Tuesday, October 20, 2009
No youth now....
Saturday, August 29, 2009
HOME
Chau!!!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Making adobes....
easier....AND more fun! =)
Whats for lunch?
cheese for all the hard working adobe makers. =) YUM!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Welcome to Tacllapampa!
to leave all our Friends here.
Digging a well in Tacllapampa
Some of our friends were helping us too....wow, hard work!! =)
Harvesting barley...
It was Daniel & Maria´s, so we were working alongside of them and
Maria´s family. Lots of fun!!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Youth moving on.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Perù Update # 7
Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings to each one of you in the worthy name of Jesus! In Ephesians we are to told to walk worthy of the vocation (or calling) by which we have been called, that has been my desire over the last six months here in Peru. Worthy;…though in many ways I feel unworthy of the privilege it has been to serve among the Quechua people one again, I do thank the Lord for His grace in my life to give testimony of His salvation. It has been only through His life in me that I have in any way been able to live worthy of such a high calling of proclaiming the gospel. It is mind-boggling to think that God uses such creatures as us to make know His plan of salvation! What a great privilege it is to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20); what a great responsibility as well!
I am finding it hard to think about leaving in only a few short weeks, I say that despite the fact the I am very excited to be returning to so many meaningful relationships back in the States. But how can I, who have seen the extent of the needs here ever live without a sense of obligation to such compelling needs? Can I not say, the love of Christ constrains me to live in light of His desire to bring all men to repentance and salvation? And if such is the compelling motivation of my life, and my calling, how would He have me to walk worthy of that as I board my flight to the USA on July 6th? You were probably not expecting an update to be full of self examining questions, but sometimes it seems that questions are among the most accurate ways of describing what is going on in my life. Not that I feel an insecurity with where the Lord has me, neither am I doubting His leading, rather I feel a greater confidence than ever that He is accomplishing His will in my life. At this point that includes going back to the US of an indefinite period of time. That is not to say that I feel free to accomplish my own desires while back in the States. As much a I feel a responsibility toward God for souls here I trust that He has a work for me there also.
The Lord has worked in my life in so many ways over my time here. I am not about to try to mention all of what that entails, but as I stated earlier, I am not wanting that call to be diminished in any way as I return to the United States. Rather, I trust God to work His will out in my life as I enter into all that He has for me back in North America. It is tempting at times the think of the work here as something greater than any opportunities I may have back home. Such thought is unworthy of God's omnipotence! Whatever He may be calling me to do is always the most productive thing in light of His purposes. To think that God using me to the fullest measure possible depends on my geographical location is a fallacy. His greatest purpose is, and only can be fulfilled as I walk in unswerving obedience. As the hymn writer put it, "Ready to go, ready to stay; Ready my place to fill…" and truly that place is only found when we are, "Ready to do His will."
Not that I feel that I need any kind of justification for heading back to the States: or maybe I do! Not so much from the perspective of all of you do I seek justification, but for the sake of my own conscience before God. It is not a light thing before God how I use this speck of time that He has lent me. I want to remember in every decision I make that life is only a speck, and that it is not my own. If the reality that the decisions we make have eternal consequences were etched on our hearts, I think we would find ourselves much more on our faces imploring God for His guidance and direction. As I look toward the future and all that God has for me, that is where I have increasingly found myself.
Now for that is going on outside of this heart of mine in relation to the work here! Internally, I have at least not been without fruit during my time here, I hope externally it has been equally productive! Sometimes I am not sure if it takes more faith to see the Lord's working in my own life, or in the lives of others. Progress can appear discouragingly slow at times in either if our focus is not in the right place. Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith is the only safe place to cast our gaze as we run the race set before us. Otherwise, we will either grow discouraged thinking that we will never attain, while looking at the ground yet to be covered: or, looking back on all that we have attained we will fall in pride. The only safe place for a pilgrim's eyes is the example of His Lord. Looking to Him in all things needs to become more of a habit in my own life.
So, what has the Lord been doing over this last month in Velille, Chumbivilcas? The last few weeks have passed very quickly, I am expecting the next few weeks to pass even more quickly! We were blessed by the visit of some brothers from Cambridge Ohio the second week of this month. That, along with some extra traveling that I have been trying to fit in, has made for a very full month. A very rewarding one as well. Here are a few highlights from this last month:
June 1st I got back from spending a weekend at a series of meetings in Cayarani. Brother Nicholas, a native evangelist has been working there for the last year and a half with a small group of interested people. On Sunday, I was privileged to witness as a group of them committed themselves to the Lord in baptism. Besides those represented from the local area, a large number showed up from outlying congregations as well. Most of the preaching was in Quechua as was all of the singing, so I did not get much out those aspects of it, but I was blessed to see the Lord's working in the lives of people there. It also was an added blessing that Bob and Noel Rich from Arequipa were able to be there as well. Though the time seemed very short, and at times the preaching very long, it was still a very good experience. (Nearly six hours of preaching in Quechua can get rather tiring, that is, if you can't understand more than a quarter of what is being said!). Cayarani is a place that, if time permitted, I would be desirous to keep track of what is going on. Please do pray for the strengthening of the new believers there, and that they would remain faithful in all things. Brother Nicholas could also use your prayers as he continues to travel, at times great distances, in establishing rural congregations.
As I mentioned before, it was a blessing to have some brothers from Ohio here for a little more than a week. Christian fellowship is always very much appreciated when in such an isolated place. Besides enjoying all of the good English fellowship and singing, there was also ample time for prayer and discussion concerning the work here. The church in Cambridge has always had some connection in the work here since Gordon's in-laws attend there, and Gordon and Betsy did after they were first married. Helena, Betsy's sister, who is here for six months, is also from the church there. They all seemed very blessed to be with old friends, and I was blessed with the opportunity of making new ones!
This last weekend I had the opportunity to visit a few different towns on their market day. I went primarily to sell Bibles, but also for the chance to interact with some new people. I sold quite a few Bibles and passed out a lot of tracts to those that came to see what the "gringo" was trying to sell. A few times I had rather humorous experiences trying to explain that I could not sell the Bibles for any cheaper. It is funny to have someone haggle you down from an already subsidized price and still want you to go lower when you are already selling at half the price that you bought it for yourself! None of the towns I sold in appeared to have Christian/evangelical churches in them. It is unfortunate that most of the people who bought from me, and showed any kind of interest in spiritual things were Seventh-day Adventists. I guess I need to trust that God's Word, can, and will change lives as it is studied by those who have open hearts. It did give me a burden though for the many people lost in the deception of false religion. Besides the Adventists, there where a few people who had been influenced by some Jehovah's Witnesses who had previously been in the area. What a grief that deception, rather than truth, seems so much more readily accepted by so many people.
Though I really didn't go that far in kilometers, it takes a good bit of travel to reach some of the places I went to on the back of cargo trucks with roads as rough and steep as they are. Traveling in a foreign country is always an interesting experience, but it has become more and more natural as I have gotten used to the ends and outs of Peruvian life. Getting up at 2:00 am to catch a ride, waiting around as the driver refuses to leave with only ten people in the mini van (twenty-five is tight but not impossible!) and being exposed to the freezing cold air as the driver opens his window to try to minimize the amount of ice build on the inside of the windshield are only a few examples of traveling down here. Oh yeah, the ice was because it is dropping well below freezing where we crossed at 15,000 ft and the "combi" doesn't have a heater that works! Such are just a few examples of what traveling down here looks like. Need I say more?
Even in far off towns it was amazing how many people recognized that I am one of the missionaries that lives in Velille. We have been here long enough that there is a good repute even in the more outlying areas. It is nice that people know about us here, but hopefully our influence goes deeper than all the people that just recognize us as the ones that sell cake and popcorn on the buses! It is always encouraging when the people acknowledge me as one of themselves. Though there are some obvious differences, some that would be impossible to change, I am always glad when people look beyond those, and see that I truly have endeavored to make myself one of them. Things like traveling by their methods, eating their food, working like they do and living economically go a long ways in making friendships.
This Saturday will probably be my last time eating watia, that is, harvesting. When asked to harvest, work is never mentioned, it is assumed. What they ask is, "do you want to come and eat baked potatoes with me?" If you want to get a sore back, blistered hands, filthy, and as many dry baked potatoes as you can eat your answer would be, "yes, I would love to eat watia with you!" Such has been my usual answer. By way of explanation, watia is made solely during harvest by constructing a dirt oven in the field, heating it with cow dung and them collapsing it on the potatoes. The potatoes are always eaten without condiments, but you are served a hunk on cheese to go along with them. It going to be sad to return to the States and not have any more watia to eat, I say that only half sarcastically! During harvest is a great time to be down here in Peru. If you don't believe me, come down yourself, it really grows on you! Baked potatoes in the US don't come close to watia, "¡Rico es!"
Due to an uprising in the jungle there have been strikes all over Peru. Gordon had to escort the visitors from Ohio back to Cusco by a different route, since the main road through one of the cities has been shut down. I will have to wait and see what things are like the end of this month, as I plan to leave here the first of July and spend some time in Arequipa before I leave Peru. It could be exciting trying to leave if the strikes get any worse! You can pray that all of that would work out as the Lord sees best. I am hoping that all of this will be resolved by then, but it doesn't look too likely at this point. At least if I can make it to Arequipa I could fly, rather than bus to Lima, since none of the major airports have been effected by the strikes. Politics down here can sure be interesting at times, but I guess it keeps life exciting!
I plan to send at least one more update around the time I leave Peru and am headed back to the United States. It is with much anticipation that I await seeing you all in such a short time. My apologies to all of you back in Washington State as I plan to spend some time in Florida, and then in North Carolina before heading home. I look forward to seeing you all eventually though, and trust God to work out all of my travel plans according to His purpose.
God bless you all richly, and thank you for your prayers for me, as well as for the work here in Peru. To God be the glory, Great things He hath done!
Sincerely, Nels
"If sinners be dammed, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one GO there UNWARNED and UNPRAYED for." - Charles Spurgeon"
"Revival is the people of God constrained, gripped, overmastered, and overwhelmed by the love of Christ, so that they are feverishly restless to win souls for Christ." – James A. StewartSaturday, May 16, 2009
Peru Update #6
Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings on this beautiful fall day! Well, I guess I should say spring day for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere! I hope you are all having a wonderful spring and enjoying the nice sunny weather. Despite the fact that it is fall here in Peru, it is actually one of the sunnier parts of the year. Sunny and dry, though it will not be until October that one can say it is really dry. We only have two seasons here, (though there always is a little variety within them; rainy, from roughly November to April, and dry, from May to October. It is almost getting cold enough at night to make chuño ("freeze dried potatoes") which is a staple here in the Andes.
The beginning of this month found me sweltering in the heat of the jungle. It was rather a stark contrast to the frosty nights we have recently been having here in Velille. My purposes in going were twofold, to accompany some friends who were moving to the jungle and to see the other half of Peru before I leave in July. Though I never left the county, I might as well have for all of the travel it took to get there. We piled off of the tanker truck, on top of which we were riding not long after two in the morning on our third day of travel. We were then forced to wait the dawn on a concrete patio, since the only way of continuing was by boat, of which there were none at that early hour. It actually was not as hard to sleep on such a hard "bed" as I though it would be. Then again, I guess I was a little tired after crossing the Andes in such style! The ride went from freezing cold at the top of the mountains where we had breathtaking views of snowcapped peaks, to a sultry heat as we dropped down thousands of feet into the jungle. It was a trip that will long be remembered.
In case anyone wonders at my sanity in traveling as I did on top of a loaded tanker hauling petroleum, let me explain myself. If I wanted to give a good Peruvian answer I would say that it was less then half the price of a bus ticket, but to be honest it was actually just as much as the decision of those I was traveling with, as it was mine. I did enjoy the adventure though, and really did not have to suffer much more than I would have by bus. Most of all, it crossed the mountains in daylight, which was spectacular, whereas all of the buses cross in the dark. It is a very long ways to travel no matter how you look at it, well, I take that back, there are not hundreds of switchbacks and mountains to cross when traveling by air! By the time we arrived, I think all of the other passengers realized I was not doing it as a tourist.
But traveling by such means was only one of the many new experiences I had. Life in the jungle is a lot different than it is here, where our elevation is more than 12,000 ft. The heat was probably the main difference and effects the way the people live in many ways. Also, the fact that they do not grow potatoes there, makes a big lifestyle difference. I saw almost no agriculture, (I would not call gathering fresh fruit off of the trees in your back yard agriculture!) and very little livestock other then the pigs in the streets, and a unique type of cow that they raise only for meat. Most of the people I met either made their living from mining or forestry, which are the big money makers in the area. The wages there are more than double than what one gets paid here in Velille, but the cost of living is much higher as well.
Traveling with Charo and Hipolito, along with there two month son, was a very meaningful experience. Besides Daniel and Maria, we have had more interaction with them, then with almost anyone else here. It was hard to see them leave, especially since they themselves have concerns about what they will do over the coming months with no christian influence. They say that once their time in the jungle is over, they would like to return to Velille, be baptized and lead a christian life. The fact that they have been very influenced by the Wenger family came out several times as we witnessed numerous misbehaved children, as well as abusive parents. They have seen enough of what a christian home looks like, to know that that is what they want for their family. Please do pray for them as they are on their own in so many ways. Pray that their desire and sense of need for salvation would increase during this time, and that they would not succumb to the wicked lifestyle of all around them.
My time with them passed all too rapidly. It was a neat experience though to spend some time with Hipolito in his work. Where they live is not accessible my car, at least not conventionally! Though I never saw it done, what they do is tie two or three large canoes together and drive vehicles onto two perpendicular planks, and thus ferry them across the murky water. Everything in town is brought in by boat, from motorcycles to everyday merchandise. It was a sad realization of the way people live, when I saw several boat loads of beer piled high on the large motorized canoes, making multiple passes across the river. Hipolito works on one of the smaller canoes, called a "pecky-pecky," mainly hauling people rather than goods. I enjoyed my time on the water, taking in the many beautiful as well as interesting scenes. My only disappointment was that I did not see any crocks!
Having finished my time with Hipolito and Charo I continued on to Puerto Maldonado, located only four hours from Brazil. I was asked to share at a Saturday evening service at a church there in town and was blessed by the opportunity I had to make some new friends. I also spent Sunday with the same congregation and especially enjoyed getting to know a young Brazilian missionary. From Puerto I returned by a different route and spent Tuesday buying Bibles and other related items to bring back with me. By the time I got back early Wednesday morning I was plenty ready for the chance to get some real rest, after having spent two consecutive nights on buses.
After all of my traveling, I am glad to be back, and thank the Lord for a productive and safe trip. It is good to once again have part in what the Lord is doing here. I am thankful for the opportunities that the Lord gives in all of life, no matter where I may be, to witness of His saving grace. More than anything else, I desire to be faithful to His calling, and obedient to His leading. It amazes me how quickly my time here has passed as I look to returning in July. I do ask for your prayers, as I pray, plan and prepare for what God has for me back in Washington. May He continue to lead in every aspect of my life!
Thank you all so much for your prayers as well as your interest in the work here. What a blessing to know that Christ has promised that He will build His Church, and that it will be victorious! I am awed by such a wonderful claim. Let us do all that we can as part of His Church, to fulfill His purposes here on earth!
For the cause of Christ, Nels
Attachments:
1. Crossing the Andes
2. On the water
3. Early morning gold mining
4. Overlooking Puerto, and the vast extent of jungle
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
News from the Girls....at last!!
Hearty Greetings from Peru!
We have finally gotten around to posting somethings on this blog...after many weeks of saying we needed to. =)
As for some introduction of who we are.....
~Helena Howe is from Cambridge, OH, and is Betsie's younger sister.
~Rebekah Esh is from Lancaster, PA, and is a friend of the Wengers and a traveling companion of Helena and vice versa. =)
We arrived here in Peru on the 18th of March; went to Arequipa, where we stayed for a bit over two weeks, while we were in Spanish School; then we made the long haul here to Velille on April 7th. So we've been in Peru for almost 2 months.
It has been a very busy 2 months of learning Spanish (although we are far from being fluent, and are continually learning!) and some Quechua phrases, 'understanding' cultural things, adjusting to life here, meeting new people & building friendships, and learning how to do the daily tasks of life at a different altitude and in a different country. There is always something new to learn in a different culture, and life here is definitely not boring, but is quite a bit more uncertain....which gives us opportunity to learn to be flexible and live one day at a time! =)
A few weeks ago we all went out to the Campo (country) for a weekend to harvest Gordon's potatoes and also to help Daniel with his. Wow, that was quite the experience!! Some of our friends, Charo & Hipolito and Nadia, went with us. We got out there....and we harvested! =) The first day we did 'our' fields and had at least 10 other people helping us -we were able to get it done all in one day.
Us girls had gone out a few days earlier with Nadia and her family to help them harvest their fields...it was our first harvesting excursion, and it was hard work! We both came back that night totally exhausted. It's a good thing that was our first experience, because when we harvested 'our' fields it was SO much easier and enjoyable. We both agreed that to have the big chunks of dirt moved away before-hand, makes harvesting much more fun and we are able to work much faster! =)
We cooked our evening meals over a fire...and learned that when cooking over a fire like that, a meal can take anywhere up to 3 hours to prepare!! When cooking the meal, the kitchen quickly became the "hang-out" place. There would be up to 6 of us in there helping cook -well rather, having Spanish/English classes and just talking & laughing. It was a great way to get to know our friends better! -Then once the food was ready, we would crowd into a small room and eat by candle light.
If nothing else, it made many memories! =)
On Sunday we had a communion service. It was a mountian-top experience...not just that we were actually on a mountain-top, but it was the first communion service with the Believers here and it was very sweet! We had a wonderful time of prayer and sharing testimonies...and remembering Christ's death on the cross. -Sunday evening around 5 we arrived back here -after waiting alongside the road for a good 2 hours. It was cold & getting darker by the minuet up there...what a wonderful sight it was when a bus came along and we all boarded!
We got back here.....and us girls exclaimed over how modern our town & house was/is. =) After being out there in middle of nowhere, away from civilization for a few days -cooking over a fire, our only source of water was a little dirty water hole, our beds were a raise platform of dirt and our room had a "wonderful" smell of Chuno that took a bit to get use to, 'living by' candle-light when the sun went down, and only the basic necessities for life- we felt the place here was pretty modern! So since then, we've been enjoying what we have way more than we did before. =)
The other day us girls planned & hosted a Tea Party. =) We had Betsie & the children stay out of the house all morning and Gordon & Nels were gone all day. We "flew" around all morning....Helena went to market and purchased all kinds of fruit -to make a fruit salad- and Becka mixed up a batch of Pizza dough -to make mini pizza's. Helena also invited Charo & Gadiel (her 1 ½ month old son) and Nadia to come. At 12:30 we had everything ready and we allowed our guests to enter the house. =) We had set the table very nicely and set some of our American snacks & chocolates out. -The party was a big success...everyone loved it! =) Us girls had so much fun preparing it.......we called it our "wedding feast", the reason being, because one of our friends was getting married that day and we were feeling a bit "blue" (our families, the Howe's & Esh's, were together for the weekend too). So instead of thinking of all that we were missing out on and being sad about it, we decided to bless other people and enjoy the day here as much as we could. It worked and it's definitely more blessed to give of one's time to bless others, than to sit and 'receive'. =)
Yesterday, Monday -4th of April, Charo & Hipolito, their son, Gadiel, and Nels left for the jungle. Hipolito does not have work here, but does down there. So they have moved to the jungle for awhile -we don't know how long they'll be there. Nels accompanied them down there....and plans to come back in a week or two. Charo & Hipolito mentioned that they want to come back in August or September. If they don't come back by the end of August, Gordon said we might all go down there and visit them for a few days before us girls leave. We think it's a great idea! =)
One of our friends here, Nadia, is also leaving soon. She is going to Cuzco for work. Us girls are sad about her leaving, because she is one of our closest friends that we have so far here...and she is very patient with us in our incapability of speaking & understanding Spanish. =) I guess we'll have to reach out of our comfort zone some more and befriend other girls around here. =)
Well, hopefully you all have enjoyed a peek into our lives...we've enjoyed telling you about it!
Thank you for your interest & prayers in what's happening in this part of the huge world...it's greatly appreciated!
Many blessings each one of you!
~Becka & Helena
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Peru Update #5 (Nels)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Anna and Serenity leave Peru
Friday, February 27, 2009
Peru Update #4 (Nels)
New Dirt Floor in Gordon's House
Breaking up the old floor, and leveling it out. (First had to move everything out, of course)
Monday, February 23, 2009
Bible stories
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Arequipa
Saturday morning in the park.
Loading up in Velille, heading for Arequipa,
our friend Nadia came with us to the city.
Our last market day in Velille, see the cute baby riding contentedly.