Westminster Presbyterian Church

Santa Clara, Peru

July 10-18, 2009

The Westminster Peru Mission Team made its annual “Journey to the Jungle” on July 10-18, 2009.  This year marked the return of “Loco Dan” to the Amazon; his first trip since 2002.  His arrival was greatly anticipated as the villagers couldn’t wait to be entertained by such antics as chasing the children while popping his sweat towel or falling off the church porch head first while sitting atop a cooler.

And the towel popping tradition continued, accompanied by the delighted squeals of the children as they ran from him.

Our primary manual labor project was to dig the trenches, then cut and set the forms for cement to be mixed and a sidewalk to be poured around the Sunday School building. 

A hand saw, some rock hard wood, a shovel, and South Carolina-like clay make not only for a work project, but a work-out as well.

Once again we participated in Bible School.  Pastor German’s wife, Enith, prepared and delivered the lessons on God’s Call on Our Lives, using Abraham, Moses and Paul as her examples.  The Westminster women brought ideas and materials for craft projects and enjoyed working with the children each day.

Some children and adults alike went home tie-dyed, instead of their pillow cases, when the breeze blew the paint from the spray bottles onto onlookers.  Of course, once the children realized what was happening, the idea had been planted and it became much more fun to aim the nozzles directly at someone. 

Rev. Paul Petersen continues to honor Pastor German’s request for adult classes each year.  His four day series, entitled “How to Study Your Bible” was a highlight during the week. 

As always, some of the most meaningful moments of the trip include spending time with the people.  Though language barriers sometimes hinder spoken communication, the language of the heart is never silenced.

Westminster Peru Crew 2009

Pastor German and Family

Westminster has been blessed to enjoy more than 10 years of relationship with the village of Santa Clara.  We can’t wait to get back next summer.