Oh my, so much to talk about!! The last five days I have been out to the jungle literally seeing the hand of God work. On Sunday we rode a boat down the Amazon (which took about three hours). It was so much fun!! We started out inside of the boat with all of the other translators, learning about them and having fun speaking English. About half way through the ride, I found out some people were going on top of the boat, so Jenna and I decided to go up and see what it was like. Oh my, how glorious. We got a full view of the jungle and the mighty river that we were traveling on. I couldnʼt take my eyes off of the majesty of God. The trees were so green and jungly looking, I donʼt quite know how to describe it; the river was so magnificent and mighty. It was amazing to think of how the Peruians do this all of the time and have the opportunity just to dwell in the glorious view of the Lord. The feeling reminded me of when our family goes to Colorado and after a hike through the mountains you reach a spectacular view of a beautiful lake in front of you with a grand mountain backdrop. Just as you would think of an award-winning photo, but in real life. I couldʼve stayed there all day! Then we arrived at Indiana (a town probably the size of Sioux Rapids). Hannah and Jenna got to stay in a tent, but I had to stay in a hotel. It was nice, but I was really looking forward to camping.
Our job for the week was to be translators. I was under the impression that I was just going to help facilitate the kids ministry and be a bridge between the Americans and Peruians. So Monday morning we started. We broke up into our four different groups that we were going to travel around the area to smaller villages and set up a medical clinic, translating for the doctors and each place also had the kids ministry. We took a small motor boat to the villages. This was another one of my favorite parts, because I got to be even closer to the water. I stuck my hand out the boat the entire time, just to feel the Amazon water. Lucky for me, we got lost the first day and went about an hour to
far up river. To me it was like a grand exploration, showing me what the jungle looked like as we traveled up tributaries of the Amazon. Finally we got to the village. Yanuycai Timituri (or something like that). We only saw about ten smaller houses, kind of hut looking. Working out of the school the village people came to see the doctors about all sorts of things. I did help with the kids ministry this day as we played games and I translated for Bill, an older man. He got to know some of the people and then shared his heart with the people and told them about the great gospel of the Lord. I was so honored to be able to translate for him and God blessed me with the words to be able to translate. With each person we said a prayer at the end. Most people seemed to know who Jesus was, but maybe didnʼt have him as their savior. This is where it was also nice because at the end of all of the medical stuff, as a village we sat and had a bible study. The pastor of the area Alvaro and Pastor Gary from Alabama shared songs and the word of God with all of the people. I talked with Pastor Alvaro a couple times and learned of what itʼs like for the people of the jungle and learning about Jesus. Many villages donʼt have churches and donʼt meet regularly to learn more about Jesus. This is when it hit me, the huge need for the jungle people to hear about Jesus. If someone isnʼt there to share the faith and word, and have the Spirit leading them, how will they ever grow to really understand the love of Jesus or have a deep relationship with Him. I wish all of you could just feel the pain that this brings to my heart. They want to learn more, but who is going to bring it to them?? Things are moving, and hearts are changing. I met the son of the Father of the Village, and he has a huge heart to start with a church meeting with the village, so God is working. This brought joy to my heart, knowing that God will rise up people to preach his word. Even if they donʼt have resources like we do and the access like we do, God will make a way for his Word to be
known!
So we basically did this every day. But get this...the next day I was asked to be a translator for triage, or registration. Oh my goodness, I did a quick lesson thanks to the help of my friend Willy, learned what a whole bunch of words meant, like cough, sore throat, flu, rash, itch, etc. Because my job was to help figure out what the people needed to see the doctor for, so we could send them to the right place. It went pretty good and there were a couple times I had to call someone else over, but we pretty much got it figured out. Wow, ok so blessing number two is the language skill that I gained on this trip. The first morning this friend Willy and I were talking. He said that we wasnʼt
going to talk to me in English (although he knows quite a bit), but was only going to talk to me in Spanish so I could get more practice. So we talked quite a bit in Spanish and my confidence and what I learned went up to a whole new level! I breached the wall and got to where I could think and converse in Spanish without translating. This was very hard before as I heard English for the majority and when I heard Spanish I would want to translate every word. Iʼm so thankful to my new friends, and all of them that I spoke Spanish with as they helped me tremendously. I would hang out with them throughout the week and get to know them or joke around with them, and watch their mad-skills at futbol (soccer).
By the end of the trip I really didnʼt want to leave, and even now I want to go back and do it all over again! Seeing God working in the jungle and moving and changing hearts, and working through all of the Spanish with my brothers and sisters in Christ here in Peru, it was just an AMAZING experience all around. The last night we all got together and talked about the week and anyone could get up to speak what was on their heart. The Spirit led me to talk (after also being coaxed into going by everyone chanting for me to speak) but the main thing I wanted to say was what a Godly gift to be given to be able to speak two languages, help people of the jungle, and help share the gospel. This is an incredible ability that they have, and I didnʼt want them to forget that. When I saw the work being done at the villages, I didnʼt see Americans and Peruians. I saw the children of God bringing his light and doing his work in the jungle. What a blessing to be a part of this opportunity. Iʼm so thankful for the opportunity that I was given and for being a part of Godʼs work. My spirit is so joyful right now, basking in the work of the Lord. Heʼs truly at work all around the world, and moving in great force to make his name know throughout all of the world. For people to know that the majesty and beauty that they see wherever they are, whether it be in the jungle, in the city, or talking with people, God the Almighty has done all of that and his love is so grand for everyone. He wants to share this with EVERYONE in EVERYPLACE all around the world. Gloria a
Dios!!!
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