We all know that a good foundation is key when building anything. It is unseen by many, but will have lasting effects on all. Many times, this is what short-term missions are all about. . . a team comes and lays the foundation for work that missionaries will follow up on. They do not always see the fruit of their labor, but come and labor all the same with the same vigor and energy as if they would. Sometimes this is a metaphorical image and other times literal. This past week it was literal! We were blessed to host an energetic group from Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Louisana.  Their team leader, Dr. Rob Maddox, had been to Peru last year with another team. He and his 2 sons joined another team and helped lay the foundation for the bathrooms at Parque Industrial's medical clinic. This year he returned with his son, Jackson, and daughter, Rachel to lay the foundation for the church at Parque Industrial. His team consisted of 12 more members of the church who served so faithfully and tirelessly. It was a great example of serving the Lord and working for His glory! 

The team arrived in Peru on Thursday night and to Trujillo on Friday. We set to work that Saturday and enjoyed a soccer match that night with the local Peruvians from some of our churches. Sunday was a wonderful day of worship and rest. It was an encouragement to be with this team and they blessed us with their singing in church as well as afterwards in our Mission's time of worship during the afternoon. The Lord has truly blessed this congregation with a choir of angelic voices! They even sang during the daily morning devotional on site.  Here is a short clip of one song--one they learned in Spanish.  Let us Sing and Wonder.

Monday to Thursday we continued to work at the church digging trenches for the foundation, creating rebar forms for the columns, mixing cement, pouring footers, and cleaning up construction rubble. It was tough work and they never complained nor tired. They even had enough energy to play soccer out in Parque Industrial with Pastor Percy and the local neighborhood kids. Dr. Rob even put his ranching skills to use when some local cows got loose and helped herd them back to their home. The Peruvian man was very grateful for the help! 

Dan Nash was a big help the entire week coordinating and making sure his team was ready and on time where we went and a big encouragement to the mission and our missionaries.  We were so thankful for the love and support they showed us while working with us for the week. You may see some of their work through the photos below.

We want to say a very heartfelt "gracias" to the entire team and we look forward to your prompt return! Thanks to Rob Maddox, Jackson Maddox, Rachel Maddox, Dan Nash, James Nash, Caleb, Nash, Peter Nash, Alex Moreau, Andrew Moreau, Jim Davis, Darren Dlugosh, Glen Warner, Emily Alders and Sarah Douglas.

Starting to dig the trenches for the foundation of the church.

To make the rebar columns, we had to cut the rebar first.

Then bend it into rectangular forms.

Finally, we'd put it all together to form a column for the church wall.

Mixing the cement for the foundation and columns.

Rob's afternoon activity one day chasing the cows that got loose while we played soccer!

Thank you Auburn Avenue for an amazing week of work, fellowship and encouragement to both the local churches and the Mission itself! May God bless you now and forever.