Chapter 9: Casa de Oracion- Part 1
AS TOLD BY JOHN AGERSTEN
“Casa de Oracion”, which means House of Prayer, was the name of the church we would be working with in Tarma. As mentioned in a previous chapter, it was established in 1961 by the swedish missionaries Anderås, then pastored by the Lindgrens from 1962 until our arrival in January 1967. I had been ordained as the pastor of the congregation just before the Lindgrens left for Sweden. Because I did not speak a lot of Spanish yet, the church also appointed an assistant pastor, Alejandro Lopes, who had already been serving in the ministry of the church for some time. Later, three members of the congregation who had been with the church from the time it was founded, were elected to serve as elders. Along with the evangelist who was also part of the ministry, they were of great help in the work both in Tarma and the outposts. They were active in leading, testimony and preaching of the word. In addition to that, Per Anderås remained active in the ministry of the mission, although he and the family were now working in Huancayo, three hours away by car. As the founder of the church, he was a great help as he knew the people and the ministry in Tarma well. During our first year in Tarma, he would assist in leading the church business meetings, and we were very thankful for all these and others who were such a support as we learned the language and the culture.
Church celebrations and Pachamanca.
Casa de Oracion was dedicated on July 28, 1961 which is also Peru's Independence Day, so it became a tradition to celebrate both the anniversary of the church and Peru’s Independence day with the congregation on the corresponding weekend. The year 1967 was the first time for us to celebrate with them. It was wonderful to have so much help from people in the congregation as we prepared for the weekend. We had a special visitor that first year, Pastor Wood from Seattle. Per Anderås knew him and was able to interpret for him.
A lot of people from the outposts also came to the celebration in addition to the members of the congregation in Tarma.
During the day there were Bible Study sessions and meetings in the evenings. Many people were prayed for for salvation, and some were baptized in the Holy Spirit. There were also several who wanted to be baptised in water, so a Water Baptism was planned. Those who wanted to be baptized went through a short Bible course on the basic truths of God’s Word before being baptized.
After a wonderful weekend, there was a closing celebration. There were many people to feed, so Pachamanca was prepared. Pachamanca is a traditional meal that has been made in the same way in the Andes as long as anyone can remember. To prepare it, they first dig a shallow hole in the ground, about 1 meter in diameter; Pachamanca means "pot in the ground" in the language of the Quechua Indians. The hole is lined with stones and a pyramid of stones is built over the top. Then they build a fire inside the stone mound until the stones are glowingly hot. In a hurry, the pyramid is taken apart and the ashes swept away. The pit on top of the hot stones that line the bottom is now filled with the food to be cooked: plenty of potatoes, various vegetables in large quantities, corn, beans, and last but not least, the meat in large pieces. The meat is seasoned with a sauce of a green herb mixed with other spices. Mutton is most common, but pork can also be used. Now the hot stones set aside from the pyramid are laid on top of and between all the food. Next, they cover it all with straw sacks and a thick layer of soil on top of the sacks. The food takes about an hour to cook, so at that point the dirt is dug away, the bags are taken off, and the dinner is ready to eat, steaming hot. New straw sacks or fabrics are laid out on the ground, and the meat and vegetables are laid directly on the "tablecloths". Cutlery is not used. Everything here is eaten with your fingers! So you just sit down as best you can around this "table", and the party is underway.
A lot of people from the outposts also came to the celebration in addition to the members of the congregation in Tarma.
During the day there were Bible Study sessions and meetings in the evenings. Many people were prayed for for salvation, and some were baptized in the Holy Spirit. There were also several who wanted to be baptised in water, so a Water Baptism was planned. Those who wanted to be baptized went through a short Bible course on the basic truths of God’s Word before being baptized.
After a wonderful weekend, there was a closing celebration. There were many people to feed, so Pachamanca was prepared. Pachamanca is a traditional meal that has been made in the same way in the Andes as long as anyone can remember. To prepare it, they first dig a shallow hole in the ground, about 1 meter in diameter; Pachamanca means "pot in the ground" in the language of the Quechua Indians. The hole is lined with stones and a pyramid of stones is built over the top. Then they build a fire inside the stone mound until the stones are glowingly hot. In a hurry, the pyramid is taken apart and the ashes swept away. The pit on top of the hot stones that line the bottom is now filled with the food to be cooked: plenty of potatoes, various vegetables in large quantities, corn, beans, and last but not least, the meat in large pieces. The meat is seasoned with a sauce of a green herb mixed with other spices. Mutton is most common, but pork can also be used. Now the hot stones set aside from the pyramid are laid on top of and between all the food. Next, they cover it all with straw sacks and a thick layer of soil on top of the sacks. The food takes about an hour to cook, so at that point the dirt is dug away, the bags are taken off, and the dinner is ready to eat, steaming hot. New straw sacks or fabrics are laid out on the ground, and the meat and vegetables are laid directly on the "tablecloths". Cutlery is not used. Everything here is eaten with your fingers! So you just sit down as best you can around this "table", and the party is underway.
Bible Study Weeks
During the two years we were in Tarma, many Bible studies were held in the city and in the villages in the area. Most were a week long, but those in town were usually somewhat longer. For example, that first August, the congregation arranged a three week bible course. So I had plenty to do between teaching Bible courses, visiting other places around where we were invited, and the regular work in and out of the church in Tarma.
Gro led the Sunday school and the ministry to the children. She taught one of the classes and also started to lead the work among the women as she became more comfortable with the language. Regular women's meetings were held where hygiene and topics related to home and family were taught in addition to the Bible. Some of the women wanted sewing and knitting courses. Most women in the Andes can knit, but they wanted to learn more about how to knit patterns. They saw Gro knit patterns in different colors on jackets and cardigans, and also different pattern techniques in one color. This was not usual among the women in our area at least, but they liked it and wanted to learn. Here in the mountains there is a great need for jackets and sweaters of the warm wool from the llama, alpaca and of course from sheep, which is the cheapest yarn. These knitting courses became very popular, and the women learned quickly.
As our Spanish improved, we traveled and ministered in meetings in various places. Some weeks, there were more meetings than there were days! There were limited means of communication with the smaller villages, even if there was a road, and I sorely missed the Volvo Duet that Lennart and I had used in traveling. It was a big step forward when we bought a used jeep in the spring of 1967, a Land Rover 1963 model. We will write more about how that happened in the chapter Visit to Huancayo.
Gro led the Sunday school and the ministry to the children. She taught one of the classes and also started to lead the work among the women as she became more comfortable with the language. Regular women's meetings were held where hygiene and topics related to home and family were taught in addition to the Bible. Some of the women wanted sewing and knitting courses. Most women in the Andes can knit, but they wanted to learn more about how to knit patterns. They saw Gro knit patterns in different colors on jackets and cardigans, and also different pattern techniques in one color. This was not usual among the women in our area at least, but they liked it and wanted to learn. Here in the mountains there is a great need for jackets and sweaters of the warm wool from the llama, alpaca and of course from sheep, which is the cheapest yarn. These knitting courses became very popular, and the women learned quickly.
As our Spanish improved, we traveled and ministered in meetings in various places. Some weeks, there were more meetings than there were days! There were limited means of communication with the smaller villages, even if there was a road, and I sorely missed the Volvo Duet that Lennart and I had used in traveling. It was a big step forward when we bought a used jeep in the spring of 1967, a Land Rover 1963 model. We will write more about how that happened in the chapter Visit to Huancayo.
Visiting a mountain farmer
A trip I remember well from the beginning of our time in Tarma, was a visit to one of the members of the congregation. He lived high up in the mountains with his family. I remember he came with two sheep as his tithe for the Pachamanca that was prepared for the annual convention on the 26th - 28th of July. The farmer could not come to the meetings often, because it was a long way by car and horse to his small farm up in the mountains. But he came to this yearly celebration, and also a few other times when he had business in the city. The farmer said that he would like for me to come visit his farm, so that his family could hear the gospel.
The first part of the journey went by car along the road east towards the jungle areas of Chanchamayo. A few miles from Tarma, he was waiting for me as we had agreed in advance. He came with two horses and a donkey; the donkey was loaded with goods, and the horses were for me and the farmer. I was suffering with a bad cold and had considered postponing the trip, but I knew he would be standing there waiting. There was no way to contact him at the time, so I felt I had no other option but to go ahead and make the trip.
We placed the little luggage I had on the donkey, then got on horseback and began the ascent. I had only limited horse riding experience, so I was more than a little nervous where I sat. The road was just a path that wound up the mountainside, and in some places it was very steep with cliffs of over a hundred meters. Conditions deteriorated when it started to rain. It started getting cooler, and eventually, as we got higher up, it became very cold in the rain. After a two to three hour ride, we stopped at a house and were able to get some hot food. It tasted good, but we had to continue on. After seven hours on horseback, mostly in the rain, we arrived at his house as it started to get dark. The house was a stone hut with a thatched roof. Next to the hut was a fence with a stone wall where some cows and quite a few sheep were gathered for the night.
We were now at over 13,000 feet above sea level, and clouds and fog hung almost to the ground. It had finally stopped raining, but it was cold and I was soaked. Since I already had a cold, I was afraid I would get pneumonia! I have to admit I was longing for my own warm, comfortable bed! The man's family had started a fire outside the house and they had made Pachamanca. Mutton, potatoes and vegetables were taken steaming hot up from the cooking pit. It tasted so good! It warmed me up inside and out! Afterwards we all sat around the fire and sang, read God's word, and had a very nice time. The wife asked for prayer, and we had a time of prayer together around the fire. While we were eating, darkness had set in, and only the fire and a kerosene lamp lit up the dark night up there on the mountain.
I was taken to where I was to sleep; it was a stone bench with several sheepskins on top.I lay down in the sleeping bag with most of my clothes still on to ward off the cold. Happily my clothes had dried as we sat around the fire.
In the morning when I was going to put on my shoes, I discovered they were frozen to the floor! I was able to get them loose, but had to thaw them over the fire before I could put them on. After breakfast, we had a morning service together before we embarked on the return journey down the mountain. Fortunately, the weather was better, but it was scary riding the horse down the steep path! It was nice to get in the jeep and drive home. When I got home late in the afternoon, I realized my cold was gone! Instead, I had brought home company from the sheepskins; I had to get rid of fleas as I undressed and got in a hot shower!
The first part of the journey went by car along the road east towards the jungle areas of Chanchamayo. A few miles from Tarma, he was waiting for me as we had agreed in advance. He came with two horses and a donkey; the donkey was loaded with goods, and the horses were for me and the farmer. I was suffering with a bad cold and had considered postponing the trip, but I knew he would be standing there waiting. There was no way to contact him at the time, so I felt I had no other option but to go ahead and make the trip.
We placed the little luggage I had on the donkey, then got on horseback and began the ascent. I had only limited horse riding experience, so I was more than a little nervous where I sat. The road was just a path that wound up the mountainside, and in some places it was very steep with cliffs of over a hundred meters. Conditions deteriorated when it started to rain. It started getting cooler, and eventually, as we got higher up, it became very cold in the rain. After a two to three hour ride, we stopped at a house and were able to get some hot food. It tasted good, but we had to continue on. After seven hours on horseback, mostly in the rain, we arrived at his house as it started to get dark. The house was a stone hut with a thatched roof. Next to the hut was a fence with a stone wall where some cows and quite a few sheep were gathered for the night.
We were now at over 13,000 feet above sea level, and clouds and fog hung almost to the ground. It had finally stopped raining, but it was cold and I was soaked. Since I already had a cold, I was afraid I would get pneumonia! I have to admit I was longing for my own warm, comfortable bed! The man's family had started a fire outside the house and they had made Pachamanca. Mutton, potatoes and vegetables were taken steaming hot up from the cooking pit. It tasted so good! It warmed me up inside and out! Afterwards we all sat around the fire and sang, read God's word, and had a very nice time. The wife asked for prayer, and we had a time of prayer together around the fire. While we were eating, darkness had set in, and only the fire and a kerosene lamp lit up the dark night up there on the mountain.
I was taken to where I was to sleep; it was a stone bench with several sheepskins on top.I lay down in the sleeping bag with most of my clothes still on to ward off the cold. Happily my clothes had dried as we sat around the fire.
In the morning when I was going to put on my shoes, I discovered they were frozen to the floor! I was able to get them loose, but had to thaw them over the fire before I could put them on. After breakfast, we had a morning service together before we embarked on the return journey down the mountain. Fortunately, the weather was better, but it was scary riding the horse down the steep path! It was nice to get in the jeep and drive home. When I got home late in the afternoon, I realized my cold was gone! Instead, I had brought home company from the sheepskins; I had to get rid of fleas as I undressed and got in a hot shower!
Literature stand and outdoor meetings
As time went on, we saw results from our Spanish studies and the daily use of what we were learning; we could now communicate more easily and effectively with the people. It wasn’t too long before I was able to preach some simple sermons. Occasionally when something became too difficult for me to express or for people to understand, one of the elders would often step up and give an explanation. Sometimes it was not quite in line with what I had intended to say, but I had to let it go. In spite of all the human shortcomings, we had good services where people experienced salvation. The transformation that took place in the lives of the new converts became a testimony that caused their family and neighbors to want to experience the same thing.
We had a stand in the marketplace on Thursdays and Sundays during market days in the city. There we sold Bibles and Christian literature, and we also handed out tracts. It was the assistant pastor, Alejandro Lopes, and the evangelist who was in charge of this ministry, and I would join them when I was not traveling to outposts and villages . We were able to talk to many people in the marketplace through that ministry. People wanted to hear about the Bible, and they were also very interested in the other literature. At that time, it was difficult to obtain a Bible in Peru. But when Peru became an independent country, it became lawful to sell Bibles and other christian literature. Most of the sales were made through the Peruvian Bible Society and the many small Protestant Evangelical churches around the country. In Lima and in some of the larger cities on the coast you could find some christian bookstores. The Catholic Church had held a dominant position in the country from the very beginning of the Spanish conquest. It had enjoyed great power and wealth, but had not on the whole been able to set people free from vices, occultism and religious traditions, and they did not encourage people to read the Bible for themselves.
Unfortunately, there were many who could not read among the people, but many of the younger people were literate, especially those who came from the city. It was encouraging to see someone who had not gone to school, decide to learn to read because they wanted to be able to read the Bible.
We also had permission from the police to sing and witness as long as we did not use a speaker. It was wonderful when we could pray with someone in the middle of the crowd at the market. I especially remember one of the indigenous mountain people who stopped and listened. When I gave an invitation to receive salvation, he came forward and knelt on the street. I talked to him some more about the gospel message, and we prayed together. He could read, so we gave him a New Testament and some simple tracts before he left.
We had a stand in the marketplace on Thursdays and Sundays during market days in the city. There we sold Bibles and Christian literature, and we also handed out tracts. It was the assistant pastor, Alejandro Lopes, and the evangelist who was in charge of this ministry, and I would join them when I was not traveling to outposts and villages . We were able to talk to many people in the marketplace through that ministry. People wanted to hear about the Bible, and they were also very interested in the other literature. At that time, it was difficult to obtain a Bible in Peru. But when Peru became an independent country, it became lawful to sell Bibles and other christian literature. Most of the sales were made through the Peruvian Bible Society and the many small Protestant Evangelical churches around the country. In Lima and in some of the larger cities on the coast you could find some christian bookstores. The Catholic Church had held a dominant position in the country from the very beginning of the Spanish conquest. It had enjoyed great power and wealth, but had not on the whole been able to set people free from vices, occultism and religious traditions, and they did not encourage people to read the Bible for themselves.
Unfortunately, there were many who could not read among the people, but many of the younger people were literate, especially those who came from the city. It was encouraging to see someone who had not gone to school, decide to learn to read because they wanted to be able to read the Bible.
We also had permission from the police to sing and witness as long as we did not use a speaker. It was wonderful when we could pray with someone in the middle of the crowd at the market. I especially remember one of the indigenous mountain people who stopped and listened. When I gave an invitation to receive salvation, he came forward and knelt on the street. I talked to him some more about the gospel message, and we prayed together. He could read, so we gave him a New Testament and some simple tracts before he left.
A few weeks later he was back in the city and came to our literature stand. He told me that he lived in a small village up in the mountains. When he arrived back home with the New Testament and the tracts, he had gathered his family and neighbors, and told them about his faith. They had read together in the New Testament and the tracts, and many were interested in hearing more. Now he requested that I come to his village and teach them more from the Bible. I and the evangelist went to the village and held a service in the man's house with his family and neighbors. Several wanted prayer and salvation. Alejandro Lopes, the congregation's assistant pastor, was given the responsibility for this new group of believers.