Huanca Huanca 2012

The Beach Corner Team has been in Cusco a week today!  Walter and I joined the team of four from Beach Corner along with Pastor Fredi and Milagros, leaving early Sunday morning for Huanca Huanca.  I believe this is the fifth consecutive year that Pastor Bill has taken a team to the village, and was my third trip there.  It was really nice that, after hearing much about it, Walter could also come with me and get to know the village.

In all honesty, this was a trip I was not really looking forward to, but turned out to be the most fulfilling trip that I've had to Huanca Huanca.   

The roads are windy, bumpy and exhausting.  However, about three hours after leaving Cusco, as we came over one of the highest peaks that overlook the gorgeous valleys and mountain top ranges, I felt my energy returning. 

I can't imagine having to travel hours in the back of a truck like the locals do!

Beautiful Andes mountain ranges near Huanca Huanca village

It was exciting for everyone to see the base of the new church under construction from above the village.

BCEF 2012 TEAM in Huanca Huanca

After we arrived, Pastor Bill spoke in their morning church service.  They are using a small hut that's been donated for church services by a local family until the new church is built.  I am so thankful that God gave me the words and ability to translate confidently for Pastor Bill.  And, when I was missing certain words, Walter and Mila quickly filled in, so the message continued to flow as  Pastor Fredi further translated into Quechua. 
Kyle shared his testimony about how one friend in his life led him to knowing God personally.  We prayed for the two current church Pastor's and their wives;  one of whom had just lost their three month old baby two weeks before, and the other Pastor who had been sick, unable to leave his bed two days earlier. 
Everyone then moved up to the new church site, were we all stood together in a circle, holding hands as Pastor Bill prayed a blessing and dedication upon the building and future church.

Members studying the Bible outside of the hut they are currently using for services

Praying for a Pastor from one of the surrounding communities

Pastor Fredi talking about how this new church will be serving the surrounding communities

Dedication to the new church

There were two other Pastor's representing from their home churches in the area, whom we also prayed for.  ATEK has been working extensively in this area for the past few years, and have assisted in 18 new churches being built within the mountain range area of Huanca Huanca.  The goal is for each community church to have two Pastors (of whom change every year to two years).  On Sundays, one Pastor speaks in their church and the other travels to a nearby community to speak or share with the people there.

This new church being built in Huanca Huanca will be a place where all of the surrounding communities will be able to meet.  We were very encouraged to see how the members are taking control, becoming responsible for their own growth and placing importance on communicating amongst themselves and being unified, without waiting upon ATEK's involvement.
This is a huge change from the first time I travelled to Huanca Huanca in 2010.  The people are much more confident now, have grown a lot, and are really taking ownership of the projects that ATEK and BCEF have been helping with.

This new church will also serve as a radio station serving all the communities in the surrounding mountain ranges (replacing the radio building that they currently use), and will have a room for visitors to stay overnight (a common feature in village churches).

Current Huanca Huanca radio station that allows for communication amongst all the communities in range

After more than a year of meetings, propositions and community politics, it is a real blessing for the people to have the land title and be able to build their church on this property.  And, through the help of ATEK and Beach Corner, they will have a stronger structure than most buildings in these mountain ranges.

Strong eucalyptus wood and a cement structure will provide a long-lasting building



Clay tiles that will be used for the roof

We visited a few family plots that the agriculture program we have been supporting has been contributing to.  Two years ago, the community were growing corn and potatoes.  Now these gardens have onions, radishes, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, beets, leeks, and more!  What the project at first intended could help 5 church families, has increased to include benefits to the whole community, as nearly every family are farming the new vegetables, reaping the nutritional benefits and also gaining financially by selling their produce.  It is really amazing to see the difference this has made in their community and how they have taken ownership!

In the coming weeks, they will be learning about how to prepare new dishes with these vegetables that are new to them, and in healthy food-handling, such as disinfection and sanitization.

A family's vegetable plot

The son (in red) takes care of the garden with his mother.  His father died a couple of years ago.  They are now a family of 5

Irrigation on a potato plot

The church members wanted to hear more, and invited Pastor Bill to speak again for an evening service.  I didn't recognise the Spanish word for all-night prayer vigil and failed to inform our team until later of the initial intentions of their evening service!
Pastor Bill spoke on prayer, all of the team got to share a personal testimony regarding prayer (Walter sharing his in Quechua) the congregation prayed on their knees for a good amount of time, and we got to hear different people get up and sing some traditional Quechua worship songs.
The service ended up only going to 11:30 pm, which we were thankful for after a very long day, though it was impressive to see the people's hearts and faith in wanting to worship the Lord!

I think we all slept soundly that evening, on the floors of a school room that was made available to us.

The guys were eager to get started on Monday morning.  Darren had a bit of a stomach bug that kept him down for most of the day Sunday, however we were all thankful that he was feeling a lot better and able to join the guys for some construction.  This must be one of the biggest joys for Pastor Bill, and the men, getting to contribute to the building of the new Huanca Huanca church!

They started by ensuring that all of the trusses were secure, hammering down the nails that had come through on the other side.  Then, with a few men from the community, started moving the trusses onto the top of the structure.  Soon after, the community started gathering in front of the ancient Catholic church ruins for a community meeting that Pastor Fredi had not been informed about.  It looked like we would not be able to continue.
The community kindly agreed to move their meeting to the soccer field behind the school, so that our men could at least finish hammering the rest of the trusses without being a distraction.  But, without the additional help, they were unable to move the trusses onto the top of the building.

We were invited to be introduced as a group in the community meeting.  But, with about an hour before our introduction, it turned out to be a good distraction when the keys to one of the ATEK vehicles were discovered to be locked inside the car.  A team effort finally got the door opened without much damage.
It was a great honor in being recognised and thanked by the community president in the help we have brought to them.  Some of the church members stood to give their thanks and to acknowledge that the voluntary help they've been shown by us has come from the hearts we have in knowing God, and that our help has not only been financial but spiritual. 

Then, Pastor Bill asked them if we could finish putting the trusses up for the roof with their help.  With many men working together, they finished getting the trusses up, which was a huge accomplishment!

Getting started

Discussing how they will move the trusses to the top of the structure

The first piece is up!

The community gathering for their meeting

After the meeting, more hands got the job done fast

A team effort

A sign in the community that describes the agriculture program with ATEK and BCEF's help

 For me, it's always neat to see the children and how they have grown since the last time I was there.  Many of the littler ones are learning and know a little bit of Spanish, but Quechua is their primary tongue, so communication is still limited.

Playing with the new soccer ball from Beach Corner Church

We left yesterday a little after 5pm and arrived back to ATEK around 8.  Thanks to Larry for getting us there and back safely in the second vehicle!

Today the men are continuing various projects around ATEK (perhaps figuring out how they will complete the drop-ceiling in the non-square room).  Tomorrow I head out with Pastor Bill to a region that ATEK is just starting to work in.  We will be doing speaking sessions for 3 days in a community called Livitaca.  Meanwhile, the other team members will continue working on the third floor of the main ATEK building. 

Thank you for your prayers- as our time in Huanca Huanca was a blessing, and for continued prayers-working in Livitaca and in ATEK, and for good health for each one.

Spiritual Thoughts- The Highest Price

The Highest Price

(Expanding on a thought spoken by a Pastor in church today)

Nobody wants to buy things at a higher price if they can get a deal, a discount, or buy another similar product for less.

In the markets here in Peru, there are isles and rows of beautiful products, brilliant colors and detailed handiwork.  It is part of the fun and expectation to bargain with the vendors for the best deal.

God, rather, has bought us at the Highest Price, not based on how good we are, how much we've done for Him, or how long we've been going to church, etc.  The Highest Price is at the cost of His only Son's life- a son specifically sent to earth to identify with humanity: experiencing suffering, pain and sorrow, but conquering the human propensity to sin and therefore death itself.  Jesus lived a completely blameless, clean and sinless life.  No one else on earth has done so, nor is able.  (See the end of this blog entry for questions regarding sin).

Despite our inability to live up to God's standard of perfection, to live completely clean and sinless lives, God takes us at the highest price- the exchange that happens when we choose to follow His son Jesus.  And afterwards, God is continually at work in our lives, shaping and forming us to become like the highest-priced items found on a shelf, beautifully formed, handcrafted in color, and carefully detailed.

If you are unsure of this Jesus thing, I encourage you to pray to God against unbelief.  We never really know how much time we have on earth, and how amazing it is to have the assurance of life into eternity.

"God's love was revealed among us in this way:  God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:9-10

What does it mean to be a sinner? 

There are many good people in the world, and many people in the world doing good things. If you are unsure of what defines sin, this article may help. To see the standard God set by the 10 commandments click here .
In the New Testament, Jesus reiterates the First Commandment, noting that it is the most important of all:
 
that we must love the Lord God above all else, with all heart, soul, mind and strength  (Mark 12:30). 


How many of us can say we have lived up to that expectation?  Actually, not one!   The Bible says that ‘there is none that seeks after God’ (Romans 3:11). Nobody, except Jesus Christ, has kept the First of the Ten Commandments -and the Bible says that it is impossible for God to lie" (Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2).



It is only by believing and following Jesus that we can be saved and assured of an eternal life after this one.  Have you made that choice?
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or would like to make that step towards faith in Jesus.

An early Thanksgiving in Canada

Getting to spend a month back home in Canada was a huge gift for me and for Walter.  It was wonderful for me to reconnect with family, friends, church, and my homeland, just as it was for Walter to get to know all of the above along with a first-hand taste of the culture and beautiful landscapes.

Walter enjoyed Canada very much.  His first comment was of the plane landscape.  He was impressed by turning lanes, the longer days, Alberta BBQ'd steak, and has become a fellow fan of Tim Horton's coffee!  He noted that Canadians are very warm and friendly, and that in Canada if someone bumps into you, the person is quick to say "Sorry!", though many times it may be both parties to say so.  However, Canada lacks in the quantity of food for your buck.  We also noticed that everyone is very hurried, in a rush, and constantly on the go.  And, in Walter's opinion, at least 70% are always texting, texting, texting.  (Though you will see the same number in Peru but with people talking on their cells).

For the sake of love and respect of patriotism, we have dropped the question of who's mountains are better.  Though I will say, there were a lot of "Wow's" and "SO beautiful's" from Walter.  Despite a lot of photos taken through the car window, many of them turned out quite well!

It was really helpful that Walter could skype back to his office nearly every weekday, to keep things going with his tourism business.

It was a blessing to have a good home-made Canadian Thanksgiving meal a week before the true date (thanks Lauren for suggesting, and Mom for accomodating!)
Reflecting on things to be thankful for, my list is long, and I won't publish it all here, but some of those things include getting to celebrate in Amber & Taylor's wedding, an autumn that was abundant in warmth and color, spending days in the country at the farm or catching fish after fish on Battle Lake, a mini honey-moon in the majestic Rocky Mountains, hearing the geese land on the water one evening and awakening to their welcome the next morning right outside our window, a small taste of the Northern Lights, Tim Horton's coffees, home-cooked farm meals by Mom, and Prairie sunsets.

Thanks to my church, family and friends who made our time special, and for those who lent or offered to lend resources so we could enjoy our time even more-so (like vehicles to drive!).

It really felt that our time there was a God given gift!

Congratulations Amber & Taylor!

Bridal Party photos at the farm

Us with my brothers and Lauren 

Beautiful Rockies in Autumn

 

Malign Canyon Hike

Amazing Fall

Trevor & Lauren's grand dogs!

Large potatotes this year at the farm

 

 

Harvest season

Prairie Sunsets

 

 

 

We left the airport at 10 am Wednesday and arrived back to Cusco mid Thursday morning, tired, but thankful for all luggage intact. 

I was welcomed with the strongest hug and a kiss from sweet Adriano (who turns 3 today) when I stepped back through the doors of the Casa and was delighted to see and kiss all the babies and kids.  Walter is back in his tourism office attempting to get organized.

We are happy to welcome Julie visiting from my home region, and anticipating the arrival of the small church team coming with Pastor Bill in 3 short weeks!

This weekend,

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above..."  James 1:17a

 

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." 

Psalm 118:1

  

^"1a Praise the Lord...

² Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
³ Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
⁴ He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
⁵ He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.

 

⁶ He has shown his people the power of his works,
    giving them the lands of other nations.
⁷ The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
⁸ They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
⁹ He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
    To him belongs eternal praise."

Psalm 111