Marianne’s Newsletter 3

A few Sundays ago, I travelled to a shanty town about an hour outside Lima, a place called Chosica. I was going to help with the Sunday school. We took 3 buses and a taxi to get there. Melva, who works for Petro-Peru, has been attending the Union Church of Lima for many years – that’s where I go too- Once we arrived, the place for the meeting was just a garage, with a side room which is used to store a few chairs, has a sink and a small loo. Melva is the only person who funds the project, runs the project and leads the Sunday school. There were about 14 children who turned up ranging from the ages of 4 to 14. We sang worship songs to which they all knew the actions, we had a Bible story, learnt a verse for the week. The kids were so excited when I pulled out my camera, and one boy was fascinated as it was the first time he had laid his eyes on a camera, and to add to that, he could see his face on the screen!

Melva told me that two of the boys she found 4 years ago were street kids, stealing, eating from the rubbish. Their hair was like a “rasta” in dreadlocks. She found them a home and now they live in safety. The younger kids have work sheets to colour in and get to take them home, but before they leave they have a lovely tuna roll! The rolls are greatly looked forward to by all, including me! I’m hoping to return soon, just as soon as I get my voice back!

I thought I’d extend your knowledge of Lima by relating to you some of the pros and cons of this distinct city.

Lima has a population roughly around the same as London. The majority of Limeños (well the ones I know, anyway) are warm and easy to talk to. Perhaps that’s just with me as my Spanish isn’t perfect yet!!  and to them that equals I’m not from Lima, which means I have money!?

That’s just my perception anyway! For example, something which makes me laugh more than it should really. Living in London you all know you don’t talk to fellow passengers on the tube or any public transport, it’s just not the done thing. It’s a trade mark for London transport I think. The new mayor ought to put it in tourist guides, Come to London and witness how thousands of people each day remain in complete silence for a whole journey! I often seem to be falling into conversation with the passenger next to me, especially when someone gives up their seat. I gave up my seat once to an elderly woman, and she ended up talking to me for the rest of journey, which ended up lasting for another 45minutes, Lima traffic! School kids are also great at starting up random banter with complete strangers which would be unheard of in London.

It’s very easy to detect that Sundays here are very much family orientated. Last Sunday evening I went out for a walk around the local area and came across many families having bbq´s in their gardens (how could I tell?- from the music blaring from each house and the clouds of smoke with the aroma of burnt steak!).

During my time in Lima I have noticed in my church and at my Bible study group that people are lot more open about their faith and more willing to discuss their doubts out loud. More than once I have had people giving out tracks on buses and in shopping centres. Observing the streets you find there are banners with passages from the gospels welcoming people to church. There is so much freedom for Christianity here that in comparison the UK. Which is very sad as the country is just bound to decline with the lack of the word.  Or may be we are just not making the most of it.

 

In Colegio San Andres for example, the teachers are allowed to teach the gospel freely and put up scriptures on the walls. There is assembly everyday where the gospel is preached. We sing hymns and Psalms, and the primary children know countless amounts of verses, that put me to shame! It’s very encouraging to see such freedom and enthusiasm for the God’s word in so many young people. God is definitely blessing Peru and I believe that this third world country will prosper and the trails of this poor country will be overcome. 

 

 

  

 

 

However not all is perfect here. Peoples’ faith is yet to show on the roads of Lima. If you have spoken to my Daddy you’ll know what I mean. Road rage is a natural trait in every person that has the guts to drive on the crazy streets of Lima. I really want to drive here! I think if more women were driving here, we’d soon see a blessed change! Red lights don’t really mean that much. However more and more police are patrolling the streets now handing out tickets to anyone they see jumping reds, a micro (small bus) trying to skip traffic by creating an extra lane, or a bus trying to beat another bus by taking a back road just to gain 10 metres on the competition.

 

 

Prayer points