It's time to reflect, and may I say that I do not like this time. I know it's good to reflect on everything God's done in me this past year, but it makes leaving more difficult. So instead of doing that now, I'm going to make a list of things that I want to do before I leave. Maybe I'll actually do them if people hold me accountable!
1. Love on those orphans as much as I can in the last 3 times I see them!
2. Take at least 50 more photos.
3. Hang out with Erika and ONLY speak in Spanish.
4. Run 10 laps around the park by the beach.
5. Exercise every (weekday) morning that I have left.
6. Dance on a crowded bus, and document it.
7. Learn. Learn. LEARN about what the Father's got planned.
8. Find a job!!
9. Pray without ceasing.
10. Love people, even when it's difficult.
11. Go to the good bakery on Wilson at least 3 more times.
12. Make another Pinterest craft.
13. Get interpreters assigned to trips through the end of May.
14. Eat at the red roof menú.
15. Go back to Barrio china.
16. Not cry when I leave.
17. Find out what the lawyers at the shady law office really do.
18. Go to Minka.
19. Memorize at least half of Romans 8.
20. Get a "We Run Lima" shirt.
Let's see if all this happens :)
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
James 1:27
One little month left. THIS.IS.CRAZY.
So much to do, so little time. I'm crazy excited for what the Lord has in store for the next 4 weeks, but I must admit, it's going to be sad to see them pass by. This whole experience seems to have flown by, and there's no way 10 months have passed since I first got on a plane for Peru. More on my mushy feelings later. Now, let's talk about babies.
While we were on a team retreat in the jungle in February, a man on our team told us about an orphanage just outside of Lima that had about 800 children currently staying there. I first thought, "This is crazy. There's no way. He's exaggerating." But he wasn't. A week later Jim took Tammy and me out to Ventanilla to see it. We just went to the baby room, and it broke my heart. I must admit, I just went to a corner and cried for a sec, and then realized that God put me there to love on those babies, so I had to dry it up and do just that. Every Friday since, Tammy, some other short term missionaries, and I have taken a 2-3 hour bus ride out there to do that.
This "home" is different from most orphanages, in that it receives support from the government and various churches from the US, even though it is not a Christian orphanage. They don't adopt the children out of the orphanage either, which I don't understand at all. Everything here is very institutionalized. They wake up. eat breakfast, go to school, eat lunch, go to their career center, eat dinner, go to bed. They eat in a large cafeteria together (except for the babies), and they cannot talk during meal times. The dorm that talks or is late must wash the dishes for the entire community, and let's face it, I could be quiet for 20 minutes if it meant washing 800 plates! The older kids that we see do not look unhappy or anything. They all greet us with words and the cheek kiss, but that's about all the interaction we have with them. Our focus has been to help in the baby room because there's about 30-40 babies and 4-5 workers in there. We try to come at lunch time to help feed all those hungry little bellies! It's mass chaos at times, but so fun and rewarding. I want to tell you about some specific babies to think about/pray for, and hopefully I'll get some pictures of each of them next week!
While we were on a team retreat in the jungle in February, a man on our team told us about an orphanage just outside of Lima that had about 800 children currently staying there. I first thought, "This is crazy. There's no way. He's exaggerating." But he wasn't. A week later Jim took Tammy and me out to Ventanilla to see it. We just went to the baby room, and it broke my heart. I must admit, I just went to a corner and cried for a sec, and then realized that God put me there to love on those babies, so I had to dry it up and do just that. Every Friday since, Tammy, some other short term missionaries, and I have taken a 2-3 hour bus ride out there to do that.
This "home" is different from most orphanages, in that it receives support from the government and various churches from the US, even though it is not a Christian orphanage. They don't adopt the children out of the orphanage either, which I don't understand at all. Everything here is very institutionalized. They wake up. eat breakfast, go to school, eat lunch, go to their career center, eat dinner, go to bed. They eat in a large cafeteria together (except for the babies), and they cannot talk during meal times. The dorm that talks or is late must wash the dishes for the entire community, and let's face it, I could be quiet for 20 minutes if it meant washing 800 plates! The older kids that we see do not look unhappy or anything. They all greet us with words and the cheek kiss, but that's about all the interaction we have with them. Our focus has been to help in the baby room because there's about 30-40 babies and 4-5 workers in there. We try to come at lunch time to help feed all those hungry little bellies! It's mass chaos at times, but so fun and rewarding. I want to tell you about some specific babies to think about/pray for, and hopefully I'll get some pictures of each of them next week!
 |
| Lunch time with the first group! |
First, I want to tell you about Lucy. This girl is a MESS!! She's about 1 and a half pushing 2, and she is all personality. The first week she seemed like a bully, especially when she was tired. She climbed up in a high chair all by herself just to get away from everyone and fall asleep! No worries, she woke up just in time for lunch! Lucy is a priss. She'll rear her hand back like she's going to hit you, but if you tickle her, she'll die laughing and just fall in your lap. She loves to be held and hugged, but likes to do things on her own as well. Like I said, I thought she was a bully at first, but she just has too much personality for such a little body!
 |
| Lucy and her snack that first week |
Then there's Jolisa. She's probably 3 going on 4, and she's a diva. Not too bad, but she wants things her way. She loves to dance with me, "ride a lil horsey" (caballito caballito!), play with my finger nails/try to bite them off. She, alone with the rest of them, say "cargame" (carry me) with the pitiful whiney face that I don't buy at all. She always acts like we're bff when I'm there, but the next week she asks me my name again! Oh well, I love making that girl laugh and just have fun for a little bit.
 |
| Jolisa is on the far left, the only one you can see her face! |
Finally, there's Christian. Christian was the first baby that we connected with, and he has won our hearts over. He's about 7 months old, and just adorable. I call him Mountain Man Miguel because that's what he looks like! The little babies like Christian are usually in jumpers or walkers or cribs when we get there, and we just wait for the slightest whine and then pick them up and love on them. Tammy has taken a deep interest in Christian, and he loves her back. Last Friday the workers told us that he doesn't interact with them like he does with Tammy. The first 2-3 weeks, he was always mad. It's summer here, and they keep them bundled up in long sleeves and pants, and they're just miserable. After several hours of intense interaction with him, Tammy got him to smile. We both saw it, and it filled our hearts so much. The past few weeks he's been all smiles, and who doesn't love a toothless baby smile?
 |
| Christian and I the first week. He's so much bigger now! |
I want a such a better life for these babies. I want them to get all of the love and attention they need at such a young age. I want them to prosper. I want them to be healthy and happy. I want them to have a family that loves them, that tucks them in, and that teaches them about the Lord. I want them to know they're special and unique and loved and wonderfully made by someone who knew them from the beginning of time.
I've been wanting to post about the orphanage community I've started going to for a while, but it's difficult to really explain what its like just through simple words. Until you've seen their faces, wiped their noses, smelled the smell, and heard their cries, I don't expect you to fully understand. I do, however, expect you to pray for these little faces and personalities that you don't know and may not ever know, because that's what we as Christians are called to do.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27 ESV)
Sunday, March 4, 2012
falta un poco
i've only got 6 more weeks here, and it just really hit me today. there's a lot that's going to happen, that needs to happen in this short time, so pray for guidance, wisdom, and patience this last little bit!
on a lighter note, things are going great. we've got bust with random little things lately, but it's a good kind of busy. i've started traveling with Tammy to an orphanage every friday. it's a long bus ride, but totally worth it. i'll make a full post about that real soon. promise.
i just wanted to do a short post to say that i'm alive and well. my goal is to post atleast once a week from here on out. i'll try my best not to let you down!
on a lighter note, things are going great. we've got bust with random little things lately, but it's a good kind of busy. i've started traveling with Tammy to an orphanage every friday. it's a long bus ride, but totally worth it. i'll make a full post about that real soon. promise.
i just wanted to do a short post to say that i'm alive and well. my goal is to post atleast once a week from here on out. i'll try my best not to let you down!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Productivity
We had a team retreat in the jungle last weekend. This created a particularly productive day today.
Today I...
Crossed the Andes Mountain range, from east to west.
*That included jungle heat, snow-capped mountains (15K ft!), dry desert, and humid coast!
Caught up on my emails and interpreter assignments through the end of March.
Washed my dirty laundry from the retreat.
Went grocery shopping.
Made cilantro-garlic pesto with Melissa.
Plucked my eyebrows.
Made strawberry juice.
Skyped Aaron, Rachel, Rosalie, and my parents.
And today is Aaron and mine's ultimo mesario (that's an 11 month anniversary for you non spanish speakers)! So I get to skype him again!
It's been a good day! (except for the fox news and friends music specials. they're awful!)
Today I...
Crossed the Andes Mountain range, from east to west.
*That included jungle heat, snow-capped mountains (15K ft!), dry desert, and humid coast!
Caught up on my emails and interpreter assignments through the end of March.
Washed my dirty laundry from the retreat.
Went grocery shopping.
Made cilantro-garlic pesto with Melissa.
Plucked my eyebrows.
Made strawberry juice.
Skyped Aaron, Rachel, Rosalie, and my parents.
And today is Aaron and mine's ultimo mesario (that's an 11 month anniversary for you non spanish speakers)! So I get to skype him again!
It's been a good day! (except for the fox news and friends music specials. they're awful!)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Overwhelming thoughts
Today has rushed by. The past 2 weeks back in Peru have rushed by. I have to cherish these moments here more.
Since going home to the states and coming back, my outlook has been distorted, not in the good way. I loved being home. I loved being with my awesome family, my wonderful boyfriend, and my crazy friends, and, of course, my snuggy ruggers. I didn't want to leave all that behind again. I was ready to be home and to stay there. But the LORD has put me back here in Peru for a little while longer...
Last week I was able to go back to Vilcas, and was blessed by seeing my friends there. I love that little village in the middle of nowhere Peru, but that's not what God has put on my heart for now...
You see, as I was homesick, I started looking for and applying for jobs in Nashville. Any job that I qualified for that I could find, I sent in a resume. In the urgency to get home, I forgot to sit and ask God what he wanted from me. He revealed that today.
Today, like every other day in this land, was random. I seem to start out each day with no set plans, but usually have a full day. After my morning walk and nap, running around town a little, and lunch, my friend Corrie called me and wanted to hang out. Corrie's like a little sister that gets up 3 times a week to walk with her mom and I, and we love her for it! We went to McDonalds to get smoothies (cuz they're cheap and delicious!). While sitting in outside McDonalds, some little boys came around selling candy. This isn't unusual. Many kids and adults come around with their sad stories and puppy dog eyes begging for money all over the city. It really frustrates me when they're in the really nice parts of town dragging their babies and using them to exploit money from tourists. Whoever invented the words "propinita and invitame" in the Spanish language should be hit 40 times with a wet noodle! (For you English speakers, they're basically saying "give me a tip" and "buy me something".) Anyways, I usually either get annoyed with this, feel extremely awkward, or give money to the next beggar I see. Today was different though...
There were first two little boys that couldn't be any older than 5 at first. They came in McDonalds and stuck their candy in my face as I shook my head no. Then the guard kicked them out, and another older boy joined them, giving them more candy to sell. Then this man who I'd seen just hanging out in the same spot yesterday came up to them and looked in their bags and talked to them for a while. When they dispersed again, the man just watched the two small boys intensely. Not like a fatherly watch, but a "you better do your job" kind of watch. I hate to assume that this guy was like a pimp to these boys, but that's exactly what it looked like. This is the second time I've seen an a group of begging kids, babies even, report to an adult for instructions. My insides burned and rumbled.
Although I wasn't present, I learned from Passion Conference that there are approximately 27 million slaves in the world today. Read that again. 27 MILLION men, women, and children all being used for labor, trade, and sex. Women in hope of a better life being scammed into a living hell. Men sacrificing themselves in order to protect their family from the ones holding them in bondage. Children begging late into the night to buy their food from someone who's using them and robbing them. It is believed that about 15,000 of those are in the USA.
And what are we doing about it? Not enough.
As I sit in my plush apartment, my mind races with ideas of what I can do to stop this injustice, this cruelty. As believers, we are called to do something for those who need help. Christ says in Matthew 25 "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me". I'm not saying we hand out money to everyone that asks for it, but God will us the discernment to know when it's okay that we can feed the hungry, clothe the needy, and visit the oppressed. The people we encounter, we can help them. Not only can we help, but we are called to help. Called to give. Called to love.
But still, giving kids a McDonalds cheeseburger and walking away still leaves them in the same situation tomorrow and the next day. They will still be forced to beg for money for someone else to take it and control them. We, as a group of believers, have to stand up against this and fight it. There are several organizations listed below in which I encourage you to get involved. Give your time, money, and prayers to supporting them and fighting for the lives of so many around the world who aren't able to help themselves. Slavery didn't end in the USA until people stood up and fought for it, and it's crept its way back in again.
I have no clear answers of what to do, but I know that God has called me to pray for these people, love these people, and care for these people. Ask Him what you can do to glorify Him in this as well.
Since going home to the states and coming back, my outlook has been distorted, not in the good way. I loved being home. I loved being with my awesome family, my wonderful boyfriend, and my crazy friends, and, of course, my snuggy ruggers. I didn't want to leave all that behind again. I was ready to be home and to stay there. But the LORD has put me back here in Peru for a little while longer...
Last week I was able to go back to Vilcas, and was blessed by seeing my friends there. I love that little village in the middle of nowhere Peru, but that's not what God has put on my heart for now...
You see, as I was homesick, I started looking for and applying for jobs in Nashville. Any job that I qualified for that I could find, I sent in a resume. In the urgency to get home, I forgot to sit and ask God what he wanted from me. He revealed that today.
Today, like every other day in this land, was random. I seem to start out each day with no set plans, but usually have a full day. After my morning walk and nap, running around town a little, and lunch, my friend Corrie called me and wanted to hang out. Corrie's like a little sister that gets up 3 times a week to walk with her mom and I, and we love her for it! We went to McDonalds to get smoothies (cuz they're cheap and delicious!). While sitting in outside McDonalds, some little boys came around selling candy. This isn't unusual. Many kids and adults come around with their sad stories and puppy dog eyes begging for money all over the city. It really frustrates me when they're in the really nice parts of town dragging their babies and using them to exploit money from tourists. Whoever invented the words "propinita and invitame" in the Spanish language should be hit 40 times with a wet noodle! (For you English speakers, they're basically saying "give me a tip" and "buy me something".) Anyways, I usually either get annoyed with this, feel extremely awkward, or give money to the next beggar I see. Today was different though...
There were first two little boys that couldn't be any older than 5 at first. They came in McDonalds and stuck their candy in my face as I shook my head no. Then the guard kicked them out, and another older boy joined them, giving them more candy to sell. Then this man who I'd seen just hanging out in the same spot yesterday came up to them and looked in their bags and talked to them for a while. When they dispersed again, the man just watched the two small boys intensely. Not like a fatherly watch, but a "you better do your job" kind of watch. I hate to assume that this guy was like a pimp to these boys, but that's exactly what it looked like. This is the second time I've seen an a group of begging kids, babies even, report to an adult for instructions. My insides burned and rumbled.
Although I wasn't present, I learned from Passion Conference that there are approximately 27 million slaves in the world today. Read that again. 27 MILLION men, women, and children all being used for labor, trade, and sex. Women in hope of a better life being scammed into a living hell. Men sacrificing themselves in order to protect their family from the ones holding them in bondage. Children begging late into the night to buy their food from someone who's using them and robbing them. It is believed that about 15,000 of those are in the USA.
And what are we doing about it? Not enough.
As I sit in my plush apartment, my mind races with ideas of what I can do to stop this injustice, this cruelty. As believers, we are called to do something for those who need help. Christ says in Matthew 25 "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me". I'm not saying we hand out money to everyone that asks for it, but God will us the discernment to know when it's okay that we can feed the hungry, clothe the needy, and visit the oppressed. The people we encounter, we can help them. Not only can we help, but we are called to help. Called to give. Called to love.
But still, giving kids a McDonalds cheeseburger and walking away still leaves them in the same situation tomorrow and the next day. They will still be forced to beg for money for someone else to take it and control them. We, as a group of believers, have to stand up against this and fight it. There are several organizations listed below in which I encourage you to get involved. Give your time, money, and prayers to supporting them and fighting for the lives of so many around the world who aren't able to help themselves. Slavery didn't end in the USA until people stood up and fought for it, and it's crept its way back in again.
I have no clear answers of what to do, but I know that God has called me to pray for these people, love these people, and care for these people. Ask Him what you can do to glorify Him in this as well.
www.ijm.org
www.tinyhandsinternational.org
www.thea21campaign.org/
Friday, December 2, 2011
Strawberry Juice..
The breakfast juice of champions. Thank you Lord for cheap strawberries and opposite seasons in this country!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
It's been a while..
So, yet again, it's been a while since I've blogged. I'll stop commenting on this on every post and just assume that you understand I'm busy and/or lazy and will average 1-2 blogs each month!
This past month has been interesting, to say the least. I've actually started several posts, but never went on with them because they were touchy subjects and would have possibly caused some issues, but then I thought, this is my blog! I can write what I want! So, I'll save you from listening to my rants on what's wrong in the world, and just write what's on my heart now. However, if you're lucky, you may get a future post on America's problems (healthcare and welfare in particular) and the American mindset of missions.
Just for you, I'll stay off my soapbox for now and share some things from this past month! From November 12-21 I was in the jungle of Peru playing with babies, napping in my hammock, and cruising down the Amazon River! It was real hot, but a nice change from chilly Lima. Here's my favorite baby, and yes, I picked a favorite! If I bring one home, I'll go back to the jungle and get Jhon!
I got back, and Melissa had already moved my stuff into our new apartment! It's amazing how much an apartment affects your outlook on living here. The old house was fine, just old. Now this apartment, that some missionaries are letting us "house sit" for the rest of our time here, is wonderful! We have a recliner, lots of natural sunlight, and a washing machine. It's nice, such a little blessing that we don't deserve!
This week, we went with our friend with Santiago to do Bible studies in Cieniguilla and Pamplona. They're both on the outskirts of Lima, but they're soo different. Cieniguilla is a small town atmosphere, and Pamplona is an overly populated shanty town. Both are unique, but have so much in common. Santiago goes to each town once a week and leads a Bible study with a group of believers, so we just accompanied him and did what we could to add in the conversations. In Pamplona, Santiago had me read from Nehemiah where they were re-building the wall. In Spanish, it says Levantémonos (let's all get up and go), but I read aloud Levántete monos (get up, ya monkeys). Needless to say, everyone laughed, and we've continue to laugh for the past two days.
Yesterday, we went to the zoo for the first time here! It was similar to American zoos, we saw lions and tigers and bears (oh my!). When it came to the monkeys, naturally I told them "Levantete monos" for kicks and giggles. They didn't listen. Lazy. There was also a bird called the Macareño. Say that aloud. Yes, it sounds like the Macarena. So, I danced in front of the birds. They didn't really think it was clever. Whatever. All in all, the zoo was a good trip!
We don't have classes for the month of December. We're going through a huge transition and we're supposed to be planning for the new class structure during that time. So totes, keep that in your prayers, that we'll glorify God through our planning and that our strategy will be what will make Him the most famous in this land!
This past month has been interesting, to say the least. I've actually started several posts, but never went on with them because they were touchy subjects and would have possibly caused some issues, but then I thought, this is my blog! I can write what I want! So, I'll save you from listening to my rants on what's wrong in the world, and just write what's on my heart now. However, if you're lucky, you may get a future post on America's problems (healthcare and welfare in particular) and the American mindset of missions.
Just for you, I'll stay off my soapbox for now and share some things from this past month! From November 12-21 I was in the jungle of Peru playing with babies, napping in my hammock, and cruising down the Amazon River! It was real hot, but a nice change from chilly Lima. Here's my favorite baby, and yes, I picked a favorite! If I bring one home, I'll go back to the jungle and get Jhon!
I got back, and Melissa had already moved my stuff into our new apartment! It's amazing how much an apartment affects your outlook on living here. The old house was fine, just old. Now this apartment, that some missionaries are letting us "house sit" for the rest of our time here, is wonderful! We have a recliner, lots of natural sunlight, and a washing machine. It's nice, such a little blessing that we don't deserve!
This week, we went with our friend with Santiago to do Bible studies in Cieniguilla and Pamplona. They're both on the outskirts of Lima, but they're soo different. Cieniguilla is a small town atmosphere, and Pamplona is an overly populated shanty town. Both are unique, but have so much in common. Santiago goes to each town once a week and leads a Bible study with a group of believers, so we just accompanied him and did what we could to add in the conversations. In Pamplona, Santiago had me read from Nehemiah where they were re-building the wall. In Spanish, it says Levantémonos (let's all get up and go), but I read aloud Levántete monos (get up, ya monkeys). Needless to say, everyone laughed, and we've continue to laugh for the past two days.
Yesterday, we went to the zoo for the first time here! It was similar to American zoos, we saw lions and tigers and bears (oh my!). When it came to the monkeys, naturally I told them "Levantete monos" for kicks and giggles. They didn't listen. Lazy. There was also a bird called the Macareño. Say that aloud. Yes, it sounds like the Macarena. So, I danced in front of the birds. They didn't really think it was clever. Whatever. All in all, the zoo was a good trip!
We don't have classes for the month of December. We're going through a huge transition and we're supposed to be planning for the new class structure during that time. So totes, keep that in your prayers, that we'll glorify God through our planning and that our strategy will be what will make Him the most famous in this land!
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