November 2009 Trip Report #2 New Opportunity
On day three of the trip Jose made it up to Jauja from Huancavelica. Jose began sharing about the ministry in his hometown. Prior to his training in Huancayo there were a few believers in his hometown, but no one to lead them. As he was sharing about teaching a group of people every week it was evident that God was working and this is where Jose’s heart was at. In his hometown he had a group of 30 gathered. In addition to this Jose was leading another small group in another village nearby (nearby is a relative term as you will see). Jose also shared about his heart to take to the Gospel to five other villages nearby (again a relative term) that had no believers. Initially our plan had been to move Jose to Acolla to help out Miguel in planting a church. But a lot had happened since July and as we talked it became evident that it would not be wise to move him from an area that God was already working. In addition to what God was doing, many of the people in this area speak little Spanish. Their primary language is Quechua. Many of the younger people speak and understand Spanish very well, but most of the people above 30 do not understand Spanish as well. Not only does Jose speak Quechua, but that is his primary heart language. He has been gifted and raised up for such a task as this. So I began praying about what to do and more importantly what God was up to. Initially our thought was to support two church planters in one area, now it seemed the Lord was opening the doors for two church planters in two areas, separated by a 5 hour taxi and bus ride.
Walter and I made a quick trip to Huancavelica to see the area, meet some of the people that Jose was working with and get a better understanding of his ministry. This trip was unbelievable. Upon arriving it was evident that this area was not like the villages in the valleys that I was accustomed to. These villages were smaller and spread out across the mountains instead of located in valleys. After meeting Jose’s family he offered to take us up to the top of the nearby mountain to get a look at the five villages that have no believers. This was nearly catastrophic. The elevation was already near 12,000 feet above sea level and we had a ways to go. So we hiked up this mountain to get a visual view of the five villages that have no believers. About ¾ of the way up, at one of the points that Walter and I are gasping for air, Jose pointed to a village way in the distance and said that was the other village that he travels to and teaches. I asked Jose how far away that was. It was a 6 hour walk one way. I was utterly speechless. Two things were crossing my mind. People in North America will not drive 20 minutes to attend church and this man walked 6 hours to minister to 15 people and help them reach more in their community. The only thing I kept thinking of was Hebrews 11:38…Jose was a man of whom the world was not worthy.
This is a man that is need of financial support. It seemed that God had raised him for such a time as this. How could anyone expect him to work in the fields 6 days a week 10 hours a day for his own support, minister to those in his home village, travel 6 hours one way to minister to other believers and help equip both congregations to reach the other 5 communities? That would be an impossible task for anyone.
As we reached the top of this mountain we looked far off in the distance and saw three of the five villages. Each one of these villages is a minimum of a three hour walk. As I mention how it is to walk let me also explain that no one has cars and from these villages there are no buses and taxis. In thinking about how to make this easier my wife suggested a motorcycle. This will be an option in the future to purchase a motorcycle so that Jose can travel from place to place in a significantly quicker time.
So we went on this trip with the intention of supporting two people in one area and have come away with the belief that God has opened another tremendous door for two people in two different areas. This new door is exciting as we explore ways to continue support and help. The first order of business is to obviously a commitment to prayer. Praying for Jose, the two congregations he is leading and the five other villages that have no believers.
On a lighter note we met Jose’s family. One of the first things that Jose’s mother said to me when we met her was: “today a chicken will die for you.” They had 10 chickens, by lunch time they had 9. Apparently they have a Guinea Pig with my name on it if I able to come back in May. They will cook it up just for me. I know at this point many of you are going to jumping at the chance to go and eat some guinea pig .
This trip to Jose’s village also saw the hand of our sovereign God at work. We had to take this bus from the main highway for a 20 minute ride on a bumpy small dirt road back to Jose’s village. On the ride Walter from HeartCry starts preaching. One of the men is not happy with him. As he is preaching and handing out tracts a lady in the front takes notice, largely because of how loud this man is getting that is not happy. She asks for one of the tracts. When she gets off the bus she calls us over. She knew a little English and is a teacher at the school. She had been trying to teach some English to her students and was also interested in religion. She wanted to know if I would come and share in English about religion and Walter could translate. What a great opportunity. Starting at Creation, then to the fall and to the cross the Gospel was explained to 16 children. I was humbled thinking about God’s sovereignty and leading Walter to preach, getting the woman’s attention so that this class would hear about Christ. I finished by telling them that God was in control of all things and it was not an accident that we were there sharing with them. God was calling on all people everywhere to repent and that included them.
On another lighter note they also got to hear me sing. For anyone that has had the privilege or horror of listening to me you will understand. They really wanted to hear a song in English. So I sang Amazing Grace and Walter sang it in Spanish. I was able to tell them afterward that one thing was for certain…I was not a liar…I told them beforehand that I was likely the worst singer ever. It also seems like the door is open to go back to this school in May and do some more ministry with the children.
I am sure by now you have thought of some ways to pray for Jose and the district of Huancavelica. On Friday I will share some more specific prayer needs for this area. I will also give the spelling of the two places with believers and the five that have no believers. I still cannot pronounce them.
Tags: baptist, Baptist Church in Lethbridge, baptist missions, canadian convention of southern baptists, church in Lethbridge, Church Planting on the Mission Field, Missions, missions peru, southern baptist, southern baptist missions
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