In Keiko Fujimori’s living room
It is November 26, 2012. A major event is on the agenda for Diospi Suyana. The “El Inca” bookstore chain is organizing a book presentation in Lima with me as the speaker. An impressive buffet offers enough food for 200 guests. Pastors and Christian leaders are supposed to share the story of Diospi Suyana with their congregations in this metropolis of 10 million people. That’s the plan. But things turn out quite differently. The hall remains empty. In the front rows, just 38 lonely figures sit somewhat forlornly, waiting for things to happen. I had personally encouraged half of the attendees to come just the day before. When you send out a big invitation and “nobody” shows up, it’s kind of incredibly embarrassing.
The presentation is over, and the guests are already rushing outside. As they pass by, everyone grabs a sandwich from the buffet, and that’s it. Nothing to show for it except expenses.
“I’ll take these three books with me, too. Maybe you could sign them!” The elderly gentleman holds the copies right in front of my face. Of course, I write my name at the bottom of the first page. “By the way, one of these books is for Keiko!”—I’m suddenly wide awake. Keiko is Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of the former president. It’s crazy that this man knows such a high-profile politician personally. A little while later, I get into a taxi and shake my head in disbelief. Some things are just too good to be true.
April 24, 2013. The door opens. Keiko Fujimori welcomes me into her private home. In the living room, she hears and sees a story that leaves no one unmoved. Out of nowhere, a modern hospital for the poorest of the poor is built in 45 minutes. And of course, I explain that it was God who came up with the whole idea. Press photos are taken at the front door. Two contacts are present; I had already met one of them five months earlier at the ill-fated book event.
June 7, 2026. Keiko Fujimori wins a closely contested runoff election against the radical socialist Roberto Sanchez. On July 28, Peru’s Independence Day, Keiko will move into the presidential palace as the new head of state.
It’s about time I gave Keiko Fujimori a little update. Don’t you agree? Only God can turn a flop into a moment of genius. Thirteen years later, even I understand the deeper meaning behind my book presentation to a yawning, empty hall. /KDJ
