‘Sister, my mum says she’s free, so can we come to the meeting?’ What a joy to hear Luana (age 9) say this; her mum is definitely NOT a churchgoer, but the only way we can have children in the Church is by having a meeting where parents go - accompanied by their children. This rather limits the numbers, especially when half those on the list don’t turn up (despite having confirmed an hour earlier that they WOULD…) Luana, who lives in El Nazareno (a “developing” area in the south of Lima) is thrilled because THIS academic year she is receiving WhatsApp classes; she missed the whole of last year because her mother was changing schools for her and never quite got round to finishing the process – so the result was that she was never in touch with any teacher. Online teaching has not been as successful as hoped; Luana is not the only one whose education was minimal. It’s hardly surprising what was on offer in Jesús el Nazareno, where Penny is Lay Minister - sitting at a (family-based) table in a room with a few other children, doing a directed activity on Jesus is the true vine - was an event for the diary!

In-person school classes are still nowhere on the agenda, although many things HAVE reopened, basically as a result of the desperate economic situation. Churches (which are usually given the same treatment as casinos and gyms on the list of capacity allowed – currently 20%) have been now-you-can, now-you-can’t since reopening last Nov; since there are stricter restrictions on Sundays (to avoid family gatherings) we currently meet on Saturdays, both with children and later with adults. For those who do not use technology this is great, but there is also a Zoom meeting and a WhatsApp chat on Sundays for others.

Meanwhile, Juan Carlos is in the very different area of Miraflores, where since last August he has been in overall charge of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, and also in charge of the re-forming Spanish speaking congregation. Here, Zoom is the preferred medium and will continue for a while yet. We have just finished an online Marriage Course for a few couples; unfortunately, one of the couples didn´t finish because they both got covid. (Thankfully both now recovered).

Economic problems mean the soup kitchens continue to be busy. “Corazón de Jesús”, one of those we are involved with, receives part of a grant given by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Fund to help five soup kitchens in Lima over 8 months; a huge help given the economic needs. Spiritual needs are not forgotten -we continue to provide spiritual food by praying (mostly with the cooks), and sticking Bible verses on the walls.

So life is busy. Thank you for your prayers – apart from the above I’ll just comment on the hope that since vaccination of over 70s is now taking place, the 60+ (which includes us) will happen sooner rather than later now. And end with the other drama here – the presidential run-off on 6 June; both candidates involved (Castillo and Fujimori) have a strong ANTI-vote, and a huge number of people want neither. Good to know our God is greater than both!

God bless you all.

Juan Carlos and Penny Marcés
CMS | Lima, Peru

Juan Carlos and Penny are supported by Alastair and Julie Keith's Home Group.

Life is Busy