Pat in Perú
Dear All July 2007
Half of 2007 has now passed and it’s been 3 months since I returned from home assignment in the UK. In some ways that seems such a long time ago.
Things have been good in Nazareno but life has not been without its ‘downs’ alongside the ‘ups’. Ups have been the new Youth Alpha group on Saturday evenings with 20+ young people; the Nazareno music group performing in a concert and selling their CD’s; my new pastoral office downstairs, the visit of the Kairos group from Tunbridge Wells; implementation of the library and new study areas in the former pastoral flat. ‘Downs’ have been several deaths of family members of the congregation, some very unexpected and sudden and all bringing sadness to family, friends, church and community.
It was encouraging to return to Peru to see that God had been faithful to his people in Nazareno, many adolescents had attended the summer camps and I noted a real growth in their lives. The Saturday evening group had retained a good following and that has now developed in to the youth Alpha course using DVD’s with powerpoint and video clips. We will probably do the Holy Spirit day towards the end of July to coincide with public holiday which means there will be no school. Thanks to the Tunbridge group we have a multi media projector which has already been getting good use with plans for more film evenings to show Christian films and create a place where many youngsters, and those not so young, feel able to come along.
At the end of June we had a concert with the music group, Nazareno, and other invited presentations, including Christian rap, a selection of songs from the Kairos group, choreography from a mixed English Peruvian troop. The local dance group led by Robert from the church performed two traditional dances from the Cusco region bringing energy and colour into the programme. Images and words were projected from the multi media on a sheet rigged up between a flag pole and a basketball goal in the local state school which was kind enough to loan its premises for the concert – even though we overstayed our welcome by almost an hour – we were just having so much fun! Many friends, family and local community attended with over 150 people - not including those overlooking the school from the hillsides above. The women from AMA sold coffee, cake, rice pudding and Peruvian jelly and the dance group sold hot dogs to raise funds for their activities.
We now have two Sunday services, 8.30am and 7.30pm and Sunday school now happens after the first service at 10am. The evening service is still more popular but we are continuing with the two for the moment.
Last Thursday we had an all night prayer event at church attended by a good number of people mainly adolescents. It was a busy evening with worship, bible study, prayer and some creative artwork based on some Celtic calligraphy ideas brought back from Lindisfarne, then finishing with a Christian movie and coffee at 6am. Then some of us went out of Lima for an outing on the Friday as it was a bank holiday to a sunny location, catching up on sleep on the bus and in the park where we spent the day. It has been good to draw in some input from my trip in the UK and when in Durham Cathedral I saw a lovely altar fall which we have translated into a Pentecost set for the church.
I am also in the process of preparing various people for baptism, we have used the Thursday evening bible study for some classes but I now need to do family and house visits to talk more personally and as there are several children and young people, meet their parents and discuss and talk to them. Pray for these people, many who are new to the church, that they would grow in their faith and that the children would be able to share what they have learnt and experienced with their own families.
The disabled ministry has expanded in Pamplona with occupational and language therapy now offered. We purchased some new chairs and tables and the centre now functions 4 afternoons a week. When the Kairos group were here they painted the second room which Lucy kindly lets us use and we also had a Saturday street activity, selling hot dogs but also face painting, singing, playing football and giving out balloons. We also made salvation bracelets with coloured beads which drew quite a crowd.
We have visited at Las Lomas where we hope to start Shalom 2 but it is proving difficult to coordinate and set up regular activities there. Please pray for therapists and clarity about the land situation, there is a communal building and the offer of some land but at the moment it is hard to discern the right move.
I am really appreciating living much nearer to the church, the flat is very comfortable and it’s near to shops etc.. I can get to church in less that half an hour. Tiggy has got used to life here although he is a bit naughty and fights with some of the neighbours so he has restricted time outside. There is a small, friendly dachshund downstairs but Tiggy does not often feel very friendly so I have to watch out that their paths don’t cross too often.
I have just been away for a few days to get some sunshine in Lunahuana about 2 hours down south from Lima. It was very relaxing but unfortunately the insects were feeling rather hungry and I have returned with rather a lot of bites and they are irritating. But at least having an additional rest at home has given me time to get this letter done and a few other household chores which were well overdue.
Prayer requests:
· The youth Alpha course and the Holy Spirit talks later this month
· Those preparing for Baptism
· The music group and sales of CD’s here
· Jhonny, Sixto and Robert and families following their recent bereavements
· Shalom in Pamplona and the new group in Las Lomas, that we will be able to coordinate with the therapists to support the families there
· The implementation and use of the library and classroom space
