Puerto Maldonado - 7 de Junio

February

We had an incredible turn out for VBS. 41 kids the first day, 45 on the second. With only Ana and me teaching, it was the perfect amount to show up. We did not have the 2010 VBS lessons, so we made up our own material. Our theme was obedience. We talked about Abraham the first day, and Sodom and Gomorra the second. We had songs, work sheets, and a special craft for each day. We had snacks and gave out little rewards to encourage good behavior. We decorated the walls. We did the same thing for all 3 of our locations, and on a budget of about $75. It was a BLAST!

We continue to have “Sunday School” on Wednesdays from 4 to 5. The kids are so sweet. I love watching them grow in their knowledge. It’s fantastic to have them come to the church on Sundays and know as much as the others. To watch them learn their memory verses, and ask questions. It is a beautiful thing.

There is a 9 year old girl, Pilar, who is the youngest child of 8. She comes regularly to our Sunday school, and she also comes to church on Sundays (with a group of other kids). Ana and I were talking with her mom the other day, and she told us how her is always inviting her brothers and sisters to come to ¨her¨ church. So cute.

Another Paul?

On Saturday the 23^rd, Ana and I went to prison. One of the women that we are discipling in 7 de Junio has a brother that has been in the prison for the past 4 years for something he says that he did not do. His sister-in-law made the accusation. We do not know who is telling the truth, but we do know that he is a man who needs the grace of God just as much as the rest of us. With Senora Lima guiding us, we found him in his workshop making dressers and armoires. Men in the prison become expert carpenters and women become professional seamstresses. They can also crochet anything you could possibly desire and more. Anyway, we spent a couple hours in there talking with him. He is frustrated with the system. He is upset with his lawyer for seemingly doing nothing. He listened intently as I recounted stories of Saul who became Paul and spent time in the slammer as well. We left a Bible with him, and hope to come visit him again soon. Please be in prayer for this man as he waits out his days. Pray that he will allow God to transform his life, and accept the peace and joy that Paul felt. Perhaps this young man can be used as Paul was, to share the Gospel with other inmates and prison guards…

Dec 23
For Christmas, Ana and I went to several different toy stores and different bakeries around town asking for donations for the children. We had an incredible response and over 200 toys were donated for children between the ages of 4 months to 12 years. We also had 150 small fruit cakes (a disgusting [when you don't like their fruitcake] Peruvian tradition) donated. Ana and I bought stuff to make hot chocolate (even here in the heat of the jungle, people know that you're supposed to drink hot chocolate for Christmas) and got help from two 'hermanas' in making it. The only difference in Peruvian hot chocolate and ours is that they like to put butter in theirs....not very good like that.
But the point is, the kids loved it! We had a darling little service on the 23rd of December in which we read Luke 2 and sang a few songs. You will be shocked (I was ) to learn that not even our Pastor knows the traditional Christmas hymns. In fact, they do not know ANY Christmas songs. Even though they are in their hymnal...they don't know them. So, I sang Silent Night (in Spanish) for them. After singing, and the Bible story, we passed out the fruitcake and hot chocolate. While they were busy munching we got out a suitcase full of toys, and allowed the kids to come receive their gift. It was truly an awesome experience...For all of us I think.

what´s happening in december?
Ana and I have had 2 great Wednesday night services. On the 2nd we showed the Jesus Film for Kids. In our Jesus Film equipment we have a small Honda generator, a nice speaker set, and a bright yellow storm case toolbox-looking case that carries the DVD player, projector, and all the miscellaneous wires cables and cords that are used in the set-up. I am not a technology minded young woman. If there is anyone around who looks like they might know anything about wires or cables or technology, I will quickly pass the buck. Ana knows less. So, praying all the way through, and sweating bullets, I eventually got the stinkin’ system set up. We had about 30 kids, 10 teens, and 3 women. Ana and I had popped popcorn and passed it around while people intently watched the story of Jesus’ rising popularity, his miracles, his love for all people, his death, and resurrection. At the end of the movie, we gave an invitation for all those that wanted to ask forgiveness and accept Christ’s love. I was moved to tears as hands were raised and people joined our Christian family.
The following week we had many of the same people return and several newbies.

in the first month
Within a 10 minute jaunt is a darling community called June 7th. We are currently discipling 6 families and conversing with several others. There is little doubt that we will begin the discipleship course with them in the upcoming weeks. One of the families that we are discipling happens to be the president of their neighborhood. They own the local “grange hall” or town meeting hall and when we explained that we were looking to secure a location to hold Vacation Bible School (in January), church services, etc, they offered it to us on the spot and do not want to be paid for its use. PRAISE THE LORD!!!
The room is really good size. I’d say 15’x20’ (and I have little to no mind for measurements—I just think it’s a good sized room). It had not been used in several years, and the floors and walls were covered about an inch think with dust, debris, and spiders. Those of you who know me, know that I perceive spiders as the lowest of God’s creations. I am terrified. But armed with brooms, Ana and I went to work cleaning the room and killing little living things. Water is only turned on in this neighborhood from 8pm till 3:30 or 4am, so after church one evening, the teens went with us and in 2 hours we had the place looking…not too shabby. It’s in desperate need of a good sanding and a coat of paint, but it’ll due for now. On Wednesdays from 3:30 till 5pm we play games here with the children and this month we will begin “Sunday School” lessons as well. We also start services for adults (and youth) this month Wednesday nights at 7.
Our first week in Puerto, to help us get our feet in the door, we went around with surveys asking basic questions about the neighborhood, the family situation, and whether there were churches close. We met Alcira’s daughters and granddaughters first. They were outside and wanted us to come meet their mom. We followed them home and met a cute little woman with a beautiful smile that she seldom shows. After talking to her for a little while, one of the little girls announced that her Dad was dead.