“¡Ya viene!” was the response, “He’s coming right now!”

Great. Now I’m going to be really late, if he even comes at all.

So, since I was waiting there, Jimmy and Italo, two of the guards that night and their friend Edgar, who lives nearby, started asking me questions. The usual ones at first… “Where are you from?” “What do you do?” “How do you like Peru?” Etc.

But as I explained who I was and what I am doing here, their interest really started to rise. Edgar began asking questions like, “So, are you like the mormons?” The Jehova’s Witness? Seventh Day Adventists?

Then seemingly out of nowhere he says, “Well, I could never be a part of your religion. I have to work. If I don’t work, my family doesn’t eat.”

Of course the whole conversation is in Spanish, so it took me a while to really flesh out what he meant. I didn’t understand why he thought being a part of “my religion” meant he couldn’t work. Eventually, I figured out that he had heard that Mormons have to serve a time as missionaries and I’m a missionary, so it must be like that, and he certainly couldn’t leave his job. As I explained that that’s not how it works… and that becoming a Christian isn’t like joining a Fraternity, there aren’t hoops to jump through or rules to follow all three of my new friends were listening intently.

“So, can you eat pork?” Edgar asked as he began a series of questions to really find out what the requirements are… because surely there’s a catch. “I’ve heard some people can’t eat pork.”

He continued on, “I knew a guy that was sick and needed a blood transfusion but he died because his religion said that he couldn’t have one. Can you get a blood transfusion?”

“Some people say Mary Magdalene was Jesus’ lover, do you believe that?”

Then we finally got to one that was obviously sitting right on a very sore nerve, “But if I joined your religion, I’d have to give ten percent of my money to the religion… and I’m poor. Why does everyone have to give their money to religion when there are so many people poor like me?”

I explained again that there isn’t a rule… that Jesus especially cared for the poor and came so that we don’t have to live under a law with endless rules and requirements. Even as I struggled to find the words in Spanish as I answered their barrage of questions, I could see on their faces and hear in their voices a growing curiousity, an excitment.

It was getting later and later, by now soccer was almost over, but I no longer cared.

As if to say, “What you’re saying sounds too good to be true.” Edgar chimed in with, “Religions are just full of hypocrites…” and cited several examples of hypocritical and judgmental pastors and churches.

I didn’t know what to say. So I just told him he was right. Unfortunately, there are a lot of hypocrites and people do bad things all the time. But, Jesus wasn’t that way… and as I recounted to him the story of the woman caught in adultery and Jesus calling out the religious leaders of his day to “throw the first stone,” I could tell that what I was telling him really and truly sounded like good news.

By this time we’d been talking for an hour and a half… I’d missed all of soccer. But, I really did need to go and at least make an appearance, I told my new friend that I had really enjoyed our conversation, but I had to go.

“Well, when can we talk more about this? I want to know more.” was Edgar’s response.

A little in shock but thoroughly thrilled asked him when he could get together.

So he threw out, “How about tomorrow morning at 8:30?”

Works for me! So, I recruited Mark and the next morning we met right there on the sidewalk again. In front of the orthodontist’s office, Mark and I shared the Gospel with Jimmy and Edgar. We stood in the shade and read from Matthew, Mark, John, Romans and other passages. This time around they didn’t ask any questions. Periodically we’d pause and ask them if they had questions or anything to say… but they insisted that they didn’t, saying, “We’re listening intently… keep going.”

It was an amazing two hours that Tuesday morning. They couldn’t get enough. Finally, Mark and I had to leave for other obligations. But, they asked if we could meet again later in the day to hear more!

Well, in the end, we tried to meet again that night, but Edgar had been called in to work. I don’t know what will come of this, but I do know they are still excited to know more and I can’t wait to tell them. We don’t have anything scheduled. But,thankfully, this week these new friends are joining us for soccer instead of making me miss it.

It’s amazing the way that God can take our most selfish moments and turn them into the most amazing opportunities for His name to be glorified.

In an effort to be proactive in our learning, Wes and I recently decided to christen a new ministry effort, one we’ve lovingly called the “Cooler Ministry.” Essentially, once a week we buy about $30 worth of drinks, or two coolers worth, and then sit on a busy sidewalk somewhere in town handing them out. Pretty complex project we’ve developed, huh?

In all seriousness, we’ve just wanted to talk; to ask questions’; to know what Peruvians think and handing out drinks has certainly served us well. As we passed out drinks, we’d tell our story and ask 4 simple questions in an effort to learn more about Peruvians. While certainly not scientific, we have collected some great data that is both reliable and telling and has proven useful as we approach the ministry here. Here’s what we found out:

When asked if they believe there is a God, 100% responded yes. Most all of them responded with a shrug of the shoulders and a slight roll of their eyes as if to say, “of course, who doesn’t.”

Our last question pertained to when they have free time. The most common response was Sunday. After that, Saturday. Evenings, after 8:00, was mentioned as well. That probably tells you a little about this culture: late nights are certainly the norm as things are barely getting started by 8 pm.

You can likely see how this info would be useful to us. For instance, if you’re going to hold Bible studies or worship services, its quite useful to know when might be a good time to do so. Its also pretty interesting that with so many people calling themselves “believers” and that its considered important to study the Bible, why is church attendance in Peru statistically rather low.

So, that being said, we are at a great place to start. We’ll see where these conversations go from here. Good things, I’m certain, are yet to come as we follow God on this adventure here in Peru.

We Found a Soccer Court Near Our Homes for a Good Price – One of our constant prayer requests have been to find a soccer court where we can play. This has been trickier than anticipated, because all the soccer courts near where we live are above our price range. The soccer courts that we can afford are farther away and sometimes take up to an hour to get to. Last Monday I called a soccer court near our house and just by chance asked for a discount. He thought for a bit, and granted us a discount that falls within our price range. We are hoping that he can give us this rate for the weeks to come.

We Prayed Together For the First Time – Before the game, we gathered together and prayed! It was awesome. Mark said a great prayer and it was great to see our Peruvian friends bow their heads

We Forgot the Score – There came a point in the game where we were having so much fun, that every single person forgot what the score was. Someone had just scored a goal, and another person asked, “Hey, does anyone know the score.” Out of the 9 of us playing, not a single person could recall the score. We are men and competition and pride runs within our blood, and no one was concerned with who was winning or losing. This told us all that things last Monday had transcended competition, and we were enjoying each other’s company. This is a considerable milestone considering where we began.

Another Soccer Player Wants to Study the Bible – God surprised us yet again after the game. We were sitting in the bleachers drinking some water and gatorade, when, one of our regulars named Carlos (nicknamed “Pituko”), expressed interested in studying the Bible with us. We are now looking into some times where we can get together.

To God be the Glory. It has been great to see God at work in the lives of our Peruvian friends, and last Monday was just a taste of what he can do.

“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.”

Corban Thompson (L) and Liam Fletcher (R)

Throughout our time here in Lima, we have been learning that many aspects of life are incredibly different here in Latin America. We have learned that many people here have no clue about some of our most cherished customs, and that the Peruvians themselves have many wonderful customs that we have never even heard of. We have learned that the pace of life, the values, and the worldviews are all very different. But yet, despite all the differences, there are so many similarities, which are all the more obvious during the Christmas season. This time of year is a time for celebration, food, and, above all, family. So, I would have to say that we are learning to embrace the similarities while also learning to appreciate the differences. But for now, we celebrate!

We met together as a team later in the day for a meal. Everyone prepared and brought their favorite Thanksgiving food and dessert. This year we met at the Thompson’s house and we are grateful for their hospitality. After the meal we projected some American football on the wall through Slingbox and Lee’s projector. It was also a treat to have my dad (Kelly Davidson) join us for the occasion. It was easy to be thankful. Here are some pictures of the day…

Participants of the 1st Annual Peruvian Turkey Trot

The Race Begins!!

For Our Gathering, Wes Found Some Dr. Pepper at the Black Market

Toasting Our Dr. Peppers

The Thanksgiving Spread

Why We LOVE Thanksgiving

The Kid's Table

Watching Football on through Lee's Projector blasted on the Wall

The Kids Played Some Games

After the Meal, the Kids Watched a Movie (Priceless Picture)

Here in Lima, Perú summer is drawing closer, the weather is warmer, soccer continues to dominate every conversation about sports, there is not a turkey in sight, and Christmas decorations and songs are beginning to surface everywhere. As we have learned over the last two years, people in Latin America do not celebrate Thanksgiving. Thus, they are forced to skip over this wonderful holiday and look towards Christmas and New Years Day as the year draws to a close.

But, as true Americanos, we celebrated Thanksgiving together in Costa Rica last year, and we are in the midst of preparing for a massive celebration this year, filled with traditional dishes and college football. And we couldn’t be more excited. As travelers in a foreign land, we have had to learn to embrace and celebrate the things that ‘make’ us Americans, even when are not truly home. Then again, I guess that is what we do as Christians every time that we gather together: celebrate our true heritage in the midst of a foreign land, eagerly awaiting the day that we will be home with family.

This is the whole team in all of our glory.  We are so happy to have all of us here with all of our kids running around and yelling and generally causing a little gringo ruckus everywhere we go.  And all of those kids, they are so happy to see “Tio” Mark every chance they get… as you can tell by little Liam’s expression in this pic.

In many ways the Fletcher’s arrival marks the beginning of the next step in our journey.  One more of our transitions is checked off.  Of course, the Fletchers, along with the rest of us, are certainly still transitioning into life in Peru.  But, the sense of waiting, of incompleteness, that some part of us is absent is gone.  What could God have up his sleeve for this crazy group we’re all a part of?  Only he knows, but we’re so excited to find out!

As it happened, our team was the first team for the A&M church to support in this way. Immediately following our group, they supported another team which recently arrived on the field in Thailand. Now, they are onto their next team – a team going to Concepción, Chile. This past Sunday, during Sunday morning worship at the A&M church, our team had the unique privilege of joining the A&M church (with the Concepción team in attendance) along with the Thailand team (all of us in our respective countries) via the internet. It was a great blessing to share in their worship. I can’t say that it is always at the forefront of my mind that there are millions of other Christians worshipping throughout the world on Sundays, but on this past Sunday, I was reminded about the beautiful reality that the Body of Christ exists throughout the world. To God be the glory!

Below is a view of what we saw on the computer screen: on the left is the A&M church; on the right is the Thai team; and in the center on the bottom of the screen is the Lima team

]]> http://www.twentyeight19.org/2009/11/05/the-body-of-christ/feed/ 0 http://www.twentyeight19.org/2009/11/04/back-in-action-and-bad-stuff-free/ http://www.twentyeight19.org/2009/11/04/back-in-action-and-bad-stuff-free/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:03:58 +0000 Wes http://www.twentyeight19.org/?p=289 You may have noticed that for the last several days we’ve been having a little trouble around here at twentyeight19.org.  So… some really mean and bad person hacked the site and put some hidden things on the site that the all seeing eye of google found.  So, you might have gotten a warning about “badware” if you’ve tried to visit recently.  Well… I finally got that all sorted out and everything is spiffy clean and updated with no badware or badstuff or anything bad.

Thanks to all of you that let me know we were having issues.