Peruvians
Praise for our new home, safe travel and new friends

Love you all- please let us know if we can pray for you!!!

2009-08-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry its been so long- but we've been on the go go go here. About 3 weeks ago or so, we left on a vet clinic trip with Crossroads church from KY. David, I and 2 translators: Mijail and Reuben headed out from Lima to Huanuco on Saturday morning. This was David's first driving adventure over the mountains. He did a great job and I think he might be part Peruvian. I made new rule that if I have to shut my eyes for more than 20 seconds he shouldn't be doing that. We saw a lot of snow on Ticlio and when we passed through Pasco (a very high section) we all fell deep asleep (except David of course) curtesy of the altitude. We arrived in Huanuco after about 8 1/2 hours on the road. We stayed in our familiar hostel and did some apartment hunting. The next morning we attended the Baptist church and then picked up the team from the airport. We headed straight out to Panoa, about 2 hours on dirt roads, yet another driving challenge for David. We made it into Panoa- but the town was so busy that it took us a while to make it to the hotel. The streets are only big enough for one vehicle and they are two - way streets. They are also full of people. But we finally made it and checked into the Hotel. That evening we met up with Edmin and Maura for dinner and got ready for the next day. Some of the team was having some trouble with altitude and we turned in early.

The next day we headed out to a smaller village and set up shop. The team did a lot of house calls and stayed pretty busy de-worming sheep, cows, pigs, horses, donkeys, and probably a few others that I am forgetting. We did this for 3 more days in different villages. It was a neat way to minister to the people there and most of their animals were in surprisingly good condition. David jumped right in like he'd been doing it his whole life. I liked doing the sheep especially.

The last day we saw more chickens, dogs and guinea pigs than we had earlier and I spent most of the day explaining in my rotten spanish how to administer the medicine to their animals that they couldn't bring to where we were working. That proved challenging. I also held a few pigs, so I could say that I did. But I don't really like pigs.

After we finished that day, we headed back into Huanuco for the night. We had Italian food, but it still tasted Peruvian...

The next morning David and I and the translators headed back down the road to Lima. Traffic was a little slow coming down some of the mountains and we hit Lima right at Friday night rushour. It took us about 9 1/2 hours to get home. We dropped Reuben off and we and Mijail made it to the hotel to give the team their luggage and supplies for their trip home the next day.

We checked into the Martinika and got as much sleep as we could. The next morning we woke up and greeted the team from our home church who arrived late the night before. David's brother Daniel was part of the team and it was a huge blessing to see some family. That morning we packed up the trucks and vans and got back on the road, heading this time to Huancayo- about a 6 hour drive if you don't stop. We stopped. So it took about 9 hours to get there. The first part of the trip is the same for going to Huanuco, but the road forks at one point and if you go north you get to our city, if you go south you get to Huancayo. We spent the evening in Huancayo and attended church the next morning. We then headed out to San Jose de Quero and got settled into Maruja's hostel. That night we prepared for the "True Love Waits" presentation the following day. The next day we went to the high school and presented to the older kids. I'm still not sure how I feel that this went and how well it was received. I think overall we all agreed that the gospel presentation needed to be more clear and central.

That night we had Bible study in SJQ and a small group held one in Usibamba as well. The group was using storying and I felt that the study went well in SJQ. It was good to see familiar faces and have some people remember us. It was also really great to be able to talk to Maruja this time. The next day we presented again in Usibamba and held Bible study again. The last day we spent prayer walking in Usibamba, exploring a new area, visiting people in SJQ and having the last Bible study.

We had unusual weather, including rain and 2 hail storms. We woke up one morning to white peaks- beautiful. That morning David and I got up very early to drive into Huancayo (we left our computer charger in the hotel) and it was a pretty drive. I had my first driving lesson on the way back so I can now say that I've driven in Peru. We picked up a man and gave him a ride- so that was a little intimidating, but I made it through!

We headed back to Lima the next day- and we went the "back way". Last year we took this same shortcut that more than doubled the driving time. However this year we were assured that the road was more than half paved and was a lot faster. So we decided to try it out. It is one of the most beautiful drives with awe-inspiring views and a lot of llama herds. But we got to the exact same spot that we had our first flat tire last year, and they were in the process of paving the road and we had to wait for over 2 hours for it be drivable. There goes the "faster" description. We enjoyed the layover though and David went swimming in the river there- freezing cold, but you know David, he said it felt wonderful:) Some of the other guys got involuntarily wet, but thats another story for another day.

We made it into Lima and enjoyed a shower and dinner out with the team. The next day was spent typically in the Inca Market, eating Papa John's Pizza, and all that jazz. The following day we got some errands done and then took an overnight bus (our truck was in the shop) to Huanuco with Daniel and a translator friend of ours, JP. We were planning on apt hunting. We arrived early the next morning and after a few mishaps (like falling in a hole in the sidewalk) we made it to the hostel and started the search. Long story short, we've found an apartment and have a deposit on it. We are waiting for the office to work out the contract and hope to move in Sept. 1 or near to it. We spent the rest of the time walking around, price checking appliances and furniture and scoping out new places to eat. We found one restaurant we will not be returning to. If I told you about it- you would swear I was making it all up. Daniel and David ate cuy- which is guinea pig, and JP bought us emoliants- some sort of tea with alfalfa in it. Not too bad...

We took another overnight bus back and arrived in Lima yesterday. Since then we have been doing some errands and remarkeably... resting! AHHH!!!!! wonderful. We are supposed to be heading out on a research trip Saturday for a week or so in the Pasco area. After that- hopefully we will be moving to Huanuco.

Please pray for us :

for continued language learning

for relationships with nationals

for the paperwork on the apt to go through

praise God that we were able to get plane tickets home for Christmas

We love and miss you all, please keep sending us updates on whats going on with you and how we can be praying for you.

2009-07-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

We've just made it back to Lima after our first foray into the Huanuco area! It was an adventurous trip! We met with the team of 3 ladies from Crossroads Baptist Church, and 2 translators: Tula and Salomon Sunday morning to work out the plan and details. That night, the translators and us took the overnight bus to Huanuco- about an 8 hour trip. It was a rough trip for me, the altitude got me pretty good- so I spent most of the night being sick. We arrived in the city around 6:30 AM and rested for a while in a Hostal. We picked up the ladies from the airport, packed ourselves and about 400lbs of luggage into 2 taxis and bumped our way up to the town of Panoa- about 2 hours from Huanuco. We arrived late afternoon, settled into our hotel, ate supper at one of the many pollo restaurants (chicken and fries) and turned in early. The next day, we met Edmin and his wife Maura- who are the on the ground people for Crossroads and they were a huge help to us for the next few days. We discovered that they live both in Panoa and in Huanuco- so we will be seeing more of them in the future, hopefully. We took a few taxis about 10 minutes down the road (sometimes down the road means literally DOWN) to a small area called Molinas. We broke into two groups- Ramona, Salomon and me with the ladies and Debbie, Marci, Tula, and David with the kids. Ramona did a great job teaching the ladies, and they especially seemed to enjoy the crafts she brought for them to do. The kids had a great time listening to some Bible stories, coloring and eating candy- sounds good to me! We paused for lunch which was prepared behind the church by the pastor and few other men: fried trout and potatoes and rice, which was good! After lunch they held a second session for those who couldn't come in the morning. David and I played with the kids who didn't want to go home- but had already participated in the morning. We had an english lesson, played volleyball and took pictures. Kids here are so sweet and welcoming- all you have to do is smile at them and immediately you are friends. We left in the early evening to go pack to Panoa (pronounced Paw-Now). We ate supper and headed to the church that we were to work in the next day. We had a time of worship with them and David shared his testimony. It is fun to watch people respond to him, his love and friendliness come through so clearly. The next day we arrived at the church and held the morning session. I had the opportunity to do some translating- though not in the way you might think! Salomon is an excellent translator, and Ramona is a great teacher, but sometimes that Kentucky is hard to decifer! So I translated a few things from Kentucky to Spanish.

We had trout and potatoes again for lunch- and talked to the Pastor of the church for a while. We rested up in the afternoon and visited the church for the next day that evening. Thursday we had a session in the morning and then headed back to Huanuco. We got the ladies set up in a hotel, checked into a hostal ourselves. Tula and Salomon were taking the overnight bus back to Lima that night- so we enjoyed the afternoon talking to them and getting some help with our Spanish. They are great! They headed out that night. The next day we took the ladies to the airport- made sure they got off alright- and then spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Huanuco. We tried to get to know the city a little bit, and we found some of the areas that felt good and safe, and some we weren't so comfortable with. We met some missionaries who have lived in the city for about 12 years and were grateful for their advice. The task of finding housing is overwhelming as there are no real estate offices there- its all word of mouth. Please pray for us as we continue to try and figure out where to live and how to live in this city. It will take a lot of adjusting- though it is a nice city with a wonderful climate- very warm in the days and cool at night. There is no grocery store- only an open air market. I'm fine buying the fruit and vegetables that way- but the meat....I'm not so sure. Especially since we saw a whole pig hanging on a hook as soon as we walked in. How do you order bacon from that??? Just kidding- I don't eat bacon. Anyway- it was a challenge being on our own because of our spanish- that still needs a lot of work. Oh boy. But we are confident that God will provide ALL that we need.
Please pray as we struggle with not having a place to call home. Living out of a suitcase is getting a little old-it will be nice to be settled somewhere and have a base. I am having a really hard time with this, and feeling overwhelmed with figuring it all out. We are missing home and Guatemala and look forward to the day that Peru feels as comfortable as those did. Please also pray for my grandfather who is still having health problems and is in the hospital. Please send us an update on whats going on with you soon. We love hearing news from home, it helps with those hard days when we miss it so much. We'd love to be praying for you in anyway we can. We appreciate your prayers so much- they are a sweet aroma that is pleasing to the Father and vital to our ministry here.

2009-07-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hola from Peru! What happened to the sunshine????? Somebody stole it from Lima!

**Left is our last day at school in Guatemala!**

We arrived to our destination country on July 4th. We started our day by leaving San Juan at 2:30 AM. Our host parents insisted on getting up and seeing us off- Domi looked like I felt- about to keel over into a coma, while Oralia chatted away like it was 2:30 PM. Our trip to the airport and from then on out was super easy- no hiccups at all in the trip and all our bags made it. Once we arrived, our supervisor met us at the airport and hauled us and the million pounds of luggage (actually only about 250lbs) to a hotel. We rested up and then headed to a Independence Day party at Jeff and Liesa's home (our supervisors). There we met several of our teammates, tried valiantly to make conversation- which wasn't easy after 4 hours of sleep the night before! The next day we were moved to the IMB guest house here in Lima- where we are currently. The guest house is very comfortable and we are living in a small apartment on the top floor. I've finally got a kitchen again! We've been here for about a week now, and we've spent the week asking questions about what we are supposed to be doing now...

We spent a few days on paperwork for visas, having orientations with our Language and Cultural acquisition coordinator and business manager, and going to Interpol (international police). There we got our mug shots taken, fingerprinted, and had our teeth looked at. All very serious business! Don't worry, no crimes have been committed, everyone has to do this to get a visa:) Since then we've been studying for our drivers license test (a whole new vocabulary in spanish for us) and getting to know our team here and Lima itself. I have to say that we are definitely not cut out for big city living! Thankfully we are heading out tomorrow for a trip with a sc church to Huanuco! So we will get to see our city that we will eventually live in! We'll come back for about 10 days and then head out again on 3 consecutive trips, have a few days off and then one more trip for August~! Whew- we will be busy then! But we are looking forward to it!

We are enjoying some things about being here in Lima. For instance, we have internet in our apartment- so thats really nice, and I washed clothes in a washing machine yesterday! Our jeans fit again!

Please pray for us as we adjust to a new culture, and a new rhythm of speech, and try to obtain all our necessary papers for life here.

Please pray as well for the trips we will be going on that they will be fruitful and the teams will have a servants heart.

Please pray for my (Cameron)'s grandfather as he recovers from a recent fall.

Rejoice with us in the arrival of our 5th niece! Sadie Lu Estes

Pray that we will ever fall deeper in love with the Saviour.

Thanks so much- love you all!

2009-06-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

June 24, 2009

This will probably be the last blog update from Guatemala! We are scheduled to leave for Lima on July 4^th. We have mixed feelings about leaving, we have loved being here and the people and the food:) But we are very ready to get going on our job. Our group is now down to 4, the four going to Peru. School has been dragging quite a bit- I think we and our teachers are just bored now! But we are still plugging along, doing the best we can. We have our exit interviews (our final oral exams) on Wednesday of next week with the school's director. Today is San Juan del Obispo's birthday and they whole town is celebrating the birth of their patron saint John the Baptist. The bombas started last night at 12 and our family along was responsible for setting off 36 “big ones” as our host mother told us this morning. After about 30 minutes of bombas, they say a prayer as a family and come home and sleep. But not for long, because the band comes by our house at 4 AM. I'm not sure why- no one seems to know-it's just what they do. I woke up pretty quickly with the bombas- mainly because the bed and window were shaking with the impact. David said that some of them were actually fireworks, with lights and everything. I took his word for it. I couldn't get my eyes open wide enough to see 'em. The band I remember hearing but not for very long. I am learning to sleep through a lot:) And today they had a mass and processional and a little fair or carnival set up for the kids in the plaza. Needless to say there is a lot going on here today!
We've had an exciting door open these past few days. The pastor from the church we've been attending (in another town) has been trying to get us in contact with a man who lives here in our town named Moises who is a believer. We finally, after weeks of trying, met up yesterday and talked for a while. He is very interested in starting a Bible study in his home, but doesn't feel confident enough to teach yet. We are meeting with him tomorrow night for study and then will meet with him again in his home later with his friends and family. We are going to try and focus on teaching him how to read and interpret scripture and teach others. It will be difficult, David will need to lead and teach, but our teammate Candy has the best Spanish. It is going to be a hard job for her to translate some, and David will have to stretch himself to do this. It is no small task. Please pray for him and the rest of us as we prepare. Please pray for Moises as well, that he will grow in wisdom and knowledge and be able to spread the love of Christ with confidence in this town.

Thank you for your prayers concerning our house, we are pleased to report that we have a newly signed lease and deposit. Please continue to pray that these renters will enjoy our home for the coming year!
Again, we miss you all and love it when you send us updates on whats going on!
Praying for you!

2009-06-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

June 8, 2009

Hello all! I hope you are all doing well! We are into week 9 here and today just changed teachers for the third and final time. Its hard to believe that we will finally be in Peru in just a few more weeks! It seems like we've been waiting forever. Well, it has been a year now. Anyway- we've been puttering along just fine here lately. We've dodged a few stomach troubles for the past week or so-but I hope we are on the mend now. We've ventured into the subjunctive voice in our studies and please don't ask me what it is yet! I haven't quite figured this one out yet, but supposedly it is the last gramatical hurdle and then we just do a lot of conversation. Another of our group departed this morning so we are now 5. David and the four girls. Poor David. Don't worry, I'm brushing up on my “man talk” to try and give him something of a reprieve. We've also been watching a lot of Clint Eastwood movies. We are still working out at the mission in Alotenango and enjoying that quite a bit. This past week we sang the silliest song about a toad. I'm still not sure what it all means, but all the kids knew it and you get to yell “Jesus” really loud at the end and of course they love that. We had around 100 kids this week and at times it is very overwhelming and hard to keep their attention sometimes. Not to mention speaking/reading/acting in spanish, leading music (those of ya'll who know us well, go ahead and laugh-its definitely worthwhile!) and just trying to understand 25 kids who are speaking at once. Whew!
We will not be able to go back this saturday because we are taking a trip to Panajachel and Lake Atilan. If you have time, google it a look at some photos! Its supposedly one of the most beautiful places. David's birthday is Sunday and we are looking forward to a little vacation to celebrate. Check out my facebook page for photos sometime next week!

This past week we had the opportunity to visist a coffee farm very close to where we live. Fincas or farms here are more like old plantations. We visited the farm's school which had about 15 students (kids of the workers) hiked up a small mountain where they grow the coffee. Then we saw the dairy cow part of the farm, the farm chapel, one of the biggest trees I've ever seen, and the most amazing flower garden! It was the best field trip David and I could have imagined!
Please continue lifting us up in prayer in the following areas:
Team unity

Motivation and Endurance for language learning

Our work with the mission kids

Safety in travel

A renter for our house back home

Thanks for those of you who wrote us last time- it was great hearing from you- keep 'em coming!
Missing you all and praying for you!

2009-06-01T15:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay~ I think I fell asleep on the job! In actuality, we've been pretty busy! We had our first exam 2 weeks ago and I 'm pleased to report that we both advanced to the next level. We also received some bad news that our renters are leaving. However, there are several families very interested and Jim is being our handler and lining them up! God also blessed us by selling our car so that takes the pressure off a little. Please pray that the new renters will really enjoy our house and take care of it. One of our team members left a week ago for Peru. Please pray for him as he changes scenery for a while and for us as the group changes and for David being the only man left. We had a week of celebrating his completion of language school including a very impressive surprise fiesta during class that Friday with all our teachers (who made the guacamole and several speeches) and a trip to Domino's for supper. We had an interesting cultural experience on our trip home from the restaurant. This was the lateste we'd ever caught a bus home before and didn't realize how full the buses were. We've ridden them when they were already unbelievable full- theya re old school buses with 3 people to a seat and people standing in the aisle. One time I was sitting and leaning a little forward and actually had a woman sit on the back of my shoulder for about 10 minutes. She was not a small woman. Anyway- this time it exceeded all precedents- when the bus stopped to pick us up, there were people hanging on the outside of it-but no worries, they had room for us 6 gringos. They just opened up the back door of the bus and shoved us in. I had no worries about falling down even though I had no handhold, because we were packed in there so tight. I could only bounce into those next to me. The speed bumps were interesting.
We've been returning to the mission that we've been working with. Last week we did a silly skit of the wise man/foolish man which they enjoyed. Unfortunatley at least 2 of their normal helpers need a break for a while and we've been recruited to replace them for the rest of our time here. So this week we stretched ourselves, and told a story in Spanish, made them answer questions and got them to act it out. We sang “gracias Senor”, “Allelu, allelu, alleluia...Gloria Dios” and Padre Abraham. They are sweet kids who just hug on us, and hold our hands and they discovered that I'm ticklish this week and look out Cameron:)
Last week I also visited a Malnutrition Center to play with the kids there. That was good but also very hard. I will probably go back- pray for protection for my heart. Please pray for David as well, he had a rough week health-wise and is still getting things back to normal. We only have about 5 weeks left including this one, so time is getting on and as much as I LOVE Guatemala, we are getting a ready to head to Peru and get started in our job, meet our team and our new city of residence and just GO!! Pray for patience and continued excitement and a burdening love for the people there. Please send us an update on whats going on with you all ! We don't want to be out of sight and out of mind and want to continue to pray for you specifically. Shoot us a line at cameronanddave905@yahoo.com.

2009-05-16T09:53:00.001-07:00

Hola! I hope you are all doing well! We have just finished out 5^th week. This week was calm and slow, we've stayed in San Juan all week and studied. We changed teachers this week and that has made us work harder. My new teacher has taught me a lot and at a much more rapid pace. They are prepping us for an evaluation exam on Tuesday. He's very nice though and is encouraging when I get things correct. He tells me lots of jokes and makes me laugh a lot too. It took us all week just to learn David's teacher's name. And yet, yesterday in our prayer time- he got his name wrong and in actuality prayed for God to reveal Himself to ice cream. For those of you who know David- you understand why this is especially funny. I had a hard time not laughing through the rest of the prayer time.
We also got to experience Dia de Madre here (Mother's Day) which is an enormous event here- Sunday started with a marching band and bombas at 4 in the morning. I'm not sure why they insist on celebrating so early- but it is getting much easier to tune it all out! The rainy season has started in earnest here- raining very hard for about 30 minutes per midday and off and on the rest of the afternoon and night. Our street literally turns into a river and our mother likes to stand on the balcony overlooking the street and watch it. She talks to us everyday about the weather and her prediction for when the rain will come. She has it down to a science that Aunt Beth would appreciate, and usually gets the clothes off the line seconds before the rain starts. She is very pleased with her talent and is often smug after her success!
David gave me a haircut this week- I explained the process and the shut my eyes and prayed. He did a very good job:) He's also pleased that I don't have to pay someone to cut my hair. Go figure.
We are looking forward to going back to the mission with the Baptist church we've gone to. Last week was fun- but it was a very organized program for mother's day and we really couldn't do much. We are hoping to be able to help more this week.
Please pray for us- for our team to have unity and love for one another.
Pray that we will continue to learn and be encouraged in speaking spanish.

Pray that we will have opportunities to share with people, especially our family and teachers.

We love you and miss you! Please send us updates on how you are doing!

2009-05-07T13:34:00.000-07:00

Our third week has come and gone now and with it many new adventures. Early last week we confined ourselves to studying hard and staying in San Juan in the afternoon. David and I got up early one morning to wash our clothes and get them on the line by 7:15- since the rainy season has somewhat begun, there is a 50% chance of rain every afternoon and its important to get the clothes dry as early as possible:) We had a short week because Friday is Guatemala's labor day, thus no school. So we planned a beach trip to El Salvador for our 3 day weekend. We came up with a shopping list assuming(correctly) that things would be more expensive in El Salvador. Since I was elected head chef and of course that suited me just fine- I got to brave the market with instructions from my host mom on what type of pineapple to ask for and how much things should cost and I am pleased to report that I am pretty darn good at shopping in the market. I got three of the sweetest pineapples you could ever imagine for less than $3.00. Wild huh? Early Friday morning we were picked up in a mini-bus and headed out to the beach- a 4 hour trip more or less. The place we stayed was nice by standards here at least:) A little rough for standards back home. 5 girls in 1 room, and 2 boys in the other. But the place had a tiny pool and was ocean front and for $80 for 3 days and 2 nights-thats not too bad. The beach was great- different, black sand and rocks, but warm water and great waves! I swam more there than I have in a long time. Lots of surfers- and David had a lesson on Saturday morning:) He said it is much harder than it looks and I believe him! We cooked supper the first night (me and Mandy) in the hotels' kitchen- which is also the kitchen for the restaurant in the hotel. I kinda felt like we were in the way. But they assured us it was OK and I think they enjoyed watching me struggling to de-skin the chicken with a dull knife. Not easy. But we produced fried chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and pineapple that was consumed with gratifying gusto. And no one got sick- thank heavens. The next night David and I actually went on a date! The rest of the group went to a restaurant down on the beach- but Dave and I crossed the road to a little place across from our hotel and enjoyed french fries (my first in 3 weeks and y'all know what a big deal that is to me) and garlic chicken for me, mexican chicken salad for David and cokes in the bottle (even after several weeks, that still makes me smile-I think I will still love that after 2-3 years). We had a great time just being by ourselves. Sunday was slower and then came the ride home. Not terrible but not great- it seems the travel agency overbooked the bus home and we had one more person than we had seats. So yup- of course I'm the skinniest and I was sitting on some German guys' backpack on the floor unable to see out the window. That only worked for an hour until car-sickness overtook me and my wonderful husband took over for me. Better on my stomach, but worse on my nose as I then had to sit beside the German guy who did not smell so pleasant. Our driver was determined to make up the lost time spent waiting on the 3 German guys by zooming around every vehicle in sight for 3.5 hours. Needless to say I was overjoyed to set these two feet back in the dust of San Juan del Obispo- which I realized when we got back to our house and my heart jumped a little, really is feeling more like home. Monday, we went to school and when we got home, I became sick- for the rest of the day, then David got sick and another girl. So as much as I enjoyed El Salvador, I'm not a fan right now! We are on the mend now, just tired from fighting the fever and nausea and still having some ill effects of the stomach. However, our host mother has not rested in making sure we are ok- making us different herb teas (one that really did help), making us hot bananas for breakfast, offering to take us to the doctor, bring us buckets to throw up in, you name it- she really is like a grandmother:) I like her because she laughs full out and often and likes to tease me and lets me help her sometimes. We skipped school today but we are hoping the rest of this week will continue more normally and uneventfully!
Please continue to pray for our health, our ministry to our team mates, our relationship with our family and teachers, opportunities to share and opportunities to minister to the people here in San Juan. Pray that we will be protected from the enemy and strengthened daily by God's Word. Pray that our feeling of home will be in Him alone. Please let us know how you are and how we can pray for you!

2009-04-25T11:30:00.001-07:00

Hola! I hope you all are doing well. We are doing good here- we've survived our second week:) This week has been a little different. School was much harder as I got into the intricacies of ser and estar and por and para and saber and conosco and irregular preterit verbs. Whew- it makes me tired just writing it! But conversation is getting better and a little easier and thats good. I figured out that I had over 400 vocab words as of Tuesday. No I don't have them all memorized yet. Keep praying! On Sunday we went to a Baptist church near Antigua and are going today to minister with them in a mission project they are involved in. More on that later. We've stayed in San Juan more this week in the afternoons and that has been helpful. Candy, Mandy and I have also been putting on our backpacks full of stuff and hiking some of the steep streets here a couple of times a week for practice for the Andes. The locals really think we are crazy now. Our family continues to bless us with their kindness and generosity. The food is still amazing- one morning this week we had homemade banana crepes with marmalade in them and a side of fresh pineapple. You have no idea. Please pray for them that the veil of catholicism will be lifted and they will see who Christ really is. We love them very much and hope to be able to speak to them better soon! Pray for our teachers as well. They are used to teaching missionaries and they either know what to say or how to keep the conversation from going there. Though just in regular conversation I've been able to share some things with my teacher. Its not hard to love the people here very quickly. They are sweet in nature, quick to laugh, and always ready to eat something! We are hoping to plan a trip to the beach next weekend b/c Guat.'s labor day is Friday and we don't have class- so we get a long weekend.
Please continue to pray for our group here as we strive to be united, find where God wants us to minister, and work hard to learn the language. Pray also for health for the group- David and I have been fine but some others have had a few stomach issues and a sprained ankle has made their week more tough.
An interesting note: Here in San Juan there is a bombas factory (fireworks mostly, though not with the pretty lights, just the loud loud loud noise) and they are very popular to set off for a fiesta or someones birthday or if I understand correctly, if anything remotely exciting happens at all. We've heard them quite a bit and they are extraordinarily loud. But we've kinda gotten used to them. Yet this morning (friday) I was having my typical nightly bad dream about a war of some kind- when I was awakened to the loud sound of what I could only imagine was machine gun fire. David, being the protective caring, wonderful husband he is, threw himself over me and covered my head. My heart is pounding like crazy and I'm thinking we need to get under the bed!!! But its not big enough- so I'm laying there trying to think if we could turn the table over and get behind it- when at last we realize it was just someone celebrating a birthday with an enormous string of bombas_ AT 4:45 IN THE MORNING. Now I'm not a Guatemalan- so I know I don't really understand, but who in their right mind celebrates ANYTHING at 4:45 in the morning? Well they do in San Juan. With that note- I'll write more next week.

Week 1 in Guatemala

2009-04-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hola! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the spring there! We've jumped straight into summer here and of course I'm loving it. Guatemala is a great place and we are enjoying it tremendously. Though things are dusty and a little brown now- I've been assured that in a few weeks when the rainy season starts- everything becomes really beautiful. But even now it looks good to us. There are tons of flowers and plenty of fresh fruit. The family we are staying with is wonderful- I really couldn't ask for better. They have 4 kids, one dog and 2 parrots. The house is very nice- its more of a lot of seperate rooms around a courtyard. For instance, when I leave our bedroom I walk outside and across the courtyard to the bathroom and then across again to get to the kitchen. Our mother has fed us very well and eveything we've had has been really good! The pineapple is so sweet you wouldn't believe it. We've also had papaya, canteloupe and bananas. The school is about a 5 minute walk away, we go past the center of town where the catholic church is and the park. The school is 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms and a principal's office. But we don't have class inside- they set up tables outside on the wrap around porch and one is the yard. The yard is very nice, with tons of flowers, and a few chickens running around. Each of us here have our own teacher, so its one on one for 2 hours and then we get a 30 minute break and then 1.5 hours more. Its very good for learning because you can't zone out at all- you have to work the whole time. My teacher is very kind and patient and has taught me a lot. The first few days we did a lot of vocab and verb forms but from there have gone to more conversation with drills thrown in here and there and whenever we get to a word I don't know or I say wrong, he corrects it and we keep going. Today David decided to write out flash cards for all the vocab he' s learned this week and it has taken him over three hours and he's still not done! Whew- very intense. But I can see a difference already- so there is hope for only learning for three months.
In the afternoons we go home and eat lunch, which is the biggest meal of the day here. After that it depends, our first day we had a tour of Antigua- a very pretty town that isn't that large but a lot of people and a ton of tourists. But there is pretty much anything you need there. The second afternoon we went on a macadamia nut farm tour. It was kind of a bust- bc it wasn't much to see. But is the only organic one in Guatemala! Wednesday we stayed in San Juan and studied in the park, but went to Antigua to have supper with some IMBers here. Thursday we hiked up an active volcano- so our first sighting of lava. Friday we hung around San Juan and studied and enjoyed not having the 15 minute bus ride into Antigua and then home again. So in short we are enjoying this very much. Please let us know how to pray for you! We miss you!
Please pray for us as we stretch our brains and try to learn as much as possible

Also pray for us to know best how to minister while we are here, we are trying to start a Bible study and maybe some prayer walking.

Pray that our group will stay united and that we will be an encouragement for each other.

Pray for our families that they will have peace and comfort about us being away.

Pray for our adopted families here that we will be able to show the love of Christ to them in real ways.

Praise God with us for the success of our learning so far!

2009-02-28T06:04:00.000-08:00

Please pray for these boys in Peru-

We saw them two years ago. They

live in San Jose de Quiero.

2009-02-28T05:50:00.000-08:00

Hello! I know it has been a while, but I'm finally getting around to updating this thing! This is our first really free Saturday. David is of course putting the finishing touches on the house. Our renters are moving in tomorrow. Please pray for them as they adjust to living in a new place with their first baby on the way. I, however, am determined to hang out at the quad for most of the day and catch up on some paperwork and cleaning and laundry. Being a missionary does not eliminate the problem of having to do laundry unfortunately. In the past two weeks, we've learned a whole lot more. We learned the T4T training method, doctrine, got our ESL certificates (they spelled my name wrong though), persecuted church and Bible storying. Our favorite was probably the persecuted church- what an eye opening two days that was! Please don't forget to be praying for people groups under severe persecution! We've also been impressed with the need to develop our Bible Storying technique. Its amazing how much of our world is oral. If you want to know more about storying or the need for it, please send us an email! We'd love to share some of what we've learned with you. Please pray for us as we learn this new technique and practice it for the next few weeks. We've been having fun too, don't worry! I've taken up knitting and crocheting again with a large group of ladies who are in all stages of skill level and we are having fun doing that! We've also been playing volleyball every Wednesday night and I'm holding in the competitiveness for the most part:) We have gone out with some awesome people, played games, and laughed a lot. We've also tried to make sure we keep a night of the week just for us. Last night we went to the Byrd which is always fun! We have about 3.5 weeks left here and it feels like it is flying by. We are still waiting on definite dates of departure for Guatemala, but have settled into the South America mindset already- so we aren't worried about it. Its hard to be worried about much here because they take such good care of you here.

Please remember to be praying for the Quechua people. One thing we've learned here is that prayer is not just nice and helpful, but it is critical. And not just prayer for us, but especially prayer for the people we will be going out to. Pray for hearts to stirred to the gospel, for persons of peace, and for a good crop for them this year.

Please please please let us know how we can be praying for you all!

2009-02-15T06:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday to you all! I'm updating this quickly as we are due to facilitate our house church this morning in about 30 minutes. I hope everyone is doing fine and had a great Valentine's day.
We celebrated by doing 8 hours of ESL training. Romantic huh? Things continue to go well for us. We have had sessions on spiritual warfare, anthropology, phonetics, church planting movements, mobilizing, servant leadership, worldview workshops and probably a lot more that I can't remember. Some highlights have been my success at memorizing Psalm 100 in spanish. Before you get too impressed, look up how short that psalm is! David's ankle is finally all better- now if I can just keep tarzan on the ground, we'll be ok! David said his highlight is the fact the he's still being paid to go to Bible studies all day! We are adjusting to the cafeteria food- and enjoy guessing what monday's meal will be recycled as on Wednesday! David has also figured out a better way for the ILC to run- he thinks there should be more produce grown on campus! I think he's going to miss gardening as much as I am. We get a break tomorrow- which I am sure we are all looking forward to. Dave and I will be running hither and to, getting some of our never-ending to do list accomplished. Please continue to pray for us to grow and mature in our walk with the Lord, be continually humbled before Him, and for rest, always for rest! Please keep in touch with us and let us know how to pray for you!

2009-02-04T17:51:00.000-08:00

Hello again! This time we write as professional missionaries (haha). We are half way through our second week of training here at the Learning Center. We started with 2 days of moving out of our house and into the ILC and all the pesky projects that seemed endless. But they are mostly done:) and we have settled nicely into our little apartment here. I have been running the heat full blast since we got here! What a luxury;) Our building has four other units- 2 families and a single guy. A total of 7 kids! We were concerned about that- not being used to living so close to them, but they have been really fun and they really are great kids. We are mostly in session all day from 8-3 or 4. We've had a lot of overviews about missions and this time here and several just great Bible study times. How is it that we are being paid to have Bible study? Also on the schedule last week was a personal retreat time. Time set aside for us to be with God for 3 hours. That was amazing as well. I went down to the South Anna- and was reminded that God doesn't just reveal Himself through His creation to those who have no other way to hear about Him (see Rom. 1) but He continues to remind me of His excellent greatness by showing me His creation. This week has been spent studying spiritual warfare so far and tomorrow we move on to the development of the early church. We've also had an interesting session on malaria- that scared most of the group half to death:) We feel that God has really affirmed our call to those HIGH mountain places (where there are no mosquitos). But anyway- the purpose of us being here is not just to remove us from our culture, but to really train us for the field. I think I am beginning to understand a little more of what this calling is about and why we need this "spiritual boot camp" before we go. We are also training physically, for the altitude, rough living, and just so that we will be healthier and able to minister more effectively. When we aren't in session- we are usually eating (which takes a lot longer when every meal is shared with several families- and you can't leave until about an hour has gone by!) working on assignments- ok yes, its homework basically, catching up on the reading we should have done before we got here-oops, working on Spanish, running, talking to the people in our quad, learning bible storying, and hey- reading the Word, praying, journaling and generally seeking after the Father.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement- they are a sweet aroma, not just to us, but to the Lord. Please continue to pray for us in these specific areas:

1) That we will strive for excellence in our time here and not just get by

2) That we will develop our strengths and work hard on our weaknesses

3) That we will create patterns here that will carry us over into the field

4) For physical and mental rest as we get back into the school type life, and for me as I struggle with sleeping well - pray that God will reign over my dreams as well.

5) For the Quechua people of Peru

6) For our marriage- that we will strengthen and mature our relationship deeper every day and remember to put each other above our own selves.

Thanks to all of you! Please keep us updated on what is going on in your lives, and how we can pray for you.

More to come...

Almost there...

2008-12-30T09:59:00.000-08:00

Hey ya'll! Good news- David and I are officially landlords:) We found a really nice couple to rent our house 4 days before the deadline- whew!! God is testing our faith I think! We are now in the process of packing, cleaning, reading our required books, and setting up the necessary financial things:) Can you tell David is in charge of that last one? Anyway- keep praying for us please as we are still figuring out what to do with our dogs, realize that we actually have to say goodbye soon, and pack pack pack!
Thanks ya'll - Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to All!

2008-12-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

Hey ya'll! Please continue to pray for us as we earnestly seek a renter for our house! We are trusting (or at least trying really hard to trust) that God has been so faithful in His calling and provision thus far and He will continue to do things His way for the rest of the time, and His ways are best.
We found out the language school will be in Guatamala-not Costa Rica. That was a tad dissapointing ever since we saw Hannah's Costa Rica pictures! But we've heard that Guat. is beautiful as well and WARM!!! We'll live with a host family and study with a 1-1 or 2-1 tutor about 5 hours a day. I am looking forward to this. Dave.... not so much.
We start orientation (providing we rent our house) on January 26.
Pray for us as we seek rest and joy during the Christmas season in the midst of packing and getting all the details straight. We love you! Thanks for being such
and encouragement to us.

Good News

2008-11-26T12:33:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! We are pleased to let you know that we received our official letter of acceptance today- with an offer for our first job choice in Huanuco Peru! Thanks for your prayers. We start orientation in January. We'll let you know more details as we find them out!

2008-11-10T06:08:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone! Welcome to our blog! I thought this might be an easier way to keep you all updated on our journey to the mission field in Peru. We just spent last week at the candidate conference. We were overloaded with information, had small group sessions, and interviews. During this time, we chose our top three job picks and officially applied for the positions. We felt very good about our top choice and anticipate a job offer in the next few weeks. The conference was great as we got to hear so many mature and experienced missionaries speak and help us through the process. We very much felt God's affirmation on this decision and a lot of the fears and doubts have been eradicated now. The board made sure we knew going in that this conference wasn't a spiritual retreat- but a working conference. However, we really felt encouraged and uplifted and challenged by what we heard this week. We also spent some time with some great folks and are looking forward to Orientation in January and getting to know them all a little better. Please pray for us as we wait these next 2+ months: For a renter for our house, for finding room to store all our junk, for finishing out current jobs/ministries stong, for saying goodbye to family and friends. We cherish your prayers! Thanks!