Peru 2010 - Friday

Friday evening. We have left Pachacutec for the last time. It was a good day. A hot day. A day of goodbye’s. I¨m now writing on Ines´ computer, as mine received a virus from the internet cafe I posted to you on Tuesday. Everything is in Spanish, so I´m having to learn Spanish rather quickly to navigate the programs on the computer. Please excuse the formatting issues that might arise from that. The virus fried my computer and Christian, one of the translators, is at this moment trying to revive it at his home. I hope he can load a new copy of Windows onto my computer so I can blog the last couple of days. Otherwise you will have to wait until Sunday to get this next entry, when I am at Pepe´s home. I left you sometime this morning. Today was another hot day. A very hot day. Difficult to walk up the sandy stairs and those who worked on the classrooms today felt the heat. I managed to get a snooze in after posting the blog today, but that meant that I once again managed to miss getting pictures of the feeding program going on at the church. Each day I have meant to get pictures of the kids eating, but haven´t been able to. Ah well, this happens. Our groups all went to the various places again, but I don´t think I have pictures of everything this time. We did get pictures of others the other days, so those will just have to do. Everyone came back with wonderful stories to tell. VBS was great again, but a bit crazy this time around. We broke a Gamaliel church record today. 180 kids. WOW again. Crazy, crazy stuff, but everyone did very well. We also managed to finish off the walls and the roof of the two classrooms before we left. Some of the boys continued to work on the classrooms while VBS was going on. I think they felt good about accomplishing that. We all knew that this would be our last day, but it sure came fast again. After our singing, drama and crafts, we took some time to hang out with the kids. Many of our group wrote notes to the kids and had them translated by our translators. Some in the group cried, so once again, it rained in Pachacutec. We then all went into the church and Sergio held a brief closing blessing ceremony for us. Words of blessing as we depart, and another dance by some of the young people. It was enjoyed by all. The church then gave us all hand made purses and-or backpacks and thanked us for our work in their church. It was truly an honour to be there. After the ceremony, it was time for a group picture with our group and the church members present too. One final time for farewell and then I had to push people onto the bus. Always something I don´t like to do, but we´d be there all night if I didn´t. Tears were certainly flowing by some, and others did well containing themselves. Our bus ride was a bit more subdued this time around, but then again, it always has been on the night we leave Pachacutec. Once back at the Hostel we had supper and then we took showers (well most of us took showers. I still have to yet. ) Pepe´s computer received the virus I got because I used his computer with my USB stick. It seems that his computer is ok, for which I am thankful. I was hoping to read the 57 plus comments to the group using Pepe´s computer, but that virus put a stop to that. Instead we went to an internet cafe close by and I ended up printing them out. At 8 30 pm we gathered back in the dining hall and I read all your comments to the group. It took 45 minutes to do. Lots of great comments. Thank you for sending them. I then had the group do an exercise that I always do at the end of a learning opportunity. They all received a blank piece of paper and put their names on it. They then passed that paper to their right and that person wrote a nice comment about them and signed it. Those papers went right around the group, and now I have a stack of papers to contend with when I get home. I add comments to them too, and then send them to the group members about 3 weeks later. During that writing time, Pepe purchased some Peruvian beers for the adults and wine for those that didn´t want beer, and lots of Inca Cola for those who wanted that. Just a nice gesture after all the hard work that people had put in over the week. I also handed out the Soccer Jersey´s that everyone had purchased. I think most of the group will wear theirs tomorrow, but we´ll see. The group is not pretty much in bed, and all is quiet again. I like this time of night. A time to relax, reflect, and realize how busy we have been, and how much God has worked in our lives this week. Tomorrow morning we become tourists for the first time. We will not be going to the park with the church. Things just didn´t work out for that to happen. We will instead visit the catacombs, the city centre, a nice park, a grocery store to pick up some Inca Cola to take home, the market to gather souvenirs and lunch and dinner. Then it´s off to the airport to send the group off, and Chris and I get a good night´s sleep at Erin and Pepe´s place. I´ll probably blog Saturday´s events on that Sunday and send them out to you. For now, it´s safe to say that the group has had a good week and we are all satisfied with what we have done here in Peru. We made new friends in another country and we have seen God at work in all of our lives. I hope that most of this sticks with most of us, but I leave that up to God. I´ll reflect more on the experiences of the week on Sunday, because quite frankly, my brain isn´t functioning all that well right now.......... So, it´s time to get a few pictures ready for the blog and off to bed. Blessings to you all. I´m glad you have enjoyed the blog thus far.

Patti getting a check up from the Doctor at the clinic. Today we were able to give the medical supplies to them. They were very thankful for them.

Working hard cutting the walls. They don´t use drywall, but something else made from fibreglass. Much easier to work with than all those small strips of wood. The building went up much faster because of it too. Chris using a hammer. He only bent two or three nails I think.

They continue to work hard, even though you can´t see how hot it is.

Cooking in the kitchen for the kids. I missed getting pictures of those kids again due to a nap I took. Too bad.

This lady just started working in the kitchen. She is alone and not able to feed herself so she asked if she exchange work for food. That is what the church has done for her. Nice to see the feeding program working out so well and being a blessing to this lady.

Some of the team today building didn´t have enough work to do, so they helped preparing for VBS. They seemed to like the heat.

At lunch, some of the group take a well deserved rest.

The children are the reason we bond with this place. Aren´t they just cute.

VBS and more songs with actions. Our group really got into them.

The kids, all 180 of them having a good time. Ines, one of our translators does such a good job with these kids. They can get out of hand at time, as many of them don´t have their parents around to raise them. They are off working.

Gerry finally got his wish to be in a drama. He made a GREAT Roman Soldier.

Brenda helped a girl who was burned by hot water. It wasn´t an easy experience getting this little girl some help. You should ask Brenda sometime how she felt about that experience.

Saying goodbye.

Two of the children from the church sunday school program thanked us for coming.

Pastor Sergio thanking us before we leave.

A group shot with our group and those from Gamaliel church.

Brenda in her element.

Colin just loved helping kids with crafts.

The usual pose for Cindy. I think she has 2400 pictures now.....

Our dinner.

Relaxing doing the comments in the evening.

Annette and Marg enjoying some great Peruvian beer. It really hit the spot after a week of heat and work.

The jerseys that we purchased from Frontline.

An yes, my computer in the fritz. It might just be fixed today.

So that ends this entry. I am presently in an internet cafe posting this entry. The rest of the group is going to the catacombs. I´ll meet up with them shortly. We are tourists today.

This morning we all awoke and packed and cleaned up our rooms. We had breakfast at 9 am and thanked our cooks. We will thank our translators today too. After breakfast we met in the main large room and I shared some closing remarks about returning to Canada and sharing this story with all of you. We then took some time to pray for the country of Peru and bless it. I will share one more blog entry about our travels tomorrow, and then end with a concluding blog entry with some reflective thoughts after that. Stay tuned if you wish.......the last one might not have many pictures, but will have things for you to chew on........Please post more entries on the blog so the group can read them when they get home. Blessings.....I´m now off to be a tourist too.

Peru 2010 - Thursday

It's Thursday evening, 10:30 pm. Another good day in Pachacutec was had by all...well almost all. Two of our group were left behind behind today due to illness. Kyle and Zack didn't fair well. Zack yesterday afternoon, and Kyle began throwing up about 3 am. I was just dozing off to sleep after uploading the blog when Kyle raced to the bathroom and threw up. He had some pretty good heart burn too.

I ended up having to get Brenda out of her room. At first I forgot to bring my room listing with me so when I went into the building I really didn't know which room to go into. So, I trecked back to my room to get that listing. I scared Mina to death because I had to wake her first to find out which bunk bed of the 11 was Brenda. Turns out I only had to yell from my window to hers as she was on the second floor by the window.

Well, Brenda tended to Kyle for a bit and he went back to bed. However, every hour on the hour after that he continued to throw up. I felt bad for him, but he was a trooper. He stayed home today and slept for about 6 hours. He's feeling much better now Carl and Edith, so not to worry. Zack is doing better too.

Jackie wasn't feeling well either, but she had a visit scheduled today as well, so she was able to sleep in and feels better now. Patti stayed back for the day. Thank you for that.

Breakfast was done as usual. A routine has set in. Thanks for the blog comments. You should know that I WAS planning on reading them to the group tonight, but my computer hard drive crashed this afternoon for some reason. Thankfully I have the pictures saved on another external hard drive. God is good. I'm using Pepe's computer right now to type this to you. Not sure if I will get internet connection this evening, so you may get this post Friday at noon. We'll see. I did get your comments off the internet and will be reading them to the group on Friday evening.

We arrived in Pachacutec at 10 am and got right to work. The same schedule and places as Tuesday, with different groups doing different things. It was hot again today, but everyone worked really hard. They should be proud of themselves.

I spent the morning talking with the Youth Pastor, Neftali, for about ½ an hour, with Erin translating. It was a wonderful time of helping this Youth Pastor with many questions as he is just starting out in ministry. I was thankful to be able to share my experience with this man and to have him in turn share his life with me.

I then spent about 1.5 hours talking with Pastor Sergio and trying to find out more information about his hopes and dreams for the church. A very good time of sharing and gaining mutual understanding about areas we could partner together in.

The afternoon went well as usual. Lots of songs again and drama and crafts. Today we had 150 kids. WOW. A lot of kids. We pushed things back a bit because we needed to leave a bit earlier. I had a surprise planned for the group tonight. They have worked so hard, it was time for some fun. So, after we got home, we didn't shower, but ate supper right away. That's when I found out my computer crashed. I was saddened, but thankfully there are other computers to be used.

After supper the group gathered clean, dry cloths and we set out for the fountain park in which we could play in some fountains. We first watched a fountain light show, and then we looked at some fountains in different shapes that are lit up. Then it was on to some fountains that we could walk in and get wet in. It was a lot of fun, and refreshing after the long day. Most of us went into the water and had great fun trying to get each other wet. A great time of letting off steam and more group bonding.

On our way home from the fountain park, after boarding the busses, we discovered that one of the busses wouldn't start because the battery was dead. No CAA around here, so several of us piled off the bus and pushed it down the street to start it (it was a standard). More memories.

Oh, and we met Jackie in the fountain park. She was out with her friends and we just bumped into them. How neat is that. We are now back in the Hostel and the groups are doing video blogs as I'm typing this entry. Thanks Gerry for doing them so I can get things done.

I wanted to comment on our bus ride home today. Several of us adults were talking about how this trip has been a blessing to Cornwall church, not only for each other, but also for those in the church. There is a sense of excitement and passion for this trip, and the hope is that Cornwall church will continue in that. Annette and I commented on the fact that this being the 3 rd time, some of that excitement and passion seems to have wained, not for those who have gone, but for our church in general. We identified a variety of reasons but also noted that we have to work harder at sharing the wonderful ministry opportunities that occur on a trip like this. We know this element of our church community is vital for a healthy church, but we also know that many different things compete for exposure in our church and maybe we need to set our priorities so we can better minister in more effective ways. I do think that this ministry is important, and those who have gone to Peru would agree with that, but the challenge again is to try to get you who have not gone to see that importance. As I sat and listened to Sergio today I was once again touched by his sincerety, love for God, and understanding that Calvin is working out what any sort of relationship would look like. Sergio just wants to see the relationship continue, and so do I, but we both hope that both our churches will also see that this relationship is a God thing and good for both of our churches. Only time, and God, will tell.

So ends another day here. Only one more left. People are realizing that so much has happened to them in such a short time and processing it all will take some time. It has been neat to see some of our “harder” kids soften somewhat, mostly because of the children in Gamaliel church. So much that cannot be shared in a blog, but will hopefully come out in the months to come. I end this evening in the hope that you will receive this blog tonight and with thanksgiving in my heart for all that has happened in such a short time. God is good, all the time.....all the time, God is good.

This is a quilt we gave to the church on our first trip. It has now been framed and only comes out on special occasions.

On our way in the bus we came across this accident. We don´t see many of the. In fact this is the first one we´ve seen all week. It always amazes me that we don´t see more of the. Apparently this mishap happened because the truck was trying to avoid a small 3 wheeled taxi. Unfortunately the bus fell on top of the taxi and people were sent to the hospital.

Chris playing with a child at the orphanage. I haven´t seen much of my son this time around. He´s keeping to himself and I´m not making a point of bugging him or pointing him out. I do get the occasional ¨I love you dad ¨ from him for no reason. That is nice to hear.

Jeannine enjoying feeding the children at the orpanage. I´m not sure who this guy is (sorry about that, but I´m not great with names), but he´s enjoying himself. The progress being made on two classrooms that will help expand the Christian School program.

Ben has been enjoying himself a great deal this week. The kids love him. He likes to play tag with them and they like his smile.

Oh, hey, that´s me! Sitting around again getting all that video for later on.

The two Hannah´s ganging up on me AGAIN! Thanks for the ABC gum BTW Hannah B.

Here we are at the fountain park. It was refreshing and fun.

On of the many beautiful fountains.

After the fountains it was quite cold. Chris and I were both getting chills.

Before we left for home, just one SMALL detail. Getting our bus started. Apparently the bus driver was watching TV while waiting for us and drained the battery. Hey, everyone really enjoyed the excitement of pushing the bus, except for Gerry. He was standing right in front of the exhaust pipe. As the bus roared into action, he received about 2000 cigarette smokes in one wiff of a big cloud of black smoke.

It is now Friday morning. I was not able to find internet access with Pepe´s computer, nor compress any pictures, so I decided to wait until getting to Pachacutec to post this blog. I hope to try to post one tonight, but if I can´t, it will be sometime tomorrow as we are travelling around. Saturday´s events will be blogged as well, but that won´t come until Sunday when Chris and I are at Erin and Pepe´s home. One final reflective blog entry will come once Chris and I return home, so don´t stop reading the blog until that comes (oh, and you don´t have to stop reading it ever as I think there is come GREAT stuff on it, but that´s just MY opinion......).

We will not be spending the morning with the church, due to many logistical reasons, so we will become tourists for the day. So, just keep checking the blog to see if a new post has come or not. Thanks.

I got a solid 4 hours sleep last night. It felt good, but not enough yet. I´ll be taking a short nap after this posting is done. We all awoke feeling better today. Kyle is back to his old self, Zack is still in recovery mode and was not able to come with us. Ellie stayed with him. Not an easy decision, and many of the Oakville leaders were upset (maybe even with me) for making the executive decision to have him stay home, but we are looking out for his health right now, as he will need his strength for travelling tomorrow. Zach´s parent need not worry. He is in GREAT hands and is doing ok, just needing a bit more R & R to get his strength up. He will eventually be able to see the video of the day.

We had to address an issue this morning at breakfast regarding respect. Some in our group have taken to yelling hello´s out of the bus, and that was ok for a time, but has escallated to the point that some of felt this was being disrespectful. We address this concern from that angle. We are guests in this country and we don´t want to give the impression that all GRINGO´s are a certain way just from a shout from a bus. All of this is great times for learning and growing, and puts into practice those things we have been talking about when it comes to Respect and justice issues.

We are now all working and it is another HOT day. I hope everyone paces themselve today or they are going to pay for it tonight.

Speaking of tonight, we will close our evening out by sharing some wonderful comments between each other and also drinking some great Inca Cola and some wine and Peruvian beer for the adults. I´ll tell you all about how things went today, later.

Saying goodbye won´t be easy today. It will be raining in Pachacutec once again as we leave.......

Until the next blog time