High up in the mountains – 10,500 ft. above see level in the Andes Mountains to be exact – is a sleepy town named Tumpa. A spirit of contentment and independence reigns. Yet, a hunger lies dormant, deep down in the hearts of the people. The time has come. It just needs to be awakened…
It all starts about 3 months ago. The World Race sent Ed, our set up guy, on an adventure to find a pueblo in the mountains of Peru that would be an ideal location to send 30 “gringos”. So, he packed his bag and took off in no particular direction. The Lord led him to Musho and Tumpa. The Holy Spirit had gone before him. Little did Ed know, but he was the answer to prayer. Joshua, a 23 year old pastor of a small, spirit filled congregation in Musho, was crying out to the Lord. His prayer – for missionaries to come to help edify the existing church body and to plant another church in the neighboring town, Tumpa. Along comes Ed, and about 3 months later, along come the World Racers.
The land is fertile year round. Carrots, potatoes, squash, onions, garlic, peppers and corn are grown in abundance. Hand picked – early in the morning, in the heat of the afternoon and throughout the rains of the evening. Work is a slave driver. The Señors and Señoritas walk the dusty streets hunched over – their harvest freely riding upon their backs – pushing them lower with each arduous step. The burden is not even noticed. It’s just part of life. Most of them know nothing about “a man” who wants to take their burdens. The man who died for their sins.
This is a mystery. Yet, this mystery is coming alive in the hearts of the downtrodden. The Holy Spirit is preparing the soil of their hearts. Seeds are being planted daily – most take root. The Gospel is spreading like wild fire. Gossip also reigns in this pueblo. In this case, “gossip” is fanning the flame. House to house we go. The truth goes out…souls are stirred…love – Jesus Christ – takes place of “the mystery”. Each day names are being written in the book of life. This past week has been a continuous fiesta in the heavens.
The harvest is abundant. Contentment is being replaced by hunger. The Lord wants the entire town of Tumpa. The sleepy town of Tumpa is being awakened daily to it’s destiny. A destiny of eternal inheritance.
