Filters in use!

Since the workshop we had in September to have a go installing the Sawyer filters, I've been thinking about how we can use them.

Now I've started a pilot project, getting 4 families from AIDIA to try using the filters in their homes.  I've given them free rein to make modifications and set up the filter how best suits them - as long as they share their innovations with me!  I'll visit once a month and get feedback about how it works in practice and any suggestions they make, as well as figuring out how often it needs cleaning.

Here are the first 2 filters with their owners.

I'm giving some training too.  First up, some basic information about how the filter works.  Here are my props: the 4 different types of pathogen found in water (helminth, protozoa, bacteria and virus), and how the filter removes them.  Only viruses can make it through, which means some other treatment is still recommended.

We talked about how the filter should be cleaned... in later visits we'll look at ways to store the filtered water so that it doesn't get re-contaminated.

If the trial goes well, I'll hope to implement a village-wide project in one of the areas where we work - next year.

Student weekend

Last year, I started helping the CBU - the Peruvian version of university Christian Unions - with some of their events and generally trying to encourage them, and help new students from Christian families in rural villages to get to know the church in Abancay.

Each year, the groups from the universities in the south of Peru get together for a conference.  Last year, the Abancay CBU got really enthusiastic, and offered to host it in 2016.

So we've been doing lots of planning and preparations and fundraising activities, and the big weekend finally arrived.

Making plans with the Abancay team

We had students from Cusco, Puno, Arequipa and Tacna...

The theme of the weekend was "not because you must but because you are willing" based on 1 Peter 5:2.

I took along my piano and guitar and to start with was leading all the music... but over the next few days the students joined in and took over :)

I led a workshop about Cross-Cultural Mission.  We talked about what culture is and then a bit about which of the ways our church does things come from culture and which come from the Bible.  There were a few surprises, which showed us the importance of listening and learning well before trying to bring new ideas.  We finished up considering the classic pattern of culture shock or culture stress, and how to be firmly anchored in God, to be able to consistently produce fruit (Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:7-8).

I spent quite a lot of the time helping prepare the food - it was quite fun, and turned out delicious.

It was a great time of teaching, fun, encouragement and comparing ideas for how the different CBUs can learn from and support each other.

With those who didn't have to leave early, we went down to the colonial bridge in the gorge and walked along to some hot pools right next to the river. 

Perhaps too many people for the 15-seater minibus?  (In the end we took 2)

 

It was VERY windy!

An Arequipa Adventure with Anna

My friend Anna has been back in the UK for the last 6 months, and was planning to visit me these past few weeks.  But work happened, and she couldn't come...  So instead, I went to accompany her on a church visit in Cabanaconde, in the Colca Canyon.

It's a stunning place...

Fiery skies at Yanque

On Saturday morning we got the bus up to the Cruz del Condor, where we waited for about half an hour with beautiful tranquil views (despite the hundreds of tourists behind us!)...

 ... and then saw several stunning, and huge, condors.

And we met up with Ruth - who was here on a tour with her Mum.  Although we've all seen each other fairly often, this was the first time the three of us were together since Bible college 3 and a half years ago!

Down in Cabanaconde there are more breathtaking views of the canyon.

In the plaza of Cabanaconde

We had a great time catching up, relaxing, and then visited the tiny church where we were very encouraged.  Here are a few photos from outside...

I helped out by doing a reading in the service... and afterwards we got down to work: Anna's job here was to get some volunteers to answer questionnaires about the church and their Christian life - so I helped to fill one out with a man who was not confident with reading.

The hostel we stayed in had a lovely roof terrace where we relaxed (I snoozed).

 And there were great views driving back down the canyon towards Arequipa.

Cows ont' road.

misty Misti

Back in Arequipa: one of my favourite pastimes when I visit the bigger cities of Peru is eating exciting food!

In which I return to Piscoya

In Luke 10:2 Jesus says "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." - he's talking about many people being ready to listen to his good news, but few people being available to tell them.

Well, in Piscoya I feel like one of those workers.

A couple from Abancay have been visiting Piscoya for over a year.  They always visit the same family, who have been very welcoming and really valued what they have to say, coming to believe in Jesus and have their lives visibly changed.

But it really seems a harvest is beginning and God has sent me to help with this part... I've now accompanied them three times, and each time at least one new person has approached us and asked us to visit them - and come back again.

It's a tiring day (7 hours of travelling and 9 hours of very hot weather) but it's very exciting to be part of.

 And there are some very cute friends to catch up with...

This guy sucked enthusiastically on my shoelaces, the tassles of my scarf and even the end of my plait... with 2 brothers to compete with for milk I think he was hungry!