Pacifico De Villa

As I've (Mark) mentioned before we were hoping to start a social action project in an area called Pacifico de Villa or in English a small town on the Pacific! Well we have moved into stage 2 of planning how we are going to tackle this job, after an extensive time of observation, reflection and discussion! We are planning to reach and help these people in several ways, but starting with a kids group, similar to the one we were involved with when we were in Sheffield, and also to start a mums and tots group. These will both be a challenge as people in Peru in shanty towns are not used to this type of thing. We want as a team to demonstrate the love that God has shown us.

How many of the residents live

Last weekend 14 of us from the church went to go and do interviews with some of the local residents, (it may take some time to interview all 3600 houses in Pacifico!) asking them about their needs and also telling them that we want to serve them. This was an amazing time (50% of the team from the cell groups in Chorillos, and 50% from the teenagers group) knocking on doors and sharing our wish to show the love of Jesus. The whole team was really encouraged and we had some amazing conversations.

Juan and Estrella (leaders of the youth) and Franco, Oliver and Lorrena talking to a resident

Many people were very sceptical to start with, but generally warmed to us, as we continued doing the survey. People didn't really understand that we were asking what we could do for them, rather than what can we get from them.

Ivania and Gershon talking to Roy ( a local resident about the problems in Pacifico.

The highlights must be Nilda praying with a lady for healing (who insisted on calling me Padre(Father) when she found out I was a missionary, and also the team being invited in to the houses of the residents to get to know the family and to pray. (a great honour in Peru)Nilda and team talking to the woman who wanted pray for healing

and members of the team having the opportunity to pray with them and/or drink a glass of Inka Kola (a bright yellow fizzy drink, which is the only competitor to Coca Cola).We hope to start work in May, so we still have a lot to do in April to prepare for the start of what we hope will change this shanty town.

Thousands miles on the other side of this ocean is Australia (maybe)