Jon's amazon ministry trip (part 2 Iquitos)

After visiting the jungle city of Pucallpa, We (Jon and Markos) flew into Iquitos. This is the capitol of the Amazon and the largest populated city (600,000) in the world that cannot be reached by a road.

 There were plenty of motor-taxis to get around.

We immediately looked for a hotel that was cheap but suitable. After the first place gave us a tourist price, we decided to check on others. We settled on a room on the fourth floor of this hotel. It had window air-conditioning, two double beds, and a private bathroom for 70 soles (about $25). 

After getting settled in our room, we found a restaurant that served alligator (fried or grilled).

We went to the port to check on some potatoes Markos was shipping down.

We found the restaurant called "The Yellow Rose of Texas". We were able to talk to the owner in English and enjoy the 400 choices from the menu. It was a piece of the States and a great place to relax.

The restaurant had four different room types (photo, air conditioning, terrace, and sports). The sports room had the Michigan shirt tucked behind an Ohio State banner until I covered the banner with the Michigan shirt. The owner says that it keeps getting changed by whoever visits.

 I challenged the owner to a game of darts. I won the first game but lost the second.

 Peru takes pride in their plazas even out in the jungle towns.

 We heard that there were some good Baptist churches and a big Baptist institute in Iquitos but everyone was gone on trips at the time.

Peru is a religious country with statues and signs everywhere but not understanding the Truth. I'm pictured below with Peter and Paul in a boat.

We later decided to take a tourist trip in Iquitos to see some of the sights.

 We were told the story of how a Baptist missionary by the name of Andrew Large used this house boat for thirteen years to preach in the villages up and down the Amazon River. Little did I know that I would meet this missionary the following week at the pastors' conference. He is currently a missionary in Nicaragua.

 Visiting a village where they were able to tell the history of the Indian village life and even reenacted the dress and customs. 

 We were able to hold and enjoy some of the wild-life at one of the tourist stops. 

February in Peru is water days. People (like the ones in the picture) will throw water balloons at everyone to cool them off. A balloon hit Markos and splashed on me giving them a laugh.

 The bugs that we ate were soft and with a cheesy texture.

 

The Belen Market is the largest market in the jungle and also one of the most dangerous.

 
After spending a couple of days in Iquitos and meeting up with a couple of other pastors, we took a speed boat down the Amazon River to a place called Caballa Cocha where we had our pastors' conference (seen in part 3 of Jon's amazon ministry trip).