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.
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| 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!
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| Pastors Ricardo(sitting) and Alfredo(standing) |
What an awesome God we serve!
