New church plant in the jungle

Early this month a Peruvian team from the Comas Free Methodist Church in Lima headed to Tingo Maria, a tropical area of central Peru.  National director Pastor Miguel Algorta, missionary colleagues Garry and Pat Cruce, and several others also went to offer evangelistic programs with clowns for the children, health screening, and a Bible class for adults.  The highlight was installing Julia Doria as the pastor of a fledgling church.  Julia is a recent graduate of the first class of the Light and Life Seminary and is originally from the area.  Like many others, she fled to Lima  when the Shining Path guerrillas were terrorizing the area in the 80s and early 90s.  Thanks for your prayers for Julia and for her young congregation.

New Shalom church inauguration

Celebration, a set on Flickr.

We're finally moved into the new church building! A full house was present Friday, May 4 as we held the inaugural service. Many first-time visitors came, as well as folks who hadn't come to church in a long time. The day was celebrated with singing, dancing, prayers, and food.

The rest of the weekend we spent in nearby Nuevo Eden (Yanamayo) for their church anniversary. The highlight of the weekend was the baptism of Darling in a pond at the trout farm.