Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope each of you have a very Happy Thanksgiving day. We also want you to know how thankful we are for you! Our ministry here in Peru wouldn't be possible without the faithful support and prayers of God's people. Thank you!

Peru doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving. As a matter of fact it's pretty hard to even find a turkey in the month of November. Peruvians usually eat turkey for Christmas only. Each year as we gather with our American coworkers we always manage to find a turkey and all the trimmings for our annual feast. Here are a few select facts about turkeys that you might find interesting:

• 46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving in the United States
• The average Thanksgiving turkey weighs in at 15 pounds-so on the fourth Thursday of each November Americans eat about 690 million pounds of turkey!
• Wild turkeys can fly for short distances at speeds up to 55 mph. They can run 20 mph
  
• The heaviest turkey on record weighed in at 86 pounds
• Commercial breeding has caused turkey breast to grow so large that turkeys often tip over
  
• Turkeys are now found in all the US states except Alaska
• The costume for Big-Bird of Sesame Street fame is rumored to be made with real Turkey feathers
  

Here comes the Bride....Eventually!

This past Saturday I had the special privilege of preaching at the wedding of a young couple here in Lima. I met this couple about six months ago when I was invited to speak at their church about marriage. It was nice that they invited me back to take part in their special day. It proved to be yet another lesson in cultural learning for us.

We have attended several weddings here in Peru, but this was the first time we have actually participated in one. We arrived at the church about 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. Everything was beautifully decorated and we were greeted by a few of the groom's family members. No one else had arrived. We were ushered to our seats and a talented musician began to play the keyboard. It almost seemed as if our arrival marked the time when everything was to get under way. For more than an hour we sat there as slowly folks began to arrive. Finally, about an hour late the wedding got started. I was able to speak and the folks were very attentive and listened well. After I finished the ceremony was basically over and I was asked to return to my seat in the auditorium with Debbie. Then the bride and groom slowly called every person to the front, one by one and had their pictures made. This "kodak moment" lasted for nearly 90 minutes. Finally, the new couple made their way through the church and headed for their decorated car. Rice was thrown, there was lots of applause and the young couple sped off into the night to enjoy their first ride as a married couple. Don't worry, its not over yet!

This is only the beginning of the nights events. The couple will drive around town for over an hour and enjoy a few moments alone. Everyone is expected to stay and wait for their return. At that point the formal reception begins. Wedding receptions include singing and even group games. This wedding included a full meal. It would be considered rude to leave early although it is not considered rude to miss the wedding ceremony entirely as long as you make it to the reception. It makes for a long and memorable night.

By the way, according to Peruvian law religious ceremonies at churches are not considered binding marriages. Christian couples are legally married earlier in the day at a local government office. Only two witnesses and family members attend the civil ceremony.

Teaching English

About a month ago we started offering English classes at our church. You might ask, "why would a missionary in Peru want to teach someone English?" Well, honestly we don't have a real desire to teach anyone English. If some of our students manage to pick up a few words or are able to carry on a simple conversation that will be great! Our main goal is to interact with our community, make them feel welcome in our church, and to have opportunities to share the Gospel with them. So far we have about 8 adults that are attending our classes. The best part is they are all new contacts for our ministry. Pray for these students as they study. Pray that we can be an influence in their lives and that we have opportunities to help them with their spiritual needs. We meet each Tuesday evening.

During our classes it is often interesting to hear the questions that come along. I found this humorous list of strange English questions and post them here for your enjoyment. Let me know if you figure out how to explain all of these to new English students!

• There is no egg in the eggplant, no ham in the hamburger and neither pine, nor apple in the pineapple. English muffins were not invented in England. French fries were not invented in France.
• Why does quicksand take you down slowly? Why are boxing rings square? Why are they called guinea pigs if they are not from Guinea and they're not pigs?
• If the plural of tooth is teeth, shouldn't the plural of phone booth be phone beeth?
• If the teacher taught, why didn't the preacher praught?
• If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what in the world does a humanitarian eat?
• Why do people recite at a play, yet play at a recital?
• Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways?
  
• Why does a house "burn up" as it burns down? How can you fill in a form by filling it out?
• Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
• Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
• Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist, but a person who drives a race car not called a racist?
• Why are wise men and wise guys opposites?
• If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, tree surgeons debarked and dry cleaners depressed?
  

Rent-A-Wreck

We've noticed that one of the first things that visitors to Peru notice is the terrible driving and poorly maintained vehicles. A university study several years ago confirmed that statistically, Lima has the most dangerous roads in the world. It's a common site to see old, unmaintained buses cutting in and out of traffic. Accidents are frequent and traffic laws are rarely enforced.

In an attempt to make the roads safer the government recently introduced a new vehicle inspection system. Every vehicle in Lima will soon have to be inspected. This inspection requirement has caused a real headache for drivers. Imagine a city of 10 million people where every car has to be inspected for the first time. Then imagine there are only two certified inspection centers in the entire country! The lines have been backing up for miles with some folks waiting many hours to have their vehicle checked. But that's not the end of the story. An investigative reporter recently showed how fraudulent the new safety inspection really is. Most vehicles can not legally pass the new requirements. So, a group of ingenious entrepreneurs came up with a plan: Rental service! You can rent everything you need to make your bus or car pass inspection. They offer reflectors, first-aid kits, and fire extinguishers. But the most ridiculous rental items are brake shoes! For about $8.00 a bus driver can have a pair of brake shoes temporarily put on his bus. After the vehicle has been inspected they are removed and the deposit is returned. The unsafe bus continues on its way with a shiny new inspection sticker!

It seems the new inspection system will do little to improve the safety of Lima's streets and highways. We hope this will be a reminder to pray for God's blessings and safety for missionaries around the world!