Accompaniment
Accompaniment was the goal of our mission trip to our companion synod in Peru. Our objective was to listen, observe, and participate in group activities with our hosts in Peru so that we might better understand their lives, culture, and ministries. As hosts they ministered to all of our needs and welcomed us to join their congregations and participate in the Children’s Festival.
Our experience of accompaniment was further enhanced as we had the opportunity to gather with a group from Texas which included people primarily from the Houston area. Bishop Felix J. Malpica from the La Crosse Area Synod and Bishop Mike Rinehart from the Texas synod, together, led our combined delegation combining their knowledge with a shared compassion and commitment to support the Lutheran Church of Peru. With their leadership we were able to appreciate the unique gifts from each synod and we soon evolved from 2 distinct groups into a collaborative and interactive group able to share ideas, stories, and support one another.
The same was true of our Peruvian hosts from the Iglesia Luterana del Peru (Lutheran Church of Peru or IL-P). The IL-P comprises 14 churches and although they are poor in resources, their faith, spirit, and passion for supporting the ministry of the church in their communities is genuine and life giving. This was apparent at our first meeting when we gathered to introduce ourselves and plan in preparation for the Children’s Festival. The festival itself was a huge opportunity for the congregations to get together again following the strict restrictions imposed during COVID. Everyone was excited to have the opportunity to gather together again. It was a very festive day. The children and families rotated to varying crafts and activities. The children and many adults worked collaboratively to paint a mural of children playing and which celebrated their ability to be “reunidos in Cristo” (reunited in Christ). There was also fellowship among the adults seen in a group of women who were enjoying fellowship while knitting.
After the activities were completed everyone joined together in fellowship for a traditional meal and a presentation from different leaders accompanied by performances by choirs of children. The presentations and performances were powerful as they reflected a very genuine and precious faith as well as a joy in gathering together.
Despite the challenges that impact the IL-P, the passion and commitment from those “called” to be pastors was so strong. I believe that witnessing that passion was a gift to us. We come from a wealthy country where so much is taken for granted. Witnessing their faith among so many great obstacles to their ministry was so humbling and life changing. These barriers include insufficient pastor salaries, poverty, lack of resources, and limited infrastructures that we take for granted such as regulations to protect natural resources and pollution management.
It is true they are limited by poverty, and are in need of structural resources to manage pollution and protect natural resources. But coming home I was struck by how limited we are by our excessiveness and materialism. It was a gift to be a guest in their country and to benefit from their generous hospitality and a witness to their ministry.
Learn more about our companions in Peru through their new website:
The La Crosse Area Synod is launching a campaign to raise $15,000 for the Lutheran Church of Peru. Thanks to a generous gift from Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, which closed in May, your donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $7,500.
Make sure that you donate as part of the "La Crosse Area Synod Peru Team."
