Our last day in Peru began with a visit to the Parish Furniture wood shop - www.parishfurniture.com. As a ministry to the men of Trujillo, the wood shop crafts high-end outdoor furniture out of sustainable Peruvian wood sources. As a community development venture, they provide men with trade skills, business skills, and Christian discipleship in a work environment. The goal is to train leaders so go out into the community as small business owners to be salt and light. Chris Bolton showed us around the shop, including the work room and wood kiln.
We then hopped on Bob to visit Wichanzao - where we got to see the medical clinic, microfinancing office, and the Wichanzao church. Once again, what a blessing to have physical needs met, community infrastructure encouraged, and Gospel ministry combined in a single location.
Clementina is an area on the outskirts of Trujillo which is essentially a squatter community. Families live on the sand in thatch dwellings and slowly aquire water, adobe houses, and other needs. Peru Mission has a church plant here - and we had the joy of putting on an impromtu VBS for the kids in the neighborhood. Walking up and down the alleys and streets, we called out to the families to invite them to the church. Around 50 kids and parents came to sing and hear the Gospel in the small church building. It was a blast!
Lunch was on the coast at a fantastic restaurant called Big Ben's - which specializes in fish. Cebeche and the best lemonade known to mankind were definitely a favorite.
Pictures to come. We're in the Lima airport waiting until our 12:00pm flight. We land in New Orleans around noon tomorrow (Saturday). Pray for smooth travel!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The last day of camp was a sad but joyous day. Relationships built with our new brothers and sisters in Christ make it difficult to leave, but knowing that we have made such an impact on their lives and the lives of their churches turns sorrow into rejoicing. Multiple Peruvian team members told us tonight at our going away despidida that they had never ministered to children before. Through this week at camp they now see gifts and needs that they never saw before. Many have gained a confirmation of God's call to minister to those around them in their own hometown.
The "North American" team has been solid as a rock all week long. They were inspiring to watch - laying down their lives for these children by serving them tirelessly. Tuan did not feel well today, but we are glad he is getting better. A few team members felt poorly at the home of the Baker's last night, but after some aqua and much needed sleep - we were ready and thrilled to have one more day to minister.
Kids love inflatables. After this morning, our male team members may not feel the same way. Due to an awkward location and lack of a forklift, a crucial inflatable (weighing around a thousand pounds) needed to be moved about 50 yards through pathways and around walls. The guys stepped in to save the day. It provided a morning and evening workout for the men on our team.
The kids wrote us individual letters and gave them to us today. It was hard to tell if we had made an impact on many of the children, but these notes were encouraging beyond words. They told us about camp being the best week of their life, about their counselor being their best friend, about how much they had learned about how to have a relationship with King Jesus.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would equip the young Peruvians of the three churches - Arevalo, Larco, and Wichanzao - to continue discipling these kids throughout the year.
Everyone is healthy and heading out to see more of Peru Mission's work tomorrow. We will run an unofficial VBS for a church plant nearby, see the woodworking shop, visit the clinic, and take a dip in the Pacific Ocean.
The children that these North American and Peruvian counselors were able to point to Christ have heard the most beautiful story every told - that of redemption in Jesus Christ. One day we hope to worship with them all before the throne of God in heaven - all in the same language.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The entrance to the new camp facility. We are surrounded by mountains and desert.
Two of our incredible leaders - Pablo and Andrew.
Another integral leader for camp - Alleen Mclain - chillin' with some penguins. Thanks for all of your hard work!
The Twin Lakes Peru Camp Team leader - Tuan La - waiting at the bus stop and enjoying the beautiful nighttime weather. This man, along with many others based in Peru, made it all happen!
Pablo playing in the pool.
Keith McDaniel - one of the most joyful women in the world. 84 years young, showing us how to do cross cultural ministry!
Muyupama - Peruvian jam extraordinaires.
Daniel Hillberry joined the band for a song or two. He was impressive!
Picture of the decade. Yes, that's an alpaca.
Lunch at Mango's in Larco Mar. Amazing food, beautiful view.
The group in front of Arevalo Church.
Morning Assembly. We begin each day with a classic Twin Lakes tunnel of excitement as each bus arrives. Pablo leads us with an amount of energy and wit that is breath-taking. He is truly doing a wonderful job as the Peruvian camp director. Allen Smith and a team of wonderfully talented musicians sing with the kids before and after the activities every day. Some favorites are the Fruit of the Spirit (translated into spanish) and a great song about allegiance to Christ that is written to the tune of the Peruvian national anthem. It is great for this year's theme of Christ's Kingship in our hearts.
From assembly we move to the activities - The pools, archery and facepainting, sports, super fun games and inflatables, and the evangelism tent and crafts. Yesterday the kids made crowns and decorated them with sticky jewels and today they made pateca (sp?), which is essentially a Brazilian hacky sack with feathers. Both were huge hits with the kids. Great job Tuan on planning out the crafts!
The enormous feat called "lunch" is accomplished through a series of shifts and schedules. The food has been great - variations of chicken and rice both days.
In the afternoon assembly we recap what the kids learned in the evangelism tent that day, with some antics and examples to spark their imaginations.
Both days have been incredibly smooth - some say the smoothest that the Twin Lakes Peru Camp have ever seen. Praise God for that!
We are about to go to the Bolton's house for dinner tonight, last night enjoying a traditional Peruvian musical performance at the Smith's house. Thank you for your prayers!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Quick Update
There is not much time on this early Monday morning - but here is whats happenin...
- We will leave for the camp site at 7:15am Eastern. Campers are SUPPOSED to arrive at 9:00, but somehow, our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Peru arrive early for camp alone. It is just that exciting!
- The location for camp this year is brand new. It should be a blessing, but it is not as centralized as the last camp site. There are many places where you cannot see the other activity sites - so pray for camper safety!
- We have heard that there are two legitimate penguins living in a small lagoon at the camp. Who would have thought?
- There are two types of counselors for camp - activity counselors and group counselors. Activity counselors teach each period and supervise safety. The group counselor builds relationships with the kids throughout the week and facilitates safe transitions from site to site. We hope this structure leads to effective discipleship!
- Continue to pray that no one eats anything that makes them sick and for general health. We know that the Lord will provide - but we need every person we have to pull off camp!
- Today we will take a look at King Saul. The kids will make crowns in Arts and Crafts and throughout the day learn what kingship really means. Saul was outwardly impressive, but he did not obey God. Saul sought his own will and sacrificed to God to justify his actions. In response to this, God rejected him as King. {Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams...because you have rejected My words, I have also rejected you from being King. from 1st Samuel 15:22 and 23] We hope to communicate the need for Christ through revealing this sin in all of our lives. Pray that the kids would come to understand today that God does not love us or justify us based on our good deeds and work, even if done in His name. Obedience flows from gratitude for grace in Christ Jesus. Each day we will point past the story to King Jesus as the King of our Hearts.
- The team is growing together, getting adjusted, laughing more, being sleepy less, and are excited about today.
- We will leave for the camp site at 7:15am Eastern. Campers are SUPPOSED to arrive at 9:00, but somehow, our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Peru arrive early for camp alone. It is just that exciting!
- The location for camp this year is brand new. It should be a blessing, but it is not as centralized as the last camp site. There are many places where you cannot see the other activity sites - so pray for camper safety!
- We have heard that there are two legitimate penguins living in a small lagoon at the camp. Who would have thought?
- There are two types of counselors for camp - activity counselors and group counselors. Activity counselors teach each period and supervise safety. The group counselor builds relationships with the kids throughout the week and facilitates safe transitions from site to site. We hope this structure leads to effective discipleship!
- Continue to pray that no one eats anything that makes them sick and for general health. We know that the Lord will provide - but we need every person we have to pull off camp!
- Today we will take a look at King Saul. The kids will make crowns in Arts and Crafts and throughout the day learn what kingship really means. Saul was outwardly impressive, but he did not obey God. Saul sought his own will and sacrificed to God to justify his actions. In response to this, God rejected him as King. {Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams...because you have rejected My words, I have also rejected you from being King. from 1st Samuel 15:22 and 23] We hope to communicate the need for Christ through revealing this sin in all of our lives. Pray that the kids would come to understand today that God does not love us or justify us based on our good deeds and work, even if done in His name. Obedience flows from gratitude for grace in Christ Jesus. Each day we will point past the story to King Jesus as the King of our Hearts.
- The team is growing together, getting adjusted, laughing more, being sleepy less, and are excited about today.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Sunday, Blessed Sunday
Latest News:
- Saturday was an incredible day - we walked around Lima, visited the Indian Market, and ate delicious Peruvian food at Mango's at Larco Mar overlooking the Pacific ocean. Everyone back home should try ceviche, which is fish "cooked" with citric acid. That's right, it looks and tastes like zesty sushi! A few of the team members were a little hesitant - as should be expected.
- We were blessed to find the two missing bags with our other luggage once we landed in Trujillo! Tuan and Krystin are relieved. Thanks for your prayers. Elias in Bob the Bus and a fleet of taxis were waiting for us in the airport parking lot to bring us to the hotel. We will be spending a good bit of quality time with Bob the Bus. He's a pleasant fellow.
- Tuan, Andrew, Zack, Alleen, and Pablo (the Peru Camp Director) met last night while the team prepared camp supplies. The opportunity to teach and nurture these churches in camping ministry is thrilling. There are of course many details and a new location that will require more time and planning, but casting the vision of sharing Christ in word and deed is what we hope to accomplish. Proverbs 29:18 tells us that “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Pray that we would not miss the purpose and life of camp - the faithfulness of God manifested in the serving of children for the sake of their salvation. Pray also that we would share that vision effectively: in word and by example.
- Once we settle into a schedule, we'll be able to post some pictures!
- This morning we have the pleasure of worshiping with Arevalo church. We'll meet many of our Peruvian brothers and sisters in Christ for the first time.
- Everyone on the team is doing great! We're adjusting to a different culture and adapting to different habits and customs. Pray that God would use this time to make us faithful to Him and not to our comforts.
- Saturday was an incredible day - we walked around Lima, visited the Indian Market, and ate delicious Peruvian food at Mango's at Larco Mar overlooking the Pacific ocean. Everyone back home should try ceviche, which is fish "cooked" with citric acid. That's right, it looks and tastes like zesty sushi! A few of the team members were a little hesitant - as should be expected.
- We were blessed to find the two missing bags with our other luggage once we landed in Trujillo! Tuan and Krystin are relieved. Thanks for your prayers. Elias in Bob the Bus and a fleet of taxis were waiting for us in the airport parking lot to bring us to the hotel. We will be spending a good bit of quality time with Bob the Bus. He's a pleasant fellow.
- Tuan, Andrew, Zack, Alleen, and Pablo (the Peru Camp Director) met last night while the team prepared camp supplies. The opportunity to teach and nurture these churches in camping ministry is thrilling. There are of course many details and a new location that will require more time and planning, but casting the vision of sharing Christ in word and deed is what we hope to accomplish. Proverbs 29:18 tells us that “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Pray that we would not miss the purpose and life of camp - the faithfulness of God manifested in the serving of children for the sake of their salvation. Pray also that we would share that vision effectively: in word and by example.
- Once we settle into a schedule, we'll be able to post some pictures!
- This morning we have the pleasure of worshiping with Arevalo church. We'll meet many of our Peruvian brothers and sisters in Christ for the first time.
- Everyone on the team is doing great! We're adjusting to a different culture and adapting to different habits and customs. Pray that God would use this time to make us faithful to Him and not to our comforts.
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