The Town of Santo Tomas

In a prior post you learned about the route to Santo Tomas.  Now that we have completed the long drive into the Andes to reach the town, let's talk some about Santo Tomas.

The Powlisons got connected to Santo Tomas in the 2000/2001 timeframe.  Francisco, a Santo Tomas native and now a Josephine House worker, told Keith that nothing spiritually was happening in Santo Tomas.  Keith decided to make an exploratory visit there.  Beginning a new work in Santo Tomas would have been impossible unless Keith was already a missionary.  His existing work in Cusco gave him credibility with the Quechua in Santo Tomas.

Cayo, who speaks Spanish and Quechua and studied at the Bible Institute in Cusco got connected with the Santo Tomas church.  He lives in Cusco and travels back and forth to Santo Tomas.  He lives at the small church when he visits.  

Over the last decade Keith has only been to Santo Tomas eight or nine times.  His motivation for keeping a low profile is that he wants the national leaders like Cayo to be out in front of the people.  He doesn't want the Peruvians to see it as Keith's work, but work led by the nationals.

Very few teams have visited Santo Tomas.  Keith would like to one day have a medical team visit there and perform a multi-day clinic. 

Regarding the response the people of Santo Tomas gave our Vision Team, "They were deeply encouraged that you came".

With that background information in mind, let's tour the town and the people.

Here are some street views of Santo Tomas. Approximately 12,000 people live there.

Teams stay at the Hostel de Amistad.  Accommodations are typical rustic Peruvian with widow maker showers.

A medical team can use the local hospital.  They would need to bring their own medication.  Keith remarked teams need to be prepared to deal with sexual abuse situations in both children and adults.

A school is across the street from the church.  The church plans to build a school supply store on church grounds.  This will be a good revenue opportunity to make the church more self-supportive.

The church Southwood is partnering with is situated at the top of a lot that resembles a rock quarry.  

The view from the street is of a piled up rock wall.  The quality of the site is not in keeping with the rest of the street.

Churches are part of the IEPRP.  This denomination was started in the 1930's  from American missionaries.  

A very crude, rocky, path leads up to a narrow stairs into the plywood building.  Note the other rocky path leading over loose boards to the ramshackle outhouse.

A group of folks from the church waited several hours for the team to arrive.  They were very glad to meet the team!

This is Deaconess Margarita.  She works hard for the church.  She is anxious for her church to have a pastor and wife who can speak both Spanish and Quechua come to serve full-time.

This is Cayo.  He has a real heart for God.  He is fearless.  He wades into areas without fear.  He is a counter cultural person.

The Alabama hat was not a plant.  A team from a previous trip gave it to Cayo as a gift.

The last thing they expected were Tennessee and Alabama fans to cross paths in the Andes!

Paloma showing off her yarn spinning skills.

That should give you a flavor of where the Santo Tomas team will be.  It will be exciting to hear how the church in Santo Tomas is building.  

Architectural plans for upgrading the site have been completed.  New concrete foundations are going to be soon built.  Then two new stores will be built, followed by a new church building and a residence for a pastor.  

Pray for our team: for save travels and good connections with the Santo Tomas church.  Pray for that church to get a pastor and the local government would not hinder any building plans.