Hello Everybody,
Here is our September, 2020 update;
Good News, things have gotten a lot better since the last update. It was quite a bad situation here in Peru, especially here in Iquitos, we were one of the 3 worst Departments (states) in Peru.
In March through April, we were under quarantine and curfew. Curfew was at 10:00 am in the morning, so we had to have our grocery shopping done by 10:00 am. Of course wearing masks, and only one person per household could be out. The children were not allowed to be outside, they were supposed to stay in the house. School was taught over the TV and homework given over cell phones, many children did not have access to these.
The army had check-points to not allow people to move to different areas of Iquitos unless they had an emergency. The stores and markets (mercados) had to close by 10:00 am.. So once a week or so, I had to leave the house around 3:00 am, to get around the check-points, since we didn't know whether the soldiers would let us pass or not, and there were always long lines at these check points. Then I would have to wait till 6:00 am until the Portales store opened. Even the banks closed early.
The worst part of the first few months was the death rate. At the main hospital in Iquitos (Hospital Regional) there were about 30 to 40 deaths a day. They were overrun by patients and could not help all of the people that filled the hospital. There were patients in the hallways and courtyards, each family would have to try and get oxygen for their family member, if they were able. The worst part is that it was very difficult to find oxygen, although most could not afford it anyway; thus the high death rate, and that was only at that hospital.
In May the big mercado in Belen was plowed down, so the vendors could not sell in Belen, because they found that there was a lot of Covid contamination there; most of them moved to different parts of Iquitos.
 Truck load of caskets leaving the hospital |
 Main entrance to Belen Mercado |
 The back street of Belen Mercado |
In June things got better the quarantine remained but the curfew raised to 4:00 pm then to 6:00 pm. The mercado for us moved from El Terminal to the Olympic Pool property, better organized and controlled. The government began to give checks to some people, and allowed people to cash in their retirement accounts; so, there were long lines at the banks. Since they did not allow many people inside the bank at one time, the lines were outside. At first the lines went around the block, then they marked circles in front of the banks, 1.5 meters from each other, for the people to line up in a more organized matter.
 People in line for Interbank |
 BCP bank line at the Main Plaza |
 Bank lines at the Main Plaza |
In July I saw the first restaurant open in the center of town, and the banks still had long lines. And the military was called off. No more check-points
In August a couple of other restaurants opened in the center of town. And a few other stores began opening up. And the curfew was moved up to 8:00 pm.
Now in September many stores & restaurants are open but not all. Since Iquitos economy depends a lot on tourism, things will not be back to normal this year and who know about next year. The high end restaurants, hotels, lodges, will be closed until tourism starts up again. Not to mention tour guides and others whose economy depends on tourism. So all that to say we are not back to normal, but we have improved quite a bit. The next stage would be for groups to be able to gather, our larger churches and movie theatre would open. The last stage I guess, the stadium's would open.
But in all this time of trials, I want to thank those who blessed us with funds to be able to help many families with groceries, to help them survive during this difficult time. We are not out of the woods yet, but there have been few deaths in Iquitos this month. I also want to thank those who continue to bless us with funds for the children, we have been able to help many children with school supplies and a few with access to the teachings. We were also able to help many children with pharmacy and medical needs during this time.
Other good news, we have decided to open our church again. We will open on the first Sunday of October, we will start with Sunday morning services, we will continue to have our mid-week service via Zoom-Room. Our Youth Group started meeting at the church on September 12th, they are starting early at 5:00 pm, so they can finish early and the kids can be home soon after dark. Gaby did a great job organizing the teachings of the Youth Group during the months the church was closed, and now Omar & Luana are leading the Youth Group services at the church.
"Calvary Chapel Iquitos" (There are more pictures there than I can send in an update)
Andrea (15) was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, we were able to help her with the Dr. Appointments and to get her diagnosed, but that is about all we can help her with at this point.
We were also able to help Marjorie with the Dr. visits and lab tests, she was diagnosed with Tuberculosis, and now needs the treatment, which takes about 6 months. The good news is that the treatment is free, but she has no funds for transportation or for groceries during that time. She got sick a little before the virus hit Iquitos, and was without treatment all this time, she has lost a lot of weight, and gets tired very easily, even when she walks a few minutes. Marjorie has 3 children and lives with her mother.
 Andrea (15) with her mom Tanya |
 Marjorie |
 Marjorie at home |
Elva and Ana, which live in Belen gave their lives to the Lord during this time of lock-down. Part of the hardship is that Elva's husband died just before this virus came to Iquitos, he was also Ana's father. He was the main bread winner in the family. We have been able to help them a little bit with groceries. But one of their main needs is that their house is falling apart. As some of you know, the houses in Belen need to have the lumber replaced regularly, it was their plan to do that this year, but with the passing of Ana's father, those plans changed. They need to totally tear down and rebuild the house, it is beyond repair. They are worried because the rainy season is coming, and their house will not float, because the logs that float the house are water logged and rotting; they need to be replaced about every 2 years. The cost will be about $2200.
 Elva & Ana in front of thier house |
 The rotted logs, that float the house |
 The rotted planks of their floor |
Marixa, who is the mom to Keymi, Elias, Aaron, Mefi & Hadasa also has house needs. They were given the aluminum sheets to replace the bad ones on their roof. But that did not include the lumber that holds those aluminum sheets. The lumber had rotted due to rain coming through the holes in the aluminum sheets. They also need about 4 main structure poles replaced due to rot. The river also reaches their house most rainy seasons, this is the cause of the damage to 4 of the poles that hold up the structure. The cost is about $1090.
We also helped Luz-Maria, a faithful older sister in our church to go the Emergency Room, she was in a lot of pain. The cost for the E.R. visit lab tests & medicines put us in the red. We have funds for the Children's Medical needs, but Adult needs come out of our General Fund. So with Luz-Maria & Marjorie's medical expenses we are about $2500 in the red.
Prayer Requests:
If you would like to contribute to any of the following ministries\expenses:
Harvest Alliance International P.O. Box 4550 Oceanside, CA 92052 Memo: "62414 - XXX"
(62414 is our ministry number) (Where XXX = General Fund, Children's Ministry, etc...)
*Note: The dollar is currently at 3.25 or 325 soles for every $100 (U.S.).
Thank you all for your prayers and financial support.
and God Bless you
Albert Smith
Calvary Chapel Murrieta
24225 Monroe Avenue
Murrieta, CA 92562
Memo = Peru, Albert Smith
Or for Jose
Memo - Peru, Jose Garate
Pastor Javier & Pastor Raul's offerings go through Harvest Alliance International (above).