Waiting in Iquitos

We´ve made it as far as Iquitos, but are waiting for a launch to take us to the Rio Tigre. One of the first things we did when we arrived Sunday was to check the port to find out when the boat would leave. They said Tuesday at 7:00pm. Tuesday afternoon we decided it would be a good idea to check again before we showed up with our luggage after dark. They said tomorrow (Wed.) at 7:30pm. We checked again Wednesday, and once again they told us tomorrow at 6:30pm. By now we were starting to catch on.

Yesterday, we got a good rainforest soaking all afternoon and decided that there was no way the boat would be ready. Nonetheless, we thought it wise to check. We walked to the boat in the rain, and they told us it would leave "today, without fail." Finally we were leaving! We got our stuff ready, went down to the boat, and hung our hammocks. Corey went out and bought some water for the trip, and we settled in. Thirty minutes later, they told us tomorrow at 7:00pm.

So, your guess is as good as mine as to when we will leave. The good news is that we are both in good health (thanks for all of your prayers) and have all of our Christmas shopping done!

Moving to Pucallpa

Corey, Jesús, and I returned to Puerto Maldonado Saturday and have hardly had a moment to rest since (see my flickr site for pictures). I was informed on arriving that I am now on a new team based in Pucallpa. Corey is also on the new team and has already begun the process of moving. Corey will be my partner most likely for the rest of his term. In that time barring complete rejection by the people, we will live and work among the Tigre Quichua. Corey has already made one trip to the Rio Tigre where they live to form relationships and begin learning the language. We have moved into our new house in Pucallpa and will leave in a few days for a two month stay amongst them to learn language and tell stories leading to salvation.

The Quichua people are descendants of the Incas who now live in Ecuador, but this group left the mountains and moved into the jungle on the Tigre River in Peru many years ago. They now speak their own dialect of Quichua, which we will hopefully be able to speak well enough to converse and tell stories within six months. Few speak Spanish, and the Quichua Bible they have is written in a different dialect making it difficult to understand. There are a few Spanish-speaking churches downriver, but little is being done in their language.

Prayer Requests:
· Corey and I would find men of peace to welcome us into their homes.
· God would open the hearts of the people to receive His Word and strengthen the people to overcome the grip of alcoholism and shamanism.
· God would grant us the Quichua tongue so that we can begin telling stories in their language as soon as possible
· Local believers who will partner with us to reach this group.
· We have to wait for some minor health issues to clear up before we can head out (my infected toe, intestinal infection)

Pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ, that I may make it clear. Colossians 4:3-4

Exploring the Chayahuita Territory

That´s Los Angeles in the background

We visisted many Chayahuita villages on this last trip and were pleased to discover many churches. We spent most of the trip, therefore, encouraging the believers and telling stories. Of course, so many belivers rules out the possibility of an xtreme engagement, but we did find opportunities for Jesús and his team of Chayahuita missionaries. Please keep them in your prayers.

Us and the people of Miraflor