Ever since I read Finding Mañana, I’ve been tuned to all things Cuban: I called my Cuban friend. I talked to a guy in a cigar shop about Cuban cigars. I suggested to Amanda that we find a Cuban restaurant to eat at. I even became an honorary Cuban. And, now I am the proud owner of Cuban music.
If you’re a long-time reader of this blog, you might remember the Martinez family from our time in Peru. Well, turns out, Rick (Ricardo) Martinez is Cuban and his grandfather is none other than the famous Cuban musician and band leader, René Touzet. So, when I emailed Rick about Cuban musicians, he directed me towards his grandfather, and this album in particular, which can be found on iTunes. Go ahead, give it a listen.
Kevin Shearer is a missionary for the IMB in Lima, Peru. I had the chance to get to know him during our two years there. Here’s an excerpt from his blog . . .
Then I wandered down a narrow alley till I found Judith. Judith is a beautiful 18-year-old (approximately) who just gave birth to an even more beautiful baby girl. “Come see my baby,” she said, excitedly. I stooped and went into the small straw mat hut with dirt floors. Theirs is better than some; they have three rooms. It was warm enough inside (thankfully). There, in the middle of the only bed they own, lay that precious baby. Judith looked up with proud, but pleading eyes. “Please pray for Chris; she has a lung infection and a blood infection.” I did. Chris cried all the way through, sneezing from time to time. I told Judith I would be back. Judith has her own health needs. I know some doctors who plan to help meet them . . .
You can read the whole post here. Kevin plants churches in the ever-expanding city of Lima.
The IMB investigation team has returned to Lima after spending several days in the most affected areas. Here is Debbie Brinkley’s report:
God is always faithful but there are occasions when His faithfulness slips over into miraculous. These last 48 hours have been one of those times.
The amazing interventions began shortly after the 7.9 Richter scale earthquake that occurred on Wednesday evening, August, 15, 2007. On Thursday morning, we made plans to travel to the area of southern Peru that was hardest hit by the earthquake in order to do an evaluation of the needs and how we could be most effective in providing disaster relief. We didn’t want to show up empty handed when we knew people would have desperate needs so . . . click here to keep reading.
The death toll is over 500 and is expected to rise substantially as workers begin to clear out the rubble in Peru. The earthquake which measured 7.9 took place 25 miles under ground causing widespread destruction and a tsunami warning. A state of emergency has been declared in the most affected areas as people are currently without shelter, water, food, or electricity.
All IMB missionaries are accounted for. The IMB is sending six missionaries into the hardest hit areas tomorrow to assess the damage and find out how they can help. Please pray for them. One of the missionaries that will be going is Arnold Austin of the REAPSouth team. You can see his blog here.
Peru registered 4 major earthquakes last night, the biggest measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale. There are over 400 dead and counting. Thousands of houses collapsed. Please pray for those who lost family, friends, and homes.
Thankfully, all IMB personnel are fine. Many of our national friends, however, live in much more precarious situations. We hope to find that they are safe as well.
Here is a map of the epicenters put out by El Comercio the main newspaper of Peru. Cañete, Ica, and Chincha were the three largest cities closest to the epicenters.
Published on April 12, 2005
in peru.
Potatoes! For more than just eating. 
Check out this resourcefulness! The stove’s lowest burner setting is too hot to simmer.
Published on March 18, 2005
in peru.
Lots of people asked us what we would do when we first arrived in Lima. Well, now we know!!! Mike and Kathy (our supervisors) and Wayne and Debbie Brinkley (administrators for Peru) were at the airport to meet us. As Ryan wrote earlier, we didn’t get to where we’re staying until about 4:00 a.m. I was wired when we got to our new temporary home, so I unpacked some. I went to bed about 5:00 a.m. Mike and Kathy took us to lunch and began showing us the ropes!!! I got to go grocery shopping. It was lots of fun! We went to E-Wong, the Wal-Mart of Peru. I am so excited about all the fresh fruits and vegetables–they are so cheap. I bought a watermelon for about a dollar, and tonight at dinner we had freshly snapped green beans. (Mom, aren’t you proud that I cooked the first night here!!!)
After our tour of the neighborhood, we finished unpacking and got settled in. We will be staying in the mission house for about six weeks. The mission house is owned by the IMB, and it has a few apartment type areas. We have a living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. The couple living in the apartment we are supposed to move into is not leaving until the end of April, so we’ll be in there then.
Mike and Kathy said it would be about two weeks before we start langauge school. They want us to have some time to adjust to just living here. I am excited that there is not a lot on our plate now, so we have some time to adjust!
Well, I thought this day would never come, but it has–and it has been a really good day. I know people are praying for us. I feel it.
Amanda
Published on February 26, 2005
in mlc.
Today begins our last weekend here at MLC. I can already feel a lump in my throat! It is amazing how attached I have gotten to people here over the past seven weeks. Ryan and I both have grown very close to the people in our small group: Brad and Cassie (who also live in our quad) John, Tina, Rebecca, Katie, and Joshua (John is our group leader. They served in Portugal and are now going to Brazil.) Jayson, Christie, Arwen (the Xtreme Teamers) Arwen and I graduated together from Ouachita. She is a native Texan. I also have grown very close to the Fore’s-Michael, Cynthia, Christopher, Joseph, Carilee, and Jennilyn. (The Fore’s are going to Brazil, and they are the family that had to leave because Cynthia’s dad is in the hospital.) Of course I have also grown very close to those in our quad: Brad and Cassie, the Pirkle’s-Vance, Susan, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Sarah, Caleb, and Phillip (Zimbabwe) and the Worthy’s-Charlie, Shannon, Micah, and Emma Grace (Italy). I have also grown to love Bob and Lourdes. They are in the Masters program (which means that at least one spouse is over 50). They call Ryan and me their adopted kids! (Don’t be jealous Mom-they mean well!)
Of all the relationships I have made here at MLC, I have become closest to Shannon Worthy. I only have a few very close friends, but I have made a new close friend here at training. Shannon and I have been able to spend a lot of time together, and lately we have become very comfortable with each other, become real with each other. I have really connected with Shannon. She is such a good mother. I have learned a lot from her by watching her with her girls. I hope and pray that Shannon and I will be lifelong friends. I am planning a trip to visit them in Italy!
Before we came to MLC, I told Ryan that I wasn’t going to make any real friends here. I thought we were going to be here too short of a time to get attached to people and then have to leave. I am so glad that didn’t happen. I am so thankful I opened myself up to meeting people and making true friends. I thank God for relationships!
Published on February 24, 2005
in mlc.
It’s the last week and we’re scrambling to make the most of it. We spent Saturday with the Worthy’s at Potomac Mills (apparently the original of the Mills outlet malls). Monday night we went out with Bob and Lourdes. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory. Tuesday night we ate dinner with David and Janene, our regional associates. We went to Casa Grande, fittingly Mexican. Then last night we had a quad outting to Cheeburger Cheeburger (hold the s). I (Ryan) didn’t go, I was sick in bed. Tonite, cafeteria. But who knows what tomorrow holds!!!
Published on February 24, 2005
in mlc.
One really cool thing about this orientation is that we have gotten to hang out with the XTREME TEAM folks. Since they are going to South America, they have been in our house church and small groups.
XTREME TEAM is a group that focuses on getting to the people in Peru that no one else can get to. Lots of people groups in Peru are isolated due to their geography, either far up in the mountains or deep in the jungle, where there is no 7-11, no Wal-Mart, no roads, no nothin’.
When the XTREME TEAM finds a tribe or village they will begin to story through the Bible, giving them a foundation of biblical truth. After the Holy Spirit draws some of them to faith in Christ, they help get them formed into a church so that they can reach their neighbors, even farther from civilization.
WE LOVE THE EXTREME TEAMERS!
To find out more about what they do, check out: http://www.thextremeteam.org/
Published on February 24, 2005
in mlc.
I’m (Ryan) sick again! I’m starting to get over it now, but ever since Sunday I’ve been feeling bad. I hate being sick. I took the day off yesterday to try to give my body a little bit or recovery time. Again, our quad Doc, Vance, got me some meds. I’m currently taking the oral typhoid too . . . which is not helping the condition of my stomach.
But, it’s all good. I feel like I’ll be good as new soon. God is taking care of me. I’ve been reading through Matthew. Jesus healed all kinds of people. I think He’s healing me.
Published on February 23, 2005
in mlc.
Friday night Ryan and I and Brad and Cassie went to the Fore’s quad to play cards and eat snacks! (The Fore’s are the family in our small group that play the violin and are going to Brazil.) We had a lot of fun. We had a spades tournament. The Fore’s two oldest are boys, and they played, but the girls colored and drew while we played cards. They are really good kids. Jennilyn is the youngest (seven), and she and I have become good buddies.
Yesterday, Cynthia (the mom) got word that her dad’s lung had collapsed (He is battling emphazyma), and he was in ICU. Cynthia was really upset. Over the past six weeks, our small group has prayed for her dad a lot because he is not a believer.
Today the Fore’s decided to go ahead and leave for Texas to go be with Dad and Grandpa. They had a long drive ahead. They were headed to Texas. It was really hard for me to tell them bye. I have gotten really attached to them. They have the kid of family that I hope I will have someday. I cried when I had to tell them bye.
If you read this, pray for Cynthia’s dad. Pray that he will remain stable and that his lung won’t leak, and pray that he won’t get pneumonia. Pray also for his salvation.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise~
Amanda
Published on February 19, 2005
in mlc.
Just prior to Amanda turning her Lomo Saltado into a happy plate.
Published on February 19, 2005
in mlc.
Amanda & Rebecca in the Metro (Red Line, Shady Grove!)
Published on February 19, 2005
in mlc.
Some of the activities that were part of our D.C. “assignment” included observing internationals, listening for foreign languages, bringing an international closer to Jesus, and prayerwalking. After we fisnished our assignment, we had some time left, so our group went to the Holocaust Musuem. It’s hard to describe the experience. As I walked through the musuem, I was swirling with emotion. It was eery, sad, and sobering. At times I felt angry and confused. The museum itself is amazing. It is very well laid out, and a lot more family oriented than I expected. The more graphic footage and pictures are behind walls that warn you. I have visited D.C. twice before but never been to that museum. Some of the things I saw and read are absolutely unimaginable. Even though the experience was far from lighthearted, I am really glad we went.
Ryan wrote earlier about the persecuted church service we had. Instead of all meeting together for worship, we met in our small groups. We had to meet back in a bedroom with only a candle lit. In the scenario, all the Bibles had been confiscated, but we had two pages out of John to read. Since we didn’t have a Bible, we had to quote a lot of scripture from memory, and we had to sing very quietly. Some people were not part of the small groups because they had been designated as “police,” and different small groups were found out and taken to “prison” in the auditorium. After the service, we all met together to debrief our experience. I always knew that there are people being persecuted for their faith but that service (even though it was pretend and I knew it) really made it real to me. I have really been burdened to pray for the persecuted church. While I don’t understand everything, I know God is good and faithful, and he loves us.
I thought about the service as I walked through the museum. It is hard to think about what happened during the Holocaust, as it is hard for me to think that things like that are happening today.
Amanda
Published on February 19, 2005
in mlc.
We also made a visit to the Peruvian embassy. Here we ran into the xtreme teamers. They were able to get there visas.
We, ourselves, our still waiting for our visas. We heard that there could be a possible delay because the visa lady in Peru is on vacation (welcome to latin america). We’re not to worried about it. It would be nice, however, if they could come in before March 1st because we have to pick them up in D.C. We’re close to D.C. now, we won’t be after March 1st.
There wasn’t much going on at the Embassy. We didn’t get to talk to anyone except the secretary.
Published on February 15, 2005
in mlc.
Time is FLYING here!! We have one more full week after this one. Then back to LR, then to Lima. It seems unreal, but is slowly becoming more and more real each day. It’s hard to imagine stepping off the plane and standing in the somewhat overwhelming Lima airport and thinking . . . “Home sweet home.” For the next two years at least . . .
Published on February 9, 2005
in mlc.
We ate lunch at David and Janene F. house yesterday. They are the Richmond Associates for SAM. The food was great! Especially after eating in the cafeteria for four weeks straight. Dickey and Dee N., the SAM regional leaders, are here in Richmond as well. They live in Santiago, Chile, but were in town for SAM evaluation and have been spending RLT time with us.
We just ate and visited. We heard some great stories. We have met so many people here and I feel like we are gaining family members here. We have grown really close to some folks. It will be sad to leave.
Published on February 7, 2005
in mlc.
This week is RLT week here at MLC. Regional Leadership Time (I think . . . too many abbreviations!). Basically we are spending our day just with our region and the Richmond Associate for our region. This is really exciting because now we are learning specifically about OUR region.
Some things I learned today:
350 million people live in South America.
315 million don’t know Christ.
There are 428 unique languages spoken in South America.
There are 650 people groups in South America.
500 of these people groups are less than 2% evangelized.
300+ of these are unengaged by any evangelical group.
To put it in perspective: For every 100 people who die in South America today, 92 will spend eternity separated from God.
Published on February 7, 2005
in mlc.
There is a lake here at MLC, and Ryan and I walked down to it Saturday afternoon. It was a really sunny and beautiful day here, and we sat by the lake and talked a lot. I feel that I am growing a lot in my walk with the Lord, but I had a few questions for Ryan. He is such an example to me and such a source of encouragement. When I feel down about myself, I just tell myself that I can’t be too bad because Ryan picked me! Oh how he lvoes Jesus!
Today we had church with our small group. I have really grown to love that time. Ryan leads worship and we have the family that plays the violin. Last week, we began meeting with our small group every morning, and we will continue to meet everyday until training is over. On Friday, our small group leader made us pancakes. It was a lot of fun!
Tonight we had our ethnic worship service–it was African and boy was it exciting. All the women wore long, colorful skirts. There was a lot of dancing and bongo playing. Afterwards, everybody went over to the auditorium to watch the SuperBowl. Ryan and I just came from there. It is amazing how you can bond with a group of people in such a short time.
Published on February 7, 2005
in mlc.
Boy was I glad when Friday came! After being sick, I felt like last week was catch-up week. Friday night, some of us in our quad decided to go out on the town and get off campus for a while. Shannon, Cassie, and I went and got our nails done, while the guys went to Best Buy! Imagine that, missionaries with manicured fingernails!!! Then we all met up at Chili’s and ate. It was the first time Ryan and I had eaten out since we got here. It was good!
Charlie and Shannon are the couple with two little girls, Micah and Emma. They are going to Italy. Shannon’s dad works for the board in Richmond, so he kept the girls Friday night when we went out. Since the girls were good for Grandpa, Charlie and Shannon and Ryan and I took them to none other than Chuck E. Cheese on Saturday! So Ryan and I ate out for the second time on Saturday!!! Ryan really liked playing the games. I think I saw him stealing a little kid’s tickets at one point!!! On the race car video game, I am the champ!
We had lots of fun, but the experience made me decide that waiting to have kids for a while is probably a good idea!
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