‘o8 Peru Picture Diaries #2

Welcome to Cusco, a town of ancient cathedrals, narrow cobblestone streets, and a people hungry for the Gospel. We spent week two of our trip here, and had an amazing time. Many places in the town actually reminded us of towns in Europe, and we often found ourselves humming songs from “The Sound of Music” as we drove along in our bus. Other places had a very Spanish or Incan influence, which gave the town quite the diverse feel.

In the evenings, we ran a kid’s program in conjunction with a couple of local churches similar to the ones we ran in Lima. We had around 50-60 kids in attendance, which gave us the opportunity to interact more with the kids and get to know them better. I was the leader of the lesson team, and we had a lot of fun during the week telling the stories of Joseph, Samuel, Job, and many other Bible characters. We pulled in the kids several times to help out with skits, and they had an absolute blast! Some of them are quite the little actors! 🙂

A couple of days we had the opportunity to visit local schools and do programs for the students. At one school I was able to do the chalk drawing of the Good Shepherd, while one of my teammates gave the message. The kids loved it, and I was glad for the opportunity. Afterward we went classroom to classroom making balloon animals and passing out tracts.

One spontaneous opportunity we had was visiting a youth group at one of the churches after the Saturday kid’s program was over. Christie did a chalk drawing for them, while Daniel gave a message on surrender. It was very powerful, and several of the youth were moved by the message, even becoming teary-eyed with emotion. A couple of people on our team gave testimonies of surrender from their life, and then we were able to coax a couple of the Peruvians to share with us. It was a special time for all, and an evening that won’t be soon forgotten.

We enjoyed taking a couple of mornings off and doing some sightseeing around Cusco. One day we hopped on a bus and went way up in the mountains where we got a magnificent view of Cusco. We also took a couple of walking tours of the city, where we got to see some of the Incan building projects, tour some old cathedrals, and enjoy the sights and sounds of a very fun city. Amazing sights combined with some neat God-arranged ministry opportunities created a week of a lifetime!

Teammate Ben and me doing a chalk drawing at a school

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An attentive and enthusiastic crowd of school kids

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My new easel assembly helper 🙂

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Teammate Nathan and me telling the story of Naaman’s servant girl

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Another happy face

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Teammate Angela telling the story of Job

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Angela, Elizabeth, and Lacey in the middle of a group hug

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Saturday evening at the kid’s club in Cusco

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A hilarious rendition of the Musical Chairs skit performed by Ben, Nathan, Elizabeth, Josiah, and Christie

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Our team leaders Daniel, Christie, and Elizabeth about to enjoy a surprise cake we got them

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Even in Peru, “Chocolate is better in color”!

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Just look at the magnitude of these cathedrals! Amazing!

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“Feed the birds, tuppins a bag…”

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A beautiful rooftop view (don’t ask where I was standing 🙂 )

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The town square

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Bonus points to whoever can correctly name the famous rock in this picture.

Quoting our tour guide, “This wall was built by the Incas…

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“…and that wall was built by the Incapables.” Can you guess who he’s descended from?! 🙂

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One of my five favorite pictures I snapped. Makes me want to start singing “The hills are alive with the sound of music…”

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’08 Peru Picture Diaries #1

Wow, what an amazing trip! So much happened, it’s hard to know where to start.

The sixteen of us arrived in Lima in the wee hours of Sunday morning, February 24. After some rest, we went to church where Pastor Salazar preached and I did the chalk picture of bearing much fruit. It was a great start to the trip, and I enjoyed the opportunity, short notice as it was. On Monday we had our first time of team devotions, where the three leaders – Elizabeth, Daniel, and Christie – and Pastor Salazar talked about the spirit of fear hindering ministry, and also giving us an overview of Peruvian culture and mindset. That was such a wonderful time of Bible study and prayer, and helped get the team off to a good start. That evening was the first night of the kid’s program we did at a church in Callao, a poorer section of town about a half hour from our hotel (or an hour, depending on traffic!). It went really well, and we were encouraged by the response of the kids. I was a leader of one of the crafts teams, and I had a great translator which made everything run smoothly. Throughout the week at Callao we had about 200-230 kids in attendance.

On Tuesday we had our first day at Ventanilla, a shantytown about an hour outside of Lima. Here I was a leader of the clean team, where we talked about hygiene with a spiritual application. Unfortunately however, we only had between 1-2 translators for the week out there, so I ended up being my own translator. It was certainly a stretch, but the Lord gives grace. I think I used just about every word in my vocabulary! It was a great time though, and I was able to share the gospel clearly several times. We had lots of fun washing faces that first day, and it was a great break from the heat.

On Wednesday we passed out the clean kits. Wow, was that one interesting experience. The first rotation of groups went fine, and everything was pretty well organized. However, during the second rotation, the gate to the school in which we were working was left unlocked and unattended, and pretty soon word started spreading through the streets. It wasn’t long before an official mob started forming around the clean team leaders and our suitcases, and the supplies only went so far. 500 clean kits, brought by me and another teammate, Ben, were gone all too soon, and it was heartbreaking having to say “no tenemos mas regales” to another 150-200 kids. I just kept reminding myself that Jesus is the only lasting solution to their problems, and even though I can’t solve all their physical problems, I can point them to their Heavenly Father. During the third rotation after all the clean kits were gone, I gave a gospel presentation using the rope trick I had learned, and the kids were very attentive. We’re praying for a great harvest and lasting fruit in Ventanilla. By the end of the three days out there we had about 700 very excited kids attending.

On Wednesday evening, we made a fun improvisation to the curriculum on the crafts team in Callao. Because we didn’t have enough craft supplies for the evening, I ended up telling the Crayon Chewers Anonymous story, with the help of my two assistants. The kids loved it! I had forgotten how horrible crayons taste, but it was worth it for the effect of the story. I don’t think the kids or the translator will forget that lesson any time soon! 🙂

Friday was a day off for our group, and it involved shopping and sightseeing. We all went on a boat ride on the ocean which was a blast. We also visited a really neat water park full of fountains of various shapes, colors, and sizes, and all timed to some great pieces of music. It is even home to the world’s tallest fountain, which was cool to see. Saturday was our all day kid’s program in Callao, and then Sunday morning we were off to Cusco for amazing week #2. I’ll keep you in suspense for a few more days about that…

It’s great to be back! Lots of happy kids greet you everywhere you go!

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An eager green team member ready for the night at Callao

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Team leader Elizabeth ready for the Skydiving story… no wonder the kids loved the large group time! 🙂

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Helping team leaders Daniel and Elizabeth lead singing

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Teammate Celina enjoying some Peruvian love

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Team leader Daniel, and teammates Angela and Ben enjoying our boat ride

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The sights were so picturesque!

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Teammate Lacey and I enjoying the cool ocean breeze… what a great change from the hot, sticky weather we’ve been working in!

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Back at Ventanilla, mountain after mountain of hope even in extreme poverty

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Shampoo day! A good time was had by all!

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We were never lacking for happy faces!

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The Ventanilla green team ready for their lesson

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Sharing the gospel with the rope trick, and praying my Spanish is coming out clear and accurate for the kids!

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The kids’ energy abounds, even on the hottest of days in Ventanilla! Teammate Ben with several new friends.

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I’m Home!

I just got in about two hours ago after a safe and quick trip home.  We’re now waiting for my sister to arrive in a couple more hours from Dallas, then it’s on to home for a family reunion.  I’m not going to write much now because I’m too tired, but thanks to everyone for praying for the trip!  I have lots of stories to pass along and about 700-800 pictures to sort through.  Trip reports will be coming as I have time.

A horizontal surface sounds really good right now… 🙂

Muchas bendiciones!

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Trip Report

The chalk drawing went well yesterday, and the kids were all excited that we were there. Ben talked about following our Shepherd while I drew the picture. Toward the end it began to sprinkle, but we were able to finish before it became very wet. The message was well received, and we are praying that it will make a difference in the lives of the children. Afterwards we went classroom to classroom where we passed out tracts and made balloon animals much to the kid´s delight.

The kid´s program in the evenings continues to go well, and we have about 50-60 children. I am leading the lesson team with another teammate named Angela, and we´ve had a lot of fun telling the story of Jonah, Achan, the blind man from John 9, and other examples. The kids love it when we pull them out to be part of the story, and our translators are doing an excellent job.

Right now about half the team is doing another program at a school, while the rest of us stayed at the hotel to rest. I overdid it last night and am feeling very tired today, but I´ll be better soon. Travelers tip- don´t play duck-duck-goose at 11,000 feet at 10:00 at night! 🙂 Please continue to pray for stamina as we have a busy weekend ahead of us.

This afternoon is team picture, and then back to the evening kid´s program. This morning we all took the DISC personality test, which was quite fun. It helps give insight into why you do what you do, and also how to better minister to others. Anyone want to guess what I am? 🙂

Tomorrow we visit Machu Picchu. We have a 5 hour train ride there and back which should be quite fun. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous here. I´m taking lots of pictures, and will begin posting some as soon as I am back home.

Please continue to pray for the all-day kid´s program on Saturday, followed by the teens program in the evening. We leave for Lima early Sunday morning, and then head home Tuesday morning. I´ll be home Wednesday night.

I am so enjoying my time here, and am loving every activity!

Keep checking the Global Encounters blog for daily updates.

Blessings!
Amy

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Hola from Cusco

Hello from Cusco!  The trip is going great, and we are having a wonderful time.  The Lord has certainly done a great work, and I´m so glad for the opportunity to be here.

Thank you all for your prayers regarding my health.  So far I am one of two people who have been completely healthy.  I also haven´t had lice, which is a huge answer to prayer.  Please keep praying for the rest of the team, some of whom have very bad coughs.

Today we go to an all boys school to do a chalk drawing.  That should be fun!  I´m doing the Good Shepherd picture, and one of the team guys is giving the message.  Afterward we will spend some time singing, making balloons, and playing with the boys.

We´ve been able to fit in some sightseeing as well.  Cusco is an amazing city!  Little cobblestone streets, gorgeous mountains, and centuries old cathedrals.  It actually has a very European feeling, and almost seems like one is walking through Sound of Music.  The Incans were great masters at building, and it is amazing how long some of their work has lasted.

We´re doing another kid´s program in the evenings here, and will also do a teens program Saturday after the kid´s program ends.  Pray for lasting fruit in the lives of these children, and for a fresh enthusiasm on our part as we teach.

Many blessings to you all!

Amy

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Clean Team Adventures

[Amy posted this on the Global Encounters blog earlier this week, but wanted to have it put here, too. The Global Encounters site has photos as well.]

Wow, this was one exciting day! We all woke with the sunrise to prepare for our second day out at Ventanilla. Children ran eagerly from all directions when the bus carrying sixteen sunburned gringos drove through the streets. Soon all the children were sorted out into three classes and the kid’s program was once again under way. Things ran surprisingly smoothly for the first rotation, as the sounds of Bible stories, verses, lunch preparation, and tooth brushing instructions rang through the air. That was all to change in only a short time…

It wasn’t long before news of “regales” from the Americans spread throughout the streets, and suddenly more kids than anyone would know existed in that part of Ventanilla started running in. Unfortunately the gate was left unlocked and unattended, and pretty soon an official mob started forming around the clean team area. Organized lesson time turned into mass chaos, as cries of “mi, mi” became the only audible sounds. 500 hygiene kits brought by Amy and Ben were gone all too soon, and it was heartbreaking having to say “no tenemos mas regales” to at least another hundred kids that hadn’t gotten anything. The needs of these precious people, both physical and spiritual, are beyond imagination. Only Jesus is the true answer, and we were blessed with several opportunities to clearly share the Gospel with the children. Rope tricks, verses, and Bible stories were the methods of planting seeds today, and we pray that a great eternal harvest will result.

The afternoon consisted of a quick stop to drop off some dirty laundry to be washed (yea!), celebrate three birthdays at a restaurant called “Pardo’s”, and clean up for the kid’s program in Callao. The theme of the night was responsibility, with the specific application of maintaining a clear conscience. The evening was highlighted by a hilarious rendition of the Hockenstock story, performed by five very talented actors. Elizabeth, Lacey, Ben, Christie, and Daniel kept us all laughing with their creative jokes, costumes, and stunts, and the kids received an excellent visual of the necessity for telling the truth.

We are so blessed with the opportunity to be here, and are having an absolutely amazing time. So many different needs, yet one answer for them all – Jesus Christo. Please continue to pray that we will serve the Lord effectively during our time here, make the most of every opportunity, and glorify God through our actions and words. As we drive through the city, we see so many needy, hurt, and lonely souls watching at us, showing even through their eyes a longing for something more. We continue to labor for the Lord, praying for lasting fruit in the lives of many for the glory of God.

Amy, for the Team

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Peru update from Amy

We arrived this morning in Cusco. The plane ride was good, but people are having trouble with the altitude. Already two have fainted. Everyone seems to be recovering from their colds, except for my roommates who just got sick. Lacey and I are the only ones who have been completely well. I seem to be fine so far, just very tired and feeling a little weak.

This afternoon we´re getting naps and not doing much. Everyone is very tired. We´re averaging 4-5 hours of sleep each night. This week should be better since we don´t have as much going on. We had to get up very early to be at Ventanilla because it was an hour away, and we usually got back to the hotel just in time to go to Callao.

Cusco is a fun city. It has lots of cobblestone streets, tall buildings close together, and some places look very European. Other places definitely have an Incan feel. The mountains are gorgeous.

The kids’ program in Ventanilla went pretty well, but there were tons of kids. We definitely needed more help. Callao was crazy, too. I had a great translator though. I´m leading a crafts team.

I´m on my way to my room for a looooong nap!

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