We got off to an early start as we were to be at the school for our first presentation at 7:30am. Luke was still not feeling well and decided it would be best to stay home.

Throughout the day, we would be working with Pastor Santos in Pachacutec which is a very poor area of Ventanilla. He had helped schedule the schools and we would be based out of his church throughout the day.

We went to the first school and arrived prior to the students. After setting up, and helping the administration setup the stage a little for their part of a program, the students arrived and lined up in the courtyard. Most public schools do not have an auditorium and so all assemblies take place in the courtyard with the students lined up by class. Some schools have a stage which makes it easier to see, but others do not. The students have to remain standing for the entire presentation which makes it difficult for them to see at times and  they get tired of standing. Many times we think that it is hard to pay attention in chapel in school in an auditorium with comfortable seats.

The first presentation was to elementary students and after some songs and skits, we reviewed with them the 10 commandments. As part of the school's opening exercises, the students say the Lord's prayer as well as a prayer to Mary. Peru is a Roman Catholic nation so it is not against the law to pray in schools. As we reviewed the 10 commandments, I noticed that some of the students were thrown off by the 2nd commandments which is that we are not to make any graven image nor bow down to it. Roman Catholics tend to combine this commandments with number 1 and then split number 10 (thou shalt not covet) into two commandments.

After tearing down quickly to get off the stage so the school could continue with another part of their program, we had some time to go back to the church where we were served some warm drinks and bread. As it was a cool morning, the warm drink was appreciated.

Our second presentation was at a larger school. The contrast in facilities was striking. I asked why the one school was so primitive while the other seemed almost modern. The president of Peru a couple of administrations prior had made it a special project to build schools. The more modern school had been known as the poorest and was targeted for a new facility. The other school had the same opportunity for a new facility but school politics, infighting and embezzlement led the administration to go to other areas. The one disadvantage of the newer facility is that it did not have a high stage. It was difficult for some of the students to see but they still were well behaved and listened to the presentation.

Our third and fourth presentations were scheduled at another school. When we arrived, the Gideon organization was also there handing out New Testaments. As we checked with the administration as to where we would setup, the informed us that they had been instructed not to cancel classes for any assemblies. We are not sure if the reason was religiously based but we would not be able to do our presentations at this school. I was encouraged though that the students would still be receiving God's Word as the Gideons would be distributing the New Testaments class by class.

Since we now had a little more time on our hands than expected, we returned to the church and were able to relax a little, eat lunch, and play some games. The lunch that was provided was a very simple lunch of rice and chicken but I am sure that it was provided at great sacrifice. The pastor lives at the church and we were able to see the conditions in which he lives. I thank God for the pastor's godly attitude. Even though he seems to lack so much in physical possessions, he appears grateful for what God has given him.

In the afternoon, we returned to the first two schools that we had visited in the morning. The first presentation was well received and the students were attentive. The students at the last presentation at 5:00pm were ready to go home and became a little restless as we shared the message with them.

We quickly packed up and headed back home to change and eat before needing to head out for a church presentation. It took a little longer to get home as our combi (sort of like a big taxi) was pulled over by the police. Though I do not know why we were stopped, I do know that after the driver paid them 5 soles (under $2), we were allowed to continue. Corruption still plagues the nation as bribes are not uncommon.

Upon arriving home, my Mom had prepared fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a waldorf salad. We were all very appreciative of the good American (no-rice) meal. Luke was feeling better though not yet at full strength and decided to go with us to the church program that evening.

The church service started late as is the norm for many churches. Even though Friday is not a normal day of service for the church, the service was fairly well attended. After the service we handed out some tracts for the church members to use in their witnessing efforts and had the opportunity to talk to some of them.