Life in Lima

After an all night bus ride we arrived in Lima. We rented rooms for the day. After a few hours of sleep we met for lunch and then traveled to the districts known for their markets and shopping. Of course you are expected to bargain on the price …a process I deplore. I picked up a few souvenirs and gifts and then left to get ready for our waking tour and dinner. The owner of the restaurant showed us some interesting houses and shared interesting history about the city. There is a stark difference between Lima and Chimbote. While Lima still has a sizable population of poor, there is more opportunity for jobs and housing. It is a large bustling city and every modern convenience is available if you have the resources.

John

Life in Chimbote

It has been amaizng to hear the stories of Faher Jack this week. Three of his friends were killed by the terrorist group Shining Path and he was next on their list. He refused to abandon his work and had to hide in parishoners home for several months. He has started South Americas only hospice ...you can see in the picture how beautiful it is. He has founded a rehab center for drug addicts where they get counseling and job training. They have a complex where they care for abandoned and disabled women and men. They feed hundreds of people, assist the sick in a medical clinic and serve more people in more ways than I can describe. It has been a privilege to observe and serve on the front lines of ministry with these heroes.

Chimbote is a fishing town ....largely sardines ...and the smell from these factories is overwhelmingly unpleasant. The people here work hard but have little to show for it. It really is a day to day existence for many and this mission is often the thread that allows them to hang onto life. It doesn't get much more hands on than this when reaching out to the least and the lost!

John