In Peru for a Month?

What could one possibly do in Peru for a month? I suggested a few ideas to the pastor, he suggested a couple more, and then ended by saying "and there is so much more." I know there are surprises headed my way. Here are the things that I do know about.

• Visit 85 St. Monica-sponsored families and determine their needs (bless houses)
• Do a retreat for the staff
• Do a retreat for 70 social ministers from villages
• Do retreat for 15 men at Vida Nueva (drug rehab)
• Lead lectio divina based on upcoming Sunday readings
• Bring Communion to the homebound
• Baptize
• Teach 12 baptism classes for children 8 - 14
• Investigate water system in Piura and villages
• Teach goddaughter about English and computers

I don't think that a month will be long enough, but I will have my first family waiting for my return.

Peruvian Missionary Activities in 2007

The generosity of St. Monica parishioners and friends never ceases to amaze me. We started by adopting one Peruvian family in December 2005 for $25 per month. At the end of 2007 we are now supporting 85 families.

This year you contributed over $57,700 to families, who on the average, live on about $2 per day. Beyond supporting families with $25 per month-food-packages, much more was accomplished: we became one body of Christ through exchange of letters and actual trips to the villages near Piura, Peru. Through photos we watched as the following took place in 2007.

• Parishioners helped build a chapel named St. Monica in the village of Los Polvorines
• Parishioners helped build five houses to replace deteriorating ones
• Two families were supported in starting a business in their homes
• We assisted in purchasing a 15-passenger van to deliver food to sponsored families
• Two rooms for the dying are being finished in a hospice center
• Bedrooms were build in many houses and supplied with beds and mattresses
• Seven children are being sent to private schools
• One hundred children from a village are being fed breakfast five days per week
• Families were given farm animals, clothes, etc.
• Twelve parishioners went on mission trips to Piura
• Ocean-going containers were shipped to Piura with gifts, clothes, etc.
• One lady dying from cancer was provided with medicines
• Babies were baptized, houses blessed, and the good news was preached through word and deed

One hundred percent of our money goes to the families. By our help these families and their neighbors are being moved from despair to hope. The Lord hears the cry of the poor, thanks to you!

Why go to Peru?

When asked, “Why are you going to Peru?” I would inadequately reply, “To do missionary work?” For Catholics this isn’t a very good answer because 90% of Peruvians are Catholic.

I searched scripture for better words and was getting close with Third Isaiah, chapters 58 and 61. I finally zeroed in on one of the lines from the Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.

I go to Peru to bring hope where there is despair.
 

Improvement on Capilla de Santa Monica

A mission team built a chapel (capilla) in June 2007 and it now has a "sign" above the door with a painting of St. Monica. The chapel is obviously a gathering place for the community as can be seen by children working on projects. Our parish provided this wonderful opportunity for just $500. We are working on getting a roof put on the chapel and having a painting of St. Monica and a framed crucifix inside the chapel to enhance worship.

Edmond Friends in Piura

While I am in Piura, other people who sponsor families will visit for part of the time I am there. Joining for the last two weeks of my stay is Dean Herzog who serves on St. Monica's Peru Ministry Subcommittee. And from St. John the Baptist will be Becky Coyle and Stephanie Simpson who serve on St. John's Peru Mission Board. We all have different things to do.

Communication between Peruvian and American Families

Our old way for American and Peruvian families to communicate with one another was to send our communications via the postal service. Translations were difficult to get when needed.

Now all letters and cards from Peru are scanned at Santísimo Sacramento and sent to Americans families via e-mail, a much faster process. Translations in Peru from Spanish to English are available for $1 each and the translations are e-mailed along with the originals in Spanish. This method provides a Peruvian translator with a paying job.

Letters and cards from the U.S. are e-mailed directly to the parish in Peru. When a monthly food package is delivered to the Peruvian family, a printed copy of the letter is given to the family along with a translation into Spanish at no cost to the families.

Suddenly Peru and Oklahoma are much closer than they used to be -- so are the families.

Getting Ready for Piura

It is a little over six weeks before leaving for Peru. The warmer climate is beginning to look very appealing as winter sets in on Oklahoma.

I am preparing in several ways. I am ordering a MacBook laptop so that I will be able to stay in tough with messages and photos for sponsors of Peru families in the U.S. I will do most of my communication via this blog site as well as direct e-mail to individuals.

I am also putting together what I need for preaching in Spanish as well as leading a retreat. I need English and Spanish resources because of my weak Spanish. I hope to visit all families sponsored by St. Monica and to do a survey of water sources in Piura and villages to see with what we might be able to help.

The blog will become more active as January 8 draws nearer.