Yaurin Outreach December 2018

December 13.  That's the day we pack up our things and officially move south to Peru where we'll be diving back into our ongoing ministry and starting up some new ones. 

Before heading to our home town of Pucallpa in the Amazon Jungle, we'll be stopping in the region of Huánuco in the Andes Mountains for a week to do an outreach ministry in some small villages there.  Joined by Peruvian friends from the coast and the jungle, as well as a couple college kids from the United States, we'll be leading activities, bible lessons, and lunch for the children of two different towns; supporting the local volunteer pastor on Sunday morning by providing paneton and hot chocolate (a Peruvian Christmas tradition) and giving away more than two suitcases-full of donated, lightly-used coats to the congregation; and also providing the much-needed materials and much-appreciated assistance to accomplish several construction projects for three single women in the village of Yaurin who are struggling.  Honestly, everyone in the village has needs but we had to choose someone to start with, so we decided to follow the Scripture that says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." (from James 1:27). 

Pictured to the left is Justina.  She has no family except for her mother, whom she takes care of.  Above is a picture of their house.  It has been uninhabitable for a long time so they have been living with another family in the village, caring for the family's animals as a way to pay rent.  The most she can make in one week of work (with an hour long walking commute each way) is $20.  We asked her how we can help.  She asked for a roof so that she and her mom can move back into their house.  We are hoping to raise enough money to build a new house for them.  The town has already excitedly agreed to help with the construction if we can come up with the materials.  If we do not reach our financial goal of $1000 in time for the trip this December, we hope to come back in the Spring with the full amount needed to complete the job.

To the right is pictured a pair of sisters, both of whom are single mothers.  The older sister on the left has two teenagers and does her best to help her younger sister on the right, whose children are still young.  They currently sleep on the floor as their husbands took/sold all the furniture when they abandoned their families.  These women have asked for one mattress each to share with their children.  We hope to give more than just one mattress per family, as well as do some repairs on their roof and build a more suitable stable for their animals. 

We wanted to share this with you so that you could witness, as we have, the humble, genuine hearts of these beautiful people in need.  To us, they need so much, but for them, a few little things to make life more manageable will do.  Our friends in Peru who will be joining us on this trip have already received enough donations for two mattresses and continue to seek out more donors.  Aside from that, we are hoping to raise about $1000 to cover the cost of construction materials and the transportation cost to have them delivered to this village, Yaurin.  Any donations beyond that would help us to provide a full lunch for the children's activity days instead of just a snack.

If you would like to give toward our $1000 materials goal, please write checks to Glenrock Baptist Church with "Peru Fund" in the memo and mail to

Glenrock Baptist Church
P. O. Box  151
Fort Mill, SC 29715
 
Thank you again for your interest in and support of God's ministry in Peru.  We are excited to be getting back in the saddle and hope you will join us.  If you would like to contact us with any questions about what we'll be doing or how you can get involved, please e-mail ashleywaldmeyer@gmail.com.  Thanks so much...be blessed and bless others!