Conference Update

We are back in Yurimaguas with all the hustle and bustle. NOISY!! Here is a photo of what the river looked like for the families that were traveling to Nueva Vida by boat. You can see all those white beaches that are not normally there.

River and landing in Nueva Vida

We were all able to land in Nueva Vida on Monday. Tommy Head was there for an hour or so and left with the pilot to go back to Pucallpa. Angela stayed and worked in the clinic all week. The runway is really nice (except when it rains of course). For those that walked it was slow going with the rain and mud. Educo, pastor of Balsapuerto, walked 17 hours to attend the conference and others walked for days with food, clothing, wives and children in tow.

Educo's Feet

There were so many people attending that when we tried to enter into the church the first night not only were there no seats but no standing room inside. We ended up going outside so we could at least breathe. There were over 500 that attended the conference plus children and women (which means there were a lot of people). There were about 150 or so kids most of which liked to visit us daily to play games with them. Ken made a laddergolf game and though it started off slowly they enjoyed it later. Becky and I spent time playing games, building with blocks and blowing bubbles. It’s always fun to be with the kids and the women that don’t attend the classes. Then on Sunday I was asked to help with Sunday School. The kids didn’t want to sing with me at first, but later with coaxed by the head of the Sunday School they learned 2 new songs. I taught them Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes in their language and in Spanish. Then another song in Spanish.

Sunday School

There wasn’t much time to explore the surrounding jungle this time since we started so late, but one thing we did go see was a new bridge that had been built. It was almost a miniature of the Golden Gate Bridge. It just seemed out of place after normally using logs to cross the river, but nice.

New Bridge

As usual it was hard leaving on Monday. It was the only day that it didn’t rain, so God provided it for us to be able to fly out. The runway was muddy but we all made it out. Please continue to pray for us as we get plans firmed up for the coming team in April and the one from Grace in June. Also remember to pray for Pancho’s visa. We are praying that we will be in the US the first we of March. Pancho & Marta with Heili

Thank you all for your support and encouragement as members of this team. We are praying for you all, too.