Update from Ingleside Baptist Team...

Here is the May 18, 2011 update from the Ingleside Baptist Team:

The morning started with breakfast and a tour of our host's Guinea Pig stalls. Yes, they raise Guinea Pigs! Then, we packed up all our stuff and headed to the Church for our final service at Santa Cruz.

Eddie started the teaching with a lesson on the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, following David's lesson on Baptism yesterday. Pastor Josue spoke on the importance of an Order of Worship in planning services, which seems natural to us but apparently is not to these pastors. David finished our teaching with a lesson on Perseverance from Hebrews 12.

To conclude the service, Pastor Raul gathered all of us and all of the Pastors in a circle, at which time each Pastor personally thanked our group and our Church for the ministry we have in their area. We were awestruck at the sincerity and passion in which they spoke. They then asked to pray for us, our families, and Ingleside, Peruvian style. Everyone prays there prayers at the same time, and we were overwhelmed at the outpouring of love and gratitude, all the while giving Glory to God (Gloria Rios) . It was an amazing time for all of us.

The service ended with another excellent lunch of soup with chicken. Our Peruvian translators were also served Cuy (Guinea Pig!). Pastor Josue shared some of his with Martin and Eddie, and we can report that it's pretty good.

We said our good byes to the folks in the Santa Cruz region and headed to Huaylas with Pastor Josue. We attended his service tonight. Don gave his personal testimony and David taught his lesson on Perseverance again from Hebrews 12. David showed amazing skill as he kept right on preaching when 2 dogs started fighting in the sanctuary, only to be broken up by an elderly Peruvian man whacking one of them with his wooden chair. David never missed a beat with his teaching.

Pastor Josue asked us to sing a song for his congregation, which puzzled me because he had heard us sing last night. So, we sang a full unrehearsedversion of Amazing Grace for them. Though off key and a bit pitchy, we enjoyed singing it together and God was glorified in it.

Tomorrow we will minister to some of the congregation here in Huaylas before beginning the return trip to Lima for our return on Saturday.

Thanks to all who are praying for us. It has been an amazing time!