Peru / Richard / May 12-14

Thursday, May 12 Day 4 – Saturday, May 14 Day 6

I had a fast ride from Huancayo to La Merced on Thursday. Let’s just say that no passed us but we seemed to pass everyone else. We went from 9,700 up to 12,500 and then down to La Merced at 2,500 feet. It is quite the roller-coaster ride.

I must have eaten something contaminated during Thursday. I made many visits to the bathroom that night. I was feeling a little better Friday morning and lead 14 leaders through two lessons and showed them how to teach another lesson in small groups. I started to experience severe pain. Before going to the hospital, I gave each leader a lesson to teach on Saturday. I ended up spending Friday night in the emergency ward. The surgeon said I had an infection but he was also concern about the possibility of acute appendicitis. The church in La Merced provided great care and prayed through the night while having someone with me at all times. One of the ladies was by my side at mid-night, praying for God’s grace and healing power.

The good news is that I don’t have appendicitis. I have an intestinal infection from something I ate. I left the hospital this morning with a prescription of cipro and a list of instructions. My friend Kim Miller, Paul and Jill’s daughter, is praying that I will not eat too much. God is answering her prayer! I can only eat pudding, jello, puree food and crackers for the next 3 days along with a Gatorade type of drink. It’s awful.

I got out of the hospital at about 8:30 this morning and took my time getting to the training today. I got there about 10:15. The groups were finishing the first lesson. I had prepared them to teach five lessons and they started without me! They completed two more before lunch. I had a light lunch that was home-made: clear soup and warm pudding. I will eat again this evening at 8:30PM, probably more soup.

 I can tell that many people are praying in the States and in Peru. We had a great day. I was able to help one young man teach Lesson 10 on incarnating into other people’s lives. I walked him through teaching it. He has special needs. He had been in a car accident and lost the use of his right eye and part of the right side of his face. I think the accident has also affected his reading ability and manner of speaking. He did a great job! As we were talking about walking in other people’s shoes, we heard his story, I told him that he will have more opportunity to be used by God, to incarnate into other lives than we will. He had a huge smile. Thanks for praying.

Tomorrow I go to Lima by car. We will take the roller-coaster again.