Travelling between worlds - nine years of service in Peru

Thanks to their choir, young people who would never have entered a slum in Lima for fear of being attacked gave concerts with my husband (the head of music at the German Humboldt School) in neighbourhoods where, among the dust, rubbish and shacks, there were people who were just as much at home in Lima as they were, and who were involved in Lutheran congregations in our church.

My husband and I loved our role as bridge builders between these worlds. Working in three fascinating climate zones, or (after many a phone call) needing to spontaneously pack my things and get on the next plane to Cusco.... Working in the Lutheran Peruvian Church often required a talent for improvisation and spontaneity, because things usually turned out quite differently than planned. At a national level, I was in charge of the ITEL (the Institute for Training). In addition to regular weekend seminars, summer retreats were organised for students for training purposes. Through football tournaments, salsa and sports services, the church became the centre of the neighbourhood, as did our educational projects: kindergarten, homework tutoring, and courses for small business women (organised in cooperation with the GIZ) to strengthen the independence of women.

When people came to the Pastora with their external and internal wounds, multinational networks were needed in addition to healing prayers. Through campaigns with volunteer doctors from the USA, we transformed the church into a clinic with mobile specialist surgeries every six months. We even set up a fitness centre on the upper floor to prevent violence. So it's no surprise that our church-building concept was called "Healing Church." We experienced miracles and saw how faith in Jesus heals people. Our nine years in Peru were like travelling between worlds.

Dr Uta Ihrke-Buchroth worked in Peru from 2010 to 2019 after studying at the Hermannsburg Missionary Seminary and completing a vicariate in Scheeßel.