This past Friday I realized that it had been three weeks since I posted my last blog update! Honestly, ministry has been busy but I’ve also been having fun and haven’t felt like writing another blog… I mean, it’s not exactly the most exciting thing in the world for me. Regardless, I felt that it was about time I let you all know what’s been going on since we started ministry here in Lima. Here is a breakdown of what we have done:
Week 1(short week): Pastor Victor’s Church
-Saturday: In the morning/early afternoon we were able to clean Pastor Victor’s church. After lunch, Victor told us a small bit of his testimony and about living in such a dangerous part of the city. In the evening we made our way to a different church to participate in a youth night with a bunch of locals. We worshipped(even a little in English), played games, and I was able to share my testimony with them.
-Sunday: During the first half of the day we went with the pastor’s daughter, Vania and visited several members of the community to pray for them. Although most of them were busy working they gladly welcomed us to talk and pray with them. In the evening we had a church service in which we were able to sing some English songs for everyone!
Week 2: Ana Maria – 2 hour drive this week!
-Wednesday: Ana’s ministry was donated a piece of land by the local government to build a learning center. Their plan is to have classes, a technology center, and a church. They needed to get started on the project right away in order to pass inspection so we helped build wall around the property and get a house built.
-Thursday/Friday: At first, the plan was to visit one school Thursday morning and no more. The first one went so well that Ana scheduled us to go to two other schools in the areas. We were able to go in dozens of classrooms(Kindergarten all the way to seniors in High School) and: share what we were doing in Peru, what our heart is for being here, and have a Q&A where they asked us anything from our favorite food to whether or not it snows in our home state.
-Saturday: Kids clubs! One in the morning that included a skit, lesson, and crafts. In the evening we had one with a skit, lesson, music, dancing, and games.
-Sunday: Church in the morning, a delicious Peruvian lunch at the pastor’s house, and the rest of the day off!
Week 3: La Mesa Del Reino(Kingdom Table)
This week we worked with a ministry that focuses on educating, empowering, and teaching persons with disabilities about Jesus. Anywhere from mental disabilities to tuberculosis to deaf people.
-Wednesday: Painting of the center.
-Thursday: Beach day! Julia, a group of Kingdom table volunteers, and our team hopped on a bus and went to the beach with around 50 friends with disabilities. Activities of the day included: games that had messages built into them, a clown, lesson about our life before and after Jesus, food, futbol, swimming, and kayaking!
-Friday: More painting!
Saturday: We had an adventure in the morning! Julia(the director) and her friends gave us a tour of the city center of Lima: beautiful architecture, plazas, changing of the guard ceremony at the Plaza de Armas, and a museum. In the afternoon we took inventory of all the supplies at the learning center.
Sunday: Attended Julia’s church with her and then a deaf church afterwards. Yeah… who knew there were churches that were done exclusively in sign language?! Not me! Super cool experience to be a part of.
Finishing Strong:
We only have 3 more weeks of ministry here in Peru! God has been working in incredible ways in the lives of those I’ve met as well as mine during the past 3 weeks. My hope and prayer is that I will be able to stay fully invested in every ministry opportunity during the remainder of our time, even while being tired, hot, and super excited to see Machu Picchu during our final week!
