To Wales... where it always snows!

BMS runs a system where mission workers are linked to churches in the UK.  They visit the group of churches before they leave the UK, and visit during home assignments, or when they return to the UK. 

We had no previous links with Blackwood, South Wales when we visited at the end of 2010.  However, we were touched by the warm welcome that we received.  Even more so, it was great to receive so many emails, birthday packages and letters from our new friends during our year in Peru.  We felt so loved and supported by this group of churches from South Wales, and knew that they were deeply interested and praying for the work in Peru. 

We were therefore excited to have the opportunity to visit again and share some of our experiences.  As we got further fron London and the scenery became snow filled, Daniel uttered 'It always snows in Wales' with complete confidence.  This was his 2nd visit to Wales, and it had been snowing both times, so in his mind, Wales is a place of snow!  So, we were once again met at Newport Station by Glenys who braved the snow and ice to meet us. Her and Tony once again offered great hospitality and understanding of what it is like to travel with 2 young children.  They even managed to accomodate my new found lactose intolerance.

This was our first official BMS visit and it was hard to know what to talk about and focus on, but we had great fun leading the service on Sunday morning.  Neil adapted a game that we used to teach English in schools, Daniel spoke Spanish and Sophia, for the most part, bounced around the stage, although she was a bit unsure when the minister Mark tried on our Peruvian hats.  I spoke on forgiveness, based on an experience I had in the hospital in Cusco.  We also had an opportunity to thank people in person for all that they had done and offer a few token presents. The children enjoyed spending time in Sunday School.

We had lunch together after the service, which was a great opportunity to chat to people (when not pre-ocuppied with children).  Daniel took advantage of distracted parents and ate 4 (or more?) desserts, and Sophia refused to let go of her new dragon cuddly. Daniel was equally as excited with his lego, but was too busy with the aforementioned desserts to open it (which was good as he would have inevitably lost all of the pieces).

 

One of the most exciting aspects of mission work is the links that are created with Christians across the world.  However, it has also been wonderful to make new friends in other parts of the UK.  It is hard to express our gratitude to Blackwood without sounding very gushy or  insincere - but THANK YOU!  Your love and support for us and the ministry in Peru has been invaluable.  And we will be back, and not only to prove to Daniel that it doesn't always snow in Wales.

Goodbye Peru

Updating the blog has been harder than we thought.  We have been busy with all of the accompanied tasks that come with returning to the UK, but undoubtedly it has also been because we are still processing leaving so quickly.

However, through the madness and difficulties of packing up with very little time, we have fond memories as well.  Our final service at El Puente was also the last Sunday before Christmas.  We had a great Nativity, which became more improvised than intended as the narrator was late, and also a presentation of gifts and some personal thank yous.  We have no photos as we were busy with the nativity!

Daniel also had great fun with his best friend Juan Jose and we shared an early Christmas dinner, as well as a game of football in the Plaza de Armas. It was lovely to spend time with him and his parents, who were good friends of ours. It was important that Daniel and Sophia could have an opportunity to leave well.

Our final full day was also very special.  I (Amanda) was taken out to a coffee shop by 2 friends in the church and we had a great time together, although it was obviously tinged with sadness.  That night we chose the best restaurant in Peru for our final meal.... Magic Chicken!  La Magia is a chicken restaurant with a play area just around the corner from our house in Cusco.  The chicken and chips is great, and it was Daniel and Sophia's favourite place to eat.  We invited the church to eat with us and it was really the only choice for our family's final meal in Cusco. There was pollo a la brasa, salchipapas (sausage and chips) and Inka Cola (Daniel's favourite!)

Despite the quick timeframe, we felt that left in the best way that we could under the circumstances.  Leaving is never easy and it is bizarre to leave somewhere not knowing when (if ever) we will return. Facebook and Skype works both ways though; it was a great way to stay in contact with the UK when we were in Peru and it is great to have a way of communicating with our friends in Peru.

So our final day arrived and we began the journey back to the UK.  We even had a final trip to the zoo at Lima as we had a long time to wait at the airport.  The children were incredible on all of the flights and we safely arrived back to the UK with a mixture of jetlag, excitement about Christmas, happiness to be back with family and friends, and wonder at what the month's to come had in store.

Some of the puzzle pieces have fallen into place as I now have a temporary job as a Teaching Assistant at a local school and Daniel is settled at school.  For some of the other pieces, we continue to wait.  And trust.