A Busy Rest

Last weekend we got the chance to go as a team to Arequipa for two days. We left on the Friday after a "shovelled in lunch," jumping on a bus for our 5 hour journey. In Arepuipa we stayed at the church where we lived for 3 months during our time there although this time we had to share the building with a team of young people called "Los Radicales." They´re a group of 7 who are recieving training in Arequipa before leaving to do 4 months of missions. It was great to get to know them and share in their devotionals.
On the Saturday night we went to the young people´s meeting which was full. There used to be around 8-15 people every Saturday but the group has grown to around 40!
We decided to walk home afterwards and stopped at the plaza which was full of people. There were bands playing on a stage as huge "firework laden towers" of bamboo were lit up. The firework display was amazing. It was soon obvious that all firework rules and regulations were out the window as people walked around with burnt jumpers and as small bits of flaming bamboo fell. It was awesome!
But the highlight was definitely the Sunday morning service. It was a baptismal service where Nelson (along with another person) gave his testimony and was baptised. It was really encouraging.
It was great to see everyone again and to have the chance to hang out as a team.
Thanks for you prayers!!!

Wake me up when it´s tomorrow

We had no sooner bid farewell to the campers from the young adults 18+ camp before it was time to welcome 46 campers from Tacna, Moquegua, Ilo and Ite for the youth camps.

Once again the theme of the week was ‘Decisions’. The messages were brought by Pastor Felipe (Argentinean) and his wife Ester, they both work with the Alliance church in Tacna. The theme focused on relationships with family, friends and God. Many were affected by what was said.

The young people also completed similar activities to the first week; visiting the beach, completing the obstacle course, a table quiz, making videos of famous films and taking part in the talent night etc.

This past week saw the commencement of the Family camp. Last year there were only 15 people from 2 families, however after a successful camp they returned to their towns and invited more friends and family members, so that this year we had around 40 people ranging from 3-80 years old!!!! However, as the saying goes age is only a number, it doesn’t seem to have hindered anyone. Everyone has been fully involved in the activities. Even the 80-year-old Don José ran through the obstacle course!

The speaker was Pastor Pedro from the Christians in Action church in Arequipa (Pedro is also head of the language school we attended!) During the morning seminars Mision Rescate were responsible for the kids club. The theme was ‘God is Powerful.’ We had the opportunity to look at some of the miracles of Jesus, learn verses, sing songs and play lots of fun games.

This week is a chance to ‘rest’, however most of the time will be spent in preparation for the following week when we will be holding a 5 day holiday Bible club in the church in Ite and a football club (for 3 days).

Points for Prayer
-For the many of the young people who are returning to difficult home backgrounds
-For those who don’t know Christ, that they will have been impacted by the messages
-Our preparation for the holiday Bible club and football club

Baptist Youth... Eat Your Heart Out!

Summer is here, the camp centre has been converted into one giant obstacle course, the cupboards are packed with food, so, this can only mean one thing…..its time for the Baptist Centre Valle Azul Summer camps! It all kicked off with the young adults 18+ camp on Saturday 9th January. It wasn’t long before the place was buzzing with excited ‘campistas’.

The theme of the week was ‘Decisions’. We had the opportunity to learn from two speakers from Lima- Pastor Rino and Santiago. They brought various biblical messages on finding your true identity, relations in your community, relations with friends and choosing Jesus or the world.

The young people also had the chance to take part in lots of fun activities- visiting the beach, the obstacle course (for which Pastor Byres will forever be remembered!), a table quiz with a difference, completing a photo safari, performing on the talent night and taking part in lots of other silly games.

On the final night we had the last of the ‘decisions’ talks, after which a number of non- Christians gave an encouraging response. This was followed by a bonfire and a time of reflection where a number of people give their testimonies. It was great to hear how God has been working in their lives.

Points for Prayer...

- A young guy called Jesús- who made a commitment to Christ. That God would protect him as he begins a new job in the Police and that he would find a church.

-For those who don’t know Christ will have been impacted by what they have heard

-The teenager camp this week-Pastor Filipe (Argentina)

-Teenagers attending the camp

-The leaders maintain enthusiasm after a tiring week

We moved to the campsite in Ite (this will be our base for the remainder of our time in Peru) on Sunday 27th, meeting up with our fellow Peruvian Mision Rescaté team members: Maria Del Karmen, Diana and Raúl. (Enrique who is an Argentinean will be joining us on 16th January). We were introduced to the church in Ite on Sunday 3rd where we received our team tracksuits.

Over the past 2 weeks we had various classes (in Spanish) on homiletics, oratory, leadership, Baptist principles, children’s ministry and evangelism. Each of us had to prepare and deliver a 15 minute sermon (again, in Spanish!!). It’s been great to learn from the various Pastors and locals who work with the mission.

The 9th January sees the beginning of summer camps in the campsite. We will have 2 youth camps followed by a family camp which will bring us up until the end of January. During any free time (which isn’t much) we have been trying to squeeze in some preparation for the 3 camps. This included designing and building an obstacle course around the entire camp centre, weeding, painting a house among other jobs!

Points for Prayer
Mision Rescate team (unity)
That God would be glorified in all that we do
Youth and families coming to camp
Camps: speakers, leaders, youth, families