Ministering

Yesterday's afternoon visits were cancelled, so I treated Vicki (offered Walter, who was with us, but he didn't want any) to ice cream.

 Last night Vicki's bro-in-law Meme picked me up and took me to the church service at a pentecostal church called Mas Que Vencedores. Vicki arrived a little later - delayed as she was picking up an order of pollo a la braz (with fries and salad) for our dinner after. After the pastor read a passage from 1 Sam. 13 about how only Saul and Jonathan had swords, I was invited first to introduce myself, and then to share from the word. I spoke about how as believers we are ALL supposed to be missionaries - doesn't mean we have to go far, nor that we have to stand on the corner shouting condemnation. Basically, What Would Jesus Do - What would Jesus SAY? He came showing the Father's LOVE, and if we want to be like Him, we have to do likewise.

  Afterwards, he expanded upon it, and invited Vicki up, and she put it succinctly - love and unity.

 Then home again, and Meme and Vicki's sis Yenny and their 2 younger sons came in and joined us. Vicki manage to tear that bird apart to serve NINE people (she opted for more of her soup from lunch; her ex, Segundo, had already eaten...)

 I went to bed afterwards, as it was already well past 10. She said the others left after midnight - and that it had been a good 3 years since she and her sister had shared a table, due to some relational problems. I hope I had a little to do with the reconciliation!
This afternoon: a meal and clothin g distribution to the neighbors, along with a message about salvation, and tonight, a youth service: "Is the Christian life boring?"
(I'll give you a hint -NO!)

Visiting and Ministering July 17, 2014

So, yesterday Vicki gave me a little tour of some of the farm. The sun is pretty intense here, so I cut it short, having left my sunblock in Pucallpa. This morning Elmer presnted me what at first I thought was deodorant, but it's sunblock, SPF 100! What a sweet guy! Anyway, after the tour Vicki and I went into town to meet one of my sons. I treated us to lunch at a place Vicki recommended. They had goat (Vick gave me a couple bites of hers) and I ordered Chupe de Cangrejo (chupe is from chupar, to suck - you suck the meat out of the shell) a crab chowder. It was luscious, though labor intensive (reminds me WHY I so seldom eat crab!) I had them help me finish the huge portion. 

After a little stroll in the plaza nearby, we went home, Paul coming along for a visit. Later I took a little nap and then prayed in preparation for ministering at an AOG, Ejercito Celestial. Vicki felt checked about making supper, and sure enough we were given a meal of chicken soup, sweet potatoes, and cheese before going in to the service. I preached about the FATHER'S love,

 we had some prayer after, and on leaving the pastor pressed the offering ( 20 soles, about $7.40) in my hand. This will go to our various traveling expenses!
Well, little Rambo the puppy gave me a fond greeting when we got home

 after 10:30 and I tossed myself into bed. I'm about to have (late) breakfast - more ministry tonight. Thanks for prayers!

After a Rest...

Had a restful night, which included a 35 minute phone call to my Honey! Arranged to treat Vicki and one of my "sons," Paul (who has CP) to lunch today, after which Vicki and I will probably try to book our bus trip back to Lima for the 28th in the evening. Being a holiday it will probably cost more, but there is a monthly meeting of pastors and Vicki said that I was expected; so we're going to leave afterwards, so we can get back in time for my god-daughter's birthday on the 29th. Meanwhile, tonight I will be ministering to a group of women - prayers always welcome!
Had one mishap, after using chamberpot during the night I accidently let a corner of one of my blankets dip in the pot. Gross! When I got up after seeing to nature's call and leaving the blanket at the wash basin, I did a little walk around the yard, praying as I went, and then did my resistance band workout routine, which I haven't done since Friday. Want to stay in shape, limp and all.
Had palta (avocado), rolls, a couple of olives, and coffee for breakfast. MMMMM, avocados!

Chiclayo Arrival

I am safely in Chiclayo, where it is warm and sunny. Sitting here in Vikki's...um, I guess it's the garage, because there's a motokar here, but so's the internet. I'm confused! But anyway, there's a breeze blowing through here.
Anyway, I slept well Monday night, just the occasional intrusion in my dreams of the local cock's crowing loud enough to manifest as some crazy person yelling in my dream. Carmen gave me a light breakfast of coffee and rolls, with butter, cheese, and olives on the side. I mistook the butter for cheese, and after taking a bite had to open another roll to redistribute it - though I think Ansel would have gone ahead! Then Vicki came over and walked with me a ways till she hailed a motokar for the rest of the way back to the church. Sabi had a bit MORE breakfast ready - some fried fish and yucca, and tea. I reorganized my suitcase for the trip to Chiclayo, and then gave Vicki the money for our bus trip while I got on the internet and loaded photos. Also took more pix, which I'll load later. The church got together some clothes from where they store donated clothing - 3 or 4 large bags full - for Vicki and me to take with us for distribution.

 We had a light bite before leaving around 6 pm, getting a cab to the bus station, where we boarded a little after 7. Very comfortable, Bus Cama" - a bed bus, with reclining seats, but bear in mind I'm taller than your average Peruvian. We were on the second level, up front for a panoramic view, and I occasionally put my feet up higher to change the pressure on my rump. This will definitely be my last BUS trip (well, after the return to Lima, of course, some time before the Fiestas de las Patrias, probably the 25 or 26). I did not drink a lot because I did not want to have to use the bus loo - not that it wasn't clean, it's just hard to manage in a moving vehicle! I watched Ride Along with Spanish dubbing and subtitles, but not the second movie they showed. I dozed fitfully. We arrived in Chiclayo around 8 this morning.

 Vicki prepared a light repast of boiled maduros with a side of farm cheese and some rolls. I lay down for a while and then she was calling me for lunch before I knew it. I've had a bath and changed my clothes - feel much better! - and I think today is mainly rest up from the trip. I've been reunited with Vicki's daughters Leidi and Zandy, her granddaughter Brigith - who is 12 like MY granddaughter, now how did THAT happen? - and with her son Walter, her bro Elmer 

and I met another bro (forget name). Also met her puppy, son of her deceased dog, carrying his daddy's name, Rambo - a sweet pup.
I'm going to look over mail and such and then have another nap, just in case ministry is on tonight's agenda.
I am also feeling a greater longing to be in the selva. I love the people I know in Lima and Chiclayo, but there is a stronger pull to Pucallpa with my family there. Anyway, Thanks for prayers, and you're in mine!

Frustrations and Fun

I was going to load pix to the computer at cousin Palomino's internet, but had forgotten the cord. Then Saturday I was reviewing the pix, and came to the ones I'd taken in Ireland. I thought, "I'll delete the ones from Ireland to have more memory for the Peru ones. " I was on a video of Ireland, and when I hit "delete" it said " all frames or selected frame?" and I thought, well I want all frames of the video deleted.
It deleted ALL FRAMES...of E V E R Y T H I N G.
" NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
So-o-o...That night when Leví got home, I told him. ANd I started a few more pix. First Papi and Mami...

then some of me with Levi.
On Wed. the 9, a fellow missionary, Carolyn, took us - me, Levi, Papi, and Mami - to a lovely restaurant, and of course all THOSE photos were erased. So I brought the camera to church to get at least some pix with Carolyn and her husband Kim...
Then, since it was my last full day with the family and I wanted to take them somewhere special for lunch, and I'd erased all those pix of La Maloka, we returned there in 2 motokars.
But I'm having trouble loading pix, so it'll have to wait till another time.
But here are the events to bring you up to date: Later Victor came with Sonia and David, and I got them too. Yesterday, niece Kellie came with her cute baby girl, and I got THOSE pix. Here a pic, there a pic, everywhere a pic-pic. I'm glad my journal was intact anyway!!!
So, yesterday Mami prepared my favorite fried palomita (palometa?) a flat fish, which, when fried, has nice crunchy fins and tail! Leví came home for lunch, and I was able to give him a hug and kiss good-bye. He was going to come to the airport after he ate, to see me off. I bade farewell to the in-laws, Mami and I tearful. Carl'in came with Erika and we stopped by the house so others could say farewell: Erika's 2 boys first, then a very tearful Marita, and big hug and kiss from Abel. Carlin took me to the airport.and I checked in, and waited out front for Levi. And waited. And waited...till I had to go in to board. My guess is he got a call from a client he had to answer. But at least we had a smooch. The flight was uneventful - pleasant to look out the window. Once we crossed the mountains, it was a blanket of white - Lima in winter, all overcast. I stopped at a restroom and ATM after getting my luggage, and Jorge was there waiting. Vicki approached soon after and we crushed each other in hugs. A cab for 50 soles took us to the church where Sabi was pounding a welcome on the drums, and the others were waving streamers and making a racket of welcome. I passed out the Soldados de Bendición shirts, and distributed the bits of clothing I'd brought. Then Sabi served a little snack of picarrones which are fried dough, with a syrup. Then, since I hadn't had anything substantial since lunch and it was nearly 7, she also served me some chicharrones of pork with tomato and onion and a bit of yucca (knowing I'm not much into rice). After, another group arrived, pastores Patricio and Hilda, and Lorenza, and her daughter Ester my first goddaughter, and sister Cristina. I greeted all with hugs and kisses, but Hilda was the most emotional, crying and not wanting to let go of me. It's sweet to be so loved! Well, I was getting pretty tired, so finally Sabi led me to her sis-in-law Carmen's for the night. I slept well, and today Vicki and I leave for Chiclayo. It's time for lunch! More from Chiclayo!

Still in Pucallpa

Tuesday there had been some rain, so Papi did not expect anyone to come to home meetng - the mud can be very daunting. BUT, sister Rosa came anyway, and the four of us - my n-laws, Rosa, and myself - had ourselves a good study. A Little later the pastor dropped by to confirm our date with sister Carolyn from the US, who is a missionary to a local tribe. She arrived Wed. by motokar in front of our house and paid for the 2 motokars to take us to Yarinacocha - Levi came on his motorcycle - to a restaurant called Maloka. I was actually going to load some pix, but forgot my cable - so, when I get to Lima! It was a lovely place, and priced for tourists. No way would a self-respecting Peruvian pay 30 soles for one meal! But Carolyn treated us - I opted for Majas, which is like a wild peccary, since I'd never had it. It was delicious, very tender, served with fried yucca and maduros (sweet plantains),. We drank passion fruit juice, which I haven't had in ages!
Thursday Ma and I walked to my sis-in-law Marita's house, just a few blocks. It was overcast so I didn't roast. Had a nice visit with her and nephew Abel, who loved to pepper me with questions about the US and NY, and which I was happy to answer. Saw a cute wee toady no bigger than my fingernail on the way home!
Levi and I have had some good conversations about possibilities and options. for travel and ministry.
I was glad to see my last pay was good enough to let my DD cash a check I left for her. But I do have a concern about my World MasterCard which I haven't used yet, but the account showed $75 against it. It MAY be a start up fee, I don't know. I am going to call the bank when I return home - not NEW YORK home, but PUCALLPA home.
Ma is hosting the women's ministry meeting at 2 today (after we've had lunch, which I believe is fish.)
I will leave my cargo shorts here to be given away because they are too LOOOOOOOOSE on me!  Will also give my sandals to a sister in Christ whom they fit quite nicely, as she has same problem as I do, finding good shoes that fit my big wide feet.
I have taken pix of various flora in my walk with Papi because my sisters  always takes such nice nature shots!
No ministerig per se, except to bless Levi with massages after a hard day of work and keep up with his laundry. Even ironed for him once! Now THAT is LOVE!
Thanks for prayers! I leave for Lima on the 14th.

Ready In Season and Out of Season

So, My brother in law Victor was over onThurs. I think he may have taken us to the market - I'd have to consult my journal for details. But anyway, he gave his pastor a call when we got home and introduced us on the phone, and then as we were having lunch his pastor called him back and asked him to pass on to me the invitation to speak to the women's group that night. Well, hey, I'm a missionary..."Lista" ready! So he picked me up and his daughter Carmen and his mother in law sat up front with me. Since it's a "Missionary Alliance" church  I spoke about missions, starting with "Who wants to be a missionary?" Very few hands. I gave the good news and the bad news - we are ALL missionaries. But we don't all have to go very far to represent Christ. Anyway, it was a blessing for me to be able to share from the word - one of my favorite things to do! The pastora said that it was a surprise for them - as it was for me - as their original speaker had to cancel. I forgot my camera, but niece Carmen came through for me.
I went with the parents, uncle and aunt to church today, where we had communion. Afterwards I greeted fellow gringo missionaries, and we've been invited to go to a restaurant for lunch on Wednesday (we = Papi, Mami, and I, and Levi if he can switch his hours).
I have become interested in the World Cup games. For one thing, soccer is a lot easier to follow than American football! I root for the latino teams, but so far they've failed when I've rooted for them. Maybe I should root for the team I DON'T want to win?
I have some interesting pix but I think I,ll wait till I,m in Lima to download them. One is a big flattened toad...also have some pix of me with my honey. Levi and I have had some good talks about plans and visions. It's been a good several days so far.Anyway, again thanks for your prayers! It's a bit harder to get to the internet here in Pucallpa. When I am in Lima, it'll be easier.