Tour of the Friends of Chimbote Mission

Monday, July 22, 2013
Since Sundays are truly a day of rest, our first day out of the parish compound was on Monday. This day was reserved for touring all aspects of the mission including facilities for education, healthcare, social programs, and transformation. The mission statement reads "Friends of Chimbote is a faith-based organization dedicated to supporting programs that improve and transform the lives of the poor of Chimbote, Peru." (You can find more specific information about the programs on the Friends of Chimbote website).

We awoke around 7:30-8:00am to either attend morning prayer or eat breakfast before beginning our journey around Chimbote with Fr. Jack. Nothing could have prepared us for what was to come. We are beyond blessed to be in the presence of such a phenomenal human being with the kindest, most giving heart and soul. Fr. Jack is filled to the brim with insights and stories after 38 years here in Chimbote. With every step of the tour, Fr. Jack shared with us his memories, hopes, successes, and failures. He is a natural born storyteller; a gift which is precious and rare. Through these anecdotes, Fr. Jack's passion shines through and helps to transform his world into ours; even if just for a moment.

Chimbote is an intense place in every sense of the word. There is not an accurate way to describe the sights, sounds, and smells of this poverty-stricken city. Instead of attempting the impossible, here is a collection of pictures and captions to help you have a better understanding of what life is like here in Peru and how the Friends of Chimbote are bringing hope and joy to everyone they encounter.

The Kenney Clan ready for a tour of Chimbote

Fr. Jack beginning to explain the mission

Wheelchair donations waiting to be repaired

The Repair Man

Fr. Jack explaining how the salt corrodes all metal and paint 

Herman and Fr. Jack

Emily and Maeve 

Always riding in style

Sister Peggy's home

The horses and donkeys are an essential component to the Peruvian culture

The barrio from above reminds us of all we take for granted 

A stark contrast between the sports fields and roads

Trying to digest all the sights, smells, and sounds

Hope for the future

"Little by little we can change our lives for the better." 

Joy in the face of despair

Even the horses are ragged and tired

A pile of rocks waiting to be used for a new road

Chickens inside a home

Listening intently to Fr. Jack in one of three bibliotecas (libraries) in the parish

Families do not attend mass as a whole for fear of robbery

Learning the color song 

Kassy in her element

Kassy with Maria and her kindergarten class

Mark finds a new friend

Walking into the Medical Post 

Helping women to transform their lives 

Jorge Villar, ACAF Executive Director describes micro-lending 

Dot always breaking the rules for animals

By far the hardest working man in Peru...and I'm not talking about Fr. Jack

Luis asking for Fr. Jack's forgiveness after stealing a bike from the church

"Drugs and alcohol destroy lives."

The Drug and Alcohol  Rehabilitation Center 

The garden dedicated to Mama and Pa outside the Social Worker's Office

"It's NOT God's will that poverty exists."

Fr. Jack sharing personal stories about hospice care

The Hospice Center...truly a piece of heaven on earth and Fr. Jack's proudest SUCCESS!


"Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal."
-Saint Thomas Moore