Blog

08.03.2021

For further information and update: We write about every three months about our ministry here in Peru. Please write us (click here) to receive our Newsletter and Prayer-Update via Email.

The German Blog continues, but the best to stay in touch is with our newsletter.

We have had a national curfew here in Peru for 12 days now. Yesterday it was extended again until April 12th. That means Johanna and I are completely at home. We are not bored at all. During this time I left the house once to buy vegetables and fruits. Werner is still working every day. I prepare school materials from home.

There are around 30 ventilators for 500,000 people across the state of Apurimac. Ten of them are in the Diospi Suyana Hospital.

We still have two to three weeks to go before the mass rush hits the hospitals. At least that's how it is supposed.



We missionaries received a letter from Martina and Klaus John, the founders of Diospi Suyana Hospital. It ended with the following words (we felt free to publish this part too, since Klaus himself posted it on the Diospi Suyana homepage):


“Tina and I thank God for each of you who stays and may even extend your service beyond what is planned. Where are we needed? In Curahuasi! And when are we needed here? Now and in the next six months!

We will experience bad things. Dying in the 100 beds of our hospital. Cries of relatives' grief and lamentations. It is even conceivable that panic will break out across the country and families will fight for every respiratory bed (ventilators). What I am describing here is unfortunately not an exaggeration. We will see pictures that television never shows, but only mentioned as a statistical quantity.

But now for the good news. God is with us. We are here on his behalf. We may even experience healings through God's power. He knows our fear and tears. We are not alone.

We thank each and every one of you who is ready to invest your life in Curahuasi. We will walk through a dark valley with a safety distance of at least one meter, but closer together than ever in the history of Diospi Suyana.

But God is with us, his stick and staff will comfort us.

With love and gratitude, your Tina and Klaus! ”

inSPIRATION WITH CONSEQUENCES

Post from 03.11.2018; by Werner

A patient is noticed by unusual behavior in the waiting room of the eye clinic. The nurses ask me to prefer the patient. That makes sense to us all. The patient comes with her son from the region of Puno at about 4,000 meters above sea level. It is a journey of 1.5 days. Her situation is not easy, you can tell immediately. Her husband shaved impoverished patient´s hair two weeks ago and then left her. She looks a bit confused and asks for help because of her eyes. Both eyes suffer from severe inflammation of the white eye skin. The result is a progressive disappearance of the white eye skin, a bilateral opacification of the cornea, accompanied by a cataract. She recognizes only hand movements.

Theoretically, the patient would need a combined cataract surgery with a cornea transplant, as well as intensive follow-up with internal immunosuppression for several months in a specialized center. All this is currently only possible in Lima. The surgical success is also questionable, the risk of failure is very high. In Diospi Suyana she can not be treated according to the medical standard. However, the travel costs to Lima and the accommodation costs are already a major obstacle for her.

Honestly, a completely desperate and hopeless situation, in which I come as a doctor to my limits. But not God. Therefore, I address my question directly to Him: What should I do? And what do you want to do? Immediately the word brujeria comes to my mind, in English, witchcraft. I ask, 'Can this be'? and receive a yes as an inner response (see Bible in John 10: 27-29, John 14:26). My question remains: Are you the Lord, is it only me or is that what I hear of the devil? To test whether the impression could be of God, I continue to ask what is the solution of the problem with witchcraft, and think abruptly of penance and repentance. So, these thoughts can be from God because they seem to be consistent with the Bible and God's plan. With this, I have the opportunity to convey the solution of a grave spiritual problem by passing on the Gospel of this patient. And if they were not from God? Then I would make a fool of myself in case of doubt. That would be the lesser evil in my eyes. Faith and being a Christian is a stupidity to non-believers anyway. So I risk it. 

I ask carefully. The patient understands only Quechua, so a nurse translates for me from Spanish to Quechua. I tell her that I have the impression that witchcraft has a meaning in her life. Jesus would speak to us Christians again and again through thoughts, but I could also be wrong. She confirms the importance of witchcraft in her life. I tell her that witchcraft is something unwanted in the eyes of God (see Bible in Deuteronomy 18: 9-14). But in this case God would have the solution ready. This is to renounce it and to receive forgiveness for all guilt. This would be possible through the understanding of their guilt, the acceptance of forgiveness by Jesus Christ.

In addition, I explain to her and her son, Romans 10: 9-10, the importance of Jesus' confession as the Savior to attain eternal life. In the aftermath of the passing of life to God, the Holy Spirit would enter into their space, speak directly to her, and help her turn things around.

Then something happens that makes me realize that God must be at play here. The woman slips from the examination chair to her knees, and begins passionately to ask God for forgiveness of all her sins and for healing. The nurse, the son of the patient and I also kneel on the floor of the examination room. Everyone is praying. The patient wishes for retribution by God for injustice suffered. We point out that she is forgiven, as she herself is ready to forgive. She then pronounces forgiveness on her tormentors. The patient invites Jesus Christ as her Lord in her life and is noticeably relieved.

The son experiences all this. I ask him if he believes in Christ, which he affirms. The question of whether he wants to give his life to Jesus as Lord and Savior, he affirms as well and does it. I encourage mother and son that the Holy Spirit will guide them to walk their path with God, find a good fellowship of Christians, and realign their lives to God's good plan and will. The patient exclaims that she has a lot of objects in her house that are related to the practice of witchcraft and that she has to remove them. The Holy Spirit had already started talking to her about his next steps.

Here's a prayer request: Please give thanks for this surrendering of life and pray with us that this family will experience a complete restoration and will keep the release.

THE COMPETITION

Post from 26.10.2018
On Wednesday, Diospi Suyana hospital was cut off from the outside world for 4 hours. The only access road was the venue of the "Rally Caminos de Inka". The police had closed the road for the traffic. First they said, that it´ll be for 1 hour. At the end it was closed for 4 hours. There is no parallel route, so neither patients nor doctors reached the hospital, except in an emergency or by foot.

This rally competition has been held since 1966. Initially, the track was mostly gravel road. Nowadays the racing cars roar over an asphalt track. Many Curahuasinos were standing interested at the Panamericana to follow the spectacle.

Involuntarily we think of the verses of 1. Cor. 9, 24-25: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

We are grateful that the rally in the village went over smoothly and the route to the hospital is now free again. Our life is like a race. For example, the patients, waiting for the next day at the hospital remind us of this. One patient from the ophthalmological clinic spoke to me a few times in agitation. She lost sight of one eye in an accident months ago. She is destitute and hopes for a remedy. She has already received an appointment from the eye clinic. She thinks she has to ask me again for the promise of a treatment, because promises and appointments in Peru often don´t count much. Therefore, patients ask again and again for confirmation for an appointment that has been already agreed. The patient has not yet experienced firsthand, but will soon know that at Diospi Suyana, it is different here than usual. The appointments are met regularly. The next day she is examined as agreed and receives help.

A WIRE STITCHED THROUGH THE CORNEA AND LENS

Post from 12.10.2018
The 33-year-old patient comes from Venezuela and has fled the civil war-like conditions where the social and economic system has collapsed. To finance his life, he´s working, like many Peruvians, in a precarious employment relationship without social security and health insurance.

The accident leads him into financial distress, because he can not handle treatment in a clinic at his own expense.

He hears from the hospital of the poor in Curahuasi, where a good treatment costs only a little. He experiences at Diospi Suyana what he will not find anywhere else: He is immediately treated without any delay and without any restrictions from us. His eyesight is saved. Our social worker will later find a financially acceptable solution with the patient, so that he only contributes a reasonable part of his treatment costs. So everything went well for him once again. Someone else has already paid a large part of the bill for him.

Time passes by slowly in the hospital for him. The selfless service on his health makes him and other patients ponder what reasons might move the doctors and nurses from all over the world to work for the needy professionally and without payment by the hospital work here in the mountains of Peru. Ultimately, it is the man from Nazareth who has paid for these workers with his life on the cross, and in gratitude these workers like to pass on their life and work time. The joy of helping is written in the face of most people. This is experienced by our patient. Whether he understands this lifestyle of gratitude? This is ultimately up to God.

This treatment has also been made possible by the help of many private and industrial donors sharing the vision of helping the poor. All donors should be expressly thanked here. Now it is clear that the whole thing will leave a lasting impression on our patient.

JOHANNA´S CARNÉ

Post from 06.10.2018
We had a nerve-racking time with the documents. After we gave them to an official translation office, we did not see them for a few months. We should take them as "lost" - we were told. Then they still found their way into our mailbox in the hospital - anonymously. We still do not know how or by whom. Then we were allowed to go with Johanna a few times to Cusco to "Migraciones". She gave all 10 fingerprints and ... see for yourself:

AT SCHOOL

Post from 04.10.2018
I (Sonja) am teaching a lot in grades 1-4 at the moment. After 8 years of secondary school this is quite a change for me ;-). How quickly you forget how long it can take for first graders to put a worksheet into their folder and write down a small homework. A lot of time is spent in such matters like order and also in discipline.

Since there was a lack of English teachers, I started to teach at a very basic level. At the same time I´m writing with others on a English curriculum and a manual for assistant teachers. What particularly pleases me is that the biblical reference in English lessons is not only tolerated but even desired.

In addition to teaching, I´m trying to learn a little bit of Quechua - Tupananchiskama. - Until next time!

One other important piece of information: After a little more than 2 days, electricity came back again.

Being able to take a shower at home, warm water and a functioning fridge again - that's a real blessing. It was very nice that electricity returned faster than expected.

ELECTRICITY IS GONE

Post from 30.09.2018
On Saturday at half past four in the afternoon, lights went out in Curahuasi. For some hours we´re out of electricity in Curahuasi everynow and then, so nothing unusual. We are at a seminar in the hospital that has an emergency generator. Later in the evening we learn about the full extent of the accident. In the regional capital, a short circuit has arisen in a power station. There was an explosion and a fire. An entire region is without electricity. Even in Peru, most of the industry is dependent on electricity.

For hours, days, maybe weeks, the power could now fail. Companies can not continue working. Grocery retailers are losing a small fortune due to fresh goods that need to be refriedgerated.

We too have to change our routines. With flashlights and candles, the household is done.

The hospital with its powerful diesel generator is now the focal point for all missionaries. Because the 450 KW generator of the hospital is now running all around the clock. He is well audible around the hospital. All those who live near know, as long as the generator is running, there is no electricity in place. And the noise also shows that in the hospital there is still hot water, electricity, internet and hot showers for all employees and patients. Thank God.

NEWSLETTER NO. 4

Post from 31.08.2018
Our fourth newsletter is ready and sent by email. It is available in English or German. Whoever wants to have it, please contact us.

8 YEARS AGO

Post from 14.08.2018
Today is our wedding anniversary and we are happy that we have been married for 8 years.

That went well

Post from 07.08.2018

Click here for the article on the Diospi Suyana homepage: https://www.diospi-suyana.de/siebenjaehriger-wartete-13-tage-auf-notoperation/

On Saturday, a 7-year-old boy from the nearby region of Cusco appears with his parents at the gate of the hospital.
He got the rotating rotor blade of a toy helicopter in his eye whilst playing and his cornea was slashed. At the City Hospital of Cusco, the ophthalmologists state that surgery under general anesthesia is necessary to save the sight of the little boy. Actually, this must be taken care of immediately.

But it doesn´t happen this way. Someone decides at the preliminary examination in Cusco, that the small patient should first receive a special examination of the heart with ultrasound before the anesthesia. But that is not available at this time. Not the next day either. Not even after 12 days. Specialists and associated equipment are often missing in the regional capital Cusco. So, in their helplessness, his parents decide to go to Diospi Suyana Hospital with their son because the little patient is still suffering in pain.

Werner notes that the iris is oozing out of the eye and the unstable wound only temporarily closes. Immediately he alerts the whole surgical team. Thankfully, everyone can be reached and comes despite it being the weekend. Three eye nurses, an Anesthetist and an Anesthetist Nurse are added. Even if the procedures before such an operation are somehow routine for all those with many years of professional experience: before the first cut and literally with the knife in hand, we all stop and pray again. We want God to do his part to make the operation succeed, because we believe that this is His will and He willingly answers that request. There comes a sense of calm in such a tense situation. It is the certainty that God is there. It is in his hands.
After 90 minutes the surgery is over. More difficult than with a fresh injury, the tissue, which has already grown over considerably in almost two weeks, is separated from in painstakingly precision and sewn together again as well as possible and in the right way.

In the end, we are all in the team and also the parents are relieved and thankful. For the little patient, it has gone well again. He will recover well and be able to see better again.

Curahuasi, House and GarDEN

Post from 20.07.2018

We have settled in Curahuasi quite well and now want to show you some pictures of our beautiful surroundings. As a family is in Germany for 6 months, we were able to move into their house temporarily, which is near the hospital and has a wonderful garden, including 9 chickens, a rooster and ducks. We were very grateful for the help with moving and protection on the streets. We feel well and are grateful for the good missionary community here.

DriveR`S License Part 2

Post from 09.07.2018
In Curahuasi we both need a Peruvian driver's license. So Werner goes through the typical exam program,  twice. This means practicing maneuvering at 6am in the morning with a rented vehicle, to get used to the dimensions. At 8 o'clock it´s off the examination area. The examiners appeared totally relaxed at around 10 o'clock.

During the first and most difficult part, the parking, more than half of the candidates fail due to tiny mistakes, for example, if you park 5 cm too close or too far away from the line or the front or person behind you, or if you touch the boundary line of the parking lot when maneuvering with the wheel, as did Werner. This maneuver is successfully competed on the 2nd day without any errors, and he makes it through the rest of the exam without discussion. And that, in turn, is astonishing for Cusco, as he did not make an 'auxiliary payment', as recommended twice by car rental companies, to pass the test. Whether the staff of Diospi Suyana somehow found favor with the examiners?

Anyway, we are very grateful for those who prayed for this favor - it helped us.

Passed!

Entry from 03.07.2018
5:30 am - I'm on my way to pick up the rental car and practice again.

At 7:30 am - I´m the twentieth person at the testing ground.

9:40 (!) am - the examiners stroll in casually. Meanwhile, the whole place is full. The tension is rising. I am very grateful in this moment for many prayer supporters!

Reverse parallel parking: After the first task of the exam from the 50 cars that were there at the beginning no more than 20 were on the site. Those who failed were told to go home immediately. I was very happy to still be in the race. The examiner was very grumpy that I used the handbrake and that my rear space was slightly less than the front.

Later, on the tour of the city: After asking the examiner to put his seatbelt on, he tried again to pretend that he was strapping himself in.

12:30 pm - I leave the exam area with the result: "Aprobado".

In the afternoon another 1.5 hours queuing at the Ministry of Transport to collect the "passed" certificate. Now the card is given in print. Yaaay.

DriveR`S License Part 1

Post from 02.07.2018
Our German driver´s license expires after 6 months, so we both did and passed the theoretical exam for the Peruvian driver's license this week.

Some questions made us smile while preparing (see photos). Here are three questions that are quite obvious ;-)

Tomorrow is my (Sonja) practical test.

I hope for favor with the examiners. The rules are very strict. You have to park in a narrow parking space and maintain an exact distance to the car in front of you and to the car behind you. In addition, the distance to a lateral line is specified.

Whilst searching of a rental car to practice in the exam, we were offered several times to buy the driver's license "through an auxiliary payment". We do not want that and therefore hope for a miracle of God!

Cusco is Walking

Post from 24.05.2018

Cusco is walking and so are we. No, not a charity run, but to protest against fuel prices. Everything that had anything to do with transport went on strike, that means, all the buses and also the taxis. Roads were blocked with stones, tires and burning bushes. It was announced that stones can fly on cars if someone does not join. What was announced the day before has led the educational authority to advise all educational institutions to cancel all classes for safety reasons. So Johanna could not go to kindergarden, but came with us to the language school. We walked for an hour one way and found it quite interesting. Here are some pictures of our trip:

WE are allowed to stay

Post from 10.05.2018

We are now something like "Peruanitos - almost Peruvians". Today we asked Migraciones if our "Carnets" are already there and: Yes! Hooray! It went faster than expected: We now have a Peruvian ID card and thus the right to stay in the country. This right is renewed annually. An step further to our service! Then: without a residence permit we could not work here. We are very glad ! Our neighbors congratulated us and called us countrymen ;-), that was nice.

One Step further

Post from 05.05.2018
Our residence permits for Peru were approved. That the corresponding ID card (DNI) will go in print, we were this week at "Migraciones", something like an immigration office. As a tourist, you can only stay in the country for a maximum of half a year.

More on the following photos. We were told that we can pick up our DNI about 30 days later.

End of the rainy season

Post from 11.04.2018

Luckily we are not out of sugar, because here in Cusco it can rain quite a lot. The rainy season may take until the end of April, but then it should be over and we can look forward to the increasing hours of sunshine during the day. Thank God it does not rain into our apartment, as it did on our first visit to Curahuasi , when the rainwater ran until under our bed.

Here are some pictures of the end of the rainy season.

Pisaq – honesty was rewarded

Post from 02.04.2018
Together with three other missionary families from Cusco we made a nice Easter trip and drove with the bus to Pisac. Above the city are located some old settlements of the Inca, and we wanted to hike through the landscape. To the archeological park is no entrance free for persons with a residence permit from Cusco. We live in Cusco and have requested our residence permit, the so-called DNI, quite a while before, but have not received it yet. Administrative processes take a little longer here. 2 of us 8 missionaries already have their carnet, the others not. We were said to pay the full entry of 70 Soles (17.60 €) per person. We asked for a discount and showed our documents for the residence permit that was in process.

The organization Diospi Suyana is well-known in Peru and sometimes our status as their employee opens hearts, too. But there was nothing to do. After some questions, the car park attendant came into the bus and made us the interesting offer that the whole group could exceptionally be admitted for 100 Soles admission. That sounded good. At once, the question arose in the group whether the 'reduced' admission is a bribe, which the caretaker would then put into his own pocket without a receipt, the so-called 'Coima'. 'Yes,' the caretaker admitted frankly. Such bribes are quite common in Peru. Just now Latin America is shaken by a bribery scandal of the company Odebrecht, in which many high-ranking Peruvian politicians are involved.

Back to our parking attendant. In Peru, unfortunately, it is unusual not to participate in corruption. We kindly rejected the offer with the following words: "We are Christians and we do not do that." We want to respect the laws of Peru. His answer comes as swiftly as surprisingly: "It is the Semana Santa (the holy week before and with Easter), because you are Christians, you can get in for free'.

We are happy about this change of the situation based on our intention to remain righteous. And here is something peculiar for the country of our ministry, namely that in Peru almost everything is informally negotiable. We are glad about our hike and now have the sore muscles as a reminder of the nice trip ;-).

Semana Santa

Post from 31.03.2018

For Christians around the world, one of the most historically recorded events of the ancient wolrd is celebrated in the "Holy Week": The death of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection on the third day after his death.

The "Holy Week", the so-called 'Semana Santa', begins in Cusco on Monday with a procession. The patron saint of Cusco, Jesus as the Crucified One, is honored. In the year 1650, the inhabitants of Cusco hear the preservation of the city from being destroyed by an earthquake as a prayer hearing. Since that day, the crucified Christ is regularly honored with a solemn procession through the city. Since that time Jesus has been nicknamed 'Señor de los tremblores', which means 'the Lord of the earthquakes'. This naming is reminiscent of the Inca culture of giving names to its local gods, naming their, mostly local, authority.

In the Bible, we now find an even better description of the authority of the risen Christ, just as Christians around the world celebrate it. The Revelation of John in chapter 19 verse 16 describes the authority of Christ in these words: 'And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.'

Therefore, Christians can also identify with the opening words of the passionate preaching of Pastor P.M. Lockridge: He's my King.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE

We wish everyone a happy Easter!

Feliz Cumpleaños - Johannas Birthday

Post from 22.03.2018

Johanna had her birthday. She turned three years old and we celebrated that in kindergarten. Her wish included banana cake and waffles with chocolate. Birthday songs were sung in Spanish and in German.

Johanna wanted me to light the birthday candle in the nursery and later on three little candles at home again and again, so she could blow it out . Until they burned down. And from the song "Cumpleaños Feliz" she had an earworm (catcha song) in the evening.

retiro in Curahuasi

Post from 21.03.2018

Last weekend was a staff meeting of Diospi Suyana in Curahuasi. Theme was "The heart of a pilgrim". The focus was on three stages of the life journey of Moses in his actions for the people of Israel: first, the path without God's instructions, then the work for God and as the last part of life in close fellowship with Him. As an example of this life journey, each missionary should ask himself where he is on his way to God and where he wants to go.

This weekend, Werner was able to examine the new operator chairs on site in the eye surgery. They are already relieving the ophthalmologist Ursula Buck and we are pleased that they will be an indispensable help for many operations over the next years.

A common picture: Already on Saturday, some patients spent the night in front of the hospital door to be admitted on Monday. They can not afford the accommodation costs of about 1.5 euros in the nearby hostels and make their quarters on the sidewalk.

In Curahuasi it was pleasantly warm and the air was so much cleaner. A stay in Curahuasi is not without dangers. For example, the tap water used in cooking and washing is not chlorinated here as in Cusco and is repeatedly the transmitter of all sorts of infectious agents. Probably Werner has caught a diarrhea here. One day later, he had vomiting diarrhea and painful abdominal cramps at night. Some friends pray for a speedy recovery. Already after 6 hours pain and nausea it did go back - thank God for this quick relief.

First Day in Kindergarten

Post from 08.03.2018

For Johanna the kindergarten started this week. We are grateful that there is even a kindergarten run by a German here in Cusco. Although Johanna is already learning Spanish, in case something should be there, we were more comfortable that at least one contact person is there for you in her mother tongue. The kindergarten is in Spanish. Johanna counted in Spanish after the first morning. Johanna is looking forward to painting the entire palms of her hands with other children. Now we can focus even better on our tasks in the mornings at the language school, before we had Johanna with us in the classroom.

Our first Cuy

Post from 04.03.2018

Wow, we are now in Peru for a month! How fast time goes by! We are glad that we can get along better and better and immerse ourselves in language and culture. This probably includes the Peruvian national dish par excellence: Cuy. The guinea pigs live first with the families in the houses and thus serve as heating simultaneously. Later they end on the plate.

Guess what Jesus has on his plate in the picture of the last supper of Jesus with his disciples hanging in the Cathedral of Cusco?

We still need a bit of getting used to it, both in terms of taste and appearance. Johanna probably had no reservations nor retentions, she liked it.

In the future, we will most likely be invited to a cuy dinner even more often, because this is very common here at celebrations or church events. ¡Buen provecho!

Learning

Post from 03.03.2018

Time is not standing still here. We are pretty busy. We are very happy that we can go to language school here in Cusco to learn Spanish well. The language school is demanding, which suits us very much. We are diligent in improving grammar, vocabulary and language skills. Despite our previous knowledge, we learn essential things every day. Johanna was with Sonja in the classroom on many days, since in kindergarten are still (summer) holidays. But coming Monday kindergarten will start for her (how exciting also for the mom ;-)).

We know that our language learning is essential for our job in the hospital and in the school. Working in and communicating information through the language is central to our ministry. We are thankful, that learning is also fun and we have the opportunity to practice every day!

Post from 21.02.2018

These days we wanted to visit a Christian bookstore. Yes, ok, it is a small street, but it was noteworthy that the residents standing 10 meters in front of the bookshop assured us that a bookstore does not exist here. We do not give up and find it on the second try. The owner of the bookstore tells us that she is going to the local church (Ekklesia Una Misión Cuzco), which was recommended to us by a good friend. The pastor Maja Datwyler has built a successful and recognized in Cuzco work with children from the street.

On the way back through a small side street suddenly Sonjas seat neighbour from the flight to Cusco was standing in an open front door. We have a very good conversation and she invites us to dinner for Wednesday. We do not consider these events to be a coincidence in a city with around 350,000 inhabitants and are glad about the arranged meetings.

The following Sunday we visit the church that was recommended to us, together with other missionaries from Diospi Suyana. We refuel spiritually, are impressed by the good organization and are happy about the warm hospitality.

Cusco

Post from 11.02.2018

Since Thursday we are now in Cusco. First, we have moved into a ground floor, well located and large apartment. Some rooms should also be freshly painted, but that was not the case. A missionary family already living in Cusco helped us to buy the furniture the same day and invited us to dinner. That was a great help.
 
Back in the apartment we noticed in the evening that all the walls in the bedrooms were very humid. A smell was in the air and in all cupboards. There was probably mold in the wall as well. The old carpet and the lack of heating would prevent us from getting the bedrooms dry. The clothing in the open suitcase was clammy the next morning. The first night we realized that we need a dry apartment.
The midnight search on the Internet gave us an up-to-date insight into the market situation. It would not be easy to find an alternative so soon. For us this was again an opportunity for a prayer.
 
The next day we were able to look at three apartments with the help of dear fellow Christians and - thank God - then moved into one the same day! Still groggy by the last few months, this was a again a lot. But we are totally thankful for the new apartment in optimal condition on the 4th floor.
 
We are very happy that there are 3 more families from Germany here in Cusco at this time. For Johanna it is very nice to play with other children and we are happy about the good community.
 
On Sunday we visited a Spanish church community. Interestingly, the pastor is a namesake of Werner. We were surprised that a Peruvian is also called like that. Normally we have to repeat and explain Werner's name several times ;-).
 
There are still lots of things to do this week. When transporting a washing machine with a helper Werner slipped on a staircase. Such a thing can turn out bad, but apart from the shock and bruise on the hand, nothing has happened. That was a protection in our eyes thanks to our prayer support, which we are very happy about!

Peruvian authorities

Post from 07.02.2018

Yesterday we were four hours at Interpol. We waited a lot, filled out papers, got our teeth examined and gave 10 fingerprints. A power failure led to some delays. Later in the day we went to the notary for various documents and letters of attorney. We again signed many papers and gave fingerprints. We hope that there are no difficulties with our names because of our german shap "ß". It is currently hot in Lima. We do not really have clothes for such warm weather. In Cusco, it will be rather fresh, since it is at 3500 m. We´ll go there on Thursday.

We are in Lima!

Post from 05.02.2018

We and all our luggage arrived savely on Sunday evening in Lima and are now in the guesthouse from Diospi Suyana. We are here for 3 full days to do a lot of adminitrative work. Tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock we make our way to Interpol. Then some documents are to be certified. Here are some pictures of the journey. As soon as we find the time, we will write more information ...

Many donations

Post from 19.01.2018

The Eye Clinic of Diospi Suyana needs equipment. The ophthalmologists Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Künster will provide us with a so-called phaco machine for cataract operations, which will be further equipped with the appropriate ultrasonic handles donated by the company Ruck, which will help deal with certain technical problems in Peru. Mrs. Knirsch and Hans Groot of the company Bausch and Lomb will send corresponding consumables and art lenses. Mr. Lebherz from the company Geuder will donate suitable used instruments. We are very encouraged by so much great help!

Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone, including those who are not named!

THANK YOU!

Post from 18.01.2018

We are pleased to already have many supporters of our mission and that so many are involved in our project.

Thanks to your support, since January 16 the VDM gave us the permission to leave because 80% of our needed monthly donations are collected and thus met the condition of the VDM. Many Thanks !!

We hope and pray that we will receive 100% of the coverage we need before we leave.

The flight is booked!

On February 4th, we´re off to Peru. Since other volunteers will also be arriving in Lima on this day, it is a priority for the Diospi Suyana leaders that we all, within the following days in Lima, pass together through the “administrative jungle” for all of our official documentation, such as residence permits, visas, work permits, recognition of our study credits and much more. Things are progressing rapidly now: We could finally book the flight, which we did for Sunday, the 4th of February. At 7:50 am, we fly with Iberia from Frankfurt, then have a short stay in Madrid, before it leaves at 1:05 pm for 12 hours on to Lima. There we will land at 7:05pm local time. The time in Lima is 6 hours behind German time.

Now it´s packing time

We want to move out of our apartment soon. Thankfully, we can stay for the rest of the days until departure with a friend near Heidelberg which will allow us to empty the apartment and tie up any loose ends. We are currently making many decisions; what to get rid of, what's going in the suitcases to Peru and what is being stored? It should be thinned properly, which is very challenging.

And there is so much more to do ...! But the goal is in sight!

Saying goodbye

From Calvary Chapel in Heidelberg, we have already had a formal send off and said goodbye. We have also participated and had a send off in a “Fireabend,” which is organized by the Jeschuadienst, where we have also served. We are very grateful for the encouragement and for the fact that we know so many dear people are behind us, who pray for us and help with words and deeds!

Post from 24.12.2017

The Savior was born to you and us today! We wish you a merry christmas and a marvel at the nativity scene!

Dialogue at the nativity scene

Philip was really lucky. He was a boy of 11 and could not imagine anything better than visiting his grandfather every day. His grandfather was just special. He was able to carve by far the most beautiful wooden figures he had ever seen. And Philip had already seen many wooden figures.

Now, at Christmas time, Philipp's grandfather always carved nativity figures. Philip loved watching the character emerge. First the coarse form slowly, then the hands and legs and the head and finally the formations. One could see exactly what his grandfather wanted to say with the figures. The expression of happy exhaustion on Mary's face, Joseph's caring-surprised nature, the shepherd's rush to miss nothing, the contentment of the animals, the silent adoration of the wise.

Today was a particularly difficult day at school. Philipp just had to relax - so he put his hands on the table and he put his head on it and looked at the finished figures. The warmth and relaxation did its work and it did not take long and Philipp fell asleep.

But funny, it was not long before he realized how the characters talked to each other. And they even moved. Just as he had heard it a hundred times in the Christmas story. Yes, he could hear the bleating of the sheep, the smell of the bark, and the shepherds' quick footsteps. He could not help himself, he also had to go to the stable and soon realized that he was no bigger than all the characters around him. No, they took him into his midst and he was allowed to be there live, as the shepherds worshiped in front of the child in the manger. Incredible!

And suddenly he was addressed - but not by anyone. No! The child himself talked to him as if he were an old acquaintance:

"Nice that you also come for my birthday - did you bring me something?"

Completely stunned, Philipp can hardly answer: "I - mm - you - bring something?"

"Yes," says Jesus, "I would like three presents from you."

Then the boy's face brightens and he answers zealously: "You should have everything you want. You get my new train, my book with the animals and my favorite teddy! "

"No," says the child gently, "I do not need that - I want to have something completely different from you."

Unsure, Philipp answers: "And what?"

"I would like to have your last math test"

The boy is frightened. "Jesus, ..." he stutters in embarrassment, coming very close to the crib and whispering: "The teacher wrote under it:" Insufficient! "

"That's why I want her".

Philipp shakes his head. He can not understand that. "But why?"

"You should always bring me where 'not enough' is below. Will you promise me that? "

Suddenly a glow covers the face of the boy because he understands what the baby Jesus means. "Yes, very much," he says.

"But I want another gift from you."

Helpless, Philipp looks at him: "What?"

"Your hot chocolate cup!"

Again the boy is frightened. "But I broke it this morning!"

Again the baby Jesus looks at him. Just as if he could see right down to the boy's soul. Slowly it says, "You should always bring me what has broken in your life. I want to make it safe again. Will you give me that too? "

The boy nods: "But that's a lot harder. Will you help me? "

"Yes of course. (Pause) But now my third wish: You must also bring me the answer you have given to your mother. You know, when she asked you how the ot chocolate cup broke. "

Then the boy puts his forehead on the edge of the crib and cries bitterly. "I .... I ...", he brings out with sobs under his breath: "I said I accidentally let the cup fall. In fact, on purpose, I deliberately threw them to the ground out of anger. "

No anger, no reproach, no scolding is in those eyes. Only love, understanding, helping and healing love. "You should always bring to me your lies, your defiance, all the evil you have done. And when you come to me, I want to help you. I want to accept you in your weakness. I always want to forgive you. I want to take you by the hand and show you the way. Do you want to give it to you? "

And the boy looks and marvels. And for the first time Philipp feels that Christmas is more than presents. Slowly his lips form: "Thank you Jesus! Thank you for being my savior. I want to bring you everything that I have broken. I want to bring you everything I'm doing wrong. Thank you for forgiving me. "

Then the boy wakes up and suddenly knows why God became man, and why Jesus was born as a savior.

Post from 07.12.2017

Well, if that is not a Santa Claus surprise: The following email came on 6.12. from a dear friend with the subject: "VW is to blame :-)".

Thank you, Hartmut, for letting us put the email on the blog!

Beim Abladen vom Abschleppwagen erfuhr ich, dass es eine Chance auf Kulanz, auf Übernahme der Kosten von VW gäbe. Da sagte ich mir, dass ich ein Drittel der Kulanz-Summe spenden würde wenn dies eintritt. Inzwischen ist klar, dass die Kosten sich netto auf 5000€ belaufen, VW alles übernimmt. Mein Auto ist repariert. Deshalb fragte ich meinen Service-Mitarbeiter, Herr Martin A. ob er ein Spenden-Anliegen hätte: Freundeskreis der Uhlandschule Neuhausen Glems e.V.. Und deshalb spende ich: 1500€ für den Förderverein und 1000€ für die Kesslers - Sie gehen als Augenarzt und Religionslehrerin nach Peru https://www.kessler-peru.de (liebe Grüße an euch!). Verbunden mit Dank für allen Einsatz!

Herzliche Grüße
Hartmut Raissle

PS: Ja, ich weiß, dass es nicht ein Drittel von 5000€ ist :-) "

Das gibt´s nicht jeden Tag, oder? Wir sind berührt und freuen uns sehr! Danke Hartmut und Danke VW!

Post from 25.11.2017

Heidelberg to Regensburg and back.

 
Werner met with Klaus-Dieter John, the founder of the Diospi Suyana hospital in Regensburg, Germany to take a tour of UFSK-International OSYS GmbH, a company that manufactures surgical chairs.  At one point during the tour, Dr. John, equipped with a projector, presented the history and work of the hospital.  Mr. Scherrieble, the owner of the company, along with his wife, who was also in attendance, were so inspired by the work in Peru they decided to donate a surgeon's chair and a chair for an assistant doctor, together worth more than 6000 €!

 
This will spare the ophthalmologists in Peru who undertake the sometimes long and tiring operations using a microscope much suffering due to pain in their backs.

Here is the article on the page of Diospi Suyana: http://www.diospi-suyana.de/was-hat-op-mobiliar-mit-weihnachten-zu-tun/?lang=en

Post from 17.11.2017

We had two very interesting weeks doing pre-missionary seminars at the VDM in Bassum.
The first week was dedicated to administration. We learned a lot about bookkeeping and monthly reports and talked about insurance, retirement provisions, wills and powers of attorney.

In the second week, we discussed issues such as how to deal with poverty, work in intercultural teams and conflicts that may arise from it, with their possible solutions. We are now sensitized to intercultural communication and have received many tips on how to immerse oneself in a culture. We have been able to exchange views with missionaries who had many years of operational experience and those who are in the preparatory stage, such as us.
The days were packed with information and very interesting.

Our to-do lists have grown and the recommendation is that after the courses, we will have 6 months to prepare for our departure. We hope that our departure is possibly sooner and will work hard towards that end.