Update from Paucar del Sara Sara Ayacucho

Saturday December 1st 2012

At lunch time we had met a guy named Diego. He is about 16 years old.
He opened up to us and so we used that time to get to know him. He is
originally from San Javier, but has come to Marcabamba to study with
his sister.

After lunch we took a small walk with Diego till we made it to his
home where we split.

In the afternoon, we rested some and tried to prepare for the weeks to
come. Our dear Pastor Daryl called us. It is so sweet to hear a
familiar voice. It is very encouraging and uplifting.
Then we had a soccer game at a paved court up the road. We got to see
some familiar faces.
After the game we talked with Diego some more and we agreed to meet up
again to hang out or play soccer or whatever.

For dinner we went to see Fanny and had a very healthy sort of drink
made of cereal, it was very thick. We asked Paul to pray and to our
surprise he did, Fanny was not there when he did. She is always going
crazy talking and doing about thousand things at the same time.
Reminds lots of myself, super ADD.
As conversation went along, we told Fanny that Paul had prayed over
for dinner and she laughed hysterically. She could not just grasp that
fact.

Sunday December 2nd 2012

Got up a bit late. About 6am :)
The both us did have a good time in prayer and reading scriptures. Our
brother Stephen Reams had given us a very convenient-size electric
stove. I brought it from Lima not really expecting to use it much. It
has proved me wrong. In Marcabamba, we have been boiling water tons!
And this morning I made breakfast. A very thick meal made of oatmeal,
sugar and milk. Later on I was told that I could have boiled the water
with cinnamon and clove to boost its flavor.
We have a very tiny pot and a skillet. I made scrambles eggs and since
we did not have any salt I cut small pieces of mountain cheese and
stirred it all together.
Was not bad at all. A bit too sweet but it was thick still!!

Went to Fanny's and she like always gave us her time. We hung out
talking about our lives. Encouraging us tons. Providing words of
affirmation. She shared with us that she misses busy, city-like type
of life. Marcabamba is super way too chill so many times. She is
praying for direction. Please pray for her. She might leave Marcabamba
at the end of this year for good. Still, nothing has been said on
stone.
We also listened to some of her music. She has very varied likes from
Indian , to Italian solo opera classic, Rock, Huayno etc. Very cool
stuff.

Paul, who at first seemed at bit cold toward us is opening little by
little. He loves soccer. So every single time we talk about it he is
into it. Pray for him, as I sense he does understand the gospel very
well but are some things in his life that are way too strong for him
to let go.

We went back home and rested for a while.

A very special prayer request that I have is for Pedro. A while ago,
we found out his father has cancer. I apologize for not mentioning
this any earlier. This, I am pretty sure has been very hard on him.
Back in Huancayo, he mentioned to us how hard it was taking off from
where he lives, leaving his family behind.
The day we departed for this trip. Pedro was already late and since he
does not live too far away from where I live, I walked to his home and
I was just getting close when I saw Pedro and his brother Pablo coming
out. They both had tears in their eyes. I had never seen any one of
them cry like this. I gave Pablo a hug. And walked away with Pedro.

Not only this, but he is not even 20 years old. So he has his times
when he misses people his age. People that talk like him. Friends and
all that. I am very sure this is a super good time for him to grow and
mature. He has already shown his good skills and God-given gifts. When
he does focus on sharing His Word, he does an outstanding job. He is
teaching me lots as well.

Anyway, back to Marcabamba. We walked around a little inviting people
to meet in the evening.
Pedro was not feeling well. I suggested to take a cold shower and rest
some. So he did. At some point I heard people kicking the ball and
looked through the window. I knocked on Pedro's door and there was no
response.
I went to the soccer field and played for a while. Came back, showered
and got ready for the evening meeting. Pedro was still sleeping. I had
to come in his room and wake him up.

Only Ruth, a lady who has a leg problem, came to the meeting. Her
presence was very encouraging. We talked a little bit about our week.
Prayed and read the scriptures in Colossians.
After that, we prayed for in very specific ways, that the Lord would
give us humility, peace to our hearts and patience. That we would bear
with one another, and the hardest of all, that we would forgive one
another. This church is made of like 5 people. Please. Pray for this
church, that they would make amends and that the forgiving love of
Christ would take control of their lives. These are the just few
people supposed to the be the light of Christ in this town. They need
to be united.

Monday December 3rd 2012

Were awakened by a knock on the door. The van is here!! Hurry! We
rushed and packed what was left in less that 5 min. Got on the van.
And off we were for Ushua. We made it safe and sound. Fairly smooth
ride. Walked to Florencia and Adalberto's. Were very welcomed as
always. Had breakfast after Pedro prayed for the meal.
Checked in to our Ushua house, rested a little, spent some time
reading some of the Scriptures and did laundry.
We can notice that clouds are gathering faster and faster. Please pray
that rain would hold off for at least one or two more weeks. When rain
comes life is much, much harder.
After laundry we prepared some on our plans and Bible stories. Then,
we went to have lunch. As conversation went by we got into talking
about their believes. They said that they no longer hold their Incas
believes but now they have their own believes. We talked about several
things that affect their views on their income. As the offering of
food, alcohol to the earth. Sra Florencia said something about having
faith that it would give you a good produce. The offering of animals
and money to the mine. And the pact "dialogue" with the devil for
prosperity.
Please pray for these two people again. Nothing can change their views
on putting their trust and faith alone on Christ but God himself.

After lunch, we read some more of the stories and then we went to see
Bill and his brother.
Ronald's motorbike had been fixed so he was not home. Bill came out
and we all went down to the school court to play soccer. A little
later, Ronald, Jonathan, Pizarro and a new guy named Carlos came and
joined. After the match we went to see Teacher Nancy.
At her store, Teacher Nancy and her husband Don Percy talked to us for
a little bit. They have customers here and there so it is hard to have
privacy to be with them alone. Still, Teacher Nancy shared with us she
has a super strong gastritis and a 2cm stone in one of her organs. She
is going to Lima very soon since she needs to be treated as soon as
possible. She might have to go through surgery.
Please pray for Teacher Nancy's health. And for their understanding of
scriptures. We told them we would come visit for the next two Mondays.

At dinner time, Don Adalberto and Mrs Florencia shared the meal with
us. We talked about several things, always trying to bring Christ to
the topic. We are coming closer and closer. Please pray for this
couple's salvation and understanding. They are very catholic.


Tuesday December 4th 2012

Had a good night of rest. Got up with a good time in prayer and in the
word. Had breakfast with our adopted grandparents, Florencia and
Adalberto.
It is neat that things have come to be in a way that we are allowed to
pray very openly and out loud at every single meal with them. So in
our prayers we always make sure we make a total focus on Christ and
His provision for us. When we pray with them, we have also used the
Lord's prayer, which is very well known to our catholic partners. Not
only that, we recite scriptures in our prayers since we have not been
able to Bible story with them.
We have definitely broken through a big catholic barrier. Since we are
becoming more like family. Mrs Florencia is confiding in us more and
more sharing her very life and issues, so we do, I make it reciprocal
and share from my own struggles bringing Christ to the center of it.

After breakfast Pedro and I decided to rest. We went down to the hot
springs in Ushua. We had a sweet time talking about our very issues as
guys. We had a that which you call heart-to-heart talk. We brought up
topics in our current daily struggles and we were able to share in the
presence of God.

Hiked back up to town and as soon as we started walking through the
first houses it started to grizzle. When we made to Florencia's it was
raining. Ran home and took my clothes back inside and then went to
Florencia's for lunch. By now its pouring down. Well, let me just
share that I do hope it is only for today. The sky is black and the
fog is super thick. I can barely see house across the street.

We were supposed to go see Yeni and Maria in Pampachacra. Instead we
resolved to sent a letter with a local high school student who had
come to Ushua.

We were able to visit Saul. The man in charge of the hospital (
Health-center) in Ushua. We had visited him back in October. Then he
had shared with us his marital issues. Now he seemed to be doing
better with that. We encouraged and gave him a Bible. He asked us to
pray for his daugther Azumi, about 5 years old who lives in Pauza with
her mom Yovana. Azumi has some weird problems with her legs.
Pray for this entire family, for their salvation first and then for
their marriage. Pray that Saul would actually be burdened by God to
read his new Bible.

At dinner time, we asked Mr Adalberto to pray over our meal and he
did. It was a very unexpected non-catholic prayer but it was more like
a conversation he had there with God. Please continue to pray for this
couple. Other than that, we are simply sharing life with them.
One more prayer request, it is not a surprise to see kids drinking
here. So please pray for Manuel and Wilder who are high school
students and drink like horses here. ( I wonder if that makes sense in
English) We leave for Oyolo in the morning. Should get up at 4am so
good night.


Wednesday December 5th 2012

Well, today was a very unusual day. We got up a bit too late to catch
the combi to Oyolo. So we missed it. As I walked back I sensed my
spirit very tense thinking what would become of today. I can not deny
that I have felt very restless thinking about how things are NOT going
our way, our plans ARE not taking place. Our schedule changes all the
time and we are pushed to be more flexible than ever.
Back at our place, I told Pedro :

"Let us have a time to pray and to meditate in His Word on our own" He agreed.

So I prayed for that which has been bothering and annoying me some
these days. My plans are definitely not His plans, and my selfishness
blinds me to accept it and with a humble heart say, Thank you Lord,
Praised be your name.

Still after we had our time. We went to have breakfast with Florencia
and Adalberto. Mr Adalberto said, maybe God wants you to stay longer
here for a reason.

Kids about 11 and 12 years old are usually in their 6th grade Primary
School. This is the last year for primary school . They are a "
promocion". The 6th grade school prom from Oyolo is here . They were
going to the hot springs. The teacher invited us.
I was a bit reluctant to go again. I could just not see going down
there twice in a week.
Having peace about doing something is still very hard to discern when
there are many plans made before hand.
So these kids left for the hot springs. Pedro and I decided to go with
them. So we went and bought some small snacks for lunch and off we
were down the zigzagged path.
When we arrived they were already enjoying the warm water. Most of
these kids did not know how to swim. So I got in the water and helped
the teacher to teach them basics on swimming as paddling and floating.
It was a very nice and busy morning and afternoon teaching the kids
how to swim. Now, I want to mention here that they do not ever, ever
get a chance to go a swimming pool. There is none anywhere in the
region. The weather itself is way too cold for anything of that matter
to take place. So these hot springs were probably there chance in a
super long while to learn and get acquainted with how being in water
feels.

I can not believe that 2011 Ginny Chandler's one hour lesson was
paying off now. She took me to these very nice underground swimming
pools about one day before I took off back to Oyolo in 2011. Then when
I came back to this region, I would come to these hot springs on my
own to exercise and practice what she had taught me about swimming.
Thanks Ginny. It was not wasted.

It was fun. Being with those kids. One at a time. I know this does not
have anything to do with preaching, Bible story telling or anything of
that type. That way I felt it was more like, human to human
interaction. Children to adult like. The trust they pour on you when
they jump off in the water believing you will catch them and won't let
them drown.

Something more cool than that was that it started raining while we
were there. It is 9pm. It has not stopped since then. Welcome to the
rainy season again. Our hike back was nice. It was very soaking wet.
These kids reminded me of ICSL kids when I would go and spend a week
with them. Trying to sow God's seed in their hearts. I felt the very
opened door that a teacher has to influence his kids around him.

So, back home. Dry and warmly clothed, plus a full nalgene of hot
barley drink Pedro and I had the idea to treat the kids some jello. We
knew Mrs Florencia had made some today. So we went, got what she had
left and took it to the kids. We were all watching a movie when we
realized every single one had passed out. We left.

Well, it is still raining. So I am hitting the sack. I do not want to
miss the combi tomorrow morning again.

Thursday December 6th 2012.

I was soundly asleep but I could somewhat still hear hear the rain
drops hit the tan-roof all through the night. At some point I heard a
very strong voice yelling my name telling me to get up! It was Pedro
who had actually awoken at the alarm signal! He is a heavy sleeper so
I was surprised he was up. It was about 4:14am. I did not get up right
away, I laid there trying to pray half-sleep fighting a fall back into
sleeping. I got up, packed and went to Pedro's room. We left. Went
down the road and got to where there is cellphone signal. It is about
5am. Pedro made some early phone calls. I was laughing the whole time.
Who in this world call at 5am? Those who picked up were not mad at
all.

Then we saw some of those students from Oyolo coming our way. We hung
out with them walking with them to the stores. Then we went back with
them to where they were staying and stayed there till the combi showed
up. I like these kids a whole lot. They are full of energy.

Got into the combi. It is still raining. The driver worked fixing the
plastic tarp to cover my backpack on the roof of this small van. It
was packed. I was going to have to ride standing till Oyolo. On the
way there were several who got sick and threw up in plastic bags.

As I had expected there were several sections where rocks had fallen
that the driver and its helper had to get out to move the rocks
throwing them on the side which usually its a drop off down to the
river.

Once in Oyolo. All of these kids got off. We told the teacher we
should be back next week. And off we were to Marcabamba. We were doing
just fine till Pomacocha, a small village. We stopped and the driver
turned the engine off.
I was somewhat asleep when I realized I had to go to the restroom. I
got off and walked to a clearance and peed there.
It is still raining, but this time the rain is more like a thick
grizzle. I decided to walk to see what was actually going on. There
were lots of people working, men and women.
There are long wholes along the road. People were digging ditches to
put in the PVC pipes systems to connect them later to their houses for
waste draining.
The problem was that there was mud everywhere. Incredible adverse
conditions to work in. I kept walking and realized that the van was
going to have very small room to pass. Made it to this house where I
knew the owner and greeted her warmly. Then I turned and saw what was
actually causing the delay. There was a truck stuck in mud. The rear
right wheels were at a hand away from the ditch. The whole road is
full of mud. All the wheels are covered in mud. There are two men
working with shovels and pickaxes. I went to the local public restroom
this time. Came out and walked back to the store. Where I met Pedro
and Mrs Teresa. There we had very hot coffee. Rain makes the weather
miserably cold. After that, we decided go help. We started cleaning a
section of the stuck truck. We poured some dry dirt to help all along
the front and back wheels. After a while they were confident the truck
could come back out and so it did. By now there were three vans in
line waiting to pass by.

We plus others cleaned the mud off the road making it smoother and
drier. The first van passed by with no problem. The second one did a
bad move and sunk in mud. I saw half of the up front wheel sunk in
mud. The driver called on more men and we lifted the van towards on
side. Then it maneuvered its way out. Finally our van made it through
without a problem.

Praise God, we were on the road again. Rain does not have mercy on
these roads. At some point the road was so steep that we had to get
out again to push it. We got it going again, it did not stop for a bit
and we had to walk.

We passed by lots of places where mud made it very risky to drive
through. We passed several trucks with goodies/cargo which had to go
very carefully and slowly, especially on curves.

Thank God, we made it to a section where the road was fairly dried and
finally made it to Marcabamba.
We cleaned off all the mud in our shoes and clothes.

Mrs Teresa, her daughter and her granddaughter were passing by
Marcabamba. We visited with them at lunch time. It was neat having
lunch with a family whom we would normally eat at their store in
Oyolo. Now we both were at a different place, neither of us belongs to
Marcabamba but still we were eating at the same table.

Pastor Antonio arrived not too soon afterward. He got to meet Mrs
Teresa and Lizet, too bad they were on their way out to Pauza. It
would have been neat to have them come to church tonight.

Later on, we visited Nelly, she is always willing to talk if she has
time. We are often trying to find excuses to go see her. Sometimes we
just go to buy a little goodie or something small in order to steal
from her a few seconds.

Before the evening meeting began, Pastor Antonio and I had a good
talk. We talked lots on his experiences as a missionary to this
region. People whom he has met, struggles and difficulties.
Please do pray for Pastor Antonio as he considers moving down to
Marcabamba for a period of time. He said he would like to buy a piece
of land to build a church in Pauza. After that happens, Lord's
willing, he would like to come and live here for a few years and then
move to Cora Cora a bigger town.

At the evening meeting we were five people, Hernan, Fanny, Pedro,
Pastor Antonio and I. A good time to sing some Christmas-spiced songs
and a time in the Word in the book of John.

Friday December 7th 2012

Today our expectations were, I guess, focused on an arranged meeting
at the high school. After we had breakfast and spent some time praying
we planned some on what we were going to say and do at the high
school. Then we walked to the school to see if they were actually
going to let us be with the students. The principal was not there,
instead, a very kind coordinator-man helped us out. He told us to
come back at 1:05pm. We would have 45 min to do whatever we were going
to do.
So we left the school and walked back home to finalize our project. We
had prayed and we had decided we would talk about on why sex should
wait till marriage. This came due to the massive teenage pregnancy
taking place in this region.

We had about 15 students plus one of the teacher gathered in one
class. Things went very smoothly except by one of the ice-breakers
where we did not have the materials needed.
We used two christian reggeaton songs to catch their attention on the
lyrics and their message. We extracted lots of the students
previous-knowledge on the topic. We heard their many reasons and
answers to the questions we posed. And finally we presented Biblical
passages supporting the main theme's ideas.

Diego was in the class, he came to us and said, yeah it was not too
bad. We thanked him and laughed. He asked us if we were going to have
lunch at Anitas's, we nodded and arranged to have lunch together.
There at Anita's we had a good time talking about our class, and many
things. He seems interested in learning more about the Creator. Please
pray for him as he is the first high school male student whom we have
just started to develop a friendship with. At lunch time, we explained
very widely what the gospel was and meant to us. He was thinking and
listening very intently.
After lunch, Pedro and Diego came home and hung out some while I was
doing some errands trying to find ingredients to make jello and flan.
A bit afterward I came back and Diego was gone.

This afternoon was different. I simply felt weird with not too much
energy. Maybe lazyness or lack of spiritual strength. Pedro and I got
a movie and watched it.

After this we went to see Teacher Ruth whom we understand is a
believer. She opened her door and fixed some dinner for us. A hot
drink, bread and two fried eggs. There we saw the different reality in
her house when her husband is not home.
Her husband works lots on the mine. She does have a hard time working
and raising her two daughters. She feels sad since her daughters do
not understand her and make her mad. She has had surgery and when she
gets mad she gets sick.
Hirka, the oldest daughter is entering into her teen times, so her
behavior is changing.
Please pray for Ruth, her two daughters Hirka and Cindy. Pray the Lord
would help them in times where the man of the house is far away
working. Pray for their salvation . We have found out that Ruth, who
is looked as a Christian believer in the town, has recently accepted
to donate a bull for 2013 yearly festival in November along with
fireworks. I personally do not find anything wrong with this.
It has to do more with how outsiders and local christians look at
this. Bible tells us we should not be a stumbling block and so local
believers feel very bad about this since they see this as part of
idolatry or idol-worship. It is for love to those that we need to
choose how to act accordingly.

Right before the night time. I had the same feelings. The devil has
been attacking with thoughts and feelings of failure and incapacity.
The evil one has been trying to tell me that we are not doing much.
That which we are doing is not enough. That there could be done so
much more. I can not deny that I have felt overwhelmed by how much
there is and how huge the work of Christ is.
This creates anxiety in me. Since I have been feeling like I have been
lacking passion and extreme desire to go and share Christ.
Right before I went to bed, I put on my headphones and started
listening one of David Platt's sermons. One of lines went like: " I
was on my way back on the plane, I could barely stay seated, I was so
eager to be home and share what the Lord has been telling me to share
with the church. There was a guy next to me who did not speak English,
'cuz if he did, he would have had to listen an 8 hours sermon"

I felt like, why is there not that desire in me? To share Christ for 8
hours? I prayed and slept.

Saturday December 8th 2012

Did not sleep too well. I wonder if my body is becoming weaker and
weaker and can not stand the floor like it used to.
Talked to the Father, felt the urgency to get up and get going with
the day though there was nothing planned. Read the scriptures some and
had to repent from my sins.
Went out and talked to Mrs Irene. She asked who I was and what I was
doing in Marcabamba.
I responded with the truth. Then she started sharing with me a bit of
her life, how she was a christian when she was fifteen. She came to
Christ at that very young age while she was living in Lima. Years had
passed and she had come back to the mountains. Where she stopped
attending church and obviously spiritual life drops. At her store I
saw a man ( I assumed it was her husband) coming out with two bottles
of beer. She does sell alcohol and beer.

I still felt somewhat weird from the day be fore's events and so I
shared from my own struggles and how what Christ does in times like
these.
Since the local believers testimonies are not the greatest, which is I
believe truth in every single church in the world, I went on shared
what Christ does for the church, the body of Christ on a daily basis,
cleansing us, forgiving us and justifying us for His own glory. How we
ought not to focus on our neighbor's sin but that scriptures tells us
we should have our eyes fixed on Jesus.
She asked if we had Bibles. I said I would see about that. Left her
store and walked back home. Found that the power was gone. So we
decided to go see Fanny. Maybe she would want to share breakfast with
us and I thought I would do laundry there since we do not have lots of
room to do it here.

Grabbed a Bible and walked to Mrs Irene's store. Waited till she came
out. Gave her the Bible, she asked how much she owed us. We said,
nothing. Fare-welled and walked to Fanny's. Knocked the door and Paul
opened it. Just like every single time we talked to him about current
things, there standing at the door. It is very difficult to read him.
His behavior is very unpredictable.
There was Fanny who seemed a bit annoyed. We explained what we wanted
to do. She allowed us to use her big sink to do laundry. I hand-washed
my clothes and Pedro's jeans. Hopefully it will not rain today.
Had breakfast and she told us how this person had failed to come see
her. She had been waiting very eagerly. I do know how that feels. I
said nothing but tried to keep a calmed spirit.

That is it for this week. Before I forget, let me share what I read
this morning. It does express how my heart has felt not and so I had
to make amends with our Father.
Love from your brother Solomon.

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your judgment as the noonday.
Psalm 37:3-6