Peru

Dear friends and partners,

We send warm greetings once again to all of you, from Lima.  We pray and hope that you are well and we give thanks to God for your commitment to us.  And also for your continued interest in the WMF Peru community and the work that we are doing among some of the most vulnerable people in Peru: children and adolescents in urban street contexts.

Since 1998, WMF Peru has been developing and modeling a community-based ministry that empowers and encourages believers and local churches in Peru in how to respond faithfully to children and adolescents in urban street contexts.  These are extremely vulnerable populations who are the consequence of Peru’s expansive urban slum communities and squatter settlements.  In June of this year, we held a graduation ceremony for a generation of young people and families with whom we have been working, some since our founding.  The day was filled with bittersweet emotion knowing that our work and influence in their lives was changing, but more than that trusting in God’s faithfulness to them as they continue to integrate into their local neighborhoods in Lima and forge a new way of life away from the streets.  We are constantly seeking new ways to partner with neighborhood-based organizations, local churches, and government so that vulnerable people in Peru might find justice and hope.

We have of late been pursuing some exciting new opportunities to this end.  The first are workshops and trainings.  In August some of our Peruvian staff lead a series of workshops on “The church and children at risk” during a conference hosted by a partner organization.  We were surprised at the high level of interest and thirst for continuing trainings and material.  We are recognizing the fact that what God has been doing to raise up the WMF Peru community and our approach to ministry will become a greater blessing to even more vulnerable people as local church leaders and teachers begin to respond with their own initiatives.

II WMF Peru Music Festival

Another exciting opportunity is the simultaneous development of art and music programs and fund raising projects.  In June we held our II WMF Peru music festival.  Many local up-and-coming Christian artists and businesses sponsored the event.  The highlight for us was the participation of a folklore group of young men with whom we have been working to help develop their musical abilities as a tool to leave street contexts! (pg. 2 photo collage, 2^ndpicture from left)  Developing fund raising initiatives like music festivals are exciting for us and cover a small, but increasing, portion of our budget. We are planning another concert in November.  Stay tuned to our Facebook page (Word Made Flesh Peru – La Palabra Hecha Hombre) for more details.

All of these opportunities are at risk, as WMF Peru is currently in a financial crisis.  Some large financial partners have become unable to maintain support; consequently, over the past few months we have been using up our cash reserve.  As of August, we are going to be forced to lay off over half of our Peruvian workers.  We were scheduled to host a regional WMF conference in October, which has been cancelled for lack of funds.

Over the next few months of restructuring, we will need increased monthly support so that we can take hold of the important opportunities we have shared about in this letter and build for the future.  To date, we don’t even have enough funds to pay the legally required severance packages for our Peruvian workers whose contracts will be terminated.  Please prayerfully consider responding to this urgent situation with timely emergency funds so that we can fulfill our legal obligations and begin to rebuild for the future.

Legal severance packages for terminated contracts: $7,000

Total support shortfall until December 2011: $15,000

Total emergency funds needed: $22,000

Secure, online donations can be made at: http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/support/give/*

*Automated donations via check, and credit card gifts (one time or recurring), should be designated to: Peru general fund.

We have always believed deep in our hearts that WMF Peru is in God’s hands.  And further that whatever fruit comes on behalf of our efforts will be for God’s glory.  So we are encouraged as we enter into this necessary period of restructuring WMF Peru that God has been, and will be faithful to raise up and sustain this movement in Peru that serves among vulnerable people.

WMF Peru staff team

We know that whatever happens, and in whatever circumstance,

“God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  Romans 8:28

Thank you for your love and support,

The WMF Peru community