Machu Picchu and the Inka

Carol and I at Machu Picchu on February 3. 

Happy Birthday to me!

Carol and I are leading a fantastic team of 8 others on a vision trip of Peru. We started our time with a tour of Cusco and Machu Picchu to learn about the ancient cultures and the effects of Spanish Colonialism. It was my birthday when we climbed up to the city on Machu Picchu mountain. Blessed with clear skies during the rainy season and a fantastic guide, we learned much about the Inka.

The Inka rarely sacrificed humans... they usually made sacrifices of alpaca, llama and guinea pigs. But they would train up royal children with their best education and training. If a monumental disaster befell the people, they would offer up a child who was young, virgin, brilliant and beautiful to the gods. They would be the son or daughter of royalty and know that they were being sacrificed on behalf of the people. But the priests would not cut their throats or do anything gruesome. Rather they would hike to a snow patch in the Andes and have the child take coca leaves and other pain killers and have them rest in the snow and knock them out. Then they would wrap the child in the fetus position and allow hypothermia to steal their last breaths. Once frozen, they would mummify and bring them back to one of the temples as a reminder of their sacrifice and that their souls had gone to the gods to serve them on behalf of the people.

Every people has their old testament and longing for intimacy with God. The Inka built a city in the mountains to be close to the sun, firm on the rock and in proximity to water and vegetation. They gave much to peruse their gods. Their sacrifices were mis-guided but prophetic. Jesus was of royal descent. Jesus was the perfect child; strong, beautiful, brilliant and innocent. God was preparing the way for them to meet God's son and know that no more sacrifices were necessary. cities in the mountains were not necessary. Yes, respect creation but don't worship it. Worship its creator.

As we pray for this most beautiful country and its people and churches and trust that God will fulfill the Inka old testament and reveal the final child sacrifice and bring healing, freedom and true shalom.

This is cuy cuy, my birthday guinea pig I shared with my friends.

This is Ally the alpaca I enjoyed after our Machu Picchu tour. Tastes like a mix of mild liver and beef steak.