A Whirlwind Weekend-but first......

First let me say that I am enjoying the group so much.  We are now in La Paz, Bolivia-we got here yesterday (monday) after some excitement but that will be for later.  I will try to keep some things in chronological order and hopefully some others will write about the experiences of the past 4-5 days.

 I am going to post a few things that people wrote prior to the celebration weekend in Illave, Peru.  I had hoped to post these during the weekend, but the lack of internet access and very full schedule slowed me down.
Shawn

A couple of things have stood out to me in these days in Arequipa.  First, on Sunday, after the morning service at El Cede and a gracious meal served us by the brethren of the church (held in the building NWYM helped purchase and remodel in the ‘80s for classes and mission residence), we headed up a hillside in Arequipa to a newer municipality in the city called Socabayos.  There is a new church there called Horacio Zeballos which didn’t exist when our missionaries left Peru(bottom two pics).  Right now they are meeting in rented facilities, but with the vision of Jesus, President of the INELA, they acquired a 1,000 square meters of land, a parcel set aside by the municipality of Socabayos for a church, and Friends were the only church in the area.  The church just has to pay the various fees.  They have started their building, doing all the work themselves, and hope to have it ready for occupancy in about a year.  How encouraging it is to see the church reaching out!  We ended the day with the church service for the main church – Centro Cristiano Fe y Esperanza.  Another special time of sharing.

            Then Monday afternoon, after a morning of sightseeing, we had a question and answer session at Fe y Esparanza.  The highlight of that gathering was when Jesus gathered us into small groups – 1 to 3 of us with each family present – so that we would pray for them(top picture).  They have a real concern for families, and felt the need for real intercession.  It was such a precious time of them sharing their concerns, and our praying for them…a time of tears and hugs.  I made a commitment to pray faithfully for “my family” in the coming years.  Alice Maurer (former missionary)