UK Team

Last week a team from our church St Thomas' Philadelphia came out. We didn't know most of the team, and they had come out to work with a great charity out here, Agape. Agape, from what I learned, mainly work with families and the kids of abused families. (This is far too common unfortunately) I went with them to the zoo on Independence Day (28th July here), with Daniel. This was madness as everyone from Lima seemed to be there. It was good to hang out with the guys and answer their questions, and talk about Peru. They came round for Paneton (a Peruvian, sorry Italian speciality) and to have a chat with Anna and to see our house. This was also a great time, being able to share about our work and also our adopted country.

Daniel in the ball pool when we ate a traditional Peruvian (french) lunch of Pollo a la braza or rotissiere chicken)

On Tuesday (2nd day of independence) we went into the main centre. In the morning this was completely the opposite to the zoo, as nearly everywhere was shut. We surmised that everyone was at the zoo! I left early from the centre and took 3 of the guys with me, Ben (one of the leaders, who we knew the best before the team came out), Mark and Amy. They came for dinner with us and then came with me to La Roca. This was for me a real kairos time,(signifiant moment of time)as Marianela shared the testimony of the area they lived in, and the social action project they plan to start with our and your help.

Richar, Mari, Richar's mum, Ben, Amy and Mark.

Sorry Ben, but at least Richar and his mum had their eyes open!

Mari would love to start something for Mum's and young children in the area, perhaps developing with time an early stimulation centre. (Like a mums and tots group led from the front with different activities.) However to be able to do this, they need a carpet, toys and training.

However before all this they need to have running water. They now have a bathroom (built when we were here in 2005), which has never been used, as they don't have water or waste pipes in and out. They cannot legally get water, until they have a title deed. This is a real problem obviously, and one that is at the top of the list of proirities for the community. Despite Alan Garcia (the President) promising clean water for all, slow and awkward burecracy has made this impossible for this area. Richar and I are going to go to the offices when they are open later in August to finally try and resolve the problem, which apparently potentially involves sitting in an endless queue to get the paperwork to make this area legal. This is a real key for the area, so those who do, please pray for justice to be done in this area and for the community to get connected up to the mains water supply.

Back to the visit, after Mari had shared, and Richar had chipped in, Ben shared a word about God as our father, they prayed for the guys, and their potential work. It was great for my spanish to translate, both ways!

Richar and Mari's project is one of many that we are looking into getting involved with, hopefully helping to provide capital to start the project which should then be self funding, empowering the Peruvians running it, and benefiting the local community.