The long weekend

Good day to you all!

Thought I'd share with you all what I got up to this weekend:

After my first week at language school (having missed Tuesday through illness), I found myself attending a young persons camp over the weekend. What this entailed was getting on a coach on Friday night for an hour or more, with 30 or so other young people, and staying in a kind of retreat centre type thingy. We studied the Bible, had worship, talks, games and even a spot of swimming. Thankfully the other four English short-termers in Lima (yes there are five of us) were there as well, meaning that I had a little help in understanding what on earth was going on most of the time.

I also had some great times with the young Peruvians, which was really important for me. One such “great time” somehow involved me impersonating Justin Bieber, as part of a sketch, for everyone to see. I'm prepared to admit, that wasn't a proud moment for me.

Anyway, I unfortunately had to leave the camp early, getting three buses to get to church in time, having promised to help with a different group of young(er) people. Here in Peru the beginning of Lent is celebrated throughout February and gives children permission to throw, squirt, pour, chuck, spray or explode water on others, often complete strangers who happen to be walking by. Fortunately, I have somehow dodged this tradition, but on Sunday my wonderful hosts Charo and Celia were organising a water-fight for the young people at my church: Ascencion, and invited me to come along as an extra body.

The hose doing nothing to protect from my own team!

Now those of you reading this in the UK are probably picturing a few little water-pistols, maybe a jug or two. Well, one advantage of having predictably hot weather, is that you can really push the boat out. Are arsenal consisted of a hose (used rather a lot), 3 giant soup pots, a couple of buckets, and about 6 jugs. Between six people. And we didn't stop soon either, we went on well past the point of saturation, and ended with some rather tasty burgers. Again, I had a great time getting to know the young people a bit, and will be getting involved helping with the youth in the weeks to come. I finally got home at about three o'clock on Sunday afternoon, and went to sleep. I was exhausted.

I guess I should mention that between having fun, going to language school, and being ill (though thankfully that's passed), I have actually done some real work: working some stats on the data we collected from the compassion project (but that's about it).

So prayers:

• For the young people at the various churches and projects around the city
• For my health and energy
• For Dr Cooper and his ministry, as exciting prospects are beginning to take shape (but more on that another time)

God bless

B

In other news...

Just a quick one.
I've been accepted to study medicine. I'm actually going to do it.
Praise the Lord

Over the Mountains and the Sea...

Hello all.

I have now been in Peru for just over a week, and I thought I'd update you all on what exactly I've been getting up to in that time. For one, I can tell you I've been sleeping a lot: it took me a while to get my body in the right time zone. Other than that I've been getting to know people and getting to know Lima (or at least part of it). The SAMS-USA retreat gave me a chance to meet many other English-speaking missionaries based in Lima, and other parts of Peru. This included Townsend Cooper and his family, who I have since joined for a couple of games of Settlers of Catan (if you don't know what that is, you're missing out).

Today (Wednesday) I went out with Dr Cooper for the first time: a quick trip to a children's centre where we'll be early next month. The point of which being to introduce me to the staff, and start inputting previously collected data (height, weight etc.) to get a better idea of issues across the city.

I have also moved from my temporary accommodation with John and Susan Park (who have done so much to help me settle in) to my more permanent lodging with Charo, her father, and her sister and brother-in-law. It seemed like a poignant time, as I realise that I'm truly in another culture, and will be here for a while.

On Saturday I had my first encounter with the local wildlife, receiving a fair number of bug-bites whilst having a relaxing day with the retreaters. Other than that, the country has been fairly kind to me, even providing rain for me on my first night here (apparently a very rare occurrence). If anyone was wondering, the climate here is more similar to a sub-tropical desert. Though the heat is humid, there is very little rainfall, and ocean currents keep it from getting oppressively hot. Still, 28ºC isn't bad eh?

Anyway, a few prayer requests:

• Thank God for John and Susan, and Charo for taking me in, and to bless them.
• Prayers as I start my Spanish lessons on Monday
• That I would have patience over these first few weeks as I'm still learning a lot and finding my feet.

God bless you all

Ben

Goodbye England

With most of the country is covered in a blanket of snow, I am (for once) glad that here in Portsmouth we've had precisely none at all. This is, of course, rather useful for my travel plans. What isn't useful is that Heathrow airport hasn't been quite so snow-free this weekend, leading to a number of todays flights being cancelled. As of 10:45pm (UK time) my flight is still going ahead as scheduled, but there is snow forecast for early tomorrow.

Have I got enough stuff?

This morning was obviously my last day at my home church, Christ Church. I received many hugs, cards and prayers, and I'll be thinking of them throughout my time away.

Anyway, have packed up what seems like all my worldly goods and chattels and now just have a few hours to wait before we head off. We'll be leaving the house at about 2:30am, so the parents and I will be staying up, with the Superbowl to keep us entertained until then!

So as I'm off I could probably do with some prayer that all the travel would work out, and also that I'd settle in quickly.

Thanks everyone who has wished me well over the last few days and weeks. Here goes...