Peru - Tuesday

Hello again everyone. It’s 10:35 pm on Tuesday evening. Everyone is just going to bed, and I now have the time to sit and write to you about the day’s events. A HUGE thanks to all of you who have left comments on the blog so far. The group has found them enjoyable. I do read them to everyone, so make sure whatever you write is readable by the whole group : ) . Before I begin, and editorial correction for you. I was told that Corinne Ouwehand’s name was actually Corrie, hence the reference to her as such in the blog. I now correct that to Corinne, but will change her name at another time as time is of the essence here and I want some sleep tonight to : ) So, about our day….. We awoke and were up for breakfast by 7:30 am. The standard fair of bread with peanut butter or jam, eggs, and juice or Instant coffee. We were off in our buses by 8:30 am. I asked the group to do a chapter in our Deep Justice book, either on the bus or sometime during the day. Many people opted to do it on the bus, while others chose to do it during the day. We are covering different chapters in the book as we continue to reflect on what we are experiencing here. The sites and smells of Peru continue to waft into the bus as we travel. People are getting accustomed to the drive and great conversations and bonding is happening during them. We arrived at Gamaliel church at around 10 am and began our work. Today we split up into different groups. 1. Visiting the orphanage 2. Visiting the orphanage 3. Working at the church 4. Helping with the feeding program 5. Visiting in home of people in the community 6. Visiting in home of people in the community. Lots of great experiences today. Our group visited in three homes today. We got the chance to listen to the lives of those in these homes. Some was painful to hear, but God was there with us and we were able to pray and even be of direct assistance through our translator for a mother trying to get her daughter’s baby back to her. She had married a man from another country and that man had kidnapped their baby and the daughter was trying to get the baby back. Our translator happened to intern at a lawyer who could be of help, and information was gathered to assist the grandmother in this. Our first home was quite nice. Concrete floor, good furniture, gas stove, good TV, etc. The second home was a dirt floor, tarped roof and not much in the way of furniture. Our third home was that of Fernando’s mom. When we visited her home 2 years ago, there was only a dirt floor and not much furniture. We returned to find a concrete floor and some pretty good furniture. Things had progressed for Fernando’s family. It was nice to talk with Fernando’s mom about the church, about how she felt about our group coming back every two years, and other things. We continue to find those that host us in their homes to be very welcoming. They are willing to share many things about their lives that we N.A.’s would find uncomfortable to do. Another group visited homes too, and in one home the lady had prepared all kinds of wonderful drinks for them to partake of. It was hard for them to tell the lady that they couldn’t have any of it because of the water in the juice. Some things are hard to deal with for us in Peru, but all of it is a learning curve. Those in the orphanage had a great time playing with the kids, helping to feed them a snack, and some of them even read to the kids in Spanish. We also worked on the church today. Bringing sand up the hill to help make a new floor for a new classroom that will help the Christian school. The group of males that worked their today had a really good time. Daniel wants to do this every day, if he could. I told him he won’t because we want him to experience other things too, but I like his enthusiasm. One group also went to the medical clinic. The Doctor was able to spend time with the group to explain to them how things worked, the kind of medical care given and other things. Dianne found it especially interesting. It was great to hear the stories of the groups as they came back to Gamaliel church. There is always that sense of excitement and awe. It was then time for lunch with our group. After lunch we organized for VBS. Some minor changes were made to how we do things. I stayed out of all the discussions. You have to know when you have good people in place, and don’t mess with it. We do, and I didn’t : ) . We had 120 ish kids today. Not the same kids this time. The age groups were different. We began our time by playing all sorts of games with the kids. The soccer game had a bit of a mishap. Seems a translator hit the ball pretty hard off one of our group’s food and it ricocheted onto the windshield of a taxi and broke it. We paid to have it fixed. Another excellent drama was put on by Dianne and company. The kids remembered yesterday’s drama, which tells me we are doing something right here : ). Inese once again wowed us all with her amazing talent in leading the group in song. She is a great translator who has been translating with us each time. I really appreciate how she loves these kids, but is also firm with them. She has a heart for them, but also a great sense of humor. Our group worked really hard again making sure the crafts were done with excellence. Great job everyone. By 4:30 pm it was time to leave. The days do go fast here. We said our goodbyes and prepared for the trip home. I had a headache so I tried to get some sleep. I think I actually did, which is amazing seeing as how I was beside Jackie and in front of Patti. : ) You know, that Jackie is a wonderful person. Definitely type A all around, but a heart of gold that woman. We arrived back at the Hostel at about 5:30 pm. Showers all around and then it was time for supper. Rice with chicken and potatoes and soup. It tasted really good. After supper we gathered in our large meeting room (I’ll get pictures of all of that stuff in a couple of days) for some group time. Just before that, some in the group gathered in the hall and began impromptu praise and worship. It was nice to see that bonding going on. We had to wait for a group helping out with Dishes, and I had to download some pics and blog comments for the group. Many in the group took the time to read the blog, as we have Internet access in one small space in the courtyard. With everyone assembled we praised God in song and practiced our songs for tomorrow night’s celebration service. I then shared all the blog comments received to date. Seems John W and Blake are really handsome men to many of you who are reading this blog : ). We took some time to reflect on our day through the Deep Justice book and I explained how things would hopefully work tomorrow. It was then time for the video blog for each group and then off to bed for everyone. Fontana was very happy today because she received her luggage. As she was unpacking that luggage, it seems that she discovered that her mother was very kind and purchased 8 new pairs of underwear. An interesting comment was made by Fontana before she opened the package. She noticed that the picture was of a woman slightly larger than herself. Once she opened the package she, and her mom, realized that Fontana had receive underwear in which she could literally fit 4 of herself inside. Nancy almost died she was laughing so hard, and the rest of the group found it hilarious. I am going to be receiving a signed copy of this underwear soon as a gift from Fontana. I think this will be the most original gift I’ve every received…….now where to hang that underwear when I get home….hmmmmmm : ) It also seems that a couple of YP in our group have decided that getting ankle injuries are a good thing while in Peru. The methods they have received those injuries need not be told here because, well, let’s just say that they weren’t the brightest boys by getting these injuries. They are doing ok though, so don’t worry you moms of the male YP. : ) As I reflect on our full day, I am filled with various emotions. I’m tired, so that helps enhance those emotions. I am humbled at how God works in trips like this. I see all the hard work of preparing this trip now coming to fruition and, though I don’t take any credit for it, things are meshing together in this group and between this group and Gamaliel church. I see how God is working in many lives and I see several people catching the vision of partnership mission work. A simple bus ride of 7 years ago has lead a church in Ottawa to Partner with a Church in Peru and this has meant much growth in the people of both places. I know that we struggle with ministries at home and what to do about this or that ministry that is going on at our church, but being here once again reinforces for me that cross cultural learning opportunities are a healthy, and even necessary part of a healthy church community. The hard part for me is that for those of you who haven’t done something like this before, it’s so difficult to put into words the great things that God does in times like this. That is not to say that church school, youth group, young adult ministry, or even seniors ministries are not important, but without a cross cultural ministry of some sort, I now am convinced that the body of Christ is done a disservice without it. We are so the richer for experiences like this, even if all who go don’t see it right away. I know that not everyone who returns from this trip, as in past trips, will become missionaries, or radically change their lifestyles, but some will. I know that some in Peru may loose hope, but I also know that our coming to this church has given hope to many in Gamaliel church. The informal relationship that we have here has changed lives in this small congregation. Segrio gives testimony to that, and we see it too. My hope is that others will come to Gamaliel church and be able to meet Sergio, a true man of God. My hope is that those who come will catch his vision of God working in the lives of those in his church. My hope is that we will then come to know that it’s also because of those who come from Canada to Gamaliel church to learn and grow together that our lives are changed too and the Kingdom of God is expanded. It’s only day two, but I could go home tomorrow and know that God has done a work in the hearts and lives of a group of 47 from Canada and many in Gamaliel church. Only God has the answer as to what that work will mean for each of us, but I’m ok with that. It has never been my role to change a heart, but to be an agent of change so that hearts will be affected in some way, shape or form. I think I have seen that happening in this group of 47 already and to God be the glory for that. So, enough of my reflecting on the day. Oh, one more thing. The high point for me today……the satisfaction of seeing this group of 47 working so hard and beginning to gel. That this group is grappling with the issues of this country, their own country, their own lives, and what now? Visiting in the homes and feeling the communion of the saints with perfect strangers. Not something that happens in NA a lot. The low point for me today….having to forcefully tell the group that holding puppies, or sharing water bottles with kids is NOT acceptable and must not happen. God at work today……I’ve explained that already. So, I’ll now get on to the task of selecting a few pictures of our day. I don’t think it will be many, but one never knows……………..enjoy them and we’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Some wonderful fruit tree that these girls found at the beginning of the day.

We need to get out of our compound and walk around the block to pick up our bus. Hannah is starting her day off.....with a NAP of all things. !!! Jackie is up to something again. Always a song, or a dance.

At Gamaliel Church. Marsha and Nancy talking VBS strategy I bet.

Ben and Annette. A nice mother and son picture.

Our wonderful toilet facilities.

Cindy looking pretty chipper. I wonder if that was before or after she left the bathroom stall.

Ah, the boys lifting all that sand up the hill the old fashioned way.

Blake looks like he's enjoying himself.

Gerry is a Keener. Two bags at once...but maybe they are only half full?

Colin and Gerry working hard. I guess you paid for not wearing that Sunscreen today, eh Colin!!

The men working really hard. You can't see it, but it's HOT and they are sweating. Gross!!!

One of the groups in the homes praying.

Same group, different home.

Our group entering our first home.

This picture gives you an idea of her home. A nice one in Patchacutec standards.

Our group entering out second home.

Some of our team with a woman (second from the right) who didn't own the home but was living there for a bit. Dirt floor and tarped roof in this home.

Our team at Fernando's home.

The group that went to the medical clinic.

Here they pose with the Doctor.

Here is the Doctor. He looks proud of his clinic, and he should be.

At noonhour catching up on that journal stuff I asked some people to do. Wonderful to see the dedication of this team.

A group going to the orphanage.

I think Jackie would take some kids home with her if she could.

Playing games with the children.

Fontana was VERY happy to get her luggage this morning.

Annette and Marg practicing their Spanish. Dedication, dedication, dedication.

Someone gave Erin Canadian Socks. Not from our team FYI, but how cool is that. Apparently she was born in Canada and has a Canadian Passport. What connections we have.

Now don't let this picture fool you. This is Inese resting. She deserves it. She's preparing for her time in VBS when she'll be leading the singing, etc. A hard worker and wonderful person. I should mention that all the translators are great.

Our Oranges that we eat for lunch. Green skin.

Megan and Corinne enjoying some time making new friends.

It has been neat to watch Kevin grow over the years. I remember in Chicago how he wasn't so comfortable around children. He's a natural now. !!!

Sam sharing her sunglasses and love with a VBS child.

I'll give the first person $5 who can guess who that person in the Larry shirt is...and no, it's not Patti!!

Marsha gets some help sorting the VBS crafts from one of the VBS girls.

Several from the group helping with the actions to the songs.

It's Drama Time!!

Hey Son! Enjoying yourself?

Frisbee is very popular around here.

Kids always want to be carried, hugged, and just loved on.

Ben playing with the kids.

More social time before VBS begins.

That Blake. He has sooooooo much fun. I think his arms were soar at the end of the day.

I'm not sure what was so funny, but I bet it had something to do with Leah!!!! Right Hannah.

Fontana getting, and giving, her love quotient.

Oh, this picture just popped up. The kids are doing the actions to the songs too.

One of our crafts in VBS today.

The end result of mixing and laying the concrete for the floor.

Two of the workers who we are helping.

Aren't kids just adorable!

It's a tiring day, and many people take the chance to get some sleep on the bus ride home.

Not these three though. Annette said this was one of her high points of the day. I bet this intense discussion covered the topic of pray Annette?

It's supper time. We started with Soup. It seems that the tables are a bit high, as Hannah and I found out.

I hope your mother didn't teach you this Hannah!!!!

Hey Pepe. Are you enjoying your meal? You and Erin are doing amazing work here.

After supper I let the group take a look at the blog. Somewhere in the middle of the crowd is John reading it to them.

Here is my room with four other boys, Chris being one of them. A typical room design, but probably not a typical mess : )

Here is a picture of the boys bathroom.

Spontaneous song broke out before our meeting in this meeting room. They sounded pretty good too.

Here's a picture of those oversized undeware. What kind of a message do you think Nancy is sending to Fontana anyway!!!! : ) Good thing we all have a good sense of humor here.

Don't they look just dandy on these two!

I have to laugh.......

So, It's 2:30 am. I had to travel over much of the compound today to find any internet connection, but God has been good. I'm on the second floor just outside my room on a wooden stool. My butt is numb, but you now know what happened on Tuesday of this Learning Opportunity to Peru.

Tomorrow will be a long day, as we celebrate Gamaliel's 10th anniversary. A short blog entry will happen on Wed night, with a more indepth one probably at noon on Thursday. Just keep cheking to see what has been posted.

Good morning.....

and

Good Night!!!!