Arequipan Photos:















San Lucas Flag



Marching in the street














Children at the Children's home

Arequipan Visit

More than a year after I last went to Arequipa in my capacity as Diocesan Project Coordinator I have visited again and enjoyed catching up with friends and contacts there. I went to accompany the new volunteer and youth coordinator from SAMS UK, Suzanne Potter, who is in South America for a series of visits with Mission Partners, volunteers and national leaders.

The visit started with a loud reunion with the band and school of San Lucas busy preparing for competitions for the National Independence day when all schools march with their musicians. I was impressed especially as the sun was so hot, thankfully most children had their hats on which is a must with the strong sun in the altitude. This was followed by lunch with mission personnel and volunteers from USA and UK.

We visited the new children's home with the 5 adolescents and Saturday morning Suzanne and I spent a happy time playing with the 11 children in San Jose home. It was incredible to see how they had all grown. All the children attend San Lucas school and do well in their studies.

Sunday morning I went to a service at San Lucas church where they have a rota for inviting each school grade to attend with their parents. It was a very nice time and I was also able to meet up with dear friends Wilfredo and Mariloli who work with MMI (Medical Work) and who have recenlty moved to Arequipa from Lima due to the demands of the medical campaigns. As I left them and went to the airport I bumped into Brian Piecuch, director of MMI, so was able to catch up with him as well before he received a team of 37 people to work on a medical campaign in Arequipa during the week.

I have still not replaced my digital camera, cannot make up my mind what model to buy, so I will post some photos of this visit when I have finished the disposible camera. It is very cheap to get a CD here of the photos so I have done that recently but must get around to buying a new camera because it is much more practical in the long term.

Alpha Course

Thursday evenings we are running the Alpha course in Jesus El Nazareno. We have 27 on the list but with an average attendance of 18 - 20 each week. It has been an encouragement with good discussions and new people coming to church. Some weeks we watch the DVD and other weeks Rev. Juan Marentes gives the talk.

Some of the group in the church














Soup before the DVD presentation















This weekend we are having the retreat with the teaching on the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately it is difficult for many to get away from their responsibilities of work and family and only 5 of us are going and three of them are the leaders. We are joining with 3 other Anglican churches in the area so hopefully there will be a good number for the retreat. Please pray for the 22nd and 23rd July especially for the ministry time in which I shall be involved.

Adolescent group

The Saturday evening adolescent group led by some of the youth from the church continues to meet and keep the 20 or so youngsters occupied with games, bible study, group activies and some crafts - we have made some candles and keyrings

Here are some of the group with their art straws models







































We have a message wall which they like to write their thoughts, prayers or comments on.














We hope to have an outing on Saturday 29th July, the day following the National Holiday to celebrate Independence Day.

San Gabriel News

Before - houses in the invasion area














After - the cleared site with local school in fore ground
















Thursday 22nd June 2006, Eviction of Families in San Gabriel

A most terrible afternoon and a real insight into justice, or lack of it. 200 families are now without homes as the police and contracted gangs invaded and fought with the people of San Gabriel for more than 3 hours. Tear gas was thrown - a most horrible experience - and there were many wounded as they sought to defend the place that had been their home for almost 7 years. About 200 riot police came and various bulldozers.

No lawyer nor anyone seemed to be defending the people, checking the legality of the papers or asking for time or consideration. I went to talk to the police but they were not interested. Once the people were overcome with the gas and other interventions the police came in gave the order. The people had about half an hour to take down their houses and rescue any materials they could, it was a mad panic and the street was soon filled with corrugated roofing, wooden panels and posts and assorted belongings. I went in and retrieved the cross from the building we had used Sunday mornings for our service and helped carry things out .

Pray for the families without homes this evening and the children who were evacuated will never go back to their home. Pray that all will find another place to establish their homes and raise their families in peace.


Tuesday 27th June 2006 Families Living on Streets after Eviction

Thanks for the messages received on behalf of the community in San Gabriel. The only thing at the moment is to pray that the local government is generous in hearing the families' plea for another piece of land. Tomorrow is crucial because the local Mayor comes back from out of town, so prayers needed.

I was there on Sunday and there are now 116 families living on the streets - waiting to the last and not giving up the struggle despite the difficult conditions. There is still heavy police presence in the area to prevent the families reinvading the land which has been cleared and flattened

Some have placed children with other family members but they are away from their parents and many as you can imagine are distraught and they are also missing school. Some have no option but to keep the children on the streets with them. The Lima weather is cold and damp now.
Please continue to pray.