Day 6 Part 1

This morning we went to Las Palmas for VBS. That village made it easy. Anderson already had the kids singing when we arrived. In the other villages we were laying groundwork for new churches, but in Las Palmas we were helping, what seems to be, a sister church. It's just different. The teenage class felt like a youth group. The children seemed like they know what church was about.

In the adult class we had worship. I told them the story behind "It Is Well" and they learned it in Spanish. Worship has a way of crossing cultures. Oh, I forgot: To start the day, I usually do a few songs in assembly. Today, they sang us a song. It was beautiful! It wasn't one of our English songs that had been translated, but was one of THEIR songs. This is more proof that they have been working since the November Team left. The goodbyes were sad, but I hope to return.

This is "The Amazon Project"

So today I'm going to deviate from my journal. There are still a few days left to post, but I thought it would be beneficial to give you guys the big picture view of the Amazon Project.

At the Peruvians request, we are going to establish a seminary in the jungle. We found a group of pastors and churches deeper in the jungle who have little to no training. It seems(and we still have to research all this) that someone came through and planted these churches in short order and didn't return for training. This may have been because they didn't have the resources or because they didn't know any better or because of any number of good or bad reasons. Regardless, there is a situation now in which there are pastors who have very little bible training and who strongly hunger for it.

In a small village called Cabo Pantoja(which is centrally located), these pastors offered to give Youth Frameworks enough land to build a seminary and a lodge to hold any teams or teachers we may bring. They also pledged half of the materials for the (Peruvian style)structure. In an adjoining property, one church member is already seeking a new home so that we can have that plot if we need it. They are willing to put their effort where their mouths are. They really want this. The people of that area claim that anywhere from 30 to 100 students would take part in any training which is offered.

While this was not the purpose of the trips taken to the Amazon thus far, it seems that God has opened a door to great potential. I lay awake at night imagining what it might be like when 60 pastors who can't take a Bible and find the Great Commission suddenly find it and memorize it. What will happen when these small congregations suddenly discover that they are called to reach their jungle? What places hidden in the Amazon that a white face will never see will now be reached? Will alcoholism continue to plague the villages when it ceases to be an American speaking against it and begins to be a native who is fully capable of showing in Scripture what God requires of a man? Will sexual immorality still be the norm when there are teachers who can not just give good advice but show with authority the Word of God's idea of what is right and wrong?

There is a village called Yanayacu Timicuro that is down river from General Marino(where the pastors met with Robert). Robert asked his translator to ask the men who would be willing to go to Yanayacu Timicuro and help start a church there. The translator, knowing the people's wishy-washy way, worded the question this way: "Which of you would build a bolsa wood box to hold your bible and swim to Yanayacu Timicuro once a week to help start a church there?" Eight hands out of eight were raised. Then one said, "I would, but God gave me a boat, so I'll use that." There is a desire to learn and a desire to do.

Later in the trip, Robert met a pastor from the large city of Iquitos. He discovered an interesting fact through talking to this man. Every Monday in Iquitos, a group of 80 Pastors and Church Leaders meet to pray specifically for the jungle area outside Iquitos. In fact, they have been praying that God would establish a school that is accessible to the people of the jungle who are unable to travel all the way to the city. This conversation happened after the meeting with the jungle pastors. Coincidence?

Was this just a short-term mission trip? Yes. Did we expect to see doors opened? Yes. Did we expect the doors to be so wide and hold so much potential? Well, no. Once again, we find that we can't out give God. We made ourselves available, we believed God for big things, and (in God-like fashion) He supplied even bigger things.

My Toto Moment- Day 5 in the Jungle-Part 2

In the evening, we went to hve services at Los Palmas. Robert had taken a group to a town called Indiana, so we had one boat for too many people and stuff. The sky was overcast and it was raining slightly. It's REAL(I use "real" instead of "really" on purpose. I now know what dark is) dark in the jungle, but when there is not ambient light from the moon due to clouds, it is extra dark. It's the only time I ever felt in danger.

At one point, because we could not see well(the dark just sucks up a flashlight) and we could not turn well (because of the weight on the boat) we almost ran aground. I was on the front bench and had a clear view of it all. "Why is this so scary?" you ask.

One week before we arrived, a river bus made for 150 people had 250 people on it. They ran aground in a night storm. 120 died. 20 were never found. That was 2 miles from our lodge. It was a reminder that we were far from home or help. It brings to my mind the song "Send the Light". "Let us not grow weary in the work of love, send the light." There are people here who live in darkness. Send the Light.

We made it to Los Palmas and had a great service with the strongest group of believers here. We went home in the rain. Jess and I rode back in a "pecky-pecky".

Since the "misunderstanding" about the new church building was cleared up, the services were extra sweet. Fellowship is sweet when it is in the Lord.

Day 5 in the Jungle- Part 1

VBS today was at La PrimeraZona. There were so many! One class had over 30, 2 classes had over 20, and the tiny tots had 17. It all went well and we have new friends. We will do services there tomorrow night. We returned home in the rain (30 minute boat ride).

In the afternoon, we returned to our dear friends at Yanayacu Timicuro to give glasses and toothbrushes. I got to watch Frank talk with my friend Alfredo. Alfredo just has too many questions. He is a thinker. I take solace in knowing that when a stubborn person finally is saved, they become stubborn for the Lord.

It is so hot in the afternoons that we can't stay long, so we left. Norwi walked me and Jess to the end of the long bridge and we said our "chiaos". We rode back in the rain.

{Funny Story: One of the boats had gone for supplies, so some of us had to wait for it to return. The only one left was the uncovered boat. A whole crew (HEATHER included) got into it thinking "We don't have to wait, so ha!". As soon as they got out into the river, the boat died. As soon as the boat died, they bottom dropped out!!! It was hilarious!}

Day 4 in the Jungle- Part 3

In the evening, we went back to Yanayacu Timicuro for a service. Norwi met us at the bridge. She's cool (I'm just saying). The worship was great.

I didn't get to hear the sermon tonight. I was outside talking to Alfredo. He and I made friends the day before when he fed me and Mike Yoho some homemade empanadas. They were good. I was talking to Alfredo about being saved, but he had some hang-ups. He noticed hypocrisy among believers in the village. He knows now that salvation is between him and God and no one else. He also noticed how many people teach works for salvation. He now knows scripture that says its a gift. He knows clearly how to be saved, but wanted to read more about it. He and his wife Carmen are lost. I told him that I would pray for him I said I wanted to have a new brother and sister in Christ before I leave for home. Pray for Alfredo and Carmen. {The next day, Frank had the opportunity to talk with Alfredo. We learned that he was not from this village. He has 2 brothers who are preachers. One is a good man, the other left his wife and started drinking. He is caught in between their examples. When the Lord saves Alfredo, he will do great things. he still wouldn't accept Christ. Man I want him to be saved!!!}

After services, 3 (I think) were saved! One of them was Edith. Edith is Norwi's mom. Praise God!!! I pray that their family tree just changed!!

Day 4 in the Jungle- Part 2

In the afternoon, most of the group went to a new village called PrimeraZona with supplies. A few of us, while they did that, got to go back to Los Palmas in order to investigate this new church(building).

We went to the house of the leader named Anderson. The house was full! At first, we thought it should be a private conversation, but Anderson brought up the building immediately. This was where Robert was planning to do the most, until he saw the church building.

They were very defensive to start with. The believed, because we did not return after the first day(while that was our plan all along), that we were mad about the church. They were angry, but not at us. The group that built this church claimed to know Robert and others from the November trip. They lied! The people were so anxious to serve God that the devil(that jerk) pulled the old "bait and switch". These people built the building and came back only once to dedicate it. They baptized all the people, called Anderson the pastor, and left!!!! That's one style of church planting (I guess).

We assured them that there was no animosity between us and fellowship/friendship was restored. It is truly amazing how spiritual fellowship is apparent no matter the language or the culture.

As Robert explained that we didn't want to cause friction between them and the other group and that we would use the school for services, Anderson's wife was "chompin' at the bit". She said, "When you left in November, I prayed for God to supply us a house and He did. That is the House of God. It doesn't belong to them or us. Let's use it". She's in fire for God.

She also said something that made it all worthwhile. She told Robert, "You were the one who loved us enough to come and give us the gospel. You were the one who loved us enough to come back. We are with you".

A big thank you to Robert for letting me report at dinner. After all this, I was ready to pop!

Amen.

Day 4 in the Jungle- Part 1

We went back to Yanayaacu Timicuro for VBS today. It was a great experience. This village was smaller and more organized than Timicuro Grande. We also waited today to give the gifts until the end of the day. In Timicuro Grande, we started giving small gifts to the children too soon and started a munchkin riot!!! I never knew I was a magician, but I opened a bag of candy and it disappeared!!! When you have/give stuff, it can become about stuff. That's just human nature.

We met one of the friendliest little girls today. Her name is Norwi. I'll mention her more later.

As I said, VBS went well. Everyone seems to have, somewhat, cozied into their niches. I'm the music man, so that's what I know about. I think it went well. Each day my Spanish is improving. I can lead people; not just sing but lead. When I came here, I was trying to be easy and only sing songs they knew. It it me that that is not me. I'm the smiling jerky music leader who sings NEW songs. :) Today we learned "How Great is Our God" (Cuan Grande es Dios). I believe it is now one of their heart-songs.

After VBS, most of us played with kids while others witnessed. Norwi took Jess and me and gave us about 50 (it felt like) different flowers! She put them in our pockets and in our hair. She calls us her amigita and amigito. SHe is awesome. Remind me to tell you more about her tonight.

In order to get to and leave Yanayacu Timicuro, we had to walk a long bridge with about 1,000 tarantulas. We only saw two though.