Since we arrived in Ilo our time has been spent trying to get settled into our house, settling into Ilo and helping get ready fof the opening of the Camp and Conference Centre in Ite. Prior to the opening of the Camp Centre my (Dave) time was spent working alongside the workers and the Gap Year Team in Ite doing manual work in order to get the Centre ready for the opening. This proved to be interesting as I had not done manual work of this type for many years (I also found out that manual work in Peru means manual as there are no machines for the heavier stuff!) The opportunity to work alongside the Gap Year team and the site workers proved very helpful from a language perspective as well as I found I was picking up new vocabulary. During these weeks I also spent quite a bit of time running back and forth to shops, hardwear stores and other places to get building equipment for the centre.
After working right into the early hours of the morning of the opening of the camp centre, we finally managed to get it ready for the big day. We were delighted that for the opening we could have the presence of eight people from Northern Ireland who arrived in Tacna the morning of the opening. After bringing our guests to Ilo to get a quick cup of coffee and spliting the eight between our house and the Morrows we headed for the Camp Centre.The opening proved to be a wonderful event in which I believe God was truly glorified and where there were many unbelievers present to witness what God had done. After a number of special events and presentations our Mission Director, Gordon Darragh unveiled a plaque and then we enjoyed a wonderful lunch. Following lunch we had a time of praise led by a national pastor and a band from the Gap Year Team, it was truly uplifting. After our time of singing Derek Baxter brought a message from Psalm 100 focusing on our need to be thankful for what he has provided for us. The whole day was sandwiched by Alicia playing "I cannot tell why he whom angels worshipped" to a traditional Irish tune on the flute and by a Peruvian closing with some traditional music on the panpipes and the Peruvian flute.
For us as a family this event was hugely significant and we were delighted to be part of the missionary team in Peru for the opening. One of the most significant events in the lead up to us coming to Peru was when we first heard Trevor present the vision for a Camp and Conference Centre at the annual May meetings over five and a half years ago. At this presentation we already had a desire in our hearts to serve God but were unsure where we could fit in and what gifts we could bring to the missionary team here. As Trevor presented his vision it was as if God was speaking to us directly and confirming that he wanted us to go to Peru and that he would make sure that there was an area in which our gifts could be used. To sit on the day of the opening remembering this and also looking into the future and visualising us being a part of God's work here was very special.Following the opening we had the joy of hosting the team from Ireland for almost a week in total. It was lovely to have people staying with us and representing all the other people in Ireland who are so faithful in supporting and praying for the work here in Peru. The visit of this group proved to be a huge encouragement to us.
The Friday following the opening of the Camp Centre a day-long ladies conference entitled "Heart to Heart" was held. The day proved to be very uplifting for many of the ladies. The following day the Camp Centre was used for a Youth Conference called "Me Queda Sin Palabras" (Lost for Words). The focus of the conference was on encouraging the young people not to be lost for words when sharing their faith but to be bold in doing so. Although mainly focused on teaching the young people to evanglise there was an evagelistic message within the seminars and we were delighted that at least one young person made a committment to Christ.
Although the official opening has passed, over the coming months workmen will continue working on the Camp Centre as there is still a lot to be done. In the next week or two we also plan to sit down with Trevor and Christine Morrow to map out a program for Camps for January and Febuary. We would appreciate your prayers as we do this.
It seems that a lot lies ahead of us and we will constantly be encountering new challenges in this life where no two days are the same. However we hope that within the next two weeks we can begin some classes with a language tutor so to help ground us in what we learnt in Arequipa and keep us moving in the right direction with regards to language. We are also delighted that we will have a visit from Alicia's Mum and Dad who come at the beginning of December. We are delighted that we will be able to spend time with them and that they will be able to see the work that we are involved in here in Ilo.
I would especially appreciate your prayers over these next couple of weeks as next Tuesday and the following Tuesday I will be sharing from God's Word at the Bible Study and Prayer Meeting in Ite. This will be my first time to share from God's Word in Spanish and so I am a little nervous about this!
This week a special evangelistic campaign has started in the La Pampa Church in Ilo. The Gap Year team are helping with this and as I write this some good opportunities have presented themselves through door to door work. Next week the team will follow up on these opportunities visiting the people in their homes once again. Please pray for them.
Finally over this past six weeks here in Ilo through our running around and general day to day activities it has become evident that we are going to need a vehicle of some kind here in order to be able to really throw ourselves into the work. Again we would ask you to join with us in prayer for this need.
Once again we thank you all for your interest in what we are doing and more importantly in God's Work here in Peru. Thank you for your faithful prayers.
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