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
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