Los Amigos is a faith-based organization dedicated to supporting programs that improve and transform the lives of the poor of Chimbote, Peru.

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Mission Life

Spirituality Amidst  Poverty

Social and parish activities often intertwine in the lives of the poor at the mission.  Despite what many would call intolerable living conditions, the people of the parish flock to activities that enhance their spiritual selves and nurture feelings of hope and joy.

Typical activities include participating in weekly Mass both at chapels and the main church, assisting with cleaning campaigns, and attending youth dances that are drug- and alcohol-free. On Sunday mornings, Sr. Peggy sponsors a soup kitchen for the elderly at the main parish compound. With all other soup kitchens closed on Sundays, this is often the only meal that the very poor and elderly members of the parish will have that day.  Parish members serve and assist with this meal. It is an anticipated weekly event and allows the poor to minister to each other. 

Another powerful activity that the people participate in is morning prayer.  Morning prayer is carried out Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. at every church and chapel within the parish.  Church members lead the prayer and, when available, prayer books and bibles are used by those present, though many cannot read and so recite the prayers by memory.  Following a reflection on the day’s bible passage, the people typically pray for the health and well-being of their benefactors from other countries as well as for the ill of their own parish community.  Some Los Amigos donors have told stories about the powerful impact that this prayer has had on their health and recovery.

To read more about how spirituality manifests in the barrios of Chimbote, click on a link:

Death and poverty
Good Friday Walk of Faith
Parish-centered life