What a great
day! I didn’t sleep well, but God gave
me the strength to do all that I needed to do.
We had
breakfast and then did our devotions together.
We worked through James 1:1-12. I
love hearing young people wrestle with the truths of God’s word, and be able to
apply them to their lives. This group is
doing an excellent job of talking together about the Bible. It truly is exciting.
We headed for
Yungar and got ready for the children.
The plan was to do charades of bible stories and have the kids guess
what stories we were acting out. The
team has been very creative and willing to do whatever. We walked through the skits and boy were they
interesting. In order to pull it off, we
would have to be very comfortable with looking silly. I know they can do it, and they seem like
they are thrilled to try.
When Pastor
Fausto arrived we went on house visits.
As we visited the 3 homes, Fausto would give us a little of their story,
tell us about their children that attend the center, and then allow them to
share. Many of the team members saw this
time as a high light of their day. It
was neat to hear the stories and to see the openness with which they
shared. Their homes were surprisingly very
nice. I did tell the team to expect a
very different experience when we arrive in Lima.
Eventually we
returned to the center and the kids began arriving. We played ball with them, blew bubbles,
kicked a soccer ball around, whatever we could do to connect with the
kids. There were only 30 in all, but
that made it very personal and interactive – a great start for the week. After a while we made our way into the church
to do our “program”.
Sure enough
things played out amazingly. The team
did a great job sharing their creative natures by acting out with the kids, and
even pulled kids into the drama (and they were very willing to be a part of the
“show”). From creation to Noah to David
to Daniel – they did 6 different dramas – and the kids got them. The one that really surprised me was the “tower
of Babel” I was amazed that the kids got it right away. We had 4 kids act as rocks to build the
tower, and then the group started getting kids to get on top. More kids than were requested jumped up to be
part of the show. They piled on the
bottom four – it was hilarious! They had
fun and they were learning about God.
After our
dramas we gave them all coloring books that they are supposed to complete
before the second team arrives later this month. If they do they will receive a certificate
and a candy bar. I am hoping some
parents will even help the kids complete the book.
Our day there
drew to a close and we headed back to the hotel. A group of us went to the weight room to work
out. We had a good time exercising –
some were trying yoga – and I do mean trying – while others rode the bike, used
the EFX, used the rowing machine, did sit ups, pull ups. Two people in the group even did a little
wrestling (yeah, I was one of them). It
was good to stretch some muscles and burn a little energy.
We headed for
dinner at 5:30. As we sat around the
table, we had a “hi-lo” session. Team
members shared the highs of their day – from house visits, to kids looking at their
pictures and trying to say their names, to building relationships with the kids
(and not wanting to leave), they had a great day. The lows were mostly the inability to
interact with the kids at the level they would have liked, tiredness, and
leaving the kids. Really – it was a
great day!
The day
concluded with a meeting around the table in the computer room where Rebekah
was on the “hot seat” for the 2-18 sharing time. She shared about herself and answered
questions about herself. This group is
very interactive, very interested in each other. They love to talk, laugh and share
together. They will go back to
Cedarville as good friends. I am certain
of it.
Over all –
this was a great start. Tomorrow is
Huaraz (day 1) because Chiquian has been rained out. God must have a reason for it – we will find
out soon!
THOUGHT FOR
THE DAY: When I think of the word meekness in the Bible, I cannot help but
think of Pastor Fausto. He is a mild
mannered man who serves the children with love, shows compassion to the people
of Yungar, is well known and loved in the community, and is an excellent
example of Jesus Christ.
I long for
these same characteristics in my life. I
know only God can do it – so it is this that I am praying for in my life.
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