Orphans, Concrete and Lizards!

The guys worked so hard to build steps for Hope House girls orphanage.  It was interesting to see them mix and pour the concrete, Peru style. Amazingly enough, every ounce of concrete mix was used and no more was needed.  Way to go guys!  And no, this picture is not blurry.  That’s how foggy the day was!

We spent two days at the girls orphanage building those steps and painting the girls’ rooms to cover up the recent water damage.  Even though the entire team worked so hard we were also able to have fun with the girls.   We sang songs, the directors were able to share their story with us, but most importantly we got to play volleyball.  They L-O-V-E volleyball and I swear a couple of those girls could get a college scholarship here in the states! 

The first day we were there it was so foggy, as you can see.  We couldn’t see anything more than 20 or so feet away. But the next day we went back and it was beautiful! 

One of the teams was able to do a medical clinic.  We had a doctor and dentist on our

team as well as a Peruvian doctor we’ve worked with for years.  The team saw over 70 patients in one day!  Talk about working fast.  There were quite a few people who got saved too, which is the whole reason why we went! I was very impressed with the pediatric dentist who went on the team with us.  He worked so well with the kids who were scared out of their minds!  All I could do was hold their hand, smile and shine the flashlight in their eyes so they couldn’t see the huge tools going in their poor little mouths to pull their teeth out. 🙂 

We also gave them little goodie bags of shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.  When you have no money those things are not as necessary as food.  I’ve even had to explain to some kids what shampoo is and how to use it!  

Pat’s Place is a home for abused women and children.  That is where we ate breakfast and dinner every night.  The women and children there are so precious, I can’t even explain it!  We took one night to really minister to them which was so special.  We put them in groups of boys, girls and the women.  I went with the girls and heard their stories of what their lives were like before coming to Pat’s Place.  I was speechless. These 9, 10, 11, and 12 year olds have been through more in their short life than most people ever experience. Even though I’ve been going there since it opened a few years ago, this was the first time we took time to hear their stories and I am so glad we did.  We prayed with them to be able to forgive the people who have hurt them and I know that those young girls were healed.  It meant so much to me to be able to be a part of that.  I will definitely never forget those stories.

We visited Villa la Paz which is a children’s hospital.  Dr. Tony Lazzara was a professor at Emory when he decided to leave his career and move to Peru in 1983 to open a hospital for kids.  If you have the chance to see the documentary “The Human Experience” you should see it.  Villa la Paz is 1/3 of the movie!  The stories of the kids there will rip your heart out.  It was hard not to get emotional in a room filled with baby cribs and kids in them with cleft lips, cerebral palsy, shaken baby syndrome and more.  Some of them have been abandoned by their parents because of the way they look.  This baby, Tomy, was born pre-mature with a cleft lip.  His surgery is coming up soon and he is 6 months old but looks and feels like a newborn.  He was so little!

At night we had two different women’s conferences going on simultaneously.  I was

able to sing at both churches.  Many people got saved and re-dedicated their lives to Jesus.  That’s what it’s all about people!  And, if you’ve never been to Spanish church before, you’re totally missing out.  Yes, it may start late.  Yes, it may go on for a couple hours.  But it is so much fun.  The worship and dancing and everything is so raw and real.  You can’t help but worship God.  I loved hearing the different testimonies from the team.  To hear some of their stories and to see how they are serving God now really encouraged me.  

Speaking of the team.  I have been on many mission trips and I must say; this was definitely the best team I have ever gone with. And I’m not just saying that! Every single person contributed something to the trip.  Everyone got along.  *GASP*  I have never laughed so much.  I have 33 new family members!  Leaving the airport and going home to an empty house has been hard.  I miss everyone so much! *tear*

The most important part of this whole trip is that 85 people gave their lives to Jesus. And about 15 more re-dedicated their lives to Him!

That is the whole reason why we go.  

We can play soccer with the kids, hand out shampoo/toothbrushes, speak at churches, have fun.  But what are we really leaving these people with?  

Hopefully, those we come in contact with will either gain a relationship with God or deepen their relationship with God.

There’s nothing better we can do for them or give them.

So…that’s my story.  It was a great week.  My only complaint is that it was WAY too short!  Here are a few more pictures of the week…hope you enjoy!

 My Peruvian family who I miss so much!

 

 Nearby houses where we played soccer with the kids.

 Mmmmmm….lizard!

 Scaring my mom with the lizard!

 Attempting to eat the lizard.

 Now this is how you should watch the World Cup!  In the middle of Downtown Lima!

 San Juan de Lurigancho, Peru