a gift for christmas

A few months ago, a family friend, Mr. Hal, emailed and asked if there was any way he could help the kids I worked with in Peru.  I contacted Lidia, the director of the IVHQ program in Lima, and we talked about what we could get the kids.  We talked about getting them toys or clothes, but in the end decided on blankets.  Toys and clothes break and are grown out of, but a blanket can last a lifetime.  And for these people, it probably will.  With the money Mr. Hal donated, we bought all the children in the Wawa Wasis program (a daycare program for working mothers located in Pachacutec,  the shantytown surrounding Lima) a blanket.  

About 100 children received a blanket a few days ago.  These children are  mostly from families that have one parent, whom works many hours every day.  They are put in the government run Wawa Wasi program that provides  three nutritious meals a day, vitamin supplements, and development testing to the children.  They spend almost all of their time in these daycares.  For a mother working to support her children, there is most likely not going to be extra money for presents, new clothes, or even a blanket.  These children appreciate the simplets of gifts.  

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These blankets will be used until they are worn to rags (and then they will probably be used as rags).

A sweet caregiver with her little ones.

Proud baby with her blanket!

A group picture of all the kids, caregiver, and volunteers in one of the Wawa Wasis.

Current volunteers with IVHQ giving out the blankets bought with the donation from Mr. Hal.

A happy Wawa Wasi caregiver with her blanket and some of  the little ones she watches.

I am so grateful for those who have donated throughout my journey to Peru and back.  After getting to know these kids, and caregivers, I've come to realize just how beautiful each and everyone of them are.  Each of them is the face of Jesus. Every donation throughout that last year and a half has helped these children in numerous ways.

ten days & ten hours

Just ten days and ten hours until I am on a plane back to one of my favorite places.  Home and the lake are probably the only other top contenders (and maybe Disney i guess).  But, I will not be sitting on this plane alone!  Nope, guess who is coming with me on this trip...one of my dearest friends, Katie Hobbs.

After a suggestion given by my mom, in passing conversation, that she should come with me, Katie bought a ticket!  Seriously guys, I think she had it just four days later.  Talk about easy going!  I think that she is excited, but I am ecstatic.  I had thought about asking around to see if anybody wanted to come with me when I started planning the trip.  But, after thinking about the trouble it could cause, I decided not to, thinking that God would have it under control if He wanted someone to come.  And was I right?  Amazing, that guy upstairs isn't He?   

So now, I am left wondering about all the amazing things He has in store for this trip.  There must be some pretty big things if He's already shown Himself this much:)

I've been preparing slowly since I got moved out of my room and onto the ping pong table(a long story, I'll spare you).  A suite case has been opened and clothes have been haphazardly thrown in; gifts have been bought for people back in Peru, and Spanish has and still is being studied.  I am packing much lighter than last time that's for sure.

I do have something to ask of you though, I would really love it if you could pray for a few things.

- For Joselyn, that she will email me back so we can meet.  I really would love to know if she's all  right.  She moved out of the house that I volunteered in last time, and hasn't been answering my emails/facebook posts.

- For the other Joselyn.  She has been in contact with Jade (my Colombia traveling buddy).  She is living in another house (the same type as the one I volunteered in, but more permanent).  She is having a hard time right now, and really needs a community she can be a part of.

- For all the babies in the orphanages we will be working in, that they will know of God's great love for them, even though they haven't ever felt it in their parents arms as we all have.

- For safe travels for Katie and me.

Thanks!

round two

I’m going back to Peru! I think this blog was a really great way to keep in touch with everyone back home the last time I went, so I’m going to use it again.  Although I’m paying my own way this time (working for a semester paid off, literally), I never would be in any position to do this if it weren’t for everyone who sent me last August. I feel like you all deserve to be shown what is going on down there, since it is because of you I am there again.

Since being home, the reality of my life has really sunk in. I have a great life.  I may be paying more than ever for food and gas right now, but my standard of living is higher than many many many people in the world. This is one of the reasons I’m returning to Peru.  Seeing all the blessings the Lord has given me, I’ve had to ask myself, why does he give them?  Why am I here on this earth? What is my purpose?  I think it is a question many ask, and a natural question for people my age.

What is my purpose?  The best answer I’ve come up with so far is simple, love.  I was made out of love by God. He gives me everything out of love. He gives, so I may love others in His name.  Nothing that I have is mine to store up, it is all His. His that he has blessed me with so that I may, in turn, give.

I have no reason to keep the things He has given me. These things will not get me to my ultimate goal: Heaven. Giving will. The more I give, the more I learn to love. 

I’ve been asked by a few people why go back?  Why not go somewhere else? Truthfully there is no simple answer.  I love Peru.  I love those babies, I love the girls I worked with in the girl’s home, I love the kids I taught.  It’s not so much about the places I will see, but about the relationships I will build.  Those kids don’t have anyone to hug them and show them God’s love 99% of the day. 

How can I not fall in love with these faces?

These are the faces of Christ.  This is Christ, who has had no one to tuck him safely in at night; he get to cry themselves to sleep. This is Christ, who has no one to make sure his belly is full; he goes hungry if he doesn’t eat all of his meal at mealtime. This is Christ, who has no one to hug him when he falls over or kiss his knee when he scrapes it.  This is Christ, who has never been told he is special, that he is loved unconditionally, that he is worth something. 

How can I not go? 

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him.

And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

 Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'

Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'

And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'