Kidz Klub Christmas Event

As pastors of mission in our church we have been doing many things to try and encourage our church to look outside the four walls. We now have an amazing and growing team which help us to do this. The church is steadily growing in its understanding of what mission is. To help this continue we are doing our main outreach event this year and asking for the church members to be involved, on the day and also financially. Please watch, and enjoy how we are publicising the event. (It has been translated!!)

Pachacamac and update.

We realised it has been a very long time since we lasted posted anything on our blog, Apologies to those of you who read regularly. We have been busy in the last month, and blog posting time has just not been available, along with emailing, and other such things.

Jobs on our current to do list include; a huge amount of planning to do before we go back to the UK. In addition we have had to organise, and do last minute organisation for the jungle trip (posts to follow) and also organisation for the end of year kid’s Christmas do (12 December posts to follow). We also had the visit of Holly’s parents and sister, Les, Heather and Robyn.

We are currently on retreat in Cienaguilla at the moment and therefore have a little time to catch up on the blog, and other things.

Last week partly due to the visit of our friend Naomi Hill,

who is also part of our missionary family TOM (see http://www.missionorder.org/) we went to a pre Incan ruin called Pachacamac. (The photo above shows Naomi, NOT at Pachacamac, but in the jungle! - posts to follow!) On the forbidden staircase - the security guard with a gun took us on a special trip to this staircase, as a treat, but wouldn't let us go up any further unless we were seen!

This ruin is about 45 minutes out of the centre of Lima and very interesting, especially comparing with Inca ruins and especially those buildings found in Cusco and obviously with Peru’s number one tourist destination, Macchu Picchu.
One interesting comparison between the two building forms is the difference between the landscapes of Macchu Picchu, which is situated in a green well irrigated mountain valley, compared with Pachacamac which is situated in the desert at sea level. This however is just a climatic comparison, but not where the comparisons end. For example the people who built Pachacamac built their buildings using adobe (a mud like substance) and mud as mortar. The architecture as well was very rounded in form. This is compared to the very angular form of Macchu Picchu and Cusco which uses no mortar to hold them together, but instead mathematical shapes which interlock. The other thing that also struck me when at Pachacamac was the way there is a great similarity between the way the people were treated in the time that this establishment was active and today. For example the lords and leaders treated their servants and the women as second class citizens and beneath them. The old adage ‘jump servant’, and the servant’s response should be ‘how high’. This is still reflected today as some of the middle and upper class treat those from the working class and below as there for their convenience at best, and as bad as dirt. In the time of Pachacamac you had little or no rights. This also happens today with the private beaches, which aren’t private unless you don’t look as though you can afford to be there, and the lack of courtesy when ordering in restaurants.
This as a Christian is not what I see the Bible saying, and something which shocks me culturally, and makes me ask the question, what is my response, what is my role?

daniel

Can you save a starfish?

Last Friday I (Mark) went to Ventanilla for my monthly visit. It is a great time to encourage the staff and children there and also to spend some time sharing what is on my heart with the teachers. It is such a priviledge to be able to be involved in such a work and to be able to help disciple Alfredo, a man who reallys wants to serve in every way possible, living on the breadline, by faith, for the love of God and those he serves.

The kids were in their final class of the week, which was free drawing with the title 'Spring' or 'Primavera' in Spanish. It is lovely to see children who have so little and are disadvantaged in so many ways enjoying learning, and producing good quality work to boot.

As I've got to know this kids their stories have touched my heart. One such story is Sofia (see below) who has no dad and whose mum works from dawn to after dusk to provide food for Sofia to live. Last month when I went to Ventanilla she was just wandering around and had no place to go, until her mum arrived home late at night. What sort of life is this fof Sofia? (She is one example of so many here). Most of the kids have similar stories, with generally 1 parent available to them, when not working, or sometimes they have no-one, technical orphans who live with a family member as both parents have disappeared for one of so many reasons.

This situation really reminded me of a story I heard some years ago about starfishes on the beach. The story goes like this:

'A man was walking on the beach, a beach covered in starfish, thousands if not hundreds of thousands. As he was walking he saw his friend tossing some of the starfish into the water. The man asked his friend 'what are you doing you cannot save all of these starfish'? His friend replied 'you're right, but I can save this one, and this one, and this one'.

I feel this is why I am here in Peru, I cannot save and alter all the lives of the people here in Peru, (although I want to)or even those I meet, or even work with, but I can help one here, one there. I can train and inspire leaders so they in turn can do the same job. Jesus Christ walked the planet 2000 years ago and has altered the face of human history, and he told us to remember the poor. To look after the widows and orphans. I want to do the same. I want to be able to save hundreds of starfishes, as many as possible. My question is how can I do more? I am affecting the lives of many people here, young and old alike, but I want to do more. Can you help us? Can you be a hero of the poor? Can you defend the defenceless? Can you help us save more starfish? Can you help Sofia?

Happy First Birthday Joel!

Yes, amazingly, Joel is 1 today! Happy Birthday Joel!



Here is the first year of his life in just under 4 minutes...

Musings on life here

Today I was sat in Pacifico de Villa where we are currently doing the Kidz Klub and the mums and tots group and thinking about why we are here. This didn't last very long because I was sitting with Daniel and Joel eating biscuits we had just bought from the shop. (9p for a small packet of biscuits can't be bad, except on the waistline of course)! I was thinking what an amazing opportunity we have been given here in Peru to serve the people and God, as well as the people of Pacifico de Villa. As I was sitting there I said to Daniel 'can you see the sea'. He replied 'where'?

Ordered disorder giving out the balls for 'Hombre PegaPega'

It made me think this place is so beautiful naturally, sun sea and sand, (well the sun outside of winter) but due to people having to find someone to live, and having very little money to do this a beautiful place becomes an eyesore. It is the real hard story of those who have and those who have not, and the people of Pacifico are in the bracket of have not. (This situation is the same with Ventanilla, which again is a beautiful place that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, but is even poorer than Pacifico), Most of those who work in Pacifico serve those who have. Therefore it is wonderful to be able to reverse this process and be in the part of those who have and serve those who do not have.

Action shot!

Kidz Klub was last Saturday and was the best one we have done and many of the kids prayed to accept Jesus, an amazing time and one I will never forget.

Our amazing team

We also have been growing in number and maturity in regards to the mums and tots. Today I felt we made another step forward as mums are now asking questions of us, and also helping us clear up, which culturally is a real sign of acceptance. Some of the mums are now asking us about our church and how they can be part of the bigger picture. It is such an honour to be involved in work as this.

Keyla and Ana, (smiling) 2 of the mums that are regulars to the group

1 day holiday! (aka day off!)

Today we went on holiday for 6 hours!!
Things have been seriously busy recently and with the girls both away this week staying with Peruvian families, we took advantage of the space and went 1 hour out of Lima to Cieneguilla in the foothills of the Andes (where there is sunshine - yea!) Amazingly, I can't remember we ate lunch just the four of us, it was definitely over 2 months ago if not longer! We had a lovely BBQ lunch at the Mesa de Piedra (Stone Table) restaurant (Yes it did make me think of Narnia!)

Chicha Morada is one of Daniel's favourite drinks - made from purple corn! (yes it really does exist!)

Much to Daddy's dismay, Daniel and Joel think pushing the ball down the hole or attack the players is much more fun that actually playing the game. Mark learned that maybe his children were not quite ready for table tennis yet.

I did have a couple of times when I wondered whether we would end up in A&E today - the boys both decided to take a tumble - Joel head first down the stairs, and Daniel slipped on the top-metal rung of the 2 1/2metre high slide and fell to the floor. We went to get ice-cream to make it all better (thankfully no broken limbs!) and then Daniel was keen to head back to the park, the first thing he wanted to do was to conquer the slide!

Mums & Tots session 2

We had a really good time again this week with the Mums and 0-3's - there was even a Dad who turned up! It was a smaller group, but I think that God had his hand in that as we were a very small team - just Mark, I and Lili as no one else was able to make it. We had problems getting into the building so we started 1 1/2hrs late, but we had a fun time and the mums all seemed to enjoy themselves, as did the kids!

Lili did some games to make them move about a bit and make them laugh (I think in the photo above they had to pretend to be aeroplanes?!), and I (Anna) did a short activity about identifying problems (or not) with children and breastfeeding and then shared with them about Jesus saying he was the bread of life.

I had baked some bread in the morning to go with some soup (which turned out to be very delicious!) and shared how the bread was fresh, for everyone and tasty, but that each one of us had a choice whether or not we were going to try it! It is great to see mothers who live so close to one another (all within 11 blocks) but who don't know one another, starting to build relationships too.

Next week, a missionary friend of ours who is a GP is going to do a short talk with the group on nutrition, so watch this space!!

Trip out with Sunday school kids

This morning we went on the Sunday School outing to a park by the sea (very cold - my head froze!) and then to KFC (a real treat here!) Here are a few pics...

Mum's and tots group

Today was the first meeting of Mums and babies / tots (up to age 3) and was a really encouraging time. We held the meeting in Pacifico de Villa, the same community where we are holding the Kidz Klub, and over 20 mothers came with their little ones. We discussed things connected with breastfeeding and childcare and I (Anna) shared with them about the importance of developing a heart-to-heart connection with our children so that they will be guided by us and not negative influences as they get older. I also shared about the heart-to-heart connection that God wants to have with each one of us and what He did so that could happen. The women were really enthuasiastic and receptive and we hope to continue with a good group of mothers in the coming weeks!
Joel and some girls play with the toys

Daniel calls his 'amigos' on the community tannoy system!

Lili does some action songs with the kids

I share about the importance of a heart-to-heart connection with our children and with God.

An Englishman 'delayed' In New York

Well after the flying visit to my cousin's wedding I was aiming to return home to Peru on Monday, however when I arrived at Toronto Airport I was told that I might have problems with my connection. I was told several times that I would be fine as the gates were close in New York and I would have 20 minutes. Well circling for 30 minutes meant I missed my connection to Peru!

Therefore I was an Englishman delayed in New York, or Newark to be exact. Well Continental Airlines have a policy that weather is not covered by their insurance policy, and so I had to pay for my hotel. (I did get a 'I am a missionary' meal voucher!) Therefore Anna said to me 'you're in New York go and discover it'.

Madison Square Gardens

Therefore I dropped my bags off and got the train to New York, New York. I arrived at Penn Station and climbed up to find Madison Square Gardens.

Times Square

The Empire State Building

I then saw the building all gorillas love, but 88 dollars to go up it and to see the Statue of Liberty seemed a bit steep. (no pun intended)So I did another New York tradition instead and bought a Hot dog off the street!

Broadway and Yellow taxis

I then decided to see how many sights I could see before it went dark, and walked for about 4 hours and a half round New York. I saw Times Square, Broadway, Central Park, The Waldorf Astoria (big letdown, it's just a hotel) Carneige Hall (still have no idea what it is), the Plaza Hotel, and Grand Central Station. I obviously missed a few important sites, but with time and money limited, I throughly enjoyed my impromptu visit to New York, New York.

How many films have used Grand Central Station. (Answers on a postcard)

Heather´s wedding

Thanks to my lovely mum I had the blessing to go to my cousin Heather´s wedding at the end of July. I flew out from Lima at some unearthly hour and arrived in Newark (New Jersey) the next morning. After a 2 hour delay (on the runway) I arrived in Canada, and spent a lovely night in Toronto and went to the well known Toronto Airport Church and had an amazing night.

The next morning I travelled the 2 hours or so to the beautiful wedding venue. (see below) which due to the long weekend took 4 hours! Anyway I arrived at 3.20 changed, shaved and was out with my sister Liz, Brother in Law Will and new nephew Sam by 3.35 for the wedding at 4.

Sealed with a kiss!

The wedding was very lovely and I´m sure Heather and Geoff will be very happy together. It was great to see my mum´s family again and to meet Heather´s friends. Also it was great to meet Sam as well who is an absolute star, and very cute. (Must run in the family!)

Uncle Mark and nephew Sam

Uncle Jack, Aunt Helen, and Cousin Heather

A family day out and Daniel's new haircut

Saturday we found the sun an hour out of Lima in Cienaguilla. We went to a lovely country park with our church pastors, Eduardo & Ceci and their children David & Michelle and a friend. It felt so lovely to be in the sun again as we have been under the damp Lima winter cloud for the last month! Daniel's hair is now quite a bit shorter (blame Daddy!) - the Peruvian's love it, the English consensus so far has been rather gangster-esque! What do you think? He certainly looks very grown up!

Daniel & Michelle

Nursery at home and latest pics

Today was the first day of our in-house nursery which we have begun with Lili and the kids of a few families we know. This week it is at our house and so I was helping out. The kids had lots of fun and were worn out by the end (as was I!)

Other photos:

Daniel's latest instrument

Smiles

Daniel gives a tour of Peru

Let Daniel give you a quick tour of the districts of Peru...

From Daniel map of peru

Happy Independence Day!

Today Peru is 188 years old. Today and tomorrow are public holidays to celebrate (I think that they have 2 days off because there are so many other holidays that to make this one special we get an extra day!) It used to be law that every house had to display a flag or else get a fine. Now we are unsure of whether it is law or not (no one seems to know!) We rebelled last year, but now we have 2 Peruvians in our house (Joel and Lili!) we decided it would be fun to participate!!

At church on Sunday we had a traditional musical performance from a lady who sang with a box drum called a cajon. She sang various songs about Peru. I have translated the lyrics of one below. What is lovely is that Peruvians do love their country and they are proud of it. This song represents that (and is in honour of our Peruvian son's first independence day!):

My Peru

I am proud to be Peruvian and I am happy to have been born in this beautiful land of sun
Where the unconquered inca preferring to die,
Bequeathed to my race a great inheritance of worth

Rich mountains, beautiful earth,
Cheerful beaches – that’s my Peru!
Fertile land, snowy peaks,
Rivers, ravines, - that’s my Peru!

You see my race is noble and humble by tradition,
But rebellious when her freedom is inhibited,
So united soul, mind and heart,
Breaking through chains when death approaches.

Rich mountains, beautiful earth,
Cheerful beaches – that’s my Peru!
Fertile land, snowy peaks,
Rivers, ravines, - that’s my Peru!

My cheeky boys...

Whilst I was doing the washing up today, Daniel got distracted from bringing in his bowl into kitchen on finding a purple marker...

Joel is very pleased with himself that he can take his new hat off all by himself...

Ventanilla Update

In the last month the headmistress of 'Discovery High School' has been improving many areas of the school, and making the school function in a more efficient and professional manner.

The 'playground' with banners celebrating the upcoming Independence celebrations on the 28th and 29th of July.

Due to this Anna has stopped teaching the kids every fortnight and we have returned to a more spiritual oversight role as we continue to help Alfredo and also the teachers.

Therefore I went to the school last Tuesday with Chloe and Holly, as well as Chloe and Anna's dad Julian, and we took part in a very special service after the school day had finished. We arrived about 1 o clock and we were greeted by the kids at the school, who performed several songs and recited 3 proverbs from the Bible.This was as you would expect really touching and a great start to our time there.

The kids singing for us and Chloe after with them outside the school building.
Following the children leaving Alfredo preached, and then handed over to myself. I introduced the girls who bravely gave their first 'talks' in spanish, and Julian spoke about the difference what you can see with your 'natural' eyes and what you can see with 'supernatual' eyes. Julian said you could see the school as a wooden hut on sand (or the beach as I badly, but amusingly translated) or a place where faith is really evident and the future seen as a thing where God will provide. Julian also said it was amazing to see the developments in the school since his last visit. I then asked Alfredo what he wanted me to do Alfredo felt I should follow what I felt God was saying. Well I didn't preach my planned sermon but God led me to preach a short(ish) sermon and we then prayed and prophesised over the people there. This was a real blessed time as the presence of God was very strong and people were very touched. We then prayed for many people to be healed, and we saw more than 5 healings, including people who have had some of their illnesses for a long time.

Alfredo spoke to me after and said that he had never experienced a meeting like this, and it was a real blessing.

It is a such a honour to be involved in such a place with so much potential, that continues to grow and thrive, with nothing but faith in God.

Mark speaking before the time of ministry and healing.

Marta, Victoria, Alberto and his wife, Julian and Rosa.

Joel's New steps

Joel has decided it has been long enough watching Daniel go up the stairs, it is now his turn.

The Boys update

The T-shirt says it all.

Anna, Daniel and Thomas (he's the one in blue!)

I see you!

Auntie Chloe and nephew Joel.

More Kidz Klub Photos

Chloe as Velcro(wo)man and then standing by the door as the kids leave receiving their yoghurt and cereal.

Dolly holding the heart where everyone placed their name to show that God loves us all.

Most of the team: (left to right) Joan Paul, Juan Carlos, Dolly, Chloe, Mark, Nilda, Mirella, Lili, Mayra, Monica, and Monica.

Kidz Klub2 Photos

Juan Carlos talking to the kids about the lost sheep.

You don't want to know what this game is.

Registering to get into the club.

Grandma and grandson. (I presume)

Form Peru

Chloe, Anna, Holly and Joel in Starbucks

We now have 2 more visitors in our house. Chloe (Anna’s sister) and Holly (from my parent's church in Leeds UK) are staying in Peru for the next six months. They are both using half of their gap years to get involved in life here in Peru, within the ‘Form’ structure (see http://www.form.org.uk/) a disicpleship program from our church St Thomas in the UK.

Holly and Lili

Last week they started Spanish lessons which they will continue with for the next two months, and will be serving in various areas of the church, including the Kidz Klub. As our job is very varied they will be doing all sorts of different things including going on the church mission trip to the jungle in November. Holly and Chloe at the airport on the arrival of Holly.

Also we will be studying the book of John together as well as living life together and receiving teaching on many areas of practical theology.

Chloe and Holly in the Parque de la Amistad (Friendship Park)

Kidz Klub 2

Firstly apologies for the lack posting during June. We have been seriously busy, but we should be back to it in July.

We had our second Kidz Klub in Pacifico de Villa a week last Saturday. We turned up to find out that there was the Chorillos local festival, and 10 minutes before start time 6 kids had turned up and we had more leaders than kids. However Juan Carlos and Lili went out to look for children and we announced the club over the community's loudspeaker system and an excited 119 children turned up, the majority being those who had not come before.

JOSE!

Anna had prepared a wonderfully efficient administrative system to register the kids and also to give them stickers to identify each one of them, however we are in Peru and all good plans have to be tried and tested. Due to the 80 new kids we still had a vey long wait to get them registered, but hey eventually we will have all their names!

Nilda registering 2 boys

As a result, we now have contact with over 160 children, and their families, through visiting.

The club itself went really well with many kids bringing their flyer that were given we visited them 2 weeks before.
We have an amazing team and they really showed their worth as the club improved so much from the previous time. The highlights being the passionate latin singing and Juan Carlos' lost sheep preach.

Lili leading the singing.

The main excitment for the kids as always was 'hombre pega pega' or 'velcro man' who this month was 'velcro WOman'!

Hombrecita Pega Pega or Velcro WOman

We are really excited to be involved in such a venture, and it is really blessing to be able to serve such a community.

Kidz Klub video

We have recently met an lovely American missionary family who live just a couple of blocks from our house. They have 2 lovely children who Daniel and Joel love playing with.
Anyway, John Mark joined us as part of our Kids Klub team last Saturday, as 'Nacho' and we thought you might like to see his video on the event. (And his face getting covered in shaving foam!) Click here!

Kidz Klub

On Saturday we had our first Kidz Klub in Pacifico de Villa, the place where we did the kids event for over 600 children at Christmas. To not be too overwhelmed with kids we only invited 50, but 83 arrived! Fortunately we had a great team and we were well organised so it went really well and the kids responded really well! We are planning to carry on the club once a month and visit the children and their families once a month too.

Kids waiting outside when we arrived

Daniel helps to sweep the room before we let the kids in

Our team

Getting the children involved with an activity

Mark as Hombre Pegapega (Velcro man!)
Ivania gets shaving foamed and cheesy puffs thrown at her face for the girls team The children listen to an object lesson

Cute

Well, it is nearly June so we are meant to be in the middle of the Peruvian winter, but still Lima has sun nearly every day! (normally it leaves some time in April and doesn't return until at least September!) But being Peruvian, Joel has to keep in line with the Peruvian tradition of wearing hats when you go out after 3pm as otherwise you might get a cold. It is a chilly 17'C you know.

Teaching Art

This year due to now having a car and Anna no longer being pregnant, we can travel to the school in Ventanilla more regularly. We have committed to going every other Tuesday during term time and Anna is their art and music teacher! So she gets just under an hour to do some art or music with them. So far she has been concentrating on art, the first week looking at portraits and getting the children to draw round some of their class mates and do a group collage. The second week Anna taught them to draw a face in proportions.Lili helping some of the younger children with their faces

Both times we have been since the beginning of the school year we have had a few car problems. First time we got stuck in the sand. (Note: when you get stuck in sand, don't try and drive out, the wheel just works like a digger and digs you in further!). The second time the car overheated on the way back going up a hill and we ended up in the middle lane of a highway, just after a bend. Rather hair-raising. We managed to back the car up slightly and in to the fast lane. (couldn't get to slow lane!). Fortunately, Peruvian drivers are used to being cut up and breaking suddenly and doing quick manoeuvres. I think we may have been dead otherwise!! The best bit had to be the helpful policeman who stopped by us and said "you know you can't park here? Someone might hit you".

Of course, silly us!

.

Servolution- the results

A month ago we did an event as a church called ‘7 days of Servolution’ (see previous posts). This was a week organised by Healing Place church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. We were one of over 250 churches (mainly in the US) spread out all over the world that ‘served’ people outside the church.
When I heard about this initiative I felt this would be a great thing to start the church as a whole to think about mission. For me mission is a way of life and not just an event, but as I have been taught and learned, event leads to process, or should do!
Therefore I encouraged every small group in the church to do at least one hour of service in this week.

The teenagers cleaning some of the local parks.
Overall the week was a real success even though some groups didn’t capture the idea. The great thing is that many people in the church and some cell groups are now continuing to serve in different ways outside the church.
During the week one group visted the ‘hospital of the child’ and gave out free nappies and other things for babies at 7.00 in the morning!

The teenagers giving out water to people passing by. (Their t-shirts say i'm here at your service)

Other groups were cleaning parks, and the beach, while the ‘Servinators’, also known as the teenagers in the church went out all guns blazing and gave out free water to people in their cars passing by, cleaning the parks around the church and also helping in Pacifico de Villa doing surveys. Another highlight was 2 small groups clubbed together and bought over 70 packets of school equipment and stationary, something which costs a lot of money here in Peru, every year. 70 packets of school stationary
These packets were then given to Alfredo and the school at Ventanilla, which was an incredible blessing as many of these parents cannot afford to pay the monthly fee, never mind buy books and pens.

Alfredo and Violeta (leader of the 2 small groups) talking about the work in the school.

23rd May

Well just to update you all I (Mark) went to Pacifico de Villa this Saturday to have a 'meeting' with the wife of the President of Pacifico (not the country as one Peruvian asked me!) in regards to talk about our plans and ask for their co-operation, help, and permission to do start a kids club in Pacifico.

Mark and Natividad, the president of Pacifico's wife.

They have said 'yes' to us, and want to help us as well. They said to us that they have wanted to do things with the children and youth but haven't been able to do it so far. Therefore we are a blessing before we have started. We hope to be a much greater blessing. We plan to start the club on the 23rd of May and do the club once a month to begin with. The model is based on Bill Wilson's ministry in New York 'Metro Ministries' www.metroministries.org, and is also used in our church in the UK. www.stthomaschurch.org.uk/stomp. The secret of the club however is that the leaders of the club visit every house of every child. Our hope is that through these relationships we can get to know the families.

Monica and Natividad.

In other news we have bought 2 cheap buggies (strollers for our non bilingual American friends, sorry!) and tied them together with string (!) so Anna can take both of the boys out to the park.

Also Anna continues to teach Daniel the finer points of Picasso, below is one of Daniel's 1st attempts.

Joel loves his new walker...

...Can't walk in it yet, but loves being upright and watching Daniel running around or Mummy or Daddy cooking. Also started crawling (or rather, dragging!) this week - but has to be for something he really wants. (Like Daniel's train!)