Who needs drugs, alcohol, thrill seeking or chocolate???? A rush like no other is witnessing a heartfelt prayer of repentence and acceptance of God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ!
Last night, as Brent sat on a tree stump, me on a wooden bench beside Kelly, and Lydia on the ground on a palm mat, two precious souls were saved. Lydia is 40, has 5 children, is married to a nonbeliever and has always had a deep hunger for God. She has gone to every type of church there is, knows many answers to Bible questions, but still had no idea where she would spend eternity or if she was a child of God. She was so ready to receive Christ. With many tears, she pleaded with God not only to save her but to make her a witness who would carry this message to her family. Her daughter, Kelly, is 15, a Junior in high school, washes other peoples' clothes by hand to have some money, and is also very open to God's truths. She also was ready to take this leap of faith. She knew she was missing something and timidly and tearfully, asked God to save her and make her part of His family. She said later that she felt a chill wash over her during her prayer.
We are so happy for these two, yet it only increases our burden for the many more around them who are lost. Lydia desperately wants her husband to believe and for her whole family to grow together. She has an adult daughter, Kati, a 12 year old daughter, Lily, a 10 year old son, Kevin, and a baby daughter, Katerine. Please pray with us for them, as well as her husband, Eduardo, and her many siblings, nieces and nephews. Also, her 70 year old mother, who is very ill and wants to die, rather than be a burden to her children, is unsaved. She speaks very little Spanish, believes deeply in witchcraft and is very unfamiliar with foreigners, so with Lydia's help, we will go see her tomorrow and try to reach her heart with God's Word.
Rejoicing with the angels today!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Ashaninka volume 9
Ashaninka living is truly communal living. There are no locks on doors or windows. As a matter of fact, the house we meet in has no door! The windows are all open, no screen or glass, just open. They are fiercely protective of their own and as a community, trust each other to protect each other in the case of any type of robbery attempt or invasion of any sort. No need for doors or glass.
I think of their unusual trust in each other. At least it's unusual for us North Americans. It costs us to trust. We're hoping with this all or nothing way of trusting, the Ashaninka friends we meet with will find it easier to trust in a Heavenly Father who longs to help, protect and be there for them.
This week, we continued to talk about God and His patience, mercy and strength. As Brent taught, I watched as little Stefany played with and nibbled on a campanero, a fly-like insect, fat and at least 6 inches long. It resembles a cicada in the U.S. but bigger. Yes, I said nibbled. It was campanero night. The kids make homemade campanero catchers, made with very long bamboo sticks and a plastic cup or bottle attached to the top. They will catch these insects by holding the cup up in a tree or up on a high pole or anywhere they have seen a bug. Hard to explain, easy to do. This is a very common snack and I learned how to prepare it. I watched as the kids pulled the wings and legs off, bit the head off (bug still living) and just played with and handled it until it died. Oh, I forgot the squeezing it until all the, uh....pee is out. Then they fry it, salt it and wa-la - a crunchy snack....... or a remedy for asthma, whichever you are in need of at the time. I just came out and said it. I'm a bad missionary. I said GROSS and asked them to please not ever ask me to eat one because I couldn't do it! They laughed and laughed!!! I sighed in relief. No expectations, that's good.
Lydia said there were a few adults she knew of who would be interested in studying with us. This was a great encouragement and we are hoping to meet these others very soon. We are going to start having kids' time first, then adults, as the needs and capacity to think and understand are so different. We long for God's moving and leading in this group of people. We want to have some Ashaninka brothers and sisters!!!
I was presented with a large, beautiful mat made from palm leaves, knitted together by Lydia. The desire to give and share is so ever-present and I continue to learn from these folks, poor in material goods, but rich in kindness and unselfishness.
I think of their unusual trust in each other. At least it's unusual for us North Americans. It costs us to trust. We're hoping with this all or nothing way of trusting, the Ashaninka friends we meet with will find it easier to trust in a Heavenly Father who longs to help, protect and be there for them.
This week, we continued to talk about God and His patience, mercy and strength. As Brent taught, I watched as little Stefany played with and nibbled on a campanero, a fly-like insect, fat and at least 6 inches long. It resembles a cicada in the U.S. but bigger. Yes, I said nibbled. It was campanero night. The kids make homemade campanero catchers, made with very long bamboo sticks and a plastic cup or bottle attached to the top. They will catch these insects by holding the cup up in a tree or up on a high pole or anywhere they have seen a bug. Hard to explain, easy to do. This is a very common snack and I learned how to prepare it. I watched as the kids pulled the wings and legs off, bit the head off (bug still living) and just played with and handled it until it died. Oh, I forgot the squeezing it until all the, uh....pee is out. Then they fry it, salt it and wa-la - a crunchy snack....... or a remedy for asthma, whichever you are in need of at the time. I just came out and said it. I'm a bad missionary. I said GROSS and asked them to please not ever ask me to eat one because I couldn't do it! They laughed and laughed!!! I sighed in relief. No expectations, that's good.
Lydia said there were a few adults she knew of who would be interested in studying with us. This was a great encouragement and we are hoping to meet these others very soon. We are going to start having kids' time first, then adults, as the needs and capacity to think and understand are so different. We long for God's moving and leading in this group of people. We want to have some Ashaninka brothers and sisters!!!
I was presented with a large, beautiful mat made from palm leaves, knitted together by Lydia. The desire to give and share is so ever-present and I continue to learn from these folks, poor in material goods, but rich in kindness and unselfishness.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Ashaninka volume 8
Update from last week ~ the Ashaninka folks did indeed run off a bunch of invaders last week, armed with bows, guns and rocks. We were informed that there were no deaths, apparently a significant fact. They are hoping this will not happen again, but are ready if it does.
Tonight, sitting under a black sky full of bright stars, being eaten by mosquitos, we all memorized John 14:6 together. As we said it over and over, fast, then slow, then faster, I silently prayed it would sink into the minds and hearts of Angie, Stefany, Cody, Lily, Ivan, Kati, Jonatan, Violeta, Emely.....to name a few.
It is Ivan's 11th birthday today. There was no cake, no present, nothing to celebrate his day. I hoped our singing to him, the big hugs and small gift from Kyall would help make the day a little more special for him. One day, we hope to celebrate his spiritual birthday!
We were so happy that Eduardo, who has always avoided our meetings, sat in and listened for about 10 minutes. It's a start.
Carrying a huge papaya, a bag of oranges, and these faces in our hearts, we left, anxious to get back and pick up where we left off. God is at work!
Tonight, sitting under a black sky full of bright stars, being eaten by mosquitos, we all memorized John 14:6 together. As we said it over and over, fast, then slow, then faster, I silently prayed it would sink into the minds and hearts of Angie, Stefany, Cody, Lily, Ivan, Kati, Jonatan, Violeta, Emely.....to name a few.
It is Ivan's 11th birthday today. There was no cake, no present, nothing to celebrate his day. I hoped our singing to him, the big hugs and small gift from Kyall would help make the day a little more special for him. One day, we hope to celebrate his spiritual birthday!
We were so happy that Eduardo, who has always avoided our meetings, sat in and listened for about 10 minutes. It's a start.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Remembering
Remembering is one way we say thank you. It is also one way we honor those gone before us. It is also a good way to stay in love. Remembering gives value to the memory. It is the most natural way to relive and revive sentiments, good or bad.
Ten years ago right now, Brent, Olivia and I were in Cuba, in a friend's house, sitting, then standing, then sitting again on their hard, uncomfortable furniture. I was weeping, Brent was somber and Olivia, playing at our feet, was oblivious to our shock. On clear days in Cuba, radio waves from Miami reach the island. That morning, Brent had been listening to Miami news on our small radio, when he called me to the kitchen and told me to listen. We both sat down and listened to Dan Rather as the unimaginable events of that day unfolded. Being in Cuba, and at the time, the only Americans there that we knew of, we were unsure what to think. It became obvious very quickly that our country was under attack, so we nervously walked to our friend's house who had a satellite dish so we could see for ourselves what was going on. Our friends were out of the country, so we explained to their landlord the situation and asked her if she would please let us in so we could watch their tv. She very kindly unlocked the door for us and stood watching with us for several minutes. The Cuban people wouldn't know anything about this until the 8 o'clock news that night, and then, only a brief, edited version.
I have thought about that day every September 11 for the past 10 years, as have thousands of others, I'm sure. Today, I can hardly bear to watch the news and relive that day and I didn't even lose anyone I knew. I don't remember because it's easy or fun. I remember because it was a day that changed history in this country and the world, and because it's my small way of honoring the memory of those lost that day.
God bless America.
Ten years ago right now, Brent, Olivia and I were in Cuba, in a friend's house, sitting, then standing, then sitting again on their hard, uncomfortable furniture. I was weeping, Brent was somber and Olivia, playing at our feet, was oblivious to our shock. On clear days in Cuba, radio waves from Miami reach the island. That morning, Brent had been listening to Miami news on our small radio, when he called me to the kitchen and told me to listen. We both sat down and listened to Dan Rather as the unimaginable events of that day unfolded. Being in Cuba, and at the time, the only Americans there that we knew of, we were unsure what to think. It became obvious very quickly that our country was under attack, so we nervously walked to our friend's house who had a satellite dish so we could see for ourselves what was going on. Our friends were out of the country, so we explained to their landlord the situation and asked her if she would please let us in so we could watch their tv. She very kindly unlocked the door for us and stood watching with us for several minutes. The Cuban people wouldn't know anything about this until the 8 o'clock news that night, and then, only a brief, edited version.
I have thought about that day every September 11 for the past 10 years, as have thousands of others, I'm sure. Today, I can hardly bear to watch the news and relive that day and I didn't even lose anyone I knew. I don't remember because it's easy or fun. I remember because it was a day that changed history in this country and the world, and because it's my small way of honoring the memory of those lost that day.
God bless America.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Ashaninka volume 7
Sitting outside tonight, enjoying the coolness and the occasional bat flying by, we talked about Noah, the ark and God's patience and goodness. 120 years to repent and earn a round trip ticket on the ark, yet nobody accepted!
As the children colored, I was able to talk to Kati, who is a young mother of two, born and raised in this Ashaninka community. Her husband is from Lima, so the community had to vote on whether they would accept him and give this couple a piece of property to build their own home. They are now in the process of building a wood platform 6 feet off the ground, with about 100 square feet of living space. This will take months, as money is very tight and materials are bought when possible. Edison, Kati's husband, was out fishing tonight so they would have something to eat tomorrow. They also have a 3 year old son, Omar, who is very sick right now and there is no money for medicine. Life is hard. Life is harder without Christ. Please pray with us for this sweet young family.
On another note, "invading", or moving onto someone else's property and setting up a shack or small house is very common in Peru. As a matter of fact, Pichanaki is so big because of the thousands of people who invaded one man's property and there was nothing he could do about it. The police will get involved sometimes, but have to be willing to fight, have rocks thrown at them and even be shot at. Needless to say, usually the invaders win. There is a large invasion happening now in Pichanaki, down by the Pichanaki River. This river runs right through Ashaninka territory and they are now worried there will be invaders on their property. We saw a man leaving the community with a big bow and arrow tonight and were told they were arming themselves, ready to fight for their land. They are requesting permission from the military to use their hunting guns as well.
We don't know the end of either one of these stories. God is in control, and in this we rest.
As the children colored, I was able to talk to Kati, who is a young mother of two, born and raised in this Ashaninka community. Her husband is from Lima, so the community had to vote on whether they would accept him and give this couple a piece of property to build their own home. They are now in the process of building a wood platform 6 feet off the ground, with about 100 square feet of living space. This will take months, as money is very tight and materials are bought when possible. Edison, Kati's husband, was out fishing tonight so they would have something to eat tomorrow. They also have a 3 year old son, Omar, who is very sick right now and there is no money for medicine. Life is hard. Life is harder without Christ. Please pray with us for this sweet young family.
On another note, "invading", or moving onto someone else's property and setting up a shack or small house is very common in Peru. As a matter of fact, Pichanaki is so big because of the thousands of people who invaded one man's property and there was nothing he could do about it. The police will get involved sometimes, but have to be willing to fight, have rocks thrown at them and even be shot at. Needless to say, usually the invaders win. There is a large invasion happening now in Pichanaki, down by the Pichanaki River. This river runs right through Ashaninka territory and they are now worried there will be invaders on their property. We saw a man leaving the community with a big bow and arrow tonight and were told they were arming themselves, ready to fight for their land. They are requesting permission from the military to use their hunting guns as well.
We don't know the end of either one of these stories. God is in control, and in this we rest.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
You know you live in jungle heat when......
1. To soften butter, just set it out for 10 minutes
2. You need a sweat band just to clean the house
3. The wet laundry dries in less than 30 minutes in the sun
4. The boys homeschool without shirts on
5. You have to change shirts at least 3 times a day
6. You can't leave anything chocolate out, it will melt
7. Sometimes 3 cold showers a day just aren't enough
8. The cold showers feel heavenly
9. Fans are the most important pieces of furniture in the house
10. Sleep is impossible without a breeze from the window
11. "Professionals" work in shorts and flip-flops
12. At any given time, you will see men and boys shirtless
13. Standing in line at the bank, the only building with A/C, is a pleasure
14. The sun burns right through clothes
15. People native to the area call the heat "fatal"
2. You need a sweat band just to clean the house
3. The wet laundry dries in less than 30 minutes in the sun
4. The boys homeschool without shirts on
5. You have to change shirts at least 3 times a day
6. You can't leave anything chocolate out, it will melt
7. Sometimes 3 cold showers a day just aren't enough
8. The cold showers feel heavenly
9. Fans are the most important pieces of furniture in the house
10. Sleep is impossible without a breeze from the window
11. "Professionals" work in shorts and flip-flops
12. At any given time, you will see men and boys shirtless
13. Standing in line at the bank, the only building with A/C, is a pleasure
14. The sun burns right through clothes
15. People native to the area call the heat "fatal"
Friday, September 2, 2011
Ashaninka volume 6
Last week, Brent handed out and explained the meaning behind "wordless bracelets". You know, the bracelets with colors that represent sin, Jesus' blood, growth, purity and Heaven? I love those! Seeds are being planted in the hearts of these people who hunger to know more about God and to have peace in their lives.
Last night, most returned wearing their bracelets and the meanings were reviewed once again. And again. And again.
For the first time, Eduardo, Lydia's husband, actually conversed with Brent for quite a while, which was significant because he usually avoids us. He shared war stories, literally, from his military days, which were also the days of terrorism in Peru. He was an intelligence agent in these mountains where he still lives. He slept with a machine gun, a grenade and a flare by his side. According to him, he was kidnapped twice, once had seven machine gun barrells shoved in his mouth, breaking many teeth. God allowed him to live through that, although he doesn't acknowledge God. Now his living room is being used to teach God's Word and many nights, he's right above us on the second floor. We can only pray he is listening.
Each week we see, hear or learn something new about the Ashaninka people. This week, we learned that bugs can be used as toys and/or food! Kyall got a shock when his little buddy ate the head of a huge, fat, alive, fly-like bug that he had been swinging on a string like a kite. When I say huge, I mean like 5-6 inches long with bulging eyes. I am so glad I didn't see that. Once again, we came home with a new fruit from backyard trees, called a caimito.
We are feeling very burdened to reach more of this community. Of the 70 families, only five are represented in the Bible studies each week. Please pray with us as we seek to meet, befriend and include many more very soon.
Last night, most returned wearing their bracelets and the meanings were reviewed once again. And again. And again.
For the first time, Eduardo, Lydia's husband, actually conversed with Brent for quite a while, which was significant because he usually avoids us. He shared war stories, literally, from his military days, which were also the days of terrorism in Peru. He was an intelligence agent in these mountains where he still lives. He slept with a machine gun, a grenade and a flare by his side. According to him, he was kidnapped twice, once had seven machine gun barrells shoved in his mouth, breaking many teeth. God allowed him to live through that, although he doesn't acknowledge God. Now his living room is being used to teach God's Word and many nights, he's right above us on the second floor. We can only pray he is listening.
Each week we see, hear or learn something new about the Ashaninka people. This week, we learned that bugs can be used as toys and/or food! Kyall got a shock when his little buddy ate the head of a huge, fat, alive, fly-like bug that he had been swinging on a string like a kite. When I say huge, I mean like 5-6 inches long with bulging eyes. I am so glad I didn't see that. Once again, we came home with a new fruit from backyard trees, called a caimito.
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