Welcome to the 2nd edition of "Our Connections... to PERU," a compilation of news, announcements and calendar events for our families of the Texas-Gulf Coast and Peru. 
Month of March:

TOP STORY - El Triunfo near Iquitos, Peru Gets A Water Well...


Due to the love and determination of three men, that many of us may know, a new water well exists at a small community known as El Triunfo near Iquitos, Peru. Know this... it is the first well there. Before this well, the people had only "rain-water" to drink and bath in.

May I introduce you to our friends that assisted in making this fantastic new water well happen. They are Jim Young (Spirit of Joy - The Woodlands), Phil Pienkos (formally Spirit of Joy but now lives in Lakewood, CO. and attends Atonement Lutheran), and Mike Roberts (Living Word - Katy). There were others involved, but without the love and care of these fine gentlemen, this community would not have fresh water to drink.

If you would like to send a thank you email to them, notice that each of their names is underlined ... ready for you to send a note of appreciation. Is it not just great to have brothers in Christ like each of them! Thank you gentlemen for what you did in Peru and how you inspire us here! "As you did it for the least of these... you did it for Me".

Read more about the well and see photos at the link below:

http://www.globalmissiongulfcoast.org/projects_peru_water_well.htm

 

Meet March's Future Seeker - Christian Abarca Sicha


Christian
Hello, my name is Christian Abarca Sicha and I am a member of Luz Divina Lutheran church in Marquez Peru. Here is the web site for my church. I am 9 years old and was born on August 21, 1998. In March, when school starts, I will begin the 5th grade. This makes the 3rd year in a row that my sponsor, Senor Mike Warren has sent me to school. Last year I won honors in my grade for being the best student.
mike

If it were not for this kind man, I would not be going to school. Thank you Mr. Mike! I want to put his photo here to let him and you know that he is special to me and my family!

If you would like to write me, you can. We now have an email at Luz Divina. Click Here to send me an email (PLEASE!). My mother, Elizabeth, is very smart. She has learned to read and write English. My good friend Juanito Warner wrote this note for me. He is not nearly as smart as my Mother! My father's name is Koki, and I have a sister named Debora. She is younger than me. Both my mother and father teach Sunday School where I live. They love Jesus and have taught me to love Him too!

 

EVENTS - Wanna Go to PERU?


Trip to Peru (Jul 28 to Aug 03 2008) - Want to be a part of a group of 40+ of your caring Lutheran neighbors from the Houston area that are going to Peru?  A Machu Pichuu trip is in the works too. Well, we would love to have you join us and go.  We will be celebrating our partnership in Christ with over 500 children and many adults in our Sister Peruvian Lutheran churches in Peru. If you have an interest in attending this absolutely GREAT trip, send John (JuanKneeToe) Warner an email or call him at work (281) 366-4259.  You will find most of the data you need about joining in the trip at the link below:
plane
 

AIDS - Ever Heard of It?


As in so many other countries, AIDS is one of the biggest killers of people in Peru. It is a GIANT!

In Peru, it is known as "VIH y SIDA". Believe me, it is very well known there. Each year, this virus seems to spread and engulf more of our Peruvian friends. Most people that live in Peru have no money to spend for medicine once they contract the disease. The government provides no help. Once you have it, you are like the "leper" in the Bible; you are unclean and no one wants to have you near them. Your family, your place of employment, your friends shun you!

juanIn Marquez, Luz Divina Lutheran church has begun a campaign to help people that have AIDS (or SIDA). Those of us that have visited in Marquez, Peru have seen that some people with AIDS live in old boxes or barrels, just waiting to die. Some of the leaders of Luz Divina have begun a program to help those with the disease and to teach the youth how this disease spreads. One person who is a leader in this fight against AIDS (SIDA) is a man known as Juan Leyva. He will soon be a Lutheran Pastor. Send him a note and tell him that you are praying for him to whip this GIANT.

I have included two of his fliers that he personally made about the AIDS problem. Both are in Spanish.

AIDS (SIDA) Flier 1 and AIDS (SIDA) Flier 2

 

BLOG -- by Pastor Benjamin Navarro


Benjamin

Pastor Benjamin Navarro, Pastor at Luz Divina in Marquez, Peru never ceases to amaze us.  This man has many many talents!  He continues to be an Internet Artist. Stay tuned to his BLOG which highlights the Future Seeker children and other events at Luz Divina.  Explore the following link and you may find your sponsored child.

http://benvale.blogspot.com/

Information provided by:
John W. Warner -- Email = jwwarner28@comcast.net