Peru Mission Trip 2008

Friday, 6-6-2008

Wow!  I have never seen spiritual warfare like this before.  This week has been extremely difficult, not only for me, but for the entire team.  Many difficulties have been encountered during this final week of preparations.  I have encountered setbacks in my schedule so that things have not been done on time, Jennifer has had to deal with a multitude of problems and difficulties regarding team members, scheduling, insurance, etc., and the team has even lost several of its members.  In this instance, Romans 8:28 comes to mind - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  So, just as on the previous trip, we will have faith that these things are occurring for a reason and that God will use them for His glory.  We are glad to endure such things that He may be glorified.  Lord, be our provision for that which we do not posses.  Your hand is already at work, providing replacement team members on very short notice and many other things which we do not even know about.  Tomorrow, we go again in faith as you have told us to do (Acts 1:8), lacking in everything by our own efforts and capable of nothing by ourselves, but rich in your Grace.  And your Grace is sufficient.

Saturday, 6-7-2008

While this entry is for Saturday, technically it is 2:38am Sunday morning.  We left Llano at a bit before 6:00am Saturday morning, having traveled now for the last 21 hours or so.  Everyone is tired but in good spirits.  So it's off to bed for a few hours sleep and then we hit the ground running with a scheduled 8:30am departure to visit Villa Salvador for worship.  It was very nice to see Quentin and Gina again and we are very much looking forward to spending more time with them Monday.  We are also looking forward to the upcoming time with Victor.  More details and pictures with the upcoming days.  Good night,  Troy

Sunday, 6-8-2008

We woke early this morning, got a little breakfast into us, packed peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, and headed out with Victor and the other drivers and translators to Oasis in Villa Salvador.  As we approached, I began to recognize familiar landmarks such as Ronald's.  We topped a small hill and there it was.  And wow!  What a change.  Still the humble homes and sand....but there was something more.  While some of it, like the landscaping and such, was a visible difference, I, Genni, and Jennifer could sense there was more to it than just that.  There were men and women, working side by side, on a Sunday morning, together, to accomplish something that was bigger and better.  This visible sign of a change of attitude and way of thinking, this sense of community, was encouraging.  We knew this place had grown and changed in more ways than just physical since we were last here and it lifted our spirits immensely.

We were greeted warmly with many hugs and smiles and we got the sense that something was afoot.  Generally speaking, Martha, Jenny and the others seemed busy with something.  As it turns out, the community, having been informed of our coming, had decided to hold the Sunday services in the rather new 'comedor', or community dining hall.  As such, benches and tables were being moved in and the normally prepared food was being made in surrounding kitchen homes.  To allow for a little more preparation time, we split into several groups and made a few rounds to invite people to the service.  One man that was invited said he would not be able to come because he was helping a lady pour a concrete floor in her house.  When the noticeable improvements were commented on, he stated, "When we work together, things are better."  I have had all day to come up with words that impart the magnitude of that statement and they still escape me.

Service was held with Victor preaching from Luke 22 and the account of Peter denying Jesus three times before the rooster crows after Jesus' arrest.  An invitation was offered and 8 responded, professing Jesus Christ as Lord.  During this time, the girls gathered some of the younger children and taught them some songs.  Afterward, a special prayer was held for an infant that was suffering from a stomach infection and was most likely running fever.  The mother was not able to afford the proper medicine to treat the child.

After this, we made our way to another community that Victor has recently been ministering to, stopping on the side of the road along the way to consume our packed lunch.  When we arrived, Victor lead another service, this time preaching from Psalm 23.  Again, an invitation was offered and several (approximately 8-10) responded with a profession of faith in Jesus Christ followed by several special prayers for those suffering from medical conditions.

We then returned to the guest house and discussed some options for ministry opportunities later this week as a result of these visits and then made a trip to the grocery store for some provisions for breakfast in the morning.  Quentin and Gina met us shortly after this and we walked to a local Chinese restaurant for dinner.  After the wonderful food and company, we returned to the guest house where we are now preparing ourselves for a day downtown tomorrow prayer walking and preparing for street evangelism on Tuesday.

It is our prayer tonight that those that publicly professed Jesus as Lord today did so with a soft, genuine heart.  We pray that the repentance that was preached will not be forgotten and that they will humble themselves at the foot of the cross and receive the new spirit and character promised in the Bible.  We pray for guidance and words so that the ministry that has occurred and the souls that have been won will not turn bitter.

Seeking Him,

Troy

Monday, 6-9-2008

We spent the day today downtown.  We took a public transportation bus to get there and then walked to Quentin and Gina's mission headquarters.  There, we met our translators and prepared to hit the streets.  Today's focus was to prayer walk, to prepare the soil for the harvest tomorrow.  We also were sensitive to the leading of the Spirit in reaching out to people through prayer for and/or with them, handing out tracts, and witnessing.  To do this, we divided into teams of two or three with a translator each and each team took a street, all of which ran parallel to each other.  We then walked multiple blocks praying and witnessing.  Several groups were able to witness to those they met and somewhere between 14-16 professed their faith in Jesus Christ.  We had a late lunch due to a Spanish speaking pastor being with one group who did some open air preaching on the way.  We returned in the same attitude of prayer and debriefed at the mission headquarters.  From there, most of us returned to the guest house while a few went to the Christian book store to purchase tracts and supplies for the upcoming days.  Once the supplies were brought back to the guest house, we walked to San Antonio's for a bistro style dinner and then returned back to the guest house.

So all in all, it was a day of preparation.  We give thanks to God for the new salvation that was given today and received not only by those we were privileged to witness to, but also for all those everywhere for whom today was the day they were added to the Lamb's Book of Life.

Tomorrow, we return to downtown to reap what the Lord has sown.  We pray that the harvest will be plentiful and that the day will be a testament to His glory, grace, and kindness.  We are excited and filled with anticipation at the possibilities of tomorrow and are humbled that He would allow us to be His servants in his field.

For His glory,

Troy

Tuesday, 6-10-2008

We returned to downtown Lima today to do some street evangelism.  Before I start, let me just say God honors prayer and preparation.  We started today much like we started yesterday - by praying and having a short "service" at the mission headquarters downtown.  From there we again divided into teams of two to three with a translator each and took a short bus ride to a park on the other side of downtown.  Each group found fertile soil and a rich harvest, just as we had prayed.  To detail each one would take pages, but let me simply say hearts were soft and open and the number of people that said "Yes, I believe," numbered in the double digits, possibly in excess of 20.  It's hard to know for sure since actual numbers are difficult to keep up with in the environment we are working in.

While this was going on, Gina had another obligation/opportunity she had to keep and take advantage of.  To understand this properly, a little history is needed:

Since before our previous trip in October of 2007, Gina has been trying to gain access to cloistered sets of "apartments", for lack of a better word, called "quintas".  These are entire neighborhoods that exist behind one closed door.  Without knowing someone inside or by being a national, it is almost impossible to gain entry because they are so distrusting and wary of any outsiders.  As a result of our time here this past October, a Peruvian began coming to Quentin and Gina's bible study.  Amazingly, she is still coming and is taking advantage of their free English classes, as well.  Maria has turned out to be a blessing to Gina and since this past October, together they have managed to gain access to three quintas.  In addition to this, Quentin and Gina have received approval to do a water works project in one, providing a better freshwater source as well as bathroom facilities.

So today, the goal was to meet with the superintendent of this quinta and let them know of the approval and also to introduce a member or two of our group as a relationship/trust building exercise.  In addition to this, Gina also wanted to utilize the unique access afforded by Maria to document as many of the quintas that were close to their headquarters as possible.  Understand...there are no signs or anything to indicate what's what - just a door in a wall.  So often, there is no way of knowing if that door leads to a house, a business of some sort, or an entire community of dozens or possibly hundreds.

This goal, like the witnessing goal mentioned above, was also met with success!  We got in!  And not to one...but three more!  Hallelujah!  Gina now knows people inside these quintas and can now move freely within them, ministering to them and showing God's love to them.

Come to church on the 15th after we return and I'll tell you about a fellow we met named Charlie - a U.S. citizen living in one of these quintas, addicted to drugs for the past 10 years, without a passport and without a way to get out or get home.

This group met up with the others for a late lunch and then returned to witnessing in a nearby park with additional professions of faith until time ran out and we had to get out of downtown before it got too late.  We returned to the guest house and ordered pizza due to the rain.  Yep, it actually rained.  And it wasn't just a light fog.  It was actual precipitation that got things wet.  Wow!

The laid back atmosphere allowed us to relax and was perhaps better for us than going to another restaurant.  The time allowed for conversation and hilarity, and we grew closer as a team, as a fellowship, and as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Our prayer tonight is for all those we spoke with and gave literature to, that they will be open to the saving grace of the Gospel, that they will sincerely repent of their sins and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that Quentin and Gina will be able to meet some of the physical and spiritual needs of those in the quintas, and that in everything He will be glorified.

God bless,

Troy

Wednesday, 6-11-2008

Wow!  What a day!

Today we returned to Oasis in Villa Salvador.  Our goal today was to simply be obedient to the Spirit.  We arrived about mid-morning and again were greeted warmly.  We were met first by Jenny, one of Martha's daughters who is about to pop with a new baby.  (She and David, her husband, are hoping for a boy which they plan to name Tommy Gameliel after Tommy Smith, a missionary whom started assignment while we were here last time and whom has spent significant time in Oasis, and after Gameliel, the unexpected ally of the apostles and Paul's teacher.)  Arianita, la hija de nuestros (our little girl), was quickly located and then loved on all day.  Jenny told us her son, Anthony, at the age of 12, was in Brasil attending school.  We also were greeted by Marlaina, Jenny's sister who has assumed ministry over the children of the community.  We presented Marlaina with some instructional materials to lead a children's bible study / Sunday school.  We then broke into several groups and visited with those we met, passing out tracts and telling them about a women's get together we would be having shortly thereafter.

Once we had somewhat 'made the rounds', we gathered back together at their central playing field and benches were brought from the comedor which our ladies, led by Kim, used to minister to those that showed up.  "The girls" played with the kids that were present and the men, led by Brian, assisted a young man with a wall he was constructing for his house.  Another of Martha's daughters, Andrea, came to say hello.   At the age of 16, Andrea spends her day washing clothes by hand for 16 Soles (less than $6.00) for the day's work. During this time, the superintendent and other leaders of the Oasis communities were gathered and the building project that has been suggested was discussed.  The talks went well with progress being made in getting all those involved on the same page.

We had a quick lunch that had been packed and then the children arrived home from school.  One of Martha's children, Sarah, came to say hello and fell in love with Kim.  We also greeted one of Marlaina's chilren who, with Sarah, were our two worship leaders during our visit in October.  We gathered the kids back at the playing field and the older ones participated in a game of soccer while the younger ones were taught some songs and games.  With the children being gathered, their mothers and grandmothers also gathered and Kim took advantage of this and shared, ministered, and witnessed to them.  Many of the women professed their faith in Jesus Christ as a result of these efforts.

Since it was getting late, we pulled ourselves away and returned to the guest house for a brief rest before the hike to dinner.  The plan yesterday was to go to La Comar but was later changed to La Compena.  We failed to tell Sarina this and she led us on a mile or so hike towards La Comar, all the while thinking we were going to La Compena.  We finally figured out the miscommunication and started back toward the guest house. We were hoping to find somewhere we could eat that we could afford while also serving a trustworthy product.  We finally decided to try a restaurant about 5 or 6 blocks from the guest house.  Too funny!  So after the 2 or 3 mile walk, we were all hungry and tired.  The food was good and so far there have been no rumbly tummies that I know of from it, so it all worked out.

The ministry that we did today was great.  To be the hands and feet of Jesus - what a privilege and a blessing.  One day left to make a difference.  Hasta manana....

Love from Lima,

Troy

Thursday, 6-12-2008

Hmm. I don't know how to get this started.  How about just telling the facts?

Well, we packed our lunches again during / after breakfast, loaded up the taxis with the suitcases of spare clothes, and headed to Oasis in Villa Salvador.  We arrived and started knocking on doors to tell as many as we could that we would be having a small get together followed by a small clothing give-away.  The timing was not the best since many of the mothers were going to have to pick up their children from school soon.  So we pushed the clothing distribution back and for those that came, "the girls" painted their fingernails.  We decided to squeeze in lunch while we waited and try though we might, there was no denying Martha and her desire to show us hospitality by cooking for us.  While we were able to graciously reject these advances yesterday, it could not be stopped today.  So we were gracious to her love language and took the boiled corn she had prepared for us.  Some of "the girls" even ate it along with the drivers and translators.  Many prayers were said over them for their health and, to my knowledge, everyone is doing ok.

Once lunch was over, we returned to the central playing field and organized for our skit.  We performed our skit for them with a short recap and gospel presentation presented by Jennifer afterwards.  We waited for about 15 minutes for those present to invite their friends and neighbors and then performed the skit again.  The skit appeared to be effective both times as several in the crowd each time acknowledged that they believed and professed their faith in Jesus Christ.

We then returned to the guest house after many hugs, kisses, and good-byes.  We reorganized and stepped out to go to La Comar to see the ocean / beach and visit the shops and see the sites of the area.  We then returned toward the guest house to sample original Peruvian style pizza at D'nno's.  A short walk completed our return to the guest house where we had a de-brief with Quentin and Gina regarding the events, problems, blessings, observations, etc. of the week.  Despite the meeting being over and Quentin and Gina having left to return home, we found we could not stop talking about it all. The mixed emotions are difficult to deal with.  And the Peru Mission Team now has a second "adopted" child.  Last time, it was Arianita. This time, it is Jefferson (below with Brian and above in yesterday's pictures, also).

We give thanks and praise to a wonderful, bountiful, merciful God for the blessings of this time.  It has forever changed us and will impact us going forward.  For all of those we met, witnessed to, loved on, spoke with, and shared with, our prayers are with you tonight.  God bless you.

The Peru Mission Team

Friday, 6-13-2008

We are at the airport waiting to board the plane home.  It has been a long day seeing some of the sites of Peru.  We started the day by visiting the top of a 400 meter (about 1200 ft) hill that provides panoramic views of the city.  The bus ride up was interesting to say the least. Most of us got off the bus with ringing ears from the screams.  Once we came back down off the hill, we walked to an old Franciscan Monk Monastery and visited the catacombs, or tombs underneath.  We then grabbed some oven roasted chicken and french fries, a Peruvian staple called pollo a la brasa, and then took a bus ride to the Incan Market for some souvenir shopping.  We then returned to the guest house, grabbed some quick McDonalds and finished packing, and then boarded the bus for the airport.

So that's been the day and the trip. We will be home soon.

See everyone tomorrow or Sunday.

Troy