Peruvian Way

“And as for you, be fruitful and multiply….!”

Well it looks like we are applying the Word to our lives…

It’s been ages since I have written but before giving an official update on things, we would just like to share the great news with all of you that we are having a baby. Sandra is 12 weeks and 4 days, she is due September 22. This is our second time to get an ultrasound and the picture you see here is the one we just recently got.

The doctor said that the baby is good and healthy. We don’t know yet what the sex is but we are hoping for a boy. Sandra has been pretty good so far, not to much nausea but just here and there, which we thank the Lord for.

We would like to thank you all for your unending prayers and support for us. And as well that you would pray for the new addition that we are about to have to our family.

We are still in Iquitos but before the baby is born we are heading to Lima where we will have he/she.

Just a quick update on ministry as well, we have started a new bible study in the central area near Belen. It has been going on almost 2 months now. It has been going good… I am teaching through the book of John w/ them.

There will be more to come in the next update on details and more news on how things are.

Thank you all again for the prayers, support, and rejoicing with us as we celebrate a new life being born!!!

Jeremy, Sandra, and Baby

“I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.” Ecclesiastes 3:14

We just wanted to let everyone know that my time in Lima went great… we couldn’t of asked for more in how the wedding went!!!! It was priceless, and we would like to thank all of you for all that you have done, the prayers, the gifts, the support and for being a part of our lives in this dream coming true of us coming together.As well, thanks to mine and Sandra’s family for all that you guys have done for us… we love you so much!!!! Our prayer is that the Lord would bless all of you beyond words…

Soon we will have a more detailed update on how things went but i would like to let you know that we have lots of pictures out on the website and a slideshow on the video page of what we showed at our wedding.

Also we will try and get our wedding video put on the website but will take some time to edit and put it all together but we will let you know when we get it out.

To look at the photos go to the page Photos and click on the ones that say:

• Our Wedding
• Dominican Honeymoon
• Pre-wedding
• Wedding pics. of friends & us

To see the video go to the page Videos and click on the third video or just watch all three.

And with that we would like to ask for your prayers; today as our first step of faith as being married we are heading back to Iquitos and will continue to serve there as the Lord leads us.

As well please pray for:

• A house for us and some things for it; such as bed, microwave, furniture, refrigerator, but for the most part we have a lot, thanks to all of you…!!!
• Our new transition as newly weds
• The ministry
• What the Lord would have for us there
• Time for each other and w/ the Lord
• Much love to all,
• Jeremy and Sandra Swan

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

As of May, 16 2009 that perfect gift said, “Yes” to me. And even over 2,000 years ago, before the foundation of the world, the Lord knew, who… when… where… and how… He only waited 2,000+ years for this day to happen, and I have waited 27 whole loooooonnnnnng years. But I can say that I am blessed to have waited and would not take it back or have it any other way.

The verse above was given to the both of us by the Lord, a verse that we hold and cherish dearly; knowing that we are a gift, a perfect gift from the Lord and for each other. That no matter what or through what, God has given us each other and it is Him who holds us together.

So the first time we meet was the summer of 2006, when I was on a 5 week mission trip to Atalaya, Peru (small jungle city). She had come out with the YSOM for a week, as a leader, to help.  My first impression  of Sandra was, “Wow, she’s got a great heart; passion for the Lord, mission hearted and etc…” I saw in her that it didn’t matter how dirty she got or how many kids were hanging on her or what people thought; being goofy to make some kids day. She knew and I saw that it wasn’t about her, but all about those kids and the love they needed, no matter what the cost was, reaching to the needed!

And so from there we became good friends, but clueless of what the Lord had in mind.

It wasn’t until of April 2008 when we started courting, but long distance. Her being in Lima studying at the Bible College and me in Iquitos. But this didn’t happen oh so easily but through much trails and fasting.  But yet learning through it all, the storms that the Lord took us through was not to destroy us but to build us up, to stretch us, to teach us; if not now then for later, to accomplish something, for Him to be glorified.

But after the storms there is always that peace, that rainbow, that promise…(Psalms 66:10-12) over and over the Lord keep speaking to me, “Jeremy, be patient, just wait, have faith, trust Me.” As most of us we are a, “want it now generation.” Well that was definitely me… but through it all I have learned some life changing experiences.

And from it He has given me the most precious, beautiful gift….  My Sandra!!!

The Engagement:

So I am sure by now you are wanting details of how it all went down… The Engagement!!!!

Well I first want to give thanks to the Lord b/c none of this would of happened unless for Him, it is definitely a God story at that; my faith was most definitely stretched through it all.

With a time window of a week and a half, I needed to find the ring, get it sized, order the bible I had found online that I was going to give to her, get it engraved with her name on it, and have it shipped to California to a family who was coming to Peru to see their son graduate from Bible College.

All to say that everything came together but at the tick-of-time.

The ring was suppose to be done by that Thursday but didn’t get in until Saturday morning for my Sister to over night, and arrive Monday but of course it didn’t arrive until Tuesday; the day they were leaving for the airport….. Well, when the package arrived no one was home. So, Package Boy left a note for re-deliver, but of course re-delivery is not until the next day and that would of been to late, they would of been on a plane to Peru, long gone and w/o a ring. So through some phone calls of explanations of the situation, it ended up that the post office boy in that area, just un-expectantly disappeared from work, which later finding out, he had chased after the two trucks that the ring might be on to get it to the Gunderson’s in time, before they left. But to note the Gunderson’s didn’t know all this was going on until they received a phone call saying we have the ring…

 So, guess what…..it all arrived!!!!

With some planning ahead I had arranged for Sandra’s dad to pick me up from the airport; coming from Iquitos to Lima for her graduation. But her not knowing that I actually arranged it a day early than what I told her, so that I could not only surprise her but for the main reason of talking to her dad, asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

It was pretty funny b/c during Sandra’s graduation from Bible College, all thought I was going to do it then, so all eyes where on us thinking that I would propose to her then. But of course that’s not how the story went down.

So with the help of her parents I was able to get everything prepared for that Saturday, May 16th. Her dad and I found a place for me to engrave James 1:17 on the inside of the ring. Also I had talked to some good friends of ours to see if they could play paparazzi for us while I proposed. And two days before her parents and I went to her favorite restaurant to make a reservation for the two of us for Saturday and explained the details of how I would like it.

With plans and all set, I had told Sandra that I wanted to take her out to eat somewhere nice for her graduating that day. Well, it ended up that she got a little sick, she wasn’t feeling good or up to going out to eat or dressing up. On top of that some medicine that she had taken made her a little sleepy. But all in all, in the back of my head I was saying, “It’ll all be worth it, just wait, if she only knew…” With a little tug and pull…

Off we went, a little late but worked out perfect, first plan was to hit up Starbucks to get some coffee b/c I thought a little caffeine might do her a little good and we were going to walk to the cliffs (over looking the beach, 30 min. walk) where I had my paparazzi waiting and where I was going to give her a bible study and the bible I had boughten for her with the ring inside.

With pulling off some delays due to our fast but normal pase, we made perfect timing. Arriving at the bench I had picked out where I would propose. It wasn’t the best view of the beach, but the best bench to where Darwin and Annie wouldn’t be seen (paparazzi). To note the spot that I wanted to take her to was a bit further down to where we were but with her being sick and to cold outside, I decided to do it here. (the other place was where we sat down and talked about the future and all for the first time.) I know ahhhhh….!!!!

Well, when sitting down I started to give her the bible study that the Lord had put on my heart; what I said I have no idea, I was more focused on what was about to happen next, hahahaha. But the funny thing was, that a couple came to us asking if we can take a picture of them, but really to let us know that for about 20 mins. there has been some guy filming and taking pictures of you two, and he said that we should leave if we wanted. After they left Sandra got a little scared and wanted to look back and see who it was, but of course if that would of happened it would of all been over. So I told her not to worry I am here and then putting my hand on her back so that she wouldn’t turn around. She thought in her head, “thats weird, he’s usually protective over me, why doesn’t he want to leave.”

Shortly ending after that, I told her that I had a gift I wanted to give her. She thought, “oh no, hes doing to propose to me,” but I then pulled out the wrapped bible. The first thing she saw was the engraving on the bible with her soon to be new name, “Sandra Swan.” Then when opening it up she saw what it looked like a ring but then really didn’t think much of it, so real quick I told her to first read the note I wrote and then after that I told her to turn to James 1:17 I want to show you something.

While she was turning to James 1:17, I then got on my knees and asked her if she would marry me. With excitement, joy, laughter, hugging, she couldn’t believe that it was happening, speechless. I then took the ring off the book marker and put it on her finger and then began to talk more… you know the mushy gushy stuff! With her not knowing still that Darwin and Annie are still behind us filming, I then told her to turn around; more shock, joy, excitement, speechless…. she couldn’t believe it. As well I had asked Annie if she could prepare some worship songs for us to worship to after but with all the excitement all that didn’t happen but before leaving for the restaurant for the next surprise, Darwin prayed for us.

Off to the restaurant we went, upon arrival I had asked them to play a cd (one of her favorite singer’s: Andrea Bocelli). Right away when entering she had to go to the bathroom, but not hearing the music until she was in the bathroom and with amazement she couldn’t believe it, “out of all day’s they are playing Andrea.” Later finding out of course that I had it all planned out.

On the table I had a special card made out for her, something to reserve the table with but also something for her to keep and remember this day by. Also there was a mix of red rose petals, little delicious hershey dark chocolates that were spread all over the table. A candle and to cups to toast with (don’t worry it was a fruit drink). But as we were about to make a toast, she realized that she never officially said yes. So I then asked her, ” So whats your answer?” And of course it was, “YES!”

And that was pretty much how it all went down; the day I became the most blessed man, engaged to the most precious, beautiful woman (physically and spiritually).
 
So, the wedding will be September, 26 2009 in Lima, Peru.

After the Honeymoon we will be returning to Lima for a few weeks and then returning back to Iquitos were we will start our new lives together!!!!

As of right now I am in Iquitos but will be returning to Lima at the end of July for a friends wedding and then staying there till ours.

With some closing words; Thank to all, for you prayers and support of me being here. If it wasn’t for you all this wouldn’t of happened.

A special thanks to my Mom, my sister Haley and the Gunderson’s for doing all that you did… Ma and Haley thanks for putting up with me through it all

And a special special thanks to Sandra, I love you sooooo much and am so blessed to have you apart of my life, you mean the world to me… James 1:17

Ps. If you would like to support in anyway with the wedding or honeymoon, please see my home page and click on the tab that says, “wedding support.”

“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”  I Thess. 5:24

Faithful- one who is true, sure, worthy of trust, one who shows themselves faithful. There is no other name then He Himself, who is faithful… JESUS!!!!

In these past several months I have seen the faithfulness of the LORD in my life. Even when I haven’t been faithful He remained faithful, even in my doubt’s of wondering, “where is He,” He was faithful and will always be faithful.

He is one who is so true, so loving, one who is a Father to the fatherless, a King to who is in need of a King, a Redeemer of one who is in need of being redeemed, a Savior to one who is in need of a Savior, One who is faithful even when we aren’t. He is…. our JESUS!!!!

So with that, here is a quick view of what the Lord has been doing in the ministry here…

IBCC Student Mission Trip:In April we had some of the students from the Bible college come and help out. We saw the Lord use them in many ways. Since we had such a big group we were able to divide the team at times and allow some of them share not only at our church but at Pastor Javier’s church, (Baptist Pastor) a good friend of Albert and I’s. They were locked, loaded, and ready to go for what the Lord had. Through all the evangelism, drama’s, hanging out with street kids, visiting Belen, Panguana, and sharing at the church, I can say that seeds were planted, lives were touched, and turned around. 

El Terminal: Through thick n thin, through trails and blessings, I have seen the Lord at work in our church. Not only in the church but for me personally as well. But when the Lord is at work the enemy is always right there as well trying to destroy. When coming back from the states I saw just that, him at work… and the words that keep coming to me were, “Jeremy, tend My sheep, go after them.” And even today the enemy is still at work, but I am reminded of these words that were spoken to Judah and Jerusalem in II Chronicles 20:15,17 “Do not be afraid nor dismayed b/c of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you…. Do not fear or be dismayed…for the LORD is with you.”

One, don’t be afraid or dismayed at what we see. Two, the battle is not ours. Three, don’t fight but allow the LORD to fight for you. Four, Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you. So does that mean we are off the hook, are we free to go… Heck No!

He is still at work and so are we!!!!

Just a quick update:
Albert, continues to pour out to the kids in Belen and wherever there is a need he is always there with a willing heart to help. He’s also been on the rivers a bit inviting Pastors for our up coming conference here in June.
Jose, continues to teach on Wednesdays and Sundays, he is going through the book of Daniel and Exodus.
Raul, who is fairly new to the church here, but has been a blessing in leading worship and going to Panguana, and covering for Jose or I when needed.
For me I am still going through the book of Proverbs with the youth. With my discipleship group I am currently reading through the book, “Why grace changes everything” by Chuck Smith, as well going with Raul to Panguana.

Panguana:
But due to the river being to high, for the past 5 weeks we haven’t been to Panguana, which soon in these weeks we hope to return. Traveling in a small canoe at night time, not knowing whats looking at you or what’s praying for as they are about to eat you, doesn’t sound to fun to me. Definitely adventurous but not to fun, so we have decided to wait till it is safer to go.

But the last two times we did go we were able to paint the church and the pastoral house next to it. I was more in favor of the natural jungle look but it turned out pretty good, they love it so i love it.

Every time when going back I see the kids getting older and older and more and more I pray that as they do grow up that they would take to heart all that they have been taught and heard. That the more they mature in age the more of an understanding of who God is would mature as well.

The Youth:
If you could continually keep the youth in prayer, the enemy really has a stronghold on them here and has even gotten a hold of some in our youth group. It has been hard at times seeing this, but I know that He is FAITHFUL and knows what is going on. The battle is not over….!!!! The words reside in my head, “Jeremy, feed My sheep…”

“Even without a word, life still goes on”, well this seemed to be my life these past months, in the lack of sharing with you guys of what the Lord has been doing. It is so true, life does go on even without the news of hearing it at times; in the realm of God at work in our lives. But as we all know God is on the throne and is at work. My deepest apologizes to you all, but praise the Lord I am here now to share with you all what He has been doing and taken me since last time I shared.

Time in the states: Dec. 23-Feb.12
Amarillo:
For the holidays I had the privilege to visit my family, which was a sweet time of fellowship and rest. At one point we were all together, that is for a short period of time, no joke. If you all know my family it is like the Brady Bunch but double the amount, so for all of us to get together all at same time is always a miracle. It was great seeing them all and spending time with all my little nieces and nephews and seeing how much they have all grown… Of course, they were excited to see there Uncle Jerm; Jerm from the jungle, who lives with the lions and tigers, spiders, and snakes and so forth as there imagination goes. But don’t worry guys I am not that far into the jungle, at least yet…

During my stay home I also had the opportunity to teach, share with the youth at my church, which I always love doing. And as well I was able to teach on a Wednesday night at my church and share what the Lord has been doing in the ministry here. The Lord had put on my heart to teach from Mark 9:34, “Denying ourself, taking up our cross, and following Him.” Which was a true blessing for me, and always a good reminder, thank you guys.

California:
When in California I had the privilege of going to the Missions Conference, which was a sweet time of getting feed; no not just physically but spiritually. It was so cool to hear from other missionary’s and to catch up with old friends and to see where the Lord has taken them, and to see what He has done in there lives. If I could say the two most things that hit me or impacted me the most from this Conference and do ask for your prayers as maybe what the Lord might have in the future is, “to the unreached, church planting,” only God knows and time will tell, but I want a heart that will say,“I will follow Jesus no matter what the cost, I will take the cross no matter how it comes,” I am Yours.

Austin:
While in Austin I had the chance to spend more time with family and friends. And had the privilege of sharing at one of my supporting churches, with what the Lord has and is doing in Iquitos. Truly a sweet time of encouragement, fellowship and being sent out to continue to do what God has called me to do. Thank you all…. For more info on the church visit: http://ecclesiaaustin.com

Nashville:
In Nashville I had the chance to see a great friend of mine; one who is like a spiritual dad to me, one who I had worked in ministry with, and a great mentor who taught me a lot about ministry and how it is to walk by faith. It was a short, but sweet time of fellowship with him and his family of catching up on all that has happened in the last year. Thank you Tom… For more with his ministry visit: http://ru4one.com

Back to Peru: Feb. 13….
Lima: Feb. 13-23
I love the timing of the Lord, I am learning more and more, which you would figure I/we would learn by now that His timing is better. When getting back to Peru, and with it being Valentine’s day the church in Lima had held a marriage conference, with special guest speaker Thomas Shockey, which was awesome and about 35 married couples had attended. It truly was a time of Learning, conviction, reflection, repentance, brokenness, and reuniting. If you are wondering how I knew all this, well I actually had the privilege of being the photo man along with Sandra, well her being the photo woman. Which you know don’t have to use your ears to take pictures so we got to sit in on it and listen as we took pictures. Which was also a blessing for us to be there and listen, as it seems the Lord continues to lead us in that direction, towards marriage.

There was also a conference for the youth the following week, “Passion or Purity.” Which was so awesome, and with about maybe 200 or so who had attended, and with about half of them making a commitment to purity!!! It was such a great reminder of the importance of staying pure, not only for Christ but for your future wife or husband. Truly is of that of denying the flesh, counting the cost, running against the current (the world), but running with the current of the Holy Spirit and power of Him giving you the ability to do what He has called you to do. What use is a broken record if you can’t play it. But thanks be to God that He is the only One that can fix that record and make it new again and the sound of it, so sweet… that is a life of purity before the Lord!!! For Sandra and I it was a blessing, encouragement, and reminder of that living pure and upright before the Lord, putting aside our desires, wants and wanting a heart of what God has a heart for. Our desire is to be more like Him and for Him to be glorified through our lives.

Iquitos: Feb. 23….
Being back in Iquitos has been nice, a few challenges but good and always growing. Also, I finally got brave enough to cut my hair, so the looking like Jesus days are over, that is just with my hair and beard, you know what I mean. (Before and after picture)

Well, to start with, when in the states the Lord had put on my heart, that when going back to Peru to start teaching in Spanish with the youth. Before Albert had been so faithful in translating for me but now I think the little bird needs to jump out of the nest and began to fly on his own, so to speak. And with being in the states for a time I wanted to give it at least a month to get back in the flow of my Spanish, well with what Spanish I know right now. So with the Lord and His sense of humor, praise the Lord for, “hahaha”. My first week back, due to Albert being busy with a team he couldn’t translate for me that Saturday, so I jumped right in with teaching in Spanish. Which actually went great, a bit nervous, hard, and humbling but good. So looks like that month thing was out the window. I am reminded when Jesus called Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water, He didn’t say, “Peter wait a moment/month, then when you feel more comfortable, do it…” No He said, “Come.”

Youth news:
While in the states, my prayer for the youth in our church here was that they would continue to follow the Lord, even when Albert or I aren’t here. That there foundation, would be Christ!!! Which brings me to this prayer request. First, just a little background of Iquitos. There such a HUGE pull of temptation from the world on the youth with drinking, partying, girls, homosexuality, drugs, do anything for money kind of thing and etc… well I ask for your prayers b/c there seems to be some guys in our youth that have gotten caught up in this seen and the enemy is pulling them more and more away.

With news from someone I had found out where they were going to hang out, drink, party, mixing with the wrong crowd. So prayerful, I decided to take a surprise visit, check it out and say hi to them; at this bar in Belen (Floating city). For those of you who have seen pictures or have been here, Belen is under water part of the year due to the rainy season and the houses are floating and is the poorest and most dirtiest area here. Well this bar was on the Itaya river in Belen and to find out a pretty popular place where 100′s of teens go. Now this river is not the cleanest you could say, not the swimming type river, you wouldn’t want to fall in or touch the water, b/c it is not only a river but an out house, a source of use for many other things as well which pollutes the water as well.

So to get to this bar, we had to take a canoe and to get to the door I had to step out of the boat and in to the water, just past my knees, “Don’t worry I was praying hard.” Not on my knees b/c then I would be fully under… To add also this is not the typical place for a gringo to go and visit, but the Lord had put on my heart Matthew 18:12 where Jesus gave the parable of leaving the 99 and going after the one. For me it didn’t matter the cost… When getting inside and seeing the atmosphere of the place, the people; drinking, smoking, dancing, and so many homosexuals. I felt so disgusted just being there and seeing what I saw. And I thought to myself, “why would anyone come here, why would anyone leave the Lord for this.”

Just to walk I had to push people out of the way and had to keep one hand on my pocket b/c in Iquitos they are known for robbing and me being white of course am a target to them and even had some try to get in my pocket but couldn’t b/c my hand was there. I made sure I didn’t have anything they could steal, I just brought enough for the boat ride there and back. Now with this bar being on the river and the amount of people in there, I was praying that the Lord wouldn’t take this place down while I was in it, at one break it would all be destroyed and all would have died from the current of the river taking it under and of so many people fighting to try and get out of the place with it being under water. One verse then came to my mind from Romans, “The wages of sin is death…” Lord help them see there sin and the cost of it….

The guy who was with me helped look for them but when we entered he had seen one of them there but when he told me where he was, I had looked and he was gone. Of course, he didn’t want me to see him there so he hide and I am guessing ran out. But I am believing by me being there and the willingness to go, and with the conviction of his heart, that there would be godly sorrow which leads to repentance.

Thank you guys for your prayers with that, and ask for your prayers with the rest of the youth that they would not get entangled in the affairs of this world. I ask for your prayers as well for wisdom in how to protect the youth from more of them getting caught in that, and for those who have, how to lead them back to Christ the right way, with the right approach, with the right discipline the Lord calls for us to do.

I have seen the power of prayer!!! We do serve a God that does listen and is faithful to His word. May we stand in the gap and pray; that the chains, the sin, the bondage that sit so heavily on this place would be broken and for them to be set free. And for a place that is turned upside down to be turned right side up.

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16c

Thank you all for your continual prayers and support for the ministry….!!!!!

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!!!

“But without Faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” -Hebrews 11:6-

Faith……..? Faith, such a small word but with great meaning and at times so hard to live by, why? I believe with the majority of us the reason’s are different; each situation, circumstance, and where were at with the Lord. As the Bible says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Faith as well I believe is a choice, a choice followed with actions. And that choice to believe in something we don’t yet see, and yeah at times it is hard. But as Christians that is how we are to live our lives, it is a daily life of walking by faith.

So to say, it seems to be a never ending, always learning, life challenging experience as we follow Christ; living by FAITH. Are we up for it, are we living it? For the past two months I felt like I have been challenged with walking by faith, where and who is my faith in?

At the beginning of the month we had a small group from Lima (Operation Blessings) who is apart of a ministry that goes around the world and helping churches where there is need for wells to be put in, to have clean fresh water, which in our case; Panguana. They were able to not only put in one but three and one in El Terminal. Also they came and did a huge Medical Clinic in Panguana and in Iquitos; with about 20 doctors and one dentist, and tons and tons of medicine that was given out to the people with there needs. With such a great turn-out with the Medical Clinic and seeing the need they came back a second time and went through-out the town of Iquitos in different parts teaching how to prevent from getting parasites and giving out pills that would kill whatever parasites they might have already, (which is big here with the way you see how some of the living conditions are.)

As most of you know my Spanish is not the greatest but I do get by with what I do know, by the grace of God. Well, with that I was faced this August with the challenge of teaching in Spanish while Albert went to Lima to study for two weeks. Just to note, Albert has been my translator when I teach at church, ever since I moved down here last June. So….. yeah, just me and Jesus!

I had the chance of teaching twice while Albert was gone. It was definitely challenging but rewarding at the same time as I drew closer to the Lord in my faith with Him. And even where I was at in the book of John as I have been teaching through, it was on “faith.” Funny how God does that, but what I saw was impossible but Jesus saw it differently. And funny thing now, “I’m about to do it again,” coming this November 10th, Albert is leaving for the states and I will be here by myself, so here we go. Scared? YES, but I know through and only through Him I can do it.

With a short break you could say of my faith being stretched, towards the end of the month we had a team from Calgary, Canada come and pour into the ministry here, mostly with the kids. It was such a sweet time of fellowship and to see willing hearts serve at whatever cost. The majority of the group were youth girls, some adult leaders and Pastor Quinn. They were able to do many kids programs, as well taught some of the street girls to make jewelry and later some of the guys on the team came and bought what they had made. We also had kids ministry on the blvd., many teachings at the church in El Terminal and an adventurous trip to Panguana.

After the team had left the Lord had opened the door for me to go to Lima, to visit friends, take a break from the ministry here, and run a race that I had been waiting for all year long (The Human Race, Nike+ 10k). With the sense of humor God has, not only had I been training for a race physically but I believe spiritually too. When arriving to Lima with the excitement of seeing friends and running this race, to later news finding out that there was a miss understanding and I got signed up for the wrong race, funny uh! Well at the time it really wasn’t. But crazy how in something you have been longing for so long has finally come, but yeah…….. this time it ‘s going to take a little testing, a little challenge, of……faith?

With favor from the Lord, and knowing someone at Peru Runners, who was an old student of mine from IPCNA (English program, where I had volunteered as a teacher at a conversation club, for them to learn English better). From talking to her and trying to do everything possible to run in the race, the only thing I could do is just sit and wait, yeah the number one thing most people don’t like to do, WAIT!!! So after two days of going crazy you could say and things running through my mind and at the same time the Lord teaching me what it means to trust in Him and only Him.

To be honest, my faith was little at this point, I was for sure thinking it was not going to be possible to run, and with the words of the lady at Peru Runners saying, “To be honest Jeremy, it is more likely impossible for this to happen, for you to run.” But then somewhere in the back of my head I was thinking, “yeah but the bible says, ‘nothing is impossible with God.” And with one day I had missed the finally day to sign up for this race, “go figure!” And so over and over again the Lord was speaking to me, “Jeremy, where is your faith, in Me or in man?” With anxiety, some peace, and little faith, I had finally gotten a phone call, “Jeremy call up at Peru Runners, the director of the race wants to talk to you.” “Wow, I thought, the big dude wants to talk to me, thats cool?”

And after telling him all what had happened his words were, “what size shirt to you wear?” “Large,” I said. “Well the only size I have left is XL, will that be fine?” “Yeah, I am sure that will work, (with a smile on my face.)” but really in my head I was thinking, “Heck yeah that will be fine!!!!” But trying to be as professional and calm as possible b/c I mean look at who I was talking to. And with 20 minutes to get up there before they closed, I picked up my shirt with great joy of seeing the Lord’s faithfulness in my life once again. And with the few minutes and words I had with the director of the race as I picked up my shirt, the Lord had opened a small window to share why I was in Peru and what I was doing and even what I learned just from this challenge.

From reading this, I don’t want you to think and say, “Wow, Jeremy! You da man, you did it!”

Just like all, I am a working process and there are so many more piece’s that needs worked on and put together. Someone once said, “Great faith, comes great challenges.” And this has been a prayer of mine that I would have great faith, but with that great faith comes those great challenges and with that challenge I am needing to put that faith in the One who is, “Da Man” the One who can get you through those great challenges and help you have that great faith, Jesus Christ Himself, the One who we worship and live for.

Let me put it this way, Peruvianly speaking (if that is a word), I am just a piece of rice in a bowl of chicken soup, (in regards to faith). But my prayer is that each day that my faith would grow, grow to be the size of the piece of chicken in that soup. And yes, I know what you are thinking, “What an analogy, Jeremy…..?” But hey, it sounded good at the time.

And your probably saying as well, “But the Word of God says, ‘that if we have faith as a mustard seed we can…….” But just think what we can do if we have faith the size of that chicken, Wow uhh!!!

Ok, maybe bad analogy, but it sounded good at the time. Laugh it up!!!!

But I am reminded of two words as I have been learning about faith, and that is….. “EXPECT BIG.” Why? Because we serve a BIG God!!!

May the Lord bless each and everyone of you!!!

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15

River Pastor’s Conference:
A team of three pastor’s from the states, one from Calvary Chapel Joshua Springs and the other two from Costa Mesa came and held a conference with about 20 river pastor’s.

The conference was 3 days of just none stop listening, learning and applying, it was so cool to see these guys who live out in the middle of nowhere, with very little or even no resources of material to study with, but the Bible. Within the three days the three pastor’s taught them IBS (Inductive Bible Study), showing them how to study the bible, applying it to there life’s and then how to teach it to there congregation; book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Then they went taught through I & II Timothy, showing them as pastor’s to lead a church through the life of Timothy and Paul. And with encouragement to continue in what the Lord has for you, to be faithful in the ministry where the Lord has you. We also went through two small books, one written by Chuck Smith and the other from a man that was discipled by Chuck.

It was such a blessing to see the face’s of the pastor’s that we had invited, to see them light up and to see how much they were into all the studies that we had, notes after notes I could see them taking, and even three boys from my youth group came out and helped with the conference but as well was sitting in on the session’s and was very cool to see them so attentive to what was being said.

After the conference the pastor’s for filled spiritually and ready to go out and share with what the Lord had shown them, they were also blessed with materials, a study bible to take back, the two books that we had read, notes upon notes, and a Matthew Henry Commentary, and a certificate saying what they had completed this curse of studies. When they saw all these things given to them, the smile and looks on there faces were amazing. It was like a miracle had happened, it was the hand of God that all this came to pass and for them to go back full not empty handed!!!

YSOM (Youth Summer of Missions):
From the being of summer and on we have been so busy with team after team, which I am not complaining b/c I love it when they come, “FELLOWSHIP here we come,” is what I say. It is always a joy to have teams and for them to be apart of the work that the LORD is doing and for them to see it first hand.

With that, each year the english pastor in Lima, Rick Heilman leads a group of youth kids from all over the states for a 6 week program here in Peru. They go all over Peru to the different Calvary Chapel’s that the LORD has started and has them come along side each missionary/pastor that is there and puts the youth to work. Whether that be doing drama’s, kids programs, street evangelism, concerts, teaching, and etc… It really is a hard work but I know from the testimony’s of it that you go back not the same!!!

From what I have seen it is a time for them to get out of there comfort zone, there daily usual routine, and let the Lord stretch, and even stretching to the point of brokenness and with open eye’s to reality and to what the LORD can do if we are only willing to surrender all.

Last year we had the YSOM here in Iquitos and we had a huge purity conference with the youth, which was awesome. This year we actually had two teams come at the same time but working together, one was the YSOM and the other was a group of youth from Rick’s church. It was the Largest team we have had, if i remember right it was about 35 I think all together. And most of them all stayed at our house, it was wild, crazy but sweet.

With so short amount of time of knowing if the team was coming or not and us planning things, it was cool to see how we all just put our wants aside and watched the Lord work through us. From doing drama’s, evangelism on the boulevard, ministry with the street kids, kids ministry in Belen, ministry at the church (kids, adult and youth), and our river trip to Panguana.

With so many of them, Me and Albert thought to our selfs, “What are we going to do?” But with the work of the Lord and His faithfulness, everyone had a part in something and was used by the Lord in some way. With many members, yet one body we all had a part, and even to see that at times some didn’t think they were able to do something but with the help of the Lord it was done.

If we only put our trust in the Lord and allow Him to have His way then I believe that is when we will start to see how the Lord can use us in mighty ways that we would never of thought. It’s that of putting our faith in the Lord, trusting that He is going to pull through, even when we don’t understand it or see it. For we walk by FAITH and not by site!!!

River Trip 2:
On our second river trip we added one more person, a friend of mine (Mike Lidinsky) that was an intern for a year at the Bible College came out for almost two months to help along with the ministry, to his surprise we had just the trip for him to break him in, our second river trip.

We were on a 14 hour boat ride back out to Requena where we would start and go further up on the Ucayali river inviting pastor’s. We now went with just a little bit more experience from the last trip but didn’t know what to expect as before, totally just walking by faith and waiting on the Lord for open door’s. It was crazy b/c we thought we would be out on the river the next day when we arrived but to our surprise we didn’t leave Requena until after 3 days of staying there. We had visited more pastor’s there and even got to share at a church, but our main focus was out on the river.

But let me tell you, waiting in a town that really had nothing exciting to it but the river, was quite the experience and Mike could tell I was ready to leave; ready to get out on the river and start the adventure. I am an outdoor person, so for me to just sit and wait in a hotel for three days was a little challenging. But I made it through and with good ole Mike teasing me about it, how I just waned to get out but couldn’t, it was like hurry up and wait. But don’t worry I got him back plenty of times when we stayed a couple of days out in the middle of nowhere and for him that was stretching b/c it was his first time in the jungle but for me and Albert we were used to it.

So after waiting to see what the Lord had us do we decided to go another day up river on a big boat to a town called Juancita and then from there cross over the Ucayali river to a little village called Berlin, out in the boondocks as us Texans would say. There Albert knew of a pastor and had not visited him for several years so we thought we would go and tell him about the conference we were having and encourage him and the church.

When arriving it was a big surprise for him to see us, him and his family welcomed us in there little hut house and that is where we stayed the night with our mats and mosquito nets. For our meals we had soup, and soup and more soup, that seemed to be the meal for the week I guess. Our time was three days, fellowshipping with the pastor and his family, some of the community, teaching at there church, playing and having a kids program for the kids. Learning truly how it is to live with nothing in the middle of nowhere, as I was there and observing how they live, it blew my mind in the faithfulness of the Lord and how they live off the land to survive; from eating to building there houses. As well me and Mike got to go fishing with some of the boys, and we caught……, well you could say bait.

The traditional friendly welcome to the jungle is of course the mosquito’s, here they were more fierce and bug spray, yeah forget about that, it seemed with some of them it didn’t even faze them. Mike had a great time with learning how to live with bugs everywhere and spiders the size of almost your hand crawling and starring you down as you get ready for bed and even so curious that one decided to crawl into is bag.

We also had the chance for us to take a little canoe to a village that was 1 1/2 hours away with paddle’s but with a motor 15-20 minutes maybe if that. It was so funny seeing three Americans rowing a canoe up a river that was pretty big and with not much experience, we were going from one side to the other but praise the Lord no one was watching. And yes we did make it to the community but that was with getting stuck once in the mud and it coming up to my thigh.

After our 3 days we decided to head back, we got on a boat at 4am from Juancita that would take as all the way back to Iquitos, (36 hour boat ride). It was a lot of sleeping in our hammocks, reading, listening to music and walking around in circle’s, I mean what else can you do.

Our plan was to visit village to village but God had other plans, but along the way back Albert was able to hand out flyer’s for the conference at every stop as they picked up more passenger’s. Not fully understanding why it went the way it did but I know it was blessing for us and the Pastor in Berlin as we were there to come along side him and encourage him in the faith. Even if we only invited one pastor it was worth it. I am reminded of the story where, “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?” Not to say this pastor was straying, but I could tell that he needed encouragement and the Lord knew that, He knows us, He knows our needs, our weaknesses, and our strengths, His timing is always perfect.

For me these two trip’s were amazing and will never forget them, I will always treasure them and know that it was all the Lord!!! Even if at times it was hard I can still praise Him and know that He was in control the whole time.

“My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh shall bless His holy name forever and ever.” Psalms 145:21