One month ago Kayla and I visited a few sleepy towns by the names of Chivay & Ichupapampa.  These towns are nestled at the entrance of the Colca Valley, a valley which at its deepest is 14,000 ft. from rim to floor.  Adding to the magnitude, Chivay is around 13,000 ft., with Ichupampa just a bit lower.  The views, landscape, and attitudes of the locals remind me so muich of Colorado that I have a hard time remembering where I am when there.  Adding to the Godly-glorious ambience Kayla and I have discovered in these remote areas several amazing opportunities.

Already established is a retirement (term used loosely, as it’s not as though the residents have a pension, 401(k), or Social Security) home.  Currently housing only 8 residents (6 “grandmas” and 2 “grandpas”) three volunteers (two full-time and one part-time) also call this place home.  The area in which the asilo (that’s asylum in English, but no, the residents aren’t crazy!!) is set is home to a people primarily of Quechua descent (like our little boy, Cohen) and as such many of the older people do not speak Spanish, but rather Quechua. 

We have been invited by the asilo residents and operators to spend as much time there as we possibly can.  They have made one bedroom available exclusively to us in which we can leave behind items we will need on a regular basis in order to lighten our travel load.  In addition, they have made three other bedrooms available to us whenever we visit and have beckoned us to bring as many visitors as would like to come.  Thus, we will be visiting the Asilo in Chivay two weekends a month beginning two weeks ago and continuing until . . . with us we will be taking a small group of volunteers, a few teens and a few young adults, to aid in our ministry.

While the asilo itself presents a wealth of opportunity we are also blessed with the opportunity to run a small church in Ichupampa, an even smaller town about 30 minutes further into the valley.  The church currently consists of one finished room, about 20x50, on the bottom floor with two unfinished rooms and space to add upstairs.  Electricity is present in the building, though not always available in the town, but there is no water and therefore no plumbing. 

The church is part of the work of Nueva Vida (Kayla’s dads main church in Arequipa) but in many years the church has not been able to find good ground in which to take root.  The current congregation is but 24 adults and about the same number of kids.  Two weeks ago our adult service was considerably smaller, as most of the adults are currently traveling/working in other areas.  Our children’s ministry, however, had a strong turnout and so we seen this as being our first priority with hope and faith that our adult outreach will grow in time.  

Not wanting to limit our opportunities, we will also be initiating a youth outreach in the town of Chivay.  My vision is to hold YoungLife-type meetings in the center of town, inviting passers-by, locals and tourists, to participate.  Once we are able to establish a consistent group and pattern the asilo has adequate space in which to hold meetings. 

The unique demographics of these valley towns are such that age-appropriate ministries mean spreading our resources around as much as possible.  The town of Ichupampa is home primarily to adults/seniors and children, but almost no teens.  Most of them, once they reach an age at which they can do so, move to Chivay or even on to Arequipa in order to get a better education and/or job with which to help support the family.  For this reason we will be focusing on children and adults in Ichupampa while seeking to reach young people in Chivay while also spending time with the elderly living at the Asilo. 

This new mission comes at a time in our lives when we are learning to accept that we have not what we work for but that we have what God gives us according to His will.  While the opportunities are great so is the opposition.  Nary a church exists in these towns and very little outreach takes place on a regular and consistent basis.  Because  of this we plan to spend the next 4-6 months getting to know the people, letting them get to know and trust us, and proving to them we will be around not just a time or two, but quite often. 

As always, your prayers are the greatest support we can ask for.  This new project will also present new financial burdens.  If God fills your heart with the desire to aid us in this way, or any other, please follow Him and let me know.  Gifts of all types are needed and appreciated.  The asilo, while equipped with beds, blankets, and a kitchen with appliances, is devoid of any sort of activity for the elderly.  They have no vehicle with which to take the elderly anywhere outside the home and regular medical care is not available to them.  If there is any specific or general need you would like to help with please let me know.    

Below are a few pictures and the following link will leads to many more.  Thanks for joining us on this latest adventure. Thank you for your prayers, faithfulness, and support. 

See more photos here>>>>>>>