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| This great Bible Study group of mainly military folks meets at the home of David and Renee Klann home in Leesville, LA. It was great to meet with a group of committed Christians like these! |
Bible study in Leesville
Prayer and PRAISE 3-23-12
Praises:
An anonymous donor volunteered to buy plane tickets and the prices dropped, so we now have a departure date. May 16 we are going back to Peru!
God protected us during another spell of severe weather.
Our daughter Becky and granddaughter Abby (both in Lima) had been quite ill and have recovered.
Prayer items:
Several students for the seminary in Apurimac are in need of scholarships.
Walter Ccoicca, who teaches at the seminary, is still in need of most of his monthly support. When we come back, he will need to be able to move out of our house with his family so he will need to be able to pay rent, etc.
Travel safety--as always.
Thank you for your faithful prayers!
Tammy
An anonymous donor volunteered to buy plane tickets and the prices dropped, so we now have a departure date. May 16 we are going back to Peru!
God protected us during another spell of severe weather.
Our daughter Becky and granddaughter Abby (both in Lima) had been quite ill and have recovered.
Prayer items:
Several students for the seminary in Apurimac are in need of scholarships.
Walter Ccoicca, who teaches at the seminary, is still in need of most of his monthly support. When we come back, he will need to be able to move out of our house with his family so he will need to be able to pay rent, etc.
Travel safety--as always.
Thank you for your faithful prayers!
Tammy
Severe weather night in Louisiana
When we heard that we were in for a night of severe weather Tuesday here at Camp Pearl in Reeves, Louisiana, I subscribed to weather alerts on my cell phone. It was beeping every few minutes from around 8 pm to 2 am. Flash flood alert! Tornado watch!
At midnight we got a tornado warning and moved to a sturdier building about 100 yards away. We got soaked getting there!
Thanks be to God, no tornado touched down near here. Everything is just waterlogged. Even today on Thursday I am still getting flood alerts from all the rain that fell.
At midnight we got a tornado warning and moved to a sturdier building about 100 yards away. We got soaked getting there!
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| Normally dry area now a mini-lake. |
Peruvian Roads
"Oh man! Look at that backup!", Tammy was pointing to the long line of crawling cars and trucks on I-70 west of St. Louis. We were on our way from Alabama to Nebraska when we ran into (not literally) this big slow-down. We hadn't seen anything like that for years. The roads in Peru don't have traffic back-ups, but they sure have their own share of interesting and fun diversions. There is a TV show,"IRT: Deadliest Roads", that has featured Peruvian roads this year. Many folk have asked us if we have ever been on those roads.
The answer is, "yes"! If we didn't ride on those roads, we couldn't be here. Andahuaylas is in the middle of the Andes and there is no way to get out of there, get around in the region or even GET there (unless you fly) without riding on those roads for several hours at least. The roads are narrow, dirt roads and they criss-cross the Andes all over Peru. Many of the roads are way over the tree line and can be snowy and icy all year round. Others are more temperate; but the steep drop-offs, unimproved surfaces and frequent rock or mud-slides keep them from being boring.
One of the most notable features of these roads, that stands out riding a narrow old bus for 18 to 30 plus hours over them, is that they aren't straight for more than 2 or 300 yards at a time. The effect of all the constant turns is a kind of land-based seasickness. When that hits along with the altitude (very often well over 10,000') the resulting nausea is a blast! (sometimes literally!) The dirt surface is full of bumps and humps and holes, that also contribute to make the experience unforgettable, "Oh my aching back!".
One common occurrence is the "trasbordo". This happens when the bus that you are on can't go any further, the road is closed because of rock or mudslide, water pouring over the surface or maybe the road has just gone away (maybe fallen off the side of the mountain). Everyone gets out of the warm(ish) and smelly bus, grabs their luggage and hoofs it across the rocks, mud, yawning chasm - whatever - and tries to find a bus on the other side that can execute a 3 point turn (that will give you some white knuckles) and take you where it came from. That will at least be closer to where you are trying to go.
And I could go on and talk about highway robbers, icy roads, wrecks, spending hours in a small uncomfortable seat, roadside food and restrooms, etc. but I will save those for another time.
Just remembering the roads back home made the St. Louis traffic jam seem to be no problem!
The answer is, "yes"! If we didn't ride on those roads, we couldn't be here. Andahuaylas is in the middle of the Andes and there is no way to get out of there, get around in the region or even GET there (unless you fly) without riding on those roads for several hours at least. The roads are narrow, dirt roads and they criss-cross the Andes all over Peru. Many of the roads are way over the tree line and can be snowy and icy all year round. Others are more temperate; but the steep drop-offs, unimproved surfaces and frequent rock or mud-slides keep them from being boring.
One of the most notable features of these roads, that stands out riding a narrow old bus for 18 to 30 plus hours over them, is that they aren't straight for more than 2 or 300 yards at a time. The effect of all the constant turns is a kind of land-based seasickness. When that hits along with the altitude (very often well over 10,000') the resulting nausea is a blast! (sometimes literally!) The dirt surface is full of bumps and humps and holes, that also contribute to make the experience unforgettable, "Oh my aching back!".
One common occurrence is the "trasbordo". This happens when the bus that you are on can't go any further, the road is closed because of rock or mudslide, water pouring over the surface or maybe the road has just gone away (maybe fallen off the side of the mountain). Everyone gets out of the warm(ish) and smelly bus, grabs their luggage and hoofs it across the rocks, mud, yawning chasm - whatever - and tries to find a bus on the other side that can execute a 3 point turn (that will give you some white knuckles) and take you where it came from. That will at least be closer to where you are trying to go.
And I could go on and talk about highway robbers, icy roads, wrecks, spending hours in a small uncomfortable seat, roadside food and restrooms, etc. but I will save those for another time.
Just remembering the roads back home made the St. Louis traffic jam seem to be no problem!
On the Road
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| Mike with Alabama granddaughter, Elizabeth |
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| Daughter Mandy |
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| We spoke at Salem Presbyterian in Alpine Alabama, and enjoyed a fabulous lunch. The people there are always so sweet to visit! |
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| Abby and Becky |
Please keep on praying for the situation in Andahuaylas--it's still uncertain. One seminary class has had to be rescheduled for summer break in January.
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| In the airport. We left Lima as scheduled on November 22. |
Fiesta Espíritual in Huancaray (October)
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| This is our ride. Martin Leon loans it to us and other ministries to get out into the country. |
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| This is the kitchen, where they are preparing breakfast when we arrive. |
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| At breakfast. |
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| Everone loved this little guy with his carrot! |
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| Mike was teaching about the Holy Spirit. There is a huge amount of confusion up here because of people who call themselves apostles going around telling people they haven't got the Holy Spirit unless they give it to them. |
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| Cayo Cardenas translating in Quechua |
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| Cayo and his wife Maritza leading singing. |
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| Singing with the traditional harp. |
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| Lunchtime! |
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| On the way back home. |
Strike Losing Favor: Pray for an End
Last week everyone here was optimistic about the strike. (Including us.) Today a radio call-in show on Agricultor (Farmer) Radio was asking people if they were in favor of the strike and the response was an overwhelming "NO." There are three big reasons:
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| 1. Violence erupted Thursday afternoon and left close to 40 people injured in confrontation between protesters and police. photo: larevista.aqpsoluciones.com |
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| 2. The original organizers (marching in photo above)have declared that they are satisfied with government actions and have quit the strike unless the government does not keep promises to ban mining in the district because of a serious water pollution problem that has been killing birds, fish, and crops. However, more extremist groups that have infiltrated the protest have decided to continue the strike indefinitely.Photo: actualidad.azumare.com |
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| 3. With these guys and their sticks and whips keeping businesses closed and shutting down transportation, food is starting to run out.Photo: actualidad.azumare.com
Our plan is still to leave Monday for Lima, if it is at all possible. However, God will have to move in a mighty way for this to happen. Please pray for a peaceful resolution to the situation.
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Strike (again)
Okay, we have about a week before we leave Andahuaylas for our visit to the US, family, and US churches. And everything is complicated by a general strike. We can only do business or travel to Andahuaylas in the morning before 9 am or after 4 or 5 pm.
Image: xedos4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
And we are in agreement with this strike. The strike is to protest the large amounts of money that have been funneled into the hospital and road paving projects with no result. The road between Ayacucho and Andahuaylas is close to completion. The road between Abancay and Andahuaylas----nothing. The new hospital has vanished into thin air, and the director of the current hospital has changed possession like a basketball. Who knows who it is? AND there is a report of the privatization of the water system, coupled with constant cuts in water. So we want to support the strike, because there are not a lot of other ways to call the government's attention to problems.
We have gone through strikes before, and it was traumatic. And although this strike is reasonable and nonviolent, I have to say that it is much easier for us because we have learned a lot about how you live through them:
And we are in agreement with this strike. The strike is to protest the large amounts of money that have been funneled into the hospital and road paving projects with no result. The road between Ayacucho and Andahuaylas is close to completion. The road between Abancay and Andahuaylas----nothing. The new hospital has vanished into thin air, and the director of the current hospital has changed possession like a basketball. Who knows who it is? AND there is a report of the privatization of the water system, coupled with constant cuts in water. So we want to support the strike, because there are not a lot of other ways to call the government's attention to problems.
We have gone through strikes before, and it was traumatic. And although this strike is reasonable and nonviolent, I have to say that it is much easier for us because we have learned a lot about how you live through them:
- Don´t try to go anywhere during strike hours unless absolutely necessary.
- Get up early and do your shopping before the strike starts, and go out in the evening to add to your supplies.
- Listen to information from everyone. Taxi drivers are really well-informed and are a great source of information during non-strike (treaty) hours.
- Listen to local radio and ask all your neighbors what is going on.
Marriage retreat
We had a great time teaching at a marriage retreat this week in Andahuaylas. Eighteen couples from the Andahuaylas IEP church attended. The highlight was (unfortunately) when I decked Jorge (a large policeman who goes to our church and is a student at the seminary) during the volleyball game. I was going for the ball and he hadn't called it. I still can't believe I actually knocked him down.
A lot of better things happened. Several couples seemed to really connect and give their marriages to God. Everyone had a good time as well, even Jorge.
A lot of better things happened. Several couples seemed to really connect and give their marriages to God. Everyone had a good time as well, even Jorge.
Pictures--August Team in Los Angeles
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| Children in Los Angeles enjoying teaching. This community has few resources. Chris told me that the only game the kids had there was rolling a lid from a bucket with a stick. The community is at an altitude where fruit does not grow. Many children do not have shoes, and have never received a toy. |
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| L to R Walter and Ruth Ccoicca, Maritza and Cayo Cardenas, Mike and Tammy Riggs, Sam Grillo, Bill and Becky Rowley, Silvi Linares |
Lunch Break
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| On the road |
Excited to have their picture taken so they can look at it on the digital camera.
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| Praying |
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| These pastors and leaders completed a survey of the whole Bible. |
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| The bus we used is in the background. Most of the women and children were still in their groups, so they aren't in the picture. |
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| This LA doesn't even show up on Google Earth, but its central location allows people from many pueblos to come for teaching. |
BB team in LA (Peruvian style) (August)
One of the big events in August was the arrival of a Believers Bridge team composed of Bill, Becky. and Robert Rowley, Sam Grillo, and Silvi Linares. Here is a post from Bill and Becky's blog, (click on their blog name) to read the whole thing.) Rowley Adventures: In Los Angeles: "But I thought you said you were going to Peru?" Yes! And we are. And we went to Los Angeles today. In Peru. And I can guarantee you w...
Sudden change of plans for Becky and Miguel (July)
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| Miguel and Abby |
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| Becky and Abby |
Becky and Miguel (and of course, Abigail) were supposed to move to Andahuaylas at the end of July so he could be youth pastor in the IEP church here.
HOWEVER...
The church here tore down their main building to rebuild a bigger facility.
AND...
They found out that they had to make a new foundation, because the old one wasn't adequate. This was a lot more costly than they thought.
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| What used to be the worship area of the Andahuaylas church |
And after some urgent rushing around that's what happened. Miguel was able to get back his job as religion teacher in a school in Lima (he had already resigned, but hadn't been replaced.)
NEW PLAN
They are going to work on getting his visa and green card so they can come to the US and recruit supporters for their planned ministry with Believers Bridge.
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