GB: What are you currently doing in Peru & what will the coming months & indeed years see for you?
AR: We are currently in Arequipa learning Spanish. Following that we hope to move to Tacna in the southernmost part of the country where I will be involved with assisting and training pastors in local churches, as well as some seminary work. Carolyn hopes to be involved in womens and children's work with a social outreach aspect - much of this will also be governed by Grace's care needs.
As for the years beyond, we don't know anything except that we need to keep following God and doing what He asks.
GB: Are there any cultural differences between the Church in Peru & N.Ireland that stand out immediately?
AR: Yes and no. It depends on where you go to. If you go to the country churches, then the differences will be stark and apparent. But the city churches here strongly resemble those of home, although with less resource. The church here is very evangelistic in outlook, and many people are coming to Christ (by God's grace the culture is more receptive to 'Truth' than that of postmodern Western Europe).
The great need is for consistent Bible teaching/training, but I think that the same is true in N. Ireland churches as well.
GB: How important would you say Bible College & training is for those considering missions?
AR: Everyone is different I suppose, but generally I think that training is essential. The primary thing, of course, is a love and passion for God and His glory, but there needs to be preparation as well. In the Latin American context the greatest need is the theological training of national workers, and this obviously demands that missionary candidates have theological training themselves.
In more church-planting/pioneering contexts I am of the firm conviction that good training is also vital. The theology that you bring to this kind of field is the theology which will underpin any church that is planted and with which the church will live for generations. That is an awesome reponsbility.
More practical training is needed as well. Living in the Third World puts demands on every area of life that simply don't exist in Western Europe. There needs to be good pre-field preparation on these issues, and consistent on-field training and mentoring.
GB: Missionaries & Christian workers often face huge difficulties and on your blog you’ve been very honest about this. What keeps you going?
AR: God's grace. He mediates that grace through fellowship with His people (both in the church here and more 'virtually' via the blog and letters etc); the consistent reading of His word (how many times He meets with us and stills us) and through prayer. We also saturate our home with good Christian music which goes beyond sentimental gush and pushes the big agenda of following God with all of our lives. We came here by His grace, and we have remained here by His grace. It's all about Him.
GB: What is your favourite thing about Peru?
AR: There is a phrase here 'todo es possible' - everything is possible. I love that about the Peruvian people. Anything can be fixed or arranged. Paperwork and administration here are a nightmare, but when it comes to basic maintenance and purchases there is very little red tape. The focus on tight knit family life is also refreshing (although again it is mixed with massive social issues of family breakdown), with people caring for elderly parents, and whole family circles being engaged in the rearing of children. We could learn a lot from Peruvian culture in this area.
GB: What do you do to unwind & chill out?
AR: We don't have a lot of time for this with a 9 month old daughter and language study, but we are both avid readers. We've been blessed that we have been able to bring books with us, they are basic life support at times.
GB: Is there anything else that you’d like to share here?
AR: Thanks for the opportunity to chat today. We are grateful for all of the support and contact we receive from home - it's a true blessing. May God continue to use your work with EHC and here on Homileo.
http://www.theroycrofts.co.uk/
http://www.double-usefulness.blogspot.com/
http://www.ibaptistmissions.org/
Thank you so much Andrew for taking the time to answer these, i pray that Christ may use it in some way to encourage others.
