Monday, August 30, 2010

Peruvian Cooking Lesson #452

Well, I've learned a lot of new cooking skills here in Peru.  I had no idea how to really cook rice until I moved here.  There are the new dishes to learn to cook, the spices to use, different ways to make old favorites.  But the other night, I learned a new skill.  How do you open a can?  Can opener? or knife?


Can opener, right?  Not here.  I had one (notice past tense) -- see it is green and pretty, and broken.  So, this happens as I am making enchiladas for a group of my friends.  Included in this group is an architect, an accountant, etc. . . some pretty smart guys.  I ask them to see if they can repair the can opener.  They were not even sure how it worked!  It was as if I was showing them a brand new item.  And so I inquired, how do you open a can without a can opener?  They looked as if I had asked the dumbest question on earth and kindly, gently said, "A knife, how else?"  So, they proceeded to teach me how to open a can with just a knife.  It took me some time, but I think I finally have it down.  And it is a good thing because I have not replaced the broken can opener and just Saturday had to open another can.  I cannot do it as smooth as they do, but can add opening cans with only a knife to my skill set.

Sundays at Cristo Rey

I love Sundays in Trujillo.  Each Sunday I get up and arrive at church around 8:30 a.m. to help set up.  We are renting a facility on Sunday mornings for our new church plant, Cristo Rey.  The last 2 Sundays I've helped a bit with the sound and general set up, but my main duty has been to prepare the wine and bread for communion.  We have Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and then church begins at 10:30.  We are blessed to have some fine musicians, including one of our interns, Rachel Reese (playing violin).  What a glimpse of heaven to worship in a foreign land and tongue.  It is a constant reminder that we are all God's children and we all worship the same, living God.  He understands all of our worship and it is a sound of sweet music to His ears.  I am currently on the same time zone as my home church, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS.  So it is neat to think that we are worshiping at the same time (our church is from about 10:30 to noon), albeit in very different fashions and in another language, to the one and only true God.

I thought you might enjoy a glimpse into church in Trujillo so here are a few videos.  The first is singing the confession of sins.  The second and third are Pastor Wes Baker administering the Lord's supper.  Enjoy!





Thursday, August 26, 2010

Flashback to my Prior Life

I had a flashback recently into my prior life when I was asked to make a presentation at the Colegio de Abogados en Trujillo.  This is the equivalent to the Bar Association for lawyers of Trujillo.  I had been asked before and did not have time and was not comfortable with my Spanish.   The third time they asked, I still do not know my legal vocabulary in Spanish, but was more comfortable with my general Spanish and decided to say, Yes!  Well, upon 1 condition; I wanted to speak in English.  I was told not to worry, I could speak in English.  So, it was set.

The entire process was interesting from beginning to end--including the formal letter requesting my presence, the flyers and posters with my name on them, to the formality of the evening.  When I arrived, I was surprised to see about 100 people there.  It was a great turnout.  I was the last speaker of the evening. I was ushered to the front where I sat at a table with 2 older gentlemen ( one who I later found out was the president of the association).  While we listened to the speaker before me finish his talk, one of the people who had arranged for me to speak and was also at the table leaned over to say, "I think it is better if you speak in Spanish without a translator."  Hmmm, what to say at this point?  It is not as if we can have a real discussion about this.  I agree to try and she says she will be there if I need any help with technical words, etc.  So this should be interesting!

I did the majority and almost all of the talk in Spanish.  Once or twice I tried to switch to English to make it easier and to be sure I was understood.  Unfortunately, my "translator" did not understand enough English. . . my Spanish was better than her English.  So, she would translate, but it would not be what I had said.  I understood enough Spanish to know that what she was saying was not what I said!  So, I quickly went back to Spanish and just asked her for the technical legal vocabulary I needed.  Needless to say, it was an interesting speech!

Before my talk, I was invited to be an honorary member of the Bar and received a huge medal.  It was pretty neat.  And after my talk, I realized this was their swearing in as the new lawyers came forward and repeated the oath of a lawyer and then received their medals (much smaller I might mention--:)).  And then we all took photos together.  I had a few ask to have a photo made with just me also.  It was really interesting.  Also at this point I realize I was basically their main speaker and couldn't help but think, "I wish I had known this before!"  I would have definitely changed my talk and done more of a keynote speaker address.

Overall, it was a good evening.  I enjoyed it despite the mix up of not telling me in advance I'd not have a translator.   Everyone was very nice and gracious.  They invited me to write for the magazine also.  At a minimum, I have a much better idea about the organization and will be able to contribute better the next time I am asked.  And it opened up a new group of people to try and form relationships with and let them know about our work here in Trujillo. 

As with many things in our lives, God used this to work on my sanctification.  Recently I had recognized that I had fallen into the poor habit of thinking I can do my job here and work and live on my own. . . apart from total dependence upon God.  This is a dangerous place to be.  He definitely humbled me and brought me back to His side where I belong!  It was only through His grace and mercy that I could give a speech in Spanish that I had prepared in English.  And I enjoyed the foray back into my prior life of a lawyer, even if just for one night.

New lawyers being sworn in.



A champagne toast at the end (sorry for the photo--best I got)



Me and the president of the Bar as I sign the equivalent of a guestbook.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Koinonía

I love this word.  The dictionary defines it as "Christian fellowship or communion with God or with fellow Christians; said in particular of the early Christian community".  Last Sunday we had a lunch after church to promote la koinonía.  It was great.  We had a wonderful turnout and many new faces.  Cristo Rey is really doing well in its growth due to our cell groups also.  Our cell groups meet on Sunday nights to promote Christian Fellowship, pray, and study the bible.  Our hope is that they will grow our church through small groups in our communities.  We have 5 different cell groups throughout the city so everyone can find a place close to where they live.

It appears it is working.  Last Sunday we had 81 people at Cristo Rey.  This Sunday we had over 70 and several were new visitors.  I think I saw at least 10 new visitors and several that it was their 2nd or 3rd visit.  Praise God for his faithfulness to grow His church!  Here are a few photos from the fruit of our labor.  This was lunch at our offices (just 2 blocks from Cristo Rey) after church last Sunday.

It was so crowded outside we had to eat inside. 
Me with my friends Adrian, Briggith and Bruno.


Several members enjoying lunch in our garden outside.


More tables and people in the grass.


And the men gathered around the grills. 
Some things are the same in every country.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Disciple Makers

They came to serve and serve they did!  It was a wonderful way to end our busy summer.  Two weeks with our friends from Pennsylvania and Disciple Makers.  Led by Pastor Mark Fodale and his family (Shannon, Kathryn, Laura, Jordan and Rebekah) and DM intern, Liz Augustine, 8 students worked tirelessly building a parking lot at the Arevelo Church.  Their willingness to serve not only the church here, but the mission, the missionaries and each other was incredibly encouraging.  Each day I was amazed as they labored and did physical, hard work day after day for two weeks and not once complaining! It was a huge help to us as we started on the parking lot.  And while it was disappointing that they were not able to finish, we will be able to finish this week and that would have been impossible without their hard work!

We also had a lot of fun.  This group was energetic and entertaining from working and playing together to singing songs on the bus each day.  It was like a Party in the U.S.A.!  We managed to worship in two of our churches, build a parking lot, visit the Huaca de Luna y Sol, host a conversation night at SALI, attend SUSA, enjoy several meals together from missionary homes, to Kentucky Fried Chicken and Caramel Cafe.  This team fought through sickness, tiredness, sun, cold, wind, and even a little Trujillo rain (more like mist) and with a smile on their face and ready with an encouraging word for their teammates.

Thanks to Disciple Makers for ending your summer with us!  We are looking forward to your visit next year.

Each day started with devotionals at the Church where we were working.



Hard at work the first week preparing the space and starting to build!


Enjoying a fun night with the band, Muyapampa.



Pastor Ricardo and his family with Pastor Mark and his family.


Saying goodbye at the airport!


To see more photos, check out my facebook album:  Disciple Makers Facebook Album.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Welcome Fellows 2010-2011

We are excited to have a new group of Fellows with us for the next 10 months.  They will be serving beside us in the medical clinic, Sinergia, the woodshop (Parish), working with our musicians for worship and in the local musical community and teaching English.  We are thankful for their response to the call to be missionaries, even if just for a short time, and look forward to getting to know them better and watching them grow in their walk with Christ.  If you are interested in our Fellowship Program, you can read more about it at our website (www.perumission.org) or email me (alleenmclain@me.com).   

Patrick Woodyard, Tyler Jones, Heidi MacDonald, Rachel Reese, 
Lydia Rice, Daniel Johnston, and Seth Covington.

IPC Sr High in Trujillo!

We enjoyed a fun filled week and a half with the SR High Youth Group from Independent Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN!  They arrived and we were able to visit the orphanage and spend time encouraging the missionary families and children (including a fun time painting t-shirts with the kids).  Saturday we spent most of the day cleaning up the lot by the church.  It was filled with trash and bricks and the kids did a great job of cleaning it up!



After cleaning the lot, we enjoyed a game of futbol (soccer in the US) with the neighborhood youth and the pastors.  Next stop that Saturday was refueling for lunch and then more futbol that afternoon before dinner!  We got our fill of futbol, but it was really fun!

Sunday we worshiped in the Arevelo Church and enjoyed our weekly mission lunch with English worship.  The remainder of the week was filled with a youth retreat at the Arevelo Church.  It was a wonderful 3 days full of fellowship, worship, preaching, singing, and plenty of silly games!  It is a true glimpse of heaven to see 2 cultures worshiping together in different languages, but yet a common bond that is stronger than any language barrier.  Praise God for the time IPC had with the Arevelo Youth.

A game of "towers".  We pull away sheets of paper (which they are standing on) and they have to stand on one foot or each other to remain in the game. 



Bill Johns leading worship time.




After the preaching, we broke into small groups to discuss the topic further and then came back together to share what we had discussed.



A get to know you game!  :)  You moved so many seats if the statement was true (e.g., I have more than 2 brothers.) and if someone was there, then you sat in their lap.  This proved to be very funny at times!



Everyone at the beach one afternoon.


It was great to see the friendships that formed and the relationship between these 2 churches begin. We look forward to when IPC SR High will return!  Thank you for a wonderful time in Peru.  We were all encouraged by your visit and it was a special time for all!