March 27, 2011,
To my fellow bloggers who stay in contact with my ministry here in Peru, sorry that I have not had time to keep you up-to-date with all that has been going on here since the beginning of January. Many things have happened this summer so let me just take the time to catch you up to speed on what has been going on here in Peru. This summer, we had Stephanie Todd join our KAP team to help out with summer school at the Juniper Tree. Stephanie taught English, Chior and Sponsorship classes in the two months that she was here with us. We also went on different outtings with the kids such as the Pachacamac Inca Ruins, Real Felipe which is a fort, Hauscar Park and the beach. The kids also enjoyed swimming all summer long as the Juniper Tree was blessed with a donation of an above ground pool. We have also fought against the many flies and mosquitos that we have at the Juniper Tree and even though the fummigation helped a little it still didn't keep the mosquitos from biting at your ankles and feet.
In March, we celebrated our first anniversary of the Juniper Tree. It's hard to believe that we have been one year now in Pachacamac. We invited many different people to come and join in on our celebration which we had about 140 people come. We ended up killing one of our pigs for the anniversary and what a royal treat that was. Also the kids are now back in school. Most of them have gone back to the same public school where they were last year. We have had a few that have started a new school this year which they have made the transition very well.
The old home will soon be sold and with the money we are hoping to buy land close to the Juniper Tree for the older boys to live off site but close by. Plus to continue the construction of the Juniper Tree, plus a whole lot more. Please be praying as we are in the starting phases of looking for new home directors. Mike has told me that there are 5 candidates and soon they will have their psychological evaluations before the board interviews them. Please pray as we are in the paper work for getting hooked up for city water and sewage plus the land of the Juniper Tree put into the legal books as the new owners. Thanks so much for all of your prayers and support.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, January 02, 2011
December 31, 2010 y January 1, 2010
This morning we had a visit from a children's home in Iquitos area which is in the jungle. They are here in Lima visiting different places and playing the bells and giving their testimonies. This evening the kids went to church for a New Year's program. When they arrived back to the home they set off their firecrackers that they bought. My original plan changed since the kids were enjoying setting off the firecrackers. We had a bonfire which the kids roasted hotdogs and marshmellows. Adrian and Javier ended up buying lots of fireworks, sparklers and firecrackers in order to bring in the new year. The kids had a ball. I even had one kid tell me that they don't do this in his family. We made a dummy filled with firecrackers and threw it into the bonfire when it hit midnight. It is one of many traditions here in Peru. Once all the fireworks were done we had a pinata. It was about 2am when I sent the kids to their beds so that they would be rested somewhat in order to go to the beach.
Later in the morning we loaded up our two vans with all the kids and staff and some grads from the home to go to the beach. I stayed back in order to watch the home and also had two sick kids. I cleaned up the outside from our partying and we watched movies also. The group didn't come back until almost 8pm. From what everyone told me is that it was quite the adventure because they ended up going to three different beaches and really far north of Lima. I'm so glad that everyone enjoyed themselves even though they really did not spend much time at the beach.
This morning we had a visit from a children's home in Iquitos area which is in the jungle. They are here in Lima visiting different places and playing the bells and giving their testimonies. This evening the kids went to church for a New Year's program. When they arrived back to the home they set off their firecrackers that they bought. My original plan changed since the kids were enjoying setting off the firecrackers. We had a bonfire which the kids roasted hotdogs and marshmellows. Adrian and Javier ended up buying lots of fireworks, sparklers and firecrackers in order to bring in the new year. The kids had a ball. I even had one kid tell me that they don't do this in his family. We made a dummy filled with firecrackers and threw it into the bonfire when it hit midnight. It is one of many traditions here in Peru. Once all the fireworks were done we had a pinata. It was about 2am when I sent the kids to their beds so that they would be rested somewhat in order to go to the beach.
Later in the morning we loaded up our two vans with all the kids and staff and some grads from the home to go to the beach. I stayed back in order to watch the home and also had two sick kids. I cleaned up the outside from our partying and we watched movies also. The group didn't come back until almost 8pm. From what everyone told me is that it was quite the adventure because they ended up going to three different beaches and really far north of Lima. I'm so glad that everyone enjoyed themselves even though they really did not spend much time at the beach.
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December 24-25, 2010
We had several kids who were able to leave this morning to spend Christmas with their families. This afternoon, the kids were able to swim in our newly donated pool for the first time this summer. They really had a wonderful time. After they finished swimming they went on an outting. They were suppose to go to The Santa Clause House but it ended up not being open so they tried going to the House of Snow and it wasn't open either so finally they just stopped and ate ice cream. They were gone for four hours. I stayed at the home with four kids who have the chicken pox and to also cook the Christmas dinner. By the time everyone else got back the dinner was ready. It was midnight as we were finishing serving the food when we stopped and wished one another Merry Christmas and set off some fire crackers. We sat down and ate and afterwards opened up presents that were donated and the kids then played until 2am when I said that it was time to go to bed.
We slept in the next morning and then in the morning went swimming again and in the afternoon most of the kids spent it at the river.
We had several kids who were able to leave this morning to spend Christmas with their families. This afternoon, the kids were able to swim in our newly donated pool for the first time this summer. They really had a wonderful time. After they finished swimming they went on an outting. They were suppose to go to The Santa Clause House but it ended up not being open so they tried going to the House of Snow and it wasn't open either so finally they just stopped and ate ice cream. They were gone for four hours. I stayed at the home with four kids who have the chicken pox and to also cook the Christmas dinner. By the time everyone else got back the dinner was ready. It was midnight as we were finishing serving the food when we stopped and wished one another Merry Christmas and set off some fire crackers. We sat down and ate and afterwards opened up presents that were donated and the kids then played until 2am when I said that it was time to go to bed.
We slept in the next morning and then in the morning went swimming again and in the afternoon most of the kids spent it at the river.
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December 16, 2010
This evening is our Christmas Dinner at the Juniper Tree with all the kids, staff and missionaries and their families. We also invited some of the older kids who once lived in the home to come and join us. We ate turkey, mashed potatoes, applesauce, rice and then later had paneton and hot chocolate After dinner we sang some Christmas songs before Leo ended up doing the devotional with everyone. Then we passed out the Christmas stockings and then the kids received their Christmas presents. It was a really lovely evening.
This evening is our Christmas Dinner at the Juniper Tree with all the kids, staff and missionaries and their families. We also invited some of the older kids who once lived in the home to come and join us. We ate turkey, mashed potatoes, applesauce, rice and then later had paneton and hot chocolate After dinner we sang some Christmas songs before Leo ended up doing the devotional with everyone. Then we passed out the Christmas stockings and then the kids received their Christmas presents. It was a really lovely evening.
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Monday, December 06, 2010
December 5, 2010
This afternoon, we had the Christmas Program with the kids' families. We had about 100 people more or less that came. Each of the houses did a special and then the teens did a Gospel Clown skit which was really good and then our invited guests, Corazones Unidos (Hearts United) gave us the message through a skit also. Mike closed the program in prayer before we shared hot chocolate and paneton which is the traditional Christmas treat. In my four years here for Christmas today was the first time that the families were actually paying attention to what was going on and not causing a lot of disruption from them talking in amongst themselves. It was a wonderful answer to prayer. We have been praying for this day for quite a while and that the people's hearts will be open and receptive to what God has to say to them and that they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
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This afternoon, we had the Christmas Program with the kids' families. We had about 100 people more or less that came. Each of the houses did a special and then the teens did a Gospel Clown skit which was really good and then our invited guests, Corazones Unidos (Hearts United) gave us the message through a skit also. Mike closed the program in prayer before we shared hot chocolate and paneton which is the traditional Christmas treat. In my four years here for Christmas today was the first time that the families were actually paying attention to what was going on and not causing a lot of disruption from them talking in amongst themselves. It was a wonderful answer to prayer. We have been praying for this day for quite a while and that the people's hearts will be open and receptive to what God has to say to them and that they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
December 2, 2010
This afternoon, Mabel, Julia and I went around to the different houses to judge them on their Christmas decorations. Each house had to decorate the diningroom, living room and the outside of the main door. We judged on creativity, originality and what recycable materials were used. It was very hard to decide because all the houses were very beautifully decorated. All the kids and teens were excited to see which house was going to win the ice cream and pop. There were quite a number who were trying to bribe the judges. The family that won was Mimi's house. Everyone had a really good time in decorating their houses and it was fun for me to see how it all evolved because each day I went into the houses and there would be something new added.
This afternoon, Mabel, Julia and I went around to the different houses to judge them on their Christmas decorations. Each house had to decorate the diningroom, living room and the outside of the main door. We judged on creativity, originality and what recycable materials were used. It was very hard to decide because all the houses were very beautifully decorated. All the kids and teens were excited to see which house was going to win the ice cream and pop. There were quite a number who were trying to bribe the judges. The family that won was Mimi's house. Everyone had a really good time in decorating their houses and it was fun for me to see how it all evolved because each day I went into the houses and there would be something new added.
November 20, 2010
This morning Matthew arrived to the home early and stayed for breakfast. I asked him if he would be interested in giving the morning devotions to the older boys. He said sure. After breakfast Matthew led us in a time of devotions. He spoke about how like different life cycles in the world there is also a Christian life cycle. He shared that first God gives us the instruction with a promise and then follows obedience then blessing then a trial. It really hit home to me and I was actually just smiling from ear to ear listening to Matthew and seeing how God is working in his life and the love he has for God. What a sweet, sweet blessing.
This morning Matthew arrived to the home early and stayed for breakfast. I asked him if he would be interested in giving the morning devotions to the older boys. He said sure. After breakfast Matthew led us in a time of devotions. He spoke about how like different life cycles in the world there is also a Christian life cycle. He shared that first God gives us the instruction with a promise and then follows obedience then blessing then a trial. It really hit home to me and I was actually just smiling from ear to ear listening to Matthew and seeing how God is working in his life and the love he has for God. What a sweet, sweet blessing.
November 25, 2010
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!
This morning, Pastor Otto who is the pastor of the church where the kids go came to the home to start a Bible study with the house parents and myself. We sang together which was really just a nice time of worship. Pastor Otto talked on John 13:34. He shared of how Jesus gave us a new command to obey which is to love one another just as Christ loved us. The old command was that that you love others as you would love yourself. How to love others as Jesus loved us is to start with asking forgiveness from others. At the end of our time together Pastor Otto challenged us to ask forgiveness from each other if there is anything that we have done even if we did not realize it. I was reallyglad for this time together. This is really a blessing from God because I have been praying for sometime to have a more spiritual emphasis for the house parents and I knew that it couldn't come from me. Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will work in and through the lives of our house parents and myself included that we will be able to heal the hurts, resentments and be able to come together united and strong to be able to serve our Lord and to serve the kids whom he has put in our care.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!
This morning, Pastor Otto who is the pastor of the church where the kids go came to the home to start a Bible study with the house parents and myself. We sang together which was really just a nice time of worship. Pastor Otto talked on John 13:34. He shared of how Jesus gave us a new command to obey which is to love one another just as Christ loved us. The old command was that that you love others as you would love yourself. How to love others as Jesus loved us is to start with asking forgiveness from others. At the end of our time together Pastor Otto challenged us to ask forgiveness from each other if there is anything that we have done even if we did not realize it. I was reallyglad for this time together. This is really a blessing from God because I have been praying for sometime to have a more spiritual emphasis for the house parents and I knew that it couldn't come from me. Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will work in and through the lives of our house parents and myself included that we will be able to heal the hurts, resentments and be able to come together united and strong to be able to serve our Lord and to serve the kids whom he has put in our care.
November 22, 2010
This afternoon, we celebrated Matthew's* 18th birthday. His birthday was actually at the end of July and somehow it slipped through the cracks to celebrate his birthday. Here in Peru the 18th birthday is a big deal. A handful of Matthew's friends came over and the youth of the home. It was really a wonderful time being able to celebrate his life. As Matthew was getting ready to leave the home to go back to the BCM he told me that he had a wonderful time and really appreciated everyone and the things that they had to share with him.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
November 13-14, 2010
My good friend, Fanny has come back to Lima to visit for the week from Arequipa. Fanny use to be one of the house moms in the home. She is staying with me for the week and asked if she could have a sleep over with her family group and four other kids in my house Saturday night. I said sure. I had 8 kids and 3 adults sleep in my house. It was quite the evening. Sunday after lunch we took the bus to the mall in order to watch a movie together as Sunday is Cinema Day and the prices are 1/2 priced. We ended up watching a comedy with racoons and animals trying to save and protect their families. The kids really enjoyed it. We then ate some ice cream and walked around the mall before heading back to my place on the bus. We sent the kids back to the home with Yessica and Fanny and I ended up talking the rest of the time and catching up on so many things. God is so good! Just when I needed a friend and he brought Fanny to Lima to my house. I am really enjoying her visit. Thanks God!
My good friend, Fanny has come back to Lima to visit for the week from Arequipa. Fanny use to be one of the house moms in the home. She is staying with me for the week and asked if she could have a sleep over with her family group and four other kids in my house Saturday night. I said sure. I had 8 kids and 3 adults sleep in my house. It was quite the evening. Sunday after lunch we took the bus to the mall in order to watch a movie together as Sunday is Cinema Day and the prices are 1/2 priced. We ended up watching a comedy with racoons and animals trying to save and protect their families. The kids really enjoyed it. We then ate some ice cream and walked around the mall before heading back to my place on the bus. We sent the kids back to the home with Yessica and Fanny and I ended up talking the rest of the time and catching up on so many things. God is so good! Just when I needed a friend and he brought Fanny to Lima to my house. I am really enjoying her visit. Thanks God!
November 7, 2010
This afternoon, after church I ended up going to the Juniper Tree for visitor's day. This afternoon was a really wonderful afternoon because most of the kids had visitors that came specifically for them. We, Julia and I have been trying to get people to come and visit with the kids who don't have family who are able to come or no family at all. Plus this afternoon was the first time that we had a school for parents. Julia and I feel that we need to do more with the families of our kids so that they have a good relationship plus to be able to share the Word of God with them. Today was the first. We had "family" time. We had a game that each family participated in and then we sang together and then we heard the Word of God together and prayed. What a blessed afternoon!
This afternoon, after church I ended up going to the Juniper Tree for visitor's day. This afternoon was a really wonderful afternoon because most of the kids had visitors that came specifically for them. We, Julia and I have been trying to get people to come and visit with the kids who don't have family who are able to come or no family at all. Plus this afternoon was the first time that we had a school for parents. Julia and I feel that we need to do more with the families of our kids so that they have a good relationship plus to be able to share the Word of God with them. Today was the first. We had "family" time. We had a game that each family participated in and then we sang together and then we heard the Word of God together and prayed. What a blessed afternoon!
Saturday, November 06, 2010
November 1, 2010
When I arrived to the home this morning I received the most wonderful news. Lala the one house mom told me that her kid, Mario* accepted Jesus as his Savior this past weekend. Mario has been asking lots of questions in the last month or so and reading the Bible by himself. He has been really thirsty to learn all he could about Jesus and so it was so amazing to hear this news. Praise the Lord!!!! We are praying that his conversion will be a witness to everyone but especially to his younger sister, Maria*.
We have started several Christmas projects here at the home. First we have been recycling plastics, alumnium and cardboard to raise money to buy bicycles for the kids for Christmas. The social worker and I have also decided to send out letters to people and groups/churches who may be interested in donating one bike. If we have everyone respond to our request we will have close for every child and teen to have a bike for Christmas. Second, we have sent out letters to different local buisnesses whom we buy from to see if they would be interested in donating money and/or thier supplies to us for Christmas. I am excited to see how God will answer our prayers and to see how God is going to bless the people who are willing to bless the kids in the Juniper Tree.
When I arrived to the home this morning I received the most wonderful news. Lala the one house mom told me that her kid, Mario* accepted Jesus as his Savior this past weekend. Mario has been asking lots of questions in the last month or so and reading the Bible by himself. He has been really thirsty to learn all he could about Jesus and so it was so amazing to hear this news. Praise the Lord!!!! We are praying that his conversion will be a witness to everyone but especially to his younger sister, Maria*.
We have started several Christmas projects here at the home. First we have been recycling plastics, alumnium and cardboard to raise money to buy bicycles for the kids for Christmas. The social worker and I have also decided to send out letters to people and groups/churches who may be interested in donating one bike. If we have everyone respond to our request we will have close for every child and teen to have a bike for Christmas. Second, we have sent out letters to different local buisnesses whom we buy from to see if they would be interested in donating money and/or thier supplies to us for Christmas. I am excited to see how God will answer our prayers and to see how God is going to bless the people who are willing to bless the kids in the Juniper Tree.
October 29, 2010
This afternoon started the missionary conference in the church where the kids attend. I drove them all to church before coming back to the home to watch the older girls of Mimi's house. The kids came back and the teens then went shortly after for the evening session. I have really enjoyed my Friday evenings to Saturday mornings being a house mom substitute. Mostly because it allows me to become directly involved with one particular group of kids at the same time. When the teens came back they ended up watching a movie before heading up onto the roof for a sleep over. I had the two boys who invited one of the other boys from another house for a sleep over in the livingroom with me. Let's just say that between the two sleep overs I didn't get much rest. The kids though had lots of fun.
This afternoon started the missionary conference in the church where the kids attend. I drove them all to church before coming back to the home to watch the older girls of Mimi's house. The kids came back and the teens then went shortly after for the evening session. I have really enjoyed my Friday evenings to Saturday mornings being a house mom substitute. Mostly because it allows me to become directly involved with one particular group of kids at the same time. When the teens came back they ended up watching a movie before heading up onto the roof for a sleep over. I had the two boys who invited one of the other boys from another house for a sleep over in the livingroom with me. Let's just say that between the two sleep overs I didn't get much rest. The kids though had lots of fun.
October 25, 2010
This afternoon, I took Andy* to his first physical therapy session. The physical therapist checked him over before deciding on a course of treatment. We stayed for his first session. Andy was quite tired and sore after his first treatment. He will have PT twice a week.
This evening, I had my second Bible study with the youth. We talked about what is the difference between selfish and true love. It was quite a fun filled evening.
This afternoon, I took Andy* to his first physical therapy session. The physical therapist checked him over before deciding on a course of treatment. We stayed for his first session. Andy was quite tired and sore after his first treatment. He will have PT twice a week.
This evening, I had my second Bible study with the youth. We talked about what is the difference between selfish and true love. It was quite a fun filled evening.
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