I
have a difficult task ahead of me to describe the whirlwind that took place in
June and July. We spent June in two locations and July in three. I’m going to
start with the first three and write a second blog soon with the second half. I
will do my best for the testimony of His glory. Some of you may soon receive my
update in the mail. It, however, will be quite brief and these two blogs will
elaborate on just some of the amazing experiences my team had this summer.
First, you must know that in this time the Lord continued to press on my heart
various places in the world, as He does now. Details are slim, but I can tell
you I’ve decided to continue on the mission field. The brings a load of new challenges, so
I ask for your prayers and continued support.
TINGO
MARIA
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| Interesting climate between the mountains and the jungle. |
Tingo
Maria was our first location and what a kickstart it was! Tingo Maria is most
famous for housing quite a bit of crime years back when the Communist militia,
the Shining Path, tore threw it. If my history proves correct, afterword, the
government cracked down on cocaine farming and along with US Aid, had the
farmers plant other crops. Now, however, the youth still encounter a lot of
drug problems, early pregnancies and the farmers make very little money. We
were highly encouraged not to be out late at night there and to stay close
together at all times. The team struggled with this and so one morning, we woke
them up early and had them do a bit of a boot camp full with exercises of all
sorts of possibility, the most obvious of which was robbery. (Unfortunately,
this still happened to a few people on our journey.)
In
Tingo Maria, we stayed at and worked with the church Iglesia Evangelica Peruana
‘Ebenezer’ with Pastor Noé and the other sister
churches. We slept on the floor in the church, ate our meals wherever we were,
in the church, in homes, in other churches... the people were very generous
although they had very little. We had to remember that, whether we liked what
they gave us or not, it might be their only food for the next few days. (So,
chicken feet soup and rotten potato drink it was!)
While
other places had a focus, Tingo really didn’t. We were doing all sorts of stuff
and it was great to iron out kinks in the armor. We were asked to participate
or run services for kids, youth, families, in churches, in plazas, even in the
streets. We worked with a network of sister churches, taught a drama to the
youth, even went to a church in the mountain community Santa Rosa.
Being
in Tingo Maria really prepared the team for just about anything, as we were met
with something that, culturally, takes some getting used to: Plans changing.
Now, in most cases, this is normal and happens from time to time in
cold-climate cultures. We sometimes are disappointed, but generally deal with
it quite well. Here, however, it was rather difficult, even for the Latinos on
the team. Our programmers would set up an hour or two of choreography, dramas,
testimonies or preaching and prepare the whole team only to have it change
multiple times from different desires of the pastors. At times, I think it was
simply that the pastors at different churches didn’t know our capabilities and
thus, once they found out we were bilingual for example or could do choreography,
they wanted us to add more. Often, however, it was asking for someone to preach
at the last minute or adding or taking away dramas when we had already gotten
set-up for the others. This happened to some degree in every location we were
in, minus the jungle which was ran by American’s, so I’m not singling out Tingo
Maria by any means. In Tingo specifically, we were working with a network of
sister churches, and therefore, it felt like a circus on days where we were in
2 or 3 different locations. It definitely was preparing us for the rest of the
journey.
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| Moises & myself outside the church. |
Highlights:
In Santa Rosa, we
went in groups, door to door... one of the groups brought a girl of about 18
years old back to the service in the evening. Before commencing, we were
informed as a group as to why this girl was sweating profusely: she had Yellow Fever. She
had heard about Christ and why we were there... we not only prayed for her
health, but for her to start on a new journey as a Christian. Very cool moment.
We
did a program in a Plaza one evening. As we entered to set up, we interrupted a
secluded light-up session and the youth scattered leaving a lingering stench of
marijuana. Unfortunately most scattered and didn’t return. There was a delay in
starting with finding electricity, but eventually we got underway. Honestly, it
wasn’t a very good program in the scope of things. I think it’s remembered for
one of the teammates running around in a tiger suit with the kids and the lack
of people there. At one moment, however, I noticed a young man watching from
faraway and sent one of my guys over to practice his Español. He accepted the
invitation and may have been the one lost sheep that night that Jesus went
after through our preaching and drama. He had walked away from the Lord, but
regretted this and accepted His mercy and forgiveness.
He was a good friend to our team from then on, joining us on a few events and
opening up with some of the Latin guys.
FAVORITE
PART of
Tingo Maria
I have two favorite parts and the
reason would be because they both involve children.
1) One
crazy day, I had another instance of déjà vu. We went to a different church,
participated in the services, had meals en un restauranté, did a short plaza
program, etc. Amidst all of this, we were brought to a school where we quickly
became famous.
We
split into three groups and
I imagine were in front of 500-700 kids.
My team went to six classes in the morning and five in the afternoon. In my
journal, I wrote:
“The
kids were the highlight of my day. The faces - the excitement - we didn’t put
smiles on one face, but hundreds! I remembered [a vision I once had] and teared
up. I pondered on the triumphs and difficulties of being a teacher.”
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| The classroom in Tingo Maria. |
2) On
Father’s Day, we went up to a different church and I was up to share my
testimony. I thought I was sharing to just the adults, while the children had
their dismissal for sunday school, but that wasn’t to be the case. I shared
with everyone! I touched on the fears that develop within someone who grows up
(even part of their life) without a father (fear of rejection, failure, etc.)
and how God has freed me from those things thru being my Father. Romans 8 says we are no
longer slaves to fear, but we have a spirit of adoption and are CO-HEIRs with
Christ. That’s a big statement! My journal concludes:
“I
told the kids to give their fathers an extra hug and the fathers to realize how
important of a role they play in their kid’s lives. ... We finished the service
by praying for each of the fathers.
...
Afterwords
at lunch, I saw all the kids sitting by themselves. I had one chance to talk to
them and obviously the Holy Spirit drew me over there. The 3rd table was all
boys and we talked in broken Spanish and a
10 year old boy shared with me that he is growing up without a father.
I encouraged him that ‘Dios es tu Padre’ and he agreed. I told him other adults
will teach and mentor him as well. We talked about family, numbers in English,
the USA, etc. It was another simple, yet
precious moment, that confirmed I was to be here. The
other little boy hugged me and chased me out of the door as I left.”
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| The Owl Cave in Tingo Maria |
PUERTO
MALDONALO
Puerto
is a jungle city on the south eastern side of Peru. Apparently, it’s famous for
bird watchers because I met a huge group of teachers on a plane that were all
there simply for this reason. The jungle is also a bittersweet place for me to
be in. I went, on my tab, to my best friend’s wedding and after traveling
almost non-stop for a week between Tingo Maria, Puerto, Cuzco, Lima, Ft.
Lauderdale and North Carolina, I was done. I crashed on the floor and slept for
14 hours. I woke up feeling pretty bad, old injuries aggravated, etc. The bugs
and climate were not as bad here as they were in the Amazon, although a few
people got bit by bullet ants, which are rather painful for your nervous system.
 |
| The kitchen. |
Living
there is a totally different way of life. We were there to help the family of
my co-staff. They are in the middle of preparing the land to house a full
orphanage. The kids are all in process in Cuzco, paperwork, government stuff...
What we did there, along with a team from Texas, was to prepare the land. There
were a few projects, but the majority of the work was spent on the banana and
orange trees in the crop fields.
The
jungle IS
a blessing. The difficulties force you to dig deep, to silence your flesh, to
check your attitude and your weaknesses in character (especially as a leader),
and also to lay down your rights - health, personal time, comfort, etc. This is
the life of a missionary.
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| The entire team with the Lenz family in Puerto. |
FAVORITE
PART of
Puerto
Besides
living with a pet pig and monkey that peed on our clothes, or eating slightly
American food, my favorite parts here were simple. I got to see my roommates
family, was inspired by their tenacity to build all they had in the middle of
the jungle while their own family is spread throughout Peru. My prayers are
with them and I’m excited for the day they all join together again.
COCHABAMBA, Bolivia
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| The beautiful landscape that is Cochabamba. |
Crossing
into Bolivia was talked about amongst our team for a few days. Our bus was
stopped due to a minor’s strike. There were fires in the road and police
barricades, we didn’t think we were getting passed. Then, getting through
customs took a lot longer than expected. The descent into La Paz (passing
through) was one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen. No photo does it
justice. We later found out as well that the Bolivian president had been
refused permission by multiple European nations to land in their airspace to
refuel. He blamed the United States, as he had previously offered asylum to
Snowden in Bolivia and had been ‘visiting’ Moscow.
Cochabamba
was a cool city and we were met with open arms, a different climate and a more
manageable schedule which was a nice change of pace for our team. Not
everything was easy, we had a difficult time going door-to-door as everyone was
busy or seemed disinterested.
 |
| We also got to do services in a plaza with a Homeless Ministry. |
Most
of our time was spent assisting with activities already happening in the
church. I think this is one of the best ways to utilize a missions team. We
assisted with the Vacation Bible School with the children and simply
incorporated our material into theirs. Two of my female students and I got to
run a puppet show and teaching on forgiveness. It was interesting as my Dutch
counterpart and I knew probably the least Español of any of the team members at
this point, yet were speaking broken Spanglish.
I
think our best connection was with the youth group as we held teachings every
night of the week with them. We incorporated into the worship teams (which was
again, totally different than a US team)
and all the services.
FAVORITE
PART of
Cocha
This
time was great for our team as we were able to really dig deep TOGETHER
spiritually. I was able to have one-on-ones, which anyone that knows me, knows
are my favorite way to connect. My favorite part, however, is without a doubt
the hospitality of Bolivians. Tingo Maria was one thing, but they took it to a
new level here. It was REALLY encouraging but also really CHALLENGING. Just
about every day we had a person offer to come in and make a meal for us, we
were invited to houses, we even ate saltañas in a famous Bolivian chain
restaurant for free. Everyone wanted to share their stories with us, their
insight and advice. I think Bolivia is a really overlooked country by
missionaries, but it needs your prayer as it is experiencing a lot of
persecution by it’s government who are starting to force Andean teachings on
the churches. We
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jump forward to September, what a
crazy time it’s been. I’m currently living with the kids ministry family in
Iquitos, Peru and we are working on something just about every day. Updates and
prayer requests...
- Blessings
- The last few weeks, I’ve been blessed to use my filmmaking
skills to make three videos. One was used at a successful concert here for the
Grammy nominated Latin band, ROJO, which I was the official photographer for!
(The Lord is building my resumé even on the mission field, haha.) We also
held Women’s Camp for women at risk. I had the privilege of doing an interview
with a woman with an amazing testimony of the transformation of her life thru
Christ and reconcile with her husband. In the meantime, I participated for 4
days in working with the kids of the women at the camp. They were all five
years old and under, which was very... interesting. Haha.
- My Spanish - Being
in meetings with countless pastors, teachers, leaders, etc. on the outreach in
Peru and Bolivia definitely helped my Español. Sometimes I feel frustrated in
this area because there is so much to learn, but others I’m surprised at my
level of ability in conversation and being able to understand teachings or
other things. I have started classes again and am living in a house that only
speaks Español. I’m starting to think, just like tattoos, once you know another
language, you want to know more.
- My Finances & Future. I came here
partially raised, in faith on the testimony of the vision God has given me. He
has proven faithful. My trip seems to be fully raised. Thank you so
very much to you all that have been greatly generous. My trip here is
over half over already and I’m seeking direction from God on my future. I
have decided, in uncertain terms, to continue on the mission field. Prayer
for direction and monthly (or one-time support) are always on a missionary’s
prayer list! :) For those that prefer PayPal, my email address is stbtome@msn.com.
You can still buy the Duets for Peru Project for a donation as well. http://duetsforperu.bandcamp.com
- VISA
Renewal - I was only given 60 days at the border in July and I need
another 2.5 months approved when I leave next week. Im hoping if I show my
return ticket to MN they will approve this as I’m incurring extra fees and time
away from my ministry.
- My
Transition & Continued Success- A week ago, I MOVED out of the YWAM
base to the Construyendo Sueños home. (The Building Dreams Children’s
Ministry) This will not only make it easier for me to do ministry during the
week, but will give me opportunity to be creative in my goals with the children
and families. It will also allow me to really get to know the various people
that work in the ministry as they all live in the home. Upon my return, I will
set-up to start teaching English & Photography in October. Pray the Lord
will guide me in the teaching, as well as speak to me about my future in this
time.
- DECEMBER
KIDS CAMP - December is the climax of the ministry with the kids each year.
It’s also the end of my journey here. We will be having a 4 day camp for kids
at risk. We are raising money here in Peru, for ONLY
$30 you can cover one child IN FULL - food, clothes, etc. If you
are interested, please send me the donation and note what it is for. A BIG
THANK YOU comes from my team here and I will be sure to send you a photo of
your kid(s) at camp!
As always,
PLEASE send me your prayer requests. I will be writing up two blogs
summarizing the amazing July we had in the mountains of La Paz and the
difficult times in the Quechuan communities in the Andes! The second will be
about August’s concert, the Women’s camp and my transition here into the kids
ministry. Keep a look out.
The Journey Continues! ¡Bendiciones en Cristo!
Sam
