PCA Conversations

Last February we packed 12 large suitcases, 6 backpacks, 6 people, 1 sheepdog and 1 extra large dog crate into a minivan.  We then drove from Knoxville, TN to Miami, Fl en route to Lima, Peru.  In Miami we got lost dropping off the dog for his flight, broke his crate at customs, bought a new one, missed our flight, forfeited our tickets and got stuck in Miami for a week.  Needless to say, we had a rough transition to Peru.

Thankfully times have improved and God has used that experience to prepare us for things like squeezing seven people into a tiny tico taxi, sweating non-stop on a ten hour bus ride with no air-conditioning that was supposed to be six with air, or waiting for hours and hours to pick up a care package at the post office.  

To say that Peru is a developing country is an understatement.  It’s developing politically as it’s traded communism for democracy; economically as it changes from a cash based system of bartering to a credit based one with fixed prices; educationally as it moves from modern forms and practices for more postmodern ones and spiritually as it goes from a religion of mysticism, syncretism and animism to a decidedly materialistic one. The modern Western world is materialistic seeking to become spiritualistic while Peru is spiritualistic seeking to become materialistic.   

Their ancient ancestors, the Inkans, Spaniards and Communists have failed Peruvians religiously, politically and economically.  So, they’ve turned their backs on all of them and have embraced global capitalism.  Every Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonald’s, Papa John’s, and Starbucks that opens offers more than poorly processed food at high prices. They offer fruitfulness, fullness and life.  They offer community, acceptance, beauty, peace and prosperity.  Or, so they want to believe.  

We’re in Peru working to expose the bankruptcy of both materialism and mysticism in light of the gospel.  We’ve joined a team seeking to live out the beauty and power of Christ’s life, death and resurrection in word and deed to the cities of northern Peru.  We’re partnering with the Iglesia Presbyteriana Evangelica del Peru in order to assist them in church planting, leadership training, theological education, community renewal and economic development.

Parish defines our philosophy of ministry.  This means that we incarnate ourselves by planting churches and beginning transformational ministries like medical clinics for specific neighborhoods.  We want our communities to rejoice that there are people playing, working, dreaming, hoping and praying among them that are living out the values of another world- the heavenly world of love, joy, justice, forgiveness and peace- here on earth.  

Poverty defines our context.  This means that we believe poverty is an enemy of Christ as it leads to men cheating, women lying, children stealing and neighbors fighting.  A band-aid approach to these issues won’t fix anything. Only as we address them systemically- spiritually, economically and relationally- will we see real renewal and change. 

Partnership defines our need.  This means that we covet your prayers, appreciate your generosity, expect your visit and anticipate your move.  If you’d like to learn more about the ministries of Peru Mission and how you can be involved, please visit our website at perumission.org or e-mail meat j.eby@perumission.org.  

Finally, Pascua defines our outlook.  This means that Christ’s resurrection is the main thing that encourages, strengthens, motivates, sustains and propels our work.  As Jaroslov Pelikan has said, “If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen— nothing else matters.”  But Christ is risen indeed and his Spirit is a work in Peru.  For this, we are very grateful.