The group experienced their first church service at Iglesia Shaloam, Arequipa, last night. They met together and planned out the total service in only 2 hours. 
Lizzy greeted the congregation and introduced the team and MCed the service. Michela and Chrissy played their flutes, Nelvin played the guitar, and Denise led the singing including one popular Spanish song. Ali gave her testimony and Joella preached (boy can she preach!) about the power of God to accomplish anything. Tiffany greeted the congregation as they entered the small church. Edwin read scripture that was particularly inspiring to him lately. Osiel lead the congregation in prayer. Rick came back a little late because he went with Robert to the airport to get his suitcase (hallelujah). It was a beautiful picture of how God designed the church for all to use their gifts to glorify and lift up Jesus.
Our translators Emanuel above, and Erica below are an important part of the team.
After the sermon, the team invited people from the congregation to pray for. Many came and the team were touched as much as the Peruvians as they prayed for them.
At the end of the service an offering was taken and Christian Latino music was played. When the offering was finished, the dancing began. Pastor Moises and one of young men of the church began dancing to some lively music with some even more lively steps. Pretty soon they drew in the team and others from the congregation began to dance as well. There was a lot of high stepping, swinging around, and joyous worship and praise through music and movement. The team got a sweet taste of Pervian culture for the next hour or so. Some from the team were not inclined to join in, but we all enjoyed it. It was a new and good experience.
This morning the team is working around the church property digging, scrapping, cleaning windows, sweeping, painting, ect. They looked like busy bees working in every part of the church. (You can see their pictures on the photo link to the left.) The schedule has changed but they are suppose to visit in homes of people from the church again. Two things have been very useful during this trip: patience and flexibility. God aims to cut and polish the diamonds that we are in his hands in many ways. Thank you so much for your prayers! May God richly bless you and yours!
