Llaulipata

Darren, Larry and Kyle have been working for the past few days on the 3rd story of the main ATEK building.  I don't have a lot of updates and photos, but I know they were all happy to see the windows come on Wednesday morning giving them opportunity to start on the floors and perhaps finish some painting.

Kyle waving from the 3rd story

The guys have done some priming, painting, and the drop-ceiling

The windows were put in on Wednesday allowing the guys to get started on the floor

The plan was for Pastors Bill, Fredi and Eusabio, Milagros and I to leave ATEK at 9am on Wednesday.  By the time we were heading out of Cusco it was 10:30.  It seemed like a really slow start, with other various delays along the way, including a really long lunch and the discovery of a dead truck battery afterwards. We were told it would be a 6 hour trip.

Even though we were eager to get there, Pastor Fredi took the time to stop at a couple of interesting points of attraction for us to see up close.  A mix of culture, tradition, and skills handed down generation to generation, the Queswachana Bridge is famous as a hand-made crossing that is still used today.  The two communities on both sides of the river meet on a certain date each year in June to re-construct a new bridge from the long grasses that grow in the area.  They still use the crossing each year, and can even take their livestock across it.  This year, it was mal-constructed, with the bridge leaning sharply to one-side.  I ventured a couple of steps onto it, but none of us were interesting in walking the whole length.


An ancient incan border crossing point

Famous bridge

Handmade bridge that has animal skins, sticks, and constructed from a certain kind of native grass

When we had left Cusco, the sun was burning hot.  As we climbed the windy roads along mountain sides, the landscape changed to vast hillsides, hardly a tree to be seen.  We saw alpacas and sheep.  The homes are thatch-roofed adobes, most without electricity.  The clouds started to circle in, growing darker, and it started raining and hailing.  Pastor Fredi kept saying it was about an hour away.  Around 6pm with only a little daylight left, we stopped in a town to leave some materials and Bibles from ATEK with the local Pastor there. More than an hour later we arrived to Livitaca.  Well, we thought we had arrived to the final destination, but although we were actually to be working in the department of Livitaca, the final destination was still another hour away- the town of Llaulipata.

Windy roads head down to the valley and then up again to an altitude of over 4000 meters

While we had stopped for lunch, Pastor Fredi and Eusabio told us about some of the cultural traditions in the region of Livitaca.  Here, the communities don't celebrate Christmas, however they have an annual holiday which is around the 25th of December.  Two rivalling communities (and sometimes just members within one community) meet once a year- a day in which they can 'pay back' the wrongs done to them by other community members.  They meet in a large field, and stand facing each other in a line.  And then they throw stones and rocks at each other.  This is done as an act of punishment to the wrongs committed, and done so in bravery.  If a person dies, it is considered an honor, and a sign of good luck for the family for the following year.  (Kind of brings The Hunger Games to life). This is a tradition that probably stemmed from the 1400's back in the reign of Tupac Amaru, which would have been like an exercise for the army, but evolved over the decades into involving all the community including women and children, and involves drinking and festivities today.

You can imagine, that Pastor Bill and I were a little uncertain as to what we were facing and the welcome we might receive, especially when we arrived to Llaulipata at 9pm in pouring rain, 10 hours after having left Cusco, and finally found our way to the church already half full of people settled down to sleep.  We disrupted them somewhat, dragging in our wet belongings, and four of us settled into one end of the dirt-floor adobe church, while some of the people moved to sleep in the kitchen building.

The teaching session on Ephesians started the next morning at 8am, and the people were ready to start.  There are only 6 pastors in the region of Livitaca, so many communities do not have Pastors yet.  People from different communities came to hear Pastor Bill speak and teach in Ephesians, most travelling hours by foot, and one Pastor rode 4 hours on horse to get there.  ATEK had arranged study booklets, which cost around 5 Soles for each registered person.  There were 41 men and women who bought a booklet, and other family members who came to listen in on the teaching. 

By our first break at 10:30, we were no longer worried about how the people would receive us as foreigners.
I sat with a group of women and they were eager to speak (in Spanish), to have their photos taken and to give me a hat and typical skirt to try on for a photo with them.  The men, too, wanted Pastor Bill to try on a scarf and hat, helping us to feel accepted and welcome.

Registering for the conference

Eager to start, eager to learn

The lady on the right said she and her husband would like to see Canada

Resting in the sun during the first break

This lady was one of the most welcoming and warm to me, and had the light of Jesus shining in her eyes



Fitting in with the people

Milagros and I shared in translating.  Most of the people in this region speak Spanish, but everything was still translated into Quechua, and the workbooks and Bibles we brought were in Quechua.  The people who didn't have a Bible were eager to have one and very thankful and excited that they were offered as a gift on behalf of BCEF.  That evening they had a service at 7pm, the worship which was a real blessing to me.

I wish I had captured this man's face when he realised the Bible he'd asked for was a free gift.  He said "For real, Pastor!?"

Two men looking over the content of the study together

During a break outside of the little Llaulipata Evangelical Church of Peru

A joy-filled evening worship service

Here's a short clip I took during one of their worship songs.  (The church was lit by two small lanterns, so the video is not good.) Worship in Llaulipata

Llaulipata is a community of 80 families (Huanca Huanca is represented by 60).  ATEK's increasing involvement in this region will include training up the people to become pastors, training pastor's wives, starting youth and children's ministries, and continuing to build churches.  Although they are located much further from Cusco, this community seems to have more money, being more adept at trading and selling their goods.  They had more modern clothing, and mostly wear shoes as opposed to the rubber-tire sandals worn by the Quechua.  However, I was still surprised that they don't have electricity yet (although the poles and wires have been put in recently).  There are no real roads made to their community yet, and they don't use toilets.  (Thanks to Walter for supplying the dry toilet for us!) Only a couple of years ago the teams from ATEK (including Ben) actually walked far distances to get to this community.  They still walk in to other communities where they are beginning to have involvement where there are no access roads.



The people live off of a simple diet, mostly producing potatoes and chuño (the blackened freeze-dried potatoes that can be stored for months).  For this conference, and other similar gatherings, each community contributes food for the time, and some of the local ladies are appointed to prepare all of the meals.  We ate soups and stews that they prepared, as well as small breads that they make locally in an adobe oven.  In this community the men helped serve; the women are served first, then the men, and then the children who waited so patiently.



Men serving the dinner

Children in Llaulipata

A child waits patiently for his meal

We had hoped to leave around mid-day on Friday after finishing the teaching, but it ended up being around 3pm when the truck was all packed and ready to go. We thought we had said our good-byes and were ready to depart, when the truck wouldn't start.  The battery.  And not a single vehicle, other than motorcycles, in the area.
Pastor Fredi had parked facing down an incline, so he hoped he could jump start it that way.  It didn't work.  He called for the men still at the church to come help, so with some pushing and pulling, they got the truck to the top of the next hill.  Again, it didn't work.  We pushed and pulled the truck uphill to the next high spot.  And, it worked! 

Finally, we were off.  As we left the village and passed through many more, almost everyone we saw were drunk, celebrating some festivity, stumbling along the road-sides, even falling off motorcycles.

We took a different route home, and were back to ATEK in 6 hours, rather than 10.  I was happy to get back to my hubby, a warm shower, and a good night's sleep in bed!  But, I will never forget the faces of Livitaca, their hospitality or their eagerness to grow in God's way. 

Saying goodbye

A couple heads off to walk perhaps many hours to their home



Getting the truck to the top of the next hill

A final hill, a jump-start, and we were off!

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.