Lots to Pray for in Paucarpata

The past 2 weeks in Paucarpata have been a great blessing. 

Every Thursday we make a stop in Centro in a giant market, in the fruit section to be exact, to disciple Miriam before heading to Paucarpata which is where Miriam and her sisters are from. We sit on buckets, stools and wooden crates in the midst of the hustle and bustle. I love the fragrant aroma surrounding us. I certainly hope in the midst of our work, we are a fragrant aroma to God. Pray for Miriam, she has a cold right now, but normally she is a little closed off and not very enthusiastic to learn. Though she said that she wanted to continue and has questions for us, sometimes about us…but at this point, it’s hard to recognize her growth or interest though we’ve been invited to be there and do it. After the market discipleship, we get on a combi headed for Paucarpata.

We have continued to disciple Dalia, her sister Faviola, and her mother Marta – there are related to Miriam and Sonia who work at the market. It’s beautiful to me, to watch Dalia be incredibly responsible, faithful, and interested in meeting every week to learn more about the Word of God. Her mom, Marta, is very up front about her inability to understand some of the basic things about God, but upon further explanation she has been to the point of tears in her eyes with gratitude and our time with them has evidence of growth and enthusiasm.

Last night we went to another part of Paucarpata to join Trevor for his and Joel’s cell group that we’ll take over when they move to Puno. Jorge and his wife Cecilia are quite delightful. Jorge repeats the things that he wants to make sure he’s got it down. When you’re discipling people, it’s very encouraging to hear the question about inviting people to church or cell group. They, unlike any other cell group I’ve been in, have a decent size home with a sitting room and a dining room. Every other place I’ve met with others has been in their bedrooms that are their main room. This place has potential to be the start of a new church, with space for several people to meet. I’m excited to see what God does in and through them.

We also visited a young lady in high school on Monday. She lives in Miguel Grau, yet another part of the large district of Paucarpata. She went to the mega-event to hear Nick Vujicic because he has such a passion to live though his life is difficult. She has an older brother that is a pastor of an evangelic church, but she’s a critical thinker and processor. She doesn’t agree with the virgin/saint worship that happens here in the Catholic Church, but is a general respecter of religion. We spoke with her for about an hour or more. It was a great conversation really. If she makes a decision for Christ one day she’ll be a huge asset to the church. I think we’ll have more contact with her in the near future, but she’s not bought in just yet. Pray for 15 year old, philosopher at heart, Laura.

We go tomorrow (Friday) to ask permission to do an impact event, probably a Festival de Niños, with a Christmas spin in one of the more impoverished sections of Paucarpata. Pray that all goes well and that we make a good connection with the Director of Cultural and Social Activities at the Municipal Center.

Basically, I'm lookinng forward to each day we can be in Paucarpata :)