Lima, Peru





Grady:

We showed up at Lima's famous Yellow Cathedral, believing God would provide just the right people for the story as he had countless number of times before.

As Don and I were wondering where we should go to find information, a man in a uniform asked us if he could help us. We told this man, Ricardo, we wanted to speak with a Franciscan monk because that was the last character we needed for the story.

Ricardo was eager to help and coordinated a meeting with Father Abel. The moment we were greeted by this 77 year old, compassionate, joy-filled Priest we knew we had met our man. We explained how the main character was running from bad guys and hides in the catacombs of this cathedral, and would be found by a Priest (now Father Abel) where he would provide refuge for her behind the monastery doors.

Father Abel brought us into the monastery and introduced us to a cooking crew in the kitchen who were preparing a meal that would feed 200 of Lima's poor that afternoon. They demonstrated so much joy that we knew this was the place for Lexi to heal.



Left to Right: Ricardo, Enrriqueta, Don, Father Abel

Right to the end of the research trip God led the people we needed for characters into our hands. With the exception of evil Hector, every person with a name, introduced in Latin America, is based on a real person. Their names, descriptions, and bits of their lives are woven into the story. It was a thrill to meet each of these precious souls. Now it is our privilege to introduced them to you in Running South.

O Lord, you examine me and know.
2 You know when I sit down and when I get up;
even from far away you understand my motives.
3 You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest;
you are aware of everything I do.
4 Certainly my tongue does not frame a word
without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it.
5 You squeeze me in from behind and in front;
you place your hand on me.

(Psalms 139:1-5 NET_FL)


Read Chapter One of Running South!
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