Peruvian Way

Pastor’s Conference II and more….

This month the Lord had open the door for us to have another Conference, for me it was a little different but was in a good way. Brad Lambert, the pastor from Calvary Chapel Living Hope (Oceanside, California) came and did a study on, “The Grace of God”. From what I heard from Albert and Brad it went good and from visiting with some of the pastor’s as I was there some of the time, it went awesome. Even river pastors from the last conference came back and with new one’s, it was cool to see the hunger for the Word of God.

For me I was only there for part of it, why? Well I got this big surprise, which I didn’t even see it coming. My friend Matt Carver had come down with the team and surprised me, and he actually pulled it off, I am proud of him for pulling it off. A little background with me and Matt, Matt every time he would want to talk to me about something or tell me something that he thought I didn’t know, well for some reason or another and some how I would already know. It drove him crazy, well maybe not crazy but always wondered how I always knew. So for him to pull this off and with me not knowing, I give him props, well done Matt.

So for the week they were here, sounds crazy but all I wanted to do was hang out. The cool thing also was that, that’s what was on Matt’s heart too, just hang out and fellowship like the good ole days. Just a little inside life of a missionary; the number one thing teams say when they come is, “I hope we are not a burden to you guys.” To be honest, yeah it does take time, sacrifices, less sleep, having to work around or change normal schedule’s, patience and etc… but in reality, at least for me, to just have the fellowship with other brother’s and sister’s in Christ who come and stay for a week or so, means the world to me.

When stepping out in faith and coming to Iquitos I knew it was going to be a challenge for me, why? B/c i was coming from a place where I was surrounded by fellowship non-stop. Not to say I don’t have fellowship here, cause I do. But with the fellowship I do have here is more like full time ministry. If I ever want to go out with friends and do something I am always the one who they look too, to pay, b/c they don’t have any money. But at times to be able to go out and not worry about that is like cherry on whip cream. Here’s an example; to just go to the movies or go out for coffee, or just hang out somewhere and not worrying about a thing, “well I can’t do this b/c… or I can do this but….” And your probably saying, “Well isn’t that what you signed up for, full time missionary?” Yes I did, and I know that the cost is great and hard at times and with it the Lord has blessed me so much, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy and that’s why I am still here, b/c of HIM! But with that, I had a great time when they were here, and always look forward to teams and people visiting, so come on down!

Not sure why I said all that, but hey there it is a daily struggle at times for a wee-little-bitty, but blessed, jungle missionary boy. Thanks Matt for the surprise, it truly was a blessing to have you and the team, as well for all the teams and prayer warriors who have come and been a blessing to us and the ministry, thanks!

Ok, now that we are all in tears, no j/k, lets move on to the next thing, Whoa, ready for this……

Once a Boy now a Man

You are probably laughing at this title but I just had to say it, so why a boy to a man. Well back in May my pastor and a few others came out to see the ministry here. Which we had such a great time of fellowship and ministry. But as my pastor being a Harley Davidson man and seeing that the main transportation here is motorcycle’s and motor car’s. Well, he told me that he had a project for me but I had to guess and that when I got it I had to give her a name. So I thought, “Ok, what could this be.” But of course after a few guesses he told me, that when going back home within two weeks and talking to the right people he could have enough money for me to get a bike.

Chevere, I thought (meaning cool in English), and sure enough the Lord had provided for me to get one. Now in all my life I always told myself that I would never get a bike, but after seeing the Lord provide and me not do a thing, I thought to myself, “Hey, if the Lord’s in it then so am I.” Well after getting my Carnet stolen (residence card) and having to wait for a new one and then after a month of just looking for the right bike, finally it came. It was like true love at first site, hahahaha j/k. But it was truly cool how for a little over a month I couldn’t do anything but wait.

And when I was going to buy the bike I thought I wanted which so many people have here, but then it was when I saw this new model that was caming out and only few people had them, I could count the people who had them on my hand, and it just happened that I had the right amount of money. But the thing was is that I had to wait another month for them to ship it, and then that month went by and found out that something went wrong with the shipment so I had to wait another month. You know they always say, “Good things come to those who wait.”

The day came when she was just sitting outside my house with the dealer that sold it to me waiting for me to return home from church, with the keys in hand. I thought to myself, “Wow, that thing is intense, and intense looking.” Someone who really has never really been a bike person, I keep thinking, “Wow” But after getting my license, insurance, and all, I began to get a feel for the bike and how to drive in a compact, fairly big, but crazy driving, island. Yeah, it never really hit me that I live pretty much on an island until I got a bike. If you ever want to just go on a ride to relax, think, cruise, well only one road to do that and its only 95 kilometers until you hit the next small city and then have to turn around b/c you are at the end.

So you are probably thinking what the name is for my bike, with picking a name of course it has to have meaning. So…….all in a nut shell, well for several years now, actually since coming back to Peru as a missionary in May of 2006, the Lord has blessed me with a great friend and not only a friend but even more now. Through much prayer, fasting, trails, and of our faith being tested, we have seen Him lead, guide and continue to as we hope for and believe one day will become more, but all in His timing. With that I decided to name my bike after Sandra’s nickname, which is “Chocolate!”

It has been such a blessing to have a ride and get to the places I need to go. And with going to church w/o having to take the over crowded buses, thats seats are to small for a white tall American, man it’s great. And of course all the boys in the youth love it and I’m always giving rides, mostly when going to from church, but I always love to help when I can.

Something I always say and joke around with the my youth boys now that I have a bike, is that, “I am becoming more Peruvian then American now,” I have a Carnet (residence card), a house, a bike, and a Peruvian motorcycle license, Wow! What next….?”

And to close with a prayer of mine , is that I would always be grateful for what the Lord has given me but as well, always use with caution what He has given me, that is of driving safe and not driving like all the other crazy people who do here.

Thanks to all for making this possible!!!