PROSIM Part Two

This post is geared to describe other components and aspects of the PROSIM program.  Each representative of PROSIM has a botiquin or first aid kit that they are responsible for.  Every year we review the contents and discuss how to properly use them.  When they come to the monthly meetings the representatives take an inventory and bring back their papers saying what first aid supplies were used for and which items need to be restocked.  The first aid kits have items such as bandaids, triple antibiotic cream, cough drops, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, ace wrap, peroxide and gloves.

Parasites are another big issue here in Peru.  PROSIM provides the representatives with antiparasitics twice a year to help get rid of the most common parasites.  As I mentioned in the previous post, many of the churches out in the mountains don't have direct access to a posta or medical clinic so these first aid kits and antiparasitics are truly very important.

Another point I would like to highlight is our PROSIM coordinator, Gloria.  Gloria has been a representative for PROSIM for many years, but she stepped up into the coordinator role after Juana the previous coordinator stepped down after more than 10 years of service.  Gloria and I have joked that we are "newbies" together.  I think we have both learned a lot in the past two years.

As coordinator of PROSIM Gloria works two days a week getting materials ready for the monthly meetings, buying medicines to keep the first aid kits stocked and traveling to the villages in the mountains to teach and educate mothers and children in preventative health.  Gloria also makes it her mission to spread the love of Jesus Christ along the way and to encourage other believers in their walk with the Lord.  I have seen her in action and know she was meant for this job.  She is able to speak the Quechua language which many times is spoken more than Spanish out in the mountains.

How can your donation help?

$20 covers the bus ticket for a representative (from as far as 6-8 hours by bus) to attend monthly meetings.

$30 helps to replenish the medications and supplies in the first aid kits of the health promoters and representatives.

$45 allows Gloria to go on weekend trips to teach the gospel and health education.

To make a donation you may send a check to:

Eastern Mennonite Missions

PO Box 458

Salunga, PA  17538

*Make it payable to Eastern Mennonite Missions with PROSIM in the memo.

If you would prefer to make a contribution online:

Go to www.emm.org and click on the big orange "Give" tab at the top, it will redirect you to another page which will allow you to make a donation.  Please be sure to put PROSIM in the box under the amount you want to give.

"Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."    Matthew 25:40

What is PROSIM?

Since arriving in Peru a little over two years ago, I have had the privilege of being a part of the program of PROSIM.  PROSIM stands for PROgrama de Salud Integral Menonita, which basically means Mennonite health program, but it truly is so much more than that.  Today I am going to try and explain in more detail why this program exists.

We have monthly meetings on the last Thursday of the month.  We gather at 8 am in a small room on the second floor of the school and start with prayer and praise and worship.  Next we have a time of devotion followed by another prayer.  There are 15 representatives this year that come from 13 different churches.  After praise and worship and devotion time, we talk about the lessons from the last months meeting.  Many times we have a time of sharing so that the representatives can talk about how the teaching went in their communities or villages.  Next, Gloria, the PROSIM coordinator, and I teach lessons about preventative health.  This past month we talked about parasites and fungus infections.  The month before we had a special guest, a friend of mine from language school, Richard who did a teaching on prevention of sexual abuse in children.  Here is a picture of our group from that day.

The goal of PROSIM is to reach and teach others simple steps of preventative health through the representatives and in turn present the healing gospel of Jesus Christ.

We need your help!  PROSIM doesn't have the funds to continue the work we are doing.  Here is what some of the representatives had to say about PROSIM:

Vilma, one of the representatives only has to travel 45 minutes from her town of around 350 people in Huacarpay.  She says that PROSIM has really helped people through its teachings about diseases and how to prevent them.  There have even been some who have come to know God through the health teaching and ministry of PROSIM.  "We have learned how to improve our lives and health and would like for this program to continue to help others and win more souls for Christ."

Here is a photo of Vilma and her son.

Narciso, a representative from Yarccacunca comes from a  village about 2 hours from Cusco that has around 190 people.  He says that his village has changed very much with the teachings, discussion groups and education provided by PROSIM.  "My village has also received help with anti-parasite medication and vitamins which has helped us fight against malnutrition."

Melchora, in the picture below, is a representative that travels about 1 1/2 hours from San Juan de Quihuares, population of approximately 450 people.  She shared that her church and her town has received help and very good education from PROSIM.  She said that she would like to continue to work with PROSIM because she has seen how the teachings make a difference in peoples lives.

I am sharing these excerpts and testimonies of the representatives to give you a little glimpse into what PROSIM is about and not only what it means to me, but what it means to the Peruvians.  If you feel led to donate you can mail a check to:

Eastern Mennonite Missions

PO Box 458

Salunga, PA  17538

*Make it payable to Eastern Mennonite Missions with PROSIM in the memo.

If you would prefer to make a contribution online:

Go to www.emm.org and click on the big orange "Give" tab at the top, it will redirect you to another page which will allow you to make a donation.  Please be sure to put PROSIM in the box under the amount you want to give.

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.  Matthew 9:35

Kids Corner: Science Fair in Cusco

About a month ago Katie and her two friends, Caroly and Fatima went to the Science Fair in downtown Cusco.  They advanced from the school science fair at Promesa. The advanced science fair was held at a school downtown.  It was a big school with a couple of huge courtyards.  

"Bienvenidos" or welcome.  This sign was one of the first things you saw coming into the school.

This courtyard was down the steps from the welcome sign and it is where Katie's exhibit was held.

This is the other courtyard that was above and to the side of where Katie's exhibit was.  They had an opening program with singers and dancers and of course the singing of the national anthem.

Above is two of the projects that advanced from Promesa.  There was a lot of excitement in the day!

Here is the other little guy who advanced from Promesa.  He was only 5 years old, but he explained his project with enthusiasm and detail.  Notice his pointer stick in the photo below. 

Katie's project was "Robot de Lata".  She and her friends put a robot together and they explained its parts and how it worked.  They didn't place in this science fair but it was a good experience for them nonetheless.  They had various opportunities to explain their project to people passing by.  They also enjoyed selling their tripticos or tri-fold pamphlets.  They gave a few away, but then when they realized they could sell them for 30 to 50 centimos, it was great fun to sell them.  (The rate for these pamphlets in dollars would be between 9 and 15 cents.)

Although Katie and her friends didn't advance in this science fair, it was a good experience for them.

Kids Corner: 9 months old!

Our baby girl is 9 months old already!  She loves rolling her little tongue over her two new little teeth, she can wave hi and bye and she loves being outside.  She can move around quickly in her walker to get to where she wants to go so we have worked on childproofing, closing doors and covering the electrical outlets.  And she finally has just enough hair to put into a little pigtail!  We love her and her sweet little personality.

 And yes, of course, she is a Daddy's girl! (Go Blue!)

Vinifan

Vinifan is one of my least favorite things in Peru.  (I even made up a song about it.)  It is a material that is plastic-like and has many varieties which we have found out by trial and error.  The lesser of the evils is the type that is self-adhesive.  The purpose of Vinifan is to cover and protect books and notebooks from water and wear and tear.  Vinifan by itself is a chore, but at times the notebooks aren't the right color, so we have to wrap the notebook in colored paper followed by the Vinifan.  Now that can be a real challenge.  When there is no color change you can take the Vinifan off and re-apply to get out air bubbles and such.  But the paper is unforgiving, you've got one chance and one chance only.  At the beginning of the school year, all the girls bring home notebook after notebook that need to be covered with this protective plastic and many notebooks that need to be a different color then covered in Vinifan.

This has been one of those things that have been quite amazing and irritating to me all at the same time, thus the Vinifan jingle I made up.  However, it reminds me that sometimes we think we are good, we don't need to change or take measures to protect our lives and hearts.  We don't think we need to read our Bibles or put on the whole armor of God.  We don't think we have time or it seems not-so-important some days.  But I believe we are living in very difficult times and it is so important that we delve into God's word and keep learning more about how to protect ourselves, our families from the devil's schemes to draw us away from the truth found in God's word.

 I really don't delight the idea of doing more Vinifan, especially when there are less than three months of school left.  But I did it and here are some pictures to demonstrate the fun....

Above are the supplies, the Vinifan is the white/clear paper under the scissors.
Below is the notebook before the vinifan/papel lustre makeover.  Papel lustre is the colored paper which is basically just like colored wrapping paper without any designs.

And finally below is the new and improved notebook complete with blue paper and Vinifan.  The girls love putting the stickers on to decorate.

Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Mountain Trip

     Friday, September 11th I set out for another trip out to the mountains w/several other folks from our church here in San Jeronimo.  We headed out to Qullroyki, the new region we've really been focusing on this year.  The small group of believers out there is just a blast to be around & it is so neat to see them growing & adding to their numbers.  This area is extremely isolated, about 7-8 hours from Cusco & no buses pass by here & we saw only one truck the entire weekend.

     Friday evening we arrived in Cotabambas, about 5 hours from Cusco & the only major town out there in this area.  Pastor Serapio is the pastor here & he has been instrumental in the new evangelism efforts out in the mountains.  Our group ate supper w/him & his wife Friday evening & then headed w/him to visit a new group that he started.  This new group was up a possum trail of a road out in the boondocks but how encouraging to see fellow believers, new in their faith, meeting & praying & seeking after Christ.

     We slept out in Cotabambas & then very early Saturday morning we drove on out to Chuyllullo.  The day started w/breakfast & then some practical health teachings combined w/scripture & aimed at children & mothers.  I believe several of you reading this have heard about PROSIM, if not, this is the health program of the National Church.

         After lunch we then headed to the plaza or town square for both preaching & praise & worship. This was especially aimed at evangelism & specifically targeting unreached, non-believers.
We made sure to invite everyone to the program in the evening as well!



The "Main Event" if you will was this evening/all night celebration & program. The Spirit will move if we make ourselves available & follow His will. These next few pictures are proof of that.

     These show the small building that had most of the town in it that night & the praise & worship that went up to our Lord! We started at about 6:30 & I really don't know when we finished, sometime early the next morning. The joy & willingness of these people to unashamedly worship & dance before the Lord, for hours & hours, is truly incredibly. Sometimes if a sermon goes maybe 5-10 minutes too long in North America we start getting upset, fidgety, & wondering what's going on. I truly believe that the less people have the less there is to obstruct the view of God.

     This last picture is of me preaching the word. What time of the night this is...I have no idea. The word is going out, in Spanish, in an area completely isolated & hours from anything. Rose told me the GPS simply showed a spot out in the middle of the Peruvian mountains! The nearest town shown was Cotabambas which is HOURS from here. How incredibly humbling that God uses us, fallen, sinful humans to carry His saving gospel to places where it has never gone before.

     Please keep us & God's work here in Peru in your prayers. If you'd like to have more information on how you can be involved w/what God's doing here please get in touch with us!

     Lastly here are some of Katie's friends from Chuyllullo. We gave them a ride back to Cotabambas on our way home Sunday.  They told me to make sure I bring Katie w/me the next time I head out there to Chuyllullo.

Kids Corner: Adeline's 7 & 8 month updates

As usual we are playing catch up.  Adeline had an exciting start to her 7th month.  We took a quick trip to Lima and got her carnet.  Isn't it the cutest picture ever?

And here are her 7 month pictures.....

How is this girl already 8 months old?  Here are a few pictures to show you how much she is growing!

At 8 months she still isn't sleeping through the night but she is starting to sleep better.  She loves to clap and she even claps along at church with praise and worship sometimes.  She loves her sisters and no one can make her laugh quite like they can.  She loves bananas and eating baby mum mum rice cakes by herself.  She says mama and dada and lots of other gibberish. She also loves to cruise around in her walker and can now get to where she wants to go.  Today I found her in the dirt of a potted plant.  She is a very busy girl!

Winter Break

 Here are a few pictures from our trip to the Moray and the salt mines while the girls were on winter break.  Each year, they have a two week break the last week of July and the first week of August.  We took a few days when Chris arrived back from his visit to the States to enjoy a few days exploring.

 These stone circles in Moray are believed to be the remains of an Incan crop laboratory.

 We also visited Salineras de Maras or the salt mines.  These date back to pre-Columbian times.  The natural salty water is channeled into around 3,000 man-made wells and left to evaporate in the sun.

We spent the night in Pisac and this sign from dinner was too funny not to share.  It basically says to control your children or they will sell them as slaves.  Thankfully our girls didn't get kicked out.  

Hannah is checking out the cuy farm in Pisac.  Cuy are guinea pigs, and they are quite a popular meal here.  Don't worry, we didn't eat any, we just thought they were adorable in their little home.

The next day we went to the ruins in Pisac since they were part of our ticket we had paid for the day before at Moray.  The ticket had 4 or 5 different places to explore so we decided to take advantage.