Peru Update #3

Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings from Peru on this fourteenth day of the New Year! I
trust that all of you are thankful for this New Year and are excited
at the prospects of new opportunities to make Christ know! I am
certainly anticipating the coming year to be a year of growth in my
christian life as I seek to know more of Christ and seek to make Him
more know. Between those two things, I think I will have plenty to
keep me plenty occupied. That is, as that passion (for really, the
second is the spontaneous result of the first) grows may it truly be
the one and only occupation of my life. That is my desire not only as
a missionary here in Peru, but also as a Christian regardless of where
I may find myself geographically. Colossians 3:16-17 is a fitting
summery of a few of my desires for 2009. Let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by
him.
There is no doubt that it is the rainy season here in the Andes.
Since arriving to Velille on the 24th of December, it has rained more
days than it has been dry. That is not to say that between the rains
we have not had any nice weather, in fact most days start out clear
and at times reach over seventy degrees. The weather at times can
change rapidly, so one must always be prepared while in the country.
Once the warm rays of the Sun at 12,000 ft. above sea level are
covered and the rain starts to fall, it really gets cold fast! One of
the main differences in the weather here and that in Washington, is
that after raining for all this time, we will go for several months
without a hardly a drop of precipitation. As far as the crops are
concerned, the more rain the better, since that is the only form of
"irrigation" that they have. (Though right now, they are working on a
major irrigation project….have patience, it takes awhile using only
picks and shovels! Unfortunately, the canal will only service the
fields that are alongside "Rio Velille"). Besides the rain, there
have been quite a few hailstorms, which at times can be severe. A
local custom is to start a fire when you see a storm coming, it seems
like the most absurd logic, but the smoke from the fire is supposed to
act as shield from the crop damaging hail. Traveling becomes a little
more difficult in the rain since all of the roads are nothing more
than dirt, which, as you might imagine, very quickly turn into mud.
Even with the hail, from what I hear, the weather and roads here are
still to be preferred over those at home!
There is not a lot of work to do in the fields at this time, but
I have been able to help some with cultivating the potatoes. It is
amazing how much work goes into one potato field! The fact that
everything is done by hand here, makes farming in the States seem
easy. Here progress is measured by yards, at home, by acres! Most of
the fields are inaccessible to tractors, leaving the present
generation with the legacy of using the same methods as the succeeding
generations. Sometimes while working the soil it is interesting to
think of the all of the people who have received sustenance from the
very same ground that I am cultivating. History seems so real while
working in such an environment, especially when you are surrounded by
the constant jabber of the Quechua language. In so many ways, life
has remained unchanged for generations for the majority of the people
here in Chumbivilcas. This is not only true agriculturally, but
spiritually as well. May the greatest advance in this district be that
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Besides fieldwork, I have started helping with the making and
selling of "tortas" (cakes) and popcorn once again. Not only does in
bring in a little more money than fieldwork, (still hardly worth
mentioning by US standards) but also gives many opportunities for
personal interaction. Unfortunately, there are only two days that
one can sell enough cake and popcorn to make it worthwhile. Monday is
market day, which always brings in a lot of people, and Wednesday has
a full schedule of busses coming through town in the afternoon, so
those are the only two days that we sell on. At times we will still
set up a stand in the market with Bibles and literature, but usually
what we have been doing is carrying them in our cart with the cake and
popcorn. We also make some sales from the house, as people come
looking for Bibles. The room where I am staying just happens to be
where we store our Bibles, which make keeping inventory pretty easy!
As for the spiritual side of the work here, we have four services
a week on average. Two of them are here in Velille while the others
are at various places in the surrounding country. One thing which is
a great help in this, is the use of a motorcycle. After using the
"moto" for a while, it is hard to think of only traveling by "bici"
again! At this point Gordon and I are taking turns preaching while
the other moderates. My Spanish is definitely being taxed to the
limit, which, I guess is a good thing! When I realize how pathetic
the efforts of my own ability are, it makes me all the more realize
how great my dependence on God is. I hope that never changes, even
with the improvement of my Spanish. Please do pray that those which
come to the services would have a true longing to not only listen, but
to be changed! Pray also that more people would take an interest in
the state of their soul, and be drawn to the services.
Daniel and Maria, (which were baptized here in Velille a little
over a year ago) are once again making plans to get married. If
everything works out (pray that it would!) they should be getting
married the end of next week. The Wengers are more than a little
anxious that it would work out before they leave at the end on the
month. Last week Gordon and I were able to have a serious talk with
Daniel and Maria that seems to have produced fruit. We were able to
spend some time in prayer and they seem to have gotten clear on some
issues, which had been definite hindrances to their spiritual lives.
They are still in need of much prayer as they make this step. They
also need prayer for the strength to make other changes in bringing
there lives and relationships in accordance with Scriptural
guidelines. Please do continue to pray for them!
One area of ministry, which we are planning to start soon, is
radio broadcasts. At this point, I want to contract an hour in which
I could play a prerecorded message, a Scripture passage in either
Castillano or Quechua and a few hymns. It has been over a year since
we had time on the local radio station. Besides some of the positive
feedback we were getting at that time, we have been encouraged by
individuals asking about it more recently. Do pray that the Lord
would give wisdom as I proceed into this ministry that has great
potential to reach many lives.
As I sit here typing I am repeatedly confronted with a large
topographical map of the area directly in front of me. May the
districts, towns, communities and individuals, which it represents, be
made a constant reminder of the many around me in need on the
transforming gospel of Christ Jesus. Let us not be ashamed of that
gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who
believes, to those in the United States as well as in Peru! Thank you
all for your prays and the part which you play in the work here.

IN CHRIST, Nels

"God delver me from the dread asbestos of other things. Saturate me
with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame... Father, take my
life, yea, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping
fire. I would not save it, for it is not mine to save. Have it,
Lord, have it all... Pour out my life as an oblation to the world...
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God!"
-- Jim Elliot

Nels R. Klewin
Correo Central
Dept. de Cusco
Yauri, Espinar
Peru SA

12/30/08

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     Greetings in our Saviors Name from Velille Peru!  I rejoice to once again be home in the Andie Mountains.  It was quite the welcome I received when I arrived just before midnight and the entire town started shooting off firecrackers!  I guess they had ulterior motives though, but I am glad to be back anyway.  Not so much geographically as I am spiritually glad and excited to be serving the Lord where He would have me. Originally, I was to arrive here Wednesday morning, but I missed my bus and ended up having to stay an extra night in Arequipa.  The week of  "La Navidad" is not the optimal time to travel as it is the beginning of summer break and all the schools are out.  Nevertheless, regardless, I am now here and ready for what lies ahead.

     My time studying went very well, although it passed all too quickly.  I feel like I was at least able to understand a little more of how Spanish grammar works.  I still feel as though I have a long ways to go until I would consider myself proficient, but the next several months will be a help in that regard.  I would appreciate it if you would continue to pray that my language learning continues to go well.  There is a professor here in town, which might be willing to assist me in the language.  

     I was able to stay with a Peruvian family during my time in Arequipa.  It was a blessing not only by way of being a help to my Spanish, but it was also a blessing to spend time in fellowship with other believers.  I also had the opportunity to interact with quite a few of the youth, which also was a blessing.  Life here in Velille is definitely a contrast to the activity of Arequipa, which is the second largest city in Peru.  Another difference that I was quick to notice is the increased amount of looks one gets for being a foreigner here in the country.  Despite the natural distinction of being white I trust that there is a greater distinction of far greater importance, namely that of my Christ in my life.  If what others see is not that I am just of a different ethnic origin  but that there is some truly different on the inside then my "weirdness" will not be in vain!  I do not want my life here in Peru to show how North Americans live, but rather to demonstrate how Jesus lives in my life.  Only as that is seen can there be any hope of a Church here. 

     At this point, I am seeking God's direction for more specific areas of ministry that He wants me to be involved in.  Presently I am looking forward to the opportunity of becoming involved one again in the lives of some the people here.  Besides the regular services that are already being held, I see it as being equally important to the progress of Christ's Church to be actively involved in peoples lives.  So once again, I look forward to lending a hand in the agricultural work here.   I am trusting that as I once again become adjusted to life here the Lord would open doors for ministry.  Would you please be in prayer that the Lord would be placing upon my heart a greater vision for the work here?  As I begin my time here, I am impressed with the importance of prayer in my own life. If this venture is to produce any eternal fruit, it can only be a result of God's work, not mine.  Prayer is the deciding factor in whose work this will be, whether my own feeble efforts, or the mighty working of God's power through a yielded vessel.  Do pray that it would be the latter!  One may plant and another water, but ultimately it is God which must give His blessing if the work is to prosper.  It is His strength, which is made perfect in weakness, His power that is made evident in our inability.  May He alone receive glory as He works in the hearts and lives of people here.  I am privileged and humbled to have whatever part in His work which He sees best.

 

Sincerely, Nels

Dec. 25, 2008

December 25

Isn't this an adorable little girlia? She is typical of the children here: many layers of clothing, big eyes, lots of dark hair...

 

This next photo is from last Tuesday, when a group of us went out to Gordon's campo (country). We worked at cultivating potatoes most of the day. The work is done all by hand and leaves us gringos exhausted by the end of the day!

 

For Serenity's 21st birthday on Tuesday, Charro came over and helped us make 100 donuts. What fun! and yummy, too. :)

 

Egg on her face? No, just in her [clean] hair.... Poor Serenity! It's a tradition to crack eggs in the birthday person's hair, and Serenity was fortunate enough to have 3 cracked on her!

 

Y'all have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

December 15, 2008

This is really us! Serenity Martin and Anna Kimberlin, that is. Gordon's have been after us to post some pictures, so here are a couple...

 

The first picture is of us on top of a mountain, close to Velille. The hats are a necessity here, even if they attract quite a bit of attention!

 

The next photo shows Florcita and Anna, reading a story together. Florcita comes begging for food once or twice a day. Starvation is not really a problem here, but Florcita is an exception to the rule.

 

And the last photo is an overview of one portion of Velille, with a few school children walking down the road.

 

We are enjoying our time here, learning a lot of new things, and slowly but surely improving our Spanish vocabulary!

Dec 15, 2008

Nadia

Serenity and Anna have been spending time with our friend Nadia.

-Pray that Anna and Serenity would have much discernment in who to spend time with, and where to invest their energy that would bear fruit for eternity.

-Also pray that they would be able to effectivly share about christianity with those they spend time with. -Please also pray for Nadia, as she seems to be quite open to the Gospel, is attending services faithfully and is understanding more of what it means to become a Christian. Pray that she would love and seek digilently after the truth.

From Nels

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
    Greetings from Peru!  It is a blessing to be here once again.  I am very much looking forward to all that the Lord has for me during this time.  Currently I am in Arequipa with a group from North Carolina which is going to be adding on to a christian school. I´ll probably spend some time working on it as well, though my main purpose here in Arequipa is to do a few weeks of Spanish study.  Although my Spanish is greatly improved from when I came here a year and a half ago it is definitely not where I need it to be in relation to what I want to do.  Last year I had more of excuse, it being my first time in South America.  This year as I step into the work I´m wanting to be personally involved in a deeper way, which means there must be an increased ability to communicate.  Please be praying that I would have a ready mind to grasp more of the language over the next few weeks.  I already feel more comfortable communicating than I did Tuesday when we arrived, It doesn´t take long to start coming back when your surrounded by it!  I also ask that you would pray not not only that I would be prepared linguistically during this time, but also that there would be true heart preparation for the months ahead as well.
    Things went very well with our trip down, especially considering that two families with children were with us.  We left Cleveland NC Sunday at midnight and traveled by car to Florida.  Our flight was supposed to leave Fort Lauder dale Florida at five, but due to one of the pilots not showing up on time we didn´t leave until after seven that evening for Lima.  From there it was a mere eighteen hours by bus until we arrived as exhausted as one can only be after traveling for over fifty hours.  One nice thing about traveling long distances is that it gives one ample time to meditate and ponder what ones lies ahead.  The reasons which would compel one to go so many thousand miles I trust is seen in the sincere desire to see the Name of Christ lifted up on the earth.  Let us look upon this world with the eyes of Jesus!  I want my heart to burn with the same ardent flame as the heart of He which give His life as a testimony to the love which He bore for His fathers name.  May it also be said of my life, ¨the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up¨!  Such is my prayer as my time begins here in South America, and for such I ask for your prayers as I enter into what the Lord has for me here.  What a privilege it is that the Lord Jesus invites us to be His ambassadors.  I for one, do not what to take that commission lightly.  ¨But thanks be to God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ Jesus!

I´m looking forward to sharing my experiences with you, and thank you for your willingness to be involved.  
To Christ alone be all the glory, Nels

Serenity and Anna getting used to Velille life.

Serenity (left) and Anna (right) have been quite busy cooking, cleaning, making cakes, making and visiting with new friends here, answering knocks on the door and hosting and getting ready for visitors. They hit the ground running on arrival, but then a few days later were slowed down a bit by some of our friendly bacteria here. They are both feeling better by now, and have already been a huge blessing to us.

Youth coming soon!

        We are looking forward to the arrival of two young ladies on Nov 18th.  Serenity Martin is from OK and has been along term friend of our family.  Her father, Vern Martin was Gordon's pastor during our courtship and engagement.  She and her parents felt lead to volunteer her service here especially over the time our baby is due to arrive.  Anna Kimberlin is from TX, and she and her parents felt lead to send her along with Serenity.  Lord willing they will be here with us from Nov 18th to March 19th.  The last 6 weeks of that, being out in Arequipa.

        Nels Klewin, is planning on joining us in the work here from Dec. 20th until sometime around May.  He was here for a few months last year with Stephen, and has felt the Lord leading him back, which we consider an answer to prayer.  He will be helping me with the preaching, discipleship, Bible sales, and excursions in the country.  He will also be taking over things here while we are out in Arequipa Feb. and March.

        Merlin Yoder is planning on being here and helping Nels during most of our time in Arequipa.

        Stephen is planning on visiting us sometime in Dec. for a week or so, as are the Detwiler and Swanson families from NC.

        Please be praying for each of these youth who are planning on serving Christ in this way.