Peru 2009

Posted July 13, 2009

Dearest Friends,

HOME

We are home! It was not an easy journey as we actually arrived home a full day later than we had planned. The airline cancelled our first flight and then delayed us in Miami for three more flights. When we finally boarded a flight for Atlanta, it had been delayed for almost 3 hours. In between those flights, the airline had graciously put us in a hotel in Lima and given us meal vouchers. However, we all laughed when we found out that the breakfast voucher was only good at the pizza place in the airport. What a strange breakfast!

There were many other difficulties that I will not speak of, but as so many things began to go wrong, all of us leaned harder on Jesus. I told the boys that the Lord surely had a reason for delaying us. I urged them to pray so that we would see what we needed to do. God gave all of us a sweet spirit as we dealt with the airlines. Things were happening so fast that we had no time to send an email and ask for prayer. However, I know that many of you were praying because we responded to the problems with grace.

We arrived at the hotel the airline sent us to in Lima about 3 AM. We had spent more than 17 hours at the airport and watched many people screaming at the people that the airline sent to help us. We had spent what we believed to be our last night in Lima at a very different place than the airline chose for us. I have an enormous dislike for rodents, so it seems that I am always dealing with them as the Father tries to teach me more patience and gratitude. I thought that the big dead rat in my room earlier in the trip was bad, until I had to sleep with a live rodent our last night.

You can imagine our shock when we arrived at a literal 5 star hotel. What a difference! Something happened that gave me a wonderful opportunity to share with 3 men in the hotel and 4 taxi drivers. One driver accidentally forgot to unload one of our bags. As soon as I realized the mistake, I went back to the airport and began to search taxis. I was praying, asking God for help, and aware that we should probaly expect to never see our bag again. Always I tell the children that the Father is concerned about all of the details in our lives and that He can do anything. By 5:30 in the morning, I was back at the hotel with our missing luggage. Praise God!

All of the taxi drivers and the men at the hotel were aware of the problem and asked why I was not mad. As they listened to the Gospel, they became very excited and began to translate and share with the other men around them. In 2 days, I had only 3 hours sleep, but God was so good to us. As crazy as the end of our trip was, I would choose to do it all again because of all that I saw God do. God is amazing!

SUMMER TEAM

I am in America, but not home. I am in the Baltimore area with 3 wonderful young puppeteers. Malachi Armstrong and his sister Naomi, along with a puppeteer from Missouri, Lindsay Williams are traveling with me this summer. Please pray for us as we have a very intense schedule over the next 3 weeks. After about 2 weeks in this area, we will actually finish the summer schedule in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville Tennesee. We need your prayers as we really want to do a good job and are short staffed. More, please pray for the children that we will share with as many live in difficult places. Ask the Father to make us bright lights!

PERU

What a fantastic time the Father gave us in Peru! We left Peru witha new puppet team in Cusco, a resupplied team in Chosica, and 4 very happy Sunday School teachers who also received supplies and training. More, we were able to give our bus driver supplies so that he had equipment to share with the children in his village. Also, we helped several other friends who needed help to reach different groups of children with the Gospel. We also sent equipment to Brazil for the 6 teams that we have there. We shared with thousands and thousands of children and heard hundreds calling on Jesus to save them. Wow! God gave us a great adventure! Thank you all for standing with us in prayer!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please ask the Father to provide the necessary support for the rest of this year. Like most missionaries, we have been notified by many churches and individuals that they are reducing or cancelling our support due to their present economic problems. Just pray! I know that the Father will give us all that we need, but we must pray! Thank you!

In Jesus, Linda for the Team

Posted June 29, 2009

Dearest Friends,

TERRORISTS IN THE JUNGLES AND THE HIGH MOUNTAINS

Many things happen in Peru that are never reported on the news in America. The terrorists here did not disappear because they are no longer on our evening news. They are very active in the jungles and in the high mountains. People die. We spent Sunday morning doing a program for children, teenagers, and adults who fled their homes seeking a better life outside of Chosica. They wanted to be safe.

They live in a place where no one else wants to live. It is an area plagued by rock and mud slides. It is so dusty there. We set up our equipment on the ground outside of the playground. We tried three times to reach the little church on top of the mountain. There was simply no way. We got as close as we could and sent friends to gather the children.

They live in little houses, about the size of a large American bathroom. They are poorly built, and will not withstand the storms when they come. There is no running water. Life is hard in this place. The parents came to the city with unrealistic expectations. They did not understand how much it costs to live in the city. The parents are poorly educated, and can only work manual labor jobs. They make about ten dollars a day, and this is simply not enough to live. The children are always hungry.

Our friend, Pastor Samuel, started a feeding program at the church. An American helps with this outreach. Three days a week, the children eat a good meal.More, there here about Jesus.

As I watched the children watch the program, I did not see what I expected to see. They did not laugh or even smile. I can only imagine the terrible things that these children must have seen. They looked at me with old eyes as I told them about Jesus. Only after the prayer, where they could ask Jesus to be their Savior did some of them begin to smile.

Please pray for these children. Please pray for their parents. Please pray for the little church.

I told the children that God sees them. I said that He knows their names. This is really important because most people do not know that these children even exist. Touch them with your prayers. God can do anything.

OUR LAST SHOW

We finished our time in Peru by going to an orphanage. Some of the children have lost their parents because of terrorism, but others were just abandoned on the streets. As soon as we walked through the doors, the children rushed to give us hugs. They were so desperate for someone to see them, to love them, to imply give them a hug. Their need was so great that it was most overwhelming to all of us. One of my Chosica team members was so sad when she got in the van because she could not stop thinking about the children. They have so many needs!

They live in a miserable place where most people do not want to live. The area is always cold and dusty. In fact, there is so much dust in the air that it always looks like it is a very cloudy day. You never see a blue sky. You would not have thought very much of the facility, but one family is doing the best they can to care for forty children. Their only other option is to live on the street.

These children were also very slow to respond to the puppets, the balloons, and the story. They have simply had too much hurt in their short lives. If you feel their need as we felt their need, would you please pray for these children? Many of them asked Jesus to be their Savior today and the family that cares for them are all Christians. Ask the Father to meet their daily needs. Ask the Father to give them the desires of their heart. Ask the Father to keep them warm tonight.

HOME

This afternoon we will travel to Lima so that we can go to the airport tomorrow. There is a national transportation strike, and it is causing us great difficulty. Malachi, Logan, and I fly around 11:30PM Tuesday night. However, we will have to go to the airport very early in the morning with Faby and Gerson. We expect to wait 12-16 hours for our flight. Please pray for us during this time. Please pray us safely home.

In Jesus, Linda for,

Logan Souther, Malachi Armstrong, Gerson and Fabianna Simioni

Posted June 28, 2009

Dearest Friends,

ANOTHER STRIKE

Please pray for us as the country is having another transportation strike on Tuesday, the 30th, the day we start our trip home. We will not actually arrive until July 1st at 11AM in Atlanta. However, we will not be able to travel to the airport on Tuesday. They will throw rocks at your car if you are driving.

So, I need to get us a hotel within walking distance of the airport. This will be expensive. Though our flight is not until 11:30PM, we will probably need to go to the airport in the morning because it is safer and wait twelve hours. Though I did not anticipate these problems and expenses, they did not surprise God. Please pray for me to make wise decisions. Please thank the Lord in advance for His providence.

THE CHOSICA TEAM

At lunch at our Team Leader’s home in Chosica, Nemesio told us wonderful stories about some of the things that they saw God do over the last two years. I want to share some of their stories with you.

My favorite story was about a program that they did at a school where a principal’s son attended. The little boy asked Jesus to be his Savior. He was so changed that his parents could tell the difference. They encouraged him to go to the after school Bible clubs that our friend’s church offered. Please pray for this little boy to be a bright light. Please pray for his parents to come to faith. They attend a local Catholic church that teaches them that by being good, they can know God. Though his parents can see that this is not true as they watch their son depend only on Jesus, they still do not believe. Pray!

While on a mission trip to Ayacucho, they were invited to share at a school. No one expected that there would be over 500 children waiting to hear about Jesus Christ. Awesome!

High in the mountains, they were invited to a small village that was having a fiesta (a party). They did a program and presented the Gospel. How wonderful! The whole town came to the party and the whole town heard about Jesus.

Once a church invited them to do a program, but they did not expect a children’s program. They had wanted someone who was a great preacher for the adults. I do not know how they got so confused about what our friends did. However, God used their presence in that place. They did many street shows, sharing with people who do not come to church.

Please pray for this team. Ask the Father to help them make a good plan for the coming year. Ask God to give them great vision.

IT’S JUST DIFFERENT

I love all of the different foods and things that we experience as we travel. I confess to you that all of these strange things keep me well entertained and encourage my prayer life.

1. Can you imagine playing volleyball with people whose first languages are Quechua, Portuguese, Spanish, and English? I could never tell what the score was as it was announced in Spanish. Everyone shouted in their own language, “Get the ball!” When they told me that we won, I was so surprised. Our last game ended early when the rose bush speared the ball. If the ball went over the wall, people quickly ran out the door to rescue it before the lady across the street confiscated the ball. She does not think that young people should play ball. Volleyball is so much fun!
2. Late one afternoon, we all saw one giant rat running across the top of the wall. He was bigger than many cats that I’ve seen.
3. I was trying to use the Quechua word for pastor yesterday. The word for cat is very similar in sound, so I called the pastor a cat. It gets funnier. In Brazil, if you call someone a cat, you mean that they are “very, very, hot.” I am quoting our Brazilian directors who are with me on this trip. When Faby and Gerson explained why they were laughing, we all laughed with them.
4. Donna has a chitimoya tree in her yard. Last night we ate one and it was the best fruit that I’ve ever tasted.
5. I love avocados. I like them with lime and salt. However, Faby and Gerson made avocado milkshakes and Logan and Malachi loved it!

In Jesus, Linda for

Logan Souther, Malachi Armstrong, Gerson and Fabianna

Posted June 27, 2009

Dearest Friends,

FOUR MORE SHOWS

As I write these words, it is almost 11AM and we are finishing our second program. We have two more shows before lunch ,which will be very late today. We are having the most wonderful time. The children love the program! They smile, they laugh, and they call on Jesus! Sometimes, they sing with the puppets.

One teacher explained to me that so many of the children that we are with each day are from terrible places where home is not a safe place. She said that they get by as best they can. I was thinking about what she said today as I looked at the children. They were all smiles as they enjoyed the puppets and listened to the story and testimonies. It is no small thing to give a child a smile. It is a much better thing to tell them about Jesus. We are so blessed, but so very tired.

Please pray for the children to love Jesus with all their hearts. Please ask the Father to give us a few more days of strength. One of the young women on the Chosica team could see that I was tired today. She said, "Remember, you are Linda warrior." This is a very funny thing to say to an old person who walks with a cane. However, God used her encouragement to give me all the strength that I needed. We prayed before every show and the Father is so faithful! We finished all 4 shows with joy! So many children and even teenagers trusted in Jesus today. I have no words for the wonder that fills me as I see the Lord call children to Himself.

CHOSICA

We are in Chosica and it is a wonderful place to be doing ministry. However, life here is hard for many people There is a constant cloud of dust, so thick that it often obscures the mountains. Everything is dirty. It only rains twice a year, but if it does rain that is a big problem because there are mud slides. Lives can be swept away, as well as possessions. Several people have told me that they prefer the dirt to the rain.

You seldom see a finished house or building. People build as they have money, so there is often a floor under construction.

The children are very different fom the ones that we were with in the mountains. They have grown up near Lima, a major city, and are overall not as grateful or well behaved as the children that we spent the last 2 weeks with in the higher mountains. That in no way diminishes my desire to share with them! I just want you to know how to pray!

In Jesus, Linda for an amazing group of puppeteers!

Posted June 26, 2009

Dearest Friends,

FOUR SCHOOLS

Today we had planned to do three programs, but a teacher came and watched the first show. She begged us to come to her school, and so, we had four shows. We saw God do some amazing things today. All day long we were working at Catholic schools where the children were taught that they could be good enough for God. We were very grateful to have the opportunity to share with these children, that though none of us are good, God loves us and sent Jesus so that we could know God. The message was very well received, and we saw children come to faith in Christ today.

At one school, the teachers asked my name. I told them it was Linda. They said, “No, really, what is your name?” You see, Linda is the Spanish word for beautiful, and no one here is named Linda. Every time I say my name, I see smiles on the children’s faces. I know they must be thinking how strange it is that an old woman calls herself beautiful.

A group of teachers and a principal told me today that they liked my eyes. I explained to them that the eye is the window to the soul according to God’s word. I told them that I always pray and ask God to help the children see Jesus in my eyes. We had a very sweet conversation. Please pray for these teachers and this principal to put their trust in Jesus Christ.

All four shows today were very good, but it was at the last one where I truly felt God’s Spirit. At the first three shows, we faithfully obeyed the Father and shared with the children, but I will confess to you that we did not cover these programs with prayer as we should have. By the time we began the fourth show, we were exhausted. Our tiredness proved to be a great blessing. All of us began to pray with more enthusiasm, so we saw God move in a great way. At the last show, I heard children and teenagers calling on Jesus to save them. Children are eager to pray, but teenagers will rarely pray out loud. After the program finished, so many children lined up to thank me, and to give me hugs and kisses. Many wanted an autograph, which I thought was very funny. This experience reminded all of us that our strength is in God alone. Please pray for us to lean on Jesus at every single program, and to never rely on our own strength and ability. Please ask God to make all the children who trusted in Him to be bright lights for Him in this community.

A little girl named Tatyana came and spoke to me today after a program. She was so grateful for the story she had heard about Jesus Christ. She said, “ I love you so much!” It is so precious when a child thanks you for telling them about Jesus. I feel very rich!

FOUR SISTERS

Marie is my friend Donna Saune’s housekeeper. She is a wonderful cook and takes great care of us. After two weeks of traveling under difficult circumstances, we are all so grateful for the good food and kindness that she showers on us. Last night, her three sisters and her came to a training session that we did with the Chosica team. They had specific questions about how to use the ideas we shared in a Sunday school class, so we agreed to meet with the four of them tonight for special training. They listened so eagerly and took so many notes. I always carry with me extra equipment in the hope that I will find someone like this group of ladies. By God’s grace, we were able to give them some really good supplies to use in their Sunday school program. They were so grateful and again, I feel so rich.

In Jesus, Linda for

Logan Souther, Malachi Ar

Posted June 24, 2009

Dearest Friends,

TRAINING AND LIMA

We are in Chosica, just outside of Lima at my friend Donna Saune’s home. Due to the transportation strike today, Wednesday, we will not be doing any programs today. However, we will be doing extra training for our team here this afternoon. The time that we spend training nationals is key to our plan to reach the children of the world for Jesus. By God's grace, we can do a good job sharing with children, but a national will always do a better job.

We finished our time in Cusco training on Monday. It took all day, much longer than we had expected. However, we left Cusco confident that they had the training that they needed. Please pray for our new team in Cusco and for our team in Chosica.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday, we will be doing programs in schools. On Saturday, we will be sharing at an orphanage. Please ask God to pour His Spirit on these times with the children. Pease thank God that we are all feeling better and have more energy.

In Jesus, Linda for Logan Souther, Malachi Armstrong, Gerson and Fabianna Simioni, and the Chosica team.

Posted June 21, 2009

Dearest Friends,

Noqan kani kawsay goqqa, hinallatag wanusqakunata kaqmanta kawasarichiqpas. Pipas noqapi creeqqa wanusqana kashaspapas kawsarinpunqan. Juan 11:25 (This is in Quechua.)

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live...” John 11:25

THE STRIKE

This country has many problems, and presently there is an argument in the country over water rights. The police were sent in to calm the situation and some of them were killed. Though this was happening in another part of the country, not where we are, the trouble is spreading. A nationwide strike is planned for Wednesday that will shut down all kinds of transportation, including bus and air transportation. We have a problem. We are supposed to fly on Wednesday to Lima to work until June 30th. Tomorrow morning we will go to the office and try to change our tickets. Please pray that we will not have any problems doing this. It is very important to me that we are with the children on Thursday as we have planned. More, it would be better for us if we were out of Cusco as quickly as possible. Today we had to send the remaining members of the Chosica team a full day earlier than we had planned back to Lima. Please pray for their safe journey as sometimes they are stopping the buses as part of this trouble. We really need you to pray.

Today on the Plaza de San Fransisco, our program was interrupted by a huge crowd marching in support of this strike. Many policeman carrying guns were escorting them. The trouble does seem to be spreading. Today they were asking for others to join them as they marched. It is a time for prayer, not just for us, but for the dear people of this country.

PLAZA DE SAN FRANSISCO

When we began our program this afternoon, we only had about twenty people sitting on the steps in front of us. We began in faith believing that God would bring those who He wanted to hear. Within minutes, we had a crowd of hundreds. God can do anything. The crowd was very receptive and I heard some calling on Jesus, asking Him to be their King. Please pray for those who attended this program today to put their trust in Jesus. It was ironic that I was on the Plaza telling the children about the peace that Jesus gives as a crowd of hundreds marched by us, disturbing the peace.

FATHER’S DAY

Today is Father’s day in Peru, and we celebrated the day on a basketball court. We were not in church this morning, but we were out on the street doing a program for children who do not go to church. So many of them called on God to be their Father today. It is a great joy to serve God in Peru!

WONDERFUL THINGS, STRANGE THINGS, DIFFERENT THINGS, AND FUNNY THINGS

1) Logan stood to give his testimony. He said, “My name is Logan.” The translator said, “His name is Gloria.” I think that Logan is concerned that this name will stick.

2) In the market, I was almost knocked down by a dead pig. Let me explain. A lady had just killed a pig and had him loaded in a wheelbarrow, head and all. I barely avoided a collision.

3) There are hundreds of kinds of potatoes in Peru. Sometimes it does not even look like a potato.

4) Much of life happens here outside, as the homes are very small. It usually only rains in September or October.

5) There is a purple corn drink here that is served cold and is flavored with spices. The boys say that it is very good.

6) On the Plaza de San Francisco today, Logan amazed the crowd by greeting them in Quechua. He said: “Hola, allinllachu?”In English this translates, “Hello, how are you?” The crowd was so thrilled, and God used it to soften their hearts to the Gospel.

7) Malachi shares his testimony and then he does a trick for them. Everyone was watching as he ran across the plaza jumped up in the air and did a flip. God can use all of our talents.

8) Last week the team ate breakfast at a restaurant that was located in the middle of a meat market. They were surrounded by dead cows, pigs, chickens, and fish. They were either hanging in the air or chopped up, displayed on tables. You cannot imagine the smell. This seems a strange location for a restaurant to me, but they said the food was very good.

9) We have done so many shows where we were literally surrounded by the Andes mountains. God’s creation is awesome!

10) Some things are very different here. None of the school’s toilets and even some of the hotel toilets, have seats. I wonder what happens to all the seats. Why does someone steal a toilet seat?

11) The other night, Malachi thought that I was asleep. I heard him leave his room and I knew he was headed downstairs to the hotel bakery. Even I was surprised when he came back up the steps carrying an entire cake. Logan and Malachi actually ate half of it before they went to sleep. It is so much fun traveling with teenage boys.

In Jesus, Linda for the happiest group of tired and dirty souls you will ever meet.

P.S. The water was off again yesterday!

Posted June 20, 2009

Dearest Friends,

THE WITCH'S PLACE

The witch's house is across from our hotel. She offers many services including counseling for your love life and advice on how to improve your finances. Her door is always open. On the outside of her house, there is a Nazi swastika inside a Jewish star painted on the wall. She is an accepted part of life here for most people and that is a big problem. When a person becomes a Christian, they must be taught not to consult with her.

THE HORSE

Today, Saturday morning, we planned a trip up a mountain. After all, we are in the Andes. The scenery here is spectacular! However, it is a long climb and everyone knew that at altitudes, I could not make this walk. So, we decided that I would ride a horse. However we had a problem. The owner of the horse got drunk yesterday and the horse ran away. My friends are very sweet! They really wanted me to see the canyon, so they got up early and searched for the horse. After more than an hour of hunting they brought me a white and silver horse. Wow!

It took us over an hour to climb the mountain, but getting down proved more of a challenge. I rode for two hours. The views were incredible! We even saw where they moved the stones from to Machu Picchu. God's amazing creation screamed His existence. Now I better understand Jesus' words in Luke 19:40, the stones do cry out that God is God, that Jesus is the King. The canyon that we saw was awesome. I still can't believe that we climbed a mountain in the Andes and that I rode a horse up and down the mountain!

On the way up the mountain we named him Lightning and on the way down, we changed his name to Cloud. We wanted him to go fast up and float slowly down the mountain. Carlos led the horse down for me and told me that I was the only woman he knew who could ride a horse down this mountain. Carlos is always very encouraging. He and his wife serve on the first team that we planted in Peru.

Gerson, our Brazilian puppet director told me that he was proud of me, too. His praise means more to me than many accolades others could offer. He and his wife are sacrificial in the way they live their lives for Jesus Christ, sharing with thousands of children each year in Brazil.

"MY FATHER BEATS ME"

We have been working with the local doctors and their after school clubs. I want to tell you about the children and young people that have been coming to our programs. Tina, a children's doctor at the hospital told me that many children come to see her complaining of severe stomach pains, gastritis.

Time and again, they tell her the same stories. The children tell her that their fathers drink. They are alcoholics, using the precious little money the family has to get drunk. The fathers say terrible things to the children which wound them deeply, but they tell Tina that they can handle this verbal abuse. The father's beat the children but again they say that they can handle the physical abuse.

Only when they speak about their mothers and how their fathers' beat them, do they begin to cry. They seldom cry for themselves, though I weep at night in my bed for all they suffer. It is especially difficult for the boys as they feel that they must protect their mothers. Their deep pain is visible in their eyes.

Some of the young people that came to 2 programs that we did had been choked by their fathers. Many teenagers begin drinking here to escape their lives. Some 15 year old boys came to the show the other night that normally would have been out drinking. We all considered this an answer to prayer.

There is so much hurt here. Only Jesus can truly comfort these children and young people. They must be forgiven so that they can forgive or they will grow up bitter and angry. Pray for the children and young people to truly trust in Jesus!! He is their only hope! He is our only hope!

CUSCO AND PRAYER

After we share at a youth meeting tonight, we begin the trip back across the mountains to Cusco. We will do 2 street shows there tomorrow, Sunday and training the new team is scheduled for Tuesday. On Wednesday, we fly to Lima and begin 5 days of ministry there.

In Jesus, Linda for a very tired, dirty, and happy group of puppeteers from 3 countries !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted June 19, 2009

Dearest Friends,

BROKEN BODIES... BROKEN HEARTS

Today, we did a program at a missionary hospital staffed by doctors from Germany, Switzerland , Australia, and America. We saw God do the most wonderful thing! I was telling a room full of adults and some children about the people that came to see Jesus, how they had broken bodies and broken hearts. I told them how Jesus gave them hope and love and healed their broken hearts and their broken bodies.

As we finished the story people prayed with us, asking Jesus to be their Savior. It was just like in the story, people with broken hearts and broken bodies, finding total healing with Jesus. Praise God! Pray for these new believers to become bright lights for Jesus. We introduced the local pastor to all of them so that they have a good church to attend.

While the puppets were singing their last song, our bus driver Jose came to see me behind the stage. He had his birthday yesterday and we surprised him with a cake. We sang happy birthday to him in Spanish, then Portuguese and finally English! Jose is twenty-two. He was surprised and today at the hospital he surprised me.

As soon as I saw him standing behind the stage, I thought that he wanted to tell me something. He smiled and said, "Yo estoy feliz." (I am happy.) Today, at the puppet show, Jose put his trust in Jesus. Please pray for him to grow strong in his new faith. When we arrived at the hospital waiting room, everyone was frowning and sad. As they began to watch the program, they began to smile. The name of the hospital is Diospi Suyana which in Quechua means "we hope in God." Truly He is our hope and our joy.

HERALDO AND PEPE- THE REST OF THE STORY Do you remember the story of Pepe and Heraldo? God was kind to us. I was so sad not to have more time with the boys. Last night, they were at a kid’s club that we did. I was able to tell them the whole story. Please pray for these little boys.

In Jesus, Linda for

Logan Souther, Malachi Armstrong, Gerson and Fabianna Simioni and the Chosica Team

Posted June 18, 2009

Dearest Friends,

HERALDO ANE PEPE

Two little boys came to the door of the bus as we stopped to buy water. Perhaps they were begging or just curious because they saw my white face. They were brave and started to climb the steps into the bus. Our friend handed them some bread and told them to leave. I knew they needed more than bread and that God had sent them to us so they could hear about Jesus who is the “Bread of Life.” As I shared with them the Father’s love, I made them each a balloon animal. Balloons are always a good tool to encourage children to stay and listen. Honestly, as I looked into their eyes and saw their deep hunger as they listened to the Gospel, I think that they would have stayed anyway. Still, the balloons did make them smile.

They were so small and dirty. They looked to be five years old, but could have been as old as eight. Pepe and Heraldo were alone on the streets. I don’t know if they have anyone to care for them. I do know that they left happy, with a full stomach and best of all, they left with the hope that only Jesus gives.

Please pray for Heraldo and Pepe to put their trust in Jesus. I don’t think they had ever heard about God’s love before we talked. They looked so amazed when I said that God knew their names. They smiled so big when I told them about Jesus. Don’t forget them. Pray!

HIGH IN THE ANDES

We are so high in the mountains now. Yesterday, we drove three and half hours From Cusco and today, another hour. We arrived at Concacha after an amazing ride. We passed some old Incan ruins and saw mountains that gave us a new definition of high. The sky is so blue here and the air is thin. When I was praying with the children, I had to get down on my knees to keep from falling.

The people here do everything by hand. They carve small plots of earth from the side of the mountain. The houses are small, with only one to three rooms. They are built of mud and straw bricks with more mud spread across the outside. The floors are usually dirt. Outhouses dot the landscape. It is a hard life. Everyone’s faces are dry and sunburned looking. People age ahead of their years. There is little medical help. Unless a missionary team or a clinic visits, they have only their prayers. Those who do believe truly trust in Jesus. They have no one or nothing else to depend upon.

Today, hundreds of children gathered on a grassy field and put their trust in Jesus. The Andes surrounded us and God’s peace was so real to each one of us. What a great privilege we have been given! What an honor it is to be able to tell these Quechua children about Jesus Christ! I have been sick at my stomach since I ate my first Peruvian meal. Still, I am nothing but grateful that God would allow me to have this adventure.

Pray for these children. They are not important to the local churches. Pastor Thomas told us that the three churches here do not welcome the children. Pray for God to change their hearts. Pray for them to see the children!

TWO INTERVIEWS

I was interviewed last night for a radio station and a newspaper. These are two more opportunities to reach people for Jesus Christ. I recorded a special message to the parents, encouraging them to live Godly lives and to care for their children. Alcoholism is a big problem here. It is common for parents with these problems in these remote places to physically abuse their children. Pray that the Father will change their parents and give them hearts full of love.

THE PLAZA

Hundreds gathered last night on the plaza to watch a puppet show and so many trusted in Jesus. The pastor was very happy. Imagine hundreds of people in your country gathering in a park to hear about Jesus. Pray for this to happen!

INCAN RUINS

Everyone comes to Peru to see Machu Picchu, but we would lose an entire day of ministry if we went there. However, today we drove past some remote Incan ruins called Saywite. The Peruvians could enter for free, but the cost for the Americans and the Brazilians was too much. Then a wonderful thing happened. The guard said that since we were missionaries and not tourists, we could enter for free!

We had an amazing time. I have pictures of me standing on top of the ruins with an amazing view of the blue sky and Andes behind me. It was awesome!

Best of all, we gathered together in the highest place and prayed for the children living in the valleys below us. We stood where once people were sacrificed to a false God and called on the One True God! Praise the Lord! Gloria a Dios!

I AM QUECHUA

Quechua ladies wear many skirts to stay warm in the high Andes. Today, I told the team that I am Quechua because I am wearing two skirts to stay warm. I think I look funny, but I am warm.

In Jesus, Linda for,

Logan Souther, Malachi Armstrong, Gerson and Fabianna Simioni and the Chosica Team

Posted June 17, 2009

Dearest Friends,

LADY AND YANDEL

Lady is a beautiful little eight year old girl with long black hair and big brown eyes. After a puppet show yesterday at a Christian school, she came to me and said, “Why doesn’t my real father love me?” My heart broke. It was all that my friend Aricelly and I could do not to cry, but we both understood that she did not need our tears, she needed answers.

Her friend was standing beside her. Yandel was only six years old, very small, with long black braids. She said, “What can I do when my father is with other women?” How desperate these children must have been to speak to a stranger from another country who doesn’t speak Spanish! Only God’s Spirit can draw children like this.

For a long time we stood and spoke with the girls, giving them real answers to real problems. Both had asked Jesus to be their Savior. We lovingly explained how He could be the hope and peace they crave. I know that they left our time together with smiles and hope. More, we talked with other adults at the school and made sure that the girls would have help learning more about Jesus and how He could help them with their problems. Please pray for Yandel and Lady. Please pray for the dozens of children who trusted in Jesus at the school.

RATS AND ROOSTERS

We would happily stay with our friends, but there is no room in their small homes for us and the equipment. I have struggled to explain to you the difference in a hotel here and in America. There are really no words. You cannot imagine the difference in standards. Our expectations are greatly altered. This is not a bad thing. We now consider hot water an amazing gift. If the room is just dirty, it is ok. We still struggle with really dirty.

Last night, we moved to a remote small town called Curahuasi. When they took me to my room, we all had a good laugh. There was a giant dead rat in the commode. Pastor looked and said, “Yes, the rats in Peru are very big.” I told him that I would stay in the room if they would just take the rat out. The owner said, “No, we will move you. The rat has this room, we will give you another.”

Beds are different too! One night last week, Malachi’s bed fell apart. The hotel owner called him “Gordo.” That word means fat in Spanish. Malachi is tall and thin, not fat. We all laughed!

We do not need an alarm clock. I have traveled or years in small towns and villages around the world, but these roosters were very loud. More, they sounded so strange, almost like someone was choking them. We will probably eat one of them for lunch today.

You have water in the bathroom sometimes. Different days at different times, the water disappears. Logan and I got up at four and five in the morning. Then, you have water.

As all of us deal with the differences in our lives here compared to our lives at home, God is growing in us a greater compassion. We are more grateful and notice small things. Please pray for us to keep our eyes on Jesus.

TWO SCHOOLS

It is not even 11AM and already we have shared with over 1200 children. We have heard many praying out loud, asking Jesus to save them. Others came and told us that they prayed silently. We are working with a local pastor and he is thrilled. The children in these schools live very difficult lives. Many of them have mothers and fathers who are alcoholics and do not care for them. Some even live by themselves, since their parents have disappeared. Can you imagine being 8 or 10 years old and having to take care of everything yourself? Please pray for these children to come to the local church and learn more about Jesus.

In the late afternoon, we will do a show in the plaza. Please pray for our time in this place. There are many witches here and it is a very dark place. The children suffer greatly from neglect.

In Jesus, Linda for

Logan Souther, Malachi Armstrong, Gerson and Fabianna Simioni

Posted June 16, 2009

Dearest Friends,

THE MARKET

We are having such incredible opportunities to tell people about Jesus. Today we did an open air show in a large market. Across from the puppet stage, they had dead chickens ready to buy for dinner. An appropriate number of flies were also present. The booths were small and close together and everywhere there were children. You could buy just about anything you wanted, including clothing. More than one hundred and fifty people gathered to listen to stories about Jesus and watch the puppets sing songs about Him. Many responded to the Gospel and prayed to receive Christ. Men, women, children and teenagers were present. Most of these people had never been to a church and would never plan on attending one. After we finished our friends handed out Christian literature with contact information so they could find a good church to attend. Please pray for the people who heard the Gospel today to remember what they heard and trust in Jesus Christ.

THE APPLE

We never know when we plan to do a program what exactly God will do. Always I am amazed as I watch children respond to the good news about Jesus. So many children prayed today, calling on Jesus to save them, just like he saved Peter. They were amazed at Jesus walking on water, but I was more amazed at the way they listened. We were at a Christian school, but almost all of the children were from non-Christian homes. The director was so excited to see the way the children prayed. She desperately wants these children to know Jesus as their Savior. Please pray for the children to grow strong in their new faith.

For me, one of the sweetest things that happened today was when a little girl gave me her apple. It was part of her lunch, but she wanted me to have it. Elisabeth had asked Jesus to be her Savior and wanted to thank me. Please remember to pray for her.

Love in Jesus, Linda for,

Logan Souther, Malachi Armstrong, Gerson and Fabiana Simioni, and the Chosica Team

Posted June 15, 2009

Dearest Friends,

AN AWESOME ANSWER

God wonderfully answered all of our prayers! Let me explain what happened. In our last email, we asked you to pray about the translators as we could not find people who could translate the story and testimonies properly. It is very important that we do not teach a child the wrong thing about how to trust in Jesus. We want the message to be clear and easy to understand.

We traveled to a small village and did a program in the square. We still did not have a good translator and the program was okay, but far from what it could have been. I had practiced with her for 2 hours, but still we had problems. My heart broke as I knew that those children did not really hear the truth. More, our new team was beginning to wonder if storytelling could work. They loved the puppets, but did not believe that the program could be effective. I have with me the Brazilian directors and the team leaders for another team in Peru. We all knew that God could use these tools to bring glory to His name, but we needed a good translator.

My friend, Pastor Alfredo, made an announcement that we would return to that place in the late afternoon. A dear friend, Aricelly, which we had met on a previous trip to Peru, changed her whole schedule and agreed to come and translate for us. Together we told the story of Joseph. WE spoke about the forgiveness that only Jesus gives. Almost every child that had come to the first show, came to the second show. Praise God! Aricelly did an incredible job! God blessed beyond all that we could have hoped or dreamed. The children delighted in the program, but best of all, dozens of them called on Jesus to be their Savior and King. Our friends were equally delighted!

Anytime that many lives are touched for the cross, you should expect some opposistion. We ahd set up beside a large Catholic church. This particular church had been teaching the children that anyone could go to heaven by being good. They were very unhappy with our presence there and did their best to make it difficult for the children to hear. They turned off the outside lights and played music on outside speakers so loud that it hurt your ears. We used a truck's lights.

Two of our friends went and asked them to reconsider. They pointed out to them what we agreed on in scripture. However, when the nun asked if we put our trust in the holy father in Rome, we could only answer no.

We later found out that that the earlier show must have gone better than we had thought, because some of the people had become afraid and called for the nun to come that night. The funny thing is that nothing seemed to bother the children. I heard the music, but I do not think that they did! They listened with their ears and their hearts and trusted in Jesus! Rejoice and keep praying!

PLAZA DE SAN FRANCISCO

I wish that you could have seen what I saw on Sunday afternoon! A crowd of 500 plus people gathered in a plaza for a street show. They really enjoyed the program, but best of all, many prayed out loud asking Jesus to save them. I stand in awe of God our Father! One lady brought me a lily to thank me for all that she had heard.

SUNDAY MORNING

At our first program, we had to translate English into Spanish into Quechua. Pastor Alfredo wore his native clothes and added my American Indian headdress to his wardrobe. He was incredible. When something happened in the story that he really liked, he would lead the church in shouting "Amen". His enthusiasm for the Gospel is boundless! We heard children praying in Spanish and in Quechua, asking Jesus to be their Savior! It was wonderful! At our second show, so many children trusted in Jesus. One little girl gave me a red rose. I wore it in my hat the rest of the day.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for us as tomorrow evening, we leave for a place that is far away where there are many witches. Also, I fell in the street last night when my cane went through a grate. It is hard to see and I was watching, but I would appreciate your prayers as I am sore. Thankyou for praying!

In Jesus, Linda for the Team

Posted June 13, 2009

Dearest Friends,

A SPECIAL PLACE

We have been given a sweet privilege. We are in the Andes in a small place called Oripessa. You can stand on a road and look up and it seems to climb forever. The road descends forever too. It is a very quiet place where people work hard to live. Many of the people that we have spoken with often skip many meals. Life is not easy here, but there is sweetness in the people that is often missing in western towns.

We visited a bakery where they make giant bread, about 18 inches across and flat. The pastor brought me one that had a big flower carved on it. The lady gave us a tour of the bakery and you felt that you had gone back in time 100 plus years. Almost everything was done by hand on giant wood tables. The floors were all dirt and that is where the flour bags were stacked. It was wonderful to smell the fresh baked bread, but nothing like an American bakery. I enjoy the differences!

People walk everywhere here. When we did the show in the square yesterday, we carried all of our equipment. It is very cold in the morning and in the evening , but no one has heat in their house. We are staying in a little hotel, but again, nothing like what you are thinking. There is a communal shower for everyone to share and it only has ice cold water. It was so cold that one of the young people on the team tried to persuade me that he really did not need a shower. There is no heat in the rooms. When we asked, the hotel owner kindly provided toilet paper and soap. Please understand that this is one of the nicest places here. Comfort has a different definition in Peru and in all developing nations.

Women walk down the streets with their babies wrapped in a large blanket and tied to their backs. Children play in the streets with little concern for their safety. All of the older ladies wear tall white hats with big bows on the side. They wear their hair in 2 long braids tied together in the back. Everyone has a dry, sunburned face. Their staple foods are white rice, bread, a little chicken, and soup. I have not seen any vegetables other than potatoes and palm, nothing green. People do not seem to complain here, they are happy and grateful. I have met many sweet believers.

I really love this place and am so grateful to the Father that he sent us!

A Street Show

More than a hundred people gathered in the square and many more stood just a bit a way from the crowd to listen. There were children, teenagers and adults. We had a great opportunity, but we had a big problem. The translator is a precious lady, but she struggles to translate. She admitted to me that she did not know the English word for Jesus. She is a believer, but works in the tourist industry. I told one story and she told another. The problem was so obvious that after we finished, the pastor called the team together for an hour of prayer. He says that there is no one else. I really need you to pray. The children cannot hear the gospel like this. I need a translator! We ahd this problem the last time we were in Peru, but this is worse. She could not explain the Gospel. Please pray.

My heart was so broken when we finished, but God redeemed the day. The children were drawn to us and would not leave after the program. We began to share with them using balloons and simple Gospel illusions. My Portuguese friends speak limited Spanish, but the children were able to follow them. We tied balloons for over an hour and even spoke with many older people. God always makes a way! PRAY!

In Jesus, Linda for Logan, Malachi, Fabianna, and Gerson

Posted June 12, 2009

Dearest Friends,

Amazing Beginning

AS we arrived at the Atlanta airport, a young man who was a baggage carrier rushed up to greet me. I had not flown this airline in years, so I had not seen him in a while. He said that he was so happy to see me and remembered my husband and I. He said that we were always kind and different from the other people he met. He asked how Mike was doing. When I told him of Mike’s death, he was very sad, but agreed with me that Mike knowing Jesus makes this rally sad story, a story full of hope.

There was some confusion with our Brazilian friend’s arrival in Cusco. No one was at the airport in Peru to pick them up. I got a phone call from Sam in Ireland whose wife is the sister to Gerson, our Brazilian director. A lady overheard me talking about the problem and asked if I was working with Donna Saune in Peru. When I said yes, she said that she was at the airport with a team going to Peru who had the contact numbers that I needed. When I called the numbers that she gave me, Donna just “happened” to be at their house visiting. The story gets more bizarre. The lady who helped me was an old friend. At first, I did not recognize her. Forty years ago when we were teenagers, we helped to start Riverside Church in Atlanta. I had not seen Janet in 30 years. God is amazing!

An English pastor friend’s wife came to their rescue. WE had met them on a previous trip. Now we are all together and grateful!

Our Bags

We are in Peru and already I have wondrous stories to tell you. Before we even left my home, I saw the Lord provide through the concern of friends an extra bag for the trip. Since we plan to start a new team, resupply an existing Peruvian team, and send equipment to Brazil through the Brazilian directors who are hear serving with us, we cannot arrive with too much equipment. Everyone gave up all of their bags and traveled with their clothes in their carry on luggage. I was so happy to see all 10 pieces of our luggage when we arrived in Lima. With our six carry on pieces, we had quite a pile.

I was not so happy with the difficulty that the customs officials gave us, but I kept smiling and determined to have a sweet spirit. Because of all their questions and their examination of our bags, we missed our flight to Cusco. However, God was kind to us. They finally decided not to charge us import taxes. We were able to get on another flight and arrived only 2 hours late. Our friends had been waiting a very long time. I was very concerned for them.

They greeted us with such joy. I was humbled and challenged by their deep love for Jesus. These are very special people and it is an honor to serve with them!

Prayer Requests

Praise God for the opportunity that He gave us last night to attend church with our friends. The pastoe wanted me to share missionary stories, but we had no translator. So, I spoke in English to my Brazillian friend who has limited English and only a few Spanish words. A young man could understand enough Portuguese that he could put her story in Spanish. We triple translated to make the pastor’s request possible. And by the response of the crowd, God really blessed our efforts.

Many people seemed touched and they rushed to greet us after the show. The children were the best. I got so many hugs! I tower over them as my 5’5” height is tall here.Their smiles are so sweet. Most have sunburned faces. It is really cold at night and really hot during the day. The high altitude makes working very different.

We begin doing shows in this area today. It is a very rural area , with great needs.Please pray that we can get a good translator. Please pray for a wonderful response.

In Jesus,Linda for Logan Souther, Malachi Armstrong, Fabianna and Gerson Simioni

Posted June 10, 2009

Dearest Friends,

After a brief time at home, we are leaving today for Peru. Please hold us in your prayers!

We finished our time in ****** amazed at all the Father did! We saw 80 people gather for a street show. Our friends told us that such a crowd was incredible. This happened because you prayed! One lady spoke to me after the show in tears. She had never heard the Gospel before and was overcome as she heard about hope.

Our very last show was especially dear. We arrived as the children shouted, "Hear come the clowns!" Children are very perceptive. There are only 2 believers in this place and they expected to have a very difficult time after we left. The children and most of the teachers received the stories about Jesus with joy, but some were very unhappy. Ask the Father to call others to faith in this place.

We met so many people who told us that they became Christians in their 30's or 40's. That was the first time that they ever heard about Jesus.

Now, we head to the Andes. The children here are so precious! Please pray!

I saw such awesome things on our last trip because many of you were so diligent in your prayers. You were concerned for our safety. I wonder... What would happen if this trip was covered with such great prayer? Let's see what the Father will do.

Please also pray about the support for the puppet ministry as more churches and friends notify me that they are reducing or canceling their missionary support. Please pray for all ministries as all of us are affected by these decisions.

I am expecting the Lord to wonderfully provide!

In Jesus,
Linda for the team