La Vida en Perú: Family Covenant Conference: Pucallpa, Peru

Several times a year, we travel to Pucallpa, Peru, an Amazon Jungle city, to spend time with the families and churches in our Oikos network there. The churches that have partnered with us there are continually growing in number and are known as "Oikos Selva," or "Oikos Jungle."

Normally, we are able to make a one-hour journey on plane to get from Lima to Pucallpa, but this time, things worked out a bit differently...

After getting up at 2:30AM to make it to the airport on time to catch our flight, we find out 20 minutes before takeoff that it has been cancelled due to inclimate weather, with no other available flights going out that day. Our only other option was to take a 14 hour bus that would get us to Pucallpa at 5:30 am the following day.

So, off we go!!!

Thankfully the busses had 180° seats that kinda felt like beds...

Mark taking full advantage of the bus-bed, or "buscama" as they call it here

So, as scheduled, we arrived at 5:30 Tuesday morning and begun the conference at 9am that same morning.

Dennis and Charmian (the couple pictured second from left) also joined us in Pucallpa to be a part of our team for the week.

After each session, we broke up into small groups to discuss how to practically apply what we had just learned.

For many of us, leading a group meant speaking in our second language (Spanish) and someone else translating it into the native language, Shipibo.

The church..

With the help of a love offering, the Shipibos were able to construct the pillars and roofing that you see here- a necessary measure for the strong storms that happen almost daily.

Rosa, (pictured second from right) is originally from Pucallpa, but she is studying and working with us as a part of Oikos Lima. She always comes with us and translates when we go to Pucallpa. Many of her family members are a part of Oikos Jungle.

Some of the Shipibo girls playing

Dennis and Charmian teaching about the marriage covenant. Rosa translating.

Listening.

Heading back to the house for a quick break...

After the marriage talk, we split into groups of women and men to address the more specific issues. Here are the lovely ladies...

And the men...

Time for the routine afternoon storm!!! This time it was a strong one!

Cold and windy!! Thank the Lord for a roof!

Excitement of the storm!

Heading home the second day after the storm. The church is located on the right off this main road.

Banana tree!

Third day: Praying for and ministering to one another.

What an amazing time we had. We heard testimonies of people having incredible encounters with the Lord, and even some coming to know the Lord for the first time. Pictured above is Nehamias, a 10-year old boy who was a part of the conference. He touched my heart with his hunger for God and his enthusiasm to participate.

Friday, we had some time to spend looking around the city itself. Here is a closer look at Pucallpa life.

Typical houses

Typical boat used to come up and down the Ucayali River. One church even travelled for three days on a boat like this to be with us during the conference. What sacrifice.

Look what I found!

***First Shipibo Wedding***

Friday night, we celebrated with our friend, Erling, as he and his bride Maritza tied the knot. In true Shipibo form, Mark, who married them, is dressed according to the occasion...

Mark and Marsial, who heads up Oikos Jungle. This is the formal traditional Shipibo dress. It is all hand-embroidered, and worth 500 soles, or about $200.00