Today we visited a sweet bunch of elementary age kids at the Pachacutec Refugio in an area outside Lima. It was a squatter’s community where people have set up their homes using tin, cardboard, or if their lucky, brick to build their dwelling. The Refugio is home to 5 little ones but is a safe haven for up to 60 who find food and fun everyday offered by loving Swiss and Peruvian women. We were able to spend the day with the older kids playing games, creating cards for their loved ones and telling them how much God loves them. Our cameras were the high light of the day. We would take pictures and they would play them back, looking at themselves and their friends with such joy and laughter. Something so simple and without any language barrier. All of us are picking up a few phrases and catch words but are saddened to not be able to carry on meaningful conversations. We’re praying that the Holy Spirit is interceding for us and that His message is coming out loud and clear.
The poverty that we saw today was heavy on our hearts but the joy that these kids expressed helped to take the sting away. Many of our team is already beginning to talk about coming back. Some have even talked to Christen about some long term ideas, resource gathering and relationship building. Bob and I are blown away by the response and commitment this team has begun to develop here in Peru. God is showing us the tremendous heart for serving that He’s given our team and is allowing them to dream big dreams for Him. Please pray that as we come home this experience won’t be swallowed up by the “things” that might get in the way.
After dinner most of the team went over to one of the Young Life Clubs to surprise the kids that had been at camp. They were so happy to see them. They thought they would never see “those gringos” again. What a treat for our Peruvian friends and it was good closure for our team. We then stayed in the rest of the night at the Catholic Retreat Center that we’ve been staying at and had a killer game night. Catch Phrase was the game of choice and quite lively at that!
Tomorrow will be a sleep in day, church at 11am and perhaps some sightseeing. We’ll be attending a North American Church that started as a Home Church for Calvary College students studying in Peru. It’s exploded over the past few years and is now used by Peruvians to practice their English skills, and surprise, hear the gospel at the same time! We’re looking forward to some back home worship and some English conversations!
Talk with you soon, Cindy
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