Besides leadership training and missional community formation, Allen has helped with music development. A couple of weeks ago we had the privilege of hosting two music professors from Belhaven University, Dr. Chris Shelt and Dr. Andrew Sauerwein. They were invited to come down and teach classes at the music conservatory in Trujillo, had music competitions and concerts and also had several opportunities to share the Gospel through their christian testimony among a community of non-believers and many atheist. It was a great week!
We are so thankful to Rachel Reese (pictured below) who has served this past two years as the music development assistant. Without her ministry and organization, this week with Belhaven would not have happened.
Dr. Andy taught master classes to composition students. He also taught the Cobra Game, which helps composers and musicians to better improvise and see new possibilities in writing and making music. We are hoping to continue to use this game as a spring board to form community among the non-believing musicians.
Dr. Chris taught master vocal classes. This was his third time at the Conservatory, and he had the privilege to follow-up with former students. On two occasions, Chris and Andy also talked with Christian musicians about what it means to be a musician created in the image of God.
Rachel organized a music competition with a cash prize for first, second, and third place. After the competition, each of the winners received helpful instruction from Chris and Andy on who they might improve as performers.
The week was concluded with an amazing concert with many cultural expressions. We begun the concert with playing some Old Time and Blue Grass Tunes.
Then many Peruvians shared some local expressions of Peruvian music. The concert was concluded with Chris directing the conservatory choir. They presented several African-American Spirituals and Gospels. It was a glorious conclusion to a great week!
Freezing Time
12:45p.m. Catching a taxi after church yesterday
Freezing Time
1:23p.m. Allen having a great discussion with his missional cell group leaders over lunch today.
What a great group of leaders we have at our Cristo Rey church plant !
*photo taken by Caleb Sutton, edited by Sandi Smith
Freezing Time
2:55p.m. Some of our recent lunch time readings we are enjoying.
The best of motherhood
Between those misspelled words (considering they go to an all Spanish speaking school, not too bad) their little hearts are revealed. Homemade cards are a treasure and highlight of motherhood, wouldn’t you agree?
Saying goodbye. . .once again
One of the hard parts about being on the foreign mission field is the fact that we are always saying “goodbye”. Whether it’s leaving our friends and family in the U.S. or having teammates leave us on the field, it never gets easy. This month we have two interns, Chris Williamson and Grant Robinson, and two associate missionaries, Rachel Reese and Linda Bundy, that are leaving Peru. They have all faithfully served their term working with our mission and are headed back to the U.S. to pursuit their studies and/or career. So, here we are “sending them off” with much prayer and encouragement as they head to their next mission field. . .the U.S.A.
Already celebrating. . .
Mary Allen had a fun Mother’s day program at school today. Don’t panic, Mother’s day is not until next weekend, but here in Peru it’s a huge holiday, so we have already started celebrating. They put an 80′s twist on the program this year, which made it really fun. Who doesn’t like remembering the 80′s?!
