Kati is a 20 year old Ashaninka woman, married at the age of 16, and has two children. She is the wife of Edison, who the village families accepted just recently to be able to have his own property there and live among them. Kati believes that Jesus died and rose again and was probably already saved, but feels so guilty about her sins that she was sure last night that she would go to Hell if she were to die. I think she hasn't fully grasped what it means to be God's child. Holding her small, cold hands, I fought the tears as she prayed and told God that she believed and wanted to be part of His family. We rejoice with her and now, she and Edison can grow together. Beautiful!
Baby Driu is still very sick. His mom, Janet, finally took him to a pediatrician after 7 weeks of an apparently severe stomach infection. The doctor scolded her harshly for waiting so long and gave her several prescriptions that she did not have the money to get filled. I didn't know if she would want help from an outsider like myself, but I could not bear to see that baby so sick for one more day. She graciously accepted our help and thanked me with a hug and a big bunch of bananas from her tree. We are hopeful now that Driu will get better very soon. More than that, we are hopeful that she will never go back to a witch doctor and that she will be open to God's love for her.
The Ashaninka communities have their own laws. I really don't think they fall under the same laws as everyone else. The police are intimidated by them, and for good reason. This week, there was a protest march having to do with a new university in Pichanaki. Well, the mass of people were getting too close to the village, they were blocking the road and the men at our little village, Bajo Kimiriki, did not like it. They painted their faces, armed themselves with bows and arrows (and these are HUGE bows and LONG arrows) and went to "ask" the protestors to leave. I have to chuckle. The protestors left.
We learn every week just how different this life of theirs is. One thing that's for certain, though, is that they are people who need Jesus and beyond the many barriers, He is allowing us to share Him with them. May they hear and understand.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
BE STILL
My 5 year old, Lucas, cannot be still. Period. He walks around while he's telling me a story. He fidgets, changes positions and gets up regularly while he's eating. He moves around, changing seats several times when watching tv. He's five. He's a boy. It's understandable.
I'm an adult and still have trouble being still. Oh, not in my chair or while eating. In my heart. "Be still my heart" is a well-known little phrase, usually used when we see or hear something we love. For me, this phrase sums up a prayer of mine. Why is it so hard to be still and know that He is God?
Being still means I am still and quiet before the Creator of the universe, able to hear Him. I cannot hear Him clearly when I am not still. Too much noise. Too much movement. I cannot be still when I am running around frantically, when I constantly either have a tv/cd on or have earbuds in my ears, when my most important goal of the day is to complete my to-do list before nightfall......when I am racing life. I literally have to be STILL. Like, not moving. Open heart, empty of noise, a heart free of fear and doubt. At peace. KNOWING He is God....yesterday, today and forever.
He tells us to be still. He reminds us to KNOW that He is God and He will be exalted. When I bark at Lucas to "be still!" it's not life-changing. When God commands me to "be still", it is.
I'm an adult and still have trouble being still. Oh, not in my chair or while eating. In my heart. "Be still my heart" is a well-known little phrase, usually used when we see or hear something we love. For me, this phrase sums up a prayer of mine. Why is it so hard to be still and know that He is God?
Being still means I am still and quiet before the Creator of the universe, able to hear Him. I cannot hear Him clearly when I am not still. Too much noise. Too much movement. I cannot be still when I am running around frantically, when I constantly either have a tv/cd on or have earbuds in my ears, when my most important goal of the day is to complete my to-do list before nightfall......when I am racing life. I literally have to be STILL. Like, not moving. Open heart, empty of noise, a heart free of fear and doubt. At peace. KNOWING He is God....yesterday, today and forever.
He tells us to be still. He reminds us to KNOW that He is God and He will be exalted. When I bark at Lucas to "be still!" it's not life-changing. When God commands me to "be still", it is.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Ashaninka volume 21
Update from last week: I saw baby Driu and he is a little better, but still has a fever and stomach infection. He and his family have been gone for three weeks, unable to return home until the witch doctor received his pay. Driu's father had to find work here and there until he could pay. We will continue to pray for this family.
Edison is a little better but not completely and still has some odd and painful symptoms. Although he was feeling poorly, he stayed for the Bible study and said he and Kati would try to make it to church on Sunday night, something they haven't done yet. God is his Father now, and he did indeed seem like a different person.
Some people use bug repellent to ward off mosquitos. Not Eduardo. I was shocked to see a fire burning in the middle of their living room floor! Granted, the floor is dirt, but the second floor is all wood. Apparently, you can smoke mosquitos out of the house! Who knew?
As we talked, Kelly was cooking supper in the outdoor kitchen. I asked what she was cooking and she said "cutpe" - which is a huge mountain rodent. Thankfully, we were not invited to stay.
Our hearts are more burdened than ever to reach these people. Thank you to all who are praying with us.
Edison is a little better but not completely and still has some odd and painful symptoms. Although he was feeling poorly, he stayed for the Bible study and said he and Kati would try to make it to church on Sunday night, something they haven't done yet. God is his Father now, and he did indeed seem like a different person.
Some people use bug repellent to ward off mosquitos. Not Eduardo. I was shocked to see a fire burning in the middle of their living room floor! Granted, the floor is dirt, but the second floor is all wood. Apparently, you can smoke mosquitos out of the house! Who knew?
As we talked, Kelly was cooking supper in the outdoor kitchen. I asked what she was cooking and she said "cutpe" - which is a huge mountain rodent. Thankfully, we were not invited to stay.
Our hearts are more burdened than ever to reach these people. Thank you to all who are praying with us.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Ashaninka volume 20
I write tonight with a heavy and happy heart. I know, what in the world does that mean?!
Good news first......Edison, the 28 year old son-in-law of Lydia, is now my brother in Christ. He has fought it for so long, but we found him a broken man tonight.
He and his wife, Kati, and their two little boys have no food in the house. They have no money. Edison has been very ill for a week so there is no paycheck for this missed week. He has some very strange symptoms and has been told that witchcraft has been used against him and that he needs to go to a witch doctor to reverse it. He doesn't believe that, but has no money to see a doctor or to buy a simple pain pill. He has considered smoking marijuana to help with the pain and he's even thought about suicide. His baby son, Jesus, turns one on Saturday and there will be no celebration. This seemed to bother him the most.
Receiving Christ will not immediately change any of these things and Edison knows that. What it will do is give him the assurance that he has the ear of the Almighty day and night. It will allow him to see the value of his life in a different light. It will give him hope. It will give him peace in the midst of the turbulent circumstances. It will change him. We do pray for healing and provision and will watch how God chooses to work in his life.
Driu is a one year old baby who is the nephew of Lydia. He has had diarreah and has been vomiting on and off for a month. He is probably severely dehydrated and has lost a lot of weight. His parents have indeed taken him to a witch doctor and have been told they are wishing harm on him and wish to see him dead. Their house has been empty and dark for several weeks now. They are trusting in the curandero to make their son well and it's not working. I fear this baby will die soon and it breaks my heart. We have shared Jesus with Janet, Driu's mother, but she has yet to accept it as truth.
So......overjoyed for Edison, although concerned about his health, and devastated for baby Driu and his family. I realize not one person who will read this knows these people, but they are people just like us who love their families, who work hard for a living, who want to be happy.......please join us in praying for them and in doing so, loving them the best way possible, even from afar.
Good news first......Edison, the 28 year old son-in-law of Lydia, is now my brother in Christ. He has fought it for so long, but we found him a broken man tonight.
He and his wife, Kati, and their two little boys have no food in the house. They have no money. Edison has been very ill for a week so there is no paycheck for this missed week. He has some very strange symptoms and has been told that witchcraft has been used against him and that he needs to go to a witch doctor to reverse it. He doesn't believe that, but has no money to see a doctor or to buy a simple pain pill. He has considered smoking marijuana to help with the pain and he's even thought about suicide. His baby son, Jesus, turns one on Saturday and there will be no celebration. This seemed to bother him the most.
Receiving Christ will not immediately change any of these things and Edison knows that. What it will do is give him the assurance that he has the ear of the Almighty day and night. It will allow him to see the value of his life in a different light. It will give him hope. It will give him peace in the midst of the turbulent circumstances. It will change him. We do pray for healing and provision and will watch how God chooses to work in his life.
Driu is a one year old baby who is the nephew of Lydia. He has had diarreah and has been vomiting on and off for a month. He is probably severely dehydrated and has lost a lot of weight. His parents have indeed taken him to a witch doctor and have been told they are wishing harm on him and wish to see him dead. Their house has been empty and dark for several weeks now. They are trusting in the curandero to make their son well and it's not working. I fear this baby will die soon and it breaks my heart. We have shared Jesus with Janet, Driu's mother, but she has yet to accept it as truth.
So......overjoyed for Edison, although concerned about his health, and devastated for baby Driu and his family. I realize not one person who will read this knows these people, but they are people just like us who love their families, who work hard for a living, who want to be happy.......please join us in praying for them and in doing so, loving them the best way possible, even from afar.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Over the mountains and through the tunnels
This week we made our 18th trip as a family over the Andes mountains. Trips 19 and 20 are in a month from now. This trip isn't just any old road trip. It is an intense drive of windy, twisty turns, huge drop-offs with no guardrail, jaw dropping scenery, and crossing over "the top" which is at 16,000 feet. There are 19 tunnels, roughly hewn from the mountains and at least 120 very annoying speed bumps!
We have our landmarks and we guage the trip, not by hours, but by these. We try to leave early in the morning from Pichanaki and the drive starts out with a bang. Dramamine is the only way Lucas can tolerate it and usually, there are headaches all around. Our first landmark is La Merced, the town where we stop and buy organic coffee and jelly. Next is San Ramon, next Tarma, with its beautiful little villages and fields of flowers. Next is our "chicken sandwich stop" at the restaurant Tambo, in the town of La Oroya, which is freeeeeeezing every time. The toilets are like ice cubes.....just a little t.m.i. there. Next is "the top" called Ticlio, where there are almost always snow capped mountains to feast our eyes on and we have difficulty drawing a deep breath because of the height. Once we start heading down, the trip is still wicked windy but starts to be a bit easier. We always stop at "Mana" in San Mateo to use the clean bathrooms and buy imported snacks like Pringles, M&M's and really good cafe con leche to go. After that, it's pretty fast into Lima where we're welcomed with the dirt and rock mountains and of course, the traffic.
Depending on how long since our last trip, we may head straight to McDonalds, Starbucks or just home (Brent's parents' house). From Lima back to Pichanaki, our stops/landmarks are basically the same, with a few variations, depending on how hungry we are or how quickly we want to get back. When we arrive back to our apartment, we are greeted with intense heat and a layer of dust covering everything.
We've decided the trip is just too easy as it is, so we've added traveling with a puppy, just to shake things up a bit. Bella travels in her kennel, usually throws up at least once but sleeps most of the way. We do take longer on our stops so she can take care of business.
I enjoy these trips because of the family time, the memories we're making, the laughs we have together, and the amazing creation of God, but don't necessarily like the danger of it. Did I mention that it is all two lane and there is constant passing, jockeying for position, idiot drivers, etc.? Yeah, there's all that too. Praise God for His traffic angels......and I really believe we have them!
We have our landmarks and we guage the trip, not by hours, but by these. We try to leave early in the morning from Pichanaki and the drive starts out with a bang. Dramamine is the only way Lucas can tolerate it and usually, there are headaches all around. Our first landmark is La Merced, the town where we stop and buy organic coffee and jelly. Next is San Ramon, next Tarma, with its beautiful little villages and fields of flowers. Next is our "chicken sandwich stop" at the restaurant Tambo, in the town of La Oroya, which is freeeeeeezing every time. The toilets are like ice cubes.....just a little t.m.i. there. Next is "the top" called Ticlio, where there are almost always snow capped mountains to feast our eyes on and we have difficulty drawing a deep breath because of the height. Once we start heading down, the trip is still wicked windy but starts to be a bit easier. We always stop at "Mana" in San Mateo to use the clean bathrooms and buy imported snacks like Pringles, M&M's and really good cafe con leche to go. After that, it's pretty fast into Lima where we're welcomed with the dirt and rock mountains and of course, the traffic.
Depending on how long since our last trip, we may head straight to McDonalds, Starbucks or just home (Brent's parents' house). From Lima back to Pichanaki, our stops/landmarks are basically the same, with a few variations, depending on how hungry we are or how quickly we want to get back. When we arrive back to our apartment, we are greeted with intense heat and a layer of dust covering everything.
We've decided the trip is just too easy as it is, so we've added traveling with a puppy, just to shake things up a bit. Bella travels in her kennel, usually throws up at least once but sleeps most of the way. We do take longer on our stops so she can take care of business.
I enjoy these trips because of the family time, the memories we're making, the laughs we have together, and the amazing creation of God, but don't necessarily like the danger of it. Did I mention that it is all two lane and there is constant passing, jockeying for position, idiot drivers, etc.? Yeah, there's all that too. Praise God for His traffic angels......and I really believe we have them!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Ashaninka volume 19
It was so good to be back tonight and to see all of our friends ready to learn! We sang, laughed, smacked at mosquitos, watched the chickens walking around, played with the puppy and the frog, learned more about God and got a little closer to this special family.
We were so encouraged at Eduardo's participation tonight. For the first time, he stayed for the whole study, answered questions and accepted some reading material from a discipleship class.
For the second time in the last few weeks, we have been told about the pishtaco, which is said to be a white man who steals organs from chilren after he kills them. He has some kind of backpack or jetpack that allows him to fly. He has a watch that detects how many people are in a house and if they are asleep. There are stories. They sound fantastic and unbelievable to us. I felt sorry for the kids as they listened to the scary stories tonight. I felt like we were around a bonfire at camp telling ghost stories except these people really and truly believe this. White men have been killed out of fear that they are a pishtaco.
Recently, Brent went up onto the side of a mountain with some friends and a man there was afraid of him, asked if he wasn't a pishtaco and wrote down our license plate number, just in case. Our friends thought it was funny because of Brent's being a pastor and all. I didn't quite see the humor.
As always, we trust God for protection and trust in His perfect, loving will for our lives. We also hope our Ashaninka friends will know a life with less fear because of their relationship with an all-powerful Father.
We were so encouraged at Eduardo's participation tonight. For the first time, he stayed for the whole study, answered questions and accepted some reading material from a discipleship class.
For the second time in the last few weeks, we have been told about the pishtaco, which is said to be a white man who steals organs from chilren after he kills them. He has some kind of backpack or jetpack that allows him to fly. He has a watch that detects how many people are in a house and if they are asleep. There are stories. They sound fantastic and unbelievable to us. I felt sorry for the kids as they listened to the scary stories tonight. I felt like we were around a bonfire at camp telling ghost stories except these people really and truly believe this. White men have been killed out of fear that they are a pishtaco.
Recently, Brent went up onto the side of a mountain with some friends and a man there was afraid of him, asked if he wasn't a pishtaco and wrote down our license plate number, just in case. Our friends thought it was funny because of Brent's being a pastor and all. I didn't quite see the humor.
As always, we trust God for protection and trust in His perfect, loving will for our lives. We also hope our Ashaninka friends will know a life with less fear because of their relationship with an all-powerful Father.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Resuelto ~ Resolved
RESUELTO ~ this was the theme at teen camp this year. Resuelto means resolved....as in....God has resolved my sin problem, God has resolved my salvation....and because of this....I will be resolved to live for Him, I will resolve to make wise choices in my life.
400 people on a campground built for 200 max. We do this every year. Six pop tents for the 50 girls who didn't fit in the dorms, 20 girls packed into a room with 12 mattresses, 40 boys sleeping under a huge circus tent....on the grass.....ooooh, just writing this makes me cringe. These kids have such great attitudes and are such troopers! After all, they keep coming back and we keep squeezing them in!
It has been our prayer for years to own our own camp property and now, this has become a reality. My in-laws, the Williams, missionaries in Peru for 40 years, have overseen the purchase of a property and now, we are all just anxiously waiting to get started building on it. This will allow us to divide this large group of young teens into two different weeks of camp each summer and will open so many doors for other camps and retreats.
Out of the 40+ kids who received Christ this week was Flor, who turned 14 the first day of camp. She is from Pichanaki and came with us this year, along with Kelly, our Ashaninka friend. We don't know a whole lot about Flor because she is extremely shy and hardly talks at all! We do know she lives with her father and little sister and that she loves to laugh and play. Flor is now a sister for eternity and we look forward to getting to know her much better in the months to come and assisting her in growing in her new life.
Oh, the stories I could tell.......sisters who saved their money all year long to pay for camp and to buy camp t-shirts, the rape victim who finally got the help she needed, the 70+ raised hands saying they didn't have the money for camp but God had provided, the middle age lawyer who decided she wanted to spend the week sleeping on a thin mat in a roomful of giggling girls so she could counsel and befriend them, the American woman who didn't speak Spanish but shared her testimony from her heart and touched many, the boy who gave his life to serve God full-time when he finishes school..........and so many more.
What a blessing and a privilge to be a part of camp in Lima ~ Aukallama Radical 2012 ~ May God bless this outreach in ways we can't even begin to imagine.
400 people on a campground built for 200 max. We do this every year. Six pop tents for the 50 girls who didn't fit in the dorms, 20 girls packed into a room with 12 mattresses, 40 boys sleeping under a huge circus tent....on the grass.....ooooh, just writing this makes me cringe. These kids have such great attitudes and are such troopers! After all, they keep coming back and we keep squeezing them in!
It has been our prayer for years to own our own camp property and now, this has become a reality. My in-laws, the Williams, missionaries in Peru for 40 years, have overseen the purchase of a property and now, we are all just anxiously waiting to get started building on it. This will allow us to divide this large group of young teens into two different weeks of camp each summer and will open so many doors for other camps and retreats.
Out of the 40+ kids who received Christ this week was Flor, who turned 14 the first day of camp. She is from Pichanaki and came with us this year, along with Kelly, our Ashaninka friend. We don't know a whole lot about Flor because she is extremely shy and hardly talks at all! We do know she lives with her father and little sister and that she loves to laugh and play. Flor is now a sister for eternity and we look forward to getting to know her much better in the months to come and assisting her in growing in her new life.
Oh, the stories I could tell.......sisters who saved their money all year long to pay for camp and to buy camp t-shirts, the rape victim who finally got the help she needed, the 70+ raised hands saying they didn't have the money for camp but God had provided, the middle age lawyer who decided she wanted to spend the week sleeping on a thin mat in a roomful of giggling girls so she could counsel and befriend them, the American woman who didn't speak Spanish but shared her testimony from her heart and touched many, the boy who gave his life to serve God full-time when he finishes school..........and so many more.
What a blessing and a privilge to be a part of camp in Lima ~ Aukallama Radical 2012 ~ May God bless this outreach in ways we can't even begin to imagine.
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