Friday, October 10, 2014

Hard to believe it’s been a week since we left the States for Peru.  This morning we had fried squeaky cheese and little half sausages (cut in half weiners) for breakfast.  Plus our normal crusty bread.   Pastor Jose David, our missionary, gave the devotional.  We need to remember how discouraged our missionaries can become.  He reminded us how important it is at times to remember God’s call upon our lives when we reach those times of discouragement.  While we were still at the hotel we noticed that there were preparations being made around the pool house for some type of party.  Jose David asked and was told there was a special lunch being given today.
After breakfast we loaded up and went to the church.  Three of us walked there instead.  It’s a nice walk and the weather is very nice.  We got right to work with mixing mortar and laying bricks.  Today we were joined by one of the ladies from the church and Pastor Javier, who is from Ica, a town about an hour away. Pastor Freddie is from the same town.  We gave him a bag full of some of the evangelism supplies…the evangecubes, the bracelets, hats.
About 10:45 our taxi driver arrived and Judy & I, along with Jose David took off for town.  Jose David was dropped off at the bank and we went on to the market to pick up items for lunch.  Judy & I commented that unless you have ever been in a country like this you just cannot understand the traffic.  It’s amazing, yet sometimes just a little frightening as you weave in and out narrowing squeaking by in some very close calls with others vehicles, people and stationary items (walls, etc).  Lots of fun!!  After shopping we went back to the hotel, picked up the items left over from yesterday’s lunch and then went back to the church where we fixed lunch for our team and all the workers who were there with us.  After lunch we came on back to the hotel to find out that the “special lunch” still was in the preparation stages.
After a couple of hours for rest we gathered to leave the hotel about 3:30, just as the Special Lunch was getting started.  It seems today is Nurse’s Day in Peru. This lunch is in celebration of that.  Several people wearing what I would assume are student nurse uniforms (white pants, maroon shirts, white jackets) came in, along with several others in street clothes.  There is a band also.  Dancing was started when we left.  Judy is feeling under the weather so she is staying at the hotel this afternoon.
The rest of us went up into the hillside where the video will be shown tonight.  This is the area where the church has been closed because of the earthquake damage.  We understand most of the area had been completely destroyed but has been fairly well rebuilt.  Some nice rebuilding by the government.  Some reed and mat leantos, some partially rebuilt places.  We didn’t find many people at home so left several flyers under doorways.  Upon return to the hotel we found the party in full blast!!
Supper at 6 p.m. was a grilled chicken breast, the ever present rice, and sweet potato fries.  We were entertained by music from the party on the pool patio.  We left the hotel for the JESUS Film showing at 7 p.m.  Tonight they showed the last half of the children’s version of the JESUS Film. then had the youth group do some singing and then they presented their drama.  There were 4 decisions for Christ and one rededication – all adults!
Back to the hotel at 9:15.  Yea!! The party is over and it is quiet at the hotel!!  Sweet dreams.