Wednesday at the Orphanage

One thing we wanted to accomplish this year was to spend some time with the kids at the orphanage. They have hosted us very well for at least three years, but we have been ministering elsewhere. Last year we fixed them breakfast, but we felt like we could do more. So this year we made them lasagna and entertained them with games and puppet shows.

Children from a smaller orphanage came over. We had visited these kids last year and celebrated one of the girl's birthday with them.

The Peruvian part of the team started things off with games. They had music playing on the basketball/volleyball court and got the kids running around playing fun games. They used the HGBC parachute and soccer balls as well.

Trudi Millsaps was puppet director. She had planned practice times as we prepared to go; she assigned David to cut PVC pipe into suitcase lengths and make a really versatile stage frame; she sewed that curtain. Catherine LaHaye asked me to join for the prop making day because I am 'crafty.' I think she meant that in a good way.

We had a great evening making a sun, moon, and jail bars out of foam board. We discussed several projects that were made later. A shepherd's crook from a candy cane, a backdrop that served as a meadow with a  hole for the lost sheep to fall in (complete with a miniature sheep), and also as a lion's den when the grass was folded back and rocks were added. Trudi drove through Burger King and asked for two crowns with her purchase,  gold colored foil and plastic jewels made them less commercial. Then there were two soldiers' helmets, a set of angel wings and a sling.

Trudi, stop and take a picture!
Amy, Catherine, Cynthia, and Dawn with alter egos

All of these props were put to good use as the group shared the stories of the lost sheep and Daniel and the lions' den with the kids at the orphanage. Lindsey's puppet served as narrator, and Walker, Cynthia, Catherine, Amy, Trudi, and Dawn worked puppets as well. The puppets sang songs before, between, and after the dramas. Jeff was conscripted as the sound man and I lifted the back drop. Trudi handled a puppet and directed the entire show. The puppet team didn't get to do David and Goliath, but Trudi had them ready.

Tony, Jeff, and Marika in a cheesy Freddie Kruger moment.
(See what I did there?)

Saucy medical team: Michelle and Breckin making meat sauce.

While the entertainers were with the children, the rest of the US team were making lasagna. David had collected every large pan the orphanage had. He and Pastor Pablo bought meat, sauce, cheese, butter, and noodles. Amy had gotten a recipe from the HGBC kitchen to serve a large number of people without need of a miracle. Tony, Jeff, and Marika were cutting cheese and bread, while Breckin, Michelle, Deborah, and Cindy were making sauce.

Deborah and Cindy: it takes some sauce to make lasagna.

Team members started layering sauce, noodles and cheese into buttered pans. Then he appeared--the mystery man. Some said they thought he was a counselor at the orphanage, but he was only seen once to make his impact and then he left. He was described as a guy in a red shirt, he came in the kitchen and abruptly said that this would not be enough lasagna. Since the kids only get this once a year, they will eat a lot of it. One pan would only make eight pieces, and besides there are some kids who wouldn't be there until 4 in the afternoon. Let's see, that means gorging yourself and stretching the lunch hour four hours for people who have better things to do than be at lunch on time are both OK, because: IT'S LASAGNA!

In addition, the kids' normal meal procedure - bring you own plate, eat off your own plate, wash your own plate - didn't apply to lasagna. It had to be served on disposable plates. Who knew? Was this some Peruvian culinary rule known only to the man in the red shirt - he wasn't around to ask.

We were there to serve. disposable plates were purchased. David and Pablo rushed to the store to double up on ingredients. Neighbors with ovens were asked if we could rent their oven because the prescribed cooking time was already going to make the on-time lunch crowd wait.

The first five pans went in the orphanage oven -- no kidding it is that big, and it is fast. As we watched and wondered, the sauce started to bubble, the cheese melted, and the top started to brown. I hesitate to describe the smell as heavenly, because I haven't been there yet, and while I'm sure lasagna is on heaven's menu, theologically I have to believe it is better than what our team made. I can't wait to taste that because this was really good!!!

Hoping that we would have enough with the first batch for the on-time crowd, the pans were taken upstairs to serve our guests. The plan was that the US team members would snack on crackers and leftover pizza from our dinner the night before in order that all of the children could get some lasagna.

Spatula sized pieces of lasagna, and a piece of garlic baguette were put on Styrofoam plates, and the children began to enjoy. Their caretakers were served, the Peruvian team members were served, the US team members were served and there was still one untouched pan. It came down to the kitchen while we were preparing the second batch. Everyone had their fill and we had leftovers, and another batch waiting to be cooked. We turned those pans over to the cook so she could put them in the oven for the kids who planned to eat lunch at 4:00 pm.

Shall we call this 'the miracle of the multiplying of the lasagna?' Probably not. There was no scientifically un-explainable expansion of food, we just bought more; I wouldn't describe the guy in the red shirt as an angel, he was more of an nuisance. Perhaps the miracle was that we pressed on and served the people God wanted to bless or that there was enough budget to pay for everything we needed over and above all that we could ask or think.

In the end everyone had a good day. Of course we don't know about the guy in the red shirt, no one ever saw him again. Okay, everyone else had a good day. We got to serve the children and their caretakers; the let us stay at their facility and it was our way of saying thanks.

Tuesday Evening Worship

In addition to being a great doctor (thanks to the Great Physician) Breckin Pav is a really good preacher. He has a solid, confident grasp on God's Word, a desire to see others saved, and he is clearly articulate. Until Tuesday his medical skills kept him busy during every Bible teaching or preaching opportunity: he offered medical advice to the pastors during the pastors' conference while the rest of us were teaching; he, Michelle, and Judy went to the men's rehabilitation center on Sunday morning to offer medical services while other team members were serving in worship services; and of course his professional skills were in high demand during the medical clinics on Monday and Tuesday. We planned for him to preach on Monday at the worship service after the clinic, but the Lord had other plans. God used the City of Cayma's need to get their workers off by 5:00 to post pone Breckin's sermon for another day.

Tuesday was that day. The clinic ended mid-afternoon and we went back to the orphanage. When we returned to the church at 6:30 pm there were already a good number of people there, but as the service got underway more and more arrived. A second church had been invited and the building was filled to overflowing. 

There were songs and two dramas. A group used black lights and white gloves against their black clothing to spell out words, and make shapes to illustrate their song. I think I recognized a question mark, and a cross, but since the song was in Spanish I don't know the details. A second group put on a skit about a sinner rejected by friends and family, but loved by the Lord.

When Breckin took the podium he started by quoting 1 John 4:10 in Spanish; he let Bruno translate the rest. He spoke about a true understanding of God's love. His love requires punishment for sin so that forgiveness can be offered. God punished His Son, Jesus, in our place, and Jesus willingly took our punishment to satisfy God's wrath.

The message was very well received and the service was a blessing. As people left we handed out toothbrushes to everyone, dolls to the girls, and wordless disks (Frisbees) to the boys.

I didn't get any pictures from that service, but I may be able to add some once the team gets back together to share pictures. Or other team members who accepted my invitation to be authors on the blog may want to add some. 

Tuesday Clinic

The Tuesday clinic was very busy, it was very well attended and the church that planned it was well organized. We set up at the low end in the park around the corner. At the upper end was the local Catholic church and school. Because they needed water the dentists worked in the church building. The pharmacy was there too.

Deborah Neuman translates for Tony Redden as
they help Pablo Carhuachin fit people for glasses.
The test of a good fit is how well the patient can read several
Bible verses.

The clinic ran smoothly. People checked in, saw psychologist, medical doctor, were fitted for classes, and got their nails done at the park location. They walked about two blocks to the church to see the dentist and get prescribed drugs. The only hitch was that some people had trouble finding the church, so they were escorted by a team member.

Jeff just kept telling people to trust in Jesus.
Andrea must have had his talk memorized by the end of the clinic.

Soon after people began to arrive, Jeff began witnessing to people in the waiting area. He gave a clear message about sin and the urgency of trusting the Lord. He emphasized that no one knows how much more time they have, anyone could die at any time, so trusting the Lord now is the wisest course of action. Andrea translated for him.

Some church members, lead by the pastor, showed up with tracts looking for witnessing opportunities. When they was that it was covered at the clinic site, they went back to the church and set up two tables to witness one on one with people as they finished with pharmacy - the last stop. Every person heard the gospel at least twice - in a group setting at check in and personally at check out.

Three people in the foreground are being witnessed to by the 
pastor's daughter; a church member is sharing the gospel 
with a person in the middle ground; and another church member is 
sharing with two people in the corner. This church has it right.

The Peruvian Christian Medical group, Lucas, joined forced with us. They sent a doctor, several nurses, med-techs, a pharmacist and two dentists. One dentist bought about five dental students with her. She kept watch over them at they practiced their skills. One great thing about the members of Lucas is they are focused on evangelism. The pharmacy is the last medical stop, but the Pharmacist always points to the evangelism table and tells patients they must talk to the people there before they leave. We are unified in purpose with Lucas - medical care for the purpose of evangelism. 

David Millsaps sharing the gospel on a Frisbee with a little girl.

Amy and Catherine walked through the park with Adam, an English-speaking church member, sharing the gospel with anyone willing to listen. They lead Jennifer to the Lord after sharing the evangicube. Starla played Frisbee with a young girl. Starla would toss the Frisbee to her and then have her read about one of the colors and toss again. We asked David to explain gospel to her using the Frisbee and found out that she was already a believer attending a church across from where the clinic was set up. David asked her if she could explain this to her friends; she said, 'yes.' He gave her the Frisbee. 

It was evident that the Baptist church in this neighborhood had done a great job of getting word out about our medical service project. People arrived at a steady pace throughout the time. The medical personnel and beauty salon were busy from about 9 am until 2 pm when we took down the clinic and confirmed plans to return in the evening for worship.

Monday Worship

Our plan was to run the clinic all day and gather the people for worship at 4:30. A complete service was planned with music and Dr. Pav preaching. But cooperation with the city has one down side. City workers are on the clock until 5:00 pm. 

The last few clinic patients showed up looking for service right at the end, they just kept trickling in as we tried to set up for worship. Pastor Pablo asked the city workers for 15 more minutes and used it to present the gospel. He used the wordless disk (a flying ring we modified to fill the center with colors of the wordless book and scriptures on the back). 

At the close of the presentation we lined up and gave out toothpaste and a toothbrush to everyone, witnessing dolls to the girls, and flying disks to the boys.

Every Part of God's Creation is Beautiful

The rugged beauty of Arequipa amazes us each time we come here. Majestic mountains and clear blue skies are an amazing contrast.

Pastor Pablo, Andrea and Bruno met us at the airport. We loaded luggage and people in a bus and headed off for a late lunch at a really good rotiserie chicken place. Then we unloaded at the orphanage, and got ready for the evening meeting.

We arrived at a beautiful hacienda converted into a house of God. Pastors began to arrive and soon Pastor Pablo opened the meeting with a welcome and an overview of the conference. Cindy, Walker, and Adrian lead in a couple of songs. David addressed the group in behalf of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. Tony Redden shared a brief testimony regarding his call to start the Hearts and Hammers ministry and how the Lord stretched him to work with volunteers. That prepared him to go into missions. Pastor Finny Matthews then spoke about Alpha International Ministries.

We returned to our accommodations at the orphanage ready for sleep. That was one long day. I count it from the time we boarded the bus for Charlotte International Airport until we crashed in our beds. Attempting to sleep in an airliner seat doesn't count. But we were grateful for the bed and blessed by the first day of ministry.

Beautiful mountains!!!

That's Misti, the mountain, not the walkway thingy. Arequipa is surrounded by volcanoes; don't worry, they're in a deep sleep -- not even snoring. 

Where are we going? Another gate? Oh! A meal -- is this breakfast or lunch. Let's see we had a meal in the air between Miami and Lima in the middle of the night, and a snack in the morning between Lima and Arequipa, so what are we going to eat? #travelweary! 

'Norky?' Is that some strange creature we're eating or the name of the restaurant? No, No it's rotisserie chicken and french fries.

Now, here is a church with missions on their minds. Nueva Vida (New Life) Baptist Church is a vibrant church with a God-sized vision. 

Gathering for our opening service on South American time.

Pastor Pablo made opening remarks while his youngest daughter, Andrea, used her skills as a self-taught Sound Engineer tracking down sound system problems (she's only 15).

Cindy, Walker, and Adrian sang in Spanish, (requested to do so just before the service started). They did a great job.

Tony Redden with Bruno translating.

Pastor Finny Matthews with Pastor Paul

Monday Clinic

Because of Pastor Pablo's amazing connections the City of Cayma (part of Arequipa) set up tents for our Clinic, also the Mayor's office paid for lunch for us.

The ladies loved on the girls and women by massaging their hands and backs and painting their fingernails.

The 'Beauty Salon' was a hit but also an opportunity to share the Lord. Gabi Carhuachin is using the Evangicube to share Christ with these girls and their pretty nails. 

The 'Beauty Salon' was popular but the docs were about to get really busy.

A Christian lawyer gave legal advice, while in the background Starla, Jeff, and Bruno shared Christ and prayed with a woman. Starla and Jeff are members of Daystar Church in Greensboro.

Catherine LaHaye shared the evangicube with patients in the waiting area while Deborah Newman translated (both are Hickory Grove Baptist Church members).

Moments later Deborah and Catherine were praying for the people who listened.

Pastor Pablo is fitting people with glasses. He gives them a new testament to read to see if the prescription it right.

Meanwhile, back at the Beauty Salon, Amy is giving a hand massage.

The pastor of the church that sponsored this clinic asked us to his home for lunch. His wife had prepared a delicious dish similar to Au-gratin Potatoes and stuffed peppers or tomatoes for the spice lovers or the mild eaters. Muy deliciouso! (I know that's spelled wrong). Above is the view from their third story. The clinic was held under the green tents and the church and its school meet in a white building that can be seen directly behind the tents. The city of Cayma provided the tents and sent us sandwiches and drinks.  

Pray for our preaching

This morning (Sunday, July 26th) our team is splitting up six ways:
Dr. Brekin Pav, Cynthia Conner, and Judy Lawrence will leave for the men's drug and alcohol rehabilitation center at 9:00 am to offer medical care to the residents. the rest of us will meet them at 3:00 pm for a worship service.

The rest of the team will split up five ways and go to morning worship at five  different services. Preachers will be Pastor Finny Matthews, Tony Reddin, David Millsaps, and Kurt Lawrence. Jeff Kearns will give his testimony at one of the churches. Pastor Finny will actually preach at two churches.

Pray for the Lord to be honored as we minister in these churches.

More on the Pastors' conference yesterday later. There were too many blessings to do them justice in the short time I have now.

Split in 3 different directions with one purpose!

Today we held a pastors' conference for the men and their families.  A few of us stayed behind and taught the men, others shared with the women in another room, and the rest of us took the kids to a sport complex to have VBS. With my teaching experience, I was asked to coordinate this effort. I teach everyday but this was something new for me. It took a lot of faith and belief in my teaching skills. It might sound strange, but it is not my comfort zone. But the Lord moved. Through know power of my own. He got everything together. He brought in all the materials. He prepared my team to me the easy going, flexible crew that they were. All to bring those children closer to Him. 

-Cindy

Encouragement Cards from VBS

As part of their ministry project 5th VBS students wrote and decorated homemade thank you cards for the Peruvian pastors. None of us could imagine how these words of encouragement and pledges to pray touched the Pastors and their families. There were enough cards that each pastor and wife and many of their children went out with one. 

Two of our team members reported seeing Pastors with tears in their eyes as they read the cards. One said that he was so encouraged that people in another country

who don't even know him are praying for him. Pastors and their families often feel isolated and unsupported, but the cards lifted their spirits. Way to go VBS Kids. 

Pictures from the morning, pastors conference. Some of the men, some of Dr. Breckon Pav doing medical consultation, some of Judy teaching the pastor's wives.