So here is a quick summary of our day, we had morning devtions, breakfast and dishes, peeled potatoes, and then were presented with a 20 liter pail of grain the swift through and pick out anything that was not a perfect gain seed. And so minus a break to do lunch dishes we sorted grain all the way to supper. As a result this blog will not be very long becuase there is not much I can say about stitting on the ground a sorting through grain. Alought Alissa spilled much of hers on the ground and pretended it was grass, and even though it was a pretty boring task we all still had a pretty good day and laughed alot. Tomorrow they are going to grind the grain into flour and make bread, we now have new apperciation for flour, and think the bread will be the best bread wed have ever tasated. We also got a note from the team at the village written on one of the bags we made, it reads: "Dear Friends with access to water, We miss you dearly, and think of you while siting for 3hrs listening to Quechua. You're in our prayers. Patches needs prayer, he hopped a fence in a potato sack. Happy Feets shoes are wet. Erin has a few new 'friends'. Patches and Snorey are sharing a double bed by the sausage rolls. Giggles is finding reasons to smile & herbal essence is the only one that smells good. 80 out of the 200 kids expected came so you're bags are being put to 'good' use. You'll be able to recognize us upon our return because we're takken Carson's advice. Kyle we're aloud to pet kittens right? Love your 'smelly' villagers" So we are pretty sure that they are having lots of fun, but to explain the note a little futher. Mark is clearly Snorey, which logically makes Morgan Pathces. Heidi is Erin (her middle name) because the people cannot pronounce Heidi. Herbal Essence is Brianna becuase she is always useing esstenital oils. We are guessing Happy Feet and Lindsey and Giggles Amanda, althought we are not totally sure. We also have no idea what Carson's advice is. Pastor Bill's teaching is going well, they are covering a lots of material very qiuckly and the pastors have a lot of good questions. Thanks for your contiuned prayers. Danielle

Buenos Noches from Atek!

Most of the team is half asleep, inlcuding me, after a second long day at the Pastor's conference. Long, but good. Its hard to believe a week has gone by and we only have one left!

The day started out the same as yesterday, with worship, a testimony and devotion bright and early (and very cold) at 6 am. We are still getting the hang of singing songs en espanol.

In total we've probably washed around 150 cups and 120 plates today, and can expect to do the same for the rest of the week. Besides washing dishes, we don't really have tasks planned out for everyday, but there is always something to do. This morning Lucia (one of the cooks) asked as to peel chuno for lunch. At least we think thats what were supposed to do. Chuno are these lovely freeze-dried black potatoes that may or may not smell really weird. We finished varnishing and painting two benches (this time actually being careful not to get it all over our hands) and started two more. After lunch Anjelica (the other cook) got us to wash windows. With no windex around, it took multiple tries and methods to get a moderately streak free window. This involved soapy rags, water rinses, dry rags, rags on brooms, wobbly chairs to stand on, and squeegees that didn't really work. I didn't put sunscreen on my hands (well who usally puts sunscreen on their hands anyways?) and I have a nice burn to show for it. Today was one of the warmest days we've had so far.

We are praying for the pastor from Huanca Huanca and his wife. They are both in rough condition after a car accident. His wife's face is severly damaged and she requires many surgeries. She can't get the one needed for her eyes until October. He has an injured leg and was here today at the conference.

Our youth team is coming back in two days. Last night Pastor Freddie and Milagros left Atek very late to join them. We are praying for them and hope all is well! We really enjoy any comments and appreciate your prayers. Atek has asked Pastor Bill to teach on birth control on Friday. It is seen as a sin in this culture, but the lack of can lead to health problems. He would like prayer for discernment and the right words to say. Prayer for health and safety, especially for the youth team in the village, is also appreciated.  

Adios for now!

Alissa

p.s we tried to upload videos for you, but they are taking longer than expected so we will try again tomorrow

   

Hola amigos!  Como estas?  I am writing to you from the comfort of my deck chair, conveniently located in the office here at ATEK.  Kyle, in his usual way, volun-told Alissa that she was to write on the blog tonight, but I traded her a guitar for the computer and she is now serenading the team.  This is really quite interesting as she is creating her own chords.  The current one has been dubbed "H".  I have just been corrected: H, is not a chord, but is rather a new note.  Anyways, on to more interesting topics, Pastor Bill has been teaching all day and after dinner, told us that Adam did not have a bellybutton, and that this could be verified in Hezekiah (thanks to Alissa for spelling that for me) chapter 4:12.  Check it out for yourself; we did. 

Today has been a rather eventful day!  The pastors arrived all through the night and were up with us at 6am to begin singing worship songs and learning about the Bible.  Our team was very, very excited to be awake and singing at 6am.  After our morning worship/devotional, we proceeded by serving all 40 pastors breakfast.  We have spent much time in the kitchen both preparing food with our Peruvian sisters and have been on kitchen duty for every meal since. 

At around noon, half of our team left for the village, (10am Peruvian time), and without an interpreter.  We said our goodbyes and are excited to hear about their experiences when they return to ATEK on Thursday. 

As for our music update, Alissa has just mastered some interesting slide technique; I thought you'd be interested to know...

Between our kitchen adventures, we found a project to keep us busy: sanding and re-staining some benches.  The only problem with this project idea is that we did not have any stain and were running low on sand paper.  Kyle proposed a trip to the local "Maestro" (Home Depot equivelant), and this meant that I was driving.  If you have never driven in Peru, let me tell you: it is an experience.  They have speed bumps on their roads...  and our Land Cruiser has pretty stiff suspension... and I may owe Reyna an appologie for a small bumb she found on her head after we hit a speed bump a little too fast.  (She is laughing at this, so I think she has forgiven me).  This is just the beginning of our re-finishing adventure.  Once back at "the ranch", we began sanding benches and realized we were going to be at it for a very long time with our 120 grit sand paper.  One member, who shall remain nameless, jokingly mentioned that a belt sander would really help our situation.  Turns out, ATEK owns a belt sander.  After sanding our benches, Rebecca, Danielle, Alissa, Reyna began to stain the benches, and their hands.  Oil based stain does not come off skin easily, and I think they have used every cleaning product we could think of in effort to remove said stain.  They still have sticky fingers, and Alissa is playing the guitar, which may now have a sticky neck?

Another skill that we have aquired here at ATEK today, is shaving legs.  Not those kind of legs... chicken legs, and about a hundred of them.  We got a crash course in how to make sure there are no feathers left on the drumsticks and then how to cut away and tough skin with our extremely dull kitchen knives.  I ended up with raw chicken all over me and had to wash some clothes.

Well friends, I hope you have enjoyed this quick little look into our adventure here in Peru; I have been reading this out loud and the others have been laughing and mentioning many more stories that you may have to hear another time.  Thank you all so much for your prayer; we need it!  We have been having loads of fun, but it has also been very challenging and we know that there are spiritual battles going on around us as we proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Carson

PS.  Just thought I would give you one last guitar update: Alissa is still holding the guitar but is no longer playing it. 

PPS.  Danielle just took the guitar from Alissa and is now singing an original piece dedicated to John. 

Alright, Im seriously leaving now, Goodnight!!

Youth Team Departure

It will be sad to go our separate ways for the next few days. We've been bonding well as a team. Half of the team is staying at ATEK and our youth team is headed to a village in the Livitaca region. We will not be headed into the mountains as far as Pastor Bill and Stephanie did last fall, but we are headed in the same direction. We are going uphill once again. It sounds like 4 hours of driving instead of 8 according to Pastor Freddie, so count on it being 5 hours at least. 

With that being said, no one has suffered any setbacks with altitude sickness yet - but motion sickness has been on the menu a few times. Brianna has been taking great care of the girls (and all of us) with her essential oils, and we have plenty of Gravol on top of a loaded first aid kit. Last night I had stabbing pain throughout my abdomen, but after praying with Morgan and Carson, it subsided and then disappeared. Praise God for His healing! We prayed for a woman with a similar ailment this morning. Morgan is doing just fine 4 weeks post-op from his appendectomy. Even so, we're still making Him take it easy. Keep praying for our protection and continuing health. 

We'll be going silent since there is no WiFi in the village. Our youth will be meeting up with Quechua youth from the surrounding countryside from ages 13 to 20ish. Here, you stay in youth until you get married, so that will be interesting. Our youth will be leading them in a few games, songs, and will be sharing testimonies throughout the week. They will also be helping prepare the food and serve it to groups of youth. Lastly, we will be filling the gift bags we constructed with a Quechua Bible, magazine, personal hygiene products, and other fun items. I will be sharing the salvation message and speak on our identity in Christ. We will be staying in the church on the dirt floor with the ATEK staff members which includes Mila, our translator and Yoni, ATEK's youth and children's worker. 

Pray for confidence and boldness for all of us. Ask God to give us a continued love for the people and joy in serving them. Pray that we will bend as needed to changing schedules, flexible timelines, and differing expectations. And ask Christ to overcome the language barrier as we shine as His light to these  youth and leaders to bring glory to God and draw them to Christ. Pray for the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus. 

What shall we say then? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

To this we have been called. Let us prove to be faithful. 

Pastor Mark

PS - Thanks for the great comments - keep them coming! You encourage us. Everything with the comment section should be fully functional now. My apologies that it took this long. Here we are on Day 7 going into Day 8!

Sunday

Hola!

Today was rather busy as we went to two orphanages and served supper to the pastors as they arrive for the conference. 

The first orphanage we visited, Josephine's House, is a home for mentally ill children that Stephanie works with. All of the kids were very welcoming and eager to play with us. 

Late in the morning we visited the second orphanage, El Arca, where we participated in a church service. We led a song in Spanish and Danielle and Mark shared their testimonies. Afterwards we ate lunch together. 

Pastors began arriving for the conference  throughout the evening. We dished out many plates of food and did dishes as they finished eating. So far 35-40 pastors have come and we are expecting more to show up tomorrow. They already are all over the base, including the women's bathroom to our surprise! It is exciting to see so many pastors of many ages come and we are looking forward to seeing what God is going to do. 

Thank you for all of your prayers!

Rebecca

PS. Ryan I miss you lots! I wish you were here. 

Boys orphanage

So today we went to a boys orpahnage with about 15 boys. This orphanage is a new contact for Walter and Stephanie and has not had much outside help, so we were unsure of how they would weclome a team of mostly white girls. But it turned out to be really good. The guy who runs it gave us a tour, he told us how he really wanted to teach the boys to follow Christ, he says that other goverment orphanage's have more things but the children are not always treated well. He wants his orpahnage to be a place were the boys want to be, and where they know God even if they don't have everything! All of these boys have really rough pasts and most spent time on the street, but the man (who's name I forget) is createing a family for them, he tells them that no matter what happends they will stick together.

He also told us some of the needs of the opraphage, which are quite exstensive, they need a new water pump, to finish a new building (cuz the one is falling apart), clothes, education money, and most importantly they need food. He says they often do not have enough money for there basic needs, but that they trust God and he always provides. We would like to find a way to help them with food. So please pray for them at the orphange, that their needs would be meet and that they would know God. Also pray for strength for the guy who runs the opraphage because workings with these boys presents many challanges.
After that we were able to play soccer with the boys and everyone got very muddy but had lots of fun.

Once we got back to ATEK we finished our work projects, we had 180 more bags to fold, it was a very daunting task and we felt discouraged and just wanted to buy bags. But once we stopped complaing, we got a good assembely line and music going we got them done much faster than expected.

Tommorow we go to two more orphanges in the morning, and then the pastors start arriving for the pastors conference. ATEK will be very full and busy so keep us in yours prayers, also pray for those leaving for the village on moday morning for the youth camp.

Danielle

P.S. - John if you happen to read this I love you and miss you a lot.
P.S.S - We love comments from anyone reading

After Soccer

Our team

Boys orphanage

Day 5

Hi everyone! It's 8:00 here and we've all had a good day of work and shopping. We finished up a lot of projects today, and with the inccentive to get done early so we could shop resulted in us assembling four bunkbeds in the smaller room while others also layed down the flooring; and despite having the majority of us in there we still had enough room to work around eachother. I think the most dreaded project of the day was making the goodie bags for the youth camp. Danielle thankfully figured out the way you're supposed to fold them - 20 down 180 more to go.

After lunch we took a bus ride to the market. Alyssa said it looked like a record for how many people were on the bus. It was everybody up against eachother, people sitting on others, and people hanging out of the door. I was beside the girl who worked on it, opening the doors for everyone, and she was trying to talk to me but it wasn't the most successful since we knew equal, but very little amounts of spanish or english. But she was laughing at a few of us trying to pronounce things. We all split up when we got to the market. We all found that some of the vendors were very easy to bargain with, and others were not at all. But over all a good shopping trip, we came out with a bunch of bags and I think everyone found what they were looking for.

We still had a couple of hours to kill while we waited for the bus so we walked to the town square and looked at the glowing Jesus on the mountain and went to a smoothie and juice place. I almost ordered hot milk, but thanks to Carson's spanish skills I was able to know that before ordering. So instead I ordered what I thought was hot chocolate but instead was coka tea with a bunch of other items in it. As soon as we walked outside we were swarmed by people trying to sell things - mostly paintings, We got to talk to a few of them for quite awhile and get to know them. Their names were Willy, Ceasar, and Alfredo. Ceasar liked Heidi's blonde hair because he said it was very different from the women's hair in Cusco. Alfredo was young but a very good sales person. His initial technique was throwing a toque on Heidi and running away. In the end though, we bought the toque and a few uneeded llama key chains. According to one of the artists Danielle was a bad person and a bad tourist for not buying his work. While standing around we had a man come up to Heidi and I and point at us and said "La Cucaracha!" Which is when we realized that that was the same man on the train from Machu P:icchu who taught Heidi, Brianna, and I the spanish songs!

On the bus ride back we listened to some Disney songs, and now after supper we are all playing cards! Tomorrow will be finishing up some small things and all of us are heading to one of the orphanages, it should be fun.

Buenos Noches!
- Lindsey

Day 4, first day of team work.

Hi everyone.  It is 6:30 here.  We just finished a supper of hearty soup.  Renya and I did the dishes tonight.  Everyone gets a turn. 
Our day started with breakfast at seven.  Some had hot showers.  One gal was heard to 'praise the Lord for hot water'  while in the shower.  Amanda shared her testimony for our devotional and did a great job.
The team worked very hard today, all 13 of us.  We have pictures to prove it!!  We laid hardwood flooring in one of the rooms that will be used as a dorm.  We also started laying base boards in the same room that is eight inches out of square in just 10 feet.  No corners are square including all the columns.  Some of you know what I am talking about. 
The gals sanded, primed and put two coats of white and blue in another room.  Renya painted the ceiling so her arms are sore from raising her hands all day. Another group spent preparing material for the youth camp and a children's camp that takes place in the same village the week we head home. We also put together some bunk beds.  The team has the rest of the night night off.  Most of them are playing a very noisy and spirited card game.
Tomorrow we will lay flooring in the room just painted.  The gals will paint and prepared materials.  Our goal is take them shopping tomorrow evening.  Saturday and Sunday we visit the three orphanges Steph works with,   Sunday afternoon the pastors begin arriving.  They are expecting between 60 to 90 pastors.  In addition another team arrives next Saturday so this place will be jambed full and will need the additional rooms we will try to complete.
Monday the six members of the youth team will leave for the village.  They will return a week from today.
So far we have only minor health problems.  Everyone feels well tonight so no altitude sickness thus far.  The nights are cold 0 to 3 degrees.  We have added extra blankets to our beds and all slept well last night.  No discipline problems at all and all team members have demonstrated a great spirit and servant attitude.
Thanks for your continued prayers.  The ATEK staff is over extended and really appreciate our help. 
Happy anniversery Carol.  You deserve a medal of honor for 43 years. I hope you have a great weekend camping.  The time has gone by quickly because we are busy.  Yesterday, while most of the team was in Machu Pichu Alissa and I worked in the morning and then toured with Walter and Steph to the Inca museum and the old catholic church built on Inca ruins.
God's best to you all.  We enjoy hearing from you.  Your words of encouragement are shared at meal times.
Pastor Bill

Adventure to Machu Picchu

After a much needed rest from yesterday's travels we had an early morning. We left ATEK at 5:30 and took a bus to the train station. From there we took a 3 1/2 hour scenic train ride up to Machu Picchu. The scenery was beautiful, it was interesting to see dry farmland and then gradually a change to tropical jungle. When we arrived at Machu Picchu we met a tour guide who told us lots if interesting facts about the Inka ruins. It was a busy day at the ruins because it was the 103rd Anniversary of the discovery of Machu Picchu. We got some amazing pictures of the detailed architecture, it was all so beautiful.

We walked around the site and did some exploring without the tour guide afterwards. Then we took the bus back down and had lunch at a Mexican restaurant. 

We took the train back and thankfully managed to all make it on, unfortunately Mark was in a different coach. Some of the girls learned some new Spanish songs, their favourite being "Feliz Navidad" they had lots of time to perfect it so it sounds quite good! We got back to ATEK at 9:30 and has supper. We are all in good health (Brianna has us all using her essential oils).

Pastor Bill and Alissa stayed back and did some flooring. They also went to the market.

Goodnight!

Reyna Hiebert 

To whom it may concern....

So I was hoping to be able to weave an extravagant tale outlining our journey,  but I was forcefully told by the group that only the truth would suffice. So here it is.

We've made it!!! All in one piece and only shy one piece of luggage. All the flights and connections were stupendous until our final stop in Lima, which is where we lost the duffle bag loaded to the gills with fun stuff for the orphans. Bill and Danny-L stayed behind while the rest of us went ahead to catch the flight. They arrived and just narrowly made onto the plane before the doors sealed for good. 

From there we enjoyed a short and adventure-less flight and arrived at our final destination, Cuzco.... Peru. That is where we were greeted by Stephanie and Walter and a short and fruitful bus ride brought us to the gates of ATEK were we now reside. Everyone is in good health and sporting a smile. Tomorrow is an early morning to conquer Machu Picchu and we appreciate the prayers from the friends and family back home.

Stobbe #3 

Edmonton Airport

So, we are still sitting at the airport - waiting. During our walk through security, Rebecca and I both got pat down. Not only was it awkward, but I was the last one through, so everyone was waiting for me......  

When that whole thing was done we went for a walk in the airport. We walked the entire airport trying to keep ourselves busy. We all went and saw the nature wall (and it is made of real plants - Brianna tested this theory). Many of us got Cookies By George. Carson got a cookie and has proceeded to drop his cookie, pick it up off the dirty airport floor and eat it. Not the best idea.... 

So we are just sitting waiting for our flight to arrive. Talk to y'all later! God bless! 

Amanda Sneath 

One Week Away...

Just last night we were laughing together.

We met as a team to review a number of important details and prepare ourselves for what we were about to experience in Peru. Seeing the buildings and rooms in photos and video sure makes everything seem a whole lot more real and seven days closer...

We went over what to bring and what not to bring. Did you know there was a such thing as a gas-powered curling iron? Air Canada has specific advice on how to handle them so they won't confiscate them. I love it when they state the obvious too. Like when they remind us that we should not bring knives on the aircraft. That makes sense, right Carson?

We also talked about what to do and what not to do:

Do smile. 

Do not pet animals. 

Do sanitize your hands discreetly.

Do not brush your teeth using tap water.

Do not be alarmed if you are greeted with a kiss.

There were a lot more thing we discussed and I hope we remember everything! Altitude medication instructions, dates and times that might or might not change, FLEXIBILITY. It's all important. It's a good thing that we have each other to remember those things that each one of us might have missed individually. Even with all of this on our minds, there are so many good things to look forward to.

I look forward to the food. 

After returning from Peru last time, I couldn't eat cilantro for months, but most of the food was still pretty good. Pollo y patatas fritas, aji de gallina, alpaca, coey - it was a great experience.

I look forward to the crisp air in the morning.

I look forward to some amazing hikes and seeing things most North Americans never get to see.

I look forward to seeing some familiar faces in Peru.

Fredi, Bernaldino, Yoni, Milagros. These are all people who have got a great passion for God and desire to see the Quechua people presented with the whole gospel. Such amazing people.

I look forward to making a difference.

At times we may feel helpless there and feel as though we are the ones being served far more than those we have come to help. I pray that God would give us a great love for the people - His love - and that it would multiply and grow and spread throughout the region for the glory of God and the name of Christ.

I look forward to spending time with our team.

I'm excited to listen to each team member share how God has shaped their lives. I'm excited about flying together, playing together, eating together, experiencing new things together, praying together, working together, and so much more. 

I look forward to time with God.

I'm sure we will be returning from Peru with more stories of God's goodness that will add to the great things we can share with others of God's work in our lives. Even though life tends to slow down a bit when we get there, there seems to be no time alone. I pray that we will all find the time we need to meet with the One who is most important in our lives to find what we need for each day.

I'm looking forward.

- Pastor Mark

^{4 "}Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." ^{Philippians 4:4} NLT