Peru Mission Trip 2011/2012 – Part 1

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“O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!”         Samuel Francis, 1875

From December 30th to January 7th, a team of counselors from Twin Lakes partnered with the Body of Christ in Peru to go about the work of evangelism and discipleship.

In response to the request of churches planted by Peru Mission, 1st Presbyterian Church, through Twin Lakes Summer Camp, planted a week long day camp for kids in Trujillo in 2007-2008. We continue to facilitate this children’s ministry in order to: 

1. Foster redemptive relationships for evangelism and discipleship,
2. Open avenues for the Gospel in the lives of entire families,
3. Train a generation of Christ-like servant leaders.

Our long term goal is to pass this ministry over to developing leadership within the local churches. The entire trip is set up to be a part of what Peru Mission is already doing – encouraging the growth of churches that preach the Gospel and encourage the means of grace within a community. Through these churches and their ministries (economic development, music development, theological education, healthcare, summer camp, and much more) the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed in word and deed for the sake of His worship and glory. Camp is a unique opportunity to build relationships with children of the community, and inroads are made through camp to impact entire neighborhoods. Here is an excerpt from the original letter asking Twin Lakes to come to Peru:

“…Here in Peru, God has seen fit to send many children to our churches. For instance, our newest church planting effort in the Arevalo community has more than half its Sunday morning attendance in children. We are convinced that one of the ways the gospel would have an immense impact in the lives of thousands of children is to mimic your summer camp program here in Peru. It is staggering to consider the possibility that in one generation, Trujillo can be transformed into a society filled with converted and committed Christians.”

Through this camp ministry and many other trips to Trujillo and Cajamarca, the strong tie of the Gospel continues to bind the hearts of Christians between Jackson, MS and northern Peru. Each missions team from 1st Presbyterian has been privileged to witness the effect of the Gospel upon these Peruvian communities. It is such a blessing to serve alongside Alleen Mclain, who is an essential part of executing a cross cultural summer camp. Alleen is a member of 1st Presbyterian who has been serving in Peru ever since her first experience with missions – the Twin Lakes Camp in Peru. Alleen continually tells short term teams that Twin Lakes in Peru was the tool God used to call her to missions.

This year we were blessed to partner with Independent Presbyterian in Savannah, Georgia. Point Pleasant, IPC’s summer day camp, is a like minded ministry lead by Frankie Daniell. Frankie is IPC’s Missions Director as well as their summer camp director. He brought a team that included counselors from their camp, as well as IPC teaching and ruling elders. It was a joy to see three separate communities within the global body of Christ joining in the work of proclaiming the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1st Peter 2:9).

Peru Mission noted on their website: “For four days the groups from the two summer camps teamed up with Peruvian volunteers from local churches to bring the light of the gospel to children who, in many cases, have grown up in homes broken by poverty and sin. The result was an experience none of the children (or counselors) will ever forget.” One Peruvian counselor, a young man named Esdras who was recently elected to the office of deacon at Cristo Rey Presbyterian church in downtown Trujillo, spoke to us at the end of camp, reminding us that “you are sowing in good soil. [. . .] God says His Word never returns empty, and eventually these children will be people of God.”

Join us in prayer and praise that, just as we have seen repentance and faith in the lives of thousands upon thousands of children since 1970 at Twin Lakes, so we would see God bring to fruition the seeds He has planted through camp in Peru.