Pat in Perú
Dear All No. 9 April 2006
I feel I should start in my usual way with apologies for the delay in getting news out to you all. Now that’s over with I will get on with news.
The last month or so has been rather hectic with many things converging together and the weeks passing by like a whirlwind. Firstly there was preparation for the week of medical campaigns with Medical Ministry International, I was organising the logistics etc. to set up 5 days of clinics in 3 locations. Thankfully things went smoothly and we had a very encouraging week of medical, dental and eye care – and this year with added attention for our 4 legged friends – all together seeing over 1,200 patients. Emphasise was given to sharing the gospel message whilst patients waited for their medications and it was a privilege to share with some of the people and pray with them.
At the same time David Gonzales returned from Cuba as his mother was deteriorating fast. I had been in contact with the family and they very much wanted David to come home. God’s timing was perfect and David had a couple of days with his mother and the family before she passed away peacefully after a very painful last few weeks of life as the cancer raced through her body. He then was able to get several things sorted that he needed for his studies and head back. I was encouraged by the way everything worked out and it was good to see him again and he was encouraged with the news I was able to share with him from El Nazareno, particularly the new adolescent group which is going well. Praise God! Please continue to pray for David’s family, his sisters, brother and father and also David returning to his studies. Then my sister, Christine, arrived and we had 3 weeks together. We managed to get away for a long weekend to the jungle, visiting Iquitos up on the Amazon. It was a lovely few days, lots of wildlife, water and insects, particularly taking a fancy to my ankles! In amongst all this was the Diocesan Synod, a farewell to volunteer Dave Stoker, a visit from SAMS Tim Greenhalg and family to see the Diocesan work and various other bits and pieces. My sister left last week and then the Easter activities began. Today I have had time to catch my breath but a little unwell but recuperating enough this evening to meet up with Mavis Crispin and the SAMS volunteers Emily, working in San Mateo, and Hazel, travelling to Arequipa tomorrow to teach in San Lucas school. Please pray for them both, and Mavis, in their ministry in the schools.
In El Nazareno we are very busy as always with the various ministries. As mentioned the Saturday evening adolescent group is doing very well with bible study, discussion and group work and the young people are taking more responsibility in leading and preparing. They like to sing and Diego plays the guitar and they are learning quite a few songs and some of them also come to a new music workshop run by Jhonny and Diego on Friday evenings. The women’s work is also growing with new members this year. We are currently planning for a Mother Day event on 6th May where each church has the opportunity to make items for sale to raise funds for the group. We have decided to make candles as we have the equipment in the church so this Friday is a candle making workshop. The Good Shepherd Church gives me all their candle ends so I have a good supply to recycle. In fact I have just made new altar and church candles for Easter. A few weeks ago a new family had their 3 sons baptised it was a lovely service with Rev. Juan Marentes. One son has learning difficulties and the family came to the church through the disabled ministry. Please pray for the family and the disabled ministry which meet again this coming Saturday, 22nd.
Rev. Jaime Siancas continues to come to El Nazareno about once a month to lead the service and he was able to accompany us on both Palm Sunday and Easter day.
There is a national conference for Alpha training at the end of this month, 28th -29th, with many from the Diocese participating and Alpha courses are planned to start in several churches, including El Nazareno, mid May. 5 of us from Nazareno are going to the training. Please pray for this, for the leaders as they prepare and those we are inviting. I continue with the English teaching on Thursday afternoons and the sewing group on Wednesday’s. Sunday school has begun again at its normal time, Sunday’s 5pm, following the summer morning classes. Also back in February were the adolescent and youth camps and I attended both as a leader. They were great weekends of teaching, discussion and opportunities to chat with the youngsters. The Diocesan seminary has now started in Lima and 2 from El Nazareno are studying, Jhonny, fulltime four evenings a week, and Etelvina two. There are about 30 students all together. Pray for this ministry as it prepares leaders to develop their gifts and trains then in many areas.
Recently I had an interview with the ordination committee and am awaiting news as to this important step in my ministry. Church ministry is demanding but I am finding it very rewarding and fulfilling, seeing God at work in many people’s lives. There are many things I am hoping God will enable and equip us to do in the future but current priorities are the adolescents and the forthcoming Alpha course.
Please pray for the continuing presidential elections which are going to a second round with possible re run end of May. It is quite an unsettling time with divided opinions and outcomes.
I praise God for the resurrection with the new life and hope that it gives us, and for the opportunity we had to share that this last weekend. We sang some wonderful worship songs, in fact most of the service was singing! Pray that God would continue to pour out his spirit here and touch people’s lives.
With much love and many blessings, Pat
Reg. Charity: 221328
Allen Gardiner Cottage, Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 3QU
Patricia Blanchard Apartado 18 – 1032, Lima 18, Perú
email:-
pblanchard@anglicanperu.org
In the pharmacy at Villa Sol with MMI worker, Don Cruise from the USA. March 24th
