Cedarville University - Peru Trip - Day 7

What an amazing day!  It is our final day at the child care centers, and I knew it would be an emotional but wonderful day - and it was.

The day started with devotions at the church (we talked about Daniel) and then had a delicious breakfast of ham/cheese and olives, eggs, and bread.  Then we cleaned up and headed off for another great day at the Buen Pastor Center.

The team arrived and got right to work.  They played with the kids, did puzzles, braided hair, painted nails...  Anything to be with the children.  We had a time of singing with all of the children and then followed that with teaching on the 10 commandments.  The group did a great job acting out the commandments. Then we did crafts with the kids, reminding them that God had given us the 10 commandments because He loved us.

We served the children lunch, and then the team spent the afternoon playing with them.  The older kids had a bible study after lunch, where we discussed who Jesus is - our sacrifice!  What a blessing it was to share with them the goodness of the gospel - that Jesus willingly gave up his life for us, a bunch of dumb sheep that seek to go our own way.

Eventually we had to get ready to go.  We had a bunch of extra snacks, so we lined the children up and gave them snacks, t-shirts, bandana's, and candy.  The team loved blessing the kids this way.  Interestingly enough, Norma chose to step out of the line and go sit on a step nearby.  I could see the pain in her eyes as she realized what was happening.  It was time to say goodbye, and she didn't want the team to leave.  The cool thing is, she was not concerned at all about what we had to give her, but she was interested in spending time with us - and wishing we could spend more.  Yeah, that really makes it hard to leave.

We ended up doing 2 house visits after that, so we were there for about an hour longer.  The homes we went to both had the father around, so it was neat to see men who were involved with their children.  Most of these kids don't have that.  It is our prayer that more of the men come to know Christ and do the things that God would require of them as men and fathers.

Eventually we had to load up and head home, but not until we sang Happy Birthday to Rachel.  The children lead us in singing in Spanish and English.  It was fun!

Finally we were heading back to the hotel.  A quiet ride at first as the team was contemplating the past 2 days and the impact these kids had on our lives.  We arrived at the hotel, got ready for dinner and went to the church.  After dinner, we had cake for Rachel's birthday and then the Apon's shared their vision for the child care centers here in Lima.

We left there and headed to the Hetzel home to visit with them and do our evening wrap up.  As always, I love hearing the team process what God has been showing them and teaching them.  This group has done a great job of watching each other and encouraging each other during these times of reflection as well.

Well, tomorrow is a painful time of shopping and sightseeing - painful only because I am really looking forward to being home.  I know it will be fun and we are calling it "Sarcastic Saturday", so it will be interesting as well.  Oh, so you understand, we had "Serious Tuesday", "Positive Wednesday", "Joyful Thursday", "Reflective Friday (which actually had a few other names as well), and so tomorrow is "Sarcastic Saturday".  You know I will be enjoying this...

Enough for now, it's almost midnight...

Cedarville University - Peru Trip - Day 6

Today is the first day at the Buen Pastor center, and we are excited about being there.  The roof guys did an excellent job putting the new roof on and allowing for more light using some panels that allow for sunlight in the building.  We will get to see Norma, so I know it will be a great day.

As expected, we did our normal morning routine by walking to the church for breakfast and devotions.  We sang this morning before we did our devotions - that was awesome.  We talked about David and Goliath, and David and Jonathan - what a great man of faith!  After breakfast, we realized that Isaac's vehicle was having problems, so we did a few "1-9's" (one minute of telling about your self and 9 minutes of answering team questions about you) and we got to know each other better.
When the car was ready to go, we were too!

We arrived at the center and, as expected, the kids were ready to love and be loved.  We played with them, taught them about God's word, did crafts with them, and just spent time loving on them.  A number of the team members had difficulty today as they began crying at the thought of these kids and the difficulties they encounter each day.  We were all thankful for the ministry of AMG and what God is doing to help these kids, and the fact that they get to learn about Him regularly.

Leaving was difficult, but we knew we would be here tomorrow...  Leaving tomorrow will be much more difficult!  We headed back to the hotel, went to "La Hacienda" for a great chicken dinner, and  then back to the hotel for more "1-9's". 

We finished up the day with our wrap up that ended after 10.  It has been a great day - a long day, but a great day!

I am looking forward to another great day tomorrow...

Cedarville University - Peru Trip - Day 5

Our last day at the Spiros Center began with a brisk walk to the church for devotions and breakfast.  The team was very tired as we made our way to the church, and during devotions, they were very quiet.  I was confident that after a good breakfast, they would be ready to go.

Sure enough, we headed off to the center and the team jumped right to work.  They did puzzles, talked, played games, etc with the kids before the teaching and singing part began.  Then, like yesterday, we spent time singing songs, doing skits (teaching about the 10 commandments) and we did crafts with the kids.  The inside team did an excellent job working with the younger kids while the older kids were playing games outside with the other part of the team.  They played capture the flag, and the kids loved it.

I was inside at one point, and I saw Sophia at the base of the stairs.  I went down, hugged her and  saw little Luis nearby.  I gave him a big hug and looked around...  Where was Norma?  I asked Sophia, and she informed me that she stayed at the other center to help with the roof.  I was disappointed - but I was hoping to stop by later to see her...

Our afternoon looked like the other days as we fed the kids lunch, and then brought the older kids inside for teaching about Jesus, while the younger kids played games outside.  However, the end of the day (since it was our last) was very unique.  We took the 18 team members around the neighborhood and did 3 house visits.  We visited the home that held 2 people on one side and 3 people on the other.  Total space was probably a 15x15 area.  Then we visited a family of 6 that lived in a little larger area - 5 daughters - 2 of which were students at our center - lived in this house.  Three of the youngest girls shared a bed.  Finally we went to a small shack that held a family of 11.  Four of the children attend the center.  It was humbling as we visited each house and prayed with them.  The mother at the first house gave us a 2 liter of soda for the team.  Someone who has so little, yet wanted to bless us with something.  They are a very giving and loving people.

We went back to the center to give out gifts, cards, and candy to the kids and workers, and then say goodbye.  Lutgarda shared with us (by using 3 of the girls in the center) what life was like for these kids.  One of the girls was 8 - she worked during their summer (December-February) to make money for food, clothing, and is saving money for some needed dental work.  The other two girls were 10 and 12 - they both had "summer" jobs as well so they could help with the cost of school and clothes.  Again the team was humbled by the fact that these little kids are working for the necessities of life.  Lutgarda challenged them to not take their education for granted as many kids in Peru would love the opportunity to go to school, but will never be able to.

When we left there, we stopped by the Buen Pastor Center to help the roof crew finish their project.  We cleaned up under them as they finished working on the roof.  The did a great job putting the supports up and eventually putting the corrugated material on the roof.  I had the opportunity to see Norma, and you know that was a highlight for me.  After we cleaned the floor, we left the guys to complete the task of finishing the roof as we headed back to the hotel.

At 7:45 we all met together at the church for dinner, and then headed back to the hotel for our wrap up time.  The kids shared the highlights of the day and the Hetzel family shared their story of how God brought them to Peru.

It was a great day - tomorrow is a new center, and I get to spend all day with Norma... Does it get any better than that???  :-)

Cedarville University - Peru Trip - Day 4

Today is our second day of work at the Spiros Center, and the team is ready to go.  We started the day with the 30 minute walk to the church and breakfast (a potato/cheese/ham plate) and devotions.  We discussed Abraham and his walk of faith, and were challenged to believe God and follow His plan - not alter it with our own.

We arrived at the center a little after 10 and sat down and played with the kids. Lutgarda asked if we were ready to begin, and I encouraged her to allow the team to spend some time just being with the kids.  Eventually we broke into groups and we sang with the kids, taught them about the next 3 commandments, and then did a craft with them. During this time, the older kids were outside playing ball with some of our team members.

Around 1:00, we brought everyone downstairs for lunch.  The room was crowded with our team and the kids and workers.  The room was warm, but full of energy as the children loved being with the team.

The afternoon gave us time to teach the Bible to the older kids and to play outside with the younger kids.  The team is doing an excellent job of one on one interactions with the kids.  The fact that there are so many on the team makes it a little easier.

Throughout the day, 3 of the team members and Richard were working on the roof at the Buen Pastor Center.  They finished tearing off the roof and prepping it to be completed tomorrow.  It is my prayer that they finish tomorrow so the rest of us can visit there on Thursday.  The guys talked about their time with Norma - how she helped them with nails and screws, how she wanted to play with them while they were trying to work, how she helped them as they were working, I was jealous.  I do look forward to seeing Norma, but I am thrilled that they are helping her get a better roof on her house.

The evening ended with dinner at a pizza place and then the wrap up session at the hotel.  The kids shared the lessons they were learning.  They talked about the things they saw each other doing throughout the day and the ways they were encouraged by each other.  They shared the highlights of the day and the hard things as well.  I love hearing their passion for missions and for the people of Peru.

After the wrap up, the team worked on crafts, songs and Bible lesson prep.  I had the privilege of jogging to the pizza place with Fred and Austin because Austin left his hat there.  I also got to go to the Hetzels house for Aloe because some of the team have very slight cases of sunburn.  Some of the team was in my room working on music for tomorrow when I returned, and when I walked in, one of them was singing a song they had written.  I encouraged them to sing for devotions tomorrow - I am looking forward to seeing how God uses that to help the team.

Finally, I had the privilege of a long conversation with Kyle who is feeling that God might be calling him to missions, but is wrestling with his ability to defend his faith.  I look forward to what God does as Kyle continues the process of solidifying the things he believes. 

All in all, another great day serving God here in Peru.  I look forward to one final day at Spiros Center tomorrow...  Let's see what God has in store then...

Cedarville University - Peru Trip - Day 3

Monday morning and the team is ready to go.  They are prepared and looking forward to seeing the kids today.  I am excited about the things they will be doing as the plan for the week is to work through the 10 commandments with the younger kids, and teach the older kids about who Jesus is.

The day started with the walk to the church for devotions and breakfast.  We arrived there at 8:30 and sat down to talk about Hebrews 11.  We discussed faith and what it means to have faith.  This passage is the foundation for the rest of the week's study of the people of faith listed in this chapter.  After devotions, we ate breakfast and headed off to the center. 

Three of the guys went with Richard to get supplies to work on the roof at the Buen Pastor Childcare Center, while the rest of the team broke into groups at the Spiros Center and taught them songs, taught them about the first 4 commandments, and then fed them and played games with them.  The older kids actually learned how to play baseball, although I don't know that they were really too excited about it at first.  I do believe they had a good time though!  Eventually (as expected) we played soccer with them as well.

The afternoon involved games and activity with the children, moving rocks from the outside of the center to the 3rd floor, and spending time loving the kids.  The roof guys joined us around 3:00 because they didn't have the wood ready for them, so they will be working on the roof again tomorrow.

We headed home around 4 and then cleaned up and went to dinner at the church.  We had lomo saltado - a beef dinner that typically is served with peppers and onions on top of rice with french fries and vinegar cucumber.  It was delicious - as always!

After dinner we headed to Sarcletti's for ice cream, and then headed to the hotel for our evening rap up.  My favorite part of the day is hearing the things the kids have learned, the experiences they had, the way God showed Himself to them today, etc.  I loved listening to them talk - this team is a very close team and they listen to each other, they encourage each other, they love each other well.  It is going to be a great week.

Well, it's time for bed, so let's see what God has tomorrow as we do it all over again...

Cedarville University - Peru Trip - Day 1-2

Wow.  Yeah, that's all I can say.  As I watched the team enter the airport, all 20 of them.  They just seemed to keep coming, more and more students.  I was wondering how this week was going to play out.

It didn't last long though as we went to the kiosks and signed everyone in for the flight.  Carrie's bag was 60+ lbs, so she had to move stuff from her bag to another person's bag.  Glitch?  Problem?  Nope, they moved the stuff and were ready to go.  We circled up right there in the Delta area and prayed for our trip.  Then the team asked to take a group photo.  You know I was happy to hear that.  However, I ended up in the picture... You know we won't be using that one for our team pic!

The rest of the day/night went as planned.  We arrived in Lima 20 minutes early, met with Jose and Richard, and were at the hotel heading to bed by 2:30 AM.

Sunday morning came early as we had a 8:00 walk to the church to begin our day.  We had breakfast (eggs and bacon) and then we got ready for Sunday School.  Pastor Jose taught Sunday School and the team did their best to stay awake (it is hard to do after sleeping only 4 hours and listening to a Spanish teacher).  Eventually church started and we sang songs of worship in both Spanish and English.  The worship leader included some familiar English songs, and even had the church sing in English.  It was neat.  The team mentioned later in the day that they really enjoyed that.

After church we went to the Hacienda for dinner - the chicken place!  They loved that.  The Apons and the Hetzels joined us.  It was a wonderful time of eating and fellowship. 

Full and tired, we went back to the hotel for 2 hours of rest.  Some went for a run, some slept, some got work done... but all rested a little.

At 5 we gathered together for a prep and orientation time.  We talked about the important issues, made some plans for tomorrow, and then prepared some of the crafts for the next 2 days.  The team worked together seamlessly flexing with the changes that we kept making as we were trying to get enough people in enough places to cover all of the details of tomorrow.  I think we are ready to go!

We walked to the local mall for dinner and then visited Sarcletti's for ice cream.  We ended the day with a wrap up at the hotel, and headed off to bed.

A number of the team mentioned already how close they felt with the other team members.  14 girls and 7 guys on a team is a lot of people, and most of them didn't know each other very well before they came.  The meetings that they had before they came has laid a great groundwork for the week ahead.  I am really excited about what God is going to do.