perishable

It's funny really that we have such a fear of foods moving past their expiration date. Well, maybe my friend is the exception, I found a box of carrot cake mix that expired in 2002. But perishable items are a little more sketchy, I don't find too many things past their date in the fridge. One or two, but not a few.

A friend of mine, when he lived as a bachelor, held onto all kinds of bottles and cartons well after their time had come. In fact when my roommate and I cleaned out his fridge, there were milk jugs that had expired a year before. On the other hand, I have friends that once they see the date has passed will toss something in the garbage without looking or smelling. Mind you, they may be throwing away good items based on their "sell by" date alone.

I have learned, most things are worth checking out. In Peru, I made the most of most things and if my natural yogurt had an expiration of January, I still used it into February. Of course, I checked it each and every time I was about to pour it in a mixing bowl. You must take care with perishable items. Sooner or later they will perish.

But there are so many things in this life that are perishing and we forget. We hold onto them like my bachelor friend. 1 Peter 1:18-19 acknowledges that silver and gold will perish, unlike the redeeming blood of the lamb, which will not. We look forward to a day when the earth and all its works will be burned up to pave the way for the new heavens and the new earth (2pet 3:10-13). Yet, we continue to build up and store up. For what? To have more to lose in the end?

The pastor on Sunday morning made a quick and interesting statement. He was speaking about things we should focus on - the eternal and not the temporal. He stated that "the temporal will perish." Followed up quickly with, "these church buildings one day will be gone!"

So, sitting there with my mind half American, half Peruvian at this point, I couldn't help but think about the types of churches that I saw all over Peru and the types which I find here in the US. Seems like churches here are getting built up to be bigger and bigger, until the size of the lot is outgrown and a move "must" be made. I was intrigued by a small church in the jungle which had no doors. It had three walls and a roof, but that fourth wall was missing. Sure, it made for some work when they had to connect the lights to the electrical wires. It made for more work to carry the guitar and the offering plate down to the church. But, it was open and inviting. How many US churches these days have locked gates and security guards? What have we turned church into?

Anyways, it struck me that just like the milk that sits in your fridge has an expiration date because it is a perishable item, so the church building looks forward to a day which it will no longer stand. What will are the people inside. Therefore, the people's hearts and souls are *more* important than the building.

So, why is it that churches raise millions of dollars for building campaigns and are cutting back on missionary support?

Destructive Storms

At 4:30 pm on Friday, August 31, Aucayacu experienced strong hurricane winds accompanied by torrential rains. The storm left 105 homes without any roofs at all and many others were partially removed; many of these in the neighborhood where we served (Primero de Mayo) which is close to the Huallaga River. A report from a local paper also spoke of three schools that were also damaged; leaving children hurt by the flying metal pieces. You may recall from our conversations with the Mayor and residents that they believed a good education for their children would be key to lifting the community from their impoverished past.

Don William shared that out of all of the houses on their block; only 2 or 3 withstood the storm without any damage! We have received specific reports that the house (on the corner) we were looking at rebuilding has begun to come down. The Rengifo family has moved their things over to Jacky’s house for the time being because the roof and posts are down.

Their granddaughter LuzMari (the really cheerful servant) is said to have her familys’ roof down too. Doña Rosa has lost the roof on her kitchen and some of the bedrooms. In addition, Don Jose (who left early morning prior to our departure to gather and gift the fruit from his land to us) has no roof; Clara, who served us a refreshing yucca drink on the last day, has lost most of her roof; Marta, another neighbor down the street, has suffered the same. Romolo, Don William’s oldest son, had a coconut tree fall on their roof, causing severe damage; thankfully his wife and two small children got out in time!

Edgar, who received Christ during the Creekside team visit, lives with his in-laws; the roof of their wooden home was badly damaged. The recently added area, the “invasion” had 13 small particle board houses which have all suffered damage of some sort.

Shelter is the most basic of needs and the community we impacted are feeling that need now more than ever. However, even through this, God is working on the individuals in the Barrio from a spiritual perspective. Doña Rosa was understandably emotional, conveyed that she felt "terribly desperate" and was reminded that storms will come, but what is important is having peace in her heart.

Norith, Don William’s daughter, expressed that she realized through the storm that her faith was very small. She would like to talk some more about her faith and God. What awesome opportunities…God, through the mission team from Creekside Church, helped plant those seeds.

At this point, we are working on the best ways to deliver the needed assistance of (mainly) roofing supplies. At this point we are looking at hiring an empty banana truck, making the trip back to Aucayacu. We would load this truck with roofing supplies and materials and deliver it directly to those we are ministering to in the "barrio" of Primero de Mayo.

The goal in mind is that we go to be an example to them and then send them out into the city to help others around them. We go to meet a need, bless them and take advantage of the opportunity God is giving us to speak into their lives once again about having peace in their hearts even in the midst of a storm. People are hungry for the truth and I am SO EXCITED that we are part of this!

We have an opportunity to provide some needed assistance to the Primero de Mayo barrio we ministered to and participate in some long term spiritual growth opportunities. What a blessing it would be to know that we equipped one barrio, which responded to God's grace and blazed through the rest of Aucayacu and then into other surrounding towns!!