Final Times in Peru

Well it looks like this is going to be our penultimate blog entry and it’s been a wild ride. Since our last blog post we’ve gotten to see other parts of Peru, the baby has grown considerably in Katrina’s belly, and I’ve been ordained to the priesthood. As of today Katrina has gone back to the United States and I have only about 2 ½ weeks left in Lima. Let me give you an update on what has happened since our last blog post.   

I’ve been teaching, preaching, leading Sunday school, assisting with worship, and other miscellaneous duties at the cathedral. I finished an introduction to the New Testament class two weeks ago. We had several regular attendees who read most (and in one case all) of the New Testament during the 8-week course. I was excited to see some new people to our church begin to discover the joy of reading and studying Holy Scripture. 

Peter teaching his class on the New Testament 

There was a particularly high volume of activity during Holy Week. We arranged had different services for Stations of the Cross, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. Katrina and I also had the opportunity of participating in a Good Friday service at one of our parishes on the outskirts of Lima. You can find some pictures of this attached. 
I have been thinking hard about what I can leave behind that will persist even after I leave. To that end I’ve been organizing and recruiting for our music ministry at the cathedral. There is a terrific organist and some talented musicians scattered about the congregation, but there is only a nascent contemporary music team. I’ve been working on organizing, and equipping a group of singers and musicians who can continue once I’m gone. Additionally, I’m working on starting some sort of small group or weekly get together that would be available for some of the younger people who have started attending the church since Katrina and I arrived. 

The girls dressed as Mary for Stations of the Cross in a neighboring parish at a nearby shanty town. 

Jesus leading the parishioners around the town for each station

Peter with Padre Aurelio, the one who graciously invited us to his parish to participate in Stations of the Cross 

Katrina was very sick through the first few months of her pregnancy. While she could still help with children’s ministry at the cathedral during this time, she was intermittently out of commission due to nausea and discomfort. Nevertheless, Katrina has been instrumental in writing curriculum for children’s Sunday school and organizing various activities at different stages of the Church year. Because of the pregnancy we decided it was best for Katrina to return to the States a little early. She flew home on the 15^th of April is currently staying with her parents. 

Meet Todd and Ruffle, the two kittens that we adopted from Peru and whom Katrina is spending a lot of her time with in the States right now. 

Up until February Katrina and I had only been in Lima since we arrived in Peru. Fortunately, right before I started my New Testament class, we had the opportunity to see a few different parts of the country. We spent a few days in Cusco and visited Machu Pichu. The Andes were remarkable as you can probably tell from the pictures we’ve attached. After this we visited Iquitos, a city in the rain forest that sits right on the Amazon River. The animals and terrain in the rain forest were unlike anything we had ever seen before. We held a sloth and saw a monkey riding a dog. These are the kind of memories that will stay with you into old age.   

The Andes and Machu Picchu are absolutely breath taking 

One of the most daring things I've ever done....but it actually wasn't that difficult to do. I guess I'm not afraid of snakes. 

I was amazed by the jungle and how people live on the Amazon. Floating houses, floating everything. I would see kids step out of their house and just jump in the water to get to the neighbouring house. What a different lifestyle. 

Finally, in consultation with my bishop in the United States, the bishop here in Peru agreed to ordain me to the priesthood. This was a very high honor. I had been ordained a deacon last July with the hope that it would culminate in an ordination to the priesthood. I had spent most of my time as a deacon here at the cathedral. So it felt appropriate to have my ordination here rather than waiting until I returned to the US. We worked the ordination service into Sunday April 12^th, 10 AM Eucharist. The congregation got me a handmade Peruvian stole and my Dad flew all the way from California to attend. It was a remarkable day and an amazing service. 

Peter receiving a Peruvian stole during his ordination service. His Dad and I had the honor of placing it on him. 

I hope you enjoy the pictures. We are so appreciative of our supporters, family, friends, and church that have made all of this possible. We ask for your continued prayer as we transition into a totally new life in the States. I will be starting a doctoral program at the University of Virginia in Judaism and Christianity in antiquity at the end of August. This will be only weeks after our son is born. Pray that all goes smoothly and that we can find meaningful ministry and good friends in Virginia.