La Luz de Cristo para Perú

Orality & Storying | TELLING THE STORY

Did you know that an estimated 70% of the world is oral? Volume 5 Issue 2
They don’t receive their information via literate means - It’s
true! Seventy-percent of the world either cannot read, does February 2010
not have access to written information, cannot read at a func-
Again, the statistics for the Ashaninka are 1% literacy in
tional level in society, or chooses to learn via oral communica-
their native language, 5% literacy in Spanish.
tion. In other words, the majority of the world does not have
Yanesha = Another native people group living in
the ability to read a book, fill out a form, read the daily head-
the jungle. We work with areas of the jungle that are
lines, etc. Approximately 4 billion people around the world are
populated by the Yanesha people. They have a 10-20%
oral communicators in largely oral societies and cultures.
literacy rate in their native tongue, and a 20% literacy rate
in Spanish.
“So what are you trying to tell us”, you ask? Well, exactly how
do these 4 billion people learn about Christ and about his love
So what is the answer for people who cannot read or
for us and about all of the Bible stories and the characteristics
write? How can we reach them with the Word of God?
of God and… the list goes on and on!??! Do we, as literates,
The answer comes from the Bible itself… “with many simi-
discriminate against the oral communicators when we hand
lar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as
out Bibles and teach Bible lessons in church with our work-
they could understand. He did not say anything to them
sheets and written stories? Are we being sure that we include
without using a parable.” (Mk 4:33-34) Jesus chose his
non-literates as well as literates when we teach a Bible study
teaching style to match his listeners’ abilities, and so
or lead a small group? Am I, in writing a missionary newslet-
should we. Jesus used familiar oral means that they un-
ter, unintentionally discriminating against a population that is
derstood, and so should we. Jesus
interested in knowing and learning, but cannot use this piece
told stories.
of paper or a computer to obtain the information?
Our team is working to change our
These are the questions that our team is addressing as we
own mindset from literate, written
speak. We are working in an almost-entirely oral culture. The
communicators, technology driven
“official literacy rate” in Peru is 67%, however this statistic is
and highly educated… we have to
wildly off-base and there is no international standard for how a
become incarnational and teach to
country rates literacy… “literacy” within a country may mean
the learning style of the culture that
that a person can read and write her own name, or it may
we serve. 90% of today’s Christian
mean that they are capable of filling out a government census
workers are presenting the gospel
form, or it may mean that they were enrolled in school through
using highly literate communication
the 5th grade. More accurate numbers for literacy in our work
styles. We are striving to be in the
are as follows:
10% who are seeking to meet the
Quechua = we work with a large majority of people
needs of our people, one story at a
who speak one of the 35 different dialects of Quechua, with
time. Please pray for us as we learn
Spanish as their second language. Only 1% of these people
to communicate orally, as we learn
are literate in their native language, and 5% are literate in
to tell the story to others, and as others begin to teach and
Spanish (because that is what is taught in schools and is the
tell the story - as they replicate and multiply the teachings
language of conducting business).
of Jesus and the truths within the Word of God.
Ashaninka = the Ashaninka people are native tribal
people living mostly in the jungles of Peru. When we cross To learn more about orality and storying, read Making Disciples of Oral
over into the jungle, we are working with mostly Ashaninka. Learners, readily available on the internet for download.
 PERU
OPPORTUNITIES:

March to the Beat with The Drums

We’re busy, busy, busy!
• We have Billy’s mom (Sherilyn) with us right now. She will be spending a
month with us, learning about Peru and what we do.
• The first official short-term team of the year will arrive on Feb. 12. They
ARE YOU READY TO
will be working with the village of Cochas to begin a new Kid’s club minis-
try, as well as working with an orphanage in Coto Coto with children’s min- COME AND SERVE???
istry and sharing love with the children of Peru.
• We are working to develop teaching and discipleship methods orally for
the people of this culture who are not literate. (see page 1)
Do you want to come and serve in Peru?
• We continue to work with the Kuyay Talpuy project, offering educational Do you want to serve as a member of a
opportunities to underprivileged children and ministering to their families short-term team, or do you want to indi-
vidually volunteer your time? We have
and their community. plenty of opportunities for serving Christ
• We will welcome Jenny Werdenberg this month, as she comes to visit the and sharing His love with the people of
Peru:
area and minister alongside us… a reunion of sorts, as Jenny was an in- You could come and serve in an edu-
tern with us in Mexico for several years! cational capacity, working with children,
teaching English, teaching community
• We enjoyed being “present” with the congregation of First Presbyterian health & nutrition, working with the local
church in Navasota, Texas via Skype! We were able to speak to the con- church, sharing your skills and learning
from Peruvians in the process…
gregation and participate in worship with them - a very nice Sunday “at Or you could come and help with a
home, with friends”! medical team, serving the needs of the
local community by restoring health...
• We look forward to a day of teaching in Navasota High School next week You could come and spend time with
as we Skype with the Geography classes (7 periods!) and teach about local disciples and believers who need to
build relationships with other believers
Peru and the culture here. Technology is so AWESOME!!! and who need to see Christ lived out in
the lives of others. Come serve with us!!!

Texas artist takes Peru home to her studio

BETTY MITCHELL TAKES HER MEMORIES OF PERU TO THE CANVAS AND CAPTURES THE BEAUTY OF THE PEOPLE

Betty Mitchell, a resident of College Station, Texas, is an artist. Okay, that is only one of the
many skills that Betty has in her tool belt… she has also held the titles of teacher, cook, mom,
grandmother, and very fondly—missionary. Yes, Betty is a career missionary currently living in
Texas and awaiting her next mission assignment. She and her husband, Midge, spent MANY
years serving Christ in South Africa. And Betty puts her memories of the people whom she has
served into her artwork. Her home is full of her original paintings and drawings - memories
beautifully framed and adorning the walls of their home so that they may never forget to people
whom God has used to touch their lives. Last summer, the Mitchells visited the Drums in Peru
and worked alongside them, mentoring them and sharing in the mission of sharing Christ’s love
with others. Today, Betty works to put her
memories of their time in Peru to canvas…
the beauty of God’s people and God’s love
as seen through the eyes of a missionary in
His service.
 DEAR BILLY AND LAURIE,
† I will pray for you. Please send me your newsletter
by e-mail: ____________________________________
† As God provides, I plan to partner with you by giving
$ _________ Per month / quarter / year for _____ years.
† I would like to donate a one-time gift of $ _________
† I would like to sponsor a child’s education for $25/mo. ($300/
year). (Please write Iscos Project—Kuyay Talpuy on your check)

Name (PLEASE PRINT) ______________________________________

Address _________________________________________________
City____________________ State__________ Zip _______________
Phone _____________________ Home Church __________________

TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFTS MAY BE SENT TO:

The Mission Society
PO Box 922637
Norcross, GA 30010-2637 USA
Prayers
DESIGNATE GIFTS: “DRUM SUPPORT 5/321”
and Praises
Please continue to pray for the
The Drums | HOW TO CONTACT US Kuyay Talpuy school project in
Iscos and for the community.
MAILING ADDRESS: LAURIE & BILLY DRUM...JR. SAN JOSE 278…URB. SAN CARLOS...HUANCAYO, PERU
TELEPHONE: 979.985.5268 (TEXAS PHONE NUMBER—RINGS US IN PERU) Pray for the teams who are in
EMAIL: BILLY@DRUMSFORCHRIST.ORG OR LAURIE@DRUMSFORCHRIST.ORG their funding and training modes,
NEWSLETTER: VISIT THE WEBSITE AT WWW.DRUMSFORCHRIST.ORG AND CLICK “NEWSLETTERS” planning to serve the people of
SUPPORT US: USE THE FORM ABOVE, OR GO TO http://www.themissionsociety.org/people/drum Peru during 2010.

Pray for the team from

McDonough UMC (Georgia), com-
MEET OUR TEAM: MILAGROS ing to serve in the community of
Cochas Chica and in an orphan-
WE WANT YOU TO MEET THE PERUVIANS WHO WORK WITH US DAILY age in Coto Coto in February.
TO SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST.
Praises for a group of young in-
Meet Milagros! Milagros is a certified Peruvian teacher. After terns who will be joining us soon.
graduating from the university, she worked in public Peruvian We really need their help and we
schools. However, she quickly became disenchanted with the look forward to hosting them as
manner in which teachers disciplined students, the they serve the people of Peru!
“acceptable” styles and methods of teaching which were heavy We will host several young ladies
on humiliation and punishment, and the lack of devotion by the beginning in June. Please pray
teachers or the schools to improve the lives of students. She for their fundraising efforts and
left the public school system and began working for a non- their training process as they pre-
profit that held after-school tutoring programs for students and pare to come to Peru.
worked to help families help their students succeed. We met
Milagros when she came to a disciple group. She began to Continue to pray for our boys as
help us with Kid’s Club ministries. She talked to us about her they continue their college careers
issues with education in Peru and she envisioned a better way in Texas. Pray for wisdom and
to love children. She now is a full-time teacher in our Kuyay guidance in their lives, and for
Talpuy program, working to better the lives and educational God to protect them and give
opportunities of underprivileged students. She claims that this them peace as they grow into ma-
is the best job she has ever had and she continually works to ture young men.
find new ways to love our students. Thank you for making it
Milagros on Opening Day of Kuyay possible to work with Milagros and the We continue to pray for all of YOU
Talpuy, playing games with the children of Peru. as you continue to support us
children.
through your prayers and your
financial support. Without you, the
ministries that are occurring here
would not be possible. Thank
you!!!
SERVING PERU | Kid’s Club Ministry Peruvian Style
Known as Kid's Club to us in Peru, children's ministries are touching many lives here. Kid's Clubs meet
each week in parks and fields and schools - wherever we can find space and children. Born from a mis-
sionary's personal testimony of not accepting Christ until she was an adult because of the lack of good
Christian teaching in her childhood, she began to write lessons and teach other Peruvians how to lead
children toward Christ. Today, Kid's Clubs are EVERYWHERE! A typical club will have 50-80 children
who come together to sing and dance and learn about the Bible together. There is one club
that has 150 children! Incorporating music, puppets, skits, large group and
small group lessons, the Kid's Club lessons touch everyone in their learning
style. Some Kid’s Clubs also incorporate lessons for parents and family
members who come to learn more. Led by Peruvians for Peruvians, Kid's
Club is a fabulous program!

SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST WITH THE PEOPLE OF PERU.

WWW.DRUMSFORCHRIST.ORG | 979.985.5268

Laurie & Billy Drum

PRESRT STD
3907 Old Oaks Bryan, Texas 77802 USA US POSTAGE
PAID
BRYAN TX
PERMIT #102
E-mail: billy@drumsforchrist.org
laurie@drumsforchrist.org