Happy Holidays from Sunny Peru!

Dear Family and Friends,

When Kristin and I awoke on December 25, we wished each other a Merry Christmas and decided to head down for a late morning swim in the lagoon in front of The Base. The Peruvian sun shone brightly, as we swam out to the middle and had fun talking and singing songs like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “I’m Dreaming of aWhite Christmas.” Later on, Kristin and I brought the sweet potato casserole and chocolate chip cookies we had slaved over the day before over to the Donesky’s house (new American pilot and his family) for Christmas dinner. Afterwards, we watched The Santa Claus and ate the cookies and Oreo Cheesecake. Yep, we had it made. However, the only thing I missed was being away from my family during the Christmas season.

What do I want for Christmas some have asked and I cannot think of a thing. After 4 ½ months of being a missionary nurse in Peru, I realize more than ever, how little I need to live. During this Christmas season, so often many people get caught up in the hustle and bustle of preparing exquisite food and buying extravagant gifts and then after months of planning and many dollars later, it is over. Then, the day after Christmas, one of the busiest days of the year, long lines form outside of stores and unwanted gifts are returned. Is this all that this time of year has to offer?!

In the church here in San Jose, Peru this last Sabbath, the Pastor shared in his sermon that we as Christians are called to be different. We are called to celebrate the reason for Christmas every day of the year! For as the angel said that night long ago, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11, KJV). The very Son of God humbled Himself and became one of us, so that we, through Him may go to heaven with Him very soon!

I hope each one of you have had a wonderful Christmas and ready to enter into the new year of 2009 with the desire to serve Jesus Christ more fully until the day of His appearing.

In Our Savior’s Love,

Linda Ferguson

PS: (Pray for Kevin Attride, Kristin Eszler, & I as we leave Jan. 4 for our vacation to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and Chile).

Experiencing Peru!

Dear Family & Friends,Where to begin! I cannot believe I have been in Peru for 2 ½ months already. My overall feeling is: everything is better than I had dreamed. There have only been a few days that I felt under the weather. Kristin and I are learning Spanish “poco a poco” and hope to come back home bilingual. Just in the last couple weeks I have noticed that I understand most everything in the evening sermons. The crew on our Launchita, as we lovingly call it, are becoming like our second family.Kristin and I’s daily routine consists of waking up at 6 am for personal worship, cleaning our area, group worship at 7am, breakfast at 7:30 am, then at 9 am, we start seeing patients in the clinic room at the back of the boat until 12:30 pm. From about 2 pm to 4:30 pm we extract teeth. After a light supper, we prepare for the night meetings in the villages, which go from 7-9 pm.On a typical day I usually do “Triage”: getting our patient’s personal information, symptoms, blood pressures, temperatures, etc. Then, Henrry, the Peruvian nurse, gives the diagnoses and prescribes the medication. Many patients we see have Anemia, Bronquitis, Pharingitis, Hypertension, Influenza, Vulvarvaginitis, Paracitosis, Asthma, Allergic Dermatitis, and Urinary Tract Infections. We have taken care of patient’s with poisonous snakebites, sting ray stings, abscesses, and machete lacerations, to name a few of our more interesting cases. On one occasion, I was able to stitch up an 11 year old boy’s leg after a machete accident in his father’s chakra. Even though my only previous “experience” suturing had been on a pig’s ear in one of my classes. Some of my other activities have included pulling teeth, giving shots, and with health education.Each time we go to a new community, Kristin and I go with Henrry and the nurse tech, Melita to the local schools and teach sex education in for the older children and oral hygiene for the younger ones. During our dental presentation, Kristin comes into the classroom masked as “Diente Triste” (Sad Tooth) and crying as a result of her painful cavities. Next, I jump in the doorway energetically, masked in a smiling, pearly white tooth-shaped mask. I proceed to state that “I’m happy because I brush my teeth 3 times a day”! Ever since the first school visit when Henrry asked us to do a action song with the kids, the Hokey Pokey has stuck. Needless to say, being a nurse in Peru is different.The Lord is blessing our work here in La Selva (the jungle) of Peru. It is such a joy to not only to minister to the physical needs, but reaching the greater need, the need of a Savior. Every day I remind myself, in all I do or say I have the opportunity to plant seeds in hearts around me. I may never know the effect I have had in the lives of the beautiful children as they surround me and watch my every move or the afternoons I have spent teaching them songs about my Jesus.I must relate my recent opportunity of sharing Jesus! Kristin and I where traveling on a public launch for two-days on the Ucayali River, on our way to Pucallpa for our break. I had just opened my Bible to read, when I noticed a lady peaking over my shoulder. I looked up and smiled and she asked if I was an Evangelical? This opened up what turn into a couple hour conversation about the Bible and I was able to witness to her husband, son and another lady who listened in! I had such joy in my heart after that encounter, and realized Jesus has opportunities waiting for me each day, if I stay in tune with His Holy Spirit. For He says, “the harvest is ready, but the laborers are few….” Being in Peru, away from my busy life in the states, has given me time to reflect on what is really important; my relationship with Jesus, telling others about Him, and praying that all those I love will form that bond with Him as well. We are mere pilgrims on this planet, homeward bound, to the place where we belong. Every day I pray that the Lord will take me by the hand and lead me down the straight and narrow. Then, I pray that each one of you will also fall deeper in love with Jesus Christ with each passing day.The bits of news I get from the states reminds me that we are indeed, living in the last days of Earth’s history. Natural disasters, gas prices, the presidential election, the fluctuations stock market, and thousands losing there jobs. Then, I think of the persecution of Adventist church in India and ask myself, “Am I ready to die for my faith?” The words to this song come to mind: “Don’t it make you wanna go home now, don’t it make you wanna go home, all God’s children are weary where they roam, don’t it make, you wanna go home.” Yet, let us also rejoice, for very soon there will be no more famine, heartache, or death. The former things of this earth will vanish (Rev.21:4)! Friends and family, I plead with you, if your relationship with Jesus is not what it should be, why not get to know your Savior better today. Who knows what tomorrow may bring, but we may find peace that our Heavenly Father does. Isn’t this a comforting thought? (Matt. 6:25-34). I do not know what is going to happen in the next 7 months of my stay in Peru, or if I will be able to see each one of you again. However, I look forward to seeing each one of you in heaven, where no more good-byes will be said. Will you meet me in heaven and sing the song of the redeemed before the throne of God?! Until then, let us stay faithful, keeping our lamps burning bright for Him.In His Marvelous Love,Linda M.Ferguson, RNP.S.(To see some pics from Peru, visit linda-missionperu. blogspot. com or see them on myspace)Contact Info: Physical Address: c/o Edie Mulivull 206 Casilla Pucallpa, PeruEmail: lmferguson. southern. edu

Hola From Peru!

Hello My Dear Friends and Fellow SM's!

I made it safely to Pucallpa, Peru and have enjoyed my first days here so far! God is so good! Kristin & I are learning some Spanish, meeting people, etc before we head out to the medical boat to put are nursing skills to work on the Amazon this Thursday for a 3 mos stent before coming back to our "homebase" in Pucallpa.

Here's a quick taste of Peru: The people are very friendly and live in huts or brick houses with tin roofs if they are more well off. The temperature has been probably in the 90's with a good amount of humidity. In terms of wildlife, there are alot of dogs, chickens, and birds to name a few. The first night before I went to sleep I did "Pest Control" in our room which entailed: killing spiders and catching a beady-eyed, brown gecko. I can only wait until we go to the jungle to encounter more exotic creatures! I haven't seen nothing yet! However, The mission property is beautiful! It overlooks a a lake silouetted by coconut palms and banana trees. I wish I had the time to tell you more right now, but I need to go.

I know God has a wonderful plan for Kristin & I, as well as each one of you! I can't wait to see what's in store! Please keep us in your prayers as we endure culture shock, mosquitos, boa's and so on:) I will try to write more later! But, until then, may God bless each one you abundantly as you serve Him where ever you are!

In His Love,

Linda Ferguson, RN

P.S. (I'd love to here from you-here's my contact info:

email: lmferguson@southern.edu
blog: linda-missioneru.blogspot.com
myspace or facebook:)

He Answers Prayers!

     The emails weeks back were so contagious! I want to share myself;) I am finally getting around to doing so. First of all, I got to start of with saying God, is so GOOD! We are so blessed and need to praise Him continually! He has been working in my life through the years and I know He's working in you lives as well.

     As most of you know, AMOR Projects in Peru did not work out, so Kristin Eszler and I were waiting to hear from Peru Projects through Outpost Centers International (OCI), to see if they still needed two nurses on the medical mission boat In the Amazon Basin. Kristin and I have been calling each other to pray and encourage one another. In the mean time, both of us were looking into other options. However, we really felt God had called us to Peru. Kevin Attride (soon-to-be SM & communication's coordinator in Pucallpa, Peru) emailed us SM’s to remind us to keep praying for each other. And asked specific prayer for those of us who were supposed to go with AMOR Projects. I kept reminding myself of that great verse, "For I know the plans I have for you saith the Lord…" (Jeremiah 29:11). 

     Just want to let all of you know, your prayers definitely worked! Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 7:00 pm, Edie from Peru Projects called me on my cell and asked if I was still interested in serving as a nurse I Peru. And of course I was ecstatic and said I sure am! “The only question I have” she said is “do you speak Spanish?” Well, I told her that I have had two years of Spanish in high school but it was very minimal. She told me I would pick it up in no time, for all seven of my Peruvian boatmates will only know Spanish! I’m so glad I’ll have Kristin for companionship & someone to talk to until we learn Spanish! We will be traveling down the Amazon River in a boat for three-month stints, moving from village to village every ten days sharing God’s love. Each day will roughly consist of working with a Peruvian nurse and nurse tech holding a clinic among the villagers in the morning and in the afternoon, teaching health education. We will work six days a week, 12 hours per day then head back to the boat at night. 

     I know some of you have left already-As did Joshua, "Be strong and of good courage"! Those of you still anticipating-keep spending quality time with your best friend, Jesus and keep that fire for service burning deep within you! We will face challenges we have never thought of, however, He promises He will not give us more than we can bear!

Kristin and I had to Peru August 13th! Continue to keep us in your prayers and you will definitely be in mine! Pray for Kristin as she takes her nursing boards July 11th!)

God bless each one of you tremendously as you serve Him on the frontlines!

Let’s hasten His coming by spreading the Good News like wildfire and bring in the sheaves!

His Humble Servant,

Linda Ferguson, RN

The Lord Closes a Door & Will Open a Window!

Well, a few days ago I got the long awaited news. I heard from AMOR Projects. The project was not approved by the local Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) conference in Peru and therefore Kristin Eszler, Jeremy Meyer, Mindy Joshnick, Travis Bischof and I  will not get insurance through the North American Division of SDA's. Which means we would have to go independently and without the benefit of getting our loans deferred. Needless to say, I was bummed and I know everyone else was as well.

It is clear God has closed a door and now I am waiting for a gleam of hope, a window of opportunity to shine through from the Lord. Kristin Eszler and I have been talking on the phone periodically between work to encourage each other and talk of what to do now. 

Yesterday I read an email Kevin Attride sent to all 100 plus of us future student missionaries. In it he said, "the Lord inspired me to write you" and then continued to give us encouragement and urged us to pray for one another and especially for those of us that can no longer go to Peru through AMOR Projects.  I really appreciated that email and feel uplifted. Thanks, Kevin. It was neat to receive replies from other various SM's with their words of hope as well.

It is funny that now I know I will not be going to Peru with AMOR Projects that I realize more fully how much my heart was set on going! Yet, I know that Jesus has a master plan for each of our lives! "My ways are not your ways, says the Lord" and in Jerimiah 29:11, that wonderful verse I am sure we all know; "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord...plans to give you a future and a hope." 

I need to keep on trusting in the Lord to carry me through, for everything happens for a reason. Times like these, calls for more patience and time spent on ones knees trusting the Master Life Planner.

Lord, Is That You?

     I am not sure how or when the seed for missions was planted in my heart. However, for the last year and a half or so, I have been set on going as a student missionary through Southern. I filled out an application, got a health check up, was dedicated with other students going as missionaries, and went to the exit retreat last April. Most student missionaries (SM's) left last summer whereas, I was planning to go soon after I graduated in December with my ASN and took my nursing boards. Well, the soonest I could take the National Licensing Exam for Registered Nurse's was February 11, (my Dad's birthday:), so I decided to start my Bachelor's and go this summer. 

     In the mean time I wondered, "Lord, is that you calling me to be a missionary?" Here is part of an email I sent to Bjorn Harbolt in Zambia earlier this year. "But seriously, this email you sent me today, I believe is a sign among others I've recieved lately, that I should go as an SM. I just got out of Mission Nursing class where I heard Ansley Howe share of her experience in Peru". I still have had my doubts, though I told Bjorn "every SM I've ever talked to, has not regretted going. Even at summer camp this summer, half of my friends were returning SM's"!  

     I have wanted to go to a Latin culture, learn Spanish, and serve as a nurse. There didn't seem to be very many options to for nurses in Latin America, but finally in February I received an email from Jenni Goodwin down in Peru with the Amor Projects telling me they had accepted me! Well, now on May 11, I still feel unsure about what's going on. I'm still waiting to hear if the local conference in Peru will approve of this project in order for the North American Division to ensure me while I'm there. A few weeks ago a second option opened up and Kristin Eszler and I told OCI we were interested in working with them on a medical mission boat in the same general area of Pucallpa, Peru. However, the director did not want to take nurses from the AMOR Projects. So here I am, at home in Indiana spending time with my family and getting experience as a nurse at a long-term care facility.  

     Lord, I want to serve you with all my heart and follow where ever you lead. Help me to hear your still small voice. May your will be done.