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???  :-)