We've been out of touch with civilization for the past few days. The internet in Santiago de Chocorvos is currently broken. We even spent the last day and a half without electricity in the whole town. I loved Santiago every bit as much as I loved Cusicancha. We built some amazing relationships with a bunch of kids during the four days we were there. The ¨truck¨ ride to get there was as interesting as I had anticipated. Solomon and I rode on the far back, on top of the bed of the truck. The ¨truck¨ is a monster of a creation, with 4-5 rows of bench seating connected to the cab. The bed of the truck is ginormous, and it was packed with everything from gasoline to concrete bags to chickens. The walls on the bed are about 7 feet tall and there are 2 by 10 boards, spanning the width of the bed, fixed above the cargo area. There are about 8 rows of those boards, and they are for passengers. In Peru, in any sort of traveling vehicle, the driver won't leave until the vehicle has reached it's maximum capacity... which cannot be reached. Haha. Anyway, we finally left when the bed was full of beer (and the other things) and each board on top had six people on it. I have some sweet pics. That thing was packed. It took us 8 hours to drive about 80 KILOMETERS! That is a snail's pace, but only because the roads are about 5 inches wider than the truck and we had to climb a lot of altitude.
The team in Santiago actually travels around to many of the nearby small villages. They are an awesome team, very focused, and concerned with saving souls. All but two of them went out to another village while we were there, which was totally fine. They needed to get back to that village to check on some new believers. The two girls that stayed with us went with us to the schools and did whatever we did. We had an awesome time getting to know the kids. I even talked with an older man named Juan for a long time. We talked all-about nothing until we got to spiritual things. He said he believes in Jesus and reads his Bible when he has time. Right after I finished talking to him, I read some Bible stories to some of my favorite kids, Emerson and Nadia. Emerson is already saved, and was just rediculously knowledgeable of the Bible, even though he doesn't have one. The reading attracted other kids, ones that didn't know very much. I got to share with them some of the plan of salvation. It was so perfect. I was talking to Brian today about how I haven't been as focused as I should have been during the trip thus far. Monday, I prayed that God would provide specific opportunities for me to share the Gospel, because I really hadn't done that yet. Well, God definitely answered that prayer by providing those opportunities yesterday. It was so awesome. And today, while we were waiting for truck to get full so we could leave, a random man pulled me off the street and into his house so I could pray for his eyes. His name is Hector and his eyes have been getting worse and worse; glasses only help a little. Solomon translated the conversation, and we prayed for healing. It was so random and so cool. I'm really excited to see what else God will do through our team over the next month.
The trip back to civilization today was even more interesting today than it was the other day. Other than a tad bit of veggiebles, the whole bed of the truck was filled with livestock. And I mean FILLED. There were five cows, four goats, two sheep, and a box of Guinea pigs... and some of us humans. Our team all rode on the top of the truck this time, instead of in the cab. It only took us about 5.5 hours to get back, which was awesome. We ate pizza tonight, and it was good. And ice cream, oh-so-good! I tried to call some family, but no one answered. I DID get to talk to my soulmate, which soothed my soul. Tomorrow we pass through Nazca and will hopefully make it to our next site, Bella Union. I'm 'cited! I need to end this, so, bye-bye now.
P.S. My ankle is pretty much better. It turned a little purple, which was good, meaning that it was just a bruise. Thanks for all y'all's prayers!
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4 comments:
John,
I had wondered how your ankle was doing. I am glad it is better--try not to hurt it again. Daddy got your message last night, but I did not get mine until this morning. I don't have good service out here. We hated that we did not get to talk with you. You last adventure sounds quite interesting. We can't wait to hear the details--and see the pictures.
Bek and Robby just got home from New York city tonight. We really enjoyed taking care of Emma while they were gone. Tim flies in tomorrow night. Our closing on the house has been put off until around July 12th, so we have a few more weeks before we move again. Anna's puppy opened her eyes today. She is black and white, and very cute. That is all of the exciting news from Savannah.
Love you so much and pray for you all the time, Mama
Hey John, glad to read that things are going well. Those truck rides sound interesting. Glad you got to talk to your soulmate. ha ha :)
Johnny,
As usual the Green's have an adventure going on. Tim had a flight yesterday from COS to Dallas to SAV. When he got to Dallas he forgot to change his watch from Mountain to Central time--so he missed the last flight of the day to Savannah. He was in the USO eating a ham sammich while his plane was leaving. So, they then flew him from Dallas to Jacksonville and we had to drive down and get him. He came in at midnight last night, no luggage ever arrived, but we spent a while claiming it. Then of course we had to stop and eat, at Denny's. We got home around 4 am. So, this morning we are all zombies.....as usual we turn every event into and adventure! We probably feel about like you do after your long bus or truck rides in Peru. WE love you very much.
Love, Mama
Juan Francisco,
Wed 27 Jun--Not a lot to report. I went to work at 0030 this morning to coincide with the dudes in Hebrew-land. 12 hours later, I'm home. Your brothers are kayaking in the rivers/marshes of Tybee. Mama says it is raining at the horse-pistol; sunny here; maybe they aren't experiencing the perfect storm. Looks like the move-in is sliding to at least Mon 16 Jun. The fun never ends! Beka has been experimenting with her new sewing machine that embroiders; she made me a couple of BBQ aprons so I won't be covered with BBQ sauce, soot, and grease after cleaning grill and making burnt offerings. I've been trying to keep my phone close ever since I missed your Father's Day call. But, the Green luck had me miss your second call, too! Have fun! Be blessed! Bless others!
Love, Papa Verde
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