PERU

Editor’s note: In early February 2023, Mary Beth George wrote that the roads to their town had been opened to tourist traffic and tourist numbers were pretty much back to normal for this time of year, but on January 20, this was their blog post:

“Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Greetings from sleepy Punta de Bombón. We are told that at this time of year this place is usually hopping with tourists coming out to enjoy the vast beaches, but this year is a little different. With all the protests going on, the town is quiet and tranquil.

We returned yesterday from our yearly conference near Lima and can understand why. A ‘cease fire’ was called over Christmas that got Ben and Mia safely back to the States.

When it ended, protests were slow to start up again and the mission felt it would be ok to hold our annual spiritual life conference near Lima. While we were there however, the Cusco airport closed for a few days because of protests, which delayed the return of Abancay and Cusco missionaries for a while. Thankfully, the Lima airport was unaffected, and Paul was able to fly back to the U.S. on Monday without any problems.

We made it back to Arequipa on Tuesday. Upon our arrival we found out the road to La Punta was blocked by protesters and decided to wait for an opportunity to make our final leg home.

Yesterday, we had had enough waiting, and having heard that buses were getting through in the wee morning hours, we headed out at 4:40 a.m. hoping to catch a minivan to take us the distance. Thankfully, we were able to get on the road around 5:45 and just managed to squeak past protesters setting up tires to burn in the nearby town of Cocachacra at 8:00 a.m.

I know these narrow misses are not casual occurrences but answered prayers, so thanks for praying! We are super thankful. Even so, I believe that as Christians our goal in life is not and should not always be to be comfortable and safe, but rather to glorify God. Sometimes this means miraculous blessings (like safe travel in a divided country), and sometimes it means ‘unjustified’ suffering. Whichever it is, may my heart say, “I’m so thankful to be walking with you oh my God!”