Youth social action

Almost forgot about the afternoon we spent visiting with food and gifts up on the hillsides The young people had been convicted to give rather than receive and many brought items which we put into bags and distributed to various families.

Visiting felicita and her daughter Jessica in their house with a food parcel and gifts

Christmas day

After a lazy beginning to the day phoning family and friends n the UK and recouperating from all the previous events I went to Sarah and Paul Tester's for lunch. We were very impressed with the Queen's speech once it finally loaded! and then went for a nice walk in a local park.

Relaxation was cut short as we all had to go to churches for our Christmas day evening services.

I started with only a few but by the time we finished there were a number but many rushed quickly off as they still had visitors at home.

On Tuesday 27th we had a farewell service and party for Dimas who is going to work in Ica and Ayacucho to the south of Lima.

Dimas and Etelvina and the usual cake

Yet another Christmas activity!!!

This time in Senor de Los Milagros on Thursday 22nd in the evening.

We had a lovely evening service with the participation of the children for the nativity play. After the service we had hot chocolate and paneton and the youth group led us in some singing.

Pray that we can start regular services in the community as from mid January.

Shalom Christmas

On 19th December we had a grand celebration in Shalom to finish the year. The children who had attended the pre-school in the morning did a 'hora loca' (mad hour) dance and a presentation about an elephant.

The therapists sang a Christmas song
and everyone shared in the chocolatada with hot chocolate and traditional paneton.

Gifts were given to all the children and the staff also received their 'goody bags'.

Ghandira, Lizeth, Ruth, Milagros, Nelly and Luisa.

Shalom News

On December 8th, a bank holiday, 70+ of the Shalom family went on an outing to the Lima Zoo.









arriving at the park










With Dr Townsend Cooper who is coming to work with us in January (he's the one in the cowboy hat)

Those with disabilities don't pay entrance fee and the person accompanying them pays half price so that helped with the finances and the August activity (BBQ cow hearts) paid for the bus.

As there were so many of us we didn't manage to stay altogether and some people managed to get separated from their lunch - but everyone enjoyed themselves.

There was this lovely nativity scene so a few of gathered for a photo

Christmas 2011

Many activities, lots of fun and lots of blessings

The young people's activity on Saturday 17th saw the teenagers present various songs, drama and choreography as well as sharing the Christmas message and some food. I have to sort out my camcorder and software to be able to show the videos... here are a couple of photos in the mean time..

I made crackers - complete with bangers!

The youth leaders, Gian, Santiago, Nena y Beatriz with Dimas and I after the party!

The following day we had the sunday school party for about 60 children - it was a lot of fun!

Diana was great at coordinating the games!

Health Bridges 50km Run

A bit of news hot off the camera. This morning representatives from the NGO Healthbridges, including Dr. Wayne Centrone a very good friend of the Anglican church, began a 50km run up in the shanty towns of Villa Maria. They had a great send off and we ran with them for a short distance and then stayed to visit in the area of Nueva Esperanza. Dr Wayne has organised this run, and a similar one he is undertaking in Arequipa later in the week, to highlight the difference in health care and provision between various districts in Lima.

Several local schools joined in as did the local mayoress. Also with us was Ines and her mother whose health issues started this link with the Dr and the community of Villa Maria via Rev. Aurelio Rodriguez of the Anglican church.

If you are interested in the runs please go to http://www.hbint.org/ or http://www.iamthebridge.org/

Mum

I spent quite a bit of time looking after mum and enjoying being by the coast in Bournemouth especially during August. Thankfully mum was doing well when I left having put on some weight and overcome some health issues. Thank you for your prayers for her.

I had two very busy times of church visits, one based around Kent, Essex and Surrey and the other going up to Derby and then coming down again via many stop offs - I managed to drive 4,000 miles. I was encouraged to meet once again with link churches and share with many friends and contacts.

UK news

Didn't realise that I had not posted anything about my time in the Uk. Will begin with the last event - the lovely wedding of my nephew Steven to his bride, Lucy. I was able to take part in the service and it was a very special day.

They married in St Ives and it was lovely to see the Cornish coast again - the weather was amazing - the day before and the day after the wedding - the day itself was not so good but we didn't really notice the weather!!!

News from Peru again

Hi, well my time in Uk came and went and am now trying to settle back into life here. Living with some friends after my forced move and finding it hard to find a new base. Please pray.

It was great to see everyone again and I was please that things had gone well in my absence. The teenagers and youth had a good Alpha course and Shalom had continued with the therapies and all was working like clockwork - Praise God for the leaders, their dedication and committment to serving God.

The youth decorated the tree and church on Saturday so we are looking festive

We are now into getting ready for the christmas activities, Shalom has an outing to the Lima zoo on Thursday which is a bank holiday here. The last day of therpaies is 16th with the Christmas party on 19th. In Nazareno things start on Saturday 17th and we are busy each day until 24th!!