Vinifan

Vinifan is one of my least favorite things in Peru.  (I even made up a song about it.)  It is a material that is plastic-like and has many varieties which we have found out by trial and error.  The lesser of the evils is the type that is self-adhesive.  The purpose of Vinifan is to cover and protect books and notebooks from water and wear and tear.  Vinifan by itself is a chore, but at times the notebooks aren't the right color, so we have to wrap the notebook in colored paper followed by the Vinifan.  Now that can be a real challenge.  When there is no color change you can take the Vinifan off and re-apply to get out air bubbles and such.  But the paper is unforgiving, you've got one chance and one chance only.  At the beginning of the school year, all the girls bring home notebook after notebook that need to be covered with this protective plastic and many notebooks that need to be a different color then covered in Vinifan.

This has been one of those things that have been quite amazing and irritating to me all at the same time, thus the Vinifan jingle I made up.  However, it reminds me that sometimes we think we are good, we don't need to change or take measures to protect our lives and hearts.  We don't think we need to read our Bibles or put on the whole armor of God.  We don't think we have time or it seems not-so-important some days.  But I believe we are living in very difficult times and it is so important that we delve into God's word and keep learning more about how to protect ourselves, our families from the devil's schemes to draw us away from the truth found in God's word.

 I really don't delight the idea of doing more Vinifan, especially when there are less than three months of school left.  But I did it and here are some pictures to demonstrate the fun....

Above are the supplies, the Vinifan is the white/clear paper under the scissors.
Below is the notebook before the vinifan/papel lustre makeover.  Papel lustre is the colored paper which is basically just like colored wrapping paper without any designs.

And finally below is the new and improved notebook complete with blue paper and Vinifan.  The girls love putting the stickers on to decorate.

Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Mountain Trip

     Friday, September 11th I set out for another trip out to the mountains w/several other folks from our church here in San Jeronimo.  We headed out to Qullroyki, the new region we've really been focusing on this year.  The small group of believers out there is just a blast to be around & it is so neat to see them growing & adding to their numbers.  This area is extremely isolated, about 7-8 hours from Cusco & no buses pass by here & we saw only one truck the entire weekend.

     Friday evening we arrived in Cotabambas, about 5 hours from Cusco & the only major town out there in this area.  Pastor Serapio is the pastor here & he has been instrumental in the new evangelism efforts out in the mountains.  Our group ate supper w/him & his wife Friday evening & then headed w/him to visit a new group that he started.  This new group was up a possum trail of a road out in the boondocks but how encouraging to see fellow believers, new in their faith, meeting & praying & seeking after Christ.

     We slept out in Cotabambas & then very early Saturday morning we drove on out to Chuyllullo.  The day started w/breakfast & then some practical health teachings combined w/scripture & aimed at children & mothers.  I believe several of you reading this have heard about PROSIM, if not, this is the health program of the National Church.

         After lunch we then headed to the plaza or town square for both preaching & praise & worship. This was especially aimed at evangelism & specifically targeting unreached, non-believers.
We made sure to invite everyone to the program in the evening as well!



The "Main Event" if you will was this evening/all night celebration & program. The Spirit will move if we make ourselves available & follow His will. These next few pictures are proof of that.

     These show the small building that had most of the town in it that night & the praise & worship that went up to our Lord! We started at about 6:30 & I really don't know when we finished, sometime early the next morning. The joy & willingness of these people to unashamedly worship & dance before the Lord, for hours & hours, is truly incredibly. Sometimes if a sermon goes maybe 5-10 minutes too long in North America we start getting upset, fidgety, & wondering what's going on. I truly believe that the less people have the less there is to obstruct the view of God.

     This last picture is of me preaching the word. What time of the night this is...I have no idea. The word is going out, in Spanish, in an area completely isolated & hours from anything. Rose told me the GPS simply showed a spot out in the middle of the Peruvian mountains! The nearest town shown was Cotabambas which is HOURS from here. How incredibly humbling that God uses us, fallen, sinful humans to carry His saving gospel to places where it has never gone before.

     Please keep us & God's work here in Peru in your prayers. If you'd like to have more information on how you can be involved w/what God's doing here please get in touch with us!

     Lastly here are some of Katie's friends from Chuyllullo. We gave them a ride back to Cotabambas on our way home Sunday.  They told me to make sure I bring Katie w/me the next time I head out there to Chuyllullo.

Kids Corner: Adeline's 7 & 8 month updates

As usual we are playing catch up.  Adeline had an exciting start to her 7th month.  We took a quick trip to Lima and got her carnet.  Isn't it the cutest picture ever?

And here are her 7 month pictures.....

How is this girl already 8 months old?  Here are a few pictures to show you how much she is growing!

At 8 months she still isn't sleeping through the night but she is starting to sleep better.  She loves to clap and she even claps along at church with praise and worship sometimes.  She loves her sisters and no one can make her laugh quite like they can.  She loves bananas and eating baby mum mum rice cakes by herself.  She says mama and dada and lots of other gibberish. She also loves to cruise around in her walker and can now get to where she wants to go.  Today I found her in the dirt of a potted plant.  She is a very busy girl!