A day on the Oros Islands

The Oros are floating islands that are made from the reeds and reed root systems that are in Lake Titicaca.  There are lots of interesting things about this unique part of Peruvian culture.   Much of what we saw is also heavily tourist oriented, but people do live out in the lake on these islands.  Many of us went out for the morning and heard lots of interesting history, saw how the islands are made, got to see what the houses etc look like and of course buy some things.  I have included some pictures you might find interesting.
Shawn

We went to the new church here in Puno.  They opened on June 19, 2011 and last nght was the first service in their new church.  It was to be a bedroom for Noah and his wife but they felt led to make it into a church.  Noah is the Pastor.  We started at 5:30 and got through at 9:00. I was scheduled to give a short message but did not realize until I got there that I would be their main speaker.  So not only did I give the message, I was the first one to preach in the new church. Wow!!!!.  They were so musical, practically everyone either played and instrument or sang.  Then they fed us chicken soup before we came home. (see the picture of the group)

We leave today for Illave where we will celebrate  50 years.  Will meet our friends from Arequipa and our new ones from Puno.

This hotel is really, really nice.  Great rooms and wonderful breakfasts.

~ Don Brown

P.S.  WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE INTERNET ACCESS WILL BE LIKE FOR THE NEXT 4-5 DAYS SO WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO POST.

Some Comments from the Team

Friday night we went to a young people’s meeting.  They asked everyone to share what we had been thinking just before we went to sleep the night before.  Several of us shared that we had dreamed for many years about visiting Peru.  I noticed that every time one of us mentioned that, some of the older ladies just beamed.  I have been very impressed with the wonderful hospitality shown to us by the Peruvian believers.  I really enjoyed the three services we attended on Sunday.-----Esther Mae Hinshaw-pictured above.

Sorry for the Delay.

Friends I hope to have some more pictures and posts up tonight.  We have been very busy and are headed to catch a bus at 7:00am.
Shawn

A tour around Arequipa

We spent most of our day seeing some sites with our Friends from Arequipa. Out to the campo to enjoy the green fields.  The Incan and Pre-Incan terraces were pretty amazing.  A wonderful lunch with shared by the nearly 30 Friends.  One of our group ordered Cuy-Guinea Pig for lunch(I will let you decide who-any guesses?).  I have to admit it was pretty good.  My daughter may never forgive me since she had two as pets once.  They taste like chicken honey-honest.  See picture.

We ended the day at a youth gathering at one of the local churches.  It was a pleasure to interact and share about our lives.  I think many in the group were taken with how glad the Peruvians were to have us here.

4 Friends representing FWCC, including Robin Mohr FWCC Section of the Americas Executive Secretary, joined us today.  It is really fun to have them along and since we are sort of an old bunch, the two young adult women who are along add a great deal-looking forward to getting to know them better.

Arrived Safe and Sound

We made some 29 hours later.  Trying to get used to the altitude here in Arequipa--oh and the sunshine and 75 degree weather.   Some folks from the Friends church met us and took us to our Hostel-which is very cool-made of old stone with wonderful courtyards.  Here are a few pics of folks on the team.  Mt.  Misti Volcano behind the plane we just arrived on.  AT about 8,000 feet we are taking it slow and resting before we get a late lunch together.
Shawn for the group.

Peru-Less than a Week

I have been getting more and more excited as the Peru trip approaches.  When a trip first becomes a possibility I always think about all the things that will be good for me or that I will like on the trip.  In this instance, as I have been getting closer I have been thinking about what will be good for others.  For some in our group it will be a pretty big adventure having not traveled much, for others it will be a chance to see a place they have heard about for decades but have never seen.  It will mean some renewing of relationships for those who lived in Peru before, and they get to show some of the rest of us the sites.  "See here is where I first ate fish head soup".  We get to experience a ton of memories and stories (after all Ken Comfort will be along)
    For the folks we are about to visit we are guests who get to witness another milestone.  50 years of successful outreach, church planting and discipleship.   What I want more than anything is for our F(f)riends of Peru to feel as if we are peers, not missionaries-though there will be appreciation for those folks, or the benefactors, or anything that takes away from the truth of their very capable leadership.
     Pray that we will be a great encouragement and that we will keep our eyes and ears open for what God is saying to us.  Keep us humble and help us listen well. 

Off to Peru

In just a couple of weeks a group from NWYM will be off to visit Peru.  The event is a 50th anniversary.  That is how long the Peru Yearly Meeting has been inexistence.  Some former missionaries,  interested participants and I will get a three week view of Peru and a bit of Bolivia.

For me this is going to be interesting.  I was last in Bolivia and Peru in 1984 the summer between my junior and senior years of high school.  I am not sure I remember enough to notice what will be different.  But I am excited to see what Peru is like in the 21st Century.  I am also excited to worship and celebrate alongside our Peruvian Friends.

My hope is that a few(if not all) of the travelers will write a bit on the blog here.  We leave October 6th.  Join us here and follow our travels.

Shawn