Way back on May 23rd, the long weekend, the group of 7 from Cornwall CRC held their reflection Sunday in order to share with their congregation the experiences of Peru. They invited Ottawa to come on out, and a bunch of us took them up on the offer. It was a wonderful 2 hour long service (didn't seem like it though) filled with wonderful learning's that were shared with us.
Below are some pictures that help to show you what happened. Enjoy!
Above is the cover of the order of worship for the service. Nicely done.
In the front of the church the group placed pictures and other items that they bought while in Peru.
You've seen this picture in Peru. It was shipped to me by Erin, and I received it the Wednesday before this Service. I had to re-frame it, but that was no problem. I took it along for this Service. It is now hanging, with a proper outside frame, in our fellowship hall. Updates from Peru will be going below it.
Here is Dianne doing some last minute touches to the presentation. Things weren't going well for her, but everything worked out in the end.
We arrived about 45 minutes early, so here you see us just hanging around and having some fun.
Before church started, some of us took some pictures. Ben's trying out the replacement camera and I, well, am just being weird.
Here is the group of 7, minus Blake, who was operating the PowerPoint stuff.
Gerry was the Liturgist for the service. He shared with us the fact that in the beginning of all of this, he really didn't want to go to Peru. It was his wife and daughter who convinced him to come. Now he tells everyone he sees in his church that they too need to come along in two years. Neat stuff! : )
John came all the way from Oakville to preach for this service. Here he's giving us all a geography lesson.
When Cornwall indicated that they wanted to come to Peru with us, I wasn't sure how things were going to turn out. I have since been amazed at the ways in which this group of 7 have learned, grown, challenged each other, and us, and how close they are. Here Sarah and Brenda simply drink in the moments together.
Here we are in church. A sea of Red Peru soccer Jersey's.
During different moments in the church service each of the 7 got up and shared about their experiences. Dianne had lots to share. She was amazing on this trip, and she also had her share of growing experiences. You may or may not know that her father suffered a heart attack just when she returned home, and she was able to spend a wonderful week with him in the hospital before he passed away.
You will also see Dianne holding a gift in the above picture.
You will also see Dianne holding a gift in the above picture.
At several points during our preparation, and while in Peru, Dianne heard me say that this experience was a gift from God, and that this gift, once received, should not be simply placed on the shelf, but should be opened, marvelled at, used often, and shared with others. Dianne has taken that message very seriously.
Brenda almost didn't come on this trip. It was more of last minute thing for her, and she got the last available spot. She expresses often that she is so glad that she did. There was a picture on the table of a girl from Peru that Brenda really connected with. She talked about her during this reflection time. Touching stuff.
Then it was the turn of the 3 YP who went from Cornwall. They were nervous, but they did very well.
Blake was first up. He's such a neat guy. Always smiling, always cheerful. His mom gave him a dorky hat for the trip, and he really didn't want to wear it, but it ended up being something that has now become very special to him. Many people ended up signing it and he now treasures it.
Sarah was up next. She has grown a great deal from this trip. I can see that in the limited time I've gotten to know her, and the fact that her mom and others tell me this too. : ) Keep challenging yourself Sarah.
Finally, it was Julia's turn. I always forget that she's not in high school. Very mature. In fact, it was she who told her mom that they just had to go to Peru when she first heard about the opportunity. There was no arguing with her, she just knew she had to go. Amazing stuff.
Marsha was last, but definitely not least. She did such an amazing job organizing the crafts for VBS this time around. Each time we have gone, there has been 1 or 2 people who have taken up this challenge, and I'm so thankful for that. Marsha was amazing. It was neat to hear her reflective thoughts.
A great service. I mentioned before that it took about 2 hours, but the time went very quickly. I took home from this time of sharing a pointed thought. This group of 7 was impacted a great deal by this trip. There is also such spiritual depth to these 7. Something I haven't seen in a very long time, but is refreshing to witness.
I dare say that our group didn't see the things that this group saw when it came to God at work each day. I know that we all learned and grew from the experience, but this group of 7 came into the experience already expecting God to move and looking for those signs in advance. I think many of us looked behind us after the trip and then said, "Hey, that's right, that's where God was moving and working." I think we could learn some things from the anticipation side of things, vs. the reaction side of things. Thanks for opening my eyes again, Cornwall groupies.
The service was taped, and this gentleman did all that taping for Cornwall. Don't worry, Cornwall group, you'll get your DVD's eventually.......
After church there was a time of food and refreshments. ....
.. .. and then we travelled to Gerry and Marsha's home for some fun. It was a beautiful day, and they have a swimming pool. Here you see the sea of red and white shirts digging into the food that was a plenty.
The pool had just been opened, and the temp was a balmy 55 degrees Fahrenheit. That didn't stop the YP from going in.
Blake didn't want me to feel left out, so he gave me a great big hug and got me nice and wet. I love that Blake boy!!!
Others had been plotting to get me in the water, and since I was 1/2 wet already, I figured I might as well just jump in with my clothes on and ruin all their fun. After emptying my pockets of all my valuables, I did just that. The water was COLD!!!!!
Gerry worked hard cooking for us. Great food.
Here are Brenda, Wilma, and Brenda eating the great meal.
After lunch several jumped back in the water. Here you see Hannah in the thick of it.
It was soon time to return home. A great time of reflection and growth for all of us. Thanks for inviting us to come along for the ride Cornwall!
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