Sunday, March 18, 2018

Peru 2018 - Day 7: Time with Family


Today is Day 7. Our last day in Pachacutec with our friends are Gamaliel.

Today's blogger is Ryan featuring Kendra and Andrea filling in the gaps on the time with the youth group.

On a health note, everyone is feeling a lot better and was able to make the trek to Pachacutec.

 We had a relaxed morning so there was plenty of time to break out the pigs.

 Gigi hard at work as always.

"How many days have we been here again?"

Juan Carlos well rested after a birthday party for his mother last night.

Different location, same lunch.

 Pastor Ron attempting to get a family photo.



 It didn't work.

Almost there...

 Got it!

 And a photo with the Hosmar family rejects.

The sign says "Ella" and her name is Ella. Get it?

The married people got a chance to sit in on a couples class. 

Youth and young adults had the opportunity to meet with the youth/young adult group from Gamaliel 

Introductions

We then moved outside where there was more room and a breeze.

Youth from Gamaliel and Canada sharing testimonies about how they came to be a part of Gamaliel church. Kendra here, I had been part of a home visiting group where we visited Maria's sister Jessica who had said she does not attend church. However, she came to the youth group where it appeared she was having a good time. I was sitting beside her and Maria, and they had a conversation together which made them both cry. I hope this means that she has found community among these youth. Many of the youth shared how lonely they had been before they found family and community in the youth group and church.

 Back to couple's ministry

Miguel, a self described romantic, imparting some words of wisdom to the couples. 

Vanessa, Miguel's wife (in the striped dress) was having none of it. 

Violetta also opened up to everyone. 

Felicitas with some words of encouragement for all the couples. 



Back to the youth group. We played a game called "I'm sick" which is similar to a "fruit basket" type game.

 The trick is to wait before both English and Spanish instructions have been given. Andrea's story was that she was surfing and attacked by a shark.


Back to couple's 

The couples broke into two smaller groups. 

We prayed for the Peruvian couples. 

And they prayed for us.

The couples' kids were well looked after.

Back to the youth group. We played a "Human Knot" game where we had to get very close to one another. It definitely forced us to become comfortable with each other.



 Back to the couple's group

Photo with all the couples.




It took a few tries to get everyone looking at the same time.

Savara 

 Malida

 Maria



Getting ready for the church service. 

Spanish and English so we know what's going on. 


I'm told this is the most full we have ever seen the church. 







Pastor Sergio welcoming everyone. 


Pastor Ron preaching on the values of the early church. 

Gigi is so good she can text and translate at the same time. 

Pastor Sergio's daughter sang and danced during offering. 


Dania, one of our translators sang "O How He Loves Us" in both Spanish and English.

Game time. 

Peruvian musical chairs.



Pastor Ron enjoying the music.



Sunset in Pachacutec.

We broke into groups of 3 in order to get to know some of the congregation better. 

 Joycegina, Ella, and Katrina were in one group.

Steven, Kendra, and Annette were in another.

Andrew, Lori Ann, and Andrea made up a third.


Pastor Sergio feeling the Spirit! 


Brenda, Sheldon, and Ryan meeting a couple of first time attendees. 

Colin, Dianne, and George. 

 For the first time we stayed for supper with the congregation.

The Gamaliel youth group helped hand out the food. 


Glasses of Inka Cola. 

Where'd the sun go? 



Lots of lights all over. 

The youth group performed a dance to an English praise song. 







After calling for him multiple times, Pastor Sergio managed to get Pastor Ron to come up on stage. 

He was presented with a collage of all the groups at Gamaliel. 


A painting for Calvin. 



A painting for Pastor Ron. That's supposed to be him in the middle despite the painting having hair. 

Painting for Cornwall. 

Pastor Sergio and Gamaliel had gifts for all our team members. 









We ended the evening with "My Friends May You Grow In Grace". Andrew led in English and Dania led in Spanish. 







We made a big circle and everyone held hands.



























After the song we started to say our goodbyes. 

 Katrina and Jocelyn.

 Colin, Fernando, Silvara, and Matteo.

Kendra with members of the youth group. 

Joycegina and Araceli sharing a special moment.



For some reason people are still fond of Andrew. 



There are lots of lights in Pachacutec. 



Pastors and families. 


The blue t-shirt crew plus Dania.

Ella, Leslie, and Crystal. 




Pastor Ron was tired (lazy) so a selection of the photos from Colin's camera start here.


 Colin and Fernando couldn't stop smiling after meeting up.

 Brenda's best picture to date.

Pastor Ron with his "I have no idea what's going on" look. 

Juan Carlos looks like he knows what he's doing.

Colin, Fernando and extended family. 

The lights of Pachacutec sure are beautiful.

Today marks the end of the time at Gamaliel and I must say that the emotions felt were a lot stronger than I ever expected. We have been welcomed into peoples' lives so warmly and the relationships formed feel like they will last a lifetime. The faith that the people of Pachacutec have has inspired our whole team and touched us all deep within our hearts. 

P.S. George got kicked out of pigs tonight for major disrespect. He is devastated.
P.P.S:  Ron here: 
Just wanted to add that today was an awesome and amazing day.  
A day spent with family.  
A day that was filled with laughter and emotion.
A day that was the culmination of 12 years of relationship building. 
A day that inspired, gave hope, built bridges and filled hearts. 
It's hard to describe the emotions and feelings experienced today.  As Ryan said to me, he had some expectations in coming here, because of all that he had heard, but actually being here brought out emotions he didn't expect, and they were wonderful and thought provoking. 
That has pretty much been the case for most who have come to Peru over the years.  
That makes my heart full, and fills me with more questions than answers when it comes to our relationship with our brothers and sisters in this part of God's Kingdom. 

Tomorrow we become "tourists". 
More on the day tomorrow night. 
Goodnight all.  


5 comments:

Julia Kuipers said...

Hey everyone,

Mom, Dad, I'm so happy to see that the cute old couple is still showing their PDA in Peru. Ben was saying to me that he found that picture of you two walking behind the group arm in arm so sweet. Dad, I cannot believe you got kicked out of pigs, I would have loved to see that!!

Mom did you scream when Bendra dragged you into the fountains again? ;)

I hope everyone enjoyed the night with the members of Gamaliel because it really is such a special time. And I hope you all have a great time being tourists today, enjoy the craziness!

See you soon,

Jul

Anonymous said...

Hey Guys! Praying for you and can't wait to see you again. Love seeing all the pictures of everyone smiling and enjoying themselves.

Mom, I'm sitting at the edge of my seat, waiting to watch the Aussie couples with you. We'll be bingeing when you get back.

Enjoy touring!

Love you guys & see you soon,
Rach

Lenni said...

Such beautiful and special relationships. It brings back memories of my first trip to Pachecutec as well, the very first trip. So long ago now, but definitely lasting memories. What a blessing this adventure has been for so many people. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you enjoy your touring day and as you head home.

John said...

Dear Friends:

In the spirit of march madness:
Thanks for the work on the blog. Really helps too keep the fans involved. Looking forward to more good shots tomorrow. I’m hoping you got Ella and Annette back into game. I’m sure they’ll rebound. The team needs them at crunch time. I hope you were all in a zone, with lots of assists today.

Please tell Ella: I hope all your swishes come true.
And please tell Annette to remember: there’s no “i” in team. But there is an “i” in I miss you.

Finish strong
See you Tuesday.
John

Henie said...

Monday March 19....9pm. Praying for safety as I think of you all heading back to family and friends in Canada. I'm sure your emotions are mixed, happy and sad...tired but wired:) I look forward to hearing the great stories from Brenda and Ryan over the coming weeks. Thankyou for the enjoyment we got from following in your footsteps, and living this adventure thru your camera. Sincerely, Hennie Dixons Corners Community CRC.