January 2008

Dearest Friends,

Before Christmas I wrote this letter and tried to send it out, but evidently I need more instruction on how to use the computer, because it didn't work. Some of you may have received the original letter, but this has some added news if you care to read it again.

After 2 months of mission meetings and conferences in the U.S., it was quite shocking to be met by a horrible smell as we entered the house upon our return to Huanta. During our absence, rats had managed to come up through the sewer and had taken over the bathroom, which was so full of rat excrement that the odor was nauseating and could be smelled throughout the house. It took hours to clean up the mess and to disinfect, and even so, the odor continued for over a week. At the same time, we discovered that someone had mistakenly shut the door of the refrigerator, which had been cleaned and then unplugged for our 2-month absence. Mold had formed inside, and it took hours to clean and disinfect the refrigerator as well. A few days later, something burst on the water heater up in the area between the ceiling and the roof, and buckets of copper-colored water drained through to the bathroom below. Meanwhile, a horde of mice had found some entrance holes into the house, and we have been busy for weeks setting traps, stopping holes and feeding mice to our big owl, who is the only one happy over this whole affair.

Shortly after our return, the 5th anniversary of our church was celebrated with joy and gladness. Following a wonderful Sunday morning service, all the members gathered for the typical feast of hominy corn - "mondongo" soup, which had been cooked all night over wood fires and had taken some effort to prepare. At 10 p.m. on Saturday night, before the huge pots could be filled and placed over the roaring fires…to our horror it was discovered that the city water had been cut off for the night. How can you make soup without water???? By 11 p.m. the problem was resolved when the guys were able to bring a barrel of water from somebody’s tank across town.

A few days later, a call came from Lima asking Gerry to chauffeur the President of the country, his wife, a general of the joint-chiefs-of-staff and a cabinet minister… from a government helicopter to a battlefield near Ayacucho, where there was to be a special re-enactment of the last battle for the independence of South America. That night I awoke with an urgent sense of needing to bake some homemade cookies for Gerry to take to the General, who has shown great esteem for Gerry and has sent him gifts on several occasions. But I couldn’t send to the General…and not to the President.

So, dressed "fit-to-kill" in a suit and spit-shined boots…and accompanied by one of our young men, (also in a suit and looking the part of a body guard in a quickly acquired crew cut,) Gerry left early one morning with the cookies and a giant letter, leather-bound Bible inscribed with a dedication for the President’s wife. The General had been given such a Bible by Gerry on a previous occasion and has been giving reports of what he reads. Last year Gerry had driven the President for almost 14 hours through areas of the mountains, accompanied by a caravan of body guards, scouts and decoys. Can you imagine the conversations in that car while Gerry had "the ear" of the President for so many hours?! He has shown to be open to the Gospel. Now…on this recent trip to the battlefield, the President insisted that the "Pastor" sit near him at the banquet table with other dignitaries. He likes Gerry, and he and his wife welcomed the Bible and cookies.

Thanks to the Lord for His great mercy and goodness, Gerry is doing alright in his health. He has lost almost 50 lbs. And looks great and is always busy studying, writing, teaching and preaching.

The oncologist in the U.S. was all smiles as he checked me and told me that I looked good. He said that my blood-work was perfect and that the monthly treatment I receive is obviously keeping under control the cancer that is trying to attack the bones. Thanks be to God! And thanks so much to all of you who pray! How grateful I am!!!!

A brief report on our kids:

• Osman and Janett and their 3 children have raised enough support to be part of an MTW project working with an orphanage in Cuzco, Peru. It seems that they are to be there already by April. Thank the Lord.
• Keila and Daniel completed a year teaching English in the University of Ayacucho and returned to the U.S. in September.
• Lois and Matt and their 3 children are in Illinois, where Matt pastors a thriving Presbyterian church. Lois teaches Spanish in the Christian school their kids attend.
• Nathaniel and Alicia are in Escondido, California, where he is in his 2nd year at Westminster Seminary. Alicia works for a professor in a Christian organization there.
• Ben is here with us. He is a steady deacon in the church and is an encouragement to all. He likes to work out in a nearby gym and to hang out with the young people.
• Caleb is in his 2nd year at Covenant College and has already lost his heart to Kelly Hannula, his sweetheart of 3 years.

We are so thankful to the Lord for you, our dear friends, and for your making it possible for us to serve in this needy place. May His grace abound in your lives.

Love in Christ,

Ruthie Gutierrez