Christmas Outing Shalom

Once again the children and the families from Shalom went on an outing to a local park to celebrate Chrsitmas. We all packed into a big bus a drove the 40 minutes to Huascar Park. I took the tennis rackets and footballs and we had a lovely day together. We decided to cook lunch there so the BBQ ers were kept busy cooking the 80 chops, with the mums bringing rice and potatoes as well.

Brenda and Bryan

Marco, Felicita and Jessica

Beatrice cooking

Elena and Roy relaxing

Several took the opportunity to go horse riding and visit the animals.

Lucho and friends!

Christmas Day

I managed to cook Christmas lunch, improvising with some breadcrumbs and an onion as the paxo didn't arrive in the post in time!! Anyway it was tasty, and we had a good time, Paul and Sarah Tester, David Gonzales and I. Christmas pudding was made by the ladies of the English congregation and we even had mincepies and crackers AND watched the Queen's speech on the internet!!!














I was able to phone my family and then we had a nice walk in the hot afternoon sun before going up to Nazareno to lead the service with the Sunday school performing their nativity story.

After the service we ate Paneton and drank some fizzy pop together, everyone took home ballons left over form the children's parties earlier in the week (still have to write about those).

Oops!

Forgot about the birthday which coincided with a visit from SAMS rep. Richard Crofts.

A very large cake at church!

I went out for a tasty lunch by the sea in Lima with Richard, David and Bea then had a small party at my home inthe evening.

Richard accompanied me at various activities both in Shalom and Nazareno and saw other Diocesan work in Lima.

Christmas in Shalom

Decided to go straight to Christmas other wise you will never get up to date news!! I am having trouble again uploading photos so hope this works.

Christmas has been busy and I got onto the TV! Due to a friend of Luisa (Shalom) having a contact with a national TV channel the Shalom Christmas party on 19th December involved a camera crew and several famous people - although I didn't know who they were!! They brought presents and a clown and other entertainment and we had a fun time together. The edited visit was shown on national TV on 24th and I recorded it with my camera although there is no sound. We hope to get a copy from the canal so hopefully you can see the all dancing all action version as opposed to the stills posted here (if I manange to !!!)

Luisa in charge of decoration with helpers Miguel Angel and Lidia

On Sunday 21st we had the Christmas service in Shalom with the children dressing up for the nativity story. Thankfully we had taken out the partition in the main room so we were able to fit everyone in - well at a push and with many standing.

After the servce we had the traditional hot chocolate and paneton provided by a friend Doris and some sweets and a Christmas mug for everyone.

I also attended a Christmas activity in the Sector Victor Raul, where we hope to build the new centre, and began to get to know some of the children and families living in our new neighbourhood. Shalom is moving premises in the new year as we are really unable to function in such a small space. We are going to rent all the ground floor of a house of one of the community leaders so we will have a bit more space for the time being. It is also a good move to get into comminuty life and start being a Christian presence in Victor Raul and encourage them to take some initiatives to improve their community. Please pray as this signifies a lot more pastoral work and my time is stretched already as you know!

AMA Women's Retreat

The last weekend in October almost 100 women from the various churches in Lima and visitors from Christchurch, Plano, Texas, headed out of Lima for a weekend retreat, 'Healed to Serve'.
10 of us went from Nazareno and we had a very restful and positive time together.

I led the Sunday Eucharist and was also able to pray with several women during the reflective times over the weekend. It was great that so many of the women were able to attend, it is often difficult to get away due to family and work ties but God certainly blessed us for taking the time out to focus on him and share and learn together.

Visits and Crafts in Shalom

In October Jill Gramann from Worcester Diocese came to visit Peru. She was particulary interested in the ministry of Shalom due to link with SCOPE in the Uk and spent some happy times with us. We had a craft afternoon and were busy making masks - it was scary!!!!!

Light Party

As an alternative to the children roaming the streets on 31st October, as has become the custom here, we held our usual Light Party in Jesus El Nazareno with about 40 children attending. Nestor led the games and we had some craft time and then snacks and a video about sharing. The children had a good time and so did the helpers!

Baptisms

On 8th October there were 5 baptisms and 6 first communions in Jesus el Nazareno. Although the families were from the Shalom ministry we had the service in Nazareno with much more space for family and church guests and also with the baptistry to hand. Maria Claudia is a child with cerebral palsy and her mother invited her sister and family to participate in the church and they have become regular members. It was a delight to baptise both the parents, Juan Carlos and Ana and their two children, Imanol and Estefani as well as Maria Claudia's mother, Maria.
It is great the way God is blessing Shalom and the church is growing.

Nazareno Anniversary

The first week in October also saw the celebrations of the anniversary of Jesus El nazareno church. We had a street party with hot dogs, games and sale of bits and pieces. In the evening we had a talent night.