First Pres. Jackson in Cajamarca

A hard-working team from First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, is in Peru to generously and lovingly minister among the people in Cajamarca. We are so thankful for this group, who have come faithfully for 10 years to serve the brethren in Peru through dental and medical attention and Vacation Bible School. Please pray for their ministry this week, that it would be glorifying to God and produce much fruit for His Kingdom.

Worship in Cajamarca

We had a sweet morning worshipping with 2nd Presbyterian Church in Cajamarca - where we worshipped while we lived here several years ago. The congregation received new members today, and also gave us a small despedida, followed by an encouraging congregational meal afterwards.

Enjoying Cajamarca

Today we soaked up much that we love about Cajamarca - took a family hike to beautiful Llacanora waterfalls, ate at Salas - our favorite restaurant, and spent fun time with good friends.

Oh, and we saw this random person dressed in a guinea pig costume outside a rural restaurant trying to attract customers - best fried guinea pig in town! We passed on by...

Cajamarca Seminary

Alonzo, Ana, Esther & Samuel Ramírez

We came up to Cajamarca on the bus (10 hours!) last night to spend a few days with our dear team members, the Ramirezes, to teach seminary and to assist with the team from 1st Pres. Jackson coming next week.


Bill is teaching his final seminary course of the year - teaching Hermeneutics in Cajamarca. Since we are to return to the USA for a year to report on the work in Peru and raise more support, Bill obviously won't be able to teach more courses in 2009. But, he will spend a lot of time preparing more coursework and gathering resources for the 2010 SBR Seminary school year. Please pray for the seminary students, that they and all those around them be blessed for their diligent studies in God's Word.

We'll Miss Our Friends!

The Peru Mission Kids

Peru Mission Team Meeting

The Peru Mission team had a very important, fruitful team meeting today. Since the mission has grown so tremendously in size and scope over the years, there is a great need for more ministry coordination and leadership organization. So, covered in prayer, and with the help of Chris Bolton and Jim & Cheryl Keller's mission-wide assessment and restructuring proposal, the team spent the day clarifying goals amd making definite action plans to advance the vision of Peru Mission. Please pray for continued wisdom, strength and perseverance as we serve the Lord here in northeren Peru.

Wichanzao Clinic Happenings

The Wichanzao Presbyterian Clinic facilities have improved tremendously over the past year. The second floor of the building is completed, which is extremely helpful. The new equipment has enhanced the services greatly. And the new courtyard off the waiting area (which connects to Sinergia's new offices as well) helps so much with overcrowding and adds a little beauty to the impoverished neighborhood.

Dave, Dale and Bill

A couple of visiting doctors came and worked in the Wichanzao Clinic over the past couple of months, each for a month: Dale Hanson from Memphis, TN, and Dave O'Byrne from New Zealand. We are thankful for them - their presence provided positive consistency.

Please pray for safety. The clinic was robbed at gunpoint in April - a scary experience for all who were there, but by God's grace, no one got hurt and the theives got away with little. The clinic has installed security cameras since then. You can read more about it on Dale and Susan Ellison's blog.

Peru Mission Despedida

Our incredible friends on the Peru Mission team threw us the Peru Mission version of a despedida last night (combining the Peruvian despedida elements of sharing sweet, encouraging words along with the American elements of playing games and making new memories). We love our team like family and are unbelievably thankful for the privilege of ministering alongside these faithful servants of the Lord. Thanks to the Smiths for hosting, to the Balls for the great slide show, Gillian for the fun games, and to everyone for the humbling encouraging words and prayers. We will be praying for y'all and will miss you all so much next year!!!

Arevalo Despedida

Peruvians are fond of "despedidas" - goodbye parties - and they know how to do them well. The women in the church at Arevalo Presbyterian Church hosted a depedida dinner for us on Thursday night - a special time to be together and express appreciation and gratitude to one another, as well as promises to pray for one another while we are apart. We are so thankful to the Lord for these dear brethren and will miss them dearly while we are on furlough.

Summer Interns

We had the Peru Mission summer interns out to lunch yesterday and had a lot of fun. We are thankful for this great group contributing so much to Peru!

We Love Muyupampa

Muyupampa is a talented Peruvian folklore band whose members attend Larco Presbyterian Church in Trujillo. They sing a lot of Psalms to Peruvian tunes, as well as other fun traditional Peruvian songs. We got to enjoy a mini-concert of theirs at the Arevalo inauguration and at the Smiths' home recently. Allen Smith has been working with them a lot over the years in music development and discipleship. We have been blessed to see them grow in their faith, as well as their musical abilities over the years. You can read more and even hear some demos on the Peru Mission website. If you want more, you can see brief home videos of them from a couple of years ago here and here.

Arevalo Medical Campaign

The team from Tuscaloosa, AL, put on a medical campaign in Arevalo Presybterian Church today. They were able to attend many needy patients, ministering to their needs both physically and spiritually. Our family was able to help out in various ways - translating for the doctors (Mollie translated too!), serving coffee and coloring with the waiting children.

Tuscaloosa in Peru

This week we are working alongside a group from Trinity PCA in Tuscaloosa, AL. They have brought a medical team down to minister in the Wichanzao Clinic, as well as in the Hogar de Esperanza Orphanage. They will also conduct VBS and hope to participate in some English Clubs too. Pray for their health and effectiveness while minstering to the brethren in Trujillo.

Arevalo Inauguration

On Saturday, June 13, we joyfully inaugurated the recently completed multi-use building in Arevalo. The progress has been slow and steady since the groundbreaking in August of 2004, enabling us to witness God's hand in providing just what was needed at each step. Many people attended, including the mayor and several governement officials, so we were able to share the joy of the gospel with many on this special day. The community is so happy and touched that the Lord is establishing His church in their midst for them. Praise the Lord for providing such a big, beautiful space in which to minister, as well as touching the hearts of the people who hope to soon join this congregation of believers! And thanks to all of the generous donors who served God's people by giving toward the construction of the temple!

New Ladies' Group Officers in Arevalo

Allen will greatly miss the ladiés' group in Arevalo while we are in the States next year. They are a dear group of enthusiastic ladies. She led the group for over 3 years, but the group has now voted a new slate of officers: President - Noemi; Vice President - Maria; Secretary - Monica; Treasurer - Yolanda. Please pray for these new leaders and for the ladies' group over the next year.

Room with a View

We love the view from the balcony of our Arevalo apartment!

Gardening in Arevalo

We are busy getting ready for the big inauguration of the church building of Arevalo Presbyterian Church, which will take place on Saturday. Today our friends, the Ellisons, who also attend Arevalo, suggested planting ferns in front of the building. They came out and spent some time with us in the flower beds in front of the church. After a while, some of the ladies from the community even came out and donated flowers from their own garden. It was a very fruitful day!