Renovation of Ordination Vows, Lima 8th April

Bishop William and clergy on the steps of the Good Shepherd Cathedral

( I am second from left)

Crafts in Shalom

One very fun and creative part of Shalom is the craft class each Friday. I particulary enjoy it being a chance to work alongside the children and produce some exciting things. Here are just a few highlights:

candy and her clay plate decorated with shells

Leonardo and Antony enjoying their class

Junior varnishing his pot

Andres with his lizard being accompanied by his mother Nelly

Ruben with his bag puppet

Ederson's lion puppet

Rachel making Easter crosses.

Rachel will take over the craft classes in my absence and we have already planned together some exciting ideas for the children to make!

Antony and his lizard in progress

Dear friends

Easter greetings to you all!

The months are whizzing by in 2009 and here we are celebrating Easter in 30 degrees in Lima. Apologies for not always sending out news but I am trying to update the blog, www.patinperulatest.blogspot.com, and hope this missle will inform those who feel uninformed!

January was spent flying across the atlantic to be with my mother who continues in hosptial following several falls and a couple of minor strokes. She is just about walking now but has other medical complications which means she is unable to go back to her home. At the moment my sisters are trying to find suitable accommodation for her. This is hard for my mother and sisters and for me being so far away. But thankfully I am due home in a couple of weeks on furlough so will be able to be close by although some what busy with church visits around the country.

I leave Peru on 29th April and arrive in the Uk on 1st May, quite a long journey but it was hard finding flights.

I begin visits on 7th May and am busy most weekends coming to you to let you know what's happening here in Peru in the different ministries I am involed with and other activities of the Diocese. For those who don't know when I am due to visit please contact your SAMS church link person who should have the details. If anyone gets this and hasn't organised a visit please email me and I can see how space is looking. I am grateful to Richard Crofts who has been helping coordinate visits as sometimes it is difficult to chase up different contacts from so far away.
I am around in the UK until beginning of August but do need time with mum and family at this difficult time of transition for my mother. I shall be at New wine as from 25th July so can catch up with many there.

Here in Lima things connitnue busy, this afternon we have a Good Friday walk from Nazareno down to the church in Shalom and a gathering there in the community. This evening we have a service in Senor de Los MIlagros the community in the invaded area near Nazareno. Tomorrow we have a baptism and then the usual Easter Day celebrations together in both churches. MOnday hopefully will be a day off.

Shalom conitues to be a blessing to all those who come for their therapies and the morning classes are an encouragement. 8 children come inthe mornings for their early stimulation and nursery classes. SAMS volunteer rachel Hovenden helps out with Luisa and Nelly. The therapies continue from 2 - 7pm each day Monday to Friday with therapists, Lourdes, Evelyn and Teresa.

The church in Shalom conitues to grow with new people coming and opportunities to reach out to the neighbours and those in the community of Victor Raul. We are having problems with moving things forward in terms of the land for building the new centre, a matter for constant prayer.

In Nazareno the work continues with a strong group of young people who I pray will rise to some leadership challenges in my absence. Priests from the local deanery are covering servies in my absence so pray that the other ministries will connitue under the leadership of the church council and other leaders in the congregation.

Well I had better get on as time passes and I need to get organised for the days activities.
Please pray for the items mentioned above and I look forward to sharing with you in person soon.

Many thanks to you all for prayers, support and encouragement in my ministry here.

Easter blessings, may we all know the power of the Living Lord in our lives, our families and our churches at this time.

With love Pat

Easter Events

Easter greetings to you all!

I know we are only just getting into the Easter celebrations but want to catch up with what has happened already. For Palm Sunday the Sunday school children made decorated crosses and then we sang around the block with the instruments, finishing with a photograph together.

Then in the evening we had an open air service in the local park which again was well attended (we had a service there last month) and walked around the park with our palms.

Foot washing with the mums and children in Shalom was very special.

Birthday's in Shalom

At the end of February we held a party in Shalom for all the children who had birthdays in January and February - there were a lot especially in Feb.

Junior was celebrating 26 years, here with his sister

There's always a cake!!! - for everyone together

Summer classes

It seems a while ago now but will let you know about the summer activities with childrenin nazareno and Senor de los milagros. As the children have 3 month holiday we always organise classes for the children, also there is no Sunday school during summer. The youth helped plan activites for each day inNazareno, including drawing and painting, games and cinema, crafts, singing, bible and English. and once a week in Senor de los Milagros where I mananged to combine all things into a 2 hour slot!!

We had about 40 children in nazareno and 30 in Senor de los Milagros.

Singing together

working together Senor de los Milagros

Ariana and her monkey mask

Leo and Kevin building

Gabi reading

Women's group Outing (AMA)

Having not had time to go on a Christmas outing the women's group from Nazareno finally escaped from family and other committments to visit the fountain park in the centre of Lima. 15 of us went with a few of the children and grandchildren and it was a thoroughly wet and interesting evening together. (sorry pics are a bit dark)

Lucila, me and Luisa

The other English looking person is SAMS volunteer Rachel Hovenden from Tunbridge Wells, working in Shalom for a few months.