Moyobamba

Seven Year Itch

2005-08-25T16:28:00.000-05:00

The Seven-Year Itch

It is a well-known fact that at least half of the marriages in the United States end in divorce, Christian and non-Christian alike. And it has been well documented that a critical period in a marriage occurs around the seventh year of the relationship. Thus, the term, “seven-year itch.” One can easily bear witness to this phenomenon, but it is much more difficult to precisely ascribe a specific cause to the breakdown of a relationship.
Was the marriage flawed from the beginning, damaged by boredom and lack of conviction, or beset with communication failure due to time constraints? Certainly, these are some of the common reasons cited when a relationship fails. The thought occurred to me that these same principles might hold true for larger relationships. Could this same phenomenon occur, for example, in a relationship between two churches united in purpose by God?
The First Presbyterian Church of Frankfort, Indiana, is in the seventh year of “marriage” to the Iglesia Evangelica Presbiteriana of Moyobamba, Peru. Webster’s dictionary defines marriage as any close or intimate union. The union of our two churches is not only close and intimate, but also God-ordained. God brought our two congregations together in 1999 for the purpose of taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Aguaruna Indians in the northern jungle of Peru. Although many Aguaruna in this region have now had the opportunity to hear the word of God, many still live in darkness and resort to the familiar practice of animism (a belief in the existence of spirits, demons, etc. which must be appeased to prevent evil events from occurring). Much work remains to be done in reaching all lost souls for Christ, discipling new believers, and nurturing the spiritual maturity of the body of Christ until a sustained viable church exists amongst the Aguaruna of the Alto Mayo region in Peru. So where do we go from here?
Let’s examine where we’ve been and how our relationship began so that we may avoid or overcome any “marital” pitfalls.
Was ours a marriage of convenience, flawed from the beginning? I think it is fair to say that our partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Moyobamba, Peru, was not one of convenience! We had never heard of Moyobamba, Peru, or the Aguaruna Indians prior to the spring of 1999. Likewise, the Peruvians could not have anticipated joining forces with a bunch of Hoosiers in taking the gospel to the Amazon jungle villages! We had been praying for six months for God to lead us in adopting an unreached people group prior to our initial dialogue with the Presbyterian Church in Moyobamba. But God had been at work in Moyobamba long before then. He heard our prayers and “married” our two congregations to bring the Aguaruna to faith in Jesus Christ. No one who has traveled from Indiana to Moyobamba, or vice versa, would use the word convenient to describe this trip. Similarly, the spiritual union of our two congregations has required much work and sacrifice on everyone’s part. However, we have never doubted that God ordained our relationship, and He has continually blessed us as we have joined in His work to redeem the Aguaruna to Himself. Since God is infallible, our marriage has a solid foundation not of our own making. Therefore, we can grow in our relationship, confident in our purpose, and assured of God’s blessing if we are faithful to His calling.
Most marriages begin with a high level of excitement, enthusiasm, and commitment, which leads to mutual fulfillment. However, after approximately four to seven years, many relationships suffer from boredom, familiarity, and a loss of togetherness, which can lead to marital discord and divorce. The demands of a career and the addition of children to the family can significantly decrease the amount of time couples spend together. Without constant effort to communicate and make time to nurture the relationship, the marriage will fall short of what God has intended for marriage to be. Is our congregational relationship any different? It is essential for both of our congregations to continually seek ways to communicate more effectively so that we do not become isolated from each other. We must be there for each other, every day, not just during an annual mission trip. We must look for ways to inject new enthusiasm into the life of our ministry, e.g. having an exchange of congregation members, performing foreign missions together, and pursuing new church planting efforts. Above all, our relationship must be based on our love of God and our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our partnership with the Moyobamba Presbyterian Church must be driven by the vision of the local church in Peru. Continuing the analogy of marriage to our relationship with the Moyobamba Church, the husband and head of the household is the Moyobamba Church. Our church must always be ultimately submissive to the leadership of the local church, which is responsible for planning and carrying out the vast majority of the evangelism. However, because of our Christian love for each other, mutual submission and cooperation are the means to perform effective mission work together. All the while we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as the example of how we should humbly serve. We are extremely fortunate and blessed because the pastoral leadership in Moyobamba so clearly seeks to glorify God at all times. This has been the key factor in any success our partnership has had, thus far, and will be equally important as we move into the future.
I’m sure that many people in our congregation wonder why we are still involved in ministry in Peru. At times, I have asked myself how we will know when a viable, sustained church among the Aguaruna exists, and when the time has come to implement an exit strategy from that mission work. But I know that the Lord will give us wisdom when that time comes. Until then, let us rejoice in knowing that God has allowed us to share in His work in Peru and embrace this invitation to partner with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Moyobamba. May the spiritual union between our two congregations continue to mature and bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God. We have this assurance in Philippians 1:6, “That he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Peru Network Meeting---April 21-23, 2005

2005-03-08T14:48:00.000-05:00

Peru Network Meeting

April 21-23, 2005

First Presbyterian Church
Burlington, North Carolina

For three days, Presbyterians from Peru and from throughout the United States will gather as partners in Christ's service in Peru. Our purpose is to dream and plan how we can all work together to further the ministry of Christ in Peru. Join us!

Dates and Time: Begins with supper on Thursday, April 21, and concludes with lunch on Saturday, April 23

Sponsors: Worldwide Ministries, Division of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Outreach Foundation, and First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, NC

Location: First Presbyterian Church, 508 West Davis Street, Burlington, North Carolina

Registration Cost: $75 includes Thursday dinner, Friday lunch and dinner, and Saturday lunch.

Lodging: A block of rooms have been reserved at the Best Western, which is located at 770 Huffman Mill Road, at Exit 141 on I-85/40. The rate for the rooms is $51/night. Reservations can be made by calling 336-584-0151. Be sure and say that you are with the Peru Network Meeting at First Presbyterian Church. Reservations need to be made by April 8.

Airports: Both Greensboro (GSO) and Raleigh (RDU) airports offer many incoming flights. GSO is a 30 minute drive from Burlington and RDU is 45 minutes. The choice of an airport will depend largely on the airline that you choose.

Directions: From I-40/I-85: Take the NC 49 exit - exit number 145 - toward downtown Burlington. Head north on Maple Avenue. Continue to follow Maple Avenue through the downtown area until you reach Church Street / Highway 70. Turn right on Church (one way) and take the next left at West Davis Street. First Presbyterian Church of Burlington is on the corner of West Davis Street and Morehead Street.

Questions: E-mail (rshive@netpath.net) or call (336-228-1703).

Yantalo - a poem

2005-01-12T11:05:00.000-05:00

Yantaló

Our Lord blesses us;
We who are so certain
In the security of our lives;
With the vision of insecurity
In the bodies of the poor.

Our Lord blesses us;
We who are so aggressive
In the strength of our lives;
With the vision of frailty
In the bodies of the poor.

Our Lord blesses us;
We who are so casual about life
In our self-satisfied complacency;
With the testimony of the weight of life
In the bodies of the poor.

When our eyes have been opened,
And our other senses have been sharpened,
And our hearts have been made to feel
Only a small part of the weight of the poor,
Then we have been prepared for the
Presence of the Lord.

Our Lord blesses us,
We who fear poverty,
With the courage of the poor.

Our Lord blesses us,
We who falter at the least inconvenience,
With the endurance of the poor.

Our Lord blesses us,
We who treat our communities shamefully,
With the hospitality of the poor.

We would not welcome a stranger
So well as we are welcomed.
We would not offer our own fatted calf.

Yet we are graced with the best food,
In a house of rough-hewn beams
And a dirt floor where chickens
Hunt around our feet
For scraps from our table.

When our eyes have seen the light,
And our other senses have come to life,
And our hearts have been broken
By the weight of the poor;
A small dying child is placed
On a table before us.

Like an offering on an altar,
His father lays him before us
Only a few steps from where we labor
Digging a foundation for the church
At Yantaló.

He is our Isaac.
And his weight is too heavy for our
Broken hearts to bear up toward the light.
What can we do?
Except, as Father Abraham;
Let the weight of the dying boy
Fall upon us.

We do not know the Hope that is in us,
Until we are crushed;
Every last measure of our own strength
Defeated.
Until our own wisdom is made into dust,
We do not know the Hope that is in us.

Then a voice that is in us,
Not a voice of our own strength or wisdom,
Sings Hope into our hearts:
"God Himself will provide the Lamb of offering."

2005 Peru Trip For First Presbyterian Church, Frankfort

2005-01-10T11:52:00.000-05:00

First Presbyterian Church in Frankfort will be making a summer mission trip to Moyobamba, Peru, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 9, to Monday, June 20. After discussion with Pastor David McPherson of the Moyobamba Presbyterian Church, we felt that it would be best to try and spread out the summer mission trips to Moyobamba (from the numerous churches in the U.S.) rather than have all the groups going in July. Specific details of the trip--itinerary, work projects, logistics, opportunities for evangelism--will be forthcoming as coordination of the trip proceeds. As always, the purpose of our trip is to come alongside the Moyobamba Presbyterian Church and to partner with it in its ongoing ministries.

We will be having a call-out meeting for all interested team members sometime in early February. We will post more information about this preliminary call-out meeting on the Moyobamba blog as soon as it is scheduled.

It would be extremely helpful for all Peru network partners to similarly post their trip plans and other essential information about ministries in Moyobamba on this blog so that we can better communicate and coordinate activities with the Moyobamba Presbyterian Church.

2005-01-05T10:53:00.000-05:00

Victor leading a group up the Mayo River to Nuevo Progresso

2005-01-05T10:47:00.000-05:00

Jacob singing and preaching in the plaza in Moyobamba

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Mixing with the "locals"

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Exploring Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas

2005-01-05T10:37:00.000-05:00

Relaxing at Machu Picchu

2005-01-04T15:30:00.000-05:00

Preparing for clinic in Yantaló in July 2003

2005-01-04T13:10:00.000-05:00

2004 Peru Mission Team with our Peruvian friends-Juan and Estella Ruiz(far left),a much healthier Juanito(in Lori's arms), and Hans and Robinson Vargas(back row right).

2005-01-04T13:00:00.000-05:00

Journey to Nueva Vida with Luke Society in July 2004

2005-01-04T12:41:00.000-05:00

Juanito at Yantaló clinic in July 2003

Moyobamba

2004-12-30T10:31:00.000-05:00

Moyobamba
I think I am in... seem to me... Thanks Jim... I will be able to exchange with you all respect to what has drawn our passion for seeing the Kingdom of G-d fulfilling in a region like Moyobamba!
HAve new year for you all. Awaiting to see your plans for 2005 and even seeing you there, eventually!
Apolos

Dario's Wilderness Experience at Christmas 2003

2004-12-29T16:28:00.000-05:00

Extracts of report of trip by Pastor Dario to a new Aguaruna village over Christmas / New Year 2003.

Here is my report of last trip I made to Caupana (Loreto). The trip was not easy, quite the reverse and very different to the tracks we are used to – they are dangerous and tough, were it not for the grace of God we would not have reached our destination. Most of the journey (3 days in either direction) we were either wet or soaked as we had to cross more than 38 rivers and innumerable streams, bogs and puddles, but thanks to God, when we arrived and met the Aguarunas who were waiting for us life returned and the hope of continuing to dream of the evangelising of the tribal communities. I didn’t find as many people as I had been told as three families had gone hunting and fishing who would be returning later. In the first meeting the Apu (chief) and his family were converted and in the following meetings a total of 17 people were converted. They have committed to building a small church and have donated 4 hectares for the church and, what is more, one of them will come to the Aguaruna Bible Institute in Morroyacu, pray for him as he speaks very little Spanish. They are very poor and very isolated from other tribes, according to them a two day journey to San Ramon (Loreto) and three in our direction. In May Victor (a mature Aguaruna believer) will be returning with two other brothers, and if God permits, I hope to return in the summer hopefully by another route as the journey is a killer, very difficult and exhausting… I have lost 9 kilos, injections in my feet, injuries to my arms and other parts of my body. In the not too distant future we need to send an Aguaruna from the Bible Institute with training in health and medicine who can work more effectively in that community – now members of the heavenly kingdom bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. To conclude my report let me share a spiritual experience; we were totally soaked, including our bags, we had no dry clothes and we tried to rest in a shack… time was dragging and the minutes were very long and we felt the freeze in our bodies, Victor said to me.. “pastor I think I’m going to die”… taking courage and trust in the Lord I said.. “lets pray and ask for heat for our bodies, the Lord will protect us so as not to perish in this cold place..” Dear Pastor David the moment we prayed .. almost instantaneously.. we felt the heat fill that small place that seconds before had been freezing, that night we slept soundly, recovered our strengths and motivation and you cant imagine the joy we felt to speak of HIM… JESUS CHRIST IS REAL, REAL, REAL MY BELOVED FELLOW SERVANT, many times we doubt and what of the people of God… it’s the first time in my Christian life that I have had that type of spiritual experience that I will never forget. Good, in concrete, the Lord saved those Aguarunas of the Caupana, from eternal condemnation according to his plan and purpose, and I am happy to have been used as the preacher among these tribal groups in this part of our country. On the 10th (January) I travel with all my family to Morroyacu for the leadership training and Hilda (Dario’s wife) and Deisy (his daughter) will run a childrens Bible week – we will be away for 15 days. Pray for us.

Dario Meza

New headmaster for Annie Soper school

2004-12-21T07:22:00.000-05:00

Back in 1997 José García arrived as headmaster of the Annie Soper Christian School, after completing eight years of sterling service at the school and as elder in the Presbyterian church he returns with his family to Lima. We thank God for all that José has been able to contribute during this time. As of January 3 the new headmaster will be Elio Gonzales Gamboa from the city of Trujillo, Elio has over 30 years teaching experience and we are sure is the man of God´s choosing for this next chapter in the life of the school. Please pray for both José and Elio.

Aguaruna New Testament Revision

2004-12-20T23:01:00.000-05:00

During the 2002 trip to Moyobamba, three team members and a pastor from Moyobamba flew to Pucallpa, Peru, where they met with missionaries who have worked for years with the Aguaruna Indians. A discussion was held concerning the critical shortage of Aguaruna scripture in the Moyobamba area. A decision was made not to publish anymore until a revision was completed. The final 'read through' of this revision was completed in the summer of 2004, and funds are currently being raised for printing. It is hoped that this printing and distribution can be accomplished in 2005.

Nueva Vida- Aguaruna village receives the water of life

2004-12-19T19:54:00.000-05:00

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-15

As we entered the remote Aguaruna village of Nueva Vida, the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well was on my heart. Water is an essential part of life for every living thing on this planet. Yet how often we take clean, life-giving water for granted here in the “civilized” world.

The inhabitants of Nueva Vida, like all Aguaruna people, are forced to drink water from stagnant pools, seeping up through the ground and laden with multiple species of parasites. These parasites weaken the bodies and minds of the Aguaruna and make them more susceptible to other illnesses as well. Imagine living each day with headaches, diarrhea, weakness, dizziness, abdominal pain, and malaise. These are the common complaints we encountered as we provided medical care to the people of Nueva Vida. We knew, from previously conducted studies of the waterholes and from stool samples from the Aguaruna villagers, that all people in Nueva Vida were infected with from one to four different kinds of parasites. These parasites—Entamoeba coli, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Giardia lamblia, Necator Americanus—can all be successfully treated with medication. However, unless a sustainable clean water supply can be established in Nueva Vida and other Aguaruna communities, the villagers will become re-infected in a very short time. Therefore it is vital that we work together diligently to provide a clean water source for each Aguaruna village as quickly as possible.

Our congregation, First Presbyterian Church, Frankfort, adopted the Aguaruna as our unreached people group in 1999. During this year’s mission trip to Peru, our sixth, it was encouraging to see the growth in the church among the Aguaruna people, both numerically and spiritually. There are now small churches with a lay pastor in at least eleven Aguaruna communities. Each of these communities have several church leaders being trained at a Bible Institute in Morroyacu under the direction of Pastor Dario Meza, associate pastor at Moyobamba Presbyterian Church. All of these communities now have a primitive school and a healthcare promoter trained in basic first aid as well. We can rejoice in the knowledge that the Aguaruna are being given the “water welling up to eternal life.” However there are still many Aguaruna who have yet to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and much work remains to be done. Even those who have given their life to Christ require discipleship and nurturing in their young faith just as we in the United States require constant involvement in the church in order to mature in our faith.

I am struck by the similarity between the water problem facing the Aguaruna and the one facing us each day of our lives. Are we continually going to the well and yet never being satisfied? Do we constantly suffer from headaches, diarrhea, weakness, dizziness, abdominal pain, and malaise as the “things of this world” attack our bodies and minds and keep us from a close relationship with God? I see many patients every day with these same complaints, yet not a one would identify the problem as one related to “water.” Maybe it’s time we all ask Jesus anew to give us living water so that we will never thirst for things in this world which can never satisfy, but only leave us wanting more.

I pray that we would make it a top priority to provide funds for equipment to drill wells in each of the Aguaruna villages as quickly as possible. Without drilling wells to tap into a continual source of clean water, the Aguaruna will forever suffer from life-threatening parasitic infections. Let us work together diligently to improve the lives of our Aguaruna brothers and sisters so that they in turn will be able to reach out to others with the love of Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of god. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

Changing Lives Through the Love of Jesus Christ

2004-12-19T19:25:00.000-05:00

Moment For Mission

God Works in Peru: It's not always easy to see results of the work that is done by our team members on short-term mission trips. In fact, many times we may never see the results and the effects of our mission efforts. But we trust that God is always in control and that He is leading our church and our mission teams for His purposes. We also trust that somewhere, somehow, we make a difference in someone's life. . .that seeds are planted in the hearts of people we meet. . .that lives are changed. . .that we have enabled others to effectively bring people to Christ. Sometimes it is easier to see the effects and changes in our own lives as we serve God in the area of missions.

Here is an example of a concrete way our 2003 Peru Mission Team made a difference. If you remember in the last issue of First Press, Dr. Jim Milstead wrote an article detailing a specific incident involving a very sick child, Juanito, who was suffering from starvation. Juanito was Jim's last patient on the last day of medical clinic in a remote village outside of Moyobamba, Peru. Our hearts were touched as we saw or heard about Juanito's circumstances. The team left money in a fund to provide for his care as well as for other children like Juanito. Since returning from Peru, the team members have been praying for this young child and have been finding ways to continue supporting Juanito. We have had several follow-up reports from Peru regarding Juanito. He had been taken from his family (not because of neglect but for better care) and brought into Moyobamba where friends of the Luke Society and the Moyobamba Presbyterian Church have been taking care of him. We just recently received a new update, with a picture, stating that Juanito is doing very well and that his young life was saved because of our care and concern.

Now, I know that this is just one incident. But may we all continue to pray for our mission trips and the team members. Pray that God will work mightily (and sometimes invisibly) through these trips. Pray that not only will we be instrumental in healing a young boy who was dying physically, but that our work will also help to heal people who are dying spiritually as we seek to bring hope and eternal life and the good news of Jesus Christ to wherever God leads us.

Becky Milstead

The Last Patient-Juanito's Story

2004-12-19T16:31:00.000-05:00

Inspirations

Juanito was my last patient on the last day of medical clinics in Yantaló, an isolated pueblo of 1,500 inhabitants outside of Moyobamba, Peru. Our mission team had been working alongside the brothers and sisters from the Yantaló Presbyterian Church for nearly a week as we constructed a new church building on the same site where the old church had stood. The dilapidated remnants of the old sanctuary provided shelter from the tropical sun, and a semblance of privacy, for the hundreds of medical patients treated in the clinics. The vast majority of patients were suffering from intestinal parasites, skin infections, and chronic pain from years of grueling manual labor. Juanito was different. As his father meekly entered the clinic, I saw cradled in his arms a frail, nearly lifeless 13-month old boy...too weak to sit up...too weak to even cry.

Juanito's family had many problems, poverty and lack of education paramount to his current condition. Malnutrition was ravaging his young body as his diet of yucca and bananas could not sustain him. A child in this condition here in the United States would be removed from his home due to child neglect. However, the love and concern Juanito's father exhibited for his child was readily apparent. No, this was not a case of neglect. Rather, this was a frequent occurrence in Third World countries where millions of children die of starvation. But what could we do for little Juanito in this primitive setting? What difference could we possibly make in his fragile life?

Fortunately for me, and Juanito, there were no fewer than five godly women hovering over this child with hearts broken and eager to help. Within minutes someone had bought several cans of evaporated milk, and Juanito was eagerly taking it in through a syringe. After nearly 30 minutes Juanito began to smile and reach out his weak limbs to touch his loving caregivers. With tears in our eyes we all acknowledged that little Juanito had already touched our lives in a way that we will never forget.

I'm not sure what will become of Juanito in the future, but I thank God for allowing me to witness the effect he had on so many members of our team. We do what we can to help others; in Juanito's case we bought lots of milk, educated his father, and set up a fund for him at the Luke Society in Moyobamba. However, ultimately we entrust him to the care of the same God who provides for us in such a magnificent way.

Many Christians are deterred from performing mission work because of the apparent futility of their efforts against a backdrop of such an overwhelming need. I take comfort in knowing that God just wants us to be obedient when He calls us to serve others in His name. He doesn't ask us to fix everyone, but rather to serve others in the same way Jesus did.

As Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-40..."Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"The King will reply: 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. "

Jim Milstead

2003 Trip-19 People from 7 Churches!

2004-12-19T15:34:00.000-05:00

Travels in Peru

Capturing the essence of the 2003 Peru Mission trip in an article is a difficult task. Quite frankly, this year's trip was an amazing one...one that is very hard to put into words. Nineteen people (from seven different churches) were a part of this year's team, and because of the diverse talents of the team, we were all traveling in different directions throughout our time in Moyobamba. This created a bit of stress for our friends in Moyobamba as they scrambled to make travel and living arrangements for our large team. Whether doing physical labor under the hot sun, trekking through the dense jungle, translating, helping in medical and dental clinics in nearby villages, doing street ministry in the Moyobamba town square, working with children, or just building relationships and showing Christ's love with the people we came into contact with, our team came to serve God and to join in the work that He is already doing in Peru.

The work that the Moyobamba Presbyterian Church is doing in the area to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to establish new churches is phenomenal. We were grateful to join in on a small part of this work...helping to build a church in Yantaló and Bajo Naranjillo. We were also able to attend a worship service in the newly established church in Tarapoto, where Pastor Paul Gaug from Champion Presbyterian Church preached. In addition, we worked with the Luke Society, a Christ-centered medical organization, and saw firsthand the wide scope of work this organization does in the area, which includes providing medical as well as spiritual care to those often overlooked by the government, teaching and training indigenous people about nutritional, agricultural, and health issues, and helping to provid clean water in remote villages.

Along the way, we met some amazing people. Jacob, who is a university student from North Carolina and fluent in Spanish, has spent the last few summers in Moyobamba. Ha has such a heart for the Lord...translating, singing, and sharing Christ everywhere. Using songs, puppets, and stories, Miryan, a teacher at the Annie Soper School, dedicates her weekends and vacations to sharing Christ with impoverished children in nearby communities. Many team members enjoyed sharing time with Maxwell, a young Peruvian man from Tarapoto, who is doing great works at the church in Moyobamba. Juan and Estella Ruiz and Victor and Elizabeth Vargas opened their homes and hearts to team members and provided wonderful home-cooked, Peruvian meals, as well as laundry services. Victor also helped with much of the transportation and led some of our team members into the jungle.

In addition to all the various work projects, team members experienced a number of other fun events while in Peru...our recreational trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu, the thermal baths outside of Moyobamba, a soccer tournament where the gringos got trounced, an exotic fishing expedition to a jungle lagoon (arranged by the mayor of Yantaló) where the team fished for and ate tilapia, a surprise birthday party for Victor, and the Peruvian wedding of Noe and Lori. (Lori is a young woman from North Carolina who has been teaching at the Annie Soper School for several years, and Noe is a young Peruvian man who is the main singer and drummer for a Peruvian Christian folkloric band).

The 2003 team members were deeply touched by all we saw and experienced while in Moyobamba, and many of us are already finding ways to continue the work and to help meet the needs that we saw while on this trip. None of us came home empty handed, and all of us came home changed by this experience. Even though we recognize we can't change the whole world, and our work in Peru is just a small part of God's wondrous works throughout the world, we thank the Lord for allowing us to be a part of furthering His Kingdom by joining in the work He is already doing in Moyobamba. We were truly blessed by this experience. God has given us this small corner of the world to join with our brothers and sisters of a different culture and race...to help those in need, to share Christ's love, and to offer hope and healing through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Be sure to talk with some of the 2003 Peru Mission Trip team members to hear more about this outstanding trip.

Becky Milstead

Peru Trip Plans for 2003

2004-12-19T15:05:00.000-05:00

2003 Peru Trip

Approximately two days after the Nohchakan Team returns from Mexico, another short-term mission team will travel to Moyobamba, Peru. This will be First Presbyterian Church's fifth mission trip to Moyobamba. Our church initially became involved in this part of the world after our congregation adopted the Aguaruna Indians as our unreached people group. In 1999, a small exploratory team headed for the Peruvian jungle to learn more about the work with the Aguaruna Indians. Since that time, our church has joined forces with the Moyobamba Presbyterian Church in its gospel outreach to the Aguaruna Indians, and our work in Moyobamba has expanded to include the Luke Society, a non-denominational medical mission agency, and the Annie Soper School, a Christian elementary/high school. Additionally, David McPherson, pastor of the Moyobamba Presbyterian Church, visited our church in November 2001 and was the guest speaker for our church's Mission Weekend.

Team members for the 2003 Peru Mission Trip are: Andrew Smith, Josh Swinford, Beth Nash, Julie Neal, Jim, Becky, Angie, and Dustin Milstead. Team members from the Champion Presbyterian Church in Warren, Ohio are: Les Double, Angela Gianakos, and the pastor and his wife, Paul and Linda Gaug. Also joining on this mission trip are: Jason Knapp (brother of Laura Smith) and his daughter Lorien Knapp, from Anderson, Indiana; Lee Mulder from the Chicago area; Beverly Scott and Amy Kiefer, from northern Indiana; and Walt and Jerry Clark from Greensboro, North Carolina.

The dates for the 2003 Peru Mission Trip will be July 21 through August 4.

Angie's and Andy's Andes Adventure

2004-12-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

For eight weeks Andy and I were in the high jungles of Peru in the city of Moyobamba. During this time, we grew accustomed to the lifestyles and cultures of this city and of our host families. We were both greatly blessed with wonderful host families. Andy stayed in the house of a couple named Juan and Estella who have made it their ministry to board missionaries from all over the world in their house. I lived in the house of Victor and Elizabeth Vargas, whose three children have all left to go study at universities. Our host families were awesome and became like our families here at home.

From day one, our Spanish skills were put to the test as we were immersed in the language. Yet after a week or so, Spanish became our common language, and it seemed strange to speak in English. Even now at home, I catch myself thinking in Spanish and even talking to others in Spanish at times. Just as I was in culture shock when I first got to Peru, I was in culture shock when I got back to the states. From paved roads to air conditioning to fast food, life here is completely different from the life I had in Moyobamba.

While in Moyobamba, Andy and I had the opportunity to work alongside the Luke Society and the Annie Soper school. Andy did a great deal of translating at the clinic and worked with several doctors there. He was even able to watch doctors putting screws into a man's broken leg, which they did with a regular Black and Decker drill and normal screws. Andy has many more interesting stories, such as going out into the jungle and being served guinea pig, so you should ask him to share them with you.

I, on the other hand, was constantly busy at the Annie Soper school. In the mornings I would help the elementary English teacher, and in the afternoons I would teach my own English classes. I had approximately seven students from each grade level (1-6) who were struggling with their English class work, so they were placed in my class. Once a week, these students would spend an hour with me, playing games and reviewing their English. Though quite frustrating at times, I thoroughly enjoyed all of my students and grew to love each one of them I miss having 30 shrill voices pipe out, "Good morning, Miss Angela", every day.

This summer was an amazing experience for Andy and me-one in which we learned a lot about ourselves, the mission experience, another country and culture, and about God. Though we may not see fully what our purpose was in Moyobamba at this time, we know that the Lord used us this summer for His will. We want to thank all of you who made this trip possible for us through your countless prayers and financial support. Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have about our trip. We are more than willing to share about our wonderful and blessed experience. It was a trip of a lifetime and one we will not soon forget.

Angie Milstead

2002 Trip-An Amazing Amazon Adventure

2004-12-14T17:58:00.000-05:00

This year's Peru Mission Trip reads like a book filled with many chapters, plots, and subplots...drama and suspense...dozens of characters...exotic settings...all with the underlying theme that God is in charge. Much time and planning went into the preparation of this year's trip to Moyobamba. And for the most part, our plans went as scheduled. But interspersed in our plans were God's plans.

Team members

On July 19, eleven people left from the Indianapolis airport to begin the two-week adventure in the high Amazon jungle of Peru. Those on the trip from our church were: Steve Beardsley, Matt Crawford, Jim and Becky Milstead, and Josh Swinford. Three people from the Champion Presbyterian Church in Warren, Ohio joined the team: Les Double, Angela Gianakos, and Ken Perrine. Others joining the team were Jay Huber and Audrey Tobias from northern Indiana, and Lee Mulder from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It was indeed a diverse group of individuals...all completing God's plans for the team through their individual gifts and talents.

Luke Video in Aguaruna

Team member Les Double worked for months to acquire the Luke video and the necessary equipment to show this video(translated into Aguaruna) in the remote jungle villages. When the team arrived in Lima, several people took a taxi across town to pick up the Luke video which had just been completed. One evening, after experiencing a church service in the Aguaruna village of Bajo Naranjillo, dozens of Aguaruna Indians intensely watched the awesome drama of Christ unfold on a small TV powered by solar batteries.

Customs, Duties, and Luggage

One of our early prayer concerns was how to get $11,000 of medicines and medical supplies and equipment through customs without any complications or without paying any duties. In addition, we had an excess of 200 kilograms of weight for the Lima/Tarapoto flight...which was going to cost us dearly. Our team prayed fervently that God would take care of this situation. When Jim Milstead told the customs agent who we were and what we were doing, they quickly pulled us aside and sent us to the customs office. After further questioning by the customs officers and more explanation by Jim, we were quickly ushered around customs without any inspection at all and were sent on our way. Praise God! The next day as we checked our baggage for the Lima/Tarapoto flight, our leaders were able to negotiate a small fee for our excess baggage. We praised God once again. It was only when we arrived in Moyobamba that we realized that Ken Perrine did not have his luggage and would spend his entire time in Peru without it.

Jungle Trek

Most of the team members journeyed out into the jungle to visit the Aguaruna villages of Bajo Naranjillo and Cachiyacu. The trek through the jungle ended up being very strenuous and was hampered further by rain and slippery, muddy trails. Halfway into the jungle, it was determined that some of the people would not be able to continue. They were led back to the closest mestizo village of San Jose where the villagers hustled to find housing arrangements for the unexpected "guests". Matt Crawford, who was headed to the distant village of Cachiyacu, sprained his ankle three-fourths of the way there. Not only did he have to finish the hike to Cachiyacu on a bad ankle, but he had to hobble back as well. Both of the "jungle teams" experienced God's will through their "jungle adventures."

The Luke Society

Two years ago, Steve and Teresa Beardsley and Jim and Becky Milstead agreed to be the Partner Ministry Team (PMT) for the Luke Society in Moyobamba. For two years they have wondered just what this role meant. Steve and Jim spent much time at the Luke Society getting to know the staff better and learning more about what the Luke Society does. They are hoping that they will now have a clearer picture of how to be an effective PMT for this organization.

The Photojournalist

Lee Mulder--from Glen Ellyn, Illinois--is just one of the many examples of the many talented people who made up this team. Lee, a photojournalist, became aware of our trip to Peru through Dan McNerney (Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship) and came on this trip to document our mission trip and our work with the Aguaruna Indians. Before his arrival, the Luke Society and the Annie Soper School were asking him to help prepare professional videos for their organizations. Lee, who often had his face hidden behind his camera, found several other areas to use his expertise in as well.

The Evacuation of Moyobamba

Before the team left Frankfort, they had heard about threats of a possible farmer's strike which would block the major roads in the province of San Martin, including the road from Moyobamba to Tarapoto. At 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, the strike began. On Friday, July 26, Jim Milstead, Les Double, and Angela Gianakos flew from Moyobamba to Pucallpa on a small missionary plane where they were scheduled to meet with several missionaries in that area.

Although there was talk that the strike would fizzle out or end before the rest of the team needed to leave, we began to discuss the "what ifs?" We began to make plans to charter small planes to fly us from Moyobamba to Tarapoto. The plane was supposed to arrive on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. to transport the first group (of three) to Tarapoto. For one reason or another, the charter company delayed the planes all morning until finally we were told that they weren't coming at all because the pilots were afraid to fly into the Tarapoto airport where there were rumors of rioting. We were out of time and out of luck. Someone remembered that our group in Pucallpa was staying at a mission airbase. We quickly called there to see if there were any planes that could come get us. We were told that there was a pilot in the air near Moyobamba. They called us back twenty minutes later to tell us that they could help. The evacuation story is long and at times a bit scary, but we were all evacuated within 24 hours.

There are so many stories to this year's Peru trip. Be sure to ask a team member for more details on: John Schmidt, the South America Mission (SAMAIR) pilot who flew all of the team members out of Moyobamba; Casey the coffee buyer; the military at the airports; the arrival of the Lima police S.W.A.T. team; the team separated in five Peruvian cities; the Tarapoto airport violence; the Lima newspaper front page coverage of the strike in Tarapoto; the witness in Cachiyacu; the goats transported in the belly of the SAM plane; the joyful reunion; the Moyobamba parade; the fiestas and festivals; the Pucallpa trip; the trip to Cusco/Machu Picchu. The list goes on and on. Also, be watching for more information about this year's Peru mission trip report.

One of the most unique features about any mission trip is how God uses the trip for His glory and how He works in the lives of the team members. This year's trip to Moyobamba was no exception. God showed His hand at work in so may ways throughout this trip. After all, God is the author and illustrator of this amazing Amazon adventure.

Becky Milstead

Luke Video in Aguaruna language for first time!

2004-12-14T17:12:00.000-05:00

Team Prepares for Peru

On July, 19, a team of 12 people will be leaving for Moyobamba, Peru, for our church's fourth short-term mission trip to this area. Team members from our church are Steve Beardsley, Matt Crawford, Jim and Becky Milstead, and Josh Swinford. Team members from Champion Presbyterian Church in Warren, Ohio are Les Double, Angela Gianakos, and Ken Perrine. Other team members are Jay Huber, Audrey Tobias, and Amy Kiefer from northern Indiana and Lee Mulder from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The team will join with Andy Beardsley and Angie Milstead who have been in Moyobamba since early June.

This mission trip to Peru offers a number of opportunities for mission work as the team joins with the Moyobamba Presbyterian Church and continues the work with the Luke Society, the Annie Soper Christian School, and the Aguaruna Indians. Some of the team members will work with the Luke Society, assessing its needs and providing medicines, technical assistance, and supplies. Others could work at the annie Soper Christian School helping with whatever its needs might be. Many of the team members will journey out into remote jnugle areas to work with our unreached people group, the Aguaruna Indians. They plan to show the Jesus film (which has recently been made available in the Aguaruna language) , continue with church planting in the Aguaruna villages, and explore new areas to take the gospel of Jesus Christ. Exact "work plans" for this trip are sketchy at this time, but the team members are trusting that the Lord will lead them throughout their trip as they seek to work for His Kingdom.

At the end of the work in Moyobamba, two of the team members will fly directly back to the United States on July 27. Three of the team members will fly on a mission plane to Pucallpa, Peru, to share in the work of missionaries in that region. The rest of the team will travel to Cusco where they will debrief, pass out Christian tracts, and spend time together as tourists for a few days.

Please be in prayer for our 2002 Peru Mission Team as they serve the Lord in Peru. Team members from our church will be commissioned at both worship services on Sunday, July 14.