Day Off Adventures.

(If you missed part one Pucallpa- A Simple Life... CLICK HERE)

After we wrapped up that time in San Juan, a desperately needed two days off had finally

arrived. Between the heat, and the ministry time we were worn out. So what did we

do? We fished.

One of my bucket list desires has been to fish in places like the Amazon. Why not

right? Not many people get that opportunity. So a bunch of us went along the river with

homemade fishing rods. We used some chicken guts, put them on a hook, got knee

deep in the murky water and put our lines in.

First fish- piranha.

I was hooked. We fished for a couple of hours, catching two different types of catfish,

and two types of piranhas. We saw leaf cutter ants, and a dead sloth. We also saw a

monstrous dead iguana that was being eaten in the water by the piranhas. Obviously it

is ideal to see these animals alive... but it was still cool to think that there could be a

sloth taking a nap in the tree right above us.

The second day we went to the zoo and held hands with monkeys. We then went over

to the jaguar cage, and Amanda somehow insulted a male jaguar which proceeded to

lunge at her through the cage. That was one of the coolest, scary moments in my life.

We are very thankful for the cage, otherwise I would have had to rip a jaguar in half and

pay the zoo for their loses. Ha!

their loses. Ha!

 

After our days off we prepared to check out of our hotel, and get on a boat. Where were we going? Up the Ucayali river, a tributary to the Amazon, to vist with a Shipibo community...

click HERE for part three...

Physical Therapy

My first Rugby practice was Tuesday night, and I wrote “My First Practice” on Wednesday.  Since Tuesday I have received three shots to relax my back muscles and I could barely shuffle my feet.  At this point, you may be questioning how Rugby has anything to do with “opportunity” or missions.  (When I was trying to walk... I began asking myself that too).  Let me tell you a little story that might clarify things.

 Since my senior year in high school I began having back problems off and on.  My leg muscles have always been tight, and I have never been able to touch my toes.  From my hips down I felt like a rubber band that was being stretched to the limits.  When I play any sport my back muscles were always the first to go.  Case and point: Tuesday night.

 I have always joked with Amanda that I need a professional stretcher, like Lebron James has.  Unfortunately for my legs and back, I am not a pro athlete or near billionaire.  So here I was laying in bed trying to avoid spasms.  I did not want to whine too much because I was afraid Amanda would give me the thumbs down sign.  Fortunately, God is the author of all things...and He knew I needed some help.

 We called a close friend, who is a physical therapist.  (She goes to our church, and is definitely more of a mother figure than friend.  She makes sure we are well taken care of).  She stopped over to take a look at my back, and see if she could help.  She looked at it for a little while, and told me that I needed to go to her office the following day so I could meet with her boss, a Doctor.  At this point I was up for anything that would help, (and get me back to playing rugby).

 Friday, we arrived at the Doctor’s office and waited for a little while.  After laying on the treatment bed and receiving a massage to loosen the muscles, the diagnosis began.  In two minutes the Doctor told me everything that was wrong, and even described some problems I have had in the past.  She was really good.

 They loosened my muscles again, and then stretched me out really well.  I instantly felt better.  During the therapy session, our friend told me something that blew me away.  She told me that she felt like she needed to pay for my first two treatments.  “Wow.  Um...OK.  Thank you.  Are you sure? Are you sure??? OK...”  Then she told me that she was talking to the doctor about Amanda and I; How we knew each other, etc.

 Then she told her that we were going to be in Lima for the next five years.  The Doctor asked why, and our friend said that we were missionaries.  Without any hesitation the Doctor told her, “After the first two treatments we will give him his entire treatment program for free.”

 SAY WHAT?

 Talk about mind blowing. She is not a Christian, and suddenly God put on her heart to treat me for free.  (We are talking about several MONTHS worth of weekly treatments).  She wants me to be healthy, touch my toes, and feel comfortable in her country.  We think God is working on her heart, and we feel so privileged to be a part of that.

 Needless to say, EVERY SINGLE rugby player I know is going to get her card.  

 Here I am thinking that I am going to get a free evaluation and God provides me something I have prayed for, for the last six years. God knows every one of our needs.  You never know how He will meet them, or how He will use you to meet other people’s needs. 

Night One

 It’s official.  I am currently a member of the Newton Flaming Lions Rugby Club; a professional team here in Peru.  OK, stop laughing.  I am serious.  It is a much needed outlet in a country that sometimes requires a place to express frustration.  Plus, there is something to be said for a manly sport like Rugby.   My kids will always think twice before acting, knowing that their old man is obviously a little crazy.

 Where am I writing this?  In my bed, with severe back pain.  

 Last night was my first practice, and my first time playing.  I have seen pro games on television, and I have watched a ton of clips on YouTube, but nothing really prepared me for the experience. 

 There are two men’s divisions in the league, so both teams practice together.  My guess is that there was 40-50 guys out there.  They all range in size, but I am 99% sure I am the tallest guy.  However, I am also 99% I am the skinniest guy too.  

 The position I will be playing is winger.  We are the “Glory Boys.”  Agile like gazelles, powerful, handsome...and we also do the least amount of work.  BUT, we score.  Sometimes we will have to tackle a guy, but maybe only 5-6 tackles a game.  Which is nothing considering forwards tackle at least in the 20 to 30 range.  

 My friend Wes and I met up with a new friend, Jorge.  He is a Peruvian National Rugby player, and he looks the part.  He introduced us, we said, “Hi” to the guys, and then we warmed up a little.  Once the Coach found out that we knew nothing, he sent us over with the “Rookies” and an injured guy.

 We passed the ball around a little, and got our legs warmed up. Then we moved into a drill where we pass down the line.  Then we did a drill where the outside guys on the line switch places, and they pass the ball during the switch.  Simple stuff.

 Verdict: I have to get used to taking shorter strides.  Their three strides equal one stride for me.  So even in a trot I was moving too fast.  This is a team game, so you are only as strong as the guys around you.

 Then we moved to tackling.  

 Now, if you know me...you know I am skinny.  However, I like challenges.  In games it is relatively easy for me to ignore pain.  However, I didn’t know what to expect.  The guys we were with easily have 50-60 pounds on me...minimum.  They are all muscle bound and some were even 6’3”.  Then there is Wes, who is a little cannonball, with a low center of gravity.  He also has to have at least 50 pounds on me.

 We did one on one tackles where a guy goes full speed, and you have to tackle him.  The trainer said, “OK someone get out there.”  No one went.  It was in Spanish, so it took me a minute to understand.  But when I did, I realized no one went out there.  I know why Wes didn’t, and it is probably the same reason I shouldn’t have...but I like to pretend I am tough.  

 1st Guy- Easy.  Hit him in the gut and drove him outside the lines.

 2nd Guy- Twisted him down.

 3rd Guy-  (The one I was a little worried about) He was the easiest.

 4th Guy- He got passed me, but I took him down with his leg.

 5th Guy-  Wes.  Remember how I said he has a low center of gravity?  He can also get to full speed really quickly.  I was on my heels and squared up.  Then I proceeded to get popped in the chest and run over. PANCAKE. 

 Somewhere in between the first and fifth guy I did something wrong.  I was using my back too much instead of my legs.  Now I am sitting with a pillow under my back, wishing I had some Icy Hot.  My back has spasms, and I am walking like a bent over old man.

 Was it worth it? Yes.  I know I can do it.  My mind knows I can.  My heart knows I can.  My back just hasn’t gotten the message yet.  

 Now, the ministry aspect is even more interesting.  The team I play for has a large number of players that speak English relatively fluently.  This is critical for me, because my Spanish is still not in a place where I can REALLY have deep conversations.  After getting past names, they began to ask about why we are here and what we are doing.  It is a start.  

 Additionally, in Peru, rugby is a sport for “rich people.” This is exciting for me because this environment allows me to get a feel for different economic classes.  It allows me to talk to people that are ultimately influencing the classes that we do most of our work with.  It allows me to point out some things that they may have never noticed before.  In one word, it creates “opportunity.”