On Sunday night, Paul Spomer and his daughter Sophia bring me to the Winnipeg airport. Sophia is 12 years old and wants to become a nurse. In recent days, she has heard several presentations on the mission hospital. Peru and Diospi Suyana lure. Reason enough for them to get up at 3 o’clock in the morning.
Many memories remain. Paul took a week off to prepare virtually as my manager of all appointments. His wife Irina cooked and baked, as if I had just escaped famine and was in dire need of nursing.
For me, the highlight of the trip was a lecture in the Lutheran Brethren Church in Mitchell. 200 German-born immigrants, almost all once lived in Russia and Kazakhstan attentively heard the story of Diospi Suyana. When they sang their songs, I felt enchanted. There were Russian melodies full of depth and melancholy. I heard from them the suffering of the past centuries, but also the hope of a place where God has quieted our last longing.
The pastor bid me farewell with two envelopes. A few hours later I inspected the contents. I can not hardly believe what I see. For ten years I have been traveling for Diospi Suyana, never has a church given a higher donation.
