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