PERU CREW CONGREGATION SEND OFF!

           After a busy morning at St. Matthew’s, the team gathered with members of all ages of the congregation for music, games, activities and an authentic Peruvian meal Sunday night.  The evening of fellowship concluded with a message from Pastor Dave, prayers for the team, and singing and dancing the songs we learned earlier in the evening. 

The group split into three smaller teams and participated in three activities.  Inside we learned to sing and dance along to two songs.  Although I think some of us still need a little (or a lot) more practice on these songs.  The kids somehow picked up on the dancing moves right away. 

  

We colored boxes that will be filled with trinkets and candy for the children at New Hope.  Some of the patterns were very intricate but they looked beautiful when finished.  I’m sure the kids are going to love them.  Another craft was decorating a picture frame of the team as a reminder to pray for the team during the trip. 

           Outside activities were a ping pong ball and spoon race and the wildly popular passing the ball “over and under” or “side to side” down the line.  There were some creative passes and rules negotiating going on with these relay races. 

The whole group then gathered back together for the blessing from Pastor Mario and the team leading the singing of “Heavenly Father,” a traditional mealtime blessing, in Spanish, before the meal.   We are fortunate that there is a new authentic Peruvian restaurant in town to give the congregation a taste of the food the team will be eating while in Peru.  The big hit of the night was “the yellow stuff.”  Aji de gallina which is chicken in a slightly spicy cream sauce made with yellow peppers and ground walnuts. 

          After tres leches cake, Pastor Dave talked about patience and waiting.  The children has quite the examples (waiting in the long lines at Disney World, waiting for breakfast in the morning, waiting for loose teeth to fall out) of times they’ve had to use patience.  The group prayed over the team and we finished the night singing and dancing. 

It was a great night of fellowship and very uplifting to feel all the support from the congregation as we work on the final preparations and quell the jitters before leaving on Friday.