And the blind will see

Well, technically she was not completely blind. More in the category of “I can see people like trees walking around.” And even though we are on a mission trip, I am ashamed to say that praying for healing was not anyone’s first impulse. After all, WE were holding a medical clinic.
So anyway, the woman came for glasses. In reality she needed some pretty powerful bi-focals but due to the set-up and what we have to offer, she had to choose. Glasses to see distance or glasses to read and see close up. Without hesitation, she chose reading glasses. She explained, “I am a Christian, but for many years I have not been able to read the Bible. If I have to choose, I choose to read God’s word.” The eye doctor gave her the strongest reading glasses he had, which improved her vision enough that if she was in direct sunlight, and held the Bible very close she could make out the words. She then went to the spiritual counseling area. As the counselor began to talk to her she felt led by the Holy Spirit to pray for the woman’s eyes. Nothing wild or loud or flashy, just a simple quiet prayer for God to be glorified and the woman to be able to read freely the Word of God. When she opened her eyes, she began to cry. She could see clearly. She could see the donkeys at the far end of the field. She could count the children playing in the shade of a tree 100 yards away. And of course, she could read her Bible. She opened it, she held it close and read, she held it at arms distance and read, the counselor took the Bible 10 feet away and still she read. The woman marched promptly back to the eye clinic and handed her glasses back. “I don’t need these anymore. I can see.”

No Longer in Darkness - John 1:1-12

Today was one of those days when you know that if not a single other person was impacted with the gospel of Christ, this ONE was worth the cost, the effort and the challenges of the whole trip. Today we, (Jenni and Scarlet) were working in “suburb” of Chincha, Peru named Alto Laran. By Peruvian standards it is middle class. The homes are built from concrete, dirt floors and several have running water until 3 p.m. In the central park sat a little old man. By appearance I would have guessed him to be at least 75 years old. But the years have worn heavily on him and in reality he is 58. From under a small blue and white ball cap, bushy black and white hair escaped in every direction, including from his ears and eye brows. His skin a rich leathery brown and back bent from hard long years harvesting mandarins in the fields of Peru. One finger of his left hand was lost too many years back to recall. Rolfino prayed to accept Christ today in that central plaza, but really that is only part of the story. He came an hour later to the cell group meeting and eagerly devoured the first discipleship lesson. Learning how to find chapters and verses in the Bible and upon finding them, soaking them into his very soul as if rain quenching parched ground. As he stood to leave a few silent tears began to slip down his cheeks and he began to explain.
“For many years I have lived alone. My house is dark, I have no light. My house is cold, I have no heat. For many years I have been afraid of the dark, afraid of being alone. At one time, I fell and was alone calling for help for three days. A dog came and slept beside me. Every morning at 5 a.m. I get up and leave my house; I go out into the streets because I am afraid to be alone. Every night I go to bed when it gets dark and I cry because I am afraid. I feed the little dog when I can and leave water for her, but I never know when I leave if she will be there when I return. I have been alone for so long.” He wiped the tears from his darkened skin with the four fingers he had on his crippled left hand and began to sob. “Con alegria, con alegria.” He sobbed openly. “With joy, with joy,” he repeated over and over again. For 58 hard lonely years this man has lived in darkness, this evening for the very first time, he found that he is not alone. He is safely in the hand of the God that loves him so passionately that He died for him. That Jesus Christ is Life, Truth and Light. After a lifetime of living in darkness, he stepped into the Light and wept with joy...so did I. Please pray for our brother, Rolfino.

A rumble on the field in Sullana, Peru

Violence, theft and destruction weigh heavily on communities in bondage to gangs. Fear hangs over the people like a cloud over a rain forest. As if life wasn’t hard enough, this was the case south of Sullana, Peru. The night before SportReach was to come to a particular area, the local pastor wanted to speak with me, (Kelly). As we sat down, he began telling me of the gang influence in the area and how he had been praying for them for over a year. He continued telling me a story that had happened the day before. He said the e3 team member assigned to that area for the week was training the local church members how to use the evangecube so he wanted to give them a live example. He stepped outside to grab the first person he saw. He invited a middle-aged man who looked pretty rough to come inside and he proceeded to tell him the story of Jesus. At the end the man didn’t respond but pulled the e3 campaigner aside and said, “I want you to come to my house this afternoon and tell my mother this story. I think this is the most important decision in my life.” That afternoon the man, the local “god-father” figure of the gang and his mother became new believers in Christ. Now, of course, I was moved by this story and I appreciated the pastor sharing it with me but I still didn’t see how it applied to my team coming the next day, so he continued. The leader of the gang wanted everyone in his group to have the opportunity to hear about Jesus so he had arranged a soccer match with my team and his gang. The pastor had offered to pay to use a camp that had a nice grass soccer field. After we played, they wanted me to share the Gospel with them. Many, many things ran through my mind on how this whole thing could go down but how could you pass up an opportunity like this.
The next morning our team met for breakfast and then a time of prayer. We prayed for strength, humility, good sportsmanship and the opportunity to serve and share our Lord. We headed to the field with spirits high, cautious joking and with a little wonder of what was to come. As we were warming up the gang members began to arrive, most of them ranging from 16 to 23. Playing on grass was a rarity so they too took the field to warm up. The clouds cleared quickly and the temperature rose as the game began and quickly things looked bad. They scored three goals right off the bat. Heads hanging low our team reached deep in order to represent our Lord well. By the time the game ended on this 90 degree “winter” day we had made a comeback. There was no celebration over our 5-4 win as we shook hands and walked over to the shaded benches. Chugging down water we confirmed with the gang leader that now was the time. “Give me the words, oh Lord,” I prayed.
How do you break through the hardness? How do you break through the pride of self? How do you open someone up to hear the truth? I don’t, but God’s word can. Romans 7:7 says “…Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet.”” Galatians 3:24 says “So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” I began by asking them if they were a good person. Blank stares came back as if to say, “Are you serious?” Well, let me ask you a few questions to find out. Have you ever told a lie? Few hands came up, then I told them I sure had. Smiles broke out and everyone raised their hands. Have you ever stolen anything? Hands shot up in the air with one guy commenting that it was his job. Have you ever hated any one? Jesus says in Matthew 5:22 “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” Last one, has anyone here ever lusted after a woman? Oops was the response as hands raised and eyes darted. Then I told them that Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Hands slowly came down, smiles faded and seriousness fell over the young men. If God was to judge you based on the laws you just admitted that you broke, would you be found guilty or innocent. “Guilty” was the response. If He finds you guilty, do you think you’d be sent to Heaven or hell? “Hell” was the response. Now, the moment of truth, are they ready? You see, if they continue to justify themselves and their sins then they are not ready to hear the Good News. “Does that concern you?” I asked. Heads nodded. So I continued on to share the Good News with them that there was an answer to the problem of sin. Jesus paid the penalty for their sins, for the times they lied, stole or hated. At the end I gave them an opportunity to make a decision to follow Christ and start a new life. Heads were bowed and eyes were closed. Hearts were changed and I pray, so was a community.
Over the next hour and a half we played more soccer, chatted, laughed and just hung out. Every one of the members individually, quietly asked for a Bible. I had a great talk with the “god-father” about being a lifelong learning and follower to Christ and continuing to encourage the guys. The local pastor assured me he would continue to pray for these guys and disciple them in their homes whenever they wanted. As we closed our time together my team took off their shirts and gave them to the gang so there would always be a remembrance of what God did that day.

(For more information of this method of evangelism see http://www.wayofthemaster.com/)

The Book of Acts comes alive in Sullana, Peru

The church we were working with on Monday morning wanted to start a new work in an outlying village. The week before, the pastors had identified the biggest and nicest home in the area and prayed to be able to use it for the cell group meetings even though the family living there were all unbelievers. This home was about 1,000 square feet and built out of concrete block instead of grass mats. In it lived 8 adult family members and all of their subsequent children. When we arrived we were warmly greeted and welcomed by the family. We needed to wait for the rest of the team to arrive before we could really start the day, but not wanting to waste the time just staring at one another, we prayerfully proceeded. One of our team members shared a testimony and the gospel with the family and we watched breathlessly as all 8 adults surrendered their lives to Christ. Hamilton, the head of this family, immediately became our biggest asset. He helped set up our sports equipment, carried and poured dirt of a different color to mark out lines on the dirt field, paid a local to watch over our equipment and belongings while we worked and arranged for the SportReach event to be announced over the community loud speaker system. He then advocated and arranged a soccer match with the local men so that they too would come and hear the gospel. How did the soccer match go? Well, we humbly lost a soccer ball but we had a great turn out, over 40 adults heard the gospel in this location and 14 of them came to Hamilton’s house that night to begin being discipled in the word of God.
P.S. Wednesday morning when we went to work in a neighboring village, Hamilton had already told the men, “If the Americans come to your village go play against them, you will win a ball!” Not knowing this in advance, we were stunned to find a group of adult men, in their matching jerseys waiting for us when we arrived. Praise the Lord we did get to keep our ball from this match with a 7-4 victory, but even better, another 11 men heard the gospel.

Scarlet´s 12th Birthday

What a delight to be able to celebrate the 12th birthday of our beautiful girl in a beautiful place. If you have ever seen pictures of Machu Pichu, Peru, you will see the ruins nestled in the crook of two mountains. A smaller one on the left and a higher one on the right. Knowing us, as you all do, we could not resist the challenge of climbing the bigger of the two. The trail is limited to 400 hikers per day, so to be one of the lucky ones, we had to get up at 4:30 in the morning and be at the bus station by 5.

The day started early and a little ¨iffy¨ when Maverek complained of a tummy ache and wouldn´t eat breakfast. My initial professional assessment was that he was just not awake yet. He quickly disproved this theory by promptly throwing up on the 25 minute bus ride to the ruins. Yep, ON the bus, as in ON himself...in the aisle, while other passengers dodged vehemently. After sufficiently purging for the time being, he recovered a bit and laughed at what a memorable trip he had to Machu Pichu. As we waited in line, to be some of the chosen few to climb the Peruvian equivalent of the ´Manitou Incline´he continued to deteriorate. But it was Scarlet´s birthday afterall, and how could we come all this way and NOT climb THE mountain in every photo of the 7th wonder of the world? We made the cut and were numbers 166, 167, 168, and 169 of 400. So while we awaited our privileged ascent, I made a quick run back to the medical clinic on site (1/2 mile) where the doctor proceeded to give me enough dramamine to knock out a horse. I confirmed that I could give my 60 lb. son THIS much, really? The doctor assured me it was good, it is fine. So Maverek dutiful swallowed the pill and tried to muster a smile for his worried sissy. He then climbed feebly onto KJ´s back for a piggy back ride up the mountain of Waynapichu. Yep, you Colorado hikers out there, imagine doing the Incline with an extra 60 pounds of dead weight on your back. By God´s grace and I think KJ would attest through God´s strength, together Daddy and boy made the ascent. Only stopping once for Maverek to throw up the prescribed dramamine. Scarlet led all the way to the top, with me bringing up the rear...struggling under a 15 lb. backpack of water and snacks. We made it to the top in one hour, where KJ invited all the other hikers there to join in singing happy birthday to the Princess. There on top of Waynapichu, she heard ¨Happy Birthday¨sung in four languages which took a little of the sting out of her disappointment and worry about her baby brother. Maverek on the other hand laid on the ground, only sitting up to smile weakly for pictures. KJ and Scarlet explored the peak overlooking the ruins while Mav napped in my lap, then after an hour of rest we began our descent. Again, KJ had to carry his little guy the entire way down a trail that many grown men were descending by scooting on their bottoms. After making it to the bottom, KJ took Maverek to the clinic and Scarlet and I took the guided tour of the ruins.

We learned many interesting things about the Quechuan people and the 14 Inca kings that ruled over them during the 400 year Incan Empire. Two redemptive analogies struck me in their religious beliefs. One, they believed sin had to be atoned for with blood and they, not knowing the gospel of Jesus Christ, tragically tried to accomplish this through human sacrifice. Two, they believed they had to be born again to have eternal life, and for this reason were mummified in the fetal position. It astounds me to know and see how God has revealed himself in one way or another through every culture and time and place. We spent 2 hours on our tour, where I photographed Scarlet in every location putting on a fake smile trying to hide her worry and disappointment.

At the end of our tour we found KJ waiting patiently outside the one room medical clinic. Food poisoning was diagnosed after Maverek hurled all over the clinic and the doctor´s shoes...twice. He couldn´t take any liquids or medicines by mouth so they started his first I.V. It took three hours to give him enough fluid and meds to stabalize him and send him home, to which he now thinks is really ¨COOOOOL!¨ Two days out now he is continuing to recover and gain strength. This morning he ate his first solid food, about 1/2 of a scrambled egg, and it has stayed down for 2 whole hours. Praise the Lord.

There is currently a country wide strike affecting transportation. We are scheduled to fly to Lima out of Cusco tomorrow, Thursday and then on to Sullana on Friday for a week of working. Pray for travel, safety, health and continued recovery for the little guy.

Amazing time in Camana, Peru

56 hours in 4 days is a lot to expect of anyone, much more so of little people. Nevertheless, that is what was required of Scarlet and Maverek this week, as they are our children and have to go where ever Kelly and I go. Our days began with breakfast at 7 a.m. and ended with dinner being served at 9:00 p.m. We found it amazing what all could be crammed into that span of time.
One highlight this week came when we got to see the coordination of two lives saved. A man in his late twenties came to the park where we were holding our sports clinics on Monday afternoon. He held in his arms a small trembling dog with golden shaggy hair. Both dog and man seemed cloaked in sadness. His name was John and we began to talk. I took the dog into my arms as he began to explain that his grandmother could no longer care for the dog, so sent him out to kill it. In the midst of the conversation, Maverek’s keen animal awareness led him into our circle. Taking the dog into his arms, Maverek calmed her immediately. I, attempting to hide my wavering doubt, assured both John and Maverek that we would find a home for the dog. Knowing that God cares for every sparrow that falls and seeing that Maverek had already affectionately named the dog “Chicha,” what else could I do? Maverek carried Chicha the rest of the afternoon, until she was adopted by a family involved in the clinics. I, with the help of a national church leader, proceeded to have an hour long conversation with John about his search for truth amidst a life of struggle and tragedy. His quest for ended as he chose to surrender his life to Christ. That evening, Chicha began her new life as a family pet, and John began his journey walking with Jesus by coming to the first cell group meeting and learning how to study the Bible for himself.
The second highlight was Wednesday working in an area more impoverished than we had ever seen. The houses are made of grass mats, there is no running water, no bathrooms, no refrigeration, electricity is highjacked and sporadic, clothespins are a luxury. Impoverished. The only thing abundant was the number of kisses the children showered us with before we left. This area was very skeptical and stand-offish at first, not accustomed to seeing “white” people in the area because, in reality, no one comes here on purpose. After a couple of hours playing however, doubts were cast off and new friendships forged. The work to plant a new church in this area began on Monday morning and by Monday night they had constructed the new church building. You will see some photos of the black tarp roofs and cane pole rafters. You might see two light bulbs hanging from the ceiling, but those only work if and when the electricity does, rarely. So, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening, 11 hours into our 3rd day of work, we came to the cell group meeting to serve in whatever way was needed. We were surprised to see Scripture come to life right before our very eyes.
14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
On this particular day, there was no electricity and the sunset at 5:30, by 6:00 it was plain dark! Our family got to be the light on a stand, giving light to all in the house. For one and a half hours, Scarlet and Maverek on tired feet with patience straight from heaven, stood still and without complaint, holding candles with Kelly and I to light the evening service. It is amazing how creative God is and how he chooses to use us. We tend to think, “Well, I am not a preacher, so I can’t minister to anyone.” But tonight we learned, through experience, that God uses the little acts of obedience, those small sacrifices of our own will and comfort, to bring His light into the darkness. What a privilege!
For you number people out there, Wednesday we saw 64 people engaged in our sports clinics and hearing the gospel in small groups, while the newly trained nationals built relationships and shared the gospel with 23 other bystanders.