I see it´s been a while since I´ve written, and some interesting things have happened in that time. Last week we went to Lima to sign the constitution for our association. We have to go back again to sign something in the notary office, and then we´ll offically be an association, registered with the Peruvian government. Once we get there we will be able to buy land. We have tentatively decided on land that a lady from church is selling. I thought at first that it isn´t perfect because it´s a little far from the centre of the town, and it means little ones will have to cross the highway. It´s not an incredibly busy highway, but big trucks go flying down it. I´m a little worried about that, but we are also praying for a big van, so then we could pick up the little ones and drive them to the centre. The land isn´t really big, but beside it is another plot of land that is owned by the community and is not being used. Perhaps they will donate that land to us, and then we would have a great sized property to use. By this time next month we could be ready to start building!
In the meantime we have been talking with some friends here in Tarma about starting a similar project for the children of Tarma. There are a lot of kids who ask for money in the streets at night, and a lawyer who we met with to talk about our ideas explained that the police believe there are several adults who are exploiting these kids. Our idea is to feed them a big lunch, help them with their homework, and play with them. In the future it may be necessary to start a kind of children´s home where they can live here in the city. Or perhaps God will use our project in Huaricolca to provide a safe place for these kids to live.
There is so much need here in this region, but God is so faithful. This week is semana santa, and a lot of tourists come to celebrate here in Tarma. It is a very popular catholic festival. There is also a group of missionaries from Lima here this week, running an evangelistic conference. God has his eye on this place, and he is busy at work! It´s such a priviledge to be part of it, especially where kids are concerned.
If you´re praying, please remember us and the mountains of Peru. Pray that I´ll get good at waiting for God´s timing and not be discouraged. Also, we applied for Martin´s visa to go to Canada. We have a meeting at the embassy on the 16th of April, pray about that too! We know that God is always good!
Thanks for reading and following our adventures!
Our land!
Ok, it needs to be flattened out and the hole filled in, but that's ok! It starts at the tiny green bush and goes back further than the white temporary bathroom, and goes over to the trees which you can't really see. It's definantly big enough, and it was donated by the municipality!
Our land and our neighbours!
The church was recently built with the help of a team from the US, and the hole beside it is where our building will go!
And the knot gets tied!
June 20,2009
Sunday school kick off party in Huaricolca
In April we had a party to kick off the Sunday school program that we are starting in Tarma. The church has been in existence there for about 10 years but this is the first time there has been a regular children´s program.
Playing games at the party
Treat bags from Canada
We were able to buy these for the party with the money raised at my Mom´s birthday party. Thanks very much!
Treat bags at the party in Huaricolca
mmm, the only kind of useful Canadian money in Peru!
School kids in Huaricolca
Ticlio (the highest point on the road from Lima to Tarma)
The altitude here is 4669 metres above sea level. We were dizzy when we got out to take pictures here. There was lots of snow and it was very cold here!
From Lima to Tarma
This trip is just beautiful. I am in awe of God's amazing Andes mountains.
Jeison
One of the little guys from Ayas.
Ayas
We are helping with Sunday school in Ayas, a nearby farm town. There were about 25 kids and this was the second week. These kids are shy but excited and eager to learn and play.
The Andes
This is on the road to Huancayo, which is about 2 hours from Tarma. We went here on a day trip.
The road to Huancayo
People working in their field
Kids either hang out at home alone while their parents are working in the fields, or they go to work with them.
Martin learning to weave!
This guy is a weaving artist! He is willing to come and teach our kids.
A view of Huaricolca
Who are we?
- Denise and Martin
- Denise is a Canadian who visited Peru and fell in love with the children there, and also with Martin! Denise is a teacher from Ontario, but now lives in Tarma as a missionary and is working on setting up Centro Ruhamah, together with Martin. Martin is from Lima, Peru, where for five years he was a professional taxi driver. He is fearless in the face of traffic, but turns into a clown when faced with children. He has a deep love for the kids of his country and in addition to making them laugh, his desire (and Denise's too) is to show them God's love and help them have a better life.
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