JUNE 16, 2004

     The report for Wednesday will be a bit different.  First, a report on the day’s activities:

VISIT TO THE SHIPIBO INDIAN VILLAGE OF SANTA CLARA:

     This was our official “tourist day.”  We were in the van and headed for the waterfront by 8:10 AM, and were loading into the “pecky-pecky” (a long, , narrow, uncomfortable boat with a certain pecky-pecky sound from its small motor) a few minutes later.  The water level is low this time of year, but there was plenty for our boat.

     The morning fog was rather low, giving just a view of the river and the jungle shoreline.  The water was warm, at least 85 degrees, and we spotted a couple fresh-water dolphins sliding and surfacing in our area.  The sun was completely obscured by the fog, so the very wet air was almost cool.

     We passed several small dugout canoes with local men or women paddling along on their way to fish or to stop back at the town to buy supplies.  Others carried stacks of bananas that seemed too big for the canoes; they would try to sell them.  Larger dugouts carried four or five men headed down the river to fish for four or five days; they’ll try to bring back enough fish to eat and to sell.

     We passed the old electricity generating plant that had been brought here from Europe many years ago, and has long since been replaced.  We rolled by the compound that belongs to the Wickliffe folks, and found out that they are scaling back their Bible translating operations in this area since most of the Indian languages have been nearly completed.  They have been working here for 54 years.

     We found out that “Pucallpa” is a Shipibo Indian word that means red earth or “Colorado,” and has something to do with all the color in the red clay that underlies this whole region.

     The pecky-pecky only moves about 8-10 knots, so the jungle slid by rather slowly, and it was about 80 minutes before we pulled up to the shore near the village of Santa Clara.  The village was a 25-minute walk up the jungle trail, and a healthy coating of DEET seemed to keep most of the insects off of us.

     We came upon an elderly man hobbling along with his two-prong fishing spear and a bag of fish.  He was proud to show us his morning catch, mostly Piranha that would become his family’s lunch.  We then noticed three young girls coming toward us, dressed in the traditional Shipibo wrap-around skirt and the colorful shirts, and sporting headbands with feathers.  They hugged us and kissed our cheeks, and then led us on up to the village.

     After passing just a few thatch-roofed huts, we came to their church, a wooden structure built with supplies donated under the auspices of James and Golda Watts and Missionary Ventures.  The floor was dried, cracked, dusty red clay, and the pews were rough-cut planks.  Apparently, the news of our arrival spread quickly, and soon there were 30 or 40 Shipibos joining us.  Every one of them was very friendly.

     The pastor welcomed us, and announced that their church would offer two performances by their young women.  First, a small group of what appeared to be pre-teens sang and danced a traditional song in the Shipibo language.  This was followed by a group of teenagers who sang and danced with even more vigor.  Their enthusiasm and the joy on their faces brought tears to more than a couple American eyes.

     Then, it was our turn.  Fortunately, we were informed ahead of time by James that we would be expected to present something also, so we had practiced “Shout to the Lord,” with Brenda and Mackenzie dancing (the dance they learned with our home church Good News Dancers).  And, with Maria handling the verses solo, we did “Lord of the Dance.”

    After their teenagers did three more Shipibo dances, the pastor said a few more kind words – with Clay interpreting for us – and concluded the meeting.

     When we went outside, we found several of the Shipibo women with tables set up in a line, and ready to try to sell their hand-made crafts and clothing.

     We bought necklaces made of various seeds and Piranha jaws, bow-and-arrow sets, rattling rhythm gourds decorated with black “paint” obtained from a certain tree sap, and patches of cloth woven and painted by hand.  There were several decorated pieces of pottery, and a red-seed necklace with a large fang from a “seano” (a large wild boar).

     We strolled back through the jungle, across the small wooden-plank “bridges,” and back into the pecky-pecky for the trip home.  By now the fog had all burned off, and the sun was bright.

     This afternoon, we rode into town to check with a couple farmacia stores for more vitamin tablets, since there was such a demand that we were beginning to run low.  We could only find 2400 more.  After dinner, we went to the church that is to serve as our clinic the next two days, arranged the available tables and benches, and hanged the sheets that add privacy to our “exam” area.

     We all feel so blessed to be here and to enjoy the people and culture of Peru.

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     As we have done on past mission trips, we now will each take a moment and say “hi.”

     A NOTE FROM EACH TEAM MEMBER:

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     This has been such an amazing trip so far….the people, the country, the presence of God here in Pucallpa. Thank you for all of your prayers and please continue to support us with prayer. It has powerful effects! To mis amigos…I miss you all very much. To RCYG…I can’t wait to see you guys, thank you so much for the prayers. To Tara and Mal: I love you! To Bouji…I am getting some awesome Peruvian cooking tips, you just wait!! To CCUMC…thanks to all of you so much for your support. Tomorrow we are traveling up the Ucayali River to a small jungle village, and Thursday and Friday we will work in another church and set up a clinic. I love it here in Pucallpa, much better than Lima! I guess I am just more of a village girl than a city girl. J Something about cold showers and never changing clothes brings a smile to my face. Haha. Well, I’m off….see ya soon.

~~Mackenzie~~

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     Even though Jennifer said I would not miss hot showers, she was wrong!  The water is icy!  Never the less, we are having a great time.  There have been so many people waiting patiently each day for our arrival.  Yesterday, there were more than 150 persons that had signed a list wanting to be seen by the doctor.  Last night we went downtown for dessert and shopping.  The area is much more lush than I expected.  The roads are mostly clay, with lots of holes.  It makes the motorcycle cart rides VERY exciting.  We are all eating way too much food. I miss my family, but am having a wonderful time.  It is especially great to be here with Maria.

     Greetings family and friends!  Special greetings to my College Heights family!  Thank you for all your prayers.  The weather here is beautiful and cool (even though it makes for freezing showers).  I’m enjoying trying new foods; our cook always makes Jennifer and me these great vegetarian side dishes.  The people here are wonderful; I’ve made a lot of new friends. One woman even asked me to be the godmother of her baby girl, but I had to refuse her.  Our main means of transportation is by motokar- they’re great!  Today we’re going to visit a village in the jungle, we have to work on the songs we’re going to perform.  Rutlands, don’t worry- I’m keeping an eye on Becky.  Abrazos!

Love, Maria

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     Being in the Amazon basin is better than expected.  We are near one of the major tributaries to the Amazon River.  The local Spanish has been infused with the nasal twangs and short abrupt sentences of the local Amerindians.  Most of the people here are  Mestiso, which is a mixture of Spanish and Indian.   I count it a privilege to be able to assist with yet another medical /evangelical mission to Latin America.  Even as I write I can hear the sounds of the local people, dogs barking, and the rhythmic thump of a bombo drum and flute music. Please pray for our safety and that of our hosts here in Peru as we journey up river to visit the Shipibo people.

     May God eternally bless and keep you!

Clay.  

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     Every time I get to go on one of these mission trips to one of the many poor parts of our world, I am again amazed by the similarities of the challenges faced by our world’s poor…..no matter where they live.  Getting enough food for their children is a challenge; making enough money to buy any medicines they need is a challenge; finding a doctor that will treat them is a challenge.

     The other amazing thing is that they are thankful for even a small bit of help.  If all we can do is offer them vitamins and parasite medicine, they still want to thank us, and their smiles are genuine.

     Thanks to everyone who supports us in these missions and prays for our safety.

            Arlen

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      This is my third mission trip to Peru; although each time has been to a different area, the poverty is the same.  The people that we have seen are so hungry for love, especially the children.  We may not have the medicine or the ability to treat their disease, but we are still able to offer compassion.  Much of what we have seen is perhaps due to their environment of breathing in dust from the clay type dirt that is in the air.  This is being kicked up by the many motokar (motorcycle attached with two seats in the back). 

     Please pray for the team’s continued good health and safety.

            Renea

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     This is my first mission trip.  Jim and I have visited many places but none as intimately as Peru.  Staying at hotels and visiting tourist attractions is very different from being with the people and really seeing how they live.  These people are very poor.  One woman came a distance of 6 hours to see the doctor.  We look at the differences between them and us, which is easy to see.  We have so much more than they do.  On the other hand, they are outgoing, trusting, affectionate, and very grateful for anything you do.  We came to help but there is much we can learn from the Peruvian people.

            Carol

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      Hi All!  It’s hard to put into words the feelings we all are experiencing.  We’ve worked two days and have already made friends who will forever be a part of our lives.  The team has traveled for two days and worked for two days together and we have learned so much about each other.  We know we have you back home praying for us and we love and appreciate you all so much.  Our hosts, the Watts family, have been absolutely wonderful; full of energy, great sense if humor, and they feed us delicious Peruvian meals.  Better go…I just broke my glasses in half and am having a hard time seeing the computer.  Boy…why did they have to confiscate all our reading glasses!!!!

            Brenda

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     Our trip has been wonderful. From the plane trips to the boat ride today, it’s been a great experience. We could not have been able to do it without your help and support. Thank you all so much. We’re lucky Arlen has not posted all the pictures he and Debbie have taken, but I’m sure you’ll get the chance to see them in time.  Again, thanks for your love and continued support.

Jim

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    Greetings from Peru. We met Frank Munoz’s father last night. Frank arrived in Pucallpa a couple of days ago and stopped by the house to visit us. The Peruvian people are warm, loving, beautiful, and welcoming. Thank you for your prayers and support. See you soon. Blessings.

Jennifer

Hi Jonathan!!

     Wish you were here, you would really be liking this whole experience!  We enjoyed the various plane, bus, and van trips to get here, the Watts family and workers, the marvelous compound, new foods, motokars (more later), and especially the Peruvian people.  We thank the whole church congregation for facilitating the possibility for us to be here and be this blessed.  I’m trying to remember all the details to tell you upon my return because I can’t even remember to “journal,” so I may make an outline and hope for the best!  Love Ya and see you soon,  MOM

            (Debbie)

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     Buenos dias family and friend!

     We’re here in Pucallpa having a wonderful time. If  you’ve read the daily updates you can see how busy we’ve been. The Watts are the ultimate hosts, and even took us out for dessert last night. Miss you all. See you soon. Love,

Susan

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     So, there you have it.  A long, busy day, with lots of new faces and places to experience and enjoy.

Arlen on a footbridge on the way to the Shipibo village	Group in the pecky pecky on the river.
The Shipibo girls singing and dancing.	A family in their dugout canoe on the river.
A beautiful Shipibo child