Page 12 - News Spring-Summer 2025

We even met

Paddington Bear!

“Really? Really?” This is what Keith Dennis As the day of departure drew near, we realised what
of the Southampton Branch had often we had taken on: in many ways it was very exciting, but
said to himself after hearing accounts of we were also conscious of stepping a long way out of
our comfort zone. Three virtual meetings beforehand
ShareWord Global GO Trips to Africa and with the other team members, including Roger, and
South America with the reports of how on one call, Pastor Billy and his assistant Nathaly, the
responsive people had been. Well, Keith in-country hosts, helped us to get to know each other
and his wife Elaine (pictured on page 15 before meeting up in person in Peru.
with Paddington!) found out it really is true! The team were all kept in good health, had safety
Along with Roger Grange (Havering Branch, throughout and gelled brilliantly well together. Our
fellowship was wonderful, and we have kept in touch
pictured on page 13) they were privileged since. The leaders, Fred, Jordan and Larry, were really
to join with 12 Canadians on a GO Trip to helpful in sharing their previous GO Trip experiences
Lima, Peru, last September. and how best to go about each assignment, and Pastor
Billy and Nathaly were superb in teaching us about the
It was an amazing experience, which Keith, Elaine local culture and other issues we may encounter.
and Roger now look back on. We hear from Keith
and Elaine first. Lima is a typical large and bustling capital city of about
10 million people, roughly a third of the population of
“Having heard about GO Trips at Connexions and Peru. Not surprisingly, the traffic is horrendous, and
Regional Conventions, we thought that if we didn’t go it is amazing there are not more accidents. Billboards
on one soon, given we are in the latter half of our 70s, look down on the city everywhere, many illuminated,
we never would, so we applied and were accepted. and there are also numerous police around as well as
That was wonderful, although we were immediately security men at the entrance to every shopping mall
conscious of the planning necessary: a doctor’s letter or market. We were told crime is a major problem:
each, vaccinations, flights to arrange; and for us much had fortunately, we were well looked after and saw nothing
to be done in the last couple of months before leaving. of concern. Like many such cities, it is one of large
How did our family feel about us going so far? We have contrasts, between the wealthier districts and the very,
two sons, and both reacted with, “Do it while you can: very poor areas. Also, and interestingly, we quickly
you are both reasonably fit and active.” That was a further realised the people are on average much smaller
encouragement. than Europeans or north Americans, so we felt very

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18/03/2025 16:34
News Spring_Summer 2025.indd 12
News Spring_Summer 2025.indd 12 18/03/2025 16:34