If I had to pick a favourite bit of our trip so far, then it wouldn’t be the waterfalls. They were amazing, but we had a fantastic time last night. One of the members of the Vineyard and a close friend asked us to chat through some things with her and pray. We were happy to do so and it was a very special time for all three of us. It was really special to minister together as a couple and see how the different gifts that God has given us could both be brought to bear on the situation. I think it was a special night for our friend too, with some releasing and some getting better acquainted with the Holy Spirit going on. Wow!
Mar 172011
Mar 132011
Last night we “lead” a young adults group, which was a bit of fun and today we took the service at La Viña, speaking on God’s heart for the poor (my favourite subject!) and the need, as a church, to get off our butts and do something; that church exists to reach others, not so much to feed ourselves and get fat. It seemed to be well received and we can only hope that it galvanises the group into a bit more action over the coming weeks and months.
They’re a lovely bunch and already there are people suggesting that we should stay!! As an example of their friendliness, in the evening the pastor, Pascual, invited Rach and I to see his team, Olimpia, play Rubio Ñu in the Paraguayan football league. I spent most of the evening explaining to Rachel who had just scored!!
Mar 062011
It’s very hot!!
We went to the Vineyard church this morning and it seems to have imploded to some degree since when Rachel was there. Lots of the old faces weren’t there (which is perhaps to be expected after 8 years away), but not many new faces had replaced them. The pastors tell us that last year was difficult, but the corner has been turned and things are looking up again.
Mar 052011
So, leaving behind one natural wonder of the world, it’s not far at all to the Itaipú Dam, one of the wonders of the modern world. Spanning the Paraná river, the seventh biggest in the world, and the border, the dam was built as a joint effort between Brazil and Paraguay. In its own right, it is amazing, but being situated so close to the waterfalls does mean that the shine is taken off it somewhat. Still, we got to see lots of concrete!
And then, we entered Paraguay on a evening bus to Asunción, the capital. It was great to see our old friend Sergio, whom Rachel got to know very well when she lived there and who came to our wedding, when we arrived!
Mar 042011
Well, I said I’d go back if I could and if I had to choose which side to go back to, I’d definitely choose the Argentinian side. They are both amazing in their own ways, but the views from Argentina are perhaps even better; you get extremely close to the gargantuan “Devil’s Throat” fall – the largest in the system – and about two-thirds of the falls are in Argentina. An excellent, excellent day!! Tomorrow, I think I need to give the camera a rest!!
Mar 032011
The AMAZING waterfalls at Iguaçu span the border between Brazil and Argentina and you can get different experiences from both sides. Today, we got our first taste from the Brazilian side and what a taste!
We went out in a boat first, which is a little expensive, but worth every penny as it takes you up close and personal with a small handful of the 275 different falls that make up the whole system. We got so close to the base of some of them that not only did we get drenched, but we were completely unable to open our eyes. For me, this continued for sometime since the water washed the suncream from my face into them and it to a while to come out!
Back of dry land, we continued walking along the banks of the Iguaçu river and marvelled at the amazing new vistas at ever turn. No matter what I write, I’ll never be able to do the place justice. Suffice to say that I would definitely return if I could.
Mar 022011
So, our flight to Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) was uneventful, although we did spend rather longer in Lima Airport than we had hoped – overnight mist had meant that all the flights were delayed and we had 3 hours extra to wait for ours. What was eventful was when we arrived at our hostel. No sooner had we dragged our suitcases up the steps into reception than there was an almighty crash and the half of the tree we had seconds earlier walked under came crashing down behind us – a close shave!
Feb 282011
Saw Arthur and Pete off at the airport. Always sad to say goodbye to our few and far between visitors (though, of course, having them around is a real encouragement and joy), but can’t be too downhearted this time since we ourselves are leaving in a couple of days. Can’t wait!!
Feb 092011
Well, this month was going to be pretty busy, especially for Paul. He is currently organising the annual camp for the kids of the association. He can only attend 2 days of it as then he has to travel down to Lima to pick up friends from the airport and then attend, and translate at, the Vineyard conference. This is followed by a week up in Huancayo with Arthur and Pete from Plymouth Vineyard… and THEN a 3 – week trip to Paraguay at the beginning of March.
I, on the other hand, was going to be here, mostly studying this month before the group arrived in Huancayo…
However, some friends of ours in Chincha are facing a personal crisis that requires our immediate attention. It is so sad that the Peruvian culture doesn’t leave room for people to trust others, especially in crucial moments. This particular couple don’t feel able to talk to anyone down there, despite a potentially failed marriage and a desire to die… we can’t let this go without at least one of us going down. That would be ME! Paul is so busy for the next two weeks that it can’t possibly be him – unless the situation gets worse, in which case I shall insist he drops everything and meets me down there!
So, Wednesday I make my way to Lima (7-8 hours), stay the night with friends, then go on down to Chincha (3 hours) on Thursday. I shall be there until the end of the conference (19th Feb), at which point I shall take the husband of the couple up to Lima to spend time with Paul and the Pastors.
My aim during the week and a half that I am there will be to listen, listen and listen and hopefully help the couple to a) communicate, b) see that there is hope c) become more informed of the issues going on in their lives d) spend time with the wife (the husband often talks to Paul online) and, e) pray with them both and ask God to heal. That last bit is going to be a challenge for me as I have really struggled to see God at work here… I am hoping he will change my perspective on that one.
Generally going back to Chincha is not something I relish the thought of. Emotionally I will find it very difficult, aside from the principle reason for which I am going. I have requested the presence and help of a trusted friend in Lima (who is male) to be with me for an evening down in Chincha as it is inappropriate for me to be counselling a man on his/my own. After that I will have to to be careful what I do in order to be of help but not put myself in any awkward position as the main crisis principally involves the husband.
Please everyone remember and pray for me.
Feb 052011
Well, I have been off work for 3 days officially now. I am really enjoying it. We are both much more relaxed, I think, when I don’t work as I don’t feel really tired and I can contribute more to doing stuff in the house.
Paul is mega busy with writing his new course on starting up small businesses and is also hobbling around with very sore toes – we think he has chillblains – anyone know what to do about them??? It has been really quite cold this last week.
I’ve been doing lots more study, making the most of the time I have to do it and also translating stuff into Spanish ready for our English visitors from Plymouth who arrive in 2 weeks.
It is still raining quite a bit but today and yesterday the sun came out in the afternoon and it was HOT. Was able to do some study out on one of our very small balconies in the sun… really lovely.
- My Morning Class