19. Y Finalmente...

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE FOLLOWED MY JOURNAL! It´s been great to know you've been praying! This will be the final blog...

The final full day is here! But Señor Montezuma doesn't know that... so we pop out for some Gatorade. It settles the tummy apparently.

Then Ronnie arrives, we have a chat and then prayer, before heading out to a couple of nice spots in Arequipa. The final day of the tourist.

The first stop is to Sachaca, where there is "El Mirador de Sachacha," (The view point of Sachara). This tall white building is basically a look out tower. We pay 1 Sol, and climb the steps. It´s high up! I am ok with heights, but sometimes get a bit nervous.

You can see the whole city of Arequipa from here. There was a nice panoramic photo on the web, but it was too big to upload, so you'll have to make do with this...

It's a shame, but there is always a smog over the city, so Misti is rather shrouded in cloud. Still, it´s a great view. We laugh about what would happen if there were "Tremores," (quakes). Ronnie shows me various landmarks in the city, before we head back down. We pass a large white statue of Christ. Ronnie and I agree that we prefer the living Lord, not this idol!

Then we head through the city, close to the church building in Simon Bolivar, before heading out about 5 km to Yumina, where there are the best preserved Incan Terraces in the South of Peru. They are incredible. We can make out the water canals, down the mountains, which the Incas built, and which are still used today by all the farmers. The Incas were clever chaps! It´s just a shame about the human sacrifices, idolatry and general hunger for power.

Then we travel a bit further to the source of the water... springs from the mountains. There must be underground water in various places in this dry landscape. When it surfaces, there are green terraces and human life. Apart from water, there is almost nothing! "I am the water of life..." says our Lord. Without Christ, we perish... in this life, and the life to come.

We arrive at the springs. This was where the church baptized believers before they had their own baptistry! The river is dammed by stones, to make a deeper area, suitable for baptisms. There are a couple of tourists on mountain bikes there. They probably have no idea that the same cool water running through their toes, is the same that symbolised new life in Christ for some of these Peruvian Christians.

Back home now. Travelling through much of Arequipa is tiring, and most of the city is noisy, dirty and hot. But there are some beautiful buildings, plazas and magnificent countryside, if you know where to look.

Not much else to say. There are so many amazing memories, and lots of lovely Christians to remember! We are out at 4pm to visit, then back home, early to bed, etc... .

See you in sunny (low altitude, clean water, no dust, green) Southport!

AD

18. Tourist shopping...

This morning we were invited to Alfredo & Susana's house for breakfast. We enjoyed a medium spicy piece of pork, in a rich sauce, with onions, chilli and seasoning. It was a very costly dish for them, as Alfredo is often without work. Another example of the love these people have for others.

After a bus trip home, we took a taxi into the town centre to buy some presents. As the weeks have gone by, my list has got longer... although SORRY IF YOU DON´T GET A PRESENT... there's only so many things a tourist can buy! (It´s my family and Pastor Stu's family only!)

I can't give away too many details in public, in case it spoils the surprise, but one present caused a bit of consternation later on. The girl in the shop persuaded me that the present was traditional Peruvian, and it certainly does LOOK THE PART. But she could only give us hasty instructions, which when we got home were not sufficient. I think "traditional peruvian" could be translated, "here comes another Gringo lads!" Still, I like the gift, and we're pretty sure we've got it right in the end!

The only problem now is... how on earth will I fit all these in my suitcase?

Tuesday is my final full day. The combi is still at the garage... this is costing quite a bit in taxi fares. It is likely we shall take the day easy. I have been invited to see some of the church members at around 4pm. We are going to ask not to have any food, as Mr Montezuma has been hovering.

The family I am visiting is a mother and daughter, who were linked to our Kids through the Sunday School several years ago now, Mayra is the daughter's name, and her mum is called Paty. When we first were put in touch, the Father was around too, but sadly, the relationship has broken down, leaving just Paty & Mayra. They have not been attending the church recently, and Anthony is concerned for them spiritually. Please pray that I will be able to help, and that this will be an open door for Anthony to encourage them to come back regularly to the church.

After that, (in poetic verse):

early to bed,

early to rise,

and hopefully at 7.55am (1.55pm UK time)

into the air my Peruvian Airlines Plane flies!

I think that scans ok?!

A

17. The photos on this blog...

Just to be clear - ALMOST all the photos on this blog are from the internet! They are not ones taken by me, as my camera card won't fit onto Anthony's PC.

The only pics that are taken by Anthony are the ones I mentioned about the Colca Valley.

I mention this because 1 or 2 folks were worried at the picture of the crash (previous entry, no.16)

NO. It was just a picture of a crash that I found. I think I googled "car crash arequipa" and this was the "best" one that Google showed me.

I have tried to make the photos "match" what I'm talking about. So the volcano is Misti, and the picture of the earth (no.16) is actually the same earth we live on ;-) It's just that they were taken by somebody other than me! When I get home, I hope to put a powerpoint together with some of my own photos. As they say in the films, "Any similarities to genuine persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental!"

THANKS TO ALL WHO ARE READING - IT'S GOOD TO KNOW FOLKS ARE ENJOYING...

PS. The gentleman above is not based on anyone at Grace Baptist Church, Southport!!

PPS. Well done if you spotted my mathematics mistake in post 16. It's 46, not 46,000! Quite a difference. I wonder if Maciek will make that mistake in reverse with my salary next month...

C U SOON

A

16. 46 times round the earth in a taxi!!!

Last night I rode in a taxi that has been 46 times round the earth!! It belongs to Adolpho, a dear Christian man in the church. His taxi has done 600,000 km!!! True!! He has been taking us places whilst the combi is out of action. I hope he has changed the tyres in that time. I look at them, and see quite a lot of tread. Phew! These must be new (ish!)

It is certainly never dull in a taxi around Arequipa. Adolpho clearly believes his life is safe in the Lord´s hands! We drive across junctions, over bumps, round roundabouts with carefree joy and conversation. A few narrow misses barely make any difference to his joyful chatting and laughing! All the time Roxy, Mellie and I (in the back) are smiling and praying that the Lord would truly keep us!!

Seriously though, Taxi drivers barely scrape a living out of this work. After fuel and registration costs, they may take home only 30 Soles ( 8 Pounds ) per day!! He probably has never handled a 200 Sole note (about 50 Pounds) like the picture. But it is work.

Adolpho will begin work at about 5am and work until 8 or 9 pm. He has been driving for 10 years (with breaks of course!), to help pay for his daughter's education. And yet, he is a beautiful example of a joyful Christian. He is kind, generous and would gladly help us in any way he could. He does not expect payment, although Anthony persuades him to recieve a fare from us each time.

The church is full of people like this. Most are poor, having very little prospects so far as this material world is concerned. But they are full of joy, kindness, generosity and love. The answer is obvious: they have experienced the amazing love of the Lord Jesus Christ, who forgives their sin, meets all their needs, and promises them eternal bliss with him forever! We in the west can learn so much from these dear Christians.

The evangelistic meal went very well last night. In total there were probably about 85 people there, around 1 third were new to the church. After hymns and an evangelistic message, there were games, and a free meal. Preaching in English, with Anthony translating, is not easy, but we got into our stride. It is a very different way of preaching. You have to keep brief sentences, and discipline yourself to pause regularly. But the Lord will bless the preaching of his word.

The food here is filling, and often tasty, but I went to bed thinking of the Monty Python sketch about Spam. "Spam and eggs, Spam and chips, Spam and Spam... etc." Only change spam for "Potato and Rice!" You get the picture. Mr Montezuma pays me a visit today, so that is one reason I am looking forward to being home, to have a settled tummy. Oh yes, and some spam fritters.

This morning I preached at the church with Anthony translating. My theme was, "Is it worth following Jesus?" The text was John 19, where Jesus sees Mary and John at the foot of the cross. Is it worth following Jesus? Yes... because...

1. He is the Saviour who sees our sorrows!

2. He is the Saviour who meets our needs!

3. He is the Saviour who forgives our sins!

Anthony and Roxy felt the message was well suited to the folks, many of whom face hardships because they are following the Lord, on top of the problems they face being poor and Peruvian.

Alfredo led a time of singing before hand. He is clearly a gifted man, whom Anthony feels may soon be preaching and possibly the Lord may use in Ministry. Anthony is praying and waiting for Alfredo to hear that call himself.

Afterwards, Ronnie called me up, to give me a beautiful present from the church, six place mats, of various Peruvian animals, hand stitched on a black background. The folks here are so generous. Lots of folks ask when I will come back? I say, I don´t know, and that there are probably others who will be in the queue before me for the next visit!! It has been such a blessing being here. Took lots of photos. Sorry I cannot put them on the website yet, due to my camera's memory card being the wrong size.

This afternoon, all the family are coming over to celebrate Anthony's birthday. It is actually tomorrow, but everyone will be working. Actually, whilst coming to church this morning, Roxy´s sister Miriamme, and her husband Julio were involved in a nasty car crash. They were driving along a main road, when a bus pulled out in front of them. Their car may well be a write-off. Julio's face was swollen and he had a cut lip, but thankfully, no serious injuries. It serves as a reminder. Anthony thinks that part of the main road is always dangerous... and then he reminds me it is the road we travel on to get to the Airport on Wednesday!

Tomorrow, Alfredo and his wife have invited us for breakfast. And another sister invited us for evening meal on Tuesday. In between these I have to fit some final present shopping into my busy schedule. Plus some siestas...

Well, got to go, lunch is served...

15. Money, Deodorant & Providence

Ah... Saturday mornings! Lazy start, no school, no rush... fantastico! (Yes, a real Spanish word, can you guess what it means?) Anyway, about yesterday.

Anthony and I needed to go to town. I needed money, Anthony needed to buy some reading glasses for himself and for Lucretia, who struggles to read her Bible.

Getting money from the bank cashpoint machine was supposed to be easy, but in the end it was impossible. We couldn´t work out why. It all seemed to be going smoothly but nothing happened. Hmmmm...

So we went to the pharmacy, "Inka Farma," where there was one of those stand alone machines. It was easy.

Then we walked to "una casa de cambio," literally "a house of change," that's a "bureau de change" to you and me. Anthony likes this one because you can stand further back in the shop, out of sight of potential robbers. You can change dollars into Soles with money changers on the streets, but that is not recommended. Now with our Soles burning a hole in our pockets, 2 boys set off to spend their pocket money.

Anthony was able to get his 2 pairs of reading glasses, and I got toothpaste, deodorant and Listerine mouthwash. (Eating foreign food does make a few changes to one's breath!!)

And before you all say, "Ugh... 10 days with no deodorant..." don´t panic! I have a deo stick but it doesn´t smell of much, and sometimes, well, how can I put it? In a warm climate, it´s nice to have a bit of smelly spray too!! So now I have a spray that looks like "Lynx," except it´s called, "Axe!" (Muy Macho, no?) The Peruvian adverts suggest that Axe has the same effect on young women in Peru, as Lynx does in the UK. Oh dear, and I thought it was just robbers I needed to worry about!!!!

You can actually buy just about anything you want in Arequipa, if you have the money. It´s got all the gadgets and gizmo's we associate with modern life, and the mobile phone is slowly invading Peru also. (We could even get a signal in the Colca Valley at 4000 metres!) Oh yes, and the accursed Facebook too, but don´t get me started on that one, eh Liz?

Finally, we went to the Post Office (el correo) to check Anthony's post box. The address in the church address book is actually their post office box in Arequipa. Thinking about it, I put that as the address I would be staying on my Peruvian Immigration Form! I wonder if any immigration officers read that and thought, "How can this Gringo sleep in a Post Office Box!?" It would have made an interesting conversation at the Airport. Anyway...

Back home in a taxi, to spend several hours preparing for Sat and Sun mtgs. Then Ant & Roxy went to Villa Majesterial to take the kid´s mtg. Talking later, we realise it is in the Lord´s providence that the combi vehicle is out of action. A&R were driven there by Adolpho in his tiny taxi. It turns out that the road was only wide enough for a taxi, as they are still digging ditches and piling up stones! If they had driven there in the combi, they would not be able to get to Lucretia's house and would have had to cancel the mtg. As it was, the Lord knew what he was doing... as always.

4.30pm Ronnie collects me and takes me to the Ladies' Mtg. Ronny & Rocio run this at 5pm each Friday. About 15 ladies with a few kids are sitting round, knitting carrots, strawberries and panda bears out of wool. They are chatting and enjoying themselves. At 5.30pm we enter the church main area, where Sabina leads a time of singing, then Ronnie preaches for about 20 minutes on the perfect work of Christ from 2. Corinthians 5v21 "God made him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God, in him."

Afterwards, we had a meal. I had my first "papa rellena." It´s basically mash potato, shaped to look like a potato, but stuffed with meat, peas, carrots, olives... It is then baked in the oven so it goes a pale brown. Yum! Ronnie gave me some sauce which he said was "a little hot." It nearly blew the top of my head off!!!

The ladies' group used to be larger, but since the group has been smaller, the number of people coming through to the church on Sunday has actually gone up. Recently, 3 new families have come as a result of this Friday outreach. To paraphrase, "Man looks for big numbers, but God looks at the heart."

When the mtg was over, several of the men came and we took an hour to set up chairs and tables to seat 101 people (so far that is how many want to come to Saturday´s evangelistic banquet!) On the way home, Ronnie dropped by the house of a poor lady in the church, to give her some of the food. We chatted about the economic crisis, the UK and the countries within it. I gave Rocio lessons in how to pronounce "Thank You." (They have no "th" sound in Peru, so they have to learn biting their tongue, to say it. We had a laugh.)

It's now 8.35am and we´ve had bacon, egg and mushroom for breakfast. It´s a hard life. I wonder if Mr. Montezuma approves? And I was wrong about no school for Mellie! She has another practice for a dance/presentation that is due in a few weeks, so Ant is taking her to school as I finish this. She seems keen.

I don´t mind telling you that I'm missing home, Jules and the family. Still, I fly to Lima on Wednesday morning, and then via Amsterdam, to arrive in Manchester around 5.25pm on Thursday evening, God willing. Not long now.

Well, off I go, smelling of "Axe," and with a mouth full of fresh breath, to see what the day will bring forth. We are still waiting for el mechanico to phone about the vehicle. Ho hum...

14. Open Air

Ronnie collected us at 10.25am and we drove into the centre of Arequipa, in a terrace area next to the Ministry of Justice buildings. We parked close by and carried the board and tracts across. There were lots of people milling about buying, selling, chatting, watching and eating. The noise from some loudspeakers close by is quite distracting, but Ronnie and Anthony do not seem daunted by it. Today one of the church members is with us, Justino. But Adolpho and Afredo are both working and cannot make it today.

Ronnie begins with a mathematical problem, asking folks to choose numbers from a 6x6 grid. In the bottom corner is the number "111" written in red. As the people choose numbers, it turns out they add up to 111. It´s one of those maths tricks that always works and it gets people interested. Ronnie then introduces Anthony by saying that there is a problem to which nobody seems to have the answer... he then hands over to Anthony who preaches for about 12 minutes:

The problem, of course, is death. Who has the answer? Young, old, male and female... all die. And then what? And why do we die?

About a dozen people mill about listening, as well as probably another 20 or so sitting around.

Anthony speaks of sin, death, judgment, and the reality of hell ("el infierno"). Then he speaks of Christ, his sinless life and sacrificial death for sinners and his call for sinners to turn from sin and trust solely in him. We don´t need priests, religion, churches, idols or anything else, except a trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as our only Saviour.

Afterwards, we give out tracts to about 40 people. Anthony chats for a long time with a young man, who listened intently and is seeking God. I speak with an older man, and am able to ask him what he thinks about the message, does he have a Bible and then to repeat that we are saved, solely through faith in the Lord Jesus alone. (I guess reading my Spanish Bible has helped a bit here to get a few more words!) Anthony reminds us all that the Lord has his elect in every city, and when they hear the call of the Gospel, they will be born again and saved!! Press on!

Then to Ronnie and Rocio´s apartment for a nice meal. My tummy hasn´t been great, so they give me just a small portion. Rice, chicken and potato. The chicken is lovely. I wish I could eat more, but that would be foolish.

Roxy arrives too and we all eat and chat together. Well... Ant, Rox, Ronnie and Rocio chat mostly... I listen and try to get the gist of the conversation. Everyone talks faster in conversations than when they are preaching. Ronnie is easier to understand when he preaches, as he speaks a bit more clearly and slowly.

Ronnie brings Roxy and I back home, while Anthony takes a 5 minute detour to the garage. The combi vehicle is still there and nothing has been done. It may not be ready even for Saturday, possibly Monday!!! This seems typical. The garage does not have all the equipment and expertise to analyse the engine properly, so other mechanics are needed. This takes time and is frustrating, since Ant really needs it for tomorrow for Villa Majesterial. Waiting seems to be a common pastime in Peru...

At the end, my head feels full of Spanish, and I am ready for a doze!

Hasta Mañana Amigos!

A

13. A small (and easy?) puzzle for you all...

Hello all! Thanks for your prayers.

Puzzle: Can you work out from this picture how I am feeling today?

Sorry, no prizes, but when you work it out, prayer appreciated!

It´s 9.50am and we are due to do open air evangelism in Arequipa centre at 11.00am. Then on to Ronnie and Rocio's for lunch. They are a lovely couple: loving the Lord, and serving him here. How do you say, "Thanks, but just a little food please!"

Trust all well in UK?

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