Peru trip 2011 video

Peru trip 2011 - Final Thoughts

Matt and I loved this Peruvian Pop

Well, the flight from Lima to Atlanta went great and we made it back to the States on time. Coming from true, biblical churches in the middle of nowhere in Peru and stepping foot into the Atlanta airport was almost a reverse culture shock. How different are these two places. It is amazing to find the true Bride of Christ high in the Andes mountains. These people have nothing but Christ. They have no treasure on earth but much in Heaven. Compare these people with America. In America we have every treasure on Earth but almost none in Heaven. We have money, power, safety, security, vacation, retirement, jobs, health care, convenience, luxury, time, affluence and so many other distractions that keep us from knowing Christ. I praise God that He has a people among every tribe, tongue and nation that truly worship Him. The world has never heard of the handful of Inca Christians that we had the privilege to worship with but their weakness shames the wise. God uses the weak for this purpose:

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

(1Co 1:27-31)

Doing tricks for kids in Lima

We were very humbled to see the true and simple dedication of these people who are driving 3 hours every Sunday to pastor a church and wondering why we were surprised by it. Or when they walk from neighboring towns so worship together on Sunday morning. There is no complaints, it is just normal to do this. It is sad that we can't get people to walk across the street or drive 10 miles in their warm car. This is what true Christianity is supposed to look like. Oh what a joy to find such a treasure as this small group of sold-out Peruvians of whom the world is not worth of.

They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not worthy. (Hebrews 11:37-38)

What an amazing trip and what a privilege that God has called us to. We look forward to moving to Peru soon.

Here are a few of the things we learned:

1. Language is life and death. It does not matter if you know something in your head if you can't get it out of your mouth in the Language of the people. I will spend all my waking time in Costa Rica mastering Spanish.
2. It is making more sense now, why God would send a weak person like myself who lives in the middle of nowhere in Montana to the middle of nowhere in Peru to minister to a handful of people that the world has not even heard about. God uses the weak things in the world to shame the wise so that He will get all the glory. 
3. God continues to confirm that He has His people in every tribe, tongue and nation and that He will use the preaching of the Biblical Gospel to sweep them into the Kingdom. While gathered in a small community in the middle of the Andes mountains, we worshiped in two languages with the people of God. It was very humbling and embarrassing for most American Churches. If we spend the rest of our lives laboring for a handful of people in the Andes, then we will count this the greatest privilege in our lives.
4. The simplicity of Truth. We found Walter Isse in Lima  was so sound in doctrine that it was unbelievable. He explained the deep things of God to us exactly like we explain it to others and Walter simply just said, “Well, that's what the Bible teaches.” Both Walters just simply study deeply the Word of God and then believe it.
5. There is so much work to do in Peru still.  After talking with Walter Isse at Heart Cry and discussing where work is going on in the country we discovered there is so much more to do.  Heart cry is doing a lot but mostly in Lima.  There are so many places across the country that have nothing.  For instance;  it was surprising for us to hear that in the city of Cusco, which has 350,000 within the city limits only has 4 Baptist churches.  In Helena, MT which has around 40,000 people or so (guess), there are probably 40 "evangelical" churches.  We could spend the rest of our lives planting churches in Cusco.  Outside of Cusco pretty much every little community is without a biblical church, with a few exceptions.  Most people here walk everywhere so trying to get someone to come to church 30 miles away is almost impossible, so biblical church planting is needed in a big way.

Lastly, if anyone wants to help the growing little church in Curahuasi, let me me know.  They have mostly Quechua people and they pack people in the little church like sardines.  They have many older people who can't hear very well nor read.  The only time they get fed is at church and if they can't hear, they don't eat.  To buy some little speakers and a microphone in Peru it costs about $500 US.  If anyone wants to help them, email me and I will explain how to get the money to them. 

I want to first thank God, who is our Sustainer and Upholder and went before us on this trip and then I want to thank all of you who have been fervently praying for us on this trip.  We went into the well but you held the rope.  We are in this together and your prayers are the means that God has ordained to accomplish His end.  Thanks you so much for your prayer and support.



I figured I better post this before Matt does.  It is me sleeping at the airport, something Matt was unable to do.



Peru trip 2011 day 8

Walter took us to the airport and we got on an earlier flight. It was sad to say goodbye to our new and good friend. We had a very smooth flight to Lima and had no problems with our luggage except they ripped a big hole in my suitcase. We hung out for a while and then walked out to find Walter Isse. He found us right away and got us in a cab to go to his church. The name of Walter's church is Iglesia del Salvador, which is Heart Cry's main church in Lima, which Paul Washer founded. We dropped off our luggage and and talked about what areas we scouted and the work we planned to do. Walter told us all about the work that Heart Cry was doing and where. We talked about how to partner together. Walter is such a great man. He is originally from Argentina and came as a missionary to Peru. He speaks perfect Spanish and great English.

He took us all over Lima. We started down at the beach, which is the rich part of the city and is mostly American stores. It is like someone plucked an American city up from the roots and planted it in Peru. We didn't really like this part of town. After all that we have seen, this afluent part of town kind of disgusted us. We ran into some IMB missionaries that were college students. They told us all about the work they did in Lima this week and how many made a decision for Christ. This embarrassed us and we were disgusted. America is importing the same feel-good, watered-down, decisionalism that has destroyed the American church. We parted ways fast. We were actually ashamed to be from the same country.

Scott and Walter sharing gospel in Lima

We talked with Walter for a long time about everything and we found that we were so like-minded in absolutely everything. It was such a joy and privilege to find someone like Walter and Heart-Cry in this world. We talked about the problems in Peru and America and found so many things we do in America are embarrassing to Christ. The way we spend money and the way we live so selfishly without losing nothing for the gospel. The gospel has cost us nothing.

I shared the gospel in downtown Lima with a guy on the street in Spanish. Walter helped and then took over into a deep conversation with this man. The guy had a shirt on that said death to god but he said that he was not guilty of sin. Walter pounded him with the biblical gospel and then we parted ways. We went to the main plaza in front of the Presidents palace next. A guy came up to me and wanted to hear the gospel, or for some other reason I don't know, so I shared the gospel with him and Walter took over when I couldn't understand the man. The police came over and yelled at the guy but we told the Police that he was not bothering us but just talking but the Police told us to leave. We walked away with the man as Walter continued to share the gospel.

Witnessing in front of the Presidents palace

After this we went to a few places and saw more of Lima and then back to the church. We discussed the philosophy of missions and I told Walter about some of the things that the big missions agencies do and he was as disgusted as us. Some agencies require a family to raise $6000-7000 per month before they can leave for the field. Walter said that the President of Peru doesn't make half that much money. How much reforming do the church and missions need? We must get back to the Scriptures and hold them high! Once again, Matt had a hard time explaining his job as a Taxidermist so I had one last laugh. We thank God for His providence in letting us have the privilege to meet and possibly work with Walter in some way in the future for the glory of Christ and the Kingdom of God. Walter said he could help us get an apartment by his church when we spend 2 months in Lima while obtaining visas. We took a taxi back to the airport and once again experienced the traffic in Lima. There are actually 3 lanes but there are 6 lanes of cars. I would never drive in Lima. We got some dinner and met some more southern baptist “missionaries” which embarrassed us again. What in the world does the church think missionaries are to do? Spend thousands of dollars to take a team of “Christians” to the foreign mission field to play games and get people to pray a prayer through a VBS? Just venting. Matt and I are stewing a little.

Peru trip 2011 - day 7

Well, last night turned out interesting. We went to dinner and ate Cuy (Guinea Pig), which was salty but good. Matt ate a whole one while Walter and I split one. After dinner we walked up the street so Kim could buy a few gifts for people. We followed Walter into a store and Kim shopped. I saw a group of girls so I did a few magic tricks and soon many people gathered around. I didn't know what this place really was and what they kept asking me. They asked me if I wanted something that I couldn't understand and Walter kept strictly saying no. I was oblivious to what was going on but apparently Matt knew from the beginning and never said anything. I gave them a gospel tract and then Walter shared the gospel with them for a long time. The group of girls came under heavy conviction. I thought the whole experience was great but then Matt told me what the place really was after we finished sharing the gospel. The girls apparently kept asking us to go up stairs for a massage but they were selling much more than a massage, which Walter apparently figured out as well which was why he kept strictly saying no. When I found out we left right away and I had to drag my shopping wife out of there because she, like me, was oblivious to what the place was. Well anyway, a group of girls that definitely needed the gospel heard it. After this incident we stopped by a store to buy a bunch of groceries for Walters mom, who we will see tomorrow in Izcuchaca, which is about 1 hour away. An end to a good but weird night.

We got up early again today to take a cab to Izcuchaca. We are so thankful to Walter because we are getting to see the real Peru and we haven't did any tourist things yet. Walters amigo, Basilides, picked us up in his taxi and took us to Izcuchaca where Walter is from. We walked around the town and saw all the usual sites; dogs on roofs barking for security, rotting meat at the tiendas, cars honking their horns at everything, and many half built buildings. There is no biblical church in Izcuchaca. One was started but fell apart and now only the Catholics and Jehovah Witness' have a church. There are about 6000 people in town.

We drove out to Walters Mama's house and were greeted warmly. They don't have much but totally took care of us and offered us their best, which was so good and humbling. Their house consisted of a mud build house with a dirt floor. The kitchen was a separate building with a mud built, adobe type stove they did all their cooking on. She has a small garden and makes a living by bartering with neighbors as well as selling few items in a small store she set up. Walters family was so nice to us. Walters mom made us a snack of corn, bread, honey and coffee. Walters friend Basilides, who was Walters classmate in a bible college in Urabamba, wanted to take like crazy. It turns out that Paul Washer came to his small church in Cusco twice. Even though my Spanish is improving, my brain starts to get wore out when trying to think and talk Spanish for hours and hours all day.

After our snack, we drove in the hills on a road that is almost never used. Basilides car some how made it up the muddy road without getting stuck. We had to stop once because a cow was picketed in the center of the road. Basilides tried to go around but ran over the stake that held the cow. After running over a few big rocks, we stopped and got out to hike up to the top of an overlook. It was a great view from the top. The Catholics, of course, made a shrine at the top. This is an extremely beautiful country of lush valleys and huge mountains. They are only occupied by a few subsistence farmers so the land is pretty untouched. If this were America, the rich would have bought all the land and built million dollar houses and shut the land off to everyone, but this valley is still untouched for the most part. My wife was worried about Tarantulas but Walter ensured us that it was too cold for them, so Matt and I teased Kim most of the time. As we walked back down the road we looked at all the Quechua farmers planting potatoes in their fields. There is no machinery here to farm so they do it by hand and all the neighbors help out.

We got back to the house and Walters mom taught my wife how to make all kinds of stuff from scratch. They spent almost three hours preparing lunch while us guys talked about missions and the needs of Peru. It turns out that there is more work than we can ever complete. In Cusco, which has about 350,000 people in the city limits and over twice that outside the city, only has 4 baptist churches. We could plant 100 churches here and that wouldn't be too much. Limatambo and Izcuchara desperately need a church because they have nothing and there is no evangelical presence there. Walter's mom really wants us to start a church in Izcuchara. We talked for a long time and discovered some needs that we can provide, one being training of pastors. We had an excellent lunch with everything from the garden. We laughed and laughed during lunch and had a good time. I, as usual now, told them stuff about Matt in Spanish and they all laughed. Matt has learned a few words now and always responds to our joking with the words tonto and lento (silly and slow). The funnies joke we played on Matt was when Basilides was asking me how long Matt has been married. I told him one year but that he had two wives. Basilides almost fell out of his chair and then picked up stones to stone Matt. I said I was kidding and we all laughed for a long time. I think that Walter's family was more happy to have us visit than we were to be there. After lunch we left and they gave us all hugs and asked us to return soon. Matt, of course, enjoyed another man hug.

We drove back to Cusco and walked around some more. Walter negotiated with people for us to get gifts for much cheaper. We are building such a good relationship with Walter that we are so sad to leave. We really look forward to coming back to Peru to start our work with Walter. We had coffee and sandwiches and called it a night. We leave to the airport at 6am. We have an all day layover in Lima but will meet our other contact Walter Isse for the day.

Peru trip 2011 day 6 Tuesday





This morning we got up early and took a bus to Urubamba to check it out. It was about 1 ½ hours from Cuzco by bus. Now it is quite amazing how many people the Peruvians can jam into one bus. The bus started out empty but they were pushing them in the doors with force to get the door shut. We got to Urubamba and walked around the whole town. There was a crazy man who thought he was Jewish that was preaching in the plaza. We thought it was very cool at first but we couldn't understand what he was saying. Walter told us he was crazy and was preaching non-sense.

I did a card trick for a group of kids in the plaza and then shared the gospel with them. My Spanish is improving every day. I am forced to use Spanish only to communicate 12 hours a day and I'm really making progress. I still have a long way to go, but when I share the gospel they understand me. Walter answers any questions or clarifies any of my mistakes. We walked through the big market and Walter negotiated in Quechua for us. We would be getting ripped off so bad from everyone from taxi cab drivers to vendors if it wasn't for Walter. He is a good negotiator.

We walked down to a place to eat and we had a buffet of some sort. The food in Peru is very good and at times very cheap. Once in Limatambo the four of us at a huge lunch for 28 Soles which is about $7 for everyone. After lunch we walked around some more and gave out tracts and candy to kids. People in Peru are so open to tracts and talking about the gospel. Every time I give out tracts, and we have gave out over 300 so far, the people stop everything and read them fully. They are also wide open to talking all day about the things of God. We jumped on to a taxi, which one man was trying to get me to pay 50 soles for the trip but Walter talked to another guy and got it for 28 soles. We drove back through the beautiful Andes mountains for an hour or so. Matt slept while I stayed awake, or maybe it was the other way around. I have been really enjoying the fact that Matt can't speak Spanish. I have been playing many jokes on him. I will tell something to Walter about Matt in Spanish and then Walter and I laugh and Matt demands to know what I said. It is great fun. We got back and wandered the streets of Cuzco while Walter searched all the Ferreteria's for a 250V fuse that blew in my transformer for the computer. The fuse blew because my wife decided to plug her blow dryer into it (even though I told her not to) and the transformer only is for low wattage things like computers. Oh mi esposa.

Cuzco

We got the fuse some how and went back to the hostel and found a place to get on the internet to finally update the blog. Right now I'm getting very distracted writing this because I'm helping the lady and her cousin translate a paper in English and I am playing pranks on Matt. I always ask people in Spanish to ask Matt what he does for work. Matt then must try to explain taxidermy to Peruvians, which they can't comprehend. It is very funny. Matt is telling me he will get even when we get back to the States. Matt is now looking at head coverings for his wife (inside joke)

Peru trip 2011 Monday

Sharing the gospel with kids in Limatambo

We awoke to rain but we had our best sleep of the trip. Well some of us, Matt still hasn't got a good sleep in yet. Matt's room was by the road and the traffic kept him up. We went to the German hospital to get a tour. It is a very new hospital and is a Christian Mission and very good. They are looking for volunteers to live there. The hospital is very modern and clean and they minister to the Quechua people. After the tour we went for coffee and bread at Walters' uncles' store. It was very good and strong coffee. We like Curahuasi a lot and it is safe, beautiful and has a good hospital and church. We probably won't live here though because they already have a good church, but we will definitely go back to build relationships with all the people.

After coffee we went back to the hostel and got our stuff. We flagged town a taxi, Walter negotiated with the man, like he always does so good, and we were off to Limatambo. It was a beautiful day and all the hills were green and the river was high and muddy. The pass that we climb is the longest pass we have ever seen. It must climb over 3000 feet in a short distance but with many switchbacks.

We arrived in Limatambo and walked around. There is about 1100 people in this town and no church at all. There is an orphanage that someone build because the men are drunks and their kids get orphaned. Limatambo is small and has a few stores and restaurants. I don't think it has a post office. We ate at a restaurant that was on the main street. We were stuffed and each ate a huge bowl of soup, which I though was enough, but then they brought out our lunch. Our lunch was rice, salad, eggs and lentils and it was so filling. We walked around the whole town and talked to some people and gave out tracts. We went to the main street to catch a taxi to Cuzco and found many people. I gave a group of kids some candy and did some magic tricks and then Walter told me to preach, so I did. I shared the gospel with them and Walter helped answer questions. I gave them tracts and they all looked at them intently. They acted like they never heard the biblical gospel before but they may have. We really got a burden for Limatambo and may plant a church here with Walter when we return in 2012. It has much potential because it is essentially unreached and most are open to hearing the gospel.

Doing tricks for the kids and handing our gospel tracts

We returned for another hour to Cuzco and went to a great Christian bookstore. We talked to Walter about the needs for him and the other pastor for the ministry and the church. The needs were small for America but huge for them. For $400 a month, both Walter and his pastor would not have to work and travel so far to the church but could concentrate on the ministry full-time. They also wanted speakers and a microphone for the growing church because the old people can't hear good which cost $500. We asked Walter if he needed in books for his study and he actually said he wanted John MacArthur commentaries which made Matt jump clear out of his seat and through the ceiling. I never saw Matt so excited. Walter also said he likes John Piper. So anyway, we found the greatest bookstore ever. Their collection of good theological books put ever bookstore I know to shame. We went crazy picking out books. We bought Walter and his pastor both MacArthur study bibles in Spanish as well has over 10 MacArthur books, several Piper books, Wayne Grudem's systematic theology and many other great theological and study books. We filled up a big box and a bag. When Matt found out they took credit cards he just charged it all, about 1300 soles of books. We also bought a Quechua bible for his church. Walter was so happy that he couldn't stand it. He was so grateful because it would have taken Walter 30 years to buy all those books. He is excited to start reading them and I bet when I come back in 2012 the entire church in Curahuasi will be so sound in doctrine it will put most American churches to shame, which it actually already does. Most American “Christians” would be excommunicated from Walters church.

We went back to the hostel with a boat load of books and got Kim for dinner. We actually had pizza at a tourist restaurant but will have cuy (Guinea pig) tomorrow. It is sad to see so many Quechua mothers and their babies sleeping on the streets at night because they have no place to go. We are now back at our hostel in Cuzco but I doubt they have water. We are going to Urubamba tomorrow to check out a few more towns. We will post again when we can. We have lots of video and pictures.

Peru Trip 2011 day 4 Sunday

Kim and Quechua girls

We woke up early and had breakfast at the hostel, bread and coffee. Walter picked us up at about 7am and we took a cab to the bus station, which is just some buses and vans parked on the side of the road. We were delayed getting a van because our driver, who was a little shotty, had to hand over his papers to a policeman and they had a long discussion. After the Policeman left, the driver put a rock behind his tire (so he wouldn't drift backwards down the hill when he started to drive off) and started the van. He then wandered off for a while, not really wanting to take us the 3 hour drive to Curahuasi. We finally got him in the van and we took off on a very long, steep drive with a constant series of S-curves for a drop in elevation of 4000 feet. The van leaked diesel fumes from it's exhaust, so we could almost sleep good but we tried to stay awake so we wouldn't pass out.

We made it to Curahuasi a little after 10am for the start of Walter's church. The church is a small building but they pack it full. Men, women and kids started piling in from the beginning all the way into the main service. They must have packed 120-130 people into the little church by the time it was over, with people also standing outside. The people were mostly Quechua but some Peruvians and even a few Germans from the hospital in town. The Germans built a very nice hospital in Curahuasi to minister to the Quechua people. They charge them almost nothing for medical care. They are a Christian organization and are doing a good work.

Walter preached first and from what I could understand, he did a very good job. He was passionate and the whole congregation was listening and responding intently. After singing some hymns in Quechua, which was very cool, we sang some in Spanish and then the pastor got up and preached the main service. There were now 120 or so people in the building and he preached with such authority and passion. All the people listened to every word. He was really pounding on adultery, lust, and uniting families as well as explaining to the people that all people in the body of Christ, whether from America or Germany or Peru were all united in Christ and are brothers and sisters. This church was very solid in doctrine (from what I could understand) and focused much on the substitutionary atonement of Christ.

This was the greatest and most humbling church I have ever been to and it changed us all. Walter pays a van to take him the 3 hour trip on bad roads to get to church each Sunday. Many of the people walk miles and miles to get to church every Sunday. This is humbling for our American churches where we can't get people to walk across the street to church. They had us stand up in the congregation and they told the people all about us and that we were moving to Cuzco to be missionaries. They thanked us so much and all clapped for us. I felt like crawling in a hole and dying. We were not even worthy to sit in this excellent Peruvian church.

The great need in this little church is to free up the pastors so they can minister. Walter has to drive 3 hours to get to church because he is trying to go to school in Cuzco to make a living, while the main pastor works every day but Sunday for many hours to provide for his family. Very little money each month could provide the needs of these pastors so they could live and put all their time into the ministry.

Scott and Walter planning

After church we walked through town to our hostel. There was a big Catholic/Inca carnival or parade going on for some purpose. They all dressed up in costumes and paraded down the street and then sang in the Quechua language for the entire day. Walter took us on a hike to the top of a mountain outside of town, which was outstanding. We hiked straight up the mountain on switchbacks and from the top saw the biggest mountains that I have ever saw. We looked town 2000 feet into a deep canyon with the Apurimac river below. The mountains only went up from here and when the fog lifted we saw great snow capped peaks. We hiked back down the mountain and Walter showed us all kinds of thing. Kim stayed a the bottom with Evita while we hiked and Evita showed Kim how to make a needle and thread out of this cool cactus-like plant. Walter showed us how the Inca used this plant for making their roofs as well.

Matt and Walter at the top of the mountain

After the hike we went over to the house Evita lives in for coffee. Evita shares a room with a German lady who works at the hospital. It was such a good time and the German lady was so nice. We had good conversation and I have noticed that as I am immersed in Spanish all day, my Spanish is improving. Besides the Germans and Australian at the church, we have not found anyone that can speak English yet. All the foreigners in Curahuasi are associated with the hospital.

After coffee, we returned to the church for the evening service. Walter preached and once again it was outstanding. We went back to Evita's house after church and had dinner with the German lady and another younger German girl who could speak, German, Spanish, French and English. She was very nice and we had a good time. Matt still doesn't know any Spanish and can't understand anything so I have been taking advantage of it and playing some good jokes on Matt. I will say something in Spanish to our friends about Matt and they will all laugh and Matt wonders why. I then explain what I said to Matt but he can't retaliate. I'm sure he will get even with me when we get home. We are having a great time though. I think Matt is going to learn Spanish out of spite now.

After a great dinner we walked back to the hostel. We were going to take a shower but there were no towels. I think, like toilet paper, towels were also an option. We finally got towels from our gracious host that was happy to give the to us but just never thought of it before. We hit the sack for an early morning the next day.

Peru trip 2011 day 3 part 2

Walter and Evita

Walter picked us up and we all went to dinner and ate the best chicken ever with some Inca Kola (Peruvian pop). After lunch we walked through town to a huge market and bought a few things. Cusco is great because many people come right up to you and want to hear the Gospel, at least that is what I think they are doing, maybe they are trying to sell me their stuff. I was able to share the gospel with some people and Walter answered all their questions and talked with them further. We walked all around the city the rest of the day. We gave out gospel tracts and those “pop rock” candies that sizzle in your mouth, to the little Quechua kids. You should have saw their face. They didn't know what to think at first and made some very funny faces but then they realized that they liked it. We had dinner with Walter and Evita at a typical Peruvian restaurant and it was very good. We ended our long first day by crashing into our beds. There was no water, however, because they said that they turn the water off at night in Cuzco, this hostel advertises that they have hot water 24 hours a day.

Outside our hostal

Girl eating pop rocks

Peru trip - Day 3

We finally made it to Cusco at about 6:30 am on March 12. We left Spokane on March 10^th, so it took a few days to get here. After two days of travel, Kim was rewarded with Starbucks at the Lima airport. We had no problems with our luggage or flights but we were all wore out when we got to Cusco because of a lack of sleep. Our friend Walter was ready and waiting at the airport for us and he is a lifesaver. I realized that my Spanish had a long way before this trip and now understand that unless I can speak Spanish conversational then I can do nothing. I wish I had another year of Spanish under my belt. Matt is funny because he doesn't know how much Soles are worth and he doesn't know what anyone is saying so he just hands out money left and right and smiles. The hostel we are staying at, Hostel Santa Maria,  is just right, nothing fancy by any means but just the basic. Turns out that toliet paper is an option, if you want it you must go to the store and buy it.  Now that is funny.  No one speaks English here so we depend on Walter heavily to make sure we are doing everything right.

We crashed for a nap until about 1pm, and as far as I understood, Walter is coming back at 2pm to take us somewhere. Our hotel is next to the Plaza de Arms so we will do some exploring today and go to Walters church tomorrow, which as far as I understood is 3 hours away by bus, but I could be wrong. We will post more soon.  I can't post pictures right now for some reason, poor connection.

Peru trip 2011 - Day 2

Matt awake and Me asleep

This picture has been the theme of our trip so far.  I have got good sleep when I could and Matt has got none.  Kim hasn't got much sleep as well but Matt has been now awake for over 30 hours now. He is starting to get delirious, which is quite entertaining.  I think Kim and Matt are starting to hate me because I can sleep pretty much anywhere.  I think they will soon start playing pranks on me if I fall asleep. 

We made it to Atlanta at 6am and have been at the airport all day.  Our flight leaves in an hour and a half to Lima.  We will try and let you know when we arrive.  We thank our gracious God for this great opportunity and we thank you all for your prayers.

Peru 2011 trip - day 1



Professor Matt and his buddy Cowboy Bob

Well, we made it to Salt Lake and are now at the airport as I write this.  We have a rough 2 day flight just to get to Cusco.  We fly out from Salt Lake at 1am and arrive in Atlanta at 5am on March 11.  We then leave Atlanta at 5pm and end up in Lima at midnight.  We then have a layover until 5am and arrive in Cusco at 6am on March 12th.  So it is long.

Our trip started out good though, even before we left Montana.  Levi, our son, was working on a ranch for the day, shearing sheep so we had to pick him up when he was finished.  The ranch had a couple Peruvians working there and one of them could speak no English.  I really wanted to talk with this man.  His name was Pedro and he was a very nice man.  We conversed in Spanish better than I thought I would do.  I shared the whole gospel with him, which he responded well too.  He said he needed a Bible so Matt quickly called and ordered a MacArthur study bible in Spanish, which we will bring him when we get back. 

When we finally got to the airport in Spokane to catch our first flight, we ran into a slight problems.  Because we are flying internationally, I needed to present the credit card that I purchased the tickets with to prove my identity.  The problem was that I didn't have this card because a few months ago someone stole it and I was issued a new card and number.  I knew this and called the airlines 2 months ago to insure there was no problem.  Well there was.  It took them 45 minutes to figure it out and they still didn't.  They supposedly credited my "non-existent" credit card and charged my new credit card another $7000.  We got on the plane and had a good but bumpy flight to Salt Lake.  Travel day #1 is about over.  We will sleep or hang out until our next flight at 1am.

Interview

Well, the time has come to make our first trip to Peru.  We are leaving on Thursday, March 10th and after two days of travel we will finally make it to Cusco.  We will be in Cusco until March 17th and then arrive home on the 18th.  Please pray for a productive trip, our safety and for us to be able to overcome the language barrier with our Peruvian friend Walter who doesn't speak English.  We trust in our Sovereign God to lead us and we depend on Him for every breath, however; God has ordained to use the prayers of the saints to accomplish this end, so please pray for us each day.  I will try to update this blog every day with our experiences and pictures so keep checking back to see what we are doing. 

I took an idea from a blog I follow called the Ingrum family in Peru.  I basically stole the entire idea because it was so good.  We interviewed Raegan and Emmy concerning their thoughts about Peru.  This will give those interested a little insight to what the kids are thinking.  Here it is:



Raegan (12) & Emmy (6)



Questions about Peru

Where to we live now?

Emmy:  Wolf Creek

Raegan:  Wolf Creek, MT

Do you want to move to Peru?

Emmy:  Yes, because I think it will be fun and I can play in the rain and in our new house and at the market.

Raegan:  Yes, because it is different and I can speak to people in Spanish.

Why are we moving to Peru?

Emmy:  Dad is going to preach.

Raegan:  To do missions

Do you want to speak Spanish?

Emmy:  No, because it is too hard.

Raegan:  Yes, because I want to know a different language.

What will Dad do in Peru?

Emmy:  Preaching

Raegan:  Preach to the Peruvians.

What will Mom do in Peru?

Emmy:  Clean house, buy food at the market and teach us.

Raegan:  Take care of the kids and cook.

What makes Dad happy?

Emmy:  Not lying and doing what Mom and Dad say.

Raegan:  Being able to do what God wants him to do.

What makes Mom happy?

Emmy:  Helping her get vegetables and food.

Raegan:  Having her down time.

Do you like being homeschooled?

Emmy:  Yes, because I can do school with Mom and Dad.

Raegan:  Yes, because we can do Bible lessons.

What will you miss most about Montana?

Emmy:  My friends, grandma, grandpa, papa, nana and everyone

Raegan:  Snow

What is the chief end of man?Emmy:  To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Raegan:  To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

What animal do you want to see most in Peru?

Emmy:  Llama

Raegan:  Horses

What do you want to eat in Peru?

Emmy:  not guinea pig, but I do like to eat other pigs and the same food as we have here.

Raegan:  Anything but meat.

What do you want to do in Peru?

Emmy:  See places and play with friends.

Raegan:  Witness to the Peruvians