It's been quite awhile since we last blogged about José Bustamante y Rivero...and that's because things were growing in our other districts, but none of the events that we tried in JByR really elicited much of a response. We prayed about it for quite some time and even did some work in JByR at the same time in another district (Socabaya) at the same time to see what would open up. After a couple months like this, neither area had really taken off, but what has been developing since the May impact teams is the family we've been visiting on dirt mountain - which is technically Socabaya, but just past the Hunter district line. It's much closer than the other part of Socabaya where we had been visiting a contact from a festival in Paucarpata. After an impact event at her house and a medical clinic, we managed to have a cell group with 9 adults and 8 children...and then the doors started to close. It's really far out, so we were only, and will probably continue to visit for awhile, just one day a week.
On "dirt mountain" we've grown from 3 women and 8 children to 5 women, a teenager, and now 13 kids. There are other contacts that are interested, but we're just trying to figure out timing. We also decided to add another afternoon to visit there, being that it's just a little past Hunter and easy to work out bein in both of the districts. We'll also be doing a medical clinic there on August 5th with the team that is coming down from Idaho.
What has been the neatest thing for me, is teaching these women. Wendy teaches the kids and I teach the adults - half can read and some only at a basic level and the other half not at all. All speak spanish as well as the native Incan language of Quechua, making some of their homes bilingual. Thank the Lord, we now have the help of the 40/40 missionaries that are going to Paraguay until January with this group that is growing. I have the privilege to read in two languages, when some can't even read in one, as well as the privilege tp share with these women who have never read, therefore never read the Bible, about the love of Christ. Many things that are common knowledge to even non-believing North Americans, are new information to these ladies. I always walk away with a full heart.
There are some that are believers, but more a long the lines of a faith that is also placed in idols - statues of virgins that represent those that were once good-doing nuns. Others are thirsty to learn and appreciative of our lessons, but have not accepted Christ yet. Please be praying for all of them. Please also pray for the medical clinic, that will be a week from tomorrow and that more contacts will be made - opening more doors on dirt mountain.
