It's fun to stay with the UDLP

An hourlong drive to the desert oasis of Cieneguilla helped a volunteer team from the North Wisconsin District mentally shift gears from VBS mode to women's retreat mode. Women's ministry is an emergent area in which US volunteers can support the Peru mission as they provide encouragement and resources to the newly formed Peruvian equivalent of the LWML (the UDLP, or Unión de Damas Luteranas del Perú). A growing group of ladies from all three congregations in Lima meets locally on a regular basis, but it was immediately evident that an overnight, offsite gathering provided a special boost for them organizationally, personally, and spiritually. 

The Wisconsin team welcomed 16 Peruvian guests with hugs (pictured) and goodie bags. 

Group sessions typically began with singing. The team taught the ladies one of the same songs they'd taught the kids at Castillo Fuerte mere days prior: "Praise Ye the Lord."

The ladies - Peruvian and otherwise - got SO into a Lutheran Women's Quarterly Bible study entitled "Five Stones for Service." The team made sure to highlight the Bible studies and other resources available in Spanish for FREE on the LWML website.

Me and my llama friends. 

Me and one of my non-llama friends :)

A highlight of the retreat weekend was banner-making. After reviewing the biblical foundations of liturgical art, it was time to get our hands dirty. The Wisonsinites had designed & prepped two large banners for the Peruvian ladies to work on in teams, teaching them a number of new techniques in the process. 

Not a bad location for an afternoon of crafting!

While the Peruvian ladies were working on the large banners, the team prepped materials they'd purchased (like the tela típica pictured) or brought for everyone to make an individual-sized banner.

The retreat center provided marshmallows, so we took it upon ourselves to bring the requisite graham crackers and chocolate for the uniquely US treat that is the s'more. We left the extras with Castillo Fuerte director Yepci so s'mores could feature into an upcoming iteration of "minichef" with the students.

"We are one in Christ."

Yepci and I.

Sunday morning, one of the volunteers set up "prayer stations" around the grounds, each with a meditative activity linked to one of the petitions of the Lord's Prayer. 

At Station 1, ladies could write a letter from themselves to God. 

UDLP business meeting. I only stuck around long enough to take a few photos, like this one of chairperson Lúcia doing her thing, but I could hear them working their way through the agenda from afar!

We wisely took a group photo and allowed time for the inevitable goodbye hugs and selfies BEFORE Pastor Rafael concluded the event with a Divine Service.

Sharing the airport lounge high life with Cindy (left) and Leilah (center) on the way home Monday morning. 

During the announcements after worship, one of the ladies piped up to say her only beef with the retreat was that it was too short; the next one needs to be a week! I praise God for the eager, servant-hearted women of God - from two continents - that I got to spend my last few days in Peru with and look forward to how He will use them for the building up of His Church in Lima and beyond. 

Until next time, blessings in Christ!