Patience is a virtue possess it if you can...
We left Lima last night at 11:45pm and arrived at Dallas Airport at 6:30am this morning.  We are currently sitting at the Dept Gate waiting to board an internal flight to New York JFK where we will hopefully get our flight back to Dublin later this evening, arriving in Dublin tomorrow morning.
All this sitting around, people watching, has given me a lot of time to reflect on the happenings of the last two weeks.  Firstly, I want to say how proud I am of the team.  I know that pride is a sin, and if I am sinning then I am sorry.  When I think about what they achieved and how they have grown in the last fortnight I can do nothing but sit and smile and thank God for every one of them.
Secondly, when I think about the people who we met and how open they are to receiving the Gospel message, I feel encouraged to know that God is still very much in people's minds and the search for inner peace continues.  However, when I think about home, and though we live in a 'free' society, I can't help but wonder why it is so difficult to share one's faith with everyone we meet.  A lot of prayer needed for that one!
Thirdly, when I think of our host church and minister, I rejoice at how passionate Rev. Anderson is about sharing the Gospel Message with everyone.  He never seems to miss an opportunity.  May God forgive me for every opportunity that I miss and help me never to miss another.
Anyhow, soon be ready to board, so just sharing the thoughts of a rambling Rector.  I guess what I am trying to say is we have a lot to be thankful for, and need to do a lot of repenting for what we take for granted.  To finish, the words of the Caleb prayer, which Ruth prayed the other morning; I pray this for both Peru and Ireland, both North and South. 'O high King of Heaven, have mercy on our land, revive you Church, send your Holy Spirit for the sake of the Children, In Jesus' Name. Amen. 
Please continue to pray for our safety as we travel home, and also continue to pray for an out pouring of the Holy Spirit like has never been seen before in our generation!

It has finished – but yet it just begins!

Yesterday saw the final day of the Mission.  We now have two evenings off before we begin the long journey back home to Strabane.

Yesterday was an exceptionally emotional day.  I preached at the morning service and 20 people responded.  Anderson gave me 2 wonderful gifts.  Firstly his read scarf, the one that he wore when he was ordained to the priesthood, and secondly a communion set.

It may sound really silly because I have only known the man for 10 days, but I love him in the Lord and feel like I have known him all my life.  I must confess I am sad to have finished the time with him and his church.  This whole experience has been a real time of blessing for us and growth in our own faith.

Please keep praying for us and for our safety, also pray for our travels home as we leave Lima on Wednesday evening.  

I didn’t get a chance to blog yesterday as we left our accommodation early, and I have been writing these blogs about 7am. So this may be a bit longer than previous, though they have been getting longer every day.  On Friday morning after breakfast the bus picked us up and took us to the Shalom school.  This is a school for children with special needs and learning difficulties.  This is an excellent amenity to the community and is really busy, with two sessions happening almost everyday.  The Chaplain in the school is called Pat and she is originally from England.  It is obvious that this school is grounded on faith in Jesus.  As you enter the school through the front door, immediately on the left is a small chapel for daily devotions.  The school offers help with Language, physiotherapy, psychology, creativity, play, and a quiet room.

We then went to Holy Trinity school and Church.  This Church was originally planted by missionaries from Ireland.  The current incumbent is the Archdeacon of the Diocese, the first Peruvian native to ordained and is also Rev. Anderson’s father in law.  Rev. Juilo and his wife Norma have had a very fruitful and blessed ministry here.  They opened their home to local children and established a school.  They now only live in a small part of the school, but as the numbers grew the building has had to be extended.  There is no more room to build out, so the only option has been to build up.  There are now three floors in the school and over 120 pupils.  The original house was not designed for this, so cracks are now appear on the ceiling and the walls.  Norma is petrified that the ceiling is going to cave in.  The roof on the newest part of the school was paid for by Fivemiletown Church of Ireland who are coming out to Peru next summer dv.  The principal Isobel is Rev. Anderson’s wife and as Tuesday is Independence day and a national holiday in Peru, the school children had their festival of dance, music, art, food and parade.

Yesterday was an exciting and historic day for the Church of Peru, and I had the privilege to be part of it.  The first Peruvian natives were ordained bishops in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.  It was and honour and privilege to be asked to attend the service and represent Bishop Fanta and SAMS Ireland.  The whole service was in Spanish, so I sat beside Rev. Anderson and he translated most of it for me.  The service lasted three hours long.  There where Bishops from America, UK and Africa all present for the consecration.  There was a real sense of worship and praise amongst the congregation.  Afterwards we were all invited to the cathedral hall for a reception.  At the consecration and the reception I was blessed to meet people who I first met at GAFCON in Nairobi in 2013.  We shared stories and memories from that influential conference, not only for the church but also on my life. 

Today we have our final day in Rev. Anderson’s church, and I am preaching this morning on Ephesians 3.  Tomorrow Anderson is taking a group of young people from his church on a youth camp, so today is the last chance we will get to spend time with him.

Please pray for:
-       Rev. Anderson and the youth camp
-       For me as I preach this morning
-       For those we will meet to day
-       For the three new Bishops – Jorge, Alexander, Juan Carlos
-       For Rev. Julio and Norma 
-       For Holy Trinity Church (which needs a new roof as there is holes in the present one)
-       For Holy Trinity School, the teachers and Isobel

Day 8 – Friday 24th July 2015

I never ceased to be amazed at the goodness and faithfulness of God and the openness of the people we are meeting.  Yesterday afternoon has to be one of the most touching experiences to date.

We left our accommodation in the morning and Anderson took us to a different area of the district to a visit a school.  This was a school for children with special needs and learning difficulties.  The teachers and staff are all specially qualified and trained in different areas to help the children achieve their full potential.  There where different rooms, focusing on different areas of specialism and need.  The first was to help children develop their speaking abilities.  The second room was a relaxation room to help over active children to calm down and be quiet, the third was a physiotherapy room, the fourth a psychology room, the fifth a pastoral room and the sixth an arts and crafts room.  The dedication of the staff is tremendous.

After this we went back to San Pedro Mission (the church we have painted) for the compassion project.  This is a project funded by Compassion International and allows sponsored children to come to the church to have fun, learn about God, develop learning skills, play and eat a meal.  We divided ourselves into pairs and 6 went to classrooms, 2 to the kitchen and I stayed with Rev. Anderson and taught a bible class on Mark 6 – Jesus walking on the water.  This is what our translator Elaine Colgan thought of the day:

“Last Saturday evening we played a game with the young people. I won’t tell you the full procedure involved, I’ll let Mark teach that when he gets home, but essentially it involved passing a pen around a circle whilst saying “this is a cat”. Believe me when I tell you it was a lot more enjoyable than it sounds! Right from the outset of our trip this game said to us that things aren’t always what they seem.

Two days ago we were handing out some biscuits and fruit to children passing the church, largely due to the fact that the Sisters in our convent are looking after us so well we can’t manage to eat it all! I spied a man standing around behind some of the children we had just given food to. My instant reaction was he wants food. Pastor Anderson came to talk to him; I couldn’t hear the conversation but I caught the word “roller”. Ah, I said to myself, he wants our painting rollers when we are finished. When the man left Pastor Anderson informed us that he works for the council and was offering us tools to use if we needed then. Mark has already shared this on his blog, but for me not only was it a lesson in ‘things not always being what they seem’, but a lesson that in this area where people have so little, there is a strong community culture where everyone looks out for one another. If you saw your neighbour painting his house would you head out to offer him a paintbrush, or even a hand?

Yesterday we had the immense privilege of spending an afternoon with a group of children in a Compassion International project. The children are sponsored, mostly through sponsors in the US, a bit like World Vision and others do in Northern Ireland. They had no activities planned for the children for a number of reasons, so a few of the team played games with them for two hours. Julie spent an hour getting her hair played with by 5 or 6 girls, and Barrie’s face was treated like plasticine. It was exhausting for them to say the least! Our reaction was one of frustration, why couldn’t they have told us nothing was planned for today to allow us to prepare something? Afterwards the Director of the scheme thanked them for playing with the children, and allowing them to hug then and show them affection, because for these children they don’t get that very often and it means a lot to them. Things aren’t always what they seem.

Thankfully, I was with the teenagers yesterday. We chatted a lot, but at one point I asked them do they enjoying living here. Without exception the chorus rang out ‘yes’. There was no deliberation or doubt. It was almost like I’d asked a stupid question, why wouldn’t they like living here. I asked why. The answer – because their friends and family are all close by. For these young people the size of their house, the clothes they wear, the food they eat, the money they have, none of these things are considered part of what make life good or bad. The only thing for them that mattered is having friends and family with them. Things aren’t always what they seem.”

After the bible class was over Rev. Anderson, Noel, Joanne, Derek and myself went to visit a couple of homes.  The first was the home of Angelica and her children.  Her husband Carlos is an alcoholic and only comes home when he is drunk.  He is abusive towards her and there is domestic violence, and her children are witnessing it.  She is a Christian and has a strong faith, her bible is covered in highlighted verses, but her husband won’t let her go to church.  She told us that if he knew we had been in the house he would be really cross.  Rev. Anderson is trying to convince her eldest two daughters to go to the Church’s youth camp next week.  Her house has to be the worst that we have seen yet.

The second house was only five doors down the street and was like a mansion.  I have stayed in worse on holidays.  Carmela lives her with her daughter Ebetsy.  While we visited Anderson and myself had the opportunity to share a simple Gospel message with them.  Before we left they both accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour.  This was a special moment for us all and I am so humbled and privileged to be a part of this sacred moment.  Ebetsy told us that she dreamt someone from Ireland would come and tell her the best news she would ever hear.

This morning Barrie led us in our devotions:

Matthew 14:25 – 33 ~Jesus walking on the water

Peter’s boldness – Firstly, Peter had an extraordinarily leap of faith in stepping out of the boat and walk on water.  We need to follow this example and jump out of the boat in faith and with boldness.  Secondly – Peter went from having boldness to having doubts. But Jesus was there to take Peter’s hand and help him back into the boat.  God will call us to jump out of the boat but he will always be there to catch our hand.

Please pray for:
-       Angelica and Ebetsy as they begin their journey of faith, pray that the enemy will not steal their joy.
-       Pray for Angelica and her husband Carlos and for a deep conviction of the Holy Spirit
-       Please pray for the children who we met yesterday
-       Pray for protection and health of the team
-       Pray for the people of San Pedro Mission as our work there has completed

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Deuteronomy 6:4

This morning I have found myself thinking about and reflecting on the scripture from Luke 19:41-44.  This is another account in the bible of Jesus crying.  We all know the shortest verse in the bible is “Jesus wept” (John 11:35), which is written just before he raised Lazarus from the dead.  But this is a different type of crying.  He is crying over a community, a city, a nation because of their lack of foresight, vision, and understanding.  Every person needs to here ‘The Lord our God is one’.  A challenge comes out of this, for those of us who are in Christian Leadership, when was the last time we wept for the community where we live and work?  For every believer, when was the last time you wept for someone who still doesn’t know the Lord Jesus as Saviour?

Yesterday we finished painting the outside courtyard of the church and the classrooms.  It is now all nice and clean ready for the children to arrive today for the compassion project.  Once we had finished painting, Rev. Anderson took us to visit two more people who belong to the church.  The first was Hilda, she has one daughter and a 4 week old baby.  The second lady was Rocio.  She told us how the Church, and in particular Rev Anderson has helped her family through a really difficult time.  As well as being the Anglican minister of the area, Anderson is also a type of probation officer.  He goes around one day a week and checks on the youth as to where they are at and what they are doing.  Rocio’s Son got involved in a gang, but Anderson was able to talk with him and get him away from those who had a negative influence on him.  He is now in the Army, where he is getting an education and is able to send money home to help his mother save to build a new home so that they don’t have to live in the wooden shack that they are currently in.

I found myself yet again doing something yesterday, which I am really enjoying here, but find extremely difficult at home - Street evangelism.  We had a box of ‘luxury’ food (sweets, biscuits, fruit, fruit juice, etc.) with us yesterday and as people walked past we chatted with them and gave them something.  This then gave us an opportunity to tell them that Jesus loves them, and for those who didn’t know Rev. Anderson, he was able to introduce himself to them.  At one point a local council worker who works at the water tower, came over and asked Anderson if we needed anymore brushes or rollers.

It is really easy to see Anderson’s passion and heart for this community and for these people.  He is burdened for them and will do what he can to tell them about Jesus, even when it means his own family suffer as a result.  He loves these people and tries to see them as God see’s them, but yet is not afraid to tell them what he thinks.  For example, he introduced me to a parishioner who has had four children but can hardly afford to feed herself and her husband.  He said to her plainly, ‘have no more children’.  I think that is probably what is known as a loving rebuke!!

One of the problems at the Church is graffiti, and gangs hang around it at night selling drugs etc.  I have been reminded of the story Canon David Brown told me; he is Rector of Knocknagoney in Belfast.  David had a similar problem at his church, and God reminded him of the story of the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6).  After the Israelites had marched around the city seven times a day for seven days and blew their trumpets, the walls fell down.  David told me that he walked around the parameter of the church grounds praying for God to protect His church, the vandalism stopped and the drug dealers moved on.  For the last two days, just before we finished at the church, we have marched around the church asking God to protect the building.  It may seem crazy to some, and no doubt the locals are wondering what is happening, but I think there is something powerful about this to both the seen and unseen.

Our Bus drivers’ young brother Ricardo is 14 and he seems to have befriended us and wants to spend as much time with us as possible.  He is a mega music fan and is learning to play the guitar.  Every opportunity he gets, he brings his guitar and asks me to play it and for us to sing to him and with him.  Last night I asked Elaine to ask about their mum and dad.  Their mum works but their dad has died.  Rev. Anderson told me that Ricardo wants to be our friend because he doesn’t have many Christian friends and enjoy being in our company.

This morning Derek led our devotions and encouraged us to have a period of self-reflection and confession.  This is always a good thing to do.  Short accounts keep us closer to God.  He read from John 15 and 1st Peter 5:7.

Please pray for:
-       Hilda and her family
-       Rocio, her son in the army and her other two children.
-       That the church wouldn’t get vandalised again and that the gangs would come to know Jesus
-       For the Compassion International project which we are working with today
-       For everyone we meet and come into contact with
-       For our bus drivers Job, Dic, their brother Ricardo and their mother
-       For us as a team and for our continued unity and fellowship
-       For continued safety and protection

In Psalm 86 verses 1-4 we read “Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.  Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.  You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.  Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all daylong.  Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”

Yesterday afternoon I posted a couple of photographs on Facebook, and they are also on this website – one showing a little boy wearing my Ulster Rugby hat and the other Rev. Anderson and myself along with a lady and her three children.  The boy’s name is Carlos and his mum is called Suzanna.  I asked on Facebook for people to pray for this family.  Anderson took us to visit in this home.  It was such a humbling experience, and one that I think I will never forget. We were welcomed with open arms, and this lady seemed so pleased that we would choose to come to her home. 

Suzanna has not had an easy life.  I understand that her story is probably echoed in thousands of homes across this city, but to hear it directly from her touched my heart.  Her story: Suzanna has lived in her tiny home for 15 years after moving to the city from Northern Peru in search of a better life.  The Pastor described her husband as a bad man.  He is an alcoholic and used to drink a lot.  She so often thought about taking the children and leaving him, but this would leave her homeless, as she has nowhere else to go.  About two years ago she came to the San Pedro Mission for food from the food bank, and while there started to speak to the Pastor and told him everything that was happening to her.  He told her the stories of Jesus and introduced her to other ladies in the church fellowship.  Suzanna has given her life to Jesus and is a full member of the church and serves the church by helping to make jumpers to send to other people who don’t have clothes.  Her husband wanted nothing to do with the Church or God and anytime Rev. Anderson would call, he would be quite hostile towards him.  A few months ago he had an accident at work where he fell from a 3-story rooftop.  His friend (I think it may have been his brother or cousin) was killed in the accident, but he survived.  When Suzanna arrived at the accident site, her husband was shouting at her to get an ambulance, but Suzanna took his hand and told him to pray and ask Jesus to heal him first.  He is back at work and needs only pain killers, no other medical treatment is required.  Her husband is now attending church semi regularly and is not drinking as much.  Rev. Anderson believes that the Holy Spirit is dealing with Suzanna’s husband and hopes he will soon become a Christian.  The children and enrolled in the Sunday School and Kids ministry.

It doesn’t matter what the house looks like, it is about the people who live in them, and the stories that they hold.  I am so glad Elaine and Barrie Colgan are with us on this journey.  Elaine is our interpreter, and without her it would be extremely difficult to do the Pastoral side of this trip.  As we chatted to Suzanna all I wanted to say to her was that Jesus loves her very much, and gave Elaine the difficult task of interpreting the first verse of the hymn ‘How deep the Father’s love for us’.  For Suzanna, her faith has kept her going – Jesus loves her and her family.  Jesus also loves her husband, as he loves each of us.  As you read today’s blog, ponder that in you heart.  That Jesus loves each of us so much, and yet how often do we take that love for granted.

This morning Julie is leading our devotions…Ephesians 3:14-21
Pray this prayer for these people.

Today we are back at San Pedro Mission to finish our painting work, and no doubt talk with and minister to more locals who pass by.  I must confess I love this one-on-one interaction with people who pass by the church.  Tonight we are invited to the Tester’s house for tea.  I am looking forward to spending more time with Paul and Sarah Tester and hearing their stories of 9 years which they have been in Peru.

Please pray for:
-       Suzanna and her children
-       Her husband, that he will find faith in Jesus and be able to stop drinking
-       For the other people we met yesterday
-       For our safety and protect, both physical and spiritual
-       For the continued health of the group
-       For the people we will meet to day
-       For those who minister amongst the people of Lima and especially Rev. Anderson Sanchez and the Tester family.

Everyday brings new adventures and new things which surprise us and amuse us.  Yesterday we where to start work at 10 am.  The bus picked us up at 9am and we arrived on time to find one of the Parishioners already started on scraping the outside wall.  However, the church was still locked and no sign of the Pastor who was bringing the materials and tools.  Derek was the first to improvise and before to long we all had stones in our hands and started scraping the loose paint.  Rev Anderson eventually arrived at 10:50am.  Peru start work time is definitely not the same as Northern Ireland time, but quitting time is the same, if not earlier!!!

This morning Emma was in charge of morning devotions and related it to Acts 4:13

When the saw the courage of Peter and John and realised….they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  What do people see that would help them see Jesus in me?  It is what God has done has in us and for us that makes us different.  God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Today we are back at San Pedro Mission to paint the inside of the Church courtyard and finish the gates and railings.  As we painted yesterday people who walked past would stop and chat.  One lady had her infant son with her who was extremely ill from and infection and asked that we would pray with her.  The people here are so open to prayer and being prayed for.  On Saturday, while in a taxi with Elaine and Noel, once the driver found out I was a minister he asked me to pray with him before we got out.

This has got me thinking a lot about back home and our own attitude to prayer.  Would we have the courage to ask someone on the street if we could pray for them, or if we saw someone offering prayer would we have the guts to ask them to pray for us in the open air!  A thought to ponder over!

Prayer points:
-       The lady whose child is unwell, and for the child as well
-       Safe travels
-       Protection
-       For the people we will meet today
-       For the taxi driver (Fernando)
-       For those who have already responded to the message

Today starts the real work.  Up until now we have mainly been meeting and greeting, with the exception of me preaching yesterday morning.  Last night we went to the church Paul Tester worships at.  It was basically a house with the walls knocked through to make the room bigger.  It is called ‘Iglesia Anglicana San Juan Evangelista’.  The minister’s wife said she had a warming in her heart when she heard we are in Peru.  She came to faith through the ministry of Irish Missionaries.  I was asked to introduce myself and say why we are here, and Ruth gave a testimony, half of which she said in Spanish.  As this groups Pastor, I am so proud of them all.

This morning Elaine Sproule is leading our devotions….

Proverbs 16:9 – Humans plan their course but God directs their step.  God establishes the way He wants us to God, even if it is not the way we want to go.  Look for the unseen hand of God in all things!

After breakfast we are going back to Mission San Pedro to start painting the church.  You will see from the photo’s that there has been a lot of graffiti over the outside.  Hopefully when we arrive all the materials needed will be there.  Rev. Anderson told the congregation that we will be there from 10am-3pm.  But in Peru time that could be 11-4, or 9-2 or 10-7… who knows.  It is all in God’s hands, but hopefully through painting the church we will be able to have conversations with people about Jesus and tell the ‘Jesus te ama’ which means loves you.

Please pray for
-       Continued safety, especially as we travel on the bus
-       Protection when at the mission
-       Health of the group
-       Spiritual protection
-       For those who respond to our message and those we get to talk to about Jesus
-       Rev. Anderson and his family, Paul Tester and his family. 

This morning we went to Mission San Paulo, where I was invited to preach and take part in the service.  I preached on Mark 4:35ff speaking about the importance of calling to Jesus in all aspects of our life.  Joanne also gave her testimony of how God healed her.  When the appeal was put out for people to commit their life to Jesus over half the congregation stood up. After communion, people where invited to come to the front to receive prayer with the laying on of hands.  Both Rev Anderson and myself ministered to the people who came forward with Anderson interpreting everything I said.

This evening we are going to another Mission Church which where the leader is an Englishman who is a missionary here in Lime.  Paul Tester and his family are linked to both SAMS and CMS.

Tomorrow starts our manual work, where we will be painting the outside of the San Paulo Church.

Please pray for:
-       Continued safety
-       Spiritual Protection
-       Everyone keeps well
-       Safe travels
-       Our work
-       For those who respond to our message.
-       Rev. Anderson and his family.

Everyone in the group seemed to have a really good, well-needed sleep last night.  Our bedrooms are all beside each other on the one corridor, which is below the church in the convent we are staying at.  The convent community, led by Sister Packetta, have made us all feel so welcome and are so hospitable. 

Yesterday, I had the privilege of leading a service of Holy Communion for the team.  I took us through a short devotion on Mark’s account of the Transfiguration.  I encouraged each of us to use the time here in Peru to listen to the still small voice of God and try and discern what He is saying to us, by doing what God said about Jesus ‘This is my own Son, Listen to Him”.  I finished by saying that it is my prayer that each of us will be like Peter, James and John and say in the end “Lord it is good for us to be here’.  As we had a free day yesterday, we walked along the beach, which our accommodation overlooks, and dipped a toe in the Pacific Ocean.  Then an early night was had by all.  I can’t remember the last time I was in bed before 8pm.

            Elaine and Barrie Colgan, who are interpreters for the trip, have joined us. Elaine is a former parishioner of Shankill Parish in Lurgan, where Bishop Ken was her rector.  Every morning we have team time and devotions before breakfast.  This is led by a different member of the team and this morning Elaine Colgan took us through Deuteronomy 32:28-31.  She encouraged us to consider what we are building on and to make sure we are building on the secure foundation of Jesus Christ.  She said that she hoped we would be able to achieve two things while here in Lima.  Firstly that we will be able to help others find Jesus as their secure Rock, and secondly that we will learn from the Christians here how to put our faith more strongly in God.

            This afternoon, Rev. Anderson is taking us to visit the sites where we will be doing most of our work and then this evening we will be helping at a youth project attached to the Church and Diocese.  Tomorrow morning I will be preaching at Rev. Anderson’s Church, where he will translate my sermon for the non English speaking congregation.

Prayer points
Please pray for:
-       Continued safety
-       Travelling mercies (the transport is like being in the waky races!)
-       The community we are staying with
-       The church community we will be working with
-       Rev. Anderson Sanchez
-       For me as I prepare to preach tomorrow.