Peru: Days 6 & 7

Day 6:  Thursday morning was our off-morning, so we walked to the Inca Market and took in the sights while buying the place out of Alpaca blankets, silver jewelry and other essential items. After a wonderful lunch in Miraflores at Atthos Restaurant we headed back to the church for more sewing ministry work. Again, the ladies were quick studies and knocked out several projects before stopping to have a ladies' spa night. It was a time of fellowship, care and laughter as our women cared for the ladies of the village. Due to the generosity of the people at First Baptist Norfolk, each of the 25 women girls were able to take home a sample kit of shampoos, lotions and other beauty items. To watch the delight on their faces and in their eyes as they walked out with their gifts was truly a blessing for us! 

Day 7:  Today the team met for the last time at the church prior to heading out for some targeted evangelism.  The team split into two teams and visited the homes of some of the families that had accepted Jesus after being seen at the clinics earlier in the week. It was a humbling experience to be welcomed into someone's home and treated as an honored guest. We had the pleasure of answering questions about this new religion they had given their hearts to, and along with giving them a new Bible written in Spanish, invite them to the 6pm church service later in the day. The team spent the entire day engaged in this ministry.  Back at the church, the service was another unforgettable experience, with Pastor Tito describing how far the church had come is just five short years while comparing and contrasting the parables of the sower found in Matthew and Luke. It was a great message and to top it off, the people of the church amazed us with beautiful gifts and handwritten letters!  Our last meal of the church was cooked one more time with love by the wonderful women of the church.  It was a family affair, marked by joy, laughter, gentle teasing, but mostly the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ. Tomorrow morning we board the plane to return home, but it will be a bittersweet moment as we say goodbye to the people of Peru and especially our new family in the Primero Iglesia de Villa El Salvadore.  

Of special note, this report would not be complete without singling out Pastor Tito and his wife, Mariane, Melissa, Blanca, Meche, Ruth, Marivel, Jose, Auturo, Julio, David, Xtian, and of course, Romel! They made every second we were there special, like we were forgotten family returning home once more.

See you when we get home!
The Peru Mission Team

Peru: Days 1-5

Day One:  The team arrived on Saturday morning to an amazing welcome at the airport from the members of the church we have come to serve. There were signs welcoming us, hugs to share and lots of excitement on both sides. After a quick stop at the hotel and a fantastic lunch, we headed directly to the mission field, visiting children at two different locations (Chivan and Brisas). Games were played, Bible stories were shared and songs were learned in both English and Spanish. It was an incredible start to the trip!

 

Day Two:  We were at church early Sunday, and once again, we were blown away by the spirit and open arms of the church members. Pastor Tito and the band did an incredible job praising the Lord and getting us all involved. The Pastor translated for Sam as he shared a message about coming to know Jesus. The church prepared an incredible meal for us and we enjoyed sitting down to a lunch full of fellowship and laughter. We were happy to hear that two people made professions of faith on Sunday. That evening, Pastor Tito and his wife Mariani showed us a local attraction, the National Water Park, which is in the Guinness Book of Records for having both the most complex set of water fountains as well as the highest single jet of water in a fountain. It was awesome!  The fountains were beautifully lit and many were interactive. We completely enjoyed the experience.

Day 3: Monday morning found us setting up our first medical/dental/vision clinic in the neighborhood of Brisas, in the home of one of the church members. Two Peruvian dentists and a Peruvian doctor and nurse came to help minister to the people that flocked to the clinic.  It was an incredibly long day, but many people were seen and most importantly, 23 people accepted Jesus and their Lord and Savior!

Day 4:  Tuesday we headed out once more to another missions center in Chavin, setting up in the home of another church member. Once again, it was another very long day that had many people treated for ailments they would not have had the opportunity to had seen otherwise. Children flooded the street outside the home and filled the air with laughter.  It was humbling to have the woman of the house invite us all to sit in her house and share our meal at lunch time. Again, the most amazing number the day was that another 23 came to know Jesus!

Day 5:  The last day of clinics finished up at the church in the morning. We were blessed one more day to have amazing Peruvian team members helping us by translating, filling in wherever required and basically modeling Christ's love. In the afternoon, the sewing ministry began after lunch and went until late in the evening as the ladies involved  were determined to finish as many projects as they could in one sitting!  We cannot say enough good things about Pastor Tito, Mariani and the people of this church. It has been an amazing trip to this point and we are praying for God's strength, courage and protection as we look to finish strong!

 

The Peru Mission Team