My Life... Pt 3

As the day begins to come to a close and the heat decides whether or not to give way to the power of the evening, I find it my lot and/or privilege to write (type) in my own words, of course, concerning a few experiences which have occurred as of late. To me. Here in Peru. With added pictures. I hope you find them interesting, if not, deal with it. (Those were also in my own words.)
First things first. It has been brought to my attention that perhaps, some of my faithful, as well as not-so-faithful, readers might be interested in seeing where I live, where I work, where I spend my almost-free time, etc. So, in order to keep the natives happy, I will oblige. The following pictures are of the previous mentioned places and things (as well as some other stuff). Please feel free to enjoy.

My bed... That's where I sleep.

The recliner in which I do my morningly Bible reading. And a stool.

Our dining room. Where I eat things like... breakfast and dinner and stuff.

The very desk at which I am sitting... at the time of this writing of course.

The past couple weeks have been quite eventful for me, so eventful in fact, that I have hardly had the time to even send an email. It goes without saying that I, quite frankly, am dog-tired, exhausted, wiped out, completely bushed, Zzzzz. So please forgive the erratic writings. Also, I am noticing, as I type this letter, that the words (these words) are beginning to get curiously fuzzy. I hope that, by the time you read this, this log is still legible. Although, I have my doubts as I, already, am having a difficult time distinguishing spaces between letters and words and phrases and such like. But, such as it is, I must continue and, as the old adage goes, "try, at least."

You may remember, from previous logs, my mentioning of a certain restaurant where the Nixes and myself eat every Saturday, called Baca Vaca. This is the place where all the waiters all greet you warmly and shake your hand and open your car doors for you and so forth.

While waiting for Bro. Joe to find the restaurant and pick us up so we could go to church, which I will discuss later, I decided to take a snapshot of the place we all know and love (well, you all know about it, and we all love it).

This past Saturday, the Nixes and I, as well as various other ministers from the church in San Felipe all went to a special church dedication service, which also happened to be that assembly's very first service. I felt very blessed and privileged to be a part of it. The church is located up in the mountains overlooking the city of Lima, in a settlement called Progresso. It was definitely "missions" in its truest form.

This was taken on the way to the church service Saturday night. We were on the Pan-American Highway, which runs up through south and central Americas, eventually turning into I-5.

When we started getting close to our destination, we met up with the minister who is starting the church. Our car was full, so Bro. Nix jumped out, helped him into a taxi (as the man is a cripple), climbed in himself and they were off.

This is the taxi. That's Bro. Nix waving on the left. The taxi driveress* (?) is on the right. I want to ride one of those so bad someday. They look like a lot of fun, as well as a lot of bumps and jerks and soreness. Be that as it may, I'd still like to try it at least once.

At the time of this picture, we had just arrived. Bro. Nix is standing there in the road looking at the mountains. Behind him is the city of Progress. It's one of the very poor areas people often refer to as "las barriadas." All those little shacks and huts covering the mountain sides in the background are, in reality, their "homes."

All of a sudden the air was filled with the sound of a bullet screaming through the air! Screeching of tires! Metal clashing together! Smell of rubber! We whirled around to view the damage...

and there it sat friends and neighbors. Another taxi with some more preachers. :) (Please forgive me for the small and insignificant embellishment.)

The new-comers are on the left with Bro. Nix and myself on the right.

On the way up the stairs to church.

Add Bro. Jose, far right (our driver), and another elderly minister (waving Bible).

On the way up to the church, Bro. Jose pointed out the cemetery to me... All the gray area on the mountain side there in the background.

A view of Lima (or a part of it at least) from the church.

A glimpse of the neighborhood from the front door.

Bro. Jose and myself standing in the doorway of the new church.

The wife of the man starting the church. She was the maid for my grandparents' home in Lima back when my dad was a teenager.

Worship Service... Yes, it really is a dirt floor.

I didn't realize until after we left when Sis. Nix told me that the church is actually the pastor's home.

Me testifying. Bro. Nix interpreting.

A brother testifying in Chechua, Bro. Jose translating.

The minister who's founding the church.

The man he asked to be the pastor.

Both couples, pastor & founder, being prayed for.

Bro. Jose preached the dedication part of the service.

This was taken after the service. Lima. (Part of it at least)

The following morning back in San Felipe...

Great service Sunday morning! Another one got baptized.

That afternoon we ate at this authentic Peruvian restaurant.

That afternoon in Bro. Nix's office with Bros. Heliot & Jerson.

Bro. Jerson preached that night.

I tried some chirimoya - a tropical fruit down here.

My first taxi ride in Lima. Went downtown with Bros. Jaime, Jose, & Alejandro to buy a cell phone.

Bro. Jaime rode shotgun.

Bro. Alejandro

Bro. Jose. These were my bodyguards that night, as our destination was in a dangerous part of town. :) (Thought Mama would enjoy that.haha)

With that being said, goodnight!