November 2009 - While DB parents had a meeting, the kids played Wii Sport and Guitar Hero.  Some of them had never experienced Wii and they had a great time.  The kids laughed the evening away. 

The parents got together a summer camping event for the kids and the future of DB Uruguay.  We found a new leader and a way that parents could all be involved without it all falling into the leader's hands.  I'm so glad there was such a strong interest to see this group continue.

Before DB youth group got together for the the TMCYouth talk, they had lunch together.  It was great to see so many kids all at once.  You could tell they were happy to see each other again and to see some new faces too.  We were able to introduce DB more thoroughly and get some new people more involved.
 

During the TMCYouth meeting, the kids got to play charades, sing songs, play the drums, discuss ideas about Sunday School and much, much more.  No body wanted the day to end.  Afterwards there was a chance for everyone to play frisbee outside the church.  One teenager mentioned that it she had a great time and that it was great to see everyone than more just a couple of hours.
 

As a result of this event, I was able to not only get a few more kids involved, but also the parents too.   I found a new DB leader to take over when I leave that I think will do an excellent job.

SOUTHAMPTON, UK – The Focus UK committee did a great job putting on a 10-day camp program for Christian Scientists and their friends. Nearly 100 participants came from all over the UK and some from Germany and Spain to participate in 8 lectures and related discussion groups. The event also included many of the standard camp activities including sailing, kayaking, volleyball, pottery, art, singing (lots of singing), an amazing talent show and more.

I was able to give a talk about DiscoveryBound and interest is beginning to spread as OTM's are being planned and even a DB-UK Facebook group has launched.

See more photos by clicking on the image above.

Taking advantage of a long national holiday in Peru, my wife (brenda) and I (giorgio) decided to make a road trip to the Jungle and invited a few kids from sunday school to come along. We stayed all together at a bungaloow in the middle of the forest for three days and had a great time exploring all the local attractions. We climbed hills, swinged on tree logs, swimmed in a river and even went to see a motorcross race.

The road trip was a fun 10 hour drive that started in the coast, went up 16,000 feet accross the andes and then down into the dense peruvian jungle. The day before the trip there was an announcement on the news about a road block by some workers in strike up in the andes. We worked with a a practicioner who pointed the story of joshua who God told to only make and effort and he will guide his feet. She also told us that God was guarding our departure and our arrival.

With this clear understanding, we went along as planned and upon passing the alleged conflict area we saw a lot of policeman who greeted us kindly. We later learned that the bloquade was called off just as we passed.

VACACIONES EN OXAPAMPA-PERU

Aprovechando un feriado largo en Peru, mi esposa (brenda) y yo (giorgio) decidimos realizar un viaje por carretera hasta la selva peruana e invitamos algunos jovenes de la Escuela Dominical con nosotros. Nos hospedamos en un bungaloow en medio del bosque por 3 dias y la pasamos muy bien explorando las atracciones locales. Subimos montañas, nos colgamos de ramas de los arboles, nos bañamos en el rio y hasta vimos una carrera de motocross.

El camino por carretera fue de 10 horas empezando desde la costa peruana, luego subiendo 5,000 metros a los andes para luego bajar nuevamente a la densa jungla. Un dia antes de partir escuchamos noticias sobre un bloqueo en el camino por parte de unos huelgistas en las alturas de los andes. Trabajamos con una practisista quien nos recordo la historia de Josue y como Dios le dijo que se esforzara y que el guiaria sus pasos. Tambien nos dijo que Dios guardaba nuestra salida y nuestra llegada.

Con este claro entendimiento decidimos proseguir con nuestro paseo y al pasar por la supuesta zona de conflicto encontramos muchos policias que nos saludaban cordialmente. Luego supimos que el bloqueo habia sido cancelado justo mientras pasabamos.

Carla Pereira y su hermano Eugenio

Carla Pereira tuvo su quinceañera en junio y nuestro grupo de Discovery Bound y Segundo Iglesia de la Ciencia Cristiana lo ayudamos a celebrar.

Carla Pereira had her special 15 year birthday party in June and our group Discovery Bound and 2nd Church of Christ, Scientist helped her celebrate.

Abigail, Katherine, Damian, Charlie and Lori

DiscoveryBound Group: Emanuel, Ifi, Abigail, Lori, Damian

Bienvenido Voluntarios! Estos son algunos jovenes de nuestro grupo de DiscoveryBound. Esto fue nuestro primer actividad ayudando a nuestro comunidad. Durante las vacaciones de invierno hicimos un projecto con "Serví Tu Ciudad" y ayudamos un organización que ayuda con prevención de abuso en casa. Armamos paquetes de juegos informativos que los padres/maestos pueden jugar con los nińos. Se fue muy rapido el día y muchos de los jovenes querían regresar y ayudar de nuevo.

Welcome Volunteers! Here are some of the people in our DiscoveryBound group. This was our first volunteer activity in helping our community. During winter vacation we participated in a project called "Serve Your City" and we helped an organization that helps prevent domestic violence. We put together informative packets of games that parents/teachers can play with their kids. Many of the kids wanted to return and help out some more.

Stuffing information packets

The newly formed DiscoveryBound Chapter started by Giorgio & Brenda Ballotta in Lima. We took 27 folks up to Antankallo Falls. It's about a two hour drive from Lima and another two hours hike up into the Andes. Video below, full gallery of images.

More Photos, click here