Peru Journey sights

While we were trying to contact different church leaders we saw some fascinating sights.

This man was driving a small group of cows down the road.

This man was simply traveling down the road

During market day, there were a number of booths that offered a variety of fast foods.

This man was enjoying fried seafood.

We were needing some veggies for supper and this lady provided some wonderful fresh carrots and broccoli.

These girls had just enjoyed an ice cream cone when we found them.

This picture overlooks the town of San Roque de Huarmita.  It gives you a hint of the majestic beauty in the area.

The Andes Mountain range runs north and south through the middle of Peru.  At this point there are two distinct mountain ranges with a valley in between.  The valley is the Cuna Valley.  On this trip I learned the official altitude was 12,600 ft.  Most of the people are descendants of the pre-Incan culture called Huanca.  From what I have heard, they were never really conquered by the Incas.

Revelation 7
⁹ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they cried out in a loud voice:
   “Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

Peru Journey Review Day 2

Our primary objective on Thursday and Friday was to make contact with as many local pastors as possible.  We wanted to invite them to participate in a training conference on Saturday.  In San Roque we found this pastor who seemed to be fairly open to participating in the session.

 

 

 

This pastor also seemed to be interested in what we were planning to do.  What we are learning is that there are several small struggling Evangelical churches in the area.  Some are Pentecostal, others call themselves an Apocalyptic Church, others are a part of the Peruvian Church. 

The pastor in the picture above was also taking care of their little girl who continued to playfully hang on to her father's leg while we talked.

Pastor Rolando de la Cruz has been pastor of the Pentecostal church in Usibamba.  He has a powerful testimony and has worked closely with our teams whenever possible.

When we arrived to talk with Rolando he and a friend were busy working on an expansion to his home using the adobe brick construction that is common in the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our plan was to invite as many pastors in the area as possible to participate in a training conference scheduled for Saturday.  We knew it would be a challenge, simply because there tends to be some tension or perhaps competition between pastors.  We did our best to break down the barriers as much as possible but we knew it would be an uphill battle.

 

In visiting with these men I have become convinced that they love the Lord but they struggle with the lack of training.  I often feel that since our theologies are often different, we spend time fighting each other and not focusing on the mission that God has given us.  My thinking this week has been if God's name is glorified in the ministry of these men and we can strengthen them then we are all doing what God has called us to do. That is when I try to remember what Jesus prayed  the night before he was crucified.

John 17

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of^[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. ¹² While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by^[c] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

Peru Journey Review Day 1

After traveling to Lima on Tuesday, we joined up with our driver, Oscar (on top) and our translators. Some other members of the local team were there to send us off!







As we drove out of Lima we found this truck with 'Charlotte' on it. It turns out to be a restaurant chain that sells sandwiches and desserts. Of course my wife Charlotte would like to know that she is famous in Peru!








Mijael and Amber Uruchi were our translators. Mijael has been to San Jose de Quero several times and seems to know everyone in town. Mijael and Amber were married just a few weeks ago.





Kevin and Robin Larson were the other members of the team. Kevin works in IT at Capitol One. Robin is a Latin teacher and has home schooled their six children.


After driving for about an hour we Oscar said we had a problem. You can see a bolt that is hanging down just below and to the right of the center of the picture. It should be upright and attached to the stabilizer bar. We found a man who made a new nut to fit so we could continue on the journey.



The road was a one lane road that could provide some surprises. In this case we met the truck coming around a bend so we backed up until we could find a spot to pull off and let him by.







The road we traveled followed a narrow canyon with a river running through it. You can see how the road was cut out of the canyon wall. The river is about a hundred yards below us.






On this day I was reminded of one of my favorite scripture promises. It certainly applied on this day. It is found in Proverbs 3: 5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.