Getting Ready To Leave Pucallpa

It`s time to leave Pucallpa. We`ve had breakfast and celebrated Joe`s birthday. We had a wonderful cake made with jello. It´s about 11:30 am and we are leaving the hotel at 12:30. Our flight to Lima, Peru leaves at 2:30. Once we arrive in Lima, we have an extremely long lay-over. Our flight to Atlanta doesn´t leave until 1:30 am on Thursday. I`m hoping to sleep most of the time during our 7 hour flight.

I want to thank everyone at home for their prayers. We really experienced God in a practical way. We saw a lot of things and through his guidance we were able to help a lot of people. Our mission on this trip was to touch the lives of those in need. We definitely saw many who were starving for assistance. Whether it was extracting a tooth or giving antibiotic for an open wound, the people experienced the helping hand of the Lord.

As someone mentioned in devotions this week, our mission should not change when we return. We should be a shining light to as many people back home. There are many living in a world of darkness, whether it`s drugs, loneliness, depression, hunger, ...

Back From Boat Trip Down Rio Ucayali

We had a great time today. Took 1.5 hour boat trip to a restaurant this afternoon along the river and then returned. After eating lunch, we took another boat to visit a small zoo about 15 minutes away. Morgan and a few others held an anaconda. It was approximately 18 feet long and weighed about 150 pounds. They charged 10 soles (approx. $3.33). Morgan seemed to struggle to hold such a large snake. She seemed a little anxious throughout the whole experience (maybe that´s why I didn´t hold it).

Boat Down Rio Ucayali

We just had breakfast at the hotel and we are getting ready to take a trip down the Rio Ucayali. It sounds like its going to be a great adventure. Others have taken the trip and they said it was awesome. They had an opportunity to see sloths along the riverbank and anacondas at a "zoo" they visited. Scott, a leader of this trip, said we will have a chance to hold one while we are there. I'm not sure if I can build up enough courage to participate. I'll wait and see. I've already tried a lot of things on this trip. I've suprised myself!

Baptism in the Ucalyali River

After our last day at the medical clinic, we drove to the Ucayali River which is a tributary of the Amazon River. We were able to participate in a baptismal service. Morgan, Joe, and I took part in an awesome experience. Participating with everyone, especially my daughter, made it even more special. There were about 12 of us that were baptized.

Days 8 & 9

These two days we spent in Neshuya which is approximately 1 hr. and 20 minutes from our hotel. We had a father, daughter, and son visit us after traveling for most of the day. They live deep in the jungle and was unable to get to us the day before because of flooding. They came in desperate need of immediate medical attention. The daughter had been bitten by something (not known) while working the fields with her dad. Infection had set in and tremendous amounts of inflammation was evident. The infection was going up her leg. The doctors gave her antibiotics and asked her to come back tomorrow.

Her brother´s eye was swollen shut. He had an infection too. I´m not sure if it was from a bite or not. It was spreading to his other eye. He was also given antibiotics. His swelling was going down before he left.

Each of these kids came to us without shoes. I can´t imagine not being able to buy my kids shoes. They work the fields each day, taking a risk of bites. I could sense the pain in their eyes and their father´s eyes. Before leaving we bought boots for each of them. They were very greatful.

Unfortunately the family did not come back the next day. I pray that everything will work out for them.

Days 7 & 8

We visited Campo Verde the last two days. We had to take a bus to this location. It took us about an hour to get there. I have found that as we get further from the city of Pucallpa, the way of life is more primitive. Many houses with leaf-type materials on their roof tops. This seems to work well for protection again rain and sun. We took a main highway out of Pucallpa. Many trucks, motorcycle buggies, and cars traveled along this somewhat busy highway. We were able to see more coconut trees and forest during our journey.

The first day there were not many people at the facility when we arrived. John and I were limited to extractions because the generator (which is 110) was not able to work. The facility runs on 220 and the generator kept stopping after a couple of minutes. This happened the second day too. Many needed fillings, but we were unable to do those. The second day we arrived, the place was filled with adults and children. As we drove in, they began to rush in line in order to get a number. Each day the doctors and nurses are seeing over a hundred people. John and I saw approximately 35 - 40 patients. It takes a little longer for us because after each patient we need to sterilize the tray, change gloves, and get new instruments depending on what is needed for the procedures.

The Impact Team is doing puppet shows with them everyday which emphasizes the salvation message. They are doing an awesome job with the kids. They are playing soccer, using the parachute, and playing jump rope games.

It has been very hot. Please continue to pray for our safety and the HEAT. We are staying focus on our mission in Peru. We want to continue to show these people how much we care and how much the Lord loves them.

Answers To Jeri´s Questions

1. What is Morgan eating? She is eating a lot of french fries and pizza. She doesn´t like the chicken. They usually have eggs, bread, juice in the morning. Someone sat out peanut butter and she ate that. For lunch some of the others make sandwiches (she doesn´t eat the meat). They had peanut butter for us. They also brought some snacks (like chips, cookies,...). She also snacks on some of the things we brought.

2. Have you seen any wild animals other than the monkey? We took a tour tonight by the river and we saw a small zoo. There were tucans, monkeys, parrots, various types of rodents,...

3. Is Morgan playing any volleyball? She plays soccer with the boys. She has been helping in the medical clinic the last two days.

4. Are your head and face burning or have you still been inside the entire time? I have not got very much sun because I´ve been inside the classrooms at the schools that we´ve visited.

5. Does Morgan look Peruvian yet? Morgan is getting a lot of sun (getting darker). I believe too much the first few days. She was not feeling well, but better now.

6. Tell us about the group from California. They are very nice. They have two nurses and a doctor. Another lady is a pastor. They brought their kids along too.

7. how many goals did she score? I have not been able to watch her outside, but the kids are very good.

8. is the peru kids brown or white? Most have a darker complection, with darker hair.

9. are the kids nice? They are very nice. They also help me with my limited Spanish speaking ability.

10. are they good at sports? The girls are very good at volleyball and the boys are very good at soccer.

11. is morgan good at volleyball I haven´t seen her play much volleyball.