Huacho

Over the weekend I took a trip with a few friends to the city of Huacho to do ministry and visit churches that the ministry Corazones Unidos supports. Huacho is located about 2 hours north of Lima on the coast. It is a small community, with most people working as fishermen or in the fields. We were welcomed to Huacho Saturday evening with loud music booming from homes and people everywhere in the streets. For a small city, this place sure does have a night life. We quickly jumped in a mototaxi (an enclosed motorcycle with a bench on the back for passengers) and we headed for the church where we would be staying the night.

Upon arriving at the church around 10 p.m. we finished out the service going on for young adults. There were about 10 adolescents there, worshiping the Lord louder than any street party we had passed on our journey. From there we went with the youth to the city center (plaza), and encountered a "preacher" screaming the word of God to all people around. He was shouting things like, "If you don't repent you will burn in Hell." The pastor of the church had a few of the guys get guitars out, and we sat in the middle of the plaza and sang worship songs to the Lord. As the guys did so, Teresa and I went around to various people and talked with them while also handing out information about the church. We sat with one man and talked for quite a while. He was very confused about the saving grace of God and the fact that God allows bad things to happen, Christians continue to sin, and what a relationship with God is all about. While he was still insistent on his "beliefs" when we left him, I pray we at least ignited a spark in him and gave him something to think about.

On Sunday we went to a different church in the campo (country). It was a very tiny church of 30 people or less, with half of them being children. First we sat through Sunday school, and afterwards each "class" (adults, elementary children, and toddlers) presented what they had learned during their lesson. There was a 5 minute "intermission" and then we continued on into the service. We sang hymns, and the pastor presented a sermon. It was a neat experience to worship with this congregation.

 The children reciting what they learned in Sunday School.

Teresa and I...love her :)

We spent the afternoon wandering the city. First we went to the shopping plaza to eat Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch. (Real Peruvian, right?) Having been told the sun was hot there, we were lacking in appropriate clothing for the cold, damp weather. Therefore, we went shopping for warmer clothing as we were planning to spend the afternoon near the ocean. We embarked on a small boat for a pirate type voyage, and we enjoyed a great afternoon laughing together as we sailed the seas. Teresa, Nilton, and I had a grand ole time taking pictures and giggling in the backseat of the taxi as we traveled around the town, finally ending the afternoon at the pastor's house for a quick rest before evening church.

 A bit chilly for a day at the ocean, but still enjoyable!

Mis Patas :)

 Literally throwing items overboard to the other ship.

 A day on the ocean.

In the evening, we arrived at church (a "surfer's church" of about 20 people) 2 hours early with the worship team so that Nilton could help them prepare for the evening's worship time. I enjoyed listening the team play together and practice. Around 7, the actual service began with songs of praise and a message from the pastor. The pastor and some members of the congregation  prayed over each of us that had come with Corazones Unidos, and we said our good-byes. Around 9:30 p.m. we boarded the bus for the 2 hour journey back to Lima.

 Practicing for the night service at Calvary Chapel, Huacho.

It was a great weekend, and I enjoyed seeing yet another area of Peru. I was entertained by our boat trip, and I found myself admiring the mind behind Corazones Unidos and the ministry it represents. I was grateful for the hospitality of the pastor of Calvary Chapel as well as the kindness of some of the young men in the church. Most of all, I was humbled by the congregation of the church in the morning and the heart of the pastor there.

God is at work here in Peru. He has a plan for Peru that is bigger than any human mind can imagine. I love seeing my friends' desires to serve this nation, and I'm thankful that even for just one month God has allowed me to be a part of it.

Our new friend, Carlos :)