Our Saturday was a full and exciting day of ministry here in Peru!
In the morning, our team conducted a Vacation Bible School for approximately 60 children in Manchay, the same general area where we served earlier this week with Niños a La Vida. Manchay is an area where many families face significant economic hardship, and the contrast is noticeable when traveling from La Molina. La Molina includes many suburban homes, shopping areas, coffee shops, and paved roads, but as we drove toward Manchay, the setting changed quickly. To reach the park where we held VBS, we left the paved roads and traveled up rough dirt roads along the side of a mountain. Many homes in the area are simple concrete structures with tin roofs, and some lack basic utilities such as electricity and running water.
Our team partnered with members of Iglesia Vida Nueva Sol de La Molina to organize a special morning of VBS for the children. We began with games and an icebreaker to help the children feel comfortable and engaged. Since the children spoke very little English, the Spanish-speaking members of our team and the church were a tremendous help with translation and communication.
After the icebreaker, we sang songs together, with Madison LeBeuf accompanying on guitar. The theme of the morning was Identity in Christ. David Dare introduced the topic, and then our team members presented seven words that remind us what God says about His children: loved, strong, special, chosen, forgiven, unique, and precious. With each word, they shared a Bible verse to help the children understand its meaning and see the truth of God’s Word.
After the lesson, the children made paper chains, with each link representing one of the seven words from the lesson. Our prayer is that these children will not define themselves by their circumstances, challenges, or limitations, but will come to understand who God created them to be and the love He has shown through Christ.
Our team had a wonderful time investing in these children, encouraging them, playing with them, and showing them the love of Christ in a tangible way. We are thankful for the faithful ministry of Iglesia Vida Nueva Sol de La Molina and for the opportunity to come alongside them in reaching children and families in this community.
Maggie Cannon, a PCC graduate who teaches fourth grade at Santa Rosa Christian School, shared the following testimony about her time at VBS today:
We began our Saturday morning by going to a Vacation Bible School in a part of Lima that we had not yet visited. The further we drove, the more apprehensive I became. I was not sure what to expect. Prior to this, the week we have experienced has been amazing. There have been so many opportunities to interact with children, to teach them, and share the love of God. One interaction that stood out yesterday, when a class learned my birthday is coming up, they surprised me with a celebration. Today, was different. We were not going to a school, but a neighborhood. As we drove up the mountain, on unpaved roads, we found ourselves at a playground packed with children. They began running up to us with a hug as soon as we arrived. I met a 3-year-old girl who decided to stay close by my side all morning. She was my assistant during my Bible lesson and held the picture cards for me. As the morning progressed and I looked around at all the activities, a feeling of thanksgiving came over me. What a blessing to be a part of what God is doing in this impoverished area, to hear the sweet little voices singing their hearts out to the Lord, in a language that was not familiar to them. I am so thankful to be a part of something that is so much bigger than I am and that God is using our team to spread His love.
In the afternoon, we returned to the campus of La Molina Christian School, where we hosted a youth rally. Approximately 30 teens and young adults attended. The evening began with friendly competition and icebreaker games that gave our team and the youth a chance to interact and build connections.
After the games, we had a time of worship led by our talented musicians. Madison LeBeuf shared her testimony and sang a special, and David Dare preached a stirring message from Psalm 1, challenging the young people to choose God’s way and follow His plan for their lives.
At the conclusion of the rally, our team members and many of the youth enjoyed playing soccer and volleyball together. These informal moments provided a wonderful opportunity for continued conversations and relationship-building. Several of the young people spoke with our students about Pensacola Christian College, and a few expressed interest in possibly studying there one day. It is a blessing to see our college students using their lives, testimonies, and training to encourage the next generation.
Please continue to keep our team in prayer. It is so evident to us that many are praying for this ministry. God’s good hand has been upon us, and we are truly thankful.
Tomorrow, we will minister at Iglesia Vida Nueva Sol de La Molina and spend time with their youth group. Please pray that God will continue to give our team strength, wisdom, safety, and open doors to share the hope of the Gospel.