Owning a vehicle is a blessing but maintaining it in Perú can be very difficult. I took it in to get a routine check before driving it over the Andes Mountains to the capital city of Lima. We were scheduled to direct a camp and to get the yearly government technical revision papers along with its insurance. The mechanic discovered that our brake pads were worn and that it was a good thing that we didn't attempt to drive through the mountains before getting them changed. We needed to replace the battery which only lasts two to three years in Perú. The fluids were changed, oil and air filters replaced, and a good cleaning all added up to a pretty penny but needed to be done. I'm dreading the time that we will have to get new tires as they are expensive but on the other hand it's a great way for God to reveal His provision and watch over us.
The story continues concerning our vehicle after rejoicing that our trip to the capital was safe and secure. Upon arrival to the place to get our vehicle inspected we were informed that the vehicle had to be emptied before being inspected. Our vehicle was packed tight with camping materials and our luggage and was unloaded in the parking lot. The yearly inspection checks your vehicle lights, horn, brakes, exhaust, and proper paperwork. I was confident that it would pass since the mechanic checked all of these things earlier and that this was the same inspection place that approved our vehicle the year before.
As Becca and Katie guarded the items in the parking lot, I was told that everything passed except ---- there was a new law passed this year that changed the description or type of vehicle that would result in needing to change our vehicle card before being approved.
Getting paperwork done in Perú is usually not an easy or quick task. I needed to get a certificate from only select offices and than take that certificate to a notary for approval before submitting it to the government office for the change to be made. Each individual office are not close to each other and each have their long lines and expenses. It took me two days to get the paperwork submitted to the government office to be told that it would take them seven days before I could receive the update. The papers to the vehicles yearly inspection would expire by that time and would not be able to be used.
Changed Plans: After camp I would send the girls back to the jungle on a bus so they would not fall behind in school while I would wait a couple of days to pick up the vehicle papers from the government.
After the seven days, I returned to the government office to receive my revised paperwork but was told that they would probably need another seven days due to delays. I could not wait on them and their uncertainty. I called my lawyer and scheduled an appointment in two weeks to return to Lima to renew our visas with him and to finish our vehicle paperwork. I parked our vehicle at a church in Lima and returned to Oxapampa to be with my family and continue to minister in the church. One week later the government of Perú went into a two week quarantine and shut down all transportation. This will extend our trip to get our vehicle and visas renewed until probably April.
God is in control and we continue to place our Faith in Him!
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