Contrasting worlds

As we pulled on our rubber boots, the early morning moist air swirled around us. We donned our packs and headed out. The leaves were still dripping from the night's rain and heavy mist that still clung to the earth that morning. The trail was slick, to say the least. If the first few steps were any indication, our trip today would be long and difficult.

We were on our way to a community to the south of us, our destination being the community center and school. One of the Awa teachers there had asked us to help by teaching some simple English for their 6^th and 7^th grade class. We agreed to help, since our hearts were truly excited by the opportunity the class provided for teaching the Bible as well.

As we hiked on, it was like taking a step back in time. The trail we were on was not used by motorized vehicles. All travel here was done on foot or horseback. Horses' feet tend to land in the same places, which leave deep ruts. Many stretches of the trail look as if someone made a ditch across it every foot or so. The challenge is to stay on top of the slippery nubs between them, and not slip off into the deep notches. The brackish water cradled in them is not something you desire to have sloshing around inside your boot!

About half way there we faced another challenge. A bunch of Awa fellows from the community there were working on repairing the bridge we had to cross. The suspension bridge, wide enough for a horse to cross, that far from any roads is a marvel to behold, but that day the men were replacing the rotten boards with freshly cut ones. For us this meant shimmying across a narrow beam laid across a couple of swinging sections where the old boards had been removed. I was fine with it, but Kathy was a bit more apprehensive, as you might imagine. You certainly don't want to look down too long at the raging muddy river below, as it throws your sense of balance off. It was good to greet all our friends there, some of whom were showing up carrying the new planks down the muddy hill on their backs. These planks were free-hand carved out of a hardwood tree with a chainsaw, each plank weighing in around 80 to 100 lbs.

From there on the trail was even harder. Not only was there a marked increase in the amount of mud to slog through, it was mostly uphill the rest of the way. Slowly we worked our way over the mountainside, finally arriving at the community center just over 3 hours after leaving home. We were wet, mostly from sweat, not rain, and the mud had crept up our boots and on our pants past our knees. I'm sure we were not a pretty sight. Thankfully the community has water piped in from a stream up above, so we quickly cleaned up our muddy pants and boots and changed our shirts. Yep, ready to go now!

One of the things I was struck with that day were the sharp contrasts of old and new. Even though our trip up there was like a step back in time, the community had electric lines strung up between all the buildings. A year and a half ago they had lugged light poles, transformers, and wire all the way up the muddy trails and so were now finally connected to 'the grid.' After we taught the English and Bible classes, we also taught some of the teens of the community how to use a computer, type a letter, and make copies on a multifunction color printer. (All of which arrived there on horseback!) Later that evening, we were invited to watch a DVD. In fact many of the houses had DVD players and TVs. To top it off, one house further away from the community had a Direct TV satellite dish outside. When I later talked with the owner of that house, he said, “Yeah, it's only the dish for now since I haven't finished paying yet.” But he excitedly told me he was sure looking forward to being able to watch the news!

All of these 'technological advances' can be used for good.....or evil. We were pleased to bring up a disk with a bunch of mp3 recordings of Bible teaching in the Awa language for one of the believers, but saddened to hear that the lights and big sound systems have provided new opportunities for all-night drunken dances in the community. I am afraid that many of the 'advances' will only be a noise and distraction from the good news of the gospel for the Awa people, much like they are back home in the USA. Please continue to pray for the advancement of the kingdom of God among the Awa. Greater is HE who is in us than he who is in the world!

Although this was anything but brief, we want to thank you for your part in the ministry. We highly value your prayers, support, and, most of all, your friendship! Thank you.

In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy

for a printable copy click here

Bridge with repairs made (on our return trip)

Computer class 101

High tech Awa home