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It was our incredible pleasure and blessing to have a professional photographer, Kimberlee West on our trip to Peru.  She was always behind the cameras so that we could always be in the moment.  Last night she blew us away by giving us all a USB key full of hundreds of pictures and THIS video she produced (on her Mac, of course).  Thanks, Kimberlee – you are a true professional and a Christ-loving servant!

Today was a fantastic day in Lima, Peru.  I am totally blown away by the faces, testimonies, and stories from all of these projects by Compassion International.

We spent some time this morning getting some tours en route to the church where today’s Compassion project was hosted.  (click the image for a larger picture) … this is one of the big city squares.

We spent a good amount of time with the kids today – for the first time we spent some time with the teenagers today and saw that they are learning marketable skills at the Compassion projects.  For example, they were learning to make silk screen design T-Shirts calendars, printing, and they made some incredible chocolates that they typically would sell.  I say “typically sell” because we ATE THEM today instead.

We also spent time with 3 students who are part of Compassion’s “LTP” (Leadership Training Program).  This is a program where some of the best students get scholarships and leadership training to the colleges and universities.  If only I could have pictures and videos of “Elizabeth” and her story.  She grew up as a sponsored child and now is in the LTP and is studying in the university to be an elementary teacher.  When asked what she wanted to do, she said “go to the farthest parts of Peru and teach the children about my faith in Jesus Christ”.

Last night I shared a once-in-a-lifetime treat with my friend, Scott Copeland.  Scott is a worship pastor up in the Atlanta area and we met at the re:create conference earlier this year.  In addition, Pastor Francis Castañeda from Lima, Peru attends the conference.  We kept thinking it would be a shame to visit Lima, Peru and not see Pastor Francis whom we’d grown to love from our visits at re:create.

In addition to being a full-time Worship Pastor here in Lima, Francis founded the Allegro Institute, a training center for the arts  – worship, music, arts, etc.  His passion for teaching and training worship leaders is contagious – I’m ready to fly back to Peru soon and teach these students in music theory, arranging, and the spiritual aspects of worship leadership.

Scott and I became true locals – as everyone else on our team from Compassion was headed up to bed, we joined Francis and jumped in a cab and toured Allegro Institute.  We toured all around Lima, seeing some sights that I’m sure we’d never see otherwise.  We enjoyed coffee and some incredible “steak-kabob” type dish in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean together.  We returned to the hotel around midnight – exhausted, but exhilarated from our time with Francis.

Finally, I captured a great video today with a couple of the sponsored kids.  I’ll post that as a separate blog, it’s still processing.

Thanks for your prayers.  A few of you have emailed or messaged me and asked “how can I sponsor a child”?  Just visit www.compassion.com and it’s so simple.  Have questions, just ask me!

Fred

Compassion Trip to Peru, Day 1

Awesome first day in Lima, Peru.  We visited one of the urban projects here in town at a local church.  Did you know that ALL of Compassion’s ministry is carried out through the local church?

We were greeted by the most beautiful people ever with song and dance, as you can see from some of the videos I’ll post.

Today we learned about Compassion’s “CSP” – or “Child Survival Program”.  This is an amazing ministry where Compassion workers reach children before they are even born.  Those who are pregnant or who have recently given birth and who are part of this program are ministered to on every level, from spiritual to social, emotional, and intellectual.

We had the honor of visiting the home of one of the mothers who is in this program.  She was a young, single mom with a beautiful little girl.  She lived in the “Squatter” area — in a tiny hut that was probably not much larger than a 12×8 room.  We were able to witness the Compassion worker as she worked with the infant and checked the various assignments and homework that had been given the mother.  I had the pleasure of praying for this mom and her young daughter and speaking a blessing over her home and family.

Totally had a blast with the kids today.  This one little boy, Ernesto – he grabbed my heart.  He was such a sport-model … and I was pretty surprised at how quickly the Spanish came back to me.

Tonight we’re having dinner with three of the local pastors here in Lima who are part of the Compassion ministry.

Looking forward to Day 2.

Here’s a quick video we made outside after our home visit. We were also able to give this young mother a big basket full of groceries. My perspective of life, people, love, and what’s important … is changing already.

Hello Friends,

I’ll be leaving in a few days and joining a group of church pastors and missions pastors for a week long mission to Lima, Peru with Compassion International.

I’ve never met a single person on this trip – but I’m looking forward to doing so.  I’m looking forward to the time away, the opportunity to give of myself, to love others, to share a smile, a hug, and hopefully, bring back a greater understanding of Compassion’s ministry.

Time and internet-availability permitting, I will be blogging, uploading photos, videos, and sending out “tweets” via my @fmckinnon twitter account.  (still not following my updates on Twitter – click here to do so).  Many of my “tweets” will update my Facebook Status as well.  Of course, this assumes I will have access to the internet, or that my phone will work and have coverage in Peru.

So all next week will be blog bursts, tweets, and updates from the mission field.

If you’ve never sponsored a child, I’d encourage you to consider it.  Just click the Compassion banner above (or this link) for more details.

Pray for us, and please pray for my family as well.  They are in GREAT hands.

For the Kingdom,
Fred