By now I think most of you know that I’m planning a return trip to Peru in February, traveling again with Global Encounters. This time we’ll be focusing our work outside of Lima in Ventanilla, a shantytown with a population of 700,000 people where 70% of the homes do not have a dad. We’ll also spend a week in the mountainous area of Cusco, doing another week-long kid’s program in conjunction with an adult seminar hosted by a local church. It’s going to be one awesome trip!
This time however, we’re planning something bigger than ever before. Since the kids (and families) in Ventanilla have absolutely nothing, we thought it’d be neat if we could bring little hygiene kits for the kids with some basic supplies – toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, washcloth, shampoo, comb, ponytail holders, note tablet, crayons, and a granola bar. One of the ProTeen Battalions at my church adopted this area of ministry as one of their projects, and they are doing an awesome job collecting donations, writing thank-yous, and are planning a date in January to assemble all the individual kits. It’s been amazing how many people are happy do donate the necessary supplies and funds, and we are well on our way to 300 kits. (Some folks are even praying for enough supplies to make 1,000!)
Since so many people have graciously donated, I thought it’d be a good idea to start compiling a list for public recognition of their generosity. It’s a small way of saying “thank you” for making this impossibility a possibility!
- Cedar Rapids Area Bible Quiz families
- Cedar Rapids Bright Lights/Light Shop
- Cedar Rapids Homeschool Choir families
- Corridor Inns and Suites – Urbana
- Fareway Stores – Vinton
- Friendship Baptist Church
- Gentle Dental
- Heartland Bible Quiz Tournament families
- Huk Printing
- Lindale Dental Care
- Rochester MN YFC Bible Quiz families
- Salvation Army Store – Marion
- The Dental Center
- Wal-Mart – Blairs Ferry Rd.
Special thanks to Laura Harpole for storing all the supplies in her bedroom! 
There are still many more people, organizations, and businesses who are still considering participating, so this list will be growing in the next few weeks. Thanks to everyone who have already helped out! It’ll be exciting to see the end result in a few weeks. Keep watching for pictures of the piles of supplies and the assembly day fun!
Wow! That’s pretty cool! I was planning on taking some toys, but then thought toothbrushes and paste would be a good thing too. Please keep praying that God will give me a real job in the meantime. Do you know who all is going this time?
I know of a couple of people, but I haven’t seen a complete list. You can see some people’s names on the donation page of the GE website.