Uttermost Parts of Ancash

This week a team from my “home church”, First Baptist of Jackson, MS will travel to Pomabamba on the eastern side of the Cordillera Blanca, an uttermost part of Ancash. This is a challenging journey, as it requires 3 days of travel just to get there. The team will minister in a culture that is far different from their own.
* Pray for the team as they conduct medical clinics in villages in the area.
* Pray for their health during the week and for safety on the mountain roads.
* Pray God will use this ministry to open the hearts and minds of the Northern Conchucos Quechua and they will come to a deep understanding that there is only one true God who can truly heal them.
* Pray their lives will truly be changed and they will begin a life of obedience!
(Pictured above is a Quechua lady on her farm near Pomabamba.)

Huallaga Quechua ~ Recap

First let me say that I could never create a story on my own that would describe our trip last week with the Riverland Hills Church. I don’t think the most creative writer of fiction could either. It was an adventure that few have experienced and only by trusting and submitting to our Lord did we "survive."  This past week 14 Believers and an incredible group of Huallaga Quechua and Spanish translators presented themselves for service in Huánuco. They were continuously challenged by:
1. rain and more rain
2. mud and more mud
3. illness,
4. thievery
5. oxygen levels at elevations of 13,000 feet (only 63% of what you are probably breathing right now)
6. unfamiliar food
7. 6 hours (minimum) of travel daily on single lane roads where one couldn’t lean over far enough to see the bottom
8. trucks and taxis stuck in the road and blocking the way
9. an incompetent missionary driver who backed into a ditch (name withheld by request)
10. fatigue
11.   cancelled flights
12.   and I know I have left something out!

All were rewarded with occasional sunshine, breathtaking views, friendly people, smiling faces of children, barley coffee, and fresh boiled potatoes.

But more importantly, they were rewarded with continuous protection by the One who called them to GO. It is only by God’s power we can do anything. One person said he believed that the enemy did not want us to be there as we were constantly being attacked. I hesitate to give any kind of “credit” to the enemy but in this case I must agree. And these are the kinds of places we must go to.

The teams’ response, in spite all of the above, was to begin planning another trip to this area. This is what God’s people do and in doing so glorify Him.

Again, thank you for your prayers and I hope you are going to places where you aren’t wanted!  ; ) 

(The above picture was taken in Llacsa at the medical clinic. It is at least 4 hours from town, at the end of the road and at an elevation approaching 13,000 feet. One man walked 5 hours to see the doctor. There is a very modest church building there but no resident remembers a worship service ever occurring or a priest visiting the village.)

Huallaga Quechua ~ Huallmish, Boronda, and Llacsa

Next week I will be venturing away from the Huaylas Valley and traveling to the eastern side of the Andes to work with a team from South Carolina and a fellow M. The People Group is the Huallaga Quechua and they number about 50,000. This will be a medical trip and the team leaders will also be considering adopting the area where we will be working. We will be in Huallmish, Boronda and Llacsa. Pray the clinics will open doors to share the gospel, for discernment on the part of the leaders and as always, safe travel.

Across this river and .......

As I mentioned in a previous blog, many Believers have little opportunity for training. This applies to the people of the jungle more than anyone else. The Amazon Basin and jungle could be a synonym for UTTERMOST PARTS, and having been there, in my mind it is. I just received a request for prayer for 3 or 4 brothers who are planning to attend the conference. Pray that the funds ($) transfer for travel expenses arrives in a timely manner and once there, their travels will go well. Also, if God wills, maybe they will bring a friend or two. It is men like these who will carry the Gospel to the Uttermost Parts and beyond.....to people like Percy and his tribe, pictured below, on the Urubamba, who are still waiting.....