The Past 2 Weeks

ovember 18, 2009

Hi All,

I wanted to write a quick update about the last couple of weeks. In my last update, we had just returned from Yanashi that Saturday morning. We were in Iquitos Saturday and Sunday then Monday left for Amazonas as I am having to say my goodbyes to the churches. I am learning to be ready in season and out of season as one half hour before the service, Pastor Leiter asked me to preach and in Yanashi, as the church service was starting, Lucy asked me to preach. It is probably better that way because then I don’t think too much and have to rely on the Lord and not myself.

Tuesday on our return to Iquitos, there was a strike and the roads were closed by protesters so we stopped at a stream and swam until the roads were passable again. Wednesday we left for San Juan de Sinchicui, held a service and returned to Iquitos Thursday as we had to get ready for the children’s outreach we were having in Iquitos on Sunday.

Sunday morning Lucy, Pastor, Gian Franco and Gil who were also helping with the children’s program had to go out and look at some land while Gladis and I stayed at the church practicing with the kids. The program was at 4 p.m. and Lucy and the rest didn’t show up until about 4:30so Gladis and I were getting nervous as there were over 100 kids waiting for the program to start. After it did start, it was awesome. The kids themselves put on the program and

did a great job. We had to cut it short because our church service started at 7 but all in all it was a success.

Monday we headed to Tamshiyacu with Pastor Leiter. It was his first time in Tamshiyacu so we presented him to the church there. This church is without a pastor right now so it is struggling and the land behind the church was overgrown with grass so Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. we went out

there with our machetes to cut the grass. Three hours and several blisters later we were done. Pastor Leiter had killed a rat when he was cutting the grass so they put it on the fire for breakfast. One of the women of the church also killed a chicken so that we could have a soup for breakfast. While we were eating, the little boy that was cooking the rat said “look, it had babies” and showed me the little rat babies that were inside...my soup didn’t taste so good after that.

From Tamshiyacu we went to Santa Ana to say good bye and had a service in the new church. They have almost completed it—they redid part of the floor in the church and just have to do some of the windows, the bathroom and paint and it will be ready for their anniversary in December.

Wednesday we returned to Iquitos. I will be going with Lucy to visit her parents which is a 4 day boat ride there and 3 days coming back so I will only be able to stay a couple days since I leave for Lima on the 15^th. We are planning on taking 2 of her brothers children with us but that will depend on them coming to town to notarize papers saying we are allowed to travel with them. They have just begun to enforced this law due to the increase in child trafficking here. I am hoping they can go otherwise I will have to travel back to Iquitos alone.

I cannot believe how quickly time passes. I will be home for Christmas the first time in 3 years and am excited about that but of course sad to leave my friends here. They want me to return in April to help with some teams that are coming so I am praying about that. I have had many ups and downs here in Peru but through it all, God is always faithful and does much more than I can ever imagine. He is my rock and my fortress. Thank you all for your continued support and may you have a very blessed Thanksgiving.

In Christ,

Kayleen