The day the clinic (almost) rolled away

This is now the longest I have ever been away from home, away from my family, and I'm happy to say it's going well. This week I've been fairly busy with various things, but I have now finished all the language schooling that I'm going to partake in, so I hoping that things might get a bit easier from here on in.

The good doctor at work (that's the bus)

So I guess I should tell you what the title is in reference to. Well, there was a North American team down last week (that would be the week starting the 19^th), for a campaign up in Puenta Piedre, which, although still in Lima, is a couple of hours bus ride from me. Because of the distance, and my commitments with language school, I was only able to go up on the Thursday. Anyway, at the campaign were doctors, dentists, physiotherapists all together doing some real good for local people: adults and children. With all these people working, there wasn't quite enough room, so Dr Cooper and I ended up setting up in the bus, which, as we quickly found out, didn't have a great handbrake! Thankfully Townsend was on hand to jump into the front seat and step on the brake. All in all, though, it was a great campaign, and we managed to get quite a few kids through the bus!

This past week, we've been at Santisima Trinidad, a school/church project where the director wants Dr Cooper to see all the children. This means we were there for three days on the first week, and are returning for Monday and Tuesday this week, to give us enough time to see all 140 odd children. It's been pretty intense (in-tents!!) going, and I've been flitting in and out of the clinic, between cleaning equipment, and measuring the children. We've had a couple of logistical issues, primarily the lack of the correct poles for the tent, which ended up a couple of feet higher than expected, giving me the wonderful job of keeping children and dogs from running in under the canvas. On Friday, however, Townsend and I sorted the tent components and managed to get them back where they belong.

You'll be pleased to know that my life isn't just tents and children, I've been getting involved in youth ministry as well. Helping at my own church, and going to the occasional diocese wide events as well (as I did on Saturday night). Anyway, I'm getting by, I'm pleased to say that I've seen a major improvement in my Spanish recently, and now pretty much always know at least vaguely what's going on. So praise God for that.

Oh, and of course we're into Holy Week aren't we. Being Palm Sunday, we processed up to the park, singing, before the service today and met up with a local Lutheran church, as a kind of joint witness. So that was pretty cool to feel a bit more connected to the rest of the city.

Random picture of me at a huaca

One thing I have been struggling with, though, is the heat. General consensus seems to be that summer is lasting longer this year, and it might stay this hot for another month or more. Unfortunately, it just completely wears me out, which is not great. Other than that I'm doing well. I've been trying to keep up to date with the state of affairs at home, but always appreciate messages letting me know what's going on.

If you have a few moments to spare, I would love some prayer for:

• Help for me to cope with the heat
• Lack of complacency with my Spanish, now I'm finished school
• Thank the LORD for all He's done to get me to this point.

God bless you on this special week

B

Corrections

Just a couple on the names of the team:
Steven (not Stephen)
Fany (not Fanny)

Thank you for your time :)

One Month In

Wow, so I've already been here over a month. Part of me thinks that the time has flown by, whilst another part feels like I've been here for ever. There have definitely been times over the past 5 weeks when I've missed England, missed rain, missed knowing what's going on for most of the time, but in all honesty I'm really enjoying myself.

So what, I hear you ask, have been up to?

Well, I'm still going to language school 5 times a week, though only 2 hours a day now. So I've had the majority of the day to work with Dr Cooper, last week we were three days at the church/school/children's centre San Juan Evangelista. We ran a clinic for any local children costing 3 Soles for a consultation (that's about 75p), and selling any medication on the spot on the cheap as well. We were a team of four for most of the time, with Townsend being helped by a local nurse, Fanny, who by the way is brilliant. Meanwhile Stephen, a Peruvian as well, and I were taking information, height and weight for the next child. The picture below also shows Padre Luis, the pastor of San Juan Evangelista.

Myself with Stephen, Fanny, Townsend and Padre Luis

For the first two days it seemed to me like this large team could have handled without me, though I still enjoyed the experience and chatting to Stephen. However, in true South American fashion, the afternoon of the last day (Friday) was manic, and we ended up staying for over an hour longer than planned. Those are the days that you reach the end of with relief, but also knowing that you've done some good, made a difference. Those are good days.

I have also continued meeting with the young people at Ascencion, and am beginning to build friendships there.

Another trip we made since my last update was to a project called “Shalom”, which provides various services for children with disabilities. I had the privilege of sitting in for a physiotherapy session with a very physically limited girl, which was interesting both intellectually and emotionally.

So that's about it. This week is a bit slower, so I'm focussing more on my Spanish, and doing all the little jobs that I've been putting off. So prayer requests:

• That I'll be refreshed and renewed this week
• Once again, that my Spanish would continue to improve
• For Fanny, as she is so important to the health ministry here

Peace and blessings

B

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...