Trip to Huancca Huancca (pronounced Wonka Wonka)

This morning the team gathered in our meeting room at 6:30 a.m.to wait for our taxi-bus to drive us to Huancca Huancca (pronounced Wonka Wonka). After piling in with Mila as interpreter and Pastor Freddie, we bumped, jostled and rattled along dirt mountain roads for an hour before stopping for breakfast along the highway, up high in the Andes Mountains. After breakfast, it was another two hours of bumping along before we saw the village of Huancca Huancca.

Beach Corner church has been involved with H.H. (Short for Huancca Huancca) for every trip we’ve done for the past 10 years. ATEK  started a work in this remote village about 15 years ago, starting with marriage classes and children’s ministry, to get their foot in the door regarding sharing the gospel. Now there is a vibrant church there. I asked Pastor Freddie how many families live in H.H., and I was surprised to hear it is 125.

Our church service started with the Quechuan musicians playing on their harp-like instrument, a mandolin, two guitars, a drum machine and an accordion. Chris played along with his own guitar. Chris said every single song was in E minor! using only E-, G and (C once in awhile). They sing for a LONG time, and all in Quechuan. Then our team got up and sang “Great are You Lord”.  One peruvian persons spoke for a while, then Pastor Bill began his message, having every sentence translated into Spanish by Mila, then into Quechuan by Pastor Freddie.  After only ten minutes, Pastor Bill asked me, Ettina, to share my testimony for the church,  and then Chris shared his.  I shared on the power of God’s word to pull down strongholds like depression, fear, etc. Chris shared on God being a father to the fatherless. Then Pastor Bill continued to preach on running our Christian race well. After that message, we all sang again for a while. Then a number of the church people got up to share a song or a testimony (I’m guessing on that, for it was all in Quechuan). Our service lasted THREE hours! A number of us had troubles trying not to fall asleep. After the service, we asked Mila if there was a banjo (bathroom) in the village at all. She successfully located one.

We had lunch then, which was delicious chicken soup, but a couple of us had trouble eating the whole chicken wings or back sides that were sticking out of the soup bowls.

By three o'clock we left H.H., to begin the long drive back to ATEK, jostling and rocking and swaying the whole three hours back home, many of us managing to sleep, despite the difficulties presented by the dirt road.

We all had a pizza party tonight with all the ATEK staff, and all 27 pastors, as our last supper together. Finally, we ended off the night with us, the team, and the ATEK staff together in our meeting room. The ATEK staff each shared what role they play here, and we gave them each a present of Canadian cookies and a Canadian keychain, and they presented each of us with a mug that had our team picture on it, and “Thank you” in three different languages. 

Good night to you all! See you soon, families! 

Ettina

Lunch  break 

On the  road again 

Lunch break 

Pizza party