Working with people with disabilities was not something I came to Lima to do, but God has made it something I love.
My roles are diverse. I am pastor of the Shalom church, director and administrator of the Shalom rehabilitation project and a member of the diocese. On any given day, you’ll find me preaching, teaching, discipling, painting, visiting, encouraging, organising and sometimes just having fun and living out my faith with others.
Pat Blanchard - Peru
Call
To serve, share and live each day alongside God's community in Peru
Role
Deacon in the Anglican Diocese of Peru with responsibility for the Shalom church which began in 2008 out of a ministry for people living with disabilities. Also director of Shalom Rehabilitation Centre for children and adults with disabilities, ministering to over 100 children and their families with therapies, workshops and pastoral care.
More about Pat Blanchard
From the age of six, I’ve known God’s presence in my life. My teacher training in crafts and textiles laid a foundation for practical mission opportunities as a craft consultant in Latin America. Living in multicultural West London and visiting India further opened my world to mission. Three years of studying at the London School of Theology added substance to my faith.
I arrived in Peru in 2000. For six years I worked with social projects in the diocese: administrating schools, medical work and other community initiatives in Lima and Arequipa. Then I took on a pastoral role in Jesus El Nazareno church and was ordained deacon. During this time, my work with people with disabilities grew from bimonthly meetings and afternoon therapy sessions with a few people through to starting a church with the community, renting and then buying property and finally building and running a centre for more than 100 children with various disabilities and developmental difficulties. Now Shalom is a full-time job with six Peruvian staff and a growing church.
Church Mission Society and I are family. We are in this together and we are moving forward to bring Jesus' love to those we encounter, here, there and everywhere!
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