If You Think HE Isn't In the Details.....

Think Again!

One of the stories from Peru that I have been 

anxious to share is such evidence of God's 

Providential care and provision for His people.

I know that I have experienced this in my life

but when I heard this story, which 

happened in the Andes Mountains 

about 10,700 feet above

sea level,

it was a reminder that

HE is at work...all of the time....

in the lives of people 

all over the world.

Months ago the trip organizer, Louisa, 

went to her former church in New York City

to present the plan for this trip and the needs

that they might be able to help with.

One of these ideas was a guinea pig project.

You see, in Peru, the guinea pig is a source of 

meat.  They are a different variation of our pets.

Much larger, these furry critters are kept in the 

kitchens of those who are 

blessed enough to have them.

Up in the Andes mountains the people are so very 

poor that they cannot afford to buy their own 

guinea pigs but in an effort to help them become

more self sufficient Louisa planned to set some of

them up with little guinea pig families.  Four females

and a male each for twenty households.  

This was what the money from 

the New York church could buy.

And so the plan was in place.  

The recipients were 

chosen and everyone was excited.

But you know what they say about the best laid 

plans, of  mice "guinea pigs" and men. 

They occasionally go awry.  

Such was the case here.

On the day they excitedly anticipated getting

twenty families started with their little herds

there was a problem.  

Only three families were 

represented to get their guinea pigs.

There is some debate as to whether

a natural disaster stopped the others

from arriving or an error in communication.

But only one person showed up

and he took guinea pigs 

for three families.

Louisa was devastated.

She had committed to the New York church that they 

were going to give guinea pigs to twenty families.

She did not feel right about using this money any 

other way.....

A day or so later they were on to the next church.

This pastor is a very dear and hard 

working man who just happens 

to be in 

a wheelchair.  

A wheelchair in the 

Andes mountains is a very difficult challenge.

There is no such thing

as a ramp or special accommodations.

This man does not let this stop him however.

Whether it is in the back of a truck or by bus

he goes here and there preaching and ministering.

His family and friends push and pull him

wherever he needs to go.

When the team arrived at the church the truck needed

to be unloaded.  Louisa asked the others to take care of 

that and she went to spend some time with the Pastor.

She was the only one on the team that could converse 

with him as she was the only one who spoke Spanish.

Understand that there was no way this man knew

Louisa had money for guinea pigs or anything about

the disappointment that had taken place.

This was all to have been completed by the time

they arrived at his village.

During their conversation he shared that the church 

was hoping to expand to include a Bible School.

They wanted to be able to do more for the Lord.

When Louisa asked how they planned to fund such

an ambitious project he said the leadership of the church

had spoken the night before and decided to set up a 

project for the people of the church in which they would

raise guinea pigs.  Each family who chose to participate 

would receive four females and a male.  They would then

commit to giving away the first five babies to another 

family in their village as an offering and good will.

This would help to prevent bad feelings and 

jealousy from the neighbors.

It would serve as an outreach.

After this the profits from sales of guinea pigs would 

go to fund the building of the school.

Louisa by now was amazed.

She asked how many families were there that 

would participate?  

I'll bet you can guess the answer to that question.

Well, there were 17, of course.

No more.  No less.

Just the amount that Louisa had money for.

You can just imagine the rest of the team's 

excitement as Louisa came out and told them

of the turn of events.

Not only did God answer Louisa's prayer 

about how to honor her commitment to the 

church here in the States but He couldn't have

been any more efficient in meeting the desires 

of the Peruvian Christians.  I mean, just the night

before they had discussed this and prayed for 

a way to make it happen!

Miraculous!!

What a faith builder

for these dear folk.

It will take time

to turn a profit.

Each family had to sign

a contract before receiving their 

allotment of guinea pigs.

Seventeen bags of squirming

young guinea pigs were distributed.

My Mom was asked to pray that these 

critters would be fertile and reproduce

well.  That had to be a bit awkward for her, 

but we have these photos of her praying.

I would so love to have this audio!

But alas, I do not....

After the details were all worked out,

and the prayers prayed, there 

was a time of praise and celebration.

How wonderful to see these families

and their joy.

 

To see the dancing 

and know that 

these lives have been touched by 

a wonderful example of 

God's love and provision.

 

She really can't dance so this is terribly amusing to her family.

But I'm thinking Mom did o.k.

A provision known to HIM well in advance.

HE prepared the way in the hearts of those 

from New York to the 

Andes Mountains of Peru.

Yep, Our God is interested

in the details.....

Definitely!

Pastors Ricardo(sitting) and Alfredo(standing)

 What an awesome God we serve!