Nueva Vida and Back

It is so hard to believe that the college group has come and gone. So many months of planning and fundraising to get here.

This group of young adults impacted Nueva Vida in a very positive way from the moment they arrived. They will have many stories to tell those that are willing to take the time and listen and many things to ponder for their futures.

The ladies took time with the children each day teaching VBS and playing games in the 115-120 degree heat. The even played a futbol game with the Chayahuita señoritas.

The guys spent time with the youth playing sports and teaching computer. There was a great connect there.

Tarapoto Day 2

Everyone had fun today as we hit the Ahuashiyacu Waterfalls. It's only about a 30 minute drive from Tarapoto. So after lunch we all headed there for some fun time before we head off to the village tomorrow. All but one of the guys (you'll have to ask them which one, I won't tell) jumped off from under the waterfall into the pond below. They all had a great time even though we only had a couple of hours there.

Now it is time to get all the bags weighed (again) for the trip in the cessna. That's always a task but it always gets done. Please pray that we all get into the village tomorrow. We need a fogless morning to do that.

Tarapoto

We are in Tarapoto. Yay! Finally the warmth of the Amazonian jungle. Tomorrow we spend here, too and then on Thursday we head off to Nueva Vida.

Please pray for great flying weather (cessna pilots fly by sight not instrumentation) and safety as we travel.

Indigenous Representatives

3 Indigenous Representatives

(Candoshi, Cocama-Cocamilla and Chayahuita)

Today we, Ken, Irma and I, were able to meet with 3 of the Indigenous representatives that presented before the government yesterday. We spent several hours listening to them and hearing what they had presented for debate before the Peruvian Congress.

They have so many days to collect and present all the facts to the government and this leads to discussion. Since I really don't understand how this all works in the Peruvian government I won't even try to tell you when each step has to be done by. I do know that we all need to really pray for God to intervene between the two groups (Indigenous and government) and for real understanding on both sides to take place. Otherwise, there will be civil war eventually which won't be good for either side nor for the country. So, will you please, please keep them in prayer?!

Thank you.

Lima

We are now in Lima. It is, of course, overcast, but the temperature isn't bad at all in the high 70s. We have plenty to accomplish before the teams come in. Yesterday we were able to get our resident cards back from the lawyer and we're good until the first of the year when the government requires our next "donation". Today will be spent looking for parts for the lawnmower back in Yurimaguas and with Irma as we see what needs to be accomplished on this next phase of her apartment remodel. The team working on that arrives tomorrow from SC. We are praying they will be able to get her apartment completed enough for her to start living in it. The last team did a really great job getting the roof on. A large task for sure.

We are also trying to get ready for a college team coming from Colorado. It should be a great adventure for them as we head to Tarapoto on Tuesday and then on to the jungle for about 5 days. Pray for travel safety for us all. Pray for great times of true communication between us and the Chayahuita in Nueva Vida.

Off Again!

Well one thing for sure we have no time for moss to grow under our feet! We are off again. We arrived in Tarapoto on Monday. We brought Pancho and Martha and the two youngest kids with us. Pancho and Ken went to Oro Verde (a company specializing in coffee and cacao) to speak to the ones in charge to get the Chayahuita started in the production of these 2 products. They will be helped with soil evaluation ( to know what if anything they will need to do to it for good growth), training (from how and where to plant to harvesting) and mentoring. It will be a process of about 4-5 years but this will provide them with some very good cash crops. We received a donation to start them in the first phase. Very exciting! Total it will require them to pay out about $4000-$5000 but the return will be great.

Martha & I spent some time with the kids up at a lookout overlooking the mountains in Lamas. It was a fun time just being together. We all ate lunch together and off they went returning to Yurimaguas.

In Yurimaguas

Nice and sunny! Nice and warm! Yes, we do love the jungle! It was nice to be able to be with Pancho and family last night. We had saved the articles about the strike for them. They poured over them all.

Then to keep the kids occupied I blew up some balloons for them. Many of them exploded before they could be totally filled with air which caused some excitement. The boys finally started a “sword” fight with Ken and just laughed their heads off. Tonight it will be cake a Pancho’s house. I’m making a pineapple upside down cake to take and share. Good to be home!