I am now in Pucallpa, having flown from Lima this afternoon. Pucallpa is built along a river that is part of the headwaters for the Amazon. It is the city where church friends Jose and Christy Chacon soon will be working. Though I am in the jungle, there are few trees in this area.
I can't wait to start teaching tomorrow. It was 90 degrees outside and the church has no air conditioner...just open windows. Hopefully, there will be some fans blowing air around. I was here in 2005. It is good to reconnect with Pastor Enoc who coordinates the training ministry in this area. Six years ago seeJesus had only eight lessons of the Person of Jesus manual translated into one language, Spanish. Tomorrow the leaders in Pucallpa will have access to the completed Spanish manual! In the last two years we have begun other translations into Arabic, French, and Romanian. We have even been asked about a Lithuanian translation.
I spent yesterday with Luis as he drove me from La Merced to Lima. He was the one who drove me to La Merced a few days ago. As we zoomed upwards into the high Andes, he wanted to know what exactly I taught in the Person of Jesus trainings! It is simple, Jesus. One verse led to another. He wanted to know more. While talking about Jesus and the difference between being His follower and merely a church attendee, we had climbed thousands of feet. As he talked, Luis admitted to trying to justify himself but not being able to do so. They were his words, not mine. He was realizing that he was not a follower of Jesus and had little hope of enjoying God forever without a change in his life. He is close to seeing Jesus for the first time. An hour or more had quickly passed. My head started to spin. It was time for a nap.
Later traffic came to a complete stop on the downward side of the steep mountains. We had already crossed the highest highway pass in the world at 15,800 feet. This time I didn’t get sick. Naps always work, along with plenty of water to drink and carbs to eat. Now we were hanging out with other travelers. We couldn’t see down beyond the next curve in the road. We had no idea what happened and how long the wait would be. This is Latin America. It was time to have a party, meet new people, and realize old friends too were waiting along with you. Luis was talking with a driver from another chauffer company, telling his friend stories I had told during the last hour or so. Before pictures from faraway places came out, the word spread that cars had started move again. Luis and I jump into the car. As we rolled down the highway, I placed my computer up on the dash so he could see the pictures of distant lands and family adventures. They certainly know how to multi-task as they drive down the mountainside while gazing at a computer!
Here in Pucallup there are motorcycles and motor-taxis filling the streets and taking people wherever they want. I think there are probably more bikes than people living in the congested jungle city. I couldn’t believe what I saw through the dirty, cracked windshield! It was a fatted pig strapped on the back of one the motor-taxis. The driver was taking the happy family home to a feast to be remembered.
Tomorrow between 20-40 leaders will take a long look at Jesus loving others, even when people turn against him. Six years ago, some participants came by boat four days down the river. I suspect it will happen again this year. They will see Jesus and gain a tool to help their neighbors, friends, and church members also to see and reflect the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is fun to prepare the Bride!
Thanks for expanding your ministry through me.
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