A friend, Victoria, was badly injured in an accident a couple of weeks ago. Tammy wrote about it. Tammy heard that she was still here in the regional hospital, so we decided to visit her. Tammy bought a little pre-decorated Christmas tree to take to her.
When we got to the hospital we found out that she had been transported to Lima due to the severity of her injuries. We asked the nurse if there was someone in the hospital who could use a little tree, because it is sad to spend Christmas in the hospital. She took us to a small ward (6 beds) with three elderly ladies. The ward is dismal and dim, with ugly green walls and no decoration.
The one in the middle is dying of kidney failure, one has pneumonia and one has a leprous skin disease. The nurse wanted to have us give the tree to the lady dying of kidney failure, but it was too late, she is no longer mentally there. But the one with pneumonia almost jumped out of bed to get the tree. Her eyes lit up!
So we gave it to her, but said it was for the whole ward. Then we prayed. The nurse had to translate because the ladies only understand Quechua. But, they knew what was up. They teared up and the leprous one wanted me to be sure and see her arms.
What a blessed way to spend Christmas Eve!
Even paperwork can be an adventure in Peru
We are still working on getting authorization for the medical team from Beaumont Bible Church. It's interesting how in Peru this is an interesting and even adventurous thing.
This morning I went out with Dr. Alejandro Landas, the dentist who is helping me with this (he is head of the health department post by Munay Wasi and works with the NEW Munay association.)
I went to meet him at his office at 11 sharp, per his request, and had to wait for twenty minutes while he finished with a patient. When the drilling sound stopped, three VERY small nuns in large brown habits came out of his office. It seemed so much like a comedy sketch that I had to struggle a little to maintain a straight face as I set out with him to the Health Department, a complex maze of buildings, to pick up the document that certifies our doctors to work in the country.
When we got there we were informed that the document was still on its way (it's been coming for two days) and would arrive tomorrow.
Then we went to the Regional Hospital, a complex maze of blue buildings, to look for the Health Department Director for Apurimac, figuring that the mere existence of the document would be enough to allow us to plan the medical campaign. He wasn't there, but we did see dead bodies from a wreck over the weekend being loaded on a truck. I thought I was imagining the smell until I saw a group of nurses with their noses covered.
Now off to the Health Department again, but uphill this time, to look for the Director. He wasn't there, either, So Alec called him on his cell phone and found out he was at the coliseum. So off to the coliseum!
Arriving, we found nothing happening. Turns out that the balance had run out on Alec's prepaid phone, and he didn't hear WHICH coliseum. So off to the other coliseum!
This coliseum was a scene of pandemonium. It was the site of the municipal chocolatada, where the children were being given free chocolate and toys by the city. Mobs of children in their school uniforms were pounding on the closed doors, and mothers were grabbing the presents and trying to send their kids through again. Policemen were on hand to prevent this happening. We made our way through the crowd, the policemen letting Dr. Alec, a known health officer, through.
Inside we found the director, presumably on hand to watch out for injuries and have his picture taken for the paper. Also the Hospital Director. After a few minutes waiting, and watching the children come through for their presents, we met with them both. The Health Dept. thought we needed another document as well, the Hospital didn't think so, but the Health Dept had the final say. So tomorrow when we get the first document from the Colegio de Medicos we will use it to apply for a document from the Ministry of Health.
A guard let us out the back way, avoiding the crowd, and off back uphill to the dentist's office.
One item done on today's list. Next to the bank, where the ATM gobbled my card . . .
This morning I went out with Dr. Alejandro Landas, the dentist who is helping me with this (he is head of the health department post by Munay Wasi and works with the NEW Munay association.)
I went to meet him at his office at 11 sharp, per his request, and had to wait for twenty minutes while he finished with a patient. When the drilling sound stopped, three VERY small nuns in large brown habits came out of his office. It seemed so much like a comedy sketch that I had to struggle a little to maintain a straight face as I set out with him to the Health Department, a complex maze of buildings, to pick up the document that certifies our doctors to work in the country.
When we got there we were informed that the document was still on its way (it's been coming for two days) and would arrive tomorrow.
Then we went to the Regional Hospital, a complex maze of blue buildings, to look for the Health Department Director for Apurimac, figuring that the mere existence of the document would be enough to allow us to plan the medical campaign. He wasn't there, but we did see dead bodies from a wreck over the weekend being loaded on a truck. I thought I was imagining the smell until I saw a group of nurses with their noses covered.
Now off to the Health Department again, but uphill this time, to look for the Director. He wasn't there, either, So Alec called him on his cell phone and found out he was at the coliseum. So off to the coliseum!
Arriving, we found nothing happening. Turns out that the balance had run out on Alec's prepaid phone, and he didn't hear WHICH coliseum. So off to the other coliseum!
This coliseum was a scene of pandemonium. It was the site of the municipal chocolatada, where the children were being given free chocolate and toys by the city. Mobs of children in their school uniforms were pounding on the closed doors, and mothers were grabbing the presents and trying to send their kids through again. Policemen were on hand to prevent this happening. We made our way through the crowd, the policemen letting Dr. Alec, a known health officer, through.
Inside we found the director, presumably on hand to watch out for injuries and have his picture taken for the paper. Also the Hospital Director. After a few minutes waiting, and watching the children come through for their presents, we met with them both. The Health Dept. thought we needed another document as well, the Hospital didn't think so, but the Health Dept had the final say. So tomorrow when we get the first document from the Colegio de Medicos we will use it to apply for a document from the Ministry of Health.
A guard let us out the back way, avoiding the crowd, and off back uphill to the dentist's office.
One item done on today's list. Next to the bank, where the ATM gobbled my card . . .
Uripa - part 2 and 2 Prayer Requests
Our conference in Uripa took a surprising turn Saturday. The first session of the morning was about how giving is more than just tithing to the church. We discussed giving your time to help others and even loaning tools! Then we took a break.
The break was cut short by a phone call that a church leader who had been on his way to the conference had been in an accident. Another call revealed that the man's wife was badly injured and on her way to the Health Department in Uripa.
A group of about 10 set out for the health department. Along the way we tried to figure out what had happened. Had they been coming by bus? By taxi? Was the whole family injured?
On arrival at the Health Department we found the 4 year old daughter of the family sitting calmly outside eating a yogurt. She told us that the whole family had been coming by motorcycle.
At first, everyone thought that all four were on one motorcycle, but it turned out that the little girl was on one with her father, and the teenage daughter had been driving the other with her mother as passenger. They came to a steep, pebbly downhill turn and the girl braked quickly because of a child who seemed ready to run into the road. The motorcycle flipped.
The mother's leg seemed to be crushed and she was in great pain. The daughter had cuts and bruises and could only cry. To make matters worse, the Health Department didn't even have x-ray or a driver for their ambulance. She needed to be taken to the hospital in Andahuaylas. An ambulance came from nearby Chincheros, but refused to take her because someone else might need the ambulance in the meantime. (You have to love this reasoning!) In the end the Health Department loaned a mattress so she could be sent in a taxi for the 2 hour trip.
The brothers from the church really put the conference teaching into action, staying and helping, giving the family money, and bringing chicken soup from the church (that was the luncheon that day). One of them drove the taxi.
And that comprised the morning and afternoon session of the conference.
The rest of the confernce went normally and we returned to Andahuaylas with gifts of a chicken, 2 bags of corn, a bag of mangos, and of course the avocadoes from the mayor!
Please pray for Victoria (the injured woman) and her family. Her kneecap was crushed and will need to be reconstructed. Right now the danger is infection and she has had several surgeries to drain the site.
Please also be in prayer for a friend of Chris. Twelve year old Alejandro was in a motorcycle accident the same weekend and yesterday needed emergency surgery on his foot. It seems that although the mother thought it was only sprained, infection had set in so badly that he was in danger of losing the foot. This family are not believers, and I had the chance to pray with the mother yesterday at the hospital. Please pray that the boy recovers well (and with two feet!) and that they come to Christ.
Thanks for your prayers!
Tammy
The break was cut short by a phone call that a church leader who had been on his way to the conference had been in an accident. Another call revealed that the man's wife was badly injured and on her way to the Health Department in Uripa.
A group of about 10 set out for the health department. Along the way we tried to figure out what had happened. Had they been coming by bus? By taxi? Was the whole family injured?
On arrival at the Health Department we found the 4 year old daughter of the family sitting calmly outside eating a yogurt. She told us that the whole family had been coming by motorcycle.
At first, everyone thought that all four were on one motorcycle, but it turned out that the little girl was on one with her father, and the teenage daughter had been driving the other with her mother as passenger. They came to a steep, pebbly downhill turn and the girl braked quickly because of a child who seemed ready to run into the road. The motorcycle flipped.
The mother's leg seemed to be crushed and she was in great pain. The daughter had cuts and bruises and could only cry. To make matters worse, the Health Department didn't even have x-ray or a driver for their ambulance. She needed to be taken to the hospital in Andahuaylas. An ambulance came from nearby Chincheros, but refused to take her because someone else might need the ambulance in the meantime. (You have to love this reasoning!) In the end the Health Department loaned a mattress so she could be sent in a taxi for the 2 hour trip.
The brothers from the church really put the conference teaching into action, staying and helping, giving the family money, and bringing chicken soup from the church (that was the luncheon that day). One of them drove the taxi.
And that comprised the morning and afternoon session of the conference.
The rest of the confernce went normally and we returned to Andahuaylas with gifts of a chicken, 2 bags of corn, a bag of mangos, and of course the avocadoes from the mayor!
Please pray for Victoria (the injured woman) and her family. Her kneecap was crushed and will need to be reconstructed. Right now the danger is infection and she has had several surgeries to drain the site.
Please also be in prayer for a friend of Chris. Twelve year old Alejandro was in a motorcycle accident the same weekend and yesterday needed emergency surgery on his foot. It seems that although the mother thought it was only sprained, infection had set in so badly that he was in danger of losing the foot. This family are not believers, and I had the chance to pray with the mother yesterday at the hospital. Please pray that the boy recovers well (and with two feet!) and that they come to Christ.
Thanks for your prayers!
Tammy
Uripa and Chincheros
We spoke at the church last night on "Why Give?" and were very well received.
This morning we went sightseeing with Pastor Walter Ccoicca and his family and a brother named Carlos from the church. We went to nearby Chincheros, which has a warm, sunny climate. While we were there we were introduced to the alcalde of the province of Chincheros. We spoke to him about the possibility of medical mission trips. He was very interested and gave us all pins with the crest of the province and an envelope full of avocados. (Chris is demonstrating both in the picture.) Contacts like this are really important in a country where everything runs on word of mouth and "who do you know."
Tonight and tomorrow we will be continuing with the conference. Then Sunday afternoon back to Andahuaylas (and Mike will be on his way to Lima.)
This morning we went sightseeing with Pastor Walter Ccoicca and his family and a brother named Carlos from the church. We went to nearby Chincheros, which has a warm, sunny climate. While we were there we were introduced to the alcalde of the province of Chincheros. We spoke to him about the possibility of medical mission trips. He was very interested and gave us all pins with the crest of the province and an envelope full of avocados. (Chris is demonstrating both in the picture.) Contacts like this are really important in a country where everything runs on word of mouth and "who do you know."
Tonight and tomorrow we will be continuing with the conference. Then Sunday afternoon back to Andahuaylas (and Mike will be on his way to Lima.)
Weekend Conference
We had a great time at a Youth Conference yesterday. It was hosted by another local mission association like Kausay--this one aimed at training youth for Christian service.
There were about 40 kids in attendance (including Chris). They all had to read some material before the conference, take a test at the conference, and participate in the conference seminars. The plan is to have a conference every 3 months and then at the end of two years the kids can go on a trip to Cuzco if they have met all the requirements.
The goal of the association is to raise up the next generation of workers in ministry. It's the same goal that we have--only we are working with the kids when they graduate from high school. (and the current pastors as well.)
It was great to see all these young people attentive and learning. They also asked great questions in Q & A time that showed they had actually been sharing their faith and running into objections that they were now looking to answer.
The strangeness highlight was when the kitchen ran out of spoons for the supper soup, and two girls generously stuck their soup spoons that they had been using in our bowls! We thanked them and ate the soup. However, we washed the spoons before we passed them along to anyone else!
There were about 40 kids in attendance (including Chris). They all had to read some material before the conference, take a test at the conference, and participate in the conference seminars. The plan is to have a conference every 3 months and then at the end of two years the kids can go on a trip to Cuzco if they have met all the requirements.
The goal of the association is to raise up the next generation of workers in ministry. It's the same goal that we have--only we are working with the kids when they graduate from high school. (and the current pastors as well.)
It was great to see all these young people attentive and learning. They also asked great questions in Q & A time that showed they had actually been sharing their faith and running into objections that they were now looking to answer.
The strangeness highlight was when the kitchen ran out of spoons for the supper soup, and two girls generously stuck their soup spoons that they had been using in our bowls! We thanked them and ate the soup. However, we washed the spoons before we passed them along to anyone else!
Prayer and Praise, November 27
Here are some prayers and praises that we would like to share:
Please pray for a peaceful, fair resolution to troubles between the cities of Abancay and Andahuaylas. One that doesn't give in to violence and craziness. Abancay didn't like the proposed regional budget from the national government that granted money for a hospital project that Andahuaylas had proposed. They preferred that this money, even though from a separate fund, be divided up between all the provinces of Apurimac. (No, it doesn't make sense!) So they went on a strike, paralyzing their city and electing the regional vice president as president. Several attempts at negotiation have fallen through, even though violence has stopped.
On a related note, praise God that Chris and Tammy got safely out of Abancay even though they arrived on the first day of the strike. And that two weeks later we got our suitcases shipped out of there and nothing was missing.
Please pray for the many couples who have been requesting discipleship since our return. Pray that we can find a way to encourage them, and a way to meet this need.
Pray for the group that is coming from Beaumont Bible Church at the end of the year. Pray for them individually and for the preparations on this side.
Pray that we would be faithful stewards of our time. There are many opportunities!
Pray for our daughter Becky and her husband Miguel. Becky is doing fine. Pray for their fundraising and support situation as well as health for her and the baby during the busy end of year time. (Remember, the school year ends at Christmas!)
Pray for the needs of the Bible Institute, on track to open this year.
Praise God for putting together teachers and curriculum for the Bible Institute.
Pray that our son Colin in Birmingham finds a stable job and more permanent living situation.
Praise God for friends and supporters who are helping him out. The family of God is wonderful!
Praise God for giving us all you wonderful friends and prayer supporters. We certainly are thanking Him for you!
Please pray for a peaceful, fair resolution to troubles between the cities of Abancay and Andahuaylas. One that doesn't give in to violence and craziness. Abancay didn't like the proposed regional budget from the national government that granted money for a hospital project that Andahuaylas had proposed. They preferred that this money, even though from a separate fund, be divided up between all the provinces of Apurimac. (No, it doesn't make sense!) So they went on a strike, paralyzing their city and electing the regional vice president as president. Several attempts at negotiation have fallen through, even though violence has stopped.
On a related note, praise God that Chris and Tammy got safely out of Abancay even though they arrived on the first day of the strike. And that two weeks later we got our suitcases shipped out of there and nothing was missing.
Please pray for the many couples who have been requesting discipleship since our return. Pray that we can find a way to encourage them, and a way to meet this need.
Pray for the group that is coming from Beaumont Bible Church at the end of the year. Pray for them individually and for the preparations on this side.
Pray that we would be faithful stewards of our time. There are many opportunities!
Pray for our daughter Becky and her husband Miguel. Becky is doing fine. Pray for their fundraising and support situation as well as health for her and the baby during the busy end of year time. (Remember, the school year ends at Christmas!)
Pray for the needs of the Bible Institute, on track to open this year.
Praise God for putting together teachers and curriculum for the Bible Institute.
Pray that our son Colin in Birmingham finds a stable job and more permanent living situation.
Praise God for friends and supporters who are helping him out. The family of God is wonderful!
Praise God for giving us all you wonderful friends and prayer supporters. We certainly are thanking Him for you!
Winding down the trip
Hard to believe,but we only have 7 more days in the US. So we are winding things down, buying gifts, giving away stuff we needed here, cleaning up the car, checking baggage policies, etc.
We've had a great time here and picked up several pledges of support. It was well worth the trip and it was great to see friends and family--though of course we didn't get to see all the people and churches we would have liked to see!
But now we are eager to get home!
Please pray for:
Safe travel--we are driving from Indinana to Pennsylvania, then flying to Tampa, driving (riding with Tammy's folks) to Ft. Lauderdale, and flying to Lima. After a week there we will be flying up to Andahuaylas.
Colin --still looking for a job in Birmingham and a more permanent place to stay.
Packing--that we are able to fit in all we need to and have wisdom to discard all we don't.
Goodbyes--always hard, and there are so many of them!
Blessings,
Tammy
We've had a great time here and picked up several pledges of support. It was well worth the trip and it was great to see friends and family--though of course we didn't get to see all the people and churches we would have liked to see!
But now we are eager to get home!
Please pray for:
Safe travel--we are driving from Indinana to Pennsylvania, then flying to Tampa, driving (riding with Tammy's folks) to Ft. Lauderdale, and flying to Lima. After a week there we will be flying up to Andahuaylas.
Colin --still looking for a job in Birmingham and a more permanent place to stay.
Packing--that we are able to fit in all we need to and have wisdom to discard all we don't.
Goodbyes--always hard, and there are so many of them!
Blessings,
Tammy
Louisiana times and short term trips
We're in Louisiana now at Camp Pearl. The weather has mostly been hot and muggy or rainy with a lot of mosquitoes. However, the last few days have begun to feel like fall.
The churches here are planning a mission trip to Andahuaylas at the end of 2010. That will be exciting. There are lots of opportunities to help with teaching, construction, or medical campaigns.
Beaumont Bible Church ( from Beamont TX) is planning a trip for the end of this year. This will be our first time to host a team up there, so we will be making all the arrangements when we return the first of November. Everyone there in Andahuaylas has been praying for them to come down and we already have a lot of backup for the medical team that is coming.
It is a struggle not to get fat out here because there is just too much good food! We will try to post some pictures later this week. (of the churches--not of food or how fat we are :)
The churches here are planning a mission trip to Andahuaylas at the end of 2010. That will be exciting. There are lots of opportunities to help with teaching, construction, or medical campaigns.
Beaumont Bible Church ( from Beamont TX) is planning a trip for the end of this year. This will be our first time to host a team up there, so we will be making all the arrangements when we return the first of November. Everyone there in Andahuaylas has been praying for them to come down and we already have a lot of backup for the medical team that is coming.
It is a struggle not to get fat out here because there is just too much good food! We will try to post some pictures later this week. (of the churches--not of food or how fat we are :)
On to Texas
Early Friday morning we said goodbye to son Colin, who is staying behind in Birmingham and starting his first job.
We also swung by the animal clinic to say goodbye to daughter Mandy, who was still at work, and were off to Texas!
We also swung by the animal clinic to say goodbye to daughter Mandy, who was still at work, and were off to Texas!
Sunday we visited Faith Bible Church in LaMarque, Texas.
Chad Barrett, shown here as "El Gringo" is pastor.
Travels...
Just a fly by...
We left Lima for the US on August 12, on a day complicated by a nerve-wracking run in with a corrupt immigration official in Lima and the birthday of Miguel's mother, Maria Navarro.
Arrival on the 13th (cheap tickets) was also a little complicated by the lack of rental cars in the airport in Fort Lauderdale, but friends at Missionary Resource Network in Fort Lauderdale graciously loaned us a van and we were on our way by afternoon.
We enjoyed a few days with my family in Tampa and then were on our way on Sunday to speak Sunday night in our son Tim's church in Samson, Alabama. Mike left early Monday to return the van and pickup the car that CMTS ministries in Pennsylvania had for us.
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| Tim Brittney WEdding |
Sunday the 30th we were at Salem Presbyterian close to Lake Logan Martin, where Dr. Bill Maynor is pastor. We have enjoyed visiting with our daughter Mandy in Birmingham, and also enjoyed the Mary and Martha Society luncheon with old friends from Brook Highland Community Church on Friday the 4th.
Mike enjoyed catching the football games on Saturday and Sunday found us at Chelsea Bible Church in the morning and Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist that night.
And... this Friday we head out to Louisiana and Texas.
Prayer / Praise Report & God's Provision
This poor man cried, and Jehovah heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.
(Psa 34:6)
Praises! God has been providing awesomely, in both big and small things.
We needed someone to watch our apartment in Andahuaylas. Our friends and co-workers, the Vargas family, received the bad news that their landlady was raising their rent, and needed somewhere to stay while they finish the house they have been building. They couldn't stay in the apartment they are now without renewing the lease. So they are staying in our apartment, caring for the dog, etc. Problem(s) solved!
Colin needed to pay a fine to leave the country--due to a governmental error he lost his resident status and technically has been in the country illegally. Peru doesn't care about this, but won't let you leave without paying. There is no problem with coming back! They just want their money. Two days ago we had no idea where this would come from, but a VBS class of kindergarteners gave enough to cover it! God is amazing!
Both Colin and Chris had to renew their passports, and they came through with no delays or errors!
We had been having trouble locating a car, but God has provided a car from a ministry in Pennsylvania that provides loaner cars to missionaries. Truly an answer to prayers.
Pray for these things still needing to be worked out:
We have to go to Migraciones tomorrow to get the seals transferred from their old to new passports, and pay for Colin to leave the country. Also there is some problem (hopefully minor) with the resident cards we renewed in March. Pray that all this can be accomplished with no problems, as we leave tomorrow night.
We need to get to Pennsylvania to collect the car, and coordinate that with our other scheduled events. And all the usual details of airport pickup, etc.
Thanks for praying!
Tammy
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