Feliz Navidad to one and all!

We’re really sorry that you haven’t had an update recently but we were in... Machu Picchu!

So, it’s been a crazy few weeks full of Christmas cheer including Church painting, a chocolatada in Huambatio, singing carols with the youth and preparing gift bags for the regional hospital.

Since moving into a new Church building we were given a great opportunity to use our creative skills to paint the two children’s rooms. As you can see from the pictures below we had a wonderful time with lots of bright colours and many, many butterflies. Our artist, Jess, did a fabulous job at designing the work and the rest of us painted in the lines. We felt our hard work was paid-off because the kids seemed really excited about their new rooms.

Liz, Rob, and Amy painting in the Sunday School Room.

The final product!

The finished creche room!

Just before the festive season began, we were given a couple of days off to go and see one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We really appreciated the time that we had to go and see Machu Picchu and the hospitality that we received.

The weekend before Christmas, we had a church outing to Haumbatio for the annual Chocolatada. We got stuck in straight away serving hot chocolate and bread. Haumbatio is an extreamly poor community, and we all played a part in handing out clothes and toys as gifts to the people, all in the spirit of Christmas. Around 300 people came to the event, and God blessed everyone with a Christmas gift. This is what Christmas is truly about! 

The community waiting outside to recieve their gifts.

Us all getting involved; giving out gifts, hot chocolate and bread!

Two of the boys after recieving their gifts.

Sunday the 18^th was not your usual Sunday! It was fall of Nativity scenes, carols and a Despadido. All the children were dressed up to re-inact the Christmas story; even Rob was included, playing the part of a Wise Man. During the spectacular performance, we sang carols in Spanish with the youth choir. After the service, there was a leaving party for the Ropers (a Despadido), this is a Peruvian tradition for anyone leaving the community.

The nativity!

 As part of our work in the hospital, we helped out with the festivities. So, we donned our Santa hats, Rob picked up a guitar and we set out to spread some Christmas cheer. We handed out activity packs for the kids, which included small gifts and things for them to do. We also gave out clothes and went to the different wards, singing carols in Spanish and passing out hot chocolate. The gifts weren’t the main focus, but a small gesture. The point was not to give them a present, but to show them why celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Us all singing carols in the burns unit.

Luisa was happy with her Christmas activity bag!

Feliz Navidad!

Ciao for now!