Snapshots from the Road

Five of us packed ourselves and our gear and the teaching materials into the Bensons' truck. We were headed to the 3rd round of workshops, happening simultaneously in 3 towns far into the country, all training women to teach the Word. In 4 days, we traveled from Huánuco to each different location, all several hours apart along unpaved gravel roads. It may have been dusty but it was beautiful!

In each small town, women came from all around to advance their understanding of Scripture and how to teach other women.

They studied the Word:

Learned teaching techniques:

Worked in small groups:

And enjoyed activity times together:

What a blessing it was to hear of the progress each is making in her own teaching "practicuum". Every trainee's homework is to teach the Bible lessons herself before returning to the next workshop. We were excited to hear stories of women who are teaching multiple classes. One girl of 12(!) is teaching men, women, and children in her church. Another lady approached Jan thanking her for giving her the opportunity to read, learn, teach, and promote the Gospel in Quechua, the only language many of her women friends speak.

Women of all ages, like the girls below, are hearing the Good News, learning how to study the Bible, and growing in their ability to teach. Praise God and pray for this effort.

What shall we say then?

The Huánuco “region” is one of the seven poorest regions of Perú. I don’t know if it’s #1 or #7. In these seven regions:

“66% of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition,
79% of households have no piped water,
94% percent lack sewerage, and
94% of families use wood as their cooking fuel.”

Sadly, this data is right on. (Source here.) This is what life is like for the women and their families that we were visiting last weekend during the most recent Women of the Bible workshops. While leaving the last town, we stopped to snap this photo of a little girl waiting for her mom and big sister:

“Clean water

and health care

and school

and food

and tin roofs and cement floors,

all of these things should constitute a set of basics that people must have as birthrights.”

--Paul Farmer qtd. In Mountains Beyond Mountains

Huaylas NT Dedication

The Huaylas New Testament was dedicated at the beginning of August in the city of Huaraz. Most of you probably have already heard about the dedication because you get my email updates. If you'd like to start getting my (monthly) emails, just let me know!

We started the dedication day with a march (photo above), something most memorable occasions begin with here in Peru. There were around 2,500 people at the ceremony which included the presentation of the New Testament hot off the press. Carrying in a box of books might not look glamorous, but after hearing the stories of the sacrifices and joys since 1964 when this project started, it was an exciting moment.

But the story of God's Word in this part of the world is just beginning, because having the Bible in their own language is a turning point for many of the churches and believers in this area. They are excited to read and study the Bible themselves and many have a heart to share the Good News with their neighbors and even the world. These ladies below are sharing a song of praise as part of the celebration.


The celebration continued with a cuy lunch and a local music festival. That's guinea pig I'm eating, a delicacy here! Doesn't that make you want to come for a visit?

Earthquake Report

Updated August 27.
An 8.0 earthquake occurred off the southern coast of Peru late Wednesday night, August 15. Authorities are reporting over 500 dead and over 1000 injured. Already impoverished areas are suffering the greatest loss of life, health, and property. 85% of the homes in the town of Pisco, nearest the epicenter, have been destroyed, as well as 1/4 of the buildings in the nearest large town of Ica.

While we are fine here in Huánuco, we are praying for our brothers and neighbors to the south who are hurting. Please pray for the injured, for those who have lost family or property and for protection from after-shocks. You can find out more in this story from cnn.com, and can give through a reputable relief and development agency (that I used to work for) by clicking here. You can also give to the Peru Earthquake Relief fund that we will use to provide aid to those in need. Just ask me for the details.

The best thing you can do is pray. Here are some ideas of what to pray for:

• Pray that people would receive the comfort and health in the person of Christ and through the love shown them through the relief effort.
• Pray for wisdom for the government and organizations as they strive to meet the needs of the people. Pray that relief would be deployed quickly and effectively.
  
• Pray that people will be patient and calm and have wisdom in how to care for their families and communities.
  
• Pray for healing for those that are injured.
• Pray for the families of those that have died. Pray they receive comfort and peace from God and from those around them.
• Pray that cities and communities can come together to build again, interpersonally and structurally.
• Praise God for the response from those here in Peru and around the world. People are contributing food, clothes, water, and money daily. Pray that these supplies will make it safely to their destination and into the hands of those that most need it.
  

Huascarán!

At 22, 204 feet, Huascarán (Wahs-kah-RAHN) is the highest mountain in Peru. You can see the orange trunk of a queñal tree in the foreground. They are believed to grow at a higher altitude than any other tree.

While in Huaraz for a Bible dedication, we spent an afternoon at Lake Llanganuco, which sits at 12,464 feet on Mt. Huascaran.

Mount Foothill

My home city, Huánuco, is surrounded on all sides by the foothills of the Andes. They rise higher and higher to the west, peaking at the continental divide and then plummeting quickly to the coast. Last Monday, several friends from church, a guy from San Diego who grew up here, an intern from Belgium, and I hiked up one of those foothills. What a view!

Just behind us in the picture below is the mouth of the cave we had come to explore.

The initial drop is almost straight down, aided at the end by a rickety wooden ladder, which you can see in the upper right corner of the photo below.

Most of our group continued on to slide down crevices and see how far into the earth they could go. Another girl and I were satisfied to hang out in the main level of the cave with the local kids that decided to be our tour guides. Peru is a hiker/climber’s paradise, and it was fun to get outside and see some of the “neighborhood”.

Above: Celine climbing through the angled crevices. All photos thanks to Peter & Celine.

Going Swimming

Sometimes waiting for God, trusting, feels like dropping little pebbles of faith down a shaft so deep you can't hear them 'clink' when they reach the bottom. It's dark and unclear and we don't really know what's on the other side. As I prayed last night about the future, I had that image come to mind...and immediately it was replaced with another, braver, bolder, more accurate(?) image.

Maybe waiting on God is more like being a little kid who really, really wants to go swimming on a hot, sticky summer day. I've got my swimsuit on and I'm at the edge of a pool, straining against my "Dad" who is holding me back. I'm wriggling and almost fighting Him, wanting to jump in--Now! But Dad knows better. He's waiting for the perfect time to give me what I want. See, I'm too young to understand, but the pool isn't full yet, and if I jumped in right now, the fun would be over real fast.

Sometimes waiting on God feels like we're hanging out in a black hole, but He knows our needs, dreams, and silly little wants, and He can't wait to give them to us...at just the right time.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Why does a farmer farm?

I spent a week in June at this building outside Lima, helping with a management workshop for three Quechua organizations. We were teaching planning strategies that help focus the resources and activities of an organization on meeting its ultimate vision.

Most Quechua people are well-acquainted with farming so they appreciated this analogy: A farmer doesn't get distracted by unnecessary irrigation projects or on building up his supply of an unusable fertilizer. His goal is also not to grow crops for their own sake. His sights are set on improving his family's well-being through nutritional food and income. Results-based management aims to direct the gaze of an organization on its ultimate goal, and in doing so, align its projects and resources to meet that goal.

Being the facilitator for this group from central Peru was an adventure (see photos below). We crossed a few language and cultural gaps and had a good week creating plans for their organization. They are running many diverse development programs, as well as planting churches and starting a translation of the Old Testament, having finished a New Testament several years ago. Having worked in development for several years, their holistic, grass-roots programs were very exciting for me to hear about.

I am really enjoying helping add capacity to the local Quechua organizations in the area of strategic planning. I'm grateful that I received so much valuable experience while at my last job in the States! It's exciting to pass on techniques and ideas so these amazing ministries can be even more effective into the future.

My team with their graduation certificates.

So this is Huánuco...

Most likely you can't come to visit in person, but I can show you around a little bit through pictures! We'll start by turning right onto this street (photo left), where I walk by my church everyday on the way to my office. On the roof, you can see their white sign with blue lettering. I'm so grateful for the 3 Peruvian amigas God has blessed me with through my church! One of them helps me with my English, another works near by, and I'm helping the third with her linguistics studies. Having good friends in a new country seems crucial, and I know I'm blessed to have them in my life.


Then we turn right again at this street where my office is, along with other SIL staff and JAWCA (photo right). We're in the little green building on the left side of the street by the parked car. The two vehicles in the street are moto-taxis-- basically a motorcycle in the front with a seat over two wheels in the back. You can fit up to 3 people if you squeeze and can travel anywhere in town for only a sol (about 30 cents).

And here's my office, complete with a Nalgene bottle, a Monet print (thanks Jan!), and a map of all the languages of Peru. I am so grateful for the laptop that I was able to bring with me to Peru. It travels back and forth to work with me and also allows me to stay in touch with all of you. Many people's gifts made that possible--Thank you!

Of course there's more to this city then the few blocks around my work and home. I'll keep taking pictures to share with you here. It's great that we can keep in touch a little through the web!

Christmas in July?

I'm not that great with plant names, but I definitely didn't recognize the tall tree/bush outside my kitchen window...until it blossomed! Below is a picture of my apartment (on the left), and the 2 poinsettia bushes/trees that grow outside(!). The Smiths, translators for another nearby Quechua language, live in the house to the right. Because you don't see much green in the streets of Huánuco, I really enjoy the beautiful landscaping on our property.

Machu Picchu!

I had heard so much about Machu Picchu that I assumed I would be underwhelmed when I finally visited--boy, was I wrong! It was my third trip to Cusco and this time I finally made it all the way to Machu Picchu with my friend Karen who was visiting from the States. It felt surreal, like a different world. Aside from the fact that you are walking in and around ancient Incan ruins, Machu Picchu is set high up into the clouds so you almost think you're in heaven. Since only one of the original Seven Wonders of the World still exists, they are holding a world-wide online vote to elect the "New 7 Wonders". Click HERE to cast your vote (for Machu Picchu!).

Pachamanca!

Somehow I managed to not have had a pachamanca meal until we got to Marias. This was quite an accomplishment, because Quechua make pachamanca every chance they get. This pachamanca was in celebration of Amador's birthday. While you can order pachamanca at some restaurants, and recreos (like outdoor community centers) will serve it to you on Sundays, the best pachamanca is made out in nature by friends and family.

First, find a big open space to cook and eat, and then dig a whole in the ground. Start a fire and heat up rocks until they are are really, really hot. Meanwhile you slaughter and marinate a pig. (I'll spare you the picture, but it was pretty impressive.)




Then you remove the rocks, and pile potatoes into the hole-->






Layer hot rocks on top of those and layer more rocks over anything else you want to add: sweet potatoes, yucca, big fat beans still in their pod, and humitas, the sweet, tamale-like corn "cake" repacked into corn husks.












Next, layers of straw, cardboard(!) and dirt are piled over the food:





















Then everybody hangs out for an hour or two while the whole thing cooks. Jan brought a Women of the Bible workbook and everyone enjoyed coloring and reading the stories. I loved playing with the kids. Some of us took a nap after all that labor.










Finally it's time to unpack the layers of rocks and food and dig in! It was all really good, and the pig had a really nice flavor, but I ate too many humitas to eat much of anything else!















I liked how someone's sheep wandered up the hill to sneak a few bites.






I was blessed for my first pachamanca to be with such a wonderful family. I am really grateful for their hospitality and the fun we had together. We had a perfect view from our little hilltop as we laughed, sang, and ate together. Check out the traditional Quechua style I've got going on!

Marías

A few weeks ago, Bruce, Jan and I traveled to the village of Marías where they lived for many years. Dozens of people throughout the town came up to us, greeting the Bensons and welcoming me--that's the blessing of revisiting the Benson's old home town. We were able to set Amador up with the computer and software he needs to begin working with me on the Huamalies Dictionary. We also celebrated his birthday with a pachamanca with his extended family, including the fun-loving kids below. (More on pachamanca later!) The weekend was packed, but I loved every minute of getting to know these beautiful people and their culture a little bit better.


I had many reminders that I was in a part of the world much different from where I grew up. As we were driving out of town we met workers on the Benson's former street that were installing street lamps for the first time. (We had used flashlights the night before to make our way down the street.) The computer we set up in Amador's home is the first computer in the village. While many of the things I noticed are just differences and not needs in the community, villages like Marías are home to many families without access to hygenic latrines, clean water, medical care, and affordable, healthy food. We CAN play a role in meeting our neighbor's need, as commanded by Christ. (Matthew 25:40 and Luke 10:25-37) A friend of mine in Sudan just posted a link to a world map graphic that describes some of the reality I experienced in Marías. If the world's population were reduced to 100 people, what would our world look like on a small scale? Click on "The Miniature Earth" to find out.

Amazon Bible Dedication

I never thought I'd get to spend more than 1 night in the jungle (remember Tingo Maria a few weeks ago?). Then I got invited to attend a New Testament dedication on the Chambira River, deep in the northern Amazon region of Peru. What an honor! We flew from Lima to Iquitos on Easter Sunday morning and traveled by boat for 2 days to reach the Urarina village of Nueva Esperanza. For two days we were docked at the village, spending time with the Urarina, dedicating the New Testament, and participating in the first church service in this village.

It had been 10 years since Ron and Phyllis had been able to visit the home of the Urarina. The story of their almost 60 years with the Urarina, recovery from life-theatening illnesses and accidents, and the sacrifice of their Urarina translators demonstrate how this New Testament and this dedication trip were miracles not accomplished by human hands.

Scroll through more of my pictures for more of the Amazon and the Bible dedication by CLICKING HERE. (Clicking on the first picture will let you see it a little larger and give you the caption too.)

"¡Coca—Si! ¡Hambre—No!"

"Coca-Yes! Hunger-No!" Today there was another march in front of my house, which is on the main street at one end of town. The cocaleros are threatening to block roads and bridges in reaction to government policy changes regarding their crops. Cocaleros are farmers who grow coca, and while coca can be made into cocaine, it is legal to grow and sell in large quantities here. Around 60,000 families in Peru depend on their coca crops to survive. The new president of Peru is cracking down on these farmers, most likely because they are an easier target than those who illegally make and sell cocaine. Pray for peace and provision for the families in Peru for whom this crop is their livelihood. (For more information, check out this BBC News article.)

Planificación Estratégica

I learned a lot of new words recently. Facilitating a strategic planning workshop for 3 days with JAWCA maxed out my Spanish and then taught me a whole lot more. Talk about learning through immersion! We had a good time (see the "action" shot of small group work above) and these Quechua leaders inspired me as they defined their work and made plans for the next 3-10 years. I'm glad I'll be around a bit longer to see how things work out! If you would like to be involved, please stop right now and pray that God will fulfill JAWCA's dreams and plans to see the Word of God change lives in the language communities around Huanuco. Your prayers are effective!

Works of Art

Butterflies are everywhere in the jungle! I had to chase after these and take about 30 pix to get these shots. Thank goodness for digital cameras!