"This is Peru!" - Update from the Trzos (Missionaries in Peru)

Date: Tue, 22 May 2001

Prov 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

Dear friends & fellow worker
Greetings in Jesus precious name!

We all can tell stories of things planned but the outcome was totally different. Sometimes the fault is ours - sometimes not; sometimes the change is to our good - sometimes not. Yet in all circumstances great efforts & adjustments has to be made. "Disappointments" have to be changed into "Gods appointments!"

What we call abnormal in the western world is here in Peru normal. Seldom are things working out as planned and one is even expecting problems. Reliability, Accountability, Punctuality etc. are words that hardly exist here in Peru. If something is mentioned gently, the answer is: "This is Peru!"

Walter & Samuel didn't arrived on 15.5. as planned and confirmed 3 days before by them. We are still waiting! "This is Peru!" Elaine developed a large lump on her throat. The Outpatient section of the main hospital in Ayacucho charged her for X-rays, not knowing that there was no personal available next door. She & all the people have to come back in a week's time. "This is Peru!" Praise God the lump on her throat seems to be nothing serious.

Our Home Church (Westway Bethel Baptist) tried to contact us at there Harvest Time Missions Festival, yet all the lines between South-Africa & Peru were dead. Even our computer was silent. "This is Peru!" Power failures (whole towns), water stoppages, strikes & demonstrations, political movements etc. are constantly with us.

Therefore - Your support & contributions in whatever form it takes place, is absolute vital for the ministry the Lord has called us. How would it be without your Prayers and Support? You are keeping us on the field! We are all equal partners in this endeavour to bring His gospel to the lost. We are praising God for giving us such wonderful partners and pray His richest blessings into Your lives. Thanks for sustaining us!

Ps. 18:29 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

Next week (24.5.) we are off to Chile for our visas again! In future we will go out of the country every 3 month, as it works out cheaper than extending the visas in Lima. We will try to make this trip without sleeping over. That will be about 3000km in 48 HRS!

"What are your greatest concerns?" People asking us this question repeatedly!

The most nagging concern is Jonathans last phase of study in a School of Tomorrow (ACE) environment. This has to be done in South Africa and he will go back sometimes this year. If the last curriculum (std.10) arrives soon, he will only have 3 - 4 month study left in 2002. This gives him ample time to prepare for matric examen. Jonathan might have to do the CAT-Test again, even so he did the same at Jivannadi two years ago. He also did all the required Paces and records are available.

Is there someone who can help, or have some connections to a School of Tomorrow pref. in P.E. but not necessary? Please contact me or Westway Bethel Baptist Church. We have to find a "SofT" to enrol him for 2002 or earlier for tests etc.

Than there is the constant awareness of hygiene & health! Peru is not the cleanest of all places. Almost everything is sold in the open. Fruit & Vegetable, Fish & Meat are only available from ladies armed with fly swatters. The stench is sometimes unbearable at some places, yet there is no other choice. But this is still controllable through cooking, peeling, sterilizing etc. The various invitations by the locals however cannot be shunned. The ministry will suffer if one does!

We rather take the brunt as Elaine can testify! Last Saturday we went to Cangallo & Pampa Cangallo. Elaine baked a cake for the family who presented me with a live chicken two weeks earlier. That chicken was given to me (for Elaine) which is a great honour. "Unfortunately" Walter gave it away after carrying it for HRS, whilst walking through the surrounding villages. We doesn't wanted to be identified as chicken thief's and the noise of that chicken made us uncomfortable.

This time only Elaine & myself went! As we entered the yard of that family, we where greeted by all sorts of animal noise. The black slippery mud ground extending into the lounge (no door), changed to a rock hard but still slippery and very uneven white surface! You will be forgiven in thinking that the white was paint, yet it was chicken / turkey droppings. Sitting on an old dirty sheepskin over a plank (seat of honour) and eating potato soup is awful but absolute necessary.

This opens the hearts of the people. Whilst eating - swarms of flies dancing before our eyes; pigs, dogs, cats, chickens,turkeys etc. begging for scraps - Elaine is quietly fending off some things creeping up her legs. Later at home she discovered six places (from ankle to neck) that were bitten.

By now some have turned to boils. Praise God that he showed us before not to spend the night there!

Even as some of these things could be avoided, the dust can carry all sorts of diseases.

Another great concern is the safety of the transport system. There are daily reports of busses going down the cliffs! There are much more busses & taxis on the road than private cars. The roads are bad & narrow, and many busses and taxis are literally falling apart. Looking at the tyres makes us sometimes shudder, yet often there is no other choice.

Other things like the very bad exchange rate for the South African Currency (worth half than 4 years ago), the still active terrorist organisations in Peru etc., have to be taken in its stride and brought daily before the Lord.

At present we have been advised not to travel at night. This is impossible! The Mayor of a small town near Cangallo was killed recently by the Shining Path. At that time Joshua & family were guarding a house in another town of which most inhabitants fled to the mountains. Missy said it was frightening!

The Sh-P is quite active, yet not much is mentioned in the papers. The Missionaries we know of are all in contact with there respective Consulates. Maybe we should do the same, as there is a SA Consulate in Lima.

Elaine & I are as dedicated as ever before! We are having contacts with the Morochucos and moving to Cangallo is only a matter of time. We know: He who calls - will also sustain!

Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

This - and you precious co-workers - what more do we need!?

together in His service
love, peace & comfort
Herbie, Elaine & Jonathan

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