Trip to Yanas

This last weekend, I (Mark) went off to Yanas, a village in the region of Huanuco in the mountains of Peru. I went with Alfredo to see about the possibility of setting up a new school there, through a contact at the current school Alfredo has set up in Ventanilla.
The bus ticket said the bus was to leave at 7pm, but obviously this was pre-empting Peruvian time-keeping, as the bus timetable actually said 7.30pm. However, it was 8.30pm before the bus actually left and 10 minutes later after a bump in the road, the bus had to pull over at a garage for an hour to have the large dent in the wheel straightened out and a new tyre put on. (Worryingly, a sign at the garage read ‘wheel-fitter needed.’) 9.30pm came and went before the bus pulled out of central Lima.
The journey was not very eventful, although Felipe helpfully told us just as we were setting off that it would be cold going over the mountains. What an understatement! My jumper and blanket were NOT sufficient!

Views on the way to Yanas

Arrived in La Union at 8.05am and told there would be no public transport to Yanas until 1pm. True to Peruvian form a minibus (or combi as they are called here) turned up 10 minutes later, but we had to wait until it was full 1 ½ hours later.La Union at it's busiest. The banner is advertising the local festival 2 months ago!

Yanas was a ghost town but very beautiful set in the green mountains. We were hoping to be able to spend time with the different churches there, but on arrival we found that they were very cautious of us, fearing we could be a sect and also a previous group of missionaries had stolen from the churches. The people in the mountains are generally more reserved and closed too than the coastal people, and so we didn’t feel that welcome to begin with, which surprised us.
The main focus of the trip was seeing the plots of land that could potentially be used to build a school. One was larger, but further away and the other was more central but owned by someone who may not be looking to sell it.

Alfredo by one of the plots of land.

I also preached in a church on the Saturday night after we had been vetted by the pastor!

The village is built on a hill so I found it very difficult to breathe because of the altitude and so that didn’t help my appetite when I saw what was for lunch. I’m still not sure what it was, but here is a photo… The drink which accompanied it was apparently ‘good for your kidneys’ – but that is if you can keep it down with the frogspawn texture. Food generally here seems to be basically starchy carbohydrates – potatoes, yucca, maize and cereal crops. Of these products the people have an abundance, but they have no money to buy other products like oil or rice or fruit and vegetables.
We were staying in Felipe’s family home and Alfredo and I were shown where we were sleeping. A wooden double bed with no mattress!! Despite finding out that the local hostel only charged s/4 (80p) per night, we didn’t feel we could reject their hospitality. Needless to say, it was the worst bed I think I have ever slept in and that night’s sleep was sporadic!
Breakfast was 2 stale bread rolls from the day before with ‘coffee’ – which was more like very weak ‘hot’ chocolate with fried flour – yes fried flour. What was the most unbelieveable however was Felipe’s enthusiastic murmurings about how tasty the flour was ‘no?’ Alfredo turned to me and whispered: ‘There aren’t very many nice dishes in the mountains’.

Yanas' tourist trap! Some people thought I was there to see it

A local girl in La Union who befriended me. Didn't understand what she was saying most of the time as she spoke Quechua, the local language

All in all the trip was physically challenging with the different food, the cold and altitude (not to mention the two over-night trips to get there and back) but definitely worth it to help Alfredo discern if this could be a potential place for another school. Logically it seems a little crazy, but then God works in mysterious ways! Watch this space...!

How difficult is it to get water.

Richar and his family in La Roca

For the last couple of weeks I (Mark) have been helping Richar en La Roca to try and get running water installed in their house and community. We then can start things like mums and tots groups after we can get water, with your help of course!

However, to get water in a shanty town here in Peru is a lot more difficult than you think. Richar and Marianella's community was formed in 1986, and normally 2-3 years later a community is formalised and legally recognised. To be legally recognised means to be

The view from La Roca. (On the right is Richar's community and the other side is a formalised community with legal water and electricity)

able to have legally implemented running water, and electricity, and to have all the rights other citizens have. Richar and Mari now have what is referred to as 'informal electricity' and have to get buckets of water and pay for it from friends from the other side of the road who are part of a legal community. Anna and I want to help start various social action projects in La Roca, but we cannot do anything legally, without water, and we cannot get water until we have this title, and the community is legally recognised. A view of the local community shop with some of the girls who come to La Roca's kids club.

Therefore last Thursday (21st) Richar and i went into the centre of Lima to the offices where shanty towns are legalised and made into formal settlements. When we arrived Richar had all the paperwork he needed, but as has happened many time before the Peruvian bureacratic system was blocking him advancing. I went along with Richar partly to support him, but also help because unfortunately, sometimes Westerners are listened to more readily. After the adminstrator had said this and that, and not been very helpful I explained who I was and he said 'ah yes sir can you sit down there please'. We sat down and 5 minutes later he returned with a phone number which was in another area of Lima and he said 'you need to phone this person, but not till next Wednesday when he returns from training outside of Lima'. I was told there was nothing we could therefore do until Wednesday. I left feeling a bit despondent. Richar and Mari's house in 2005 before the church building was built.

In the church building now

When we left Richar was very upbeat and said how great it was that we had this number. I said 'why don't you ring it then'? He said 'better you, as I'll appear important having a Westerner helping me'. Where they store their water now.

I rang the secretary of this man and she said come in, after I'd explained who I was. We then got a short taxi ride there, and managed to get through security without any problems and went to the 6th floor. We were allowed into the offices and we spoke to the head of 'Cono Norte' or the shanty towns in the North of Lima. He was very helpful and showed Richard exactly what he needed to do, and explained the next steps and what hapened. We left contented. We returned last Wednesday to speak to Julio, the head of 'Cono Sur' the shanty towns of the South of Lima, and after being a little cold, he warmed to us and took some photocopies, of the mountain of paperwork needed, and said he would be waiting for our paperwork. He said on average it takes a month for him to be allowed to go and see the specific community, and then another 30 days for his paperwork to be formalised. Hopefully in 60 or so days we can start the process of getting water in La Roca.

View from the roof

I have found this process really rewarding, yet at the same time a real eye opener. Firstly the authority and influence I have because I'm a foreigner (how different from the treatment of foreigners in the UK) and also the way that people from the provinces (outside of Lima) and from the shanty towns are treated, politely yet not very helpfully.

Watch this space...we will update you as we move towards getting running water in La Roca!

Cheeky Little Monkey

Well whilst Mark has been out doing lots of teaching, visiting administration offices to get legal processes sorted and taking Daniel out to the park, I have been mainly at home, resting and sorting out things for the new baby who is due in October. Daniel was born 2 months early (in fact, tomorrow will be the exact day he was born in my last pregnancy) and so I have been resting lots to try and avoid going into labour early again. Thursday I dug out Daniel's old clothes and the car seat and found that the car seat was all mouldy on top because of the humidity, so yesterday it got a good wash and dry and is like new again. Liliana helped me by ironing the piles of tiny baby and newborn baby clothes today!

Anyway, after putting the car seat back together again I left it on the sofa. After tea, Daniel was very quiet, and when we looked round, he was happily sitting in the carseat beaming!! I think we are going to have to watch him very carefully when the little one is born!!

Retreat

Welcome Coffee

Last Thursday we had the priviledge to have a retreat for the people who work in Ventanilla in our house. We had an amazing time, with food, fun, teaching, worship,

Daniel leading worship?!

and times of just hanging out together. It was a real blessing to be able to serve them, and to be able to pray and share with them. Everyone enjoyed the food, beautifully prepared by Joey (who was staying with us) and Anna. In addition everyone felt they benefitted from my teaching on 'Leadership, who I am in Christ, and the Holy Spirit'.

Teaching times and praying for the teachers.

Joey, Tassanda and her daughter, and Alfredo.

We also this week went to Ventanilla to show it to Joey. As the kids were on holiday we visited the school, before visiting 3 families, and taking them a love offering of food. The woman in the picture above can hardly walk, and has a crooked hand. She was nearly dying a few years ago but she asked God to heal her for the sake of her daughter. When she got the illness several years ago her husband abandoned her, and left her with nothing, but her 2 daughters. She tries to make ends meat by making Picarones (like Peruvian doughnuts, well sort of), but her oven has died. This is another of the people we would love to help with our social action projects. She was so blessed by having foreigners in her 'humble' as she calls it house. They have 1 bed for them both, a toilet next to the bed, and a kitchen. The thirteen year old daughter wishes to work, but we are persuading her to stay until she at least finishes school. This is unfortuantely just one example of many similar situations for the poor in Peru.

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.

Ventanilla and beyond

Some of the children, the teachers, myself, Alfredo and Rosa.

Yesterday I went for my monthly visit to Ventanilla. As usual it was a very humbling experience and one that again showed me the amazing spirit of the people in Ventanilla, and when you have nothing, or very little, you still have everything when you know God.
Alfredo has built a spirtual community in this school which i believe reflects the ethos of Christianty, joyful children, who are given everything that the teachers can give, a prayerful atmostphere to grow as future hope filled men and women, and a chance to be kids and learn without the threat of violence. Yesterday Victoria (one of the three new teachers) was saying what an amazing blessing it is to work in a Christian environment, where kids do not expect to be hit if they do something wrong, and the kids are taught with love and discipline, helping them to understand authority in a positive way. (an uncommon situation here in Peru, especially in the poorest areas, where you are the bottom of the pile )

Joanna one of the new teachers, and 3 of the children in her class

The kids are doing exams this week, before their winter break so left just after 1230, even though school finished early at 1200. The kids are so glad to be at this school that they appear never to want to leave (Can't imagine this happening in the UK). They had to be kicked out by the teachers so we could have a teacher's meeting.

The kids playing after school, and a hosepipe brought in because the water had stopped working

It was a wonderful 'staff' meeting as well. Alfredo began by sharing the vision of the school. This is partly as he is no longer teaching the kids, as there is more paperwork to be done and also he wants to spend more time praying for the school and preparing for a second shool to be built in a new area. I then shared about my time in England and the teachers also shared, and we finished by praying and spending time listening to God.

Praying in the staff meeting

The thing that really struck me, above most of the stuff I have mentioned was the way Alfredo said this school was here to provide for the kids, bring them up in Christian ways, and if they felt led to become, in time Christians in their own right. Alfredo also said this school is not to be run for profit but to help these kids and show the love of Jesus to them. What's more these teachers who are also living by faith, and on very little were in full agreement.

I continue to be humbled.

Our first week back in Peru - sunshine and birthday party

We have been back in Peru for a week and the weather has been gorgeous so far - so much so, we let Daniel have a quick run around in the garden as Anna was watering. Guess what? He got soaked! He found it hilarious to run through the water and was wet through in no time. This kind of weather is unheard of for July. Not bad for the UK equivalent of January, eh?

Last night was Charro's 15th birthday - the big birthday here in Peru for girls. It traditionally marks the transition from childhood to womanhood. Mark went for 9pm and Charro eventually came out at 10.40pm (although traditionally the girl appears at midnight.) Mark discovered on arrival as he was reading the program that he was the padrino or 'godfather' of the event! We had been asked about 2 months ago, but no more had been said so we had assumed they had found someone else! Mark's duties included presenting his present and giving two talks - one about Charro and the first time he met her, and one about her virtues and a prayer for her.

Mark got back finally just before 1am, ready to sleep well, but unfortunately our neighbours were having a roof-top party until past 5am. They were still making noise when Daniel woke up at 5.20am!!

Charro and her father. Doesn't she look like a bride?!

Back in Peru

Just a quick note to say we're back safetly in Peru, with all our luggage (1 bag arrived 36 hours late). We had a good time in the UK, but did far too much.

UK Update

We're in the UK at the moment, and very busy. Having a good time, but very tired. Will update the blog more when we're back at home in Peru. But here are some photos of our time so far:

Liz and Will (My (Mark) sister and brother in law) In Newcastle with Daniel

NOSE!! Says Daniel

He can fix it. Yes he can.

Daniel in Sheffield
Where's my beer?
Daniel at a community playcentre in London
Ben (Anna's brother), Helen (Anna's school friend) and I enjoying the sun while Daniel plays at the community playcentre.
Daniel and Rachel in Sheffield

Ventanilla update

We arrived back in the UK last Wednesday after an eventful trip home. It feels very strange to be back in Sheffield after being in Peru for 9 months, and having been in Ventanilla only last Friday.

As always it was a blessing to be there, as well as a challenge. Added to this, it was more of a challenge than normal to get there. Normally it takes at least two hours to get there, due to its location. However a traffic jam, due to an accident on the only route to Ventanilla, I (Mark) ended up arriving after leaving three hours twenty minutes travelling. I usually get a combination of bus and taxi to get there, however due to the traffic jam, I decided to get out to walk at 12.18 (I needed to be at the school before one o clock), hoping to get a bus at the other end of the seemingly endless traffic jam. I however had to get a taxi, then a motor taxi (taxi and motorbike combined) and then walk the further 45 minutes to the school, up through what coculd be described as a dirty large sand dune, which is the area that Alfredo is working in. I arrived at 13:25, and thought the kids would have left, but they were still there, and waiting for me to arrive.

Some of the students at 'Discovery High School' primary school!

They then wanted me to introduce myself, and ask me some questions. (Most of the questions were regarding the price of my camera, or what their name, or another word was in English).
They then showed me their favourite game, skipping, but using the school’s giant hose. (See photos and video below)

Tug of war with a giant hose! (guess which team won)

I was then introduced to a few songs they knew, as well as taking photos inside and outside the school. It was a real privilege to be there yet again, and to see the joy that these children who have virtually nothing financially, but are full of joy, and receiving an education with great happiness and thankfullness, that I haven’t seen in the UK.
The children stayed over an hour and a half after school should have had finished, (again I can’t imagine seeing that in the UK) and were given biscuits and pop, before going home, hopefully, to a good lunch.

Many of these children have no breakfast and a very small lunch. One example of this is the family below, with no dad, and a mum who works now and again, when she can get work sewing or cooking, they have little or no money. Their normal lunch is a bowl of the soup, you can see below, which has beans or pasta in it, and no more. Alfredo was talking to me about this, and saying he would love to be able to provide a basic breakfast of a glass of milk and a roll for each student. We reckon this will only cost about 40 pounds a month, and will really help these children. Things like this have really spoken to me since we got home as this is just taken for granted over here in the UK.

Latest scan

Little baby Burgess at around 20 weeks, giving us a wave.

We went for another (yes number 4!) scan today, which was really amazing and the guy was really nice and even showed us the baby in 4d which was quite amazing after we got over how much like an alien the baby looked! Found out the sex too and we might even tell you if you ask us nicely!! Unfortunately, the lady who put the DVD in forgot to tell the guy scanning, so we didn't get the amazing scan recorded, but the guy was nice enough to do a mini-scan for us for a few minutes so we could have something. Above is a print taken from the mini-scan DVD.

Anniversary craziness

Saturday night we had a night out - and left Daniel behind for only the second time since we've been in Peru. We went to Vision Vida's church 4th Anniversary. This is the church we're currently attending on a Sunday and we were invited as special guests (yes, a bit of a joke, we know!)

So in true Peruvian style, the anniversary consisted of speeches and introductions of the special guests (we got to stand and wave and Mark was humilated again as Edwardo the pastor shared Mark's culinary skills with everyone. In fairness, I did tell Mark he needed to redo the apple crumble after he accidently poured rice instead of sugar into the mix which didn't cook and added a very crunchy feel to the whole pudding. Mark would like you to know that it was dark - but I want to know why he was cooking in the dark in the first place?!)

Edwardo, the pastor of Vision Vida Church

Anyway, back to the anniversary. Then one of the special guests (appropriately for a pastor named Domingo (Sunday)) gave a short (!) 40 minute sermon on integrity and setting an example for Christ in society. Next, during our BBQ dinner and garlic bread we got to watch a random video of people in the church throughout the year which also lasted about 40 minutes. The highlight had to be the videoman getting a group of girls in a tent to look up from their coffees to wave to the camera for the church anniversary video. Seeing members of the church in stupid 2008 glasses and doing the limbo came a close second.

Next the lights went down, the coloured lights went on and the band got up and we had disco style worship! The most surreal moment (after the rap?!) was definitely emerging from the bathroom to find everyone with sausage balloons wearing stupid hats! There is definitely not any sign of religious spirit in this church! The worship band in full swing with anniversary hats. Edwardo and his wife Cecelia, the pastors of the church are the ones in top hats!