Peru Report #5: Friday, June 22, 2012 at 4 p.m. from Tacna, Peru
Dear Family and Friends:
Maybe I have figured out how to get back to the format I prefer in these reports. Anyhow, I hope to catch up on a few observations before heading for the meeting tonight.
Today we went to visit two orphanages. Plans were for our group to visit one at 10 a.m. We were going by bus, but restrictions were imposed so that the bus we were on could not go to the one ready for us at that time, or so we thought. A second group was to go out this afternoon to visit one. But it didn’t happen as planned. So our morning group went to the one our second group was to visit and we had to switch the batches of packages with toys and other things we were to give because of the differing age groups and the time. Actually, the group we were in saw both places but there were no orphans at the first stop. They were in school that was supposed to be closed because of a teacher strike. We did see the older orphans at the second stop. No photos were allowed of the orphans, only the facilities. The orphanage is operated by the Peru government. It was a very clean place and very well organized. We later learned that all there are not orphans. Some are there for protection from abuse by parents or others near them. Our group with our gifts was so well received that we were allowed a group photo of the children beside us. They were so happy to be recognized.
Mary Alice noticed one girl about 16 years of age that reminded her so much of Marian Eakley, a childhood neighbor and best friend. Somehow the Superintendent allowed a photo of the two together and I got a snippet of video of it also. In every culture we have found people that reminded us of friends at home. We all have a double somewhere.
Attendance is picking up at our Getsemani #1 meeting in spite of the cold and dampness that keeps many others away. The church is located in a business area rather than residential. The “tarps” with a small block section for kitchen and toilets that form the building, are standing on what was once a garage to repair cars and trucks. That explains the broken floor that was once spotted here and there with oil and grease. We think it is appropriate that we are seeking to repair broken lives in the same place they repaired broken cars.
The irony is that there is a small billboard of canvas hung in front of the building with a massive photo of us along with the information for the meetings, but hardly anyone sees it. Maybe we will try to bring it back to show you if we can somehow contain it in our one large suitcase. We are leaving our other large box that brought Bible Felts for two churches. If we got the banner home I suppose we could hang it on the outside of our garage to let the planes flying overhead know where we live. At least it made the members feel that they were being properly advertised, along with the posters.
Our visits, some in the early morning, have been the most fruitful in bringing people to the meeting. Last night we had sixteen interests along with enough members to nearly fill all the 88 seats. The people in their post-meeting analysis try to iron out any rough spots in the program so it will flow smoothly. No matter how early we let them out, they don’t go right away. There is a hot drink provided and a piece of bread to warm them up again after sitting cold for an hour and a half. We would be willing to skip that part, but there is much to be said in favor of the socializing and developing of friendships it provides.
We are warmed by the love they show to us and others. Our translator told them that if they were not satisfied with what we were doing she would “kidnap” us and take us to her church. Others said we should just stay here in Peru with them. So we feel fully accepted.
The food here continues to be special. Debbie, you would love the flavor of the big “aguacates” (avocados). For lunch I had some of them along with fresh tomatoes in a sandwich. I can’t remember ever having more real flavor in a healthy sandwich.
It seems that every day we get fresh email with invitations to enlarged service. Today it was from Zosiama who is back from Burma (Myanmar) to Mizoram. He took 1000 of my books on the Sanctuary just reprinted in Mizo to share there. He says they are really hungry to learn more about the Sanctuary and could we come and spend 3 weeks there. We told him we would be happy to except that we don’t have the money to do it now with all the other current challenges too. We see the value of such a visit and it is now possible by government permission for Americans to go there and preach. So, once again, if the Lord is in it He will provide the way and if not we are content where we are. So you see that we really do need your prayers for Divine guidance.
Yesterday we were interviewed on video tape by a videographer for Quiet Hour. They will be making DVDs to send out to the churches including small snippets from each of the people in the team here in Peru. Out of a half hour interview they may use one minute of it in the finished product. If it can help someone else who might want to come on future mission trips, we are glad to have shared in it.
We took a break from writing and went to exchange more currency into “soles” so we will be prepared for what comes between now and home. Part of it went to the Post Office where we paid 66 soles ($25) to buy stamps for 11 post cards to send back to USA. We have not had to pay for local transportation and that saves a lot. Nor have we had to buy food to supplement what we get here. And the heater for our room does not cost extra. So we feel very blessed. Not to mention that we have no ants, cockroaches, snakes, or rats in this hotel (so far).
The visits in the homes of the people is worth much more than visiting tourist sites would be. Each one has a story and a special need that we can take to the Lord. In one home the lady (Sebastiana) had pain in her stomach and wanted to see the doctor at the clinic. We told her how to get in touch there but prayed for her also in her home. There were so many at the clinic that she could not get to the doctor, but that night at the meeting she said the pain was gone and she was so happy about it.
Our translator (Ricci –pronounced Ricksey) does very well. Sometimes we have almost simultaneous translation even without practice (due to her tight schedule with work). But her health is somewhat fragile. Last night she had a sore throat in spite of drinking warm water all day. So I gave her some of my Fisherman’s Friend cough drops. They seem to help. You might especially remember her in prayer because there is no one else we know of that could come and finish the meetings if she has to drop out. Satan attacks in every way possible. But the Lord comes out on top somehow.
Last night we stayed up after the meetings etc. until 11 helping gather the toys etc into packages for the orphans in today’s visit. So, many of us are running low on sleep. Preparation for the meetings, the visitation, the normal time for meals and showers etc and the meetings themselves devour more than a usual day’s work in time.
Speaking of the food, today we had potato salad again for lunch (among other things) and our main translator for the group showed us some of the uncooked potatoes that were used in the salad. They are all small and come in different colors and shapes but have a wonderful flavor. We understand that the potato was discovered and developed here in Peru by the Incas. The Irish and Germans owe a lot to the Peruvians for that special part of their diet. We do too.
One visit yesterday was in the home (one of them) of an electrical engineer. He commutes between Tacna and Lima in his business. He is very busy but came to the meeting last night and plans to come tonight also. Unfortunately, he cannot be at all the meetings because of his tight schedule.
There are a lot of dogs here and they seem to be better fed than in many places where we have served. Some of them are on roof tops and bark at almost anything that goes by. I call them watchdogs because they are watching everything from the vantage point of the roof.
Tuesday morning I gave the devotional talk at breakfast and Mary Alice reminded me of a detail in one story that I had missed. I told them she is my teleprompter. She tells me and I promptly tell it to the audience. Yes, it takes two to make one in the older years. But, did I tell you that when we got our typhoid shots before coming to Peru, the nurse taking my blood pressure the old fashioned way with stethoscope and counting, told me excitedly, “Wow, you have the BP of a teenager?” It was 118 over 62 and that is less than what our home BP unit usually says. So, maybe going on Mission Trips is also therapeutic.
It is time to get ready to head for the meeting. Someone wants to talk with me there before we start and there is little margin between when we arrive and when the meeting begins.
We love you and appreciate your prayers.
Glenn and Mary Alice (Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma)