Back in Breu After 2 Weeks in Nueva Luz Village

We had a wonderful two weeks in the small Ash village of Nueva Luz. Always good to be there with
Laureano (an Ash believer) and his family. We "camp out" in Nueva Luz, sleeping in a tent and using
a rustic latrine. Nice to be back in our house here in Breu again with a few more conveniences. :)

We did have an interesting patient this week at Nueva Luz. A little girl (maybe 12 years old)
showed up with a pretty large lesion on her leg. My immediate thought was leishmaniasis, but wasn't
sure, so sent a couple of pictures off to a doctor we know in Brazil. He got right back to me and
definitely thought it looked like leishmaniasis. So, I mentioned to the girl's family going to
Pucallpa for a biopsy and treatment which was met with blank stares....there is no way her parents
are going to take her there.

Then Kamicha took a look at the sore and declared that her son had a sore just like that and it
healed after her treating it with the fluid from the gallbladder of a type of game bird that they
eat. Our doctor friend was actually all for them trying the gall treatment. Most often the lesions
heal on their own and if not, they spread to the nose. If her nose truly gets a lesion as well, I
know that they will be scared enough to take her somewhere for treatment.

When we arrived here in Breu, I went to the clinic and talked to one of the workers who right away
thought the picture looked like leishmaniasis as well. She said that they can give her treatment
here and that they don't worry about the biopsy. I was so relieved to hear that as I know that is
much more doable in their minds, so when we return in Sept, if the lesion is not healed, we'll
encourage her to come here for treatment.

Another interesting cultural incident: one of Laureano's sons shot a pregnant cutia (large rodent).
They delivered the fetus which was still barely alive and let their little girls carry it around
like a baby doll until it was dead. Then, Laureano's sister's family ate the fetus/baby cutia!

-Rebecca

Beware of what trail you're on!

One of the things I really enjoy when we visit Nueva Luz village is hanging out with Laureano, one of the few believers among our dialect of Asheninka. It has been a joy to come alongside this man and disciple him in his walk with our Savior but also to learn many things from him. He's an expert hunter and I always enjoy hunting in the jungles with him. He patiently teaches me the ropes of how to hunt in the Amazon rainforest.

On one of our hunts in Nueva Luz we were returning to the village and we were following this "trail" that wasn't super distinct. Laureano wanted me to go first so that I would possibly have a good shot at something along the trail. At one point I thought I was following the trail only to suddenly notice that Laureano wasn't following me. I look back and he motions to me to indicate where the proper trail goes. Once I get close to him he matter-of-factly informs me that I was following a jaguar's trail. :) OK, you probably don't want to be doing that!

-Brad

Nueve Luz village - jaguar country

One morning while we were in Nueva Luz village I took a couple of buckets over to the spring on the other side of the village to get some water. You go by Pookiritzi's house on the way to the spring. He right away wanted to show me what he had shot early this morning just a little ways upriver. He had a wild pig and a woolly monkey. He then told me that he shot two woolly monkeys but a jaguar (or puma) nabbed one of the monkeys before he could get it. Can you imagine? Last December an old jaguar came into the village here and attacked a dog, trying to get it for food. The dog survived, although it lost one eye. Then one of the villagers shot the jaguar. I haven't seen a jaguar while out hunting with, Laureano, an Asheninka believer, yet, but have seen jaguar feces close to the trail.

-Brad

Easter with Brad's Brother and Family

A belated Happy Easter to all! We were able to celebrate Easter with Kris, Mary Jane and their kids this year! Someone even came up with the idea to take a family photo. :)

-Brad

Another missionary family to join us in Breu!

This past week Brad and I were able to meet a couple from the Swiss Mission here in Pucallpa who would like to live in Puerto Breu for extended periods of time and help there with the Spanish church plant.  We really liked them and see how God is providing more help, especially for Jose Maia, through them. 

They are in their mid-fifties and called themselves Paraguayan Mennonites.  Their grandparents are German refugees from Russia.  So they look European, but have lived all their lives in Paraguay, except for when they studied in Canada and now here in Peru with the Swiss Mission.  So they speak German, Spanish and English.  We enjoyed hearing their story and how they feel God is leading them to work there in Breu.  Praise God for this dear couple who desire to be used by Him in the ministry in Puerto Breu!

-Rebecca

Derick Heads Home Today

Well, the day has arrived for Derick to make his way back home to PA. Pray for him today and tomorrow as he makes his way from Pucallpa, Peru all the way back to Harrisburg, PA. He has about 24 hours of travel ahead of him.

We have appreciated having him with us these 3 months and trust that God will continue to direct his steps as he seeks to be used of Him in cross-cultural missions!

-Brad

We're Out in Town

Praise the Lord that we had great weather yesterday and were able to fly out of the community! We will be town for about two weeks.

-Brad