The little boy came slowly around the corner of the church, dragging his feet along the cobbled path and sliding his body along the brick wall of the church. He was sobbing quietly.

	Iain, Edwin, and Helen, before the breakfast began.

Siegfried Reuter, Iain McKelvie, and I were standing outside the church, wrapped up against the wind and cold, wishing the sun would come up to warm us. It was 6:15 a.m. We were visiting a church on the outskirts of Arequipa where they have a Breakfast Programme. When we realised the little boy was crying, Siegfried went over to him, but couldn't get an answer to what was wrong. So he picked him up and carried him into the church.

Inside, there was a circle of benches and chairs. Some children were already there with Edwin, the helper in charge of the leading the devotional. He was talking to the children about God's word. Siegfried placed the little boy on Edwin's lap, and he tried to console him. Other children started to arrive, and at 6:30 Edwin started with some action songs to warm the children up, and followed it with a message from the Bible.

While he was doing this, a lady from the church came in with a big bag of bread and a jug of porridge. Each child had his own cup, and was served two bread rolls and a cup of porridge. Silence descended on the room while they ate. By this time, the little boy was happily eating and had joined in the singing with the others. One by one, they left the church when they finished eating, some taking one roll home to share, or keep for lunch.

Edwin is studying at a Bible Institute, and is on his year of practical training. He is working in the church and gaining experience in almost all areas of church life. He said the little boy said he was crying because his parents had been beating him. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon.

It is always a privilege to visit missionaries in their place of ministry. That morning summed up much of what SIM Peru stands for—missionaries partnering with the church to reach out to their community, bringing love and God's word to children, and encouraging future church leaders in their training.

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