October 2004 trip report
Dear Friends,
Yes, back from Lajas safe and sound, and Anne Marie and the kids survived back here in Durango. Thanks so much for praying. Lina and the kids did well for their first time out in the village. So much rain had fallen that in some places there had been some incredible landslides. One just above Milpillas, with wide-eyed gazes as we drove past, looked like 3 to 4 boulders the size of a house had tumbled down the mountain taking the road with it. The Milpillas lads had been busy to repair the road before we arrived. Another spot a few miles on was slightly more treacherous. A boulder had fallen down across the road leaving no room for a vehicle to pass. It happened to be on a corner with a sheer wall on one side and a drop off on the other. Some industrious minds had hurriedly placed stones precariously on the edge just enough to get their vehicle around, and now we faced the same prospect. Only our truck is longer, heavier, and coming from the opposite direction, which meant a wider turn was required. We made an attempt, and I might say, it is a strange fearful sensation feeling and hearing the very rocks you are relying on for your safety falling away and rolling down the ravine. World records were smashed for getting the truck into reverse and backing up to safety. It was time for a potty break, and we also used the time to do some reconstruction of the road. A few well placed logs and literally every loose rock that could be found in the vicinity were utilized to widen the track, and another attempt was made. This time all passengers were quite satisfied to watch from the side. In the end it was quite non-eventful - we rounded the bend safely and were on our way. Hopefully that rock is gone before we go again! So much rain in fact had fallen, that the trail leading up to our house in Lajas, that has never ever been muddy or treacherous, simply was a swamp. After 12 hours of hard driving, the fact that night had fallen, the fact that weeds were as high as the truck, and after all the dangers we had already successfully faced on the trip, what could possibly go wrong now with only a few hundred yards to go??? It therefore came as quite a surprise to find ourselves stuck in mud and going nowhere fast and in sight of the house. Thanks to Juan and Lucia and family, the transferring of our belongings up to the house went quickly. However, the next morning starting at about 8:30 and working like crazy, we finally got the truck out by about 2:00 p.m.
Things went well for our time in the village apart from the fact that Scott and Lina were bothered by a drunk. He asked for some money and after refusing to give him any, he proceeded to tell them it wasn't worth dying for anyway. We're not sure what he meant, and they wisely wasted no time in trying to clarify. It seems he was young and trying to be a bigshot.
I talked with the governor about the upcoming dental clinic, and it seems they are in favor of repairing the airstrip. We are hoping they get a crew organized to start on it. This Sunday I leave for Lajas with Scott and Joe (missionary pilot), and we hope to do the finishing touches to the strip. We aren't sure yet if we will have to register it for the village, or if the government body for the area will do it. Basically, if it doesn't happen soon we will have to get the ball rolling.
Some areas we need prayer for are:
- That the governor will get a crew to repair the airstrip
- That the government will register the airstrip
- For all the ends to come together for the dental clinic in November
- For our house renovating
- For the village to generally accept our full-time presence there
- For wisdom as we deal with the leadership
- For safety in the village and for the protection of our house and
belongings out there.
- For strength against the attacks of Satan
We are doing well as a family. The kids are about to start a swimming course. We are plugging along with language study, and the studies with Paulina and family are going well. Pray for their salvation, for their eyes to be opened to the truth. Pray for Secundino and family as they look for a house here in the city. Pray we'll have wisdom as we seek to help them.
For Jesus,
Andrew and Anne Marie
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