Two Glances of Peru - Efrain

By:  Warren Heitzenrater

Near the top of a dusty hill, in the midst of a settlement some 20 miles from the center of Lima is a pile of stones broken and stacked over ten years to provide a flat spot on a steep hillside. And on that careful stack of stones is a building where a Methodist congregation gathers. From a wire stretched across the front of the room hangs a sheet of black plastic on which are formed with red electrical tape the words “Jesus te ama.” Jesus Loves You. On Sunday afternoon, children from the community gather in this room, some bringing parents and grandparents along. The pastor, a young man with a biblical and theological education that exceeds what most of us have the opportunity to encounter leads those children in songs and prayers and lessons. They listen and respond to him with enthusiastic voices and dancing wide eyes. They are in the palm of his hand, characters in the story he is telling, threads in the tapestry of story and community and congregation that he is weaving with voice and gesture. And when he passes out precious paper and colorful crayons, they return to kneel as the benches on which they have been sitting become tables. Their pastor is happy this week. He has been blessed with the gift of four more benches so that this afternoon, three to a bench, there is a space for all the children.

It is a red letter day for this church. They have room for everyone to sit this week. It is a red letter day on this stack of stones brought to life by a young man with a love for God and a gift for what he does. It’s a red letter day for these children and thier families who have found a pastor and preacher and friend.  Jesus te ama.