My Heart Melts

The first week I was back in Trujillo, I went out to Wichanzao to the church were I've been teaching English to kids. We went out there to do some promotion for our new English classes. It was a little strange to walk down those streets and up to the church again after being gone for about three weeks. But, as I walked up to the church doors one of my most dedicated students from last semester spotted me from the soccer field nearby. As soon as he say me, he yelled out, "Teacher Amanda!" from all the way across the soccer field. I went over to say hello to him and he gave me a huge hug and kiss on the cheek. And, my heart just melted. He's a great kid.

Christmastime!

Over the holidays I was able to spend three weeks at home with my family. It was wonderful and restful and cold!
I got to spend a lot of time with my family. We spent Christmas day at home in Dallas while the blizzard raged up north in Oklahoma. And, the next day we braved the roads to Tulsa to visit more family and have Christmas a second time.
I also got to see some very good friends and worship with my church family in Norman, Oklahoma. Had some great times with those friends watching all of the Lord of the Rings movies and catching up on everything that has happened in our lives since we've been apart.
I am so thankful for the network of support that God has provided for me. My family and friends love me so well!

Here are a few pictures from Christmas at home in the SNOW!

Christmas dinner at our house.

Christmas dinner at Grandma's house
(sister, cousin, and grandma featured here)

Dad pulling us on the sled.

Eating snow ice cream in Grandma's kitchen

"Graduation"

A few weeks before Christmas we celebrated the end of our first term of English classes at Wichanzao Church. Our kids worked really hard and we had tons of fun teaching them. In their honor we held a small little reception for them and handed out certificates and gifts. They loved it, and we could tell they all felt very special.

These kids are dear to my heart. I'm excited for the next five months I get to spend with them teaching them and sharing the love of Christ with them.

Giving a big thank you to our students for their hard work and to their parents.

Our students performing a Christmas song in English for their parents.

The adult students performing a Christmas song for all of us.

Meagan's students presenting a project from their class.

Wedding Celebrations

A few weeks ago we celebrated the marriage of out friends Lenin and Elva with a beautiful ceremony and reception. It was a day full of fun and love and exchanging of vows and tons of dancing.
Peru is a country that is deeply scared by broken relationships between men and women. But, God is restoring relationships. Lenin and Elva are an example of God's grace, and they are a beacon of light to those around them. We are so glad to see another marriage in our churches.

I even got to be in the wedding! It was so much fun. And, all the bridesmaids and groomsmen, all 24 of us, performed a dance from the jungle at the reception.

Friends

our jungle dance

Peru Mission interns with the bride and groom


dancing the night away

Casa San Augustin

Peru Mission has a new office building. But, it's really more than an office building. It's a large old beautiful house near the center of Trujillo. It's the new hub for the Mission with room enough for all the different ministries to grow and flourish. The seminary finally has a place to hold regular classes in the evenings and a permanent location for the seminary library. There is a great big room in the back that is perfect for the university ministry. There are several classrooms for the English conversation classes that we will be starting in January. And, there is a great big living room in the front with a perfect corner for our Corner Cafe and a beautiful large garden behind it where people can meet and hang out. And yes, there is plenty of room upstairs for our offices as well.
We are all very excited about our new location. We're thankful for this wonderful blessing that God has provided for the Mission. It is our prayer that Casa San Augustin will be a place where people can gather, and good relationships are built, and where our ministries will have a home and a place to expand. God has really been growing and expanding the mission in the past few months, and we believe we are stepping into a new era for the work of Peru Mission. We would love your prayers for God's grace as we move through this time of transition and your prayers for the continued ministry of gospel transformation in the hearts of the people and the city of Trujillo.

Here are a few pictures of Casa San Augustin from our inaugural celebration. Enjoy.

Happenings

It has been a long time since I've posted anything on my blog, but it's not because there hasn't been anything to report. There has been a ton happening around here. I'll try to get everyone up to speed on the big events.


Movie Night
In an effort to draw more kids from the neighborhood of Wichanzao to the church, we have had a couple of movie nights to help build connections between us and the kids. The first night was a huge success. We passed out fliers a few days before, put up signs, served popcorn and coke and watched a movie projected on the wall. It was just like being at the movie theater. The kids loved it, and we've had fun as well. We had so much fun the first time we decided to do it again a few weeks later. We may continue the trend in the following months. The kids just won't leave us alone about in. :)

Here are a few pictures from our movie nights.

A New Address

I have a new address for letters and such to be sent to here in Trujillo. Peru Mission opened a P.O Box for us. So, now if you want, you can send any mail to our P.O. Box address.

Amanda Willis
MISIÓN REFORMADA EN PERÚ
Casilla Postal 1232
Trujillo - Perú