Chimbote (Pics & Audio)

On Thursday of this week, Bro. José Sotomayor (Natl. Secy.) and I made a lightning trip to the city of Chimbote, 6.5 hours North of Lima on the Peruvian Coast. We were going to evaluate and assess the remodeling of a recently-purchased church facility there –– purchased thanks to the great generosity of people in North America.

What is the Peruvian Coast like?
 Sand...sand...rocks...sand...and more sand, interspersed with some really nice river valleys where rivers fed by the Andes empty into the Pacific Ocean.

Sand, anyone?

Notice the little specks in the distance: they're trucks. This is a LOT of sand...

A veritable moonscape, where almost nothing grows. It doesn't rain here.

Yes...sand MOUNTAINS.

The church in Chimbote is young, but thriving. Pastor Hermes Mendoza and his family are doing a bang-up job. We're excited that they're soon to be in their own building - with well over TWICE the capacity of their present, borrowed facilities, and room to expand!! This is so needed...Chimbote is exploding in growth - and in crime - but there is an immense spiritual hunger here. Thank God for people in North America with vision –– and with a will to help. Thank YOU –– all who helped!

We even have a Bible School branch there. Adjunct Professor Rigoberto Puntriano, teaching on Holiness:

You can hear some of his teaching in the audio clip below:

Great fellowship afterwards, eating a Peruvian specialty: pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken).

The cross-country buses in Peru can be very comfortable! This one is twin-decked...

With lie-flat, leather seats. You'd pay thousands for this on an airline...we paid about $27.00 each - and got a nice meal, to boot.

Almost snooze time... :-)