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