Dancing, Baking, and String Games November 5, 2010

There are so many stories from Peru I’m not really sure where to start, so I guess I’ll start at the beginning. It was such a special treat to be able to travel this time with others from my church.

Thursday, October 21^st, we started our trip by heading to south Lima to spend the day at a Compassion project. When we arrived, we were greeted by the children who were attending the center in the morning. In Peru, kids attend school either in the morning from 8am to 1pm or in the afternoon from 1pm to 6pm. So then they attend the center three days a week either in the morning or afternoon. They performed several dances for us, including the Marinara, a traditional Peruvian dance showing the courtship between a guy and girl. After this, we split up and visited different classrooms to see what the students are learning. Some team members visited classes teaching bracelet making, key chain making, and t-shirt embellishment. My group visited a baking class and a reading class. That day, the baking class was making strawberry rolls and a cake. It was fun to see some of the things the tutors teach the kids to give them life-skills.

We also went to visit the home of Alacelie, a six year old Compassion-sponsored child. While some team members learned that visiting homes in the squatter communities on the hills of Lima is a lot like hiking the Incline (a mile’s worth of steep stairs in the Springs), we had it easier and didn’t have to climb any stairs. We walked for a while and entered a carpentry shop. We continued to walk through the shop till we arrived at the “house” in the back. Alacelie lives in a two room house with her parents, Cecil and Jenny, and two siblings. Joseph, the three year old was there with us. Cecil works in the carpentry shop in the front of the house and mom stays home with the kids. Unlike most of the Compassion homes I’ve visited, the main room of this house was very light. During the visit, we learned that a storm had blown part of the corrugated tin roof off the home. They proudly showed us the jacket and blanket that Compassion had bought for Alacelie. In the midst of this poverty, there was hope. We finally let Alacelie and Joseph open the gift of food we brought as a thank you for them welcoming us into their home. Joseph had been playing with it the entire time we had been there.

We returned for lunch and then spent the afternoon playing volleyball, soccer, and a variety of other games. During this time, I pulled out my strings and soon became very popular. Thanks to Cecila, one of our translators, she helped the kids learn the cup and saucer. It’s fun to watch as one person gets the steps and helps teach the others. It was a great day to start our time in Peru.

Up next – the LDP graduation and Tamara, a CSP child (You’ll have to check back later to find out what those acronyms mean.)

Back from Peru November 1, 2010

Over the next few weeks, I’ll try to add some stories from the trip. In the meantime, you can find photos on my facebook page.

Peru Bound October 19, 2010

In a little over 12 hours, I’ll be headed for Peru. Check for updates on the Woodmen Valley Global impact Twitter feed and blog. See you when I return!

National Blog Action Day October 15, 2010

I found out today that it’s National Blog Action Day and while technically everyone is suppose to blog about water and the need for clean water around the world, I thought I’d share a story that my mom shared with me on their way home from the airport last night.

My parents have spent the last 10 days in Ecuador visiting our sponsored children, learning more about Compassion Ecuador, and proving that apparently my mom can be a shopper. Last Thursday, October 7, they spent the day with our almost 6 year old shared child Danna (said Donna) and her mom. Danna was diagnosed with leukemia when was 3 1/2. During that time, she was on life support for two weeks. When she finally came home, she couldn’t walk and had to be potty-trained again. The picture I received last week was not of this child. The picture I received was of a little girl having the time of her life, a little girl God had miraculously saved, a little girl for whom God has big plans.

Before Danna became sick, her family owned land in the south of Quito and farmed the land. To pay for Danna’s treatment, they had to sell their land and move north to a small two bedroom house, lit by one Christmas light, not one strand of Christmas lights, one Christmas light. My parents had the opportunity to see this clean, but tiny home. As they left, Mom asked Cecila, Danna’s mom, if there was anything we could do for them in light of all their medical bills. Cecila responded, “No, we are fine, but there are kids in our neighborhood who don’t eat.”

So my challenge to you today is what are you doing with what God has given you? Click here to sponsor a child, save a child from malaria, teach a mother how to care for her baby, and so much more. Or click here to help a child development center serve their children better. What are you going to do today to change the world through the life of one?

Praise the Lord! October 13, 2010

Since I posted last, God has brought the entire amount of my fund raising in. It’s a blessing not to have to worry about it this last week before I head out next Wednesday. The fund raising for this trip was so much different than what I’ve raised for other trips. It came in much slower than I had anticipated based on other trips, but I knew God would provide somehow. From encouragement I’d received, I went out of my comfort zone and gave fund raising letters to several families whose kids I’d taught in Sunday school or Cubbies. And while I truly appreciate everyone who has supported me through prayer or financial support, these families blessed me in unique ways. One family asked me each week how my fund raising was going and for specific prayer requests. In another family, the kids gave money as well. Another family gave over and above what I ever expected. Only God know the lives you will impact because of your prayer and financial support. Thank you! Muchas Gracias!

Peru Schedule October 8, 2010

I really had good intentions to intentions of updating this blog with information about Peru and Tanzania, but between no new information on Peru, being sick the month of September, and the only Internet I have at home is via my iPhone. It just didn’t happen. I just don’t have any desire to blog via iPhone.This week after our Peru meeting, I finally had some information I could post.

Thursday, October 21—We’ll be visiting a child development center in Lima. There will be kids, and I will hug them. It should be fun.

Friday, October 22—We’ll visit a Child Survival Program. The Child Survival Program is for pregnant moms and their babies until the child is three years. In the evening, we will be celebrating the graduation of this year’s Leadership Development Program. Denaly, Woodmen’s LDP student will be graduating.

Saturday, October 23—Half of our team will be doing a worship workshop for Compassion churches in the Lima area. (I’m not part of that team in case you were wondering.) The rest of us will be playing with the kids that gather. The parachutes, beanbags, and beach balls arriving on my doorstep should be put to good use this day.

Sunday, October 24—We’ll be worshiping with a Compassion church in the morning and then going sightseeing and to the market in the afternoon. The goal on Sunday is to have more than 20 minutes in the market like we had in Tanzania. Too bad I’m the only one who knows of this goal.

Monday, October 25—Wednesday, October 27—These three days we will be doing service projects for three different centers in the morning and the hosting kids activities in the afternoon.

Thursday, October 27—The day we’ve all been waiting for! (Okay, well, you might not have been waiting for it, but I have!) This day, I get to spend all day at a place that’s “kind of like a zoo with paddle boats” with my precious Peruvian princess, Carla. I’m going to have a hard time not packing her in my suitcase, but I think her parents and her center might miss her. Friday, October 29—Post pictures to Facebook and update blog. Okay, well, I’m not going to promise that, but I’ll update it sometime.

Prayer Requests

• That the rest of my funding would come in. I have $465 to reach my goal.
• That our team would continue to bond and we would serve with one heart and mind.
• That I would continue to get healthy and have plenty of energy for loving Peruvian kids.
• That my day with Carla would be special and memorable for her.

Peru! September 1, 2010

Over the past few years I’ve had the opportunity to participate several short-term mission trips. Most recently, my mom and I joined a team of Compassion International advocates to witness how Compassion works with local churches to change the lives of children and families in Tanzania. After seeing the work of Compassion first-hand and meeting my Tanzanian-sponsored child, I am more committed than ever to the mission of Compassion International.

Later this year, I have the opportunity to join a team on October 20-29, 2010, from my church, Woodmen Valley Chapel, to partner with Compassion International in Lima, Peru. While we don’t have a final itinerary, among the things we are planning are service projects for the child development centers and families, worship arts and pastors’ workshops, activities for kids, visiting our sponsored children, and celebrating the graduation of Woodmen’s Leadership Development student, Denaly.

As part of this trip, each member is asked to raise $2000 by October 10, 2010 (half by September 1, 2010) to pay for the expenses of this trip. Would you prayerfully consider joining my support team through prayer or a financial gift? You can donate by check or credit card (write only “Peru” on the memo line) using this contribution form. (I’m having problems posting a PDF. If you need a contribution form, let me know and I’ll email it to you.) Also, if you live in Colorado Springs, I will bake you a dozen cookies as thanks for your contribution. Choices are: peanut butter, cranberry oatmeal, molasses, and chocolate chip.

Please pray with our team for the following:

• Team bonding as we prepare for our trip
• The future of the graduating Leadership Development students
• The work of the pastors, project directors, and other center staff and volunteers as they work with the children and families in their care
• God would work in and through our team as we make ourselves available to Him

For information during and after the trip, you can also visit the Woodmen Valley Chapel Global Impact blog.