Hello, everyone! We are back from Aucho, Levitaca. Four of the most challenging days of my life. We think we were at 14,000
feet. Our travel up in two vehicles with C and Pastor driving
provided much adventure. Winding, twisting, mountain roads that only allowed for one vehicle. Meeting another vehicle proved to be interesting as we negotiated passing and the edge of the Mountain. We traveled the most adventurous roads in the dark! We encountered road construction and had to turn around on the single lane mountain road, encountered road closures in a small town where we scraped against railroad ties and berm while praying our vehicles would not tip. I had a drunk, angry Hombre chase me as I guided vehicles along railroad ties. When darkness fell, Pastor's truck decided it did not like the mountain climb and stalled - we really prayed then! The 'path' into the village had to be found on foot with flashlights.
We entered Aucho on this path and parked next to a dark home. We were told to gather our things, via flashlights, off the top of the Landrover and back of truck, and head toward the lit building in the distance. Foolishly, I thought that was our destination and sleeping quarters. Due to darkness, we could not see the steep downward walk followed by steep incline upward. At about, what we believe, 14,000 feet, carrying my sleeping gear and backpack was beyond exhausting. The brothers of the village church thankfully assisted us as we labored uphill.
The night sky was amazing, beyond description! The Milky Way looked to be touchable, the stars brilliant and innumerable. If not for labored breathing, carrying my stuff, and a flashlight, I would have tripped over myself looking at the sky.
We were shown our room for sleeping. We learned just how primitive our conditions were for our time there. Oy! A 12x12 rrom for 7 women and 2 men! That was not going to work. They found another space for the two men. It was also our cooking area. The room had a window with missing glass. The doors were warped and did not close. The floor was wood, the ceiling tin. We were exhausted and stressed, but the children were waiting to meet us. We were escorted to the church building. The doors opened to about 150 smiling, anxious faces. A small cheer arose as we entered. WOW, their smiling faces, so excited to see us, made it worth it. The adventure was just beginning. Pics of our rooms and the building we stayed in below.
We entered Aucho on this path and parked next to a dark home. We were told to gather our things, via flashlights, off the top of the Landrover and back of truck, and head toward the lit building in the distance. Foolishly, I thought that was our destination and sleeping quarters. Due to darkness, we could not see the steep downward walk followed by steep incline upward. At about, what we believe, 14,000 feet, carrying my sleeping gear and backpack was beyond exhausting. The brothers of the village church thankfully assisted us as we labored uphill.
The night sky was amazing, beyond description! The Milky Way looked to be touchable, the stars brilliant and innumerable. If not for labored breathing, carrying my stuff, and a flashlight, I would have tripped over myself looking at the sky.
We were shown our room for sleeping. We learned just how primitive our conditions were for our time there. Oy! A 12x12 rrom for 7 women and 2 men! That was not going to work. They found another space for the two men. It was also our cooking area. The room had a window with missing glass. The doors were warped and did not close. The floor was wood, the ceiling tin. We were exhausted and stressed, but the children were waiting to meet us. We were escorted to the church building. The doors opened to about 150 smiling, anxious faces. A small cheer arose as we entered. WOW, their smiling faces, so excited to see us, made it worth it. The adventure was just beginning. Pics of our rooms and the building we stayed in below.
Thank
you for your prayers, God was faithful throughout and continues to be.
I stand in awe of our God. My faith has grown, my waist line shrunk, I
have been stretched thin. I can't wait to tell you.
Keep praying as we minister to the pastors in training.
Hugs to all. We are back where there is electricity and usually running water. Whoo!
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