Recenty, a man with whom my husband did a Bible study several months ago, has started his own Bible study. Several weeks ago, my husband and I had the privilege to attend, and see his study in action! Here is a peek of our experience. Hope you enjoy!
We headed about about 6:30 pm and walked the two blocks to get on the bus to take us over to that part of town. We jumped off, and crossed the street to catch the next bus to head up to San Genaro II, as they call it. Years ago, people with little or no money started building their houses into the mountain, now called San Genaro. (Ok, that's my version... I'm sure there's a much more lengthy and deep history...lol) They have built up so high now, that the highest part of the mountain is called San Genaro II. It's not a very common area of town, so few busses head that way. We waited on the side of the road for a good 15 minutes, and then saw a combie so full of people that we decided to wait for the next. (Combies here are common transportation for everyone. It's a van that they will load up with as many people as possible. As long as you know the route, you can jump on one and get to pretty much anywhere you want to go. At night, and during busy times of the day, they'll pack 30+ people into one van.) The next combie whizzed by around the stop light and we starred in amazement that it didn't even stop! Another one flew by, as my husband started yelling for it, the man who runs it had his head out the door and saw us, but it too was so full I'm sure the driver didn't hear him yell to stop. Finally, we were able to get on another combie and it was less full.
We jumped on the combie, and thankfully there was a seat available. My husband motioned for me to sit down, and he stood up rather hunched over beside me. As we went, many people started boarding. As I mentioned, they never stop loading people into the combies. The more people, the better, because the more money they will make. As the combie filled up to capactiy, we stopped again, and a mother and her two school girls, still in uniform, pushed their way on our combie. I told the older of the two sisters she could sit in my lap. She waited for her mother's approval, (seriously, it's very uncommon to see a white person on a combie, and even more so for them to invite you to sit with them.) Her mother nodded her head, and thanked me for allowing her little girl to sit there. The other sister got as close as she could, and held on tight as the combie drove wrecklessly up the mountain.
I love sitting by the windows on combies, because you never know what you will see! Nearly everyone who lives on the mountain, lives in a small shack, made on top of a concrete slab, with thin wood walls, and tin metal roofs. Many people don't have running water, they wait each day for the water truck to deliver it. They run out to the streets at the appointed time to get their water for the day.
The combie turned and headed straight up the mountain. "Aviso para bajar" yelled the doorman, meaning "Let me know when you want to get out." We passed many people in the streets, walking home in the dark after a hard days work. Many stray dogs ran up and down the streets. At one point, the mountain becomes level for a short bit, and we passed a soccer court. By court, I mean a small slab of dust, and dirt, with two metal goals. No gates or walls guarding the edge, just the edge of the mountain. On went the combie, up and up. I like it when the combie stops, because it means people are getting out and there will be more room to breathe!
About 1/2 way up the mountain the combie stopped. I watched as many people started getting down. "Oh good, I thought, this will make the rest of the ride so much better. I think at least 15 people got off before I heard a little girl say, "Tenemos que caminar tanto??" (We have to walk THAT far?) I looked out my window and felt sorry for her, wondering why they didn't get in the combie and ride it a bit longer. Just then, my husband put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Let's go."
"Where are we going?" I asked. "Why did the combie stop there?" "Are we going to walk all the way to the top?" Questions were running through my head. The combie man explained that tonight, this was as far as they were going.
My husband and I began the walk up the mountain. I have to admit I was a bit scared that night. I grabbed my husband's arm tightly as he lead my way. We hadn't walked far before we realized why the combie couldn't come up the mountain. There were huge holes in the road where they were installing a sewage system. Up till this point, these people simply used outhouses. We kept walking and it wasn't far till I started noticing where we were. We were almost at the top and made the usual turn. It was from here that we usually walked to the study. I felt better now, and saw some kids playing soccer in the road, right in front of their little tienda (store, that was in front of their house. These small stores amaze me. They will put things on shelves all the way up to the ceiling, and sell practically everything a person would need.) We followed the beaten path, walking up first, and around, and then down till we arrived at Bro Rocky's house. We knocked on the small door, and were greeted by a room full of people who had gathered for the Bible study that night. The room can't be any bigger that 8 ft wide, and about 12 feet long. The cement floor was painted red, and the furniture had covers on it to dress the place up a bit. It was a cold winter night, but the room was warm from the people gathered. A young man moved to stand on the other side of the room so I could sit in his seat. Bro Luis bowed his head to pray, and the study began.
Last week, they had 25 people there in attendance. All of their people now attend our church down in town, but soon would like to start a church on top of the mountain, so their neighbors might also come to know Christ. We are excited to see these families who have grown in their faith. Please pray for this little study up on the mountain. We believe God can do great things through this community, and are begging that God will!
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| Their sign, right outside Rocky's house |
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| Part of the group, gathered inside Rocky's home |
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| Their group! Bro Luis, the man teaching the study, is on the far left. |
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