Sorry for the dealy in getting things posted, but thought it was necessary to wrap up the Condevilla 2009 trip.
Following the great party Wednesday night, we went into clinic refreshed and running toward our finish line on Thursday. Thursday turned out be the hottest day of the week and was quite busy given the shortened hours. The sickness on the team was subsiding, with most teammates recovering in nothing short of miraculous timeframe. We started the day at 9:30 with the last patients coming be admitted at 1:30. By 10 am we had an accurate temperature reading of 123. By noon, accurate temps were hard to come by but suffice it say we had thermometers in the shade at 110 and in the direct sun at 129. Somewhere in between was probabaly accurate and the wind was almost non existent. The guys in pharmacy tried to rig up a system to boil water and while they got close, didn't quite make it. We exhausted ALL of the sunglasses we brought, the vast majority of reading glasses (including the additional 140 pairs bought there), most of the medications and most importantly we gave all of the love we could muster to the people of Condevilla. The final total will show we saw 1372 patients in 4 days of clinic and care for the physical and more importantly the spiritual needs of this beautiful people.
Equally important was the transformation we saw in our team. I think most of the team would agree that the tears, laughs, hugs and love notes to each other were something that most have never experienced before. We saw an openness to share feelings of joy, shame, praise and disappointments. Team members shared their confusions, frustrations and love for each other. As one team member said, "This is the best small group experience I have ever had!" God's fingerprints are all over this team and I am sure more evidence of his presence will be revealed in the weeks and months ahead.
Having said all of this, the work in Condevilla is no where near finished. Our role, for the immediate time being, is complete. However, we learned that after the clinic closed Thursday evening, a significant fight broke out at our clinic site where several people were injured by flying glass bottles and fists, we learned of a woman from the church being struck by a man and the signage at the church was damaged by vandals. You see, Condevilla needs our prayers and our committment. There are many there who are lost and only waiting for the next wave of disappointment to come there way. This creates desperation and way of living that offers little hope. We want those in Condevilla to have the same hope some on our team have known for a long time and others on our team are just starting to see through the work we did there. It is our prayer that those in Condevilla that don't already know, will see this hope through Christ demonstrated by our love and committment to them. Please join us in prayer:
1. Pray for Pastor Lucho, Victor and the believers at La Iglesia Esperanza Viva in Condevilla. Pray that their faith would be strengthened and their message would be clear.
2. Pray for Jim and Kay Panaggio as they continue to labor in Lima. Their work is difficult and they need our prayers for perseverance and courage to continue to lift up the churches they work with in the city of Lima.
3. Pray that God would do miraculous things in Condevilla and transform the culture there. Pray he would raise up men to lead this transformation out of the darkness there today.
Thanks for Following!
Team Condevilla 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
La Clinica Tercera Dia
Whew, day 3 ready to be blogged.....
The day again started with similar overtones to Tuesday, with the most common thread being sickness. Most of the team has something going on, some worse than others. Our prayers were answered, however, and the temperature moderated today with a recorded high of a temperate 108. We arrived at clinic just a little later after leaving the hotel under the durress of a police officer wanting to write a ticket for not moving the bus fast enough and quickly started seeing patients. The pace improved today and the flow was consistent. We ran out of several reading glasses yesterday and today purchased another 140 pairs to distribute from a local "market". The optical team has distributed nearly 500 pairs of readers and almost 400 pairs of sunglasses! Still no operational dental unit, but that service continues to see high demand and many have been served with diagnostic treatments, flossing and brushing instruction and extractions to name just a few. A quick tally shows our team has consumed nearly 600 liters of water since Monday, with only some being poured directly down peoples backs! Additionally, the pharmacy appears to have metered meds appropriately and our supplies should be in good shape going into the final day of clinic, having filled nearly 2500 scripts. Photo is a great ministry opportunity as is bringing great joy to the people of Condevilla. Summing up day three, we served 395 patients and to date we have heard of over 50 commitments to christ since the beginning of clinic.
While all of this has been great one of the sweetest times of the trip came after the clinic closed. This was the first time our team decided to stay in Condevilla for dinner and what a decision it turned out to be! We cleaned up the clinic and it was transformed into a first class banquet hall complete with everything necessary for the band to plug in! And that they did...The Peruvians had planned for weeks for this evening and put together the best community building experience you could have imagined. We literally threw a first class PARTY with our brothers and sisters from the church in Condevilla! Young were dancing with old, some were dancing on chairs, others were in the conga line and everyone was sweating on the floor for the better part of two hours. Throw in 20 Dominator pizzas from Dominoes, a whole bunch of Inca Cola and Guarana and we had a blast. We built community like never before and were humbled to be acknowledged by the small gifts we received from them. Pictures and video will be plentiful. It was nothing short of a monumental God sighting!
Prayer requests
1. Our team needs to be feeling better. Please pray for improved health.
2. Pray that our supplies will be sufficient to treat each patient that comes through the last day of clinic.
3. Pray that weather continues to be moderate and winds continue to blow
Thanks for sharing this experience with us. Dios te bendiga!
Team Condevilla 2009
The day again started with similar overtones to Tuesday, with the most common thread being sickness. Most of the team has something going on, some worse than others. Our prayers were answered, however, and the temperature moderated today with a recorded high of a temperate 108. We arrived at clinic just a little later after leaving the hotel under the durress of a police officer wanting to write a ticket for not moving the bus fast enough and quickly started seeing patients. The pace improved today and the flow was consistent. We ran out of several reading glasses yesterday and today purchased another 140 pairs to distribute from a local "market". The optical team has distributed nearly 500 pairs of readers and almost 400 pairs of sunglasses! Still no operational dental unit, but that service continues to see high demand and many have been served with diagnostic treatments, flossing and brushing instruction and extractions to name just a few. A quick tally shows our team has consumed nearly 600 liters of water since Monday, with only some being poured directly down peoples backs! Additionally, the pharmacy appears to have metered meds appropriately and our supplies should be in good shape going into the final day of clinic, having filled nearly 2500 scripts. Photo is a great ministry opportunity as is bringing great joy to the people of Condevilla. Summing up day three, we served 395 patients and to date we have heard of over 50 commitments to christ since the beginning of clinic.
While all of this has been great one of the sweetest times of the trip came after the clinic closed. This was the first time our team decided to stay in Condevilla for dinner and what a decision it turned out to be! We cleaned up the clinic and it was transformed into a first class banquet hall complete with everything necessary for the band to plug in! And that they did...The Peruvians had planned for weeks for this evening and put together the best community building experience you could have imagined. We literally threw a first class PARTY with our brothers and sisters from the church in Condevilla! Young were dancing with old, some were dancing on chairs, others were in the conga line and everyone was sweating on the floor for the better part of two hours. Throw in 20 Dominator pizzas from Dominoes, a whole bunch of Inca Cola and Guarana and we had a blast. We built community like never before and were humbled to be acknowledged by the small gifts we received from them. Pictures and video will be plentiful. It was nothing short of a monumental God sighting!
Prayer requests
1. Our team needs to be feeling better. Please pray for improved health.
2. Pray that our supplies will be sufficient to treat each patient that comes through the last day of clinic.
3. Pray that weather continues to be moderate and winds continue to blow
Thanks for sharing this experience with us. Dios te bendiga!
Team Condevilla 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
La Clinica Segunda Dia
We have just completed one of the most complicated, frustrating, rewarding, awe inspiring spiritually filled days. As we planned our trip, everything we planned for went exactly according to plan. Team selection was flawless, money was paid on time, no one dropped out late in the game and team training was fulfilling. Apparently, satan saved all of his best for this week. Everything from bad weather, late flights, ugly customs clearing and lack of optimum clinic flow has been our lot. Thankfully, God has showed himself over and over and we have served more people than ever and his kingdom continues to be built.
The second day of clinic saw satan ramp up attacks and again saw God overcome them all! We awoke after a late night to several team members being sick with problems on both ends (how's that for discretion?) Funny thing is, the sickness struck those most careful about what they have eaten. Additionally, the dental unit continues to not work. We board the bus with two team members significantly sick and several others not feeling well, only to enter the worst traffic ever experienced in three years of this trip, nearly twice the amount of travel time, 1 1/2 hours to get there. By the time we arrive, we have already lost 1 team member (a translator no less) for the start of the clinic and another is not far behind. We start the clinic about 9 30, and it is already over 100 degrees and the sun is out. By noon we had recorded a new record high temp for the clinic at 124.1, although the official picture will show 123.8, you will need to just believe that 124 a real thing. Cold water was disappearing as fast as we could get our hands on it.
Thankfully, the Peruvians had addressed some of the clinic flow issues from the day before and flow seemed much better and efficient. We got our sick team members started on drugs, got one a bed to rest and pressed on, bathed in prayer. Patients were coming quickly and the pace was quick but manageable. By early afternoon, our sickest team members saw improvement and the team was working at full force. The end of the day saw a new record for patients as well, as 383 patients passed through our little piece Peruvian paradise, bring the total served in two days to 753! Day two saw a considerable increase in activity in the spiritual clinic and undoubtedly the gospel is being shared. Remarkably, the team has remained incredibly close knit, closing ranks quickly and continues to "Fight for Faith", just as it says on the bracelets the entire team wears.
We departed the clinic at a more reasonable hour tonight and dropped off at a popular Peruvian deli for dinner and were back to the hotel shortly before 9. At 9 began what may well be the highlight of this trip.
Our team time brought a tired but encouraged team together to celebrate the faithfulness we experienced today. For nearly an hour and a half we sang and shared stories of the day and some very personal, moving stories and accounts of spiritual highs and lows. This time brought us laughter and time for quiet reflection, singing and praising the Lord and an opportunity to support and pray for our team members that shared open and heartfelt emotions. This was one of the sweetest times with God many have ever experienced!
Tomorrow starts another new day and will certainly bring a new set of challenges. We stand confident knowing that the work of satan is only designed to stop effective work of God. We stand ready to continue the Fight for Faith.
Prayer needs for the team:
1. Pray for the heatlh of the team. While improving for some, several others are showing signs of going the other way.
2. Pray for plenty of cold water to be available as we expect another hot day tomorrow.
3. Pray that the message of the gospel would be loudly and clearly proclaimed throught the work of the this clinic.
Thank you all for reading. Hasta Manana.....
Team Condevilla 2009
The second day of clinic saw satan ramp up attacks and again saw God overcome them all! We awoke after a late night to several team members being sick with problems on both ends (how's that for discretion?) Funny thing is, the sickness struck those most careful about what they have eaten. Additionally, the dental unit continues to not work. We board the bus with two team members significantly sick and several others not feeling well, only to enter the worst traffic ever experienced in three years of this trip, nearly twice the amount of travel time, 1 1/2 hours to get there. By the time we arrive, we have already lost 1 team member (a translator no less) for the start of the clinic and another is not far behind. We start the clinic about 9 30, and it is already over 100 degrees and the sun is out. By noon we had recorded a new record high temp for the clinic at 124.1, although the official picture will show 123.8, you will need to just believe that 124 a real thing. Cold water was disappearing as fast as we could get our hands on it.
Thankfully, the Peruvians had addressed some of the clinic flow issues from the day before and flow seemed much better and efficient. We got our sick team members started on drugs, got one a bed to rest and pressed on, bathed in prayer. Patients were coming quickly and the pace was quick but manageable. By early afternoon, our sickest team members saw improvement and the team was working at full force. The end of the day saw a new record for patients as well, as 383 patients passed through our little piece Peruvian paradise, bring the total served in two days to 753! Day two saw a considerable increase in activity in the spiritual clinic and undoubtedly the gospel is being shared. Remarkably, the team has remained incredibly close knit, closing ranks quickly and continues to "Fight for Faith", just as it says on the bracelets the entire team wears.
We departed the clinic at a more reasonable hour tonight and dropped off at a popular Peruvian deli for dinner and were back to the hotel shortly before 9. At 9 began what may well be the highlight of this trip.
Our team time brought a tired but encouraged team together to celebrate the faithfulness we experienced today. For nearly an hour and a half we sang and shared stories of the day and some very personal, moving stories and accounts of spiritual highs and lows. This time brought us laughter and time for quiet reflection, singing and praising the Lord and an opportunity to support and pray for our team members that shared open and heartfelt emotions. This was one of the sweetest times with God many have ever experienced!
Tomorrow starts another new day and will certainly bring a new set of challenges. We stand confident knowing that the work of satan is only designed to stop effective work of God. We stand ready to continue the Fight for Faith.
Prayer needs for the team:
1. Pray for the heatlh of the team. While improving for some, several others are showing signs of going the other way.
2. Pray for plenty of cold water to be available as we expect another hot day tomorrow.
3. Pray that the message of the gospel would be loudly and clearly proclaimed throught the work of the this clinic.
Thank you all for reading. Hasta Manana.....
Team Condevilla 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
La Clinica Primera Dia
Sorry for the long delay, but a powerful day has taken us deep into the night.
Clinic got started with a bang, both figuratively and literally. Figuratively, the excitement to get going was unbelievable. The team jumped off the bus and AHOD (All hands on deck) got totes moved, unloaded, stocked supplies and in an hour we were ready to go. Literally, our first bang came as the clinic began as the dental machine failed within minutes of turning it on and electricity was in short supply. By the time we got our generator going, photo had piled up a few printing needs, dental had retooled a different system for seeing patients and we were off to the races, and what race it was. Our clinic served 370 patients today, filled nearly 1000 prescriptions, gave out half of our reading glasses and saw medical needs met. Our furthest patient rode a public bus 12 hours to see us today. She had heard about the clinic from her husband whom we saw last year when he was passing throught Condevilla and his wife returned this year after hearing about the care he received. We recorded a high temperature in the clinic today of 118. Most importantly, we saw God at work in the lives of Peruvians but also our team members. Tomorrow we will make a few logistical changes to improve flow, but another 350 to 400 patients are on the docket. We left Condevilla for the traffic battle around 6 30 and arrived at a Woodlands team favorite, Norkys, for dinner at around 8 (all in scrubs and smelling GREAT)! Chicken, sandwiches, chicken stomach and rabbit were all on the menu tonight. What a culinary adventure! Hailed 7 or 8 cabs and made it back to the hotel around 10, team meeting from 10 30 to almost midnite. Bed time by 1 am.
A few items heard aroung the clinic to ask the team about
1. Who is "Fly Boy"?
2. Moco es la comida por los niños! (You will need to look that up yourself)
3. Hola, me llamo es agua.
Prayer requests
1. Pray we can get the dental unit operational to expand the dental services available.
2. Pray for those close to us seeking to receive Christ to have opened eyes and open hearts to accept the free gift of salvation.
3. Pray that the wind blows to provide some relief from the heat and renew energy for the team.
Breakfast in the morning at 6 30, team devotions at 7 30 bus leave for day 2 at 8. Hasta Mañana amigos!
Team Condevilla 2009
Clinic got started with a bang, both figuratively and literally. Figuratively, the excitement to get going was unbelievable. The team jumped off the bus and AHOD (All hands on deck) got totes moved, unloaded, stocked supplies and in an hour we were ready to go. Literally, our first bang came as the clinic began as the dental machine failed within minutes of turning it on and electricity was in short supply. By the time we got our generator going, photo had piled up a few printing needs, dental had retooled a different system for seeing patients and we were off to the races, and what race it was. Our clinic served 370 patients today, filled nearly 1000 prescriptions, gave out half of our reading glasses and saw medical needs met. Our furthest patient rode a public bus 12 hours to see us today. She had heard about the clinic from her husband whom we saw last year when he was passing throught Condevilla and his wife returned this year after hearing about the care he received. We recorded a high temperature in the clinic today of 118. Most importantly, we saw God at work in the lives of Peruvians but also our team members. Tomorrow we will make a few logistical changes to improve flow, but another 350 to 400 patients are on the docket. We left Condevilla for the traffic battle around 6 30 and arrived at a Woodlands team favorite, Norkys, for dinner at around 8 (all in scrubs and smelling GREAT)! Chicken, sandwiches, chicken stomach and rabbit were all on the menu tonight. What a culinary adventure! Hailed 7 or 8 cabs and made it back to the hotel around 10, team meeting from 10 30 to almost midnite. Bed time by 1 am.
A few items heard aroung the clinic to ask the team about
1. Who is "Fly Boy"?
2. Moco es la comida por los niños! (You will need to look that up yourself)
3. Hola, me llamo es agua.
Prayer requests
1. Pray we can get the dental unit operational to expand the dental services available.
2. Pray for those close to us seeking to receive Christ to have opened eyes and open hearts to accept the free gift of salvation.
3. Pray that the wind blows to provide some relief from the heat and renew energy for the team.
Breakfast in the morning at 6 30, team devotions at 7 30 bus leave for day 2 at 8. Hasta Mañana amigos!
Team Condevilla 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
What, its raining?
Sunday is in the books and a great day to report. After a short night the team was quasi refreshed as we headed off to worship in Condevilla. They moved the church outdoors into the street to accomodate us all and it was great to worship with the church here! There is a passion in their worship that is palpable. We rekindled many relationships, started some new ones and and found common purpose in the clinic that begins tomorrow.
We returned to Mira Flores about 2 30 and went on the town to eat lunch and our adventurous bunch took it all in. Everything from cebiche to alpaca to guinea pig was on the menu. We enjoyed great lemonade and cincha morado to wash it down. Traveled through the art in the park and spent several hours in the Indian Market shopping.
We have just concluded our debriefing meeting and worship time and the team is ready to go. The traditional upper room we have been used to doing our meetings in is not available this week so we have been moved to the presidential suite for our gaterhing place. Makes for a cozy gathering, just the way we like it! We covered logistics and final plans to accomodate the newly discovered increase in patients that we expect. We learned from Victor today that the church has attracted 1470 patients for services. We are wondering if that may be high, but if it is even close it will be an awesome work to a part of of!
Finally, as the title states, we did in fact witness a rarity in Lima, it rained. Just a brief sprinkling but in a city that averages less than 1/2" of rain per year it is pretty remarkable. Tomorrow returns to normal with highs in the 80 s and the clinic warming up significantly from there.
Prayer requests
1. Please pray for a sister church to Condevilla (in Lima) that is experiencing significant turmoil that is causing difficulties for the advancement of ministry.
2. Pray for wisdom as the church in Condevilla evaluates several options for a location that suits their current size and prepares them for growth.
3. Pray that our team would be effective in ministering to the needs of the patients we will beging serving tommorrow.
Thank you all for your support. We love you all.....
Team Condevilla 2009
We returned to Mira Flores about 2 30 and went on the town to eat lunch and our adventurous bunch took it all in. Everything from cebiche to alpaca to guinea pig was on the menu. We enjoyed great lemonade and cincha morado to wash it down. Traveled through the art in the park and spent several hours in the Indian Market shopping.
We have just concluded our debriefing meeting and worship time and the team is ready to go. The traditional upper room we have been used to doing our meetings in is not available this week so we have been moved to the presidential suite for our gaterhing place. Makes for a cozy gathering, just the way we like it! We covered logistics and final plans to accomodate the newly discovered increase in patients that we expect. We learned from Victor today that the church has attracted 1470 patients for services. We are wondering if that may be high, but if it is even close it will be an awesome work to a part of of!
Finally, as the title states, we did in fact witness a rarity in Lima, it rained. Just a brief sprinkling but in a city that averages less than 1/2" of rain per year it is pretty remarkable. Tomorrow returns to normal with highs in the 80 s and the clinic warming up significantly from there.
Prayer requests
1. Please pray for a sister church to Condevilla (in Lima) that is experiencing significant turmoil that is causing difficulties for the advancement of ministry.
2. Pray for wisdom as the church in Condevilla evaluates several options for a location that suits their current size and prepares them for growth.
3. Pray that our team would be effective in ministering to the needs of the patients we will beging serving tommorrow.
Thank you all for your support. We love you all.....
Team Condevilla 2009
Off to Church
We leave shortly for worship with our friends at La Cristiana Esperanza Viva! The team is running on adrenaline and really excited to get going. Weather today is Sunny and 82. Has not snowed since we have been here :) After church today we are off to lunch and the Indian Market.
Prayer Requests for today
1. The team would find energy and rest as we prepare for clinic tomorrow
2. Interpreters would be raised up
3. That Victor and Lucho would be encouraged and refreshed
Thank you all for following. Blessings to you.....
Prayer Requests for today
1. The team would find energy and rest as we prepare for clinic tomorrow
2. Interpreters would be raised up
3. That Victor and Lucho would be encouraged and refreshed
Thank you all for following. Blessings to you.....
Lima Arrival
Hello Everyone! Today (well yesterday and now today) has gone "Just the way we like it" Here goes:
1. Made decision at 7 pm Friday to push up departure time from Woodlands from 4:15 am to 3:15 am Saturday morning. Calling tree works great everyone arrives on time!
2. Snows like crazy with worst snow predicted South of Madison. God moves snow further north, we arrive Chicago on time!
3. Plane delayed out of Chicago about 45 mins. Putting our Miami connection in jeopardy.
4. Arrive Miami at 4:25, connecting flight to Lima began boarding at 3:45 for 4:45 departure. God holds plane for all to arrive.
5. Plane goes overweight causing 1 1/2 hour delay. No problem, just enough time to unload junky cargo and get our supplies and luggage on board!
6. Arrive Lima 11:50 pm. Wait about an hour to clear passport control.
7. 3/4 of team clears customs, 1/4 team held up by authorities including all 3 leaders. God also delayed two of our translators. After much back and forth, questioning, translating and about another hour of waiting, security allows us through.
8. Arrive La Hacienda 3 am. Write this blog.
Bus leaves for Church with our friends at 9:30. Going to bed.......
Just the way we like it! Love you all
Condevilla 2009 team.
1. Made decision at 7 pm Friday to push up departure time from Woodlands from 4:15 am to 3:15 am Saturday morning. Calling tree works great everyone arrives on time!
2. Snows like crazy with worst snow predicted South of Madison. God moves snow further north, we arrive Chicago on time!
3. Plane delayed out of Chicago about 45 mins. Putting our Miami connection in jeopardy.
4. Arrive Miami at 4:25, connecting flight to Lima began boarding at 3:45 for 4:45 departure. God holds plane for all to arrive.
5. Plane goes overweight causing 1 1/2 hour delay. No problem, just enough time to unload junky cargo and get our supplies and luggage on board!
6. Arrive Lima 11:50 pm. Wait about an hour to clear passport control.
7. 3/4 of team clears customs, 1/4 team held up by authorities including all 3 leaders. God also delayed two of our translators. After much back and forth, questioning, translating and about another hour of waiting, security allows us through.
8. Arrive La Hacienda 3 am. Write this blog.
Bus leaves for Church with our friends at 9:30. Going to bed.......
Just the way we like it! Love you all
Condevilla 2009 team.
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