goodbye from mike

this week has been totally awesome! its been a great experience to see another culture and how it works. i´m really disappointed that i have to leave and also for the guys and gals who didnt get to make this trip. i truly think my life has changed in a way that i cant really explain but definitely in a positive way.

the greatest part about this trip and i think that everyone will agree with me is the fact that we got to touch these boy´s lives. i may never know what kind of difference i made to them but i will for the rest of my life have the satisfaction that i tried and gave it my all. but since i said im being positive im going to go home knowing that i did. jesús and lizer (lizer was a kid i met at the kusi center and his pic is on the blogging site) were two wonderful and very intelligent kids whose lives crossed mine. i will never forget the time i spent with them and i will always remember the love they showed to me and to everyone else in the center.

think about this and i know you´ve probably read a lot about this on the website, but think about when you were just a small child of about 4-10 years old. now think about getting kicked out of your own home by you´re alcoholic father and a mother who can´t take care of you. or imagine going to the mall with your mother and then the next minute you are all alone in a city of more than 8 million people. these kids have done things to escape the pain that i could never imagine someone their age doing. then imagine someone coming up to you and offering you a place to sleep every night, food three times a day, and an education. many of these kids jumped on that opportunity and they were turned into loving and caring human beings like you and me. many of them go on to vocational school somewhere and become successful businessmen. while others go back out and return to the streets of lima.

but on a lighter note, we visited a glacier lake at huascaran national park. it was a blast! me and some of the other guys decided to take a dip in the 40 degree water, but it was very refreshing. we then hike up part of the base of the mountain and took some nasty pictures of just about everything we saw. some of the other classmates decided to take a boat ride out on the lake instead. we then went back to the kusi center to have the most amazing lunch of the week.

after that we hiked down where the old town of yungay used to stand before it was buried by a mudslide in the early 70´s. that was pretty neat to see because you could still see where buildings were buried and overturned by the mud that was traveling at over 300 mph. they also had a bus that was still twisted and mangled in the ground. we came back to the hostel oasis and witnessed a graduating parade of what seemed to be elementary kids. so that was my day in a nutshell but now i just have to prepare for a 7-9 hour bus ride back to lima and another 8 hour flight or more to home sweet home charlotte.

Peru 2008! (closing statements by Madeline Hatley and Cassidy Henry

Peru is far from what we expected. In the little time we have spent here, we have made memories to last a life time. We all came to Peru to make an impact on the children's lives but it was them who had changed our lives for the better. Seeing the joy and gratefullness in their eyes, even when they had nothing, it caused us to realize how truely ungratefull we are. Through the week, by becoming closer to the kids, it caused us Seniors to not just be classmates, but more like a family. In our devotions tonight we all had the chance to share our favorite memories of our Spiritual, Physical, and Emotional journies throughout this trip.



the fav memories of Madeline and Cassidy are as follows:



Cassidy: When we finally got to the boys home in Kusi, the classes were still in progress. When the classes congregated in the center for VBS, they all couldn't wait to show us their "march", sing their national anthem (and we sang ours), and show off their school mascott...A CHICKEN!!!! but when it came time to help with the craft, I was able to experience the most precious moment of this whole trip. while I was working with my assigned class, i had this girl come up to me and tap my shoulder. as i turned around, i was faced with a beautiful girl with the most exotic green eyes. Before she even knew my name she was already in my arms.While playing with her I realized that she had the walking disability known as "clubbed foot". As i observed her with her classmates, my heart broke as i saw them joke around as they tapped her foot. By time after time of being picked on I, personally, would probably be bitter towards them. This beautiful girl just radiated with joy and love towards all of her classmates, even though they didnt return the favor. When it was time to go down to their feild for recess, instead of playing with the other kids, all she wanted was for me to sit down and hold her. She encouraged me to show love and compassion to everyone, no matter who they are. Its simply amazing, how no matter how "old or mature" you think you are, theres always something to learn from God's greatest gifts...Children.





Madeline: Thursday was the first day that we went to Kusi to do VBS and work. It was my favorite day because I got to meet alot of children and got to interact with them through crafts and playing outside. Thursdays craft was a lion mask from the story of Daniel and the lions den. We all got to help the kids make their masks and after that we got to go out to the field and play with them. When we were leaving the room after crafts, a little girl named Selina came up to me and hugged me. She was one of the girls that I helped with crafts. We went outside and played on the field together. My spanish isnt that good, so everytime she would speak in spanish I would say si, and then she would grab my hand and take me to play with her friends. I could understand some of the things that she said, but for the most part we just enjoyed spending time together. She was so happy to see us and I even got to see her the next day. All of the children were like Selina. They were so happy to see us and always ran up and hugged us the moment they saw us. They were also so grateful for what they had and its obvious that they dont take one day for granted.

Rather than having a simple senior trip to the beach, us seniors were allowed the privlege of coming to Peru to impact others for the good of Christ. Hopefully we impacted them as much as they impacted us.

I Love Peru, by Tara Alt

So today we made bricks all day and i am exhausted, especially from the sun! i am going to come home looking like a peruvian!!! i am really connecting with the boys from the center here more than i everhave before because there is not as much of a language barrier anymore! i love them and every day more that i spend here i begin to see a better picture of God´s love and how he is changing me more than i could ever imagine! this really is the best experience of my life and i am so glad iam doing this and challenging myself on so many different levels!

i am so excited to see what else God will do in my life! the work is tiring, but it is way worth it and i wouldn´t want to be anywhere else in the world! i love that God is teaching me to rely on him fully spiritually and he willprovide what i need physically. Tomorrow is my last day in Caraz and i have already cried about it! The boys here are so special to me,especially one little boy in particular named Diego (please pray for himbecause his story is very sad). we have really connected unlike anyoneelse and he follows me everywhere i go! i love it here! Tomorrow we are going on a hike through the glacier lakes and then on the long bus rideback to lima on sunday!

Note from Miss Jackson: Tara graduated from SLCA in 2005 and is back in Peru as an intern for 6 weeks. She has spent her first 8 days with us!

Thoughts from Steve-O

Ah Peru a land of mountains, cities, jungles, and various other types climate zones that i am either unaware of or am not interested in. The people here are all really short, myself being roughly a foot or more taller than the average person. Their short stature however is cleverly masked by some of the most aggressive and insane driving found on the face of planet earth.

As I spent many hours in various buses around the country, I have many opportunities to ponder many questions about life and other random topics. I was able to realize the sheer amount of sci-fi forms that I immerse myself in when I perfectly understood the scientific aspects of the movie "Deja vu", which we watched on the bus. In the dead of night I found evidence that there really are telepathic people in the world when I woke up, wanted to know what time it was, rolled over, and dreamt that I asked Mr. Arrendale what time it was only to learn that I was fairly accurate.

Over the course of the trip, I found myself missing two things in particular: treated water and clam chowder. I really love clam chowder. It will be the first thing I eat after I return home. The soup here is really good, but it is not quite the same. On the subject of food, I got to watch Logan kill a guine pig, have it skinned, cleaned and cooked. It was delicious!

I got to spend some time digging out really big rocks from the sides of mountains. For the most part the efforts put forth yielded only small rocks, but one large rock was found under a foot of earth. It was a really big rock.

People often underestimate the impact of high altitude. The people who live up here would run to the point that fire would burst from thier feet if they ever came to sea level. Shortness of breath is common amoungst us outsiders.

thoughts from mr. arrendale

Yesterday and today we worked at the Boys Home in Kusi. Yesterday the boys and girls made bricks, with the boys hauling mud to the brick forms after the girls stomped the mud and straw together. Today however the girls were on their own as the boys "moved rocks". That is slang for digging up boulders to make a stone wall.


To build a stone fence we had to excavate a trench about 1.5 feet deep, which meant using a pick ax, shovel, pry bar and assorted "manual" instruments of labor, and pain! It literally took a team of boys (and men) five hours to dig the trench twenty feet, while removing hundreds of rocks, some we estimate weighed more than 1000 pounds.

I have to give special thanks to my personal chiropractor, Clyde Walker, who had to make an adjustment of my neck, on a rock! When will I learn that I cannot keep up with the kids any more! I am concluding that one should never travel without their chiropractor. Thank you Clyde.

The work today was a labor of love as the boys knew it was for the mission camp at Kusi. We men marveled at how much spirit our kids have as they worked and rested in teams, having to spend considerable time resting due to the altitude. Myself, I became winded after only a few minutes of hard work, while the boys could work much longer.

Representative of their teamwork, the boys moved a rock (about 500 pounds, over 100 yards by rolling it along the ground. They figured out on their own that six of them could work in teams of 2 and roll a while, turn it over to another two, and rest while the rock made its way to the trench. I am including a picture of that effort and a picture of the excavation.

We broke for lunch then went back to work until 4, when we went back to the camp and the children put on a show for us. Amazingly, we could have left early as the work was tedious, and the kids were worn out from the physical labor. Instead they chose to stay around for an extended show and danced and sang with the boys at the mission, giving up shopping time in town. To a person, all of our kids always said the best part of each day was when they could "play" with the boys. I must admit, interacting with the boys was the best part of my day as well. I have never been prouder of our Southlake Seniors.

At lunch today we acted out a skit on the story of Ruth and Boaz. I got to play a small role as Ruth's husband that passes away early in act .25. I believe they do not like my acting! I forgot my only "act", which was to die on cue. Of course I forgot my cue, and it caused some laughter for the audience, and some humiliation for me.

Our worksite today was right in the path of the 1974 earthquake that killed the 30,000 I spoke of Monday. It was kind of eerie working under the ominous peaks of the glacier that broke away during that quake. I have been told that when the lake broke free the mud reached speeds of 300 miles an hour by the time it made its five mile trek through the town. The people did not know what hit them.

My observations from today are that the little time we were here and interacting with the kids, means more to them than we think. When I look at the Scripture Union Mission, and think about all it stands for, and the awesome task at hand, I feel inept in trying to perform God's work for such a brief moment in time. I remind myself that if we only affect one soul, and lead them to Christ, then we have accomplished much. I can tell you that this has been a life changing event for me personally. I see all the good that has come from a dream someone had to make a home for these children.

I see the family that is the mission, and the great people that run it and care for these boys. I also see the joy and happiness in the faces of the children from a simple kiss on the head, a hug and "Yo amo usted", my bad Spanish for "I love you". And I will tell you that in only five minutes with them you too will fall in love with them. Their eyes light up as they realize that we do care for them, and our short time here is truly meaningful. That our love translates to the love of Jesus and eventually can lead them to salvation through Christ. All of our kids are keenly aware of this mission.

It is a tough message to "get" for any child that has never felt the love of a parent, been abused, abandoned or orphaned. They must feel there is no God and there is no value in their life. We talked last night about the purpose of service, and how God uses us in his name. Jesus reminds us that we must have faith, but that faith without works is shallow.

My verse regarding service comes from 2 Timothy, 4:2, “Preach the word, be prepared in and out of season to correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction." In Paul's second letter to Timothy, he was warning Timothy that service to God is not "easy". It takes courage and perseverance. This is His command of our mission as well.

Macho, macho men!

Two unfortunate victims of the Ruth skit :)

Ruth and Boaz

The boys at Cusi perform a choreography. Later, they taught us how to dance!

Cusi, day 2!

It was a good day! There is lots to say, but there is a little parade outside...more to come! Tomorrow trip to a glacial lake, two hikes, and some pachamanca.

Tyler and Logan break up dirt to make bricks.

The kids at Cusi did an indigenous dance for us, then they invited us to dance along.

Mike helps one of the boys make a bracelet that says: Dios esta conmigo (God is with me)

Cassidy loves making bracelets too!

Rachel and her new friend!

This bird has found a new nest.

These girls are ready to work.

Miranda is.....ready to work?

ADOBE!

Making adobe bricks in Peru was an experience for the kids I am sure they will never forget. I believe they now understand what it takes to be in a country where the labor is all manual and the materials are free, if you have the muscle to do it.

MY job today was easy. I became the official photo holder, transferring the photos off their cameras so they could take more pictures and then had to photograph all the boys at the camp. There are 27 boys that live here and some fifty that come and go each day from the local mountain community.

This place is amazing. We are so high up that it is hard to get a breath, but the locals have oversized lungs due to their genetic makeup. The Indians are all between 4'10" and 5'4" and some of the kids amazed me to find out they are teenagers.

We arrived at camp about 9:30 this morning and met the kids that were coming to VBS. It was neat. They started out by lining the kids uup in platoon fashion, placeing them through drills, attention! left face! at ease! etc. Then they raised the Peruivian flag and sang their National anthum. They then raised the US flag and we sang the US anthum. IT was neet!

We then took had a few skits teaching about sharing and not taking other's things. After that we had a chicken visit us whereupon our kids taught them the chicken dance and song. It was fun. In VBS we had them make a lion from paper plates and construction paper. We shared the good word and each side said prayers.

This is really a miracle how the word of God reaches into the highest peaks in the Andes. This compound has been under construction by mission trips for five years now. The kids make the bricks from mud and clay, then more workers come later and build the walls and the locals help some, but most of the manual labor is performed by the kids. I have been shown paths and buildings put up by South Lake over the years.

After VBS we all went out to a pasture and played with the kids for about an hour and a half. IT was great fun. I am amazed at how our kids so willingly show so much love and affection for these children and how much the children crave love and touching. They literally would hang onto and latch ont anyone that would show a hint of attention to them.

After "play time" which our kids always saw is the most fun for them we had lunch. Part of the ritual was the butchering of a guini pig. Logan Arthus was the only one willing to butcher the pig, but several of the boys watched and we have lots of pictures. At any raste most found this appaling, but the kids learned that this is how the third world gets their meals.

After lunch I found a quiet place by a stream with trees and lots of sun. For a while I was alone and able to reflect on the meaning of the trip, and what value I bring to this earth. I concluded that no one can do it all but everyone can do something. This is our calling. In Acts Paul tells of the deciples willingness to allow thousands to start and build churches, manage themselves and lead the locals to Christ. I believe that if each of us can influence even just one soul, that God is pleased.

More later.

- Mr. Arrendale and some other bloggerites

Beautiful Kids, Beautiful View

Yesterday was our first day of Vacation Bible School and Construction at the Kusi school!! The school is located along a road that leads up to the continental divide (Portachuelo) and is in the sight of Huascaran, the second highest peak in the Andes.

The students shared the story of how God was with Daniel when he chose to honor God no matter what.

Several helped tell the story with a funny skit: Tyler Gilkerson played the king, Daniel was.....well, Daniel, Mike Wilson, Will Teague, and Erik Natusch played the evil advisors, and Logan and Stephen were very convincing, and ferocious, lions!

Afterwards, Mike, Tara, Ryan and Rachel H. did another silly skit to show the kids ways to honor God by sharing and being kind (Ryan and Rachel) and things that don´t honor God, like fighting and stealing (Tara and Mike...they were quite good at this :)

Erik helps the school children with their lion masks.

Will Teague has found some new friends.

Brandy loves working with children!

Two children show off their masks.....roarrrrrr!!!

After VBS, we had some play time out in a giant field. Austin found a cute little monkey on his back! Austin plays with his lunch.....literally....this little guy, whom they named rico (meaning rich or yummy) was later served as part of our lunch.

SLCA students and all of their new friends from the Kusi school. Behind, a view of Huascaran, the second highest peak in the Andes and the highest in Peru.

The reason we go to Peru!

Mr. Arrendale

In reading the history of the people of Peru, with a rich heritage in wealth, commerce, institutional government, and a religion based on the sun, I learned that even today about half of the people in Peru are still of the Inca blood line. The official language of Peru is both Spanish and equally the ancient language Quachua, still spoken daily as the first language by over half the population.

Like most places the Spanish conquered they decimated the people, their culture and their history. It is hard to imagine the power and importance of a country like Peru had it been colonized by the English. There was more wealth in Peru than in Mexico at the time of the conquistadors. As an example of their wealth, Pizarro was offered 88 cubic yards of gold and 176 cubic yards of silver as ransom for the captured king.

The rest of the history is all down hill as the Spanish pillaged the country. Over the centuries since, the government has been unstable and corrupt (as most Spanish led societies are), which continued up to 2000 with Fujimori, now in exile in Japan, the latest in a long list of pillagers.
What is left is a country of adout 25 million people, most of them indian or mixed race, with no prospects for a better life, leading us to the mission we are on. The families are so poor that basic needs like food and water are scarce. One of our tour guides, a native Limian, explained that he "had not seen rain" since he was 7. He is now over 40.

With such extreme poverty there is simply not enough food to go around in a family so the boys are "expelled" from the house when their father deems them old enough to "fend for themselves". This happens at the age of 4 to 12. These boys learn to hate and distrust "adults" and literally hide in the sewers during the day and forage as best they can at night. There are thousands of these boys and the mission is to find them, feed them, educate them and feed them spiritually so they can find God and contribute to their society.

I have witnessed first had the "works" of this mission as I saw and talked to a 26 year old that came through this system. He explained to another of the adults in our group that he was rebellious as a youth, not trusting of adults, that have done everything from sexually assulting children to beatings and abuse. For this reason they do not trust adults so they generally hide. The mission raaches out to them in Lima by offering a place to eat and sleep. Because of the abuse and general distrust of adults the Lima chapter works as a half way house until they can trust the adults at the mission enough to be placed in orphaniges and schools in other more remote regions, like Kuso, where have arrived today after an 11 hour bus ride.

On this trip we first visited a new orphanige that houses about 40 boys. Then we went to Lima and stayed a day and a half at a halfway house.

Some observations:
As we traveled throughout the country I noticed many structures seemingly half built. The Perivian dream, like all of us have, is to own their own house. Typically they start out with 4 mats and "squat" on a parcel of land. Over time they replace grass mats with mud brick and over time, often through their children and grandchildren, build a house, a brick at a time. I hear sometimes it takes several generations to complete a simple homestead.

The first boys home we visited on Monday was in Ica. Scripture Mission has 5 homes in Ica alone and we visited #6, a beautiful camp and conference center on the beach. The conference center and lodges are rented and about 75% of the money needed for the camp is raised in this way.

For the record, the beautiful camp on the shore had no hot water or heat. While the dytime temps are in the 90s the nite time temps are in the 40s. We were cold to the bone the first nite we stayed in Mala.

From there we went to the village of of Kawai where we ate lunch and went soaring on the sand dunes in a buggy that seated 8. Imagine the most intense ride at Disney, then double it! The dunes were 400 feet high and the buggy would go up as fast and far as it could before it slid around then plunged, accellerator to the floor to the bottom, and up the next dune. See pictures.

On Tuesday we spent the night in Lima at the half way house, played with the boys, toured the capital, saw the changing of the guards, Purivian style, and headed to Kusi at 6:00 AM. Kusi is 10 hours North and inland by bus. We had a bus breakdown when still an hour away and the adventure was waiting for a backup, moving the luggage and arriving late for dinner.

Had my first hot shower toight, well, luke worm, but I feel rejuvinated and ready for tomorrow. The plan for tomorrow is to work with the kids in the morning running a vacation bible school, then working on the compound in the afternoon. This town is on the "other side" of the Andes, where it does rain and there is plenty of vegitation.

Saw incredible mountain views and valleys as I read that the Andes have the highest peaks with the deepest valleys on Earth. We went by the lake today at 14,000 feet and actually had some of us get sick from the altiude, and he bus ride, which was an adventure in its own merit.

Tidbits about Lima: Founded in the 16th Century it was actually an Indian town dating back to 1700 BC.

On our way to Kusi (translated as Happpiness, joy, comfort) We pass the Valley of Huacho (google this) which is the Southern California of Peru. Irregation from glacier rivers is used to grow the crops we enjoy all winter, asparigas, broccoli, cantelop, and other fruits and vegitables.
We traveled along through the town of Huaura, famous for San Martin's declaration of Independance from Spain in 1821. Then onto the fishing village of Supe. This valley is the site of the oldest city in the Western Hemosphere. It dates to about 2950 BC and include a city complete with pyramids and structures rivaling any on Earth for the period. For historians this is:

1000 years before Abraham (Father of the Jews)1500 yeqrs before the Mosus led the Exodus from Egypt

We then passed the towns of Barranca, Paramonga, and Pativilca, all this in the fist four hours of the journey, and not yet half way to Kusi.

Next we traveled up to 14,500 feet around Lake Conococha, the highest navigable lake on Earth. Then down to Huaraz, through Anta,Carhuaz, Yungay, and into Kisa. This is the newest of the campsites and home for the boys, their school, and the location Southlake students have been building for the past six years.

Kusishka kasunchink - We shall be happy has true meaning to the Indians who always seem to be smiling. Today was 11 hours on the bus so not much else to report, except I had plenty of time to read the Bible. I started gain in Acts of the Apostles becasue I wanted to get an idea of how the Apostles started and managed the early church.

I especially like Acts as Paul is my favorite role model. Here is a Roman citizen, chosen by God to carry out his work in mission to the Gentiles. For him to have been chosen by God, specifically for his station, a wealthy and educated man, then fill him with the spirit tocarry out his work ahs always been an inspiration to me.

While Acts is a long Book, it highlights just how God planned for the seeding of his Church and how He inspired simple and educated men alike to carry the good news throughout the World.

Mike Wilson

so here i am, trying not to puke as look over this cliff and see 10,000 feet of nothing but unfriendly looking rocks waiting for me to join them at the bottom (if there is one.) its actually quite an adventure traveling through the andes mountains and seeing the beautiful landscape of valleys, streams, and snow-capped mountains. its also amazing to see all the villages of people who have randomly inhabited the side of these giagantic hills.

its really hard to understand why these people would come here to live where it rarely rains and food seems hard to get. but i think that in America we're just so used to having everything handed to us that we dont realize that in third world countries like Peru, this is what they go through just to sustain themselves and their families.

it also came to my knowledge that this is why some of these street boys were kicked out of their homes because there wasnt enough to go around the table for these boys. its awesome to see ministries like scripture union reach out to kids that everyone else wants to literally get rid of. i was at the center in lima and while we were there, those boys would not get off our backs! they were always wanting to do something or show us braclets that they made and were wanting to sell. they show so much love towards others because they were shown much love towards themselves.

i met one special kid there whose name was jesus, and when he introduced himself to me, we instantly became friends. we played basketball and soccer together on tuesday night and he (along with all the others) are pretty incredible athletes. at 6:30 the next morning, i havent even been awake for five minutes when i hear jesus yelling for me outside on the ballcourt. it turns out he wanted to eat breakfast with me and kick my butt one more time in futbol before i had to leave. but before i left i bought a braclet he had made for 2 soles and i gave him my b.r.a.k.e.s. braclet. we both agreed that these would be our friendship braclets.

it was just so much fun knowing that we impacted their lives even if it was in the tiniest way and giving them hope that life does have a meaning and that someone does love and care about them. unfortunantly i had to leave to go on a gruelling yet muy bonita (very beautifull) 8-9 hour haul through the andes. couldnt get much sleep last night because of all the city noises of lima (mainly angry drivers laying on the horn because the guy in front of them actually aknowleded the red light.) so hopefully i can get some peacefull shut-eye tonight if the senior guys arent in the mood to play dirt basketball at 1 a.m.!

Allie Walker

en las montanas!!!! this trip so far has been amazing. The sand dunning first off was amazing. Ill admit i was a little hesitant to do it, it seemed like to much for me, but once i did it i loved the feeling. you almost feel like your flying. our driver Jesus (thats his name) took great care of us and made sure we had the time of our lives.

we also did sand boarding, which, ill admit, was scary and exciting. If your thinkin about doing it, DO IT. once done you will feel so accomplished and proud. Our whole senior class did it and loved every minute of it.

We stayed the night one night at a street boys home in Lima. The boys there were so caring and Loved to show off. half of our kids played soccer and basket ball with them while the other half talked to them and shared stories. the relationships built in that short time with them i will never forget. there life stories are so encouraging and are truly a testiment that you can do anything with trust in God.

Right now i am typing this while we are on the way to the home in Kusi. we are in a "charter bus" taking winding turns in the montanas....it is interesting. our driver deffinitly knows what he is doing. the sight is amazing ( i took tons of picturess). i am so excited to talk to the boys at this home and hear there stories and all about how god has brought them to were they are now.

I thought that this trip was just going to be something i did to start my summer, but now i realize i could change someones life. not only that my eyes have been open to how much i take forgranted and how i should be thankfull to everything i have, My dad is here with me and i am so glad he came. this trip has also given us a chance for our relationship to grow. i am so thankful i did this and i wouldnt trade ANYTHING on this trip for the world.....hope to write sooon
in god we trust.... -allie walker-

Daniel Stallsmith

Peru is a country of contrasts. The image of God lives not more than ten feet from a pile of "basura" (trash). The rich beauty of snowcapped mountains reaching to the heavens is covered by abandoned remains of 8x8 huts. And the most striking difference is the dispairity between what hovers above Lima and what is in the city. From the moment we exited the airport, monstrous bilboards bombarded us with images of laptops, cell phones, and ritzy cars. And the rest of the sprawling metropolis was no different. It is as if the advertisements of teeth whiteners and shoe stores are trying to hide Lima's poverty. It seems twisted to put a higher value on superficial

Jackie Fetzer

Everything about Peru is fascinating; there is a warm and inviting culture contrasted with a seemingly primitive way of life. I won't go into the bathrooms (or lack thereof) and this bus ride that never ends, but I need to talk about the wonderful people we've encountered here.

Now, I fancy myslef a little globetrotter when the mood strikes me, and I've been to plenty of places. The Peruvian people, however, have been the biggest and most welcome surprise. For instance, we went on a city tour with some of the Lima boys on Tuesday. Walking through such an immense metropolis is daunting at the best of times, but trying to maneuver thirty people through a largely poverty-stricken area with a language and cultural barrier made us nervous. Street vendors crowded us, locals gawked at us, and Mike discovered that pedestrians do *not* have the right of way.

On the way back, we stopped outside the President's Palace to watch the changing of the guard. While we watched, we noticed a group of schoolchildren staring at us. Before long, our group was completely swamped by smiling kids, all of whom wanted a handhake or a high five from the really tall "gringos." That's the way it was wherever we went, and by the time we walked back to Scripture Union's center, we were lauging, smiling at the locals, and jaywalking with daring frequency.

I was similarly nervous about meeting the boys themselves. We hung out with some great kids as Kawai, the center we stayed at for the first two nights, and they were great. Logan and Tyler got shown up by the boys in one-fingered pushups and handstands. But for some reason I was awkwardly expectant when ... to be continued?

Charliann

As many of you know so far we have stayed at two street boy centers. You wouldn't even imagine the pain and the heartache that these boys have been through. You come down here and just want to do so much more for these boys than is possible. Although seeing their lives is very heartwrenching, it is absolutely amazing to see the attitudes that these boys have.

bus rides

We made it to the mountains safely!! It was a looooong ride...our driver was quite slow and cautious (a good thing!) and later our bus broke down (slipping gear box).....8 hours turned into 10 hours.

Everyone was VERY happy to arrive at the Hostal Oasis around 8pm last night. Sra. Dora had warm zapallo soup, mashed potatoes and some kind of steak waiting for us.After dinner Ryan and Rachel led worship, and Daniel led devotions, reminding us about the difference between work and service. Today, we are ready for Vacation Bible School and some construction!

6 hours into our trip, we reached 16,000 feet and this beautiful view. Madeline shows pictures to one of the boys at CENTRO GIRASOLES in Lima. Church of San Franciso, in Lima.Everyone enjoyed the doves flying in their faces at San Francisco.Tara, Charli, and Ryan watch on at Kawai.

First Peru Sights

Here are some pictures from our first few days in Peru. We are in Lima right now and only have limited access to internet, so we will add stories tomorrow. Please pray for safety as we travel to Caraz tomorrow--it is a beautiful, but long ride, through the Andes.

Juan Carlos, one of the children at the boys home in ICA plays with a top. He was found wandering after the Earthquake last August.
Rachel and Brandy spending time with the boys at Centro Girasoles in Lima.
The boys at Centro Girasoles show the americanos how to really play futbol

Seniors enjoy a dunebuggie ride and sandboarding at Huacachina, in ICA

Ready for some sandboarding....anyone seen David Hasseloff

At the airport in Atlanta, ready to go!

Itinerary

Sunday, May 18: Leave SLCA (CLT-ATL-LIM); arrive around 10pm. Drive to Scripture Union's Camp at KAWAI (near Mala) to sleep

Monday, May 19: Drive south to ICA to ride Dune Buggies and Sand Board at HUACACHINA

Tuesday, May 20: Tour of LIMA, the capital, and shopping. Spend time with children at CENTRO GIRASOLES.

Wednesday, May 21: 10 hour bus ride to CARAZ

Thursday, May 22: Work and VBS

Friday, May 23: Work and VBS

Saturday, May 24: Morning- Yungay market and guinea pigs for breakfast? Travel to HUASCARAN National Park. Afternoon- YUNGAY cemetery tour

Sunday, May 25: Return to Lima, night flight home

Monday, May 26: 11:29am arrival in CLT

countdown

5 days until we leave for Peru! There is still so much to be done: planning for VBS, packing, paperwork and passports. Thanks to everyone who helped sort beads today

Proverbs 21

30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
that can succeed against the LORD.

31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the LORD.

Blogs and Pics

2007 Seniors in Huacachina, near Ica, Peru

Check out our past blogs to get an idea of what
this year's Seniors will see and do!

2006 Blog
2007 Blog