missionaryMAC

Wakey, wakey! It's 5:15 am at the Lima airport, and I've been up for a couple hours already! I landed in Peru for the first time last Friday to host a short-term team (STT) of two from Pennsauken, NJ, whilst they led a music camp at Castillo Fuerte ("Mighty Fortress" - a mercy outreach that provides after-school care for children in the impoverished La Victoria district six days per week). While Peru might be Latin, it’s definitely NOT Caribbean. Instead, I was picking up a very European vibe. I stayed on the 3rd floor of this building in the upper class San Borja district, which serves as the HQ of La Misión Luterana del Perú as well as housing for STTs, FORO partners, and other visitors.  Up THERE! Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere. Translation: it's winter! I was glad I heeded others' advice and didn't let the 60+ degree temps deceive me; it's a damp kind of cold that seeps into your bones. There is no central heating. The machine...

At the risk of this getting lost in the frenzy of Friday's fender bender and its aftermath, my rear wasn't the only thing that got ended over the weekend. Friday was the 5th and final day of the Campamento in Palmar, but all week, we had been encouraging the kids to come to church on Sunday, together with their parents, for what I'll call a closing celebration. In actuality, I hope we were celebrating an opening, or many openings - of hearts to the Holy Spirit, so that the great faith exemplified in each day's hero might be created and nurtured in each child who came and his or her household. Thursday's craft turned into a path to the cross as each child laid his or her footprints next in line during closing.  Each day had a different Bible memory verse. I was amazed at the kids' recall abilities as we reviewed all of the previous ones each day and as they recited all 5 on Sunday (video below!).  We also practiced the song Justificados pues por fe...

VBS ended on Friday. And I got rear ended.  Forging my way through stop and go rush hour traffic on a busy road about 5 min. from my house, I felt a thud and heard shattering. 100% OK but flustered, I managed to pull over and roll my window down, only to see the agitated motorcyclist who had hit me gesturing at a teeny cut on the inside of his lip. The only thing I knew was that I needed people on my side. Mentally crossing off everyone on home service and vacation, I finally reached Business Manager Blake, who had arrived back in Santiago earlier that day. He was on his way within minutes. Meanwhile, witnesses had started gathering. I knew  the accident wasn't my fault, and they agreed. Despite the motorcyclist's insistence that I had slammed on my brakes, he realized he was outnumbered and took off. I got out of the car only when Blake arrived. With nothing left to do at the scene, he followed me back to the office to inspect the damage. The point of impact was dead...

It had been several years since the last one, but the deaconesses in Palmar wanted to do VBS. So, with summer's usual skeleton crew of missionaries and a wishy-washy group of women and teens from the church, missionary deaconess Caitlin Ramirez is leading the charge and doggone it, we're doing VBS this week! The theme is "Jesus, our Hero." Each day, we're learning about a different biblical figure that was heroic not on account of grandiose exploits, but rather because of his or her unwavering faith. So far, we've covered David, Hannah, and the three men in the fiery furnace.  Don't mind me, I'm just on the floor back there making some posters. Also, yes, mojitos DO help when furiously prepping until 11 pm on Sunday night.  Snack helpers, including missionary kid Rebekah (left).  Each day begins with a large group opening in the church.  God > Goliath Our rock star director leading a song about the telephone we use to...

The Kingston Ministry Centre is far from complete, but last week's progress is too dramatic not to share! Instead of BEFORE & AFTER, I'm calling these BEFORE & IN BETWEEN. Compared to my first time seeing the building in September 2018, the place is hardly recognizable! Exterior with new pitched roof that doesn't leak.  One of the short-term team bunk rooms.  Short-term team kitchen.  Short-term team bathroom.  Sanctuary...and various angles thereof.  Living/dining space of 2nd pastor's apartment. Until next time, blessings!