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.