Tammy, Chris & I are going to Andahuaylas for several days. We will be leaving on a 15-16 hour bus trip to the City of Abancay, where we will have to wait at the terminal for about 6 hours. Then we board the smaller, older, crowded, less comfortable bus and take the 5 hour (this time all on ridge top dirt roads - good and bumpy! - conversation is almost impossible =O).
While there we have several things to accomplish - we have to check out the housing, determine what we need to bring with us and what to have shipped (and how) and what to leave here or sell, meet with the Kawsay folks to plan the move and discuss living arrangements, price the stuff that we will need to buy (the Peruvian bare minimum), Tammy has to see how to all the hand laundry and drying at the altitude (it is different - I don't know why), We need to make sure that Chris has no problems being in high altitude for a longer period of time, and I need to show Tammy and Chris all around the area, etc., etc.
Please pray for our safety and protection during the the trip. The trip - while fun to talk about afterward - is arduous (and a surefire backache!) and if you have ever seen the dirt roads crawling along the Andes, you know that it is dangerous. And please pray that we accomplish all that we need to so that the move next month goes as smoothly as possible. Also, Colin will be staying here in San Bartolo by himself, pray for his safety and protection from danger and fear.
God bless,
Mike
Political Turmoil
Many of you might have heard or read about the political crisis here. The governing cabinet (here we have a modified parliamentary system, sort of a cross between the U.S. and the U.K.) - with the exception of the president - has just been forced to resign en masse. This was due to the discovery of large scale corruption in the energy sector. There were secret recordings of cabinet members and representatives of foreign businesses, bribery, etc. The new Prime minister is a leftist, who has "served time in jail for alleged links to left-wing rebels" (BBC News). There is much unrest and inflation is on the rise.
This is a two edged sword. People now are more ready than ever to speak of spiritual things (!) but the increasing unrest has led to some violence. Including the first large-scale attack by remnants of the Shining Path that killed several police and innocent civilians.
Please pray that the situation calms down and that we can continue to work in peace here.
Blessings,
Mike
This is a two edged sword. People now are more ready than ever to speak of spiritual things (!) but the increasing unrest has led to some violence. Including the first large-scale attack by remnants of the Shining Path that killed several police and innocent civilians.
Please pray that the situation calms down and that we can continue to work in peace here.
Blessings,
Mike
Fun with curriculum ;)
Sometimes, things that sound boring can be a lot of fun. I am working on a new course - a 2nd level Bible study methods that looks specifically at narrative accounts (you know things like the Gospel, Acts, the Old Testament Historical books). As I was working on this course, through an interesting and complex chain of events, I was given a book on how Historians sift through original source material and "look for evidence" - how they gain understanding of the context.
Now I have had courses in this from a Bible study perspective, but this takes a little different approach and I am really excited as to how it really helps to flesh out - to bring to life - the Bible narratives. I find myself not just preparing a course to teach, but learning again as well. I always learn from preparing a course (or a conference or a sermon, etc.) but this is "fresher" and is renewing my love for the historical books, that I confess I had come to undervalue in comparison to the more overtly doctrinal or didactic Prophets or Epistles.
Anyways, Like I said, "things that sound boring can be a lot of fun".
Mike
Now I have had courses in this from a Bible study perspective, but this takes a little different approach and I am really excited as to how it really helps to flesh out - to bring to life - the Bible narratives. I find myself not just preparing a course to teach, but learning again as well. I always learn from preparing a course (or a conference or a sermon, etc.) but this is "fresher" and is renewing my love for the historical books, that I confess I had come to undervalue in comparison to the more overtly doctrinal or didactic Prophets or Epistles.
Anyways, Like I said, "things that sound boring can be a lot of fun".
Mike
Prayer and praise this week
Praise God for:
- The excellent response at the missions conference this last weekend. The Spirit really moved people to dedicate their lives to service.
- Becky and Miguel's safe trip back and great honeymoon in Trujillo.
- Mike being another year older!
- An excellent discount on bus tickets for our trip next week to Andahuaylas.
- Safety for us on our trip, sensitivity to God's leading as we look at the options for housing, etc.
- This will be Chris's first experience of Andahuaylas. Pray that the altitude doesn't bother him , etc.
- Pray for Colin and his decisions regarding when to return to the US and what to do about his immigration status.
- Iglesia Bautista Biblica Nuevo Amanecer and the believers who dedicated their lives. This church is on the front lines in a community filled with alcoholism and drugs, violence, and witchcraft.
Happy Birthday, Mike!
We are planning to enjoy being in (or close to) the city by going to a mall for lunch (certainly no malls in Andahuaylas!) and coming back for Mike's Spanish lesson at the house. Cake at the house in the evening. (But we will buy it, because we don't have an oven here.)
Thank you God, for another year. A year that has brought new direction and a lot of changes. Trials, yes, but many blessings. Thank you, Lord.
Thank you God, for another year. A year that has brought new direction and a lot of changes. Trials, yes, but many blessings. Thank you, Lord.
Quick Riggs Family Update--where are the kids?
MANDY, is still working in Birmingham at the emergency vet clinic. Sadly, this week someone stole her and her roommate's computers--taking almost all of Mandy's writing projects and the other girl (an amateur photographer)'s photos.
TIM, is working and living in Opp, Alabama. He is working in latino ministries at the Baptist church in Samson. He and his fiance Brittney plan a wedding in Alabama in August 2009.
BECKY is back from her honeymoon. She and Miguel are still working at La Roca. She will return to teaching at the school soon.
COLIN is trying to sort out what to do now that he has lost his visa. He is planning to study at UAB and stay in Birmingham, but is still looking at his options.
CHRIS is doing his fifth grade studies, riding his bike around San Bartolo, and constructing rafts that he is floating in the ocean.
TIM, is working and living in Opp, Alabama. He is working in latino ministries at the Baptist church in Samson. He and his fiance Brittney plan a wedding in Alabama in August 2009.
BECKY is back from her honeymoon. She and Miguel are still working at La Roca. She will return to teaching at the school soon.
COLIN is trying to sort out what to do now that he has lost his visa. He is planning to study at UAB and stay in Birmingham, but is still looking at his options.
CHRIS is doing his fifth grade studies, riding his bike around San Bartolo, and constructing rafts that he is floating in the ocean.
Do you love me more than these?
That's the question the Lord asked Peter. We usually ask what does it mean?
And the usual answers are, either it means more than these other guys love me, or more than you love these things around you?
I think if Jesus was asking it to us, 21st century Christians, interested in missions, surrounded with our stuff, he would mean:
Do you love me more than these things around you?
Ask any born again Christian their priorities. Their well-schooled answer would be
Sounds like our priorities oughta be: God, His Sheep, These
God didn't say, if you love me, have a family movie night, stay home, don't get too involved.
If you love me, read about me for an hour a day.
If you love me fast.
If you love me buy all the latest Christian books.
If you love me be socially and politically active.
He said, If you love me, FEED MY SHEEP.
Feeding sheep is a hard job. It means caring for his people (which ought to include our physical family). It means giving up time--maybe even money, maybe even fun. Why do it?
Because you love the Lord Jesus Christ more than these?
And the usual answers are, either it means more than these other guys love me, or more than you love these things around you?
I think if Jesus was asking it to us, 21st century Christians, interested in missions, surrounded with our stuff, he would mean:
Do you love me more than these things around you?
Ask any born again Christian their priorities. Their well-schooled answer would be
- God
- Family
- Church
- Work
Sounds like our priorities oughta be: God, His Sheep, These
God didn't say, if you love me, have a family movie night, stay home, don't get too involved.
If you love me, read about me for an hour a day.
If you love me fast.
If you love me buy all the latest Christian books.
If you love me be socially and politically active.
He said, If you love me, FEED MY SHEEP.
Feeding sheep is a hard job. It means caring for his people (which ought to include our physical family). It means giving up time--maybe even money, maybe even fun. Why do it?
Because you love the Lord Jesus Christ more than these?
Great Missions Conference
This last weekend, October 3-5, Mike gave a Missions conference at a church in a suburb of Lima. The church is full of young people and the enthusiasm grew and grew. We had a wonderful time and they are setting up a Missions committee, are going to start Faith Promise giving and are committed to sending missionaries from their church. They are even planning on taking their first ever Missions trip (in country) within a year. God truly blessed!
Job 11:7-9
Nathan Bill & Chris Road Trip
Monday we headed out to the airport to meet Nathan Ingram, Bill Rowley, and Chris Pelham on their way from Andahuaylas to the US. We wanted to hear the details of the trip, have a semi-official meeting of Impact International, and give them their three suitcases that they left at our house (the little 18 passenger planes that fly to Andahuaylas don't allow much luggage).
Feeling like saving some money (remember--our daughter got married two weeks ago) we were walking down the street with their three suitcases, ready to take a bus across town (a three hour prospect) with the suitcases. Our neighbor Jorge Paz, who among other things drives a taxi, happened to spot us and saved us from the bus-suitcase adventure by offering an economical ride to where he was going and finding another inexpensive taxi to take us to the airport afterwards.
At the airport we met up with them after only a little bit of a runaround.
Chris was much better--he had been sick most of the time they were there--that was an answer to prayer.
They had a great time. They went out in the country to see how the people really live and stayed in Piscabamba, which is much more rural and higher altitude than Andahuaylas. They showed us a great video of a lady cooking pork skins in a pot and stirring them with a 2x4--and of some pig's teeth and other odd bits in the pot! (Wonder why Chris was sick?)
One of the airport security men came over to watch their videos. He had relatives in another part of the mountains, and I guess they reminded him of the home folks.
In their meetings with Kawsay to sign an official agreement as to our responsibilities and cooperation between Kawsay and Impact, everyone saw eye to eye in an almost unbelievable way. For example, Impact wants Mike's ministry to be concentrated in Andahuaylas, with students doing the traveling to rural areas around Andahuaylas. They were wondering how to best bring this up, when one of the Kawsay guys suggested it as a good plan.
We had a great time meeting with them, and then, without suitcases, took the economical three hour bus trip home, while they took off for Birmingham.
Feeling like saving some money (remember--our daughter got married two weeks ago) we were walking down the street with their three suitcases, ready to take a bus across town (a three hour prospect) with the suitcases. Our neighbor Jorge Paz, who among other things drives a taxi, happened to spot us and saved us from the bus-suitcase adventure by offering an economical ride to where he was going and finding another inexpensive taxi to take us to the airport afterwards.
At the airport we met up with them after only a little bit of a runaround.
Chris was much better--he had been sick most of the time they were there--that was an answer to prayer.
They had a great time. They went out in the country to see how the people really live and stayed in Piscabamba, which is much more rural and higher altitude than Andahuaylas. They showed us a great video of a lady cooking pork skins in a pot and stirring them with a 2x4--and of some pig's teeth and other odd bits in the pot! (Wonder why Chris was sick?)
One of the airport security men came over to watch their videos. He had relatives in another part of the mountains, and I guess they reminded him of the home folks.
In their meetings with Kawsay to sign an official agreement as to our responsibilities and cooperation between Kawsay and Impact, everyone saw eye to eye in an almost unbelievable way. For example, Impact wants Mike's ministry to be concentrated in Andahuaylas, with students doing the traveling to rural areas around Andahuaylas. They were wondering how to best bring this up, when one of the Kawsay guys suggested it as a good plan.
We had a great time meeting with them, and then, without suitcases, took the economical three hour bus trip home, while they took off for Birmingham.
Prayer and praise this week
- Praise that the wedding went beautifully and smoothly.
- Praise that Mandy, Tim, and Dick (Mike's dad) all made it back to the US safely.
- Chris Pelham, a prospective missionary here visiting Andahuaylas. He is sick. Pray for a quick recovery as he has to travel from Andahuaylas to Lima and then to the US.
- Mike is teaching at a conference this weekend in Villa El Salvador. Please pray: that he recovers from a stomach problem; that he has the right words to say, as he is teaching about creation and there are potentially hostile attendees--pray that they come to an understanding of the truth; and that travel to and from is safe. Travel even in the city of Lima can be quite a hassle and this is about an hour away. No fun with a stomach problem. Also pray for protection from thieves.
- Pray for Bill Rowley, Nathan Ingram, Chris Pelham, and Paul Talley who have been travelling in Andahuaylas meeting with the Quechua and the Kawsay Association. Pray for safe travel and a fruitful trip.
- Pray for Miguel and Becky (away on their honeymoon) and their new life together.
Becky and Miguel- Religious Ceremony
Here are the pictures from the religious wedding. As you can see, God provided a perfect day! Once again, the pictures will be in black square and take a while to load.
Becky and Miguel Civil Wedding
In Peru two marriages are required, a civil wedding before a judge, and a religious wedding. We'll get the religious wedding photos up soon! (But we loaned Becky and Miguel the camera for their honeymoon. :) NOTE: this takes a few seconds to load--the pictures will be in the black square.
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