6. San Pedro

Sat 11 Sep

Woke up at 5am by the noisiest train you´ve ever heard! And what a blast on the horn. It must have lasted 20 or 30 seconds. I guess there must have been a lot of drunks or animals on the line. The railway runs through the town with no guards or fences and so folks need to be alert.

After nodding off, finally woke up 7am. Mellie and Mum were up. Turns out Mellie has Bronchitis. They spent 2 hours at el medico last night, before coming back with 3 different medicines to take. If you can afford it, there is plenty of good health care. These medicines cost about 150 Soles, which works out at about 30 British Pounds. This morning Mellie is already a lot better, although that positive thought doesn´t make the medicine taste any better!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM! 14 today! We had planned a special surprise for him, along with a few friends. By the time I woke up they would already be there! Hope they enjoy it! Glad I was able to speak on the phone yesterday briefly.

The morning was fairly quiet. Spent some time thinking through what I might preach on a week today at the evangelistic meal. In the afternoon at 2.30 we drove to the opposite side of Arequipa to San Pedro (Saint Peter) where Roxy and Rocio teach 2 groups of kids.

San Pedro is a small (ish) community, nestled between 2 hills, with tiny dwellings spread up both sides, and tiny winding paths right up to the top. The area is poor, and there are many problems associated with this. Poor literacy and health, as well as many young girls pregnant by 15 or 16 years. Recently the local authority has spent money improving the road that winds its way to the community centre. Anthony has a key, we set up and the kids start drifting in again.

Another great hour with the kids. Roxy and Rocio are clearly so gifted with these kids, and the kid´s all interact. The older group all have their own New Testaments, & they play competitions as to who can find the book and chapter first. Today´s lesson is the 1st part of the Exodus, with some of the plagues, and Pharoah´s resistance to God´s plans. They all listen so well (although there is the usual chatting, pushing etc... as well.)

I am introduced as a visitor from Inglaterra and after the club is finished, 1 or 2 of the kids want to say a few things to me in English. But they soon get embarrassed at how little English they know and so they go back to their mates. I know how they feel!

There are quite a lot of fields in this part of town. Agriculture features still as the main work and source of income, but you´re struck by the poverty and hopelessness. Chatting with Rocio afterwards she tells me a bit more about the area, and those from here who are now converted and in the church. But there are still so many with no knowledge of God.

The local President popped by to chat with Anthony. He wondered whether Ant would pay the electricity for the community centre, on behalf of the village!! Basically, this is because the locals have decided to stop paying for their electricity. Anthony politely says no. Later he explains that sadly, the community is just too focused on survival and getting what they can, it can lead to some very selfish behaviour. For example, in the room underneath us, were some new toilets, but these have all been stolen and presumably sold!! The only answer is the Lord Jesus Christ to save and transform lives.

Travelling back, had a nice chat with Mellie. We are out tonight as a regular family treat to a restaurant. So better go and get my best bib and tucker!

Tomorrow Anthony is leading the worship and Ronnie is preaching. I had better practice giving greetings again, and saying a bit about myself.

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