Last night Miriam and some other ladies from my church here in Arequipa were sitting around discussing their plans to visit all the women of the church in the next two months. They go in 2s (like the disciples, they said) and drop in on people in the mornings. They stay for 1/2 hour to 1 hour usually, see how things are going for the person, and pray for her. Miriam says it has made an incredible difference in the church. I can imagine that if I were down and out (or just fine, for that matter), I would be touched and honored by a visit. It connects the women in the church to one another, fosters community, starts a chain of expressing love that I expect continues past that visit, gives people a chance to share about their lives. "Going visiting" goes beyond the after-church-coffee talk.

Why is it that visiting one another seems unattainable in the United States? Are we really so busy that we can't give a little time to one another? And wouldn't God be honored by the offering of our time? Could it be possible? Could we make it possible? Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

PS Cultural note: Miriam told me that they absolutely never announce their visit. If they were to call ahead, the hostess would be "required" to clean up the house and prepare something for them to eat.

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