Inspired

At times, it remains quite remarkable how we are inspired in various aspects of our lives. For instance, at the same time as planning trips to work (in music and liturgy)with ILEP congregations in Cusco and Huacho, a fellow musician who was here at the end of December was inspired to return to Peru. At the same time as she wrote of feeling inspired to serve here and what were the dates for her vacation in July, I was waiting for confirmation of the dates suggested to local pastors, which were, remarkably, almost identical to the dates she had offered in her email!! Again, quite remarkably, all of this fit together within a few days and she, because of the work of the Holy Spirit's inspiration, will accompany me and two ILEP congregations to teach music.

May was a busy, Spirit-filled month! I finished three months of working with the congregation of Belen, in Breña. I worked with a small women's choir to work on voice production and singing harmony together.




















Pastora Irene (far right) and some of the women at Belen.











Of course, we celebrated "El Día Del Madre" (Mother's Day). At San Juan Camino de Esperanza we had a program for the mothers, following our weekly worship service. This included poetry, dancing, singing and more dancing!





The children dancing a traditional Peruvian dance





On this same Sunday, we were priviledged to welcome Bishops and youth delegates from Lutheran churches from South America, Central America and the Caribbean for the Regional LWF Meeting. On the same Sunday as Mother's Day, San Juan welcomed guests Bishop Victoria Cortez of Nicaragua and Vice-President of the Lutheran World Federation, along with youth delegate Helen Rios, pictured here.


















In the midst of the LWF Regional Meeting, there was an Inter-Religious Prayer Service to which Muslim leaders, Catholic priests, Jewish leaders, and other Protestant Bishops and representatives were present.Many ILEP pastors attended, including Pastora Irene Ponce(left), Pastora Adita Torres(middle), and myself.
























There was a wonderful spirit at the service whose focus was world peace. Among other welcomed guests was Helena Manrique, the new Peruvian Representative for Canadian Lutheran World Relief's new office in Lima.






In addition to Mother's Day celebrations, guests for the LWF Regional Meeting, an informal gathering for missionaries, plans coming together for future visits to congregations in Huacho and Cusco, the month was complete with a week of driving lessons (learned how to drive standard in Lima!!). On the second attempt, I passed my written regulatory exam. Next, I need to pass the practical driving exam, which I will take later this month after some minor surgery and recovery.

I feel inspired by how the Holy Spirit has been working in and through various plans and events to come together in the way they have. As well, it is marvelous to see how the Holy Spirit is at work guiding adn leading ILEP in the midst of its challenges and changes. Clearly the Holy Spirit has been at work in all of us and in all of these things...

Thanks be to God for the wisdom to see, the grace to live, and the inspiration to follow through on our calling to serve with the gifts received from the Holy Spirit!!

With the peace, joy, and love of the Lord,
Pastora Fran.