Potoatoes and Tears — Jan. 11, 2004

A week ago I made a run up north to the dry sagebrush country of Chañarel; making my yearly run to rotate the videos of the pastors who work with our
  materials in the small mining towns of that area. Coming around a curve, after about 8 hours of driving, I came upon an overturned trailer of a truck and a couple tons of potatoes scattered all over the highway. The two men guarding the truck didn't mind people stopping and helping with the cleanup. So, being a good steward, along with other passersby's, I collected almost a gunny sack full of large potatoes and threw them into the trunk of the car and continued on north. I figured that with this blessing we were now set with potatoes for some months.

  About an hour later on the horizon I could see the couple isolated trees and small buildings under the power lines that marked my next pit stop. This was the Pajarito Restaurante where I, without fail, stop to have a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. This is where Teresa Duffy Acuña lives and works: MY JONATHAN IN CHILE! My Jonathan for 19 years!

(I wrote a ministry newsletter about her some couple years ago; how 19 years ago she had become emotional when she found out about our ministry while waiting on our table. She had related to us with tears the need she and any other isolated Christians had for a ministry such as ours. The memory of those tears of Duffy kindled my calling to return to Chile during a period of 10 years while in the States. Now I always stop to fellowship and check in with her, because memories of her tears saved our ministry, during a time of trials in the States.)

I parked the car and walked in to see Duffy cleaning a table with her back to me. I tried to sneak up on her and place my hands over her eyes, but just as I reached her, she spun and grabbed me with a bear hug. Tears flowed for both of us without a word being spoken. As always, she wanted to know how my work was progressing and where I was heading and the condition of my "animo"- ie: my energy for doing the work. I followed her into the kitchen as she started to prepare a meal for me. Then I heard the quiet voice of the Lord, "Larry, now you know why you have those potatoes in your trunk!" I left in the middle of a sentence, and saw a started look on Duffy's face when I left without explanation. A few moments later I returned to the kitchen with more than 50 pounds of potatoes over my back. Tears flowed again as she said, "God just now told you to bring those in here, didn't He?" Then I found out that the restaurant was out of potatoes. The Lord is good! What a blessing it is when He provides for us to have the privilege to give to others.

One evening, shortly after leaving Chañarel and heading for El Salvador, the moon was breaking over the horizon and dusk was arriving. As I frequently do, I pulled off the pavement and took a dirt road to find a gulch to protect me from the wind and from the view of the traffic in case someone driving by would think I was an easy hit for a robbery while I was sleeping. Laying on my sponge and looking at the stars during my trips out gives me my quiet times with the Lord. I enjoy such times and it helps me plan for the next day without distractions.

 
Sleeping

A common sight in the sage brush countryside are numerous goats grazing and cacti forming fences, not to hold the goats in but, in most cases, to keep the goats out of areas where there are crops.

Cactus fences As I was returning south to home, I passed a dirt road intersecting with the highway that I have many times passed but this time I felt the need to stop and turn back and head to Canta de Aguas which is depicted by the photo to the right. I drove the dusty route for 45 minutes without seeing a car nor a building. As I entered an oasis, a grassy green valley with about 10 homes, I was greeted by a flock of about 200 goats that flowed past either side of my car like water passing by a boat. A man sitting on a water tank nearby gave me the information I needed for the question I had: "There is a pastor living in the first house on your left". This pastor was really taken back by my surprise visit and was so appreciative for the loan of 20 videos.
Goats "There is nothing in this region for the Christians," he said. "If there was I wouldn't have any money to pay for anything." He made me feel that this was another divine appointment and that not only the 'waters were singing' in Canta de Aguas but the Spirit of God was also rejoicing because I made a U turn.

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" Deut. 31:8

We plan to be coming home in June for 3 months of furlough.

In the love of Christ, Larry and Nikki