December 15, 2009
Hello Everyone,
I hope this update finds everyone well and enjoying this blessed holiday season. I had written an update after I returned from San Lorenzo but was ill with fever, bronchitis and stomach problems and accidently erased it so I will quickly recap.
The trip there was great. We were on the boat 4 days and there were severalbrothers and sisters from the Aguruna tribe that Lucy worked with when she was a missionary in that region. We held services on the boat and it was so beautiful to listen to them sing in their native tongue.
We arrived in San Lorenzo where they killed 2 guinea pigs in my honor. They are delicious by the way but don’t worry about your hamsters...they are safe with me. We held 3 services in Lucy’s parents’ home as many in her family are non Christian and it was a way to reach more of them.
We also gave the meditation 2 nights in a nearby church. We kept very busy with just the day to day things of having to go get wood for the stove—an hour and a half hike into the jungle and fixing things around the house. I had a wonderful time but it was very difficult to have to say goodbye to Lucy and her family there and have to travel the 3 days by boat back to Iquitos alone with her niece and nephew.
We arrived in Nauta which is 2 hours by car from Iquitos Thursday night and decided to get off there instead of taking the boat back to Iquitos as the boat would take 12 hours from there. There were 6 adults and 6 children plus suitcases packed in a car. I now know what a can of tuna feels like.
I arrived in Iquitos ill which was kind of a bummer for my last few days. I finally ended up going to the hospital yesterday and feel better now.
I can’t believe I am leaving for Lima in 2 hours. I will stay with some friends there and leave for the states Thursday night. It all feels like a dream right now. I feel a bit numb. It is difficult to leave friends here and I am looking forward to seeing my friends and familyso my feelings are somewhat jumbled.
I want to thank all of you for all of your support in finances, in prayer and through your emails ect. None of this would have been possible without you all. A lot of growth has been taking place in the churches of this region in their maturity and we also have 2 new places where we are starting churches. It is always 2 steps forward, one step back but we are advancing in the work of the Lord here. Thank you all so very much and I hope you have a very blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.
In Christ,
Kayleen
