Thank you, Sharon Presbyterian, for helping me to experience Huanta, Peru. Thank you for allowing me to see Christ in a completely new way. The following are a few of my journal entries from the road—in Peru.
August 2, 2010 Day 4 7:15 amYesterday we flew from Lima to Ayacucho. We left our hotel in Lima at 3 am and our flight departed from Lima at 5:30. We arrived in Ayacucho at 7 and squished our 21 suitcases (filled with our luggage and donations) and 18 people all into a van meant for 15—Huanta or bust!
We worshipped at Cristo Rey Church soon after we arrived. It was so beautiful to see some of the members get so excited to see the folks from Sharon Presbyterian—so amazing to watch them smile and laugh together. It felt like a huge family reunion and our little group from Port Orange was like a new wife getting to meet everyone for the first time and feeling like part of the family immediately…
I sensed the spirit so strongly in worship yesterday. We shared the Lord’s Supper together….With all of the people around the table, with translations of the message in Quechua language, Spanish, and English—it seriously seemed like we were really remembering our Lord. It overwhelmed me profoundly and I wept for much of the service—I think it might have been for me, one of the times of my life when I actually felt Jesus—when it actually felt like He was really in the sanctuary.
We stayed and visited with worshippers from 2 years old through 85. We ate an amazing lunch—that Julia prepared in a kitchen that is so humble only truly amazing food come out of it. I feel a deep need to help in the kitchen this week but do not want to be in the way…
After lunch we walked through the street market, and all I could think to do was to smile at the vendors as they stared at us gringos in wonder. The people here truly smile. They smile real smiles that somehow equate hope to me. I pray that I am representing Christ in some small way here. I don’t know how, but I pray that I can….
We ended our long day with an orientation from Rusty and Sara [our PC(USA) Missionary Worker leaders] who are so intriguing…We learned brief history, culture, church stuff—and I was totally captivated. I just can’t fathom that 20-30 years ago this was a place of war and chaos. 60,000 people lost their lives in terrorist vs government struggle. I don’t understand the whole thing but I desperately want to know more. The people of this region have so much to offer, and I have a deep longing to know more….
Supper… a cold shower J and much needed rest.
Today is a day that God made—and what a day it’s going to be!
August 3, 2010 Day 5 7:05 amThe smell of wood fire permeates the air. It is sweet and pungent and makes me long to stay for many days… I’m sitting outside my room on a green couch watching the orange fruit tree in front of me grow, and I’m gazing at the mountain in the background. My feet are resting on the squeaky, wooden slats that are the base of the porch and the air is cool and yet comforting all at once.
There is no proper way to describe the relationship I’ve been observing between Sharon Presbyterian and Presbytery of Huanta…. What amazing people to learn from. I continue to be in awe each moment. It’s hard to get my head around the sense of Christ I feel through this relationship. Randy [our team leader from Sharon Presbyterian, Charlotte, NC] is a man of God, and I so thankful to have the chance to learn from him…
I talked with Orlando [a leader and teacher from Iglesia Presbiteriana Cristo Rey, Huanta] at great length yesterday while we waited for our church pew supplies to arrive. It was amazing to learn about the Bible Institute, of his life coming to Christ, and his work here at the church and at the little Christian radio station next store. I am particularly interested in the Bible Institute and the style of training that they’ve created to lift up lay leaders in the church….
August 4, 2010 Day 6 7:15 amThis morning’s morning walk with Brother Van was so refreshing. He is such an amazing man—and amazing witness for Christ. I love spending time with him and learning from him.
Yesterday we finished building benches for the churches of Huanta and Tombo Presbyteries. We concluded our evening with a moto-ride to worship at another church in our neighborhood. We sang and listened for God’s word… What an amazing experience to simply worship together as one people. It feels just like God intends. I very much want to learn Spanish… I feel so… it’s just unexplainable how overwhelmed with joy I feel.
Our walk home from church… the Milky Way galaxy in the sky… wow!
Monday, August 10, 2010 Final Day 10:00 pmI’m in the airport in Lima waiting to board the flight back to Atlanta and then on to Orlando. Part of me is ready to get back to whatever the future at home holds in store—but another large part of me longs to return to Huanta, learn Spanish and Quechua and remain here for a while to learn and grow in a new way as a believer.
This voyage has far exceeded any dream I could have imagined… This trip has been no small event in my life. I pray that I will allow the people and places of this time to continue to shape my world view. I can’t wait to return to my new family here sometime soon…
Theresa Wolf
Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministries
Port Orange Presbyterian Church
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