On Thursday 3rd December, leaving behind the comfort of language training in Arequipa, and took an 8 hour bus trip up into the Andes. At nearly 4000 meters above sea level we found ourselves in Yunguyo, on the edge of Lake Titicaca, in what seemed a totally different world.
We stayed in Yunguyo itself, a small town close to the border of Bolivia, which has a population of just over 16000 people. We lived with the family of Lourdes Brew and were practically “force-fed” as we were given food, more food and even more food!
The purpose of the trip was to help Lourdes with what has now become known as the “Sunday School Project.” A number of Sunday Schools from Association churches in Ireland raise money during the year to help the children here in the Sierra. The money is mainly used to buy T-shirts, which are packaged and delivered to each child as a prize for attending their Sunday School during the year. This year 467 T-shirts were given out to children (aged 4-16) from 14 different churches.
As we travelled around the local churches the children sang choruses and recited memory verses, along with the books of the Old Testament. At times we were asked to share a little from the Bible (sometimes without any warning at all!), with Lourdes summarizing what was said in Aymara for the older members of the churches who don’t understand Spanish. It was great to be there with Lourdes who encouraged the children to keep learning more about God and more from the Bible.
We were really impressed by the generosity of the people, who shared with us what little they had. On the Sunday we were given a huge bowl of rice, potatoes, chuño (freeze/dried potatoes) and fried cheese. It was tough going but we kept chewing and got it all down! An hour later we were given the same meal at the next church so we discreetly put this into plastic bags to take home with us!
It was amazing to see the enormous work that had been done by missionaries of the past in this area. We heard stories about many missionaries but especially about Sam and Mary Sloan. It was also great to see how much God can build on a work that was done many years ago and a reminder of how work done for the Lord will not pass away.
Thank you for all your prayers during our time here. We had a great weekend in the Sierra and gained a good understanding of how difficult life can be there and the need for prayer and teaching among a people with so few resources.
Misión Rescate Team (Lynne Holmes, Shirley Starrett and Simon Curry)
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