Whispering softly between the heart beats of the city is a call, come onto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. We come precious Lord, and thank you for lifting the burdens of the week.

Each morning after breakfast all of our garbage is placed in plastic bags and put by the street to be picked up by the city trucks. But long before they arrive, local women come and go through every bit, piece by piece. Pulling out scraps of food and placing them in a pan. I do not know if this is for their animals or for them. This morning a different family was here. A young girl and her mother. They had a large cart that is propelled by a bicycle, something that is seen in many places and uses. They went from bag to bag and to each establishment. They were very dirty and my heart goes out for them so much. It was only a few minutes later that Kevin Busl had walked outside to get into a taxi with Bob when one man ran by and like a flash of lightening had gone into his pockets and sped away in a taxi with two other men. Kevin was not carrying money in his pockets this time and they left empty handed. Such mixed emotions go through our minds as we witness this type of thing. We are the apple of God’s eye and woe unto him who hurts us. These pathetic thieves need no more anguish in their life to deal with and yet the very thing they think is helping them is actually cursing them. How Jesus must cry when he sees His creation so degraded by the lies of Satan. Here He has put it in our hearts to come and try to help them and they are hurting the very ones that can point them to a better life. Well Jesus went through this and we can expect no less. If our heart breaks, then how much more His perfect heart cries out. Oh Lord give us wisdom and love to handle all this in your perfect way, as you would have. I just witnessed the miracle of the birth of my 4th grandchild. What a breathtaking thing to see a new life come into the world, but it was by no means a pristine experience. Birth is messy and painful, lots of blood, pain and anxious moments. And yet at the end it is beautiful and you forget what was behind. So it is with the rebirth, but oh what joy it brings when the labor is over and a new life is before you with all its potential. We pray for these thieves that they may experience the new birth before it is too late.

Most of our folks went to church at the construction site. Several stayed at the hotel because of sore throats or sheer exhaustion.

Last night we experienced about 10 or 15 drops of rain. We teased that this was their rainy season as it was the most they ever get.

Bob Whitney preached at the church in Ascope today. It was built by Fernandez Stall 100 years ago, a lot of history to it. Bob said it reminded very much of his adobe style church in Costa Rica where he is originally from. There were about 80 people present for his sermon.

There was also about 80 people present at the almost built church in Casa Grande today where Pastor Wagner preached with the help of Pastor Taylor to translate. The children’s’ ministry went superbly! They started out with just a few rows of the church children but it didn’t take very long for others to hear the music and come running to find out what was going on. They ended up with about 100 children in the tent and overflowing to the outside.

After dinner we went on to see the ancient pyramids built by the Inca Indians between 1,000AD and 1,500AD one was dedicated to the sun and the other the moon. They were astonishing to behold and amazingly intact. More ruins are still being uncovered at this time. By chance we also met up with the other Maranatha group that are from California. while at the ruins. We will arrange to spend some time together one evening before leaving the area. It was a wonderful Sabbath afternoon and we finished the evening with super and a birthday cake for Alyssa. Kevin Busl led us in a very insightful worship talk and then Eric did a slide show of all the pictures he has taken so far. Bob has hired two more guards to be with us so that we stay safe so don’t worry, we will be fine.

And now being refreshed spiritually and emotionally from the day, we prepare to refresh physically with a good nights sleep. God is so good!

There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Heb. 4:9, 10.

Smiles from Peru,

Jennifer Young

Mission reporter