Peru Project

Im kind of having a hard time explaining what Im feel lately. Loss for words I guess. I know I have so much to say during debriefing time, but how do I say it?

The children show me how to be happy. How the littlest things can make the biggest difference. Hours of play can be centered around one beaten up soccer ball. The children also just dont care who you are or where you come from, they just wanna embrace you… (kinda sounds like God right?).Yesturday and today we have gotten to do something a little different durning the VBSs. Normally VBSs are centered around just the children. But, Emily, came up with the idea to take the mothers, and pamper them. We painted nails! And rubbed lotion on their hands! They enjoyed it alot (I think)! I was so blessed by the mothers reaction!

The group. The group reminds me of peanut butter and jelly… and bannanas. We just all mesh together so well. Janelle and Dustin, well they always have me, lisa, and noah laughing. I have been learning a lot from Dustin and Janelle!… We spend the evenings sometimes just talking and sharing our thoughts from the day. I love it.

Today my assigned task was to move dirt around to make a drive way. It felt like no matter how much a pushed and shoveled, the ground was the same as it was when I started. I just couldnt get anywhere. The feeling that I was accomplishing nothing. Thats kinda how it is with me and my relationship with God right now. I feel as if, I can try and try to further my relationship with him, but its not good enough. Why isnt the relationship growing? Why is this christian walk so difficult and frustrating sometimes? Well, after some time today, looking back on the drive way I could see that, yes, it had made a slight difference… but sometimes… you just gotta sit back and wait for for the finished project. It takes time to realize what God is doing. I cant just wake up in the morning and be “tight” with Jesus…. I have to work and WORK at it. It can and will get frustrating…. but in the end the work will show, and it will all pay off.

And finally, I had a special girl today, shes a cutie. Her name is Maria. She loved pictures! I hope to see her again sometime.

Sophia Catherine Hayden :]

Kids at the VBS!

More kids at the VBS!!

Mi Amiga Maria!

Yesterday was quite an eye opening experience.  Typically I start out the day with a nice soft but brisk run.  However, i had run the previous two days…and I just didn’t want to make it a habit   We prepare ourselves for a day of serving (for me drywalling) in the orphanage and doing vbs in a random town with some bible reading, devotions and breakfast.

Everyone was more excited about the vbs program and understandably so but I really enjoyed getting to serve at Hannah’s Hope and making a contribution to the orphanage under construction.  It was just nice to be able to be a part of something that is not quite functional yet but in the future will be the staging grounds of many children coming to know the love of the Father.  Being able to contribute with whatever little drywalling skill I possess was a joy.  It was also good to fellowship with the others while we worked away on the walls.

I’ve never experienced the love and joy of so many children while we were doing the vbs “party” haha.  Just to watch these kids love on you and you doing as much as you could to love them back was awesome.  It was nice to share with them the saving message of Jesus Christo.

As a youth pastor, i totally did not realize how much emphasis I place on my VERBAL skill of communication.  It’s my lifeline and with it being severely severed here in Peru, it is so interesting to see how my other skills of communication are in dire need of help.  I really found myself lacking when it came to communicating with the children in ways of touch for example.  In America, the communication of touch is almost frowned upon and if you are too touchy as a youth director these days…people start asking questions   But I just thank the Lord that He opened my eyes to see that I really need to improve in showing people & children love through hugs, embracing,  holding hands and with arms around the shoulders…and…it just goes on and on.  And I need to get to the point where it doesn’t feel awkward…where I can be totally comfortable just loving on people like I know Jesus did when He came to the earth!

This morning I rose nice and early with my roommate Steve to run.  It was a blast but when we returned from our run…we had no water.  I expended all the water in my water bottle washing myself down as best as I could but unfortunately…there was none left for shaving.  So….yes, i pulled out a soda and did the business…shaving with pop.

I’m enjoying this trip on so many different levels.  It has been such a blessing to be able to serve down here alongside my husband, younger brother, best girl friend and guy friend, and many new friends.  We have a wonderful team of people  from PA and Ohio and it is clear that God went before us, preparing our hearts to be here.  The body of Christ has been evident as I see the gifts of each team member emerging, completing the puzzle and serving together.  Being my fourth time on missions in Peru, it has become so familiar, as though I am coming home in a way, yet each time is a different and stretching experience.  I love the people and I love the opportunity to move out of my comfort zone and be used by God.  We spent the morning working on projects around Hannah’s Home/Hope and spent the afternoon in an area around the orphanage doing VBS.  Team members were sent out into the community to get kids.  We sang and danced, played soccer and volleyball, kids were acting out the story of The Prodigal Son and learning about how it applies to life.  They made party hats to celebrate the reuniting of father and son and the party that we can have knowing that we have a relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Some of the mothers on our team and a couple other women got a chance to pamper and love on the Peruvian mothers, washing and lotioning their hands and painting their nails…stretching for some but so beautiful.

Our cups are overflowing and I am praying that God will make us each sensitive to the nudgings of his Holy Spirit, that we may be willing to do whatever is asked and serve the people of Peru.  All Glory and Honor to God our heavenly Father.

Blessings,
Emily W.

Hola!  Me llamo Amy. 

I volunteered to blog tonight, thinking about so many things that were on my mind that I wanted to share with you all.  We arrived here late Friday night as you saw on several of the other posts and it has been a whirlwind of amazing experiences since then.  As I sit here trying to figure out all that I want to describe, a number of things come to mind.  So, sit back, relax, and please bear with me as I try to explain what has been on my heart.

We started Saturday morning with breakfast and devotions on the beach.  We spent some time alone in prayer and seeking God’s presence and wisdom for this trip.  As I walked around the beach, the words that came to mind were “How majestic is Your name in all the Earth”.  There was not a doubt in my mind that God was going to work and reveal His power and glory this coming week. 

I have been continually amazed by the pure joy the people here display.  The kindness and hospitaility that I have seen is such a reflection of the genuine character of our Savior.  We went to a church service this morning-all 20 of us Americans- and we were greeted with the most wonderful hugs, kisses, and handshakes.  God was very much present, and giving Him all the praise and the glory was so evident throughout the service.  I came away from that place feeling so full, despite the fact that I don’t speak Spanish. 

We’ve spent a good bit of time at the orphanage with many kids the past two days.  Watching them play and delight in the simple things such as playing a volleyball game using as clothesline as a net has been so humbling.  Another little boy worked and worked to build a brick tower against the stump of the tree so he could climb up the tree!  Yet another child learned the important chant of “We are…….Penn State!”

My heart is so quickly becoming aware of the selfless lives that people have here.  They are teaching me about true love and joy.  I am finding myself so eager to learn from them and gain an understanding of the life that is here in Peru.

Hola a todos!

My name is James Homan and I hail from the great keystone state of Pennsylvania, however I am currently typing this from Chilca, Peru.  The title of this blog post comes from the fact that I speak intermediate level Spanish, so the group seems to be coming to me for translations just as much as Fernando and Dina, our “official” translators. 

Today started off with a great time of worship on the beach, and then on the bus we went to the church of Pastor Jorge, where we were met with incredible smiles, handshakes, and hugs from 4 foot 3 inch Peruvians (no joke).  The welcome we were given from the small congregation was incredible.  The Berlin-sized wall of a spoken language barrier almost everyone had in front of them was broken by body language and the voices of Fernando and Dina on the microphone.  I think everyone can agree that God has put it in our hearts and reminded us that he is the God of the universe and COMPLETELY omnipresent, and how the same Jesus that lives within us and the same God that we worship, is the same as the people here in Peru. 

We followed up with lunch at a restaurant beside a beautiful cave tunnel…thing, that has waves coming through from the ocean on the other side (sounds kinda weird now that I re-read this).  After some free time to climb a big dirt hill to see a great view of the ocean and to walk around the town and be slightly assaulted by Pelicans, we headed back to Hannah’s Hope.  We all went over to Hogar de Ninos (missing the tilde above the n) and spent some more time playing with the children.  We finally headed back to our hostel and had a dinner and a wonderful worship and reflection time, where it was mentioned how well this group has really gelled.  I only knew 4 other people going into this trip but have come to thoroughly appreciate the service and love shown by the “Ohioans”, or whatever they’re called.  

My prayer is for continued strength, love, hope, reflection, changed lives, laughs, smiles of children, totally ripped biceps from painting a lot, and most of all the presence of Jesus. 

diciendo hola de Peru,

James (Santiago)

Hi this is Pat.  What a great day.  Devotions as a group on the beach first thing.  Then an uplifting church service with Pastor Jorge(??) and his congregation.  What a God filled place.  Small in size, but overfilled with worship and friendship.  That tiny little older man at the door……he is Gods face looking right at us!  Then a chance to see Gods glory at a beautiful beach.  Then lots of playing with the kids from the orphange.  I praise you now Father for what you plan for me this week, and for each member of this team you have assembled……..And thank you all for any who are reading about this ministry.  Asta miniata!

Hello everyone! We made it here last night! And it was a LONG and AWESOME flight. As a first time flier…I’m glad it was to Lima, Peru and not somewhere close…(insert sarcasm here!) But in all seriousness, the flight was awesome! I loved it!

Coming into customs here was a tad bit scary! Standing in this long line…waiting for someone to scan your passport & say go or no…super scary. But we all made it safely…PRAISE GOD! Ride to the hostal was something that will be in my mind always! I just remember thinking, is this real? I’m still at a loss for words as to what I have seen & experienced here. I can’t begin to comprehend it all!

We went to Hannahs Home today & saw what awesome things God is doing there! It blows my mind to see such selfless people. Being completely 100% obedient to God’s calling! The property is beautiful! After we went there we went over to Hogar de Ninos & got to play with the kids. It was an awesome experience! Again…trying to take it all in. The team was great with them. Everyone just jumped right in to play with the kids and love on them. LOTS of hugs were given today! I just completely can feel Gods presences here with us all! It’s like nothing I have ever experienced before! The song, Jesus the Nazarene, keeps playing over and over again in my head…”I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.” That is the best way to describe how I feel. I am amazed & in awe of our wonderful and awesome God!

Thank you for the prayers and keeping us in your thoughts! Please continue to pray for us all! I ask that you just pray for the team to be filled with the Holy Spirit & that it just completely overflows! Pray that Jesus’ love just completely pours out of us in every move we make! Thanks again and we will see you all soon!

Love, Janelle

Hi All,
 I am so glad to have arrived safely last night in Lima. Our flights went well and everyone was very excited to arrive back to LIMA. There are half of us we have been here before, and it seems that everyone wants to make it a yearly trip. I love it and can see myself coming back again too.
 Noah is having a blast going out to the beach and letting the waves chance him. This is one way he can get his conditioning in for soccor. He also played with the children at the orphange today with the soccor ball. Those kids are so great at playing.
 Sophie loved going back to the orphanage to see the progress that has been made since last year. It was also wonderful to see Sylvia,and Ericka, who we met last year. They actually remembered us.
  Tonight we are going to have dinner, music, and prepare for VBS this week.
Talk to everyone soon.
Love Mary Ann