Ventanillla school update- Multiplication!

The multiplication continues in Ventanilla. We started with 7 students in 2008, went to 11 in 2009, 33 in 2010, and this year there are over 90 students. God has really blessed the work going on. Allison and Peck went with Julian (my father in law) and I to see the work and I asked Allison what she thought, as it was her first visit to Ventanilla. She responded ‘it looks like a normal school’. This is a wonderful step forward considering where the school has been for the last 3 years. There are now 9 teachers, more children in each class than there was in the whole school two years ago, and kindergarten/nursery, and a class of secondary school children.

Some of the kids lining up after s chool had finished.

Numerical growth is fantastic, but what is even better is that the same spirit that has been in the school is still present, even though there is three times the number of children.

The faith of Alfredo still continues to challenge me and encourage me. He is a great man to work with, one who completely trusts in God for the provision and advancement of the vision of having a Christian school, which is not like the normal education here in Peru.

The teachers in the meeting we had after school to encourage them, and pray for them

Added to this the Australian government have donated money to build a brick building for the school, which is more amazing provision. Alfredo started with nothing and still continues to build. Next year he wants to start a new school!!!

Maybe in Pacifico or in Pucallpa!!!

Alfredo in one of the red tshirts worn by the staff.

Stationary Appeal Photos

We want to say a big thank you to all the people who gave to our stationary appeal this year. I (Mark) had a target in my mind of how much I wanted to raise and we exceeded this, which means we have been able to do more with this money. The initial campaign was to be able to help those disadvantaged families in our church in Pacifico de Villa. We were able to do this. Please see the pictures below….

Marcelo with his dictionary.

Llilida, Jose, Ruth, Veronica, and GustavoNicole with her exercise book and material for art.Jesica y Jhonji with the exercise books for Jesica's brother.Ruth with her exercise books for secondary school

Due to our exceeded budget we were also able to send stationary to our church in the jungle and the school in Ventanilla where we are associated. Also I felt that God wanted us to support Pamela a member of our church in Pacifico who has 4 years left of her schooling, but she is too old to receive it ‘free’ from the state. One option for people like Pamela is that she can do accelerated learning and do her 4 years in 2, but this needs to be paid for. With the money we have received we can now help her to do this. I felt this was the correct thing to do in January.

Toronto School of Ministry visit Part 3

On the Tuesday (Day 5) we began to visit some of the members of the church and to minister to them, and in the evening the team had the opportunity to do the same to our leadership team, and also our non Christian neighbours who are becoming people who are really open to us, and what we believe.

Jose and Joana in their house

Ines being ministered to.

On Wednesday we went to do the normal tourist “thing” of visiting the centre. A fun day was had by all as we saw the central square, the traditional Peruvian arts and crafts wholesale market, and ending the day in the “world renowned” fountains park. (even in the Guiness book of records as the biggest private fountain park in the World)!

Pictures from the fountain park.

The guys waiting in the wholesale tourist markets.

Friday was the beginning of our mad weekend, which involved going out to see Alfredo in Ventanilla, as well as preaching at my friend Abner’s church. The everchanging and developing view of Ventanilla.

Alfredo as always was an amazing inspiration, and the testimonies of God’s faithfulness continue. The most recent being that he recieved a phone call from the Australian embassy and has 'won' their social outreach project ‘competition’. This means the Australian tax payers will be paying for the school to be built using proper built materials. Nice one mate, fair dinkum!!