Last Day: Ministry, Fun, Travel

Our flight home would start Friday evening at 9 pm. We had a lot of time on Friday. We started by going to a school to do one more program for children. Before we entered the school Pastor Pablo told us how this school started. He said that a few years ago a gift of $1,000 came from Hickory Grove Baptist Church. As the Peruvian Baptists discussed how to use the money Pastor Ulysses suggested a location where there wasn't a church. He thought they could open a soup kitchen and help students with homework after school. The plan was approved and Pastor Ulysses was put in charge. After a time the pastor decided to have a celebration for the recipients, 150 people showed up. When he reported this Pastor Ulysses suggested they could start a church in that location.When other church leaders agreed, he asked who should be pastor, and they looked at him. The church did well and soon Pastor Ulysses said, "We could start a school here." And they did. We visited a school with an enrollment of sixty students. Our entrance meant an instant assembly. All of the teachers and students gathered in chairs in the courtyard. By the way Ginger was feeling well enough to be involved on this day.

We had a shortened program. The kids sang and Elva shared the doll presentation and each girl received a doll. After another song, Catherine shared the wordless frisbee and each boy got a frisbee. Her way of presenting included lots of questions about the colors and what they meant. We were amazed a how well these children already understood the message of salvation, Pastor Ulysses and his staff were doing an excellent job with this school. This was also the most thankful group. Judy said she got so many hugs that it brought tears to her eyes.

Now that our ministry activities were done we were looking forward to being tourists for a little while. We heard about souvenir shopping, but we still had a lot of daylight. So Pastor Pablo directed Jesus on a lengthy drive to another part of the city. We ended up in a rural part of the edge of town. Street construction caused us to drive down a road between agricultural fields and through a stream. We parked at an historic site. A flour mill that had originally been built in 1621, had fallen into disrepair for many years. In fact, the buildings were completely broken down. A banker commissioned an architect to study and restore the site. We walked into the second floor milling room and saw a large stone turning. Water flowing over a water wheel down stairs was providing the power. The grounds were beautiful so we spent some time taking pictures.

After the mill we drove back into the city and ate lunch at a Chinese restaurant. Pastor Pablo, his wife, Dolly, and his daughter, Dolly 2, joined us for lunch. Finally, we went to the Artisans craft sales area. We compared products and prices in shops that offered Alpaca wool made into many things, nativity scenes, paintings and other souvenirs.

Finally, we went back to the orphanage to repack our suitcases and head for the airport. Pastor Pablo, Dolly, Gaby, Andrea, Adrian, Elva, and Catherine saw us off. Oh, by the way, the departure building does have a roof, but part of it was under construction.

We made our connections in Lima and Miami, and were glad to get home. But we're ready to go back and do most of it again. Maybe next time we can leave off the illnesses.

Catherine presenting the wordless frisbee

School children with dolls and frisbees

Mill balcony

Mill stone upstairs, water wheel down

Shop 'till you drop

Arequipa Ministry

Accommodations at the orphanage in Arequipa were first-class by comparison with those at the hostel in Pedregal. Toilets had seats and lids, showers had heaters in their heads, or solar heated water too. Beds were soft. For most of us it was dorm-style living-ladies in one large room with bunk beds, guys in another. There was a third room and we used it for Ginger, Emily, and Judy. Ginger was still very sick so it made sense for her to be quarantined and away from disturbances. Emily stayed with her at night because we thought they would be flying out early. Judy stayed in that room, first because the ladies' room was full, but also she could give Ginger care if she needed it.

We settled Ginger in, and then left for lunch at a Chinese restaurant in the city.

This was still Wednesday and after rest and showers at the orphanage we went to Central Baptist Church, Arequipa for Wednesday evening service. Elva and Catherine are members here.

David laid out the order of service: two songs lead by the kids (this church was able to project the words), the Sin Box skit, two more songs by David and the kids, the Chicken Skit, testimonies (help me out team, was it Dawn, Angie and April?), then Elva and I preached. After that would be pizza, then we would group up with church members for prayer. The church's pastor went out to order the pizza and buy drinks.

The pastor was gone during the entire service, David and Pastor Pablo left to check on flight arrangements, so when the service was over we were like sheep without a shepherd. Elva closed the service and then with help from the pastor's wife got us divided up with one translator per prayer group. As the groups finished up the pastor returned with drinks and the pizza was delivered. Soon David and Pastor Pablo returned, and we all returned to the orphanage for a good night of rest.

In addition to the bedrooms there was a large sitting area and kitchen. The orphanage stocked our refrigerator with eggs, and provided fresh fruit, and each morning brought fresh bread . All of this was on the third floor. It was quiet, and the views were beautiful. On Thursday morning several of us woke up before sunrise to watch and take pictures. The kitchen window looked out to Mount Misti over the city, sunrise was a beautiful sight.

About mid-Thursday morning we loaded the bus for a time of worship at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for men run by one of the churches. We drove off the main road onto narrow dirt roads that cornered around terraced fields to an isolated, fenced compound. We joined about thirty men and their psychologists and pastors (two large dogs and two alpacas) in worship. The men started the service with lively singing.

When it was our turn the kids and David lead in songs, we did the Sin Box skit, and it was here that we performed the SSS (Substitutionary Salvation Skit). We felt that its message would speak to this crowd. Elva and I again preached the same sermon. It's theme, 'How can a person keep his way pure' spoke to these men. After worship we had a time of fellowship and witnessing with the men. I heard that Juanita had a long discussion with a young man and lead him to the Lord.

Dolly, Pastor Pablo's wife, supervised the preparation of lunch for the entire crowd and after lunch we went back to the orphanage for an afternoon of rest.

At four o'clock we met with the orphanage children in their auditorium. As they gathered we made balloon animals for them. Each team member was introduced and games were played. Ginger was feeling much better and she was able to be part of this service. The kids lead in songs and we did the Sin Box skit. We almost forgot the dolls and frisbees. Receiving those gifts and the explanation of the gospel were the best parts.

That evening we went to the Arequipa Symphony's free concert to hear Gaby perform. It was supposed to be a one and one half hour concert, but a popular singer from the area was there. His band played first, then he was joined by the symphony for a more classical concert. We ate dinner at close to 10 pm. We had Burger King. What an eventful and blessed day. Our plan for Friday was touring, shopping and beginning our travel home, but God had one more group for us to bless and to bless us with.

Comforts of home.

Leading worship through singing at Central Baptist Church, Arequipa

Rehab center compound

Pastor Pablo and Dolly

Everyone circled the crowd for their introduction-Judy's turn

Concert