Comboni Lay Missionaries

Arequipa, mission in southern Peru

We leave under these lines another video recorded by the Spanish television with the Comboni Missionaries in Peru.

In this Comboni parish is also working the Comboni Lay Missionaries for the last 9 years. At present time we are Kike Garcia (Peruvian CLM), Matt and Karissa Misner (CLM from US) with their two daughters.

We hope that with this video you can get close and understand better this missionary reality.

Greetings to everyone

Annual Peruvian CLM meeting in Pangoa

LMC PangoaAs in previous years, the Comboni Lay Missionaries of Peru have had the CLM Annual Meeting. This year we have made in San Martin de Pangoa – Junin on 5, 6 and 7 February in the Comboni parish of that place in the jungle. We met almost all CLM from Lima and Trujillo, and some that are in a period of knowledge of the group.

During those three days we could talk and deepen our work and missionary style, sharing experiences lived in different mission fields where we are present as CLM. We were accompany by the Comboni fathers Valentin Garcia, advisor of the CLM in Peru and Father José Chinguel advisor of the CLM in Trujillo. Comboni fathers of the parish welcomed us very well and we got all the facilities for our meeting.

We begin our meeting reflecting the theme of early Christian communities. Making a comparison with the way of life in native communities, where up to this day they still lives a sense of belonging to the community. Where they shared, sitting by the fire, the joys and sorrows of the day and if someone in the community is fortunate to catch some kind of edible animal the whole community gathers to share as a family the dam, narrating in detail the adventures of hunting. A native of the place shows us its art, culture and how to face the challenges that the avalanche of modernity is threatens native traditions.

The second day we share our experiences of the mission field of a month. We conclude with this coexistence, and reflecting on justice, peace and integrity of creation (JPIC).
LMC Pangoa

On Sunday, the last day, we visited the native community of San Antonio de Sonomoro that is one of the native communities where mission field has taking place in other occasions. There we dialogue with the authorities of this native community and its people.

This annual event strengthens us as a group and the example of indigenous communities motivates us to continue working to strengthen Peruvian CLM community and feel as a family not only in word but in heart and vocation as the first Christian communities.

Fisher Ayquipa P.

CLM-Peru Coordinator

Christmas project in Rayampampa, Peru.

LMC PeruEvery Christmas, the ladies of Theodokis Maria visit the small village of Rayampampa, Peru. Rayampampa is outside the city of Otusco where the Virgen de la Puerta, this region’s most famous religious icon resides.

The group takes gifts for the children of the village. When they first started approximately 15 years or so ago, there were only 10 children on their list. This year, there were over 100. They also take clothes and needed household items for the adults.

In the beginning, the village also did not have a church. Within the last few years, the ladies have worked with the villagers to construct their beautiful one room church. I was honored this year to be invited to participate in this project!

The celebrations started with praying, singing and Bible stories. The children danced and laughed and had a wonderful time. After the gifts were distributed, everyone was treated to hot chocolate and Panetton…the Peruvian version of fruitcake. No Christmas celebration in Peru is complete without it!

When most of the village had started their trek home with their goodies, one of the families cooked lunch for our group. Roasted hen and rice and beans cooked over an open flame. It was wonderful and I will certainly always remember the friendliness and generosity of spirit of these wonderful people!!

Melissa White, CLM in Peru