"If at night, you cry because you cannot see the sun, your tears will
keep you from seeing the stars." This is the message that the pastor
in Ica shared with us Sunday night. Today as we are traveling home, I
am sad as I picture the faces of the boys I connected with this week.
The freshest faces are those of Alexis, Richard, Frank, Sanchez, and
the other boys at the home in Ica. I wish I could hold them in my arms
forever and tell them that they are loved. But the reality is, I
can't. I can only pray that the brief time I spent in Peru has left an
imprint in these boys' lives. The pastor also said that in times of
difficulties to declare a blessing. These boys have impacted my life,
and now as we are coming home I know that God doesn't want me to be
sad that we have left, but to be thankful that we have gone. We once
heard the stories of the street boys, but now they have become real
and we can put faces and names with stories. Seeing poverty as we did
today, handing out water in the desert, well, it's life changing. The
kids would barely look in my eyes, and they wouldn't talk. Their
silence reflected an emptiness, not only in their bellies, but also in
their hearts. We are called to show God's love wherever we go, and
that is what we did today in the driest desert in the world, and that
is what we have done in Peru. But we must not forget what we have seen
upon our return, and we must never forget our calling. So as we are
coming home to our families, hot showers, and comfort food, may we
continue to love. This is my prayer. And the stars that I mentioned in
the beginning? That's my family, mi familia, who is coming in for my
graduation. I love you guys and I can't wait to see you. And the sun?
Oh, well I am sure that I'll be seeing it again soon.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
From Taylor Ballard
Hey everyone!!! Today is the last day of our mission trip and this
morning we had an amazing opportunity. We traveled to Girasoles, which
is a shantytown in the desert, and passed out water to the people who
lived there. Most of those living there were expecting woman and
little children, and we even got to hold two month old twins. Their
houses were composed of straw walls and most did not even have roofs.
Flies were swarming and there was a foul odor. I can't fathom anyone
living like that. My heart was breaking as I saw the poverty around
us. I absolutely loved seeing the smiles on their faces as we gave
them the water that would have to last them for month or more. Despite
the fact that we made such a difference to them I felt as if we were
doing so little. Please keep them in your prayers and pray that as
they recieve water that they would grow to recieve the living water of
Christ and thirst no more!!
morning we had an amazing opportunity. We traveled to Girasoles, which
is a shantytown in the desert, and passed out water to the people who
lived there. Most of those living there were expecting woman and
little children, and we even got to hold two month old twins. Their
houses were composed of straw walls and most did not even have roofs.
Flies were swarming and there was a foul odor. I can't fathom anyone
living like that. My heart was breaking as I saw the poverty around
us. I absolutely loved seeing the smiles on their faces as we gave
them the water that would have to last them for month or more. Despite
the fact that we made such a difference to them I felt as if we were
doing so little. Please keep them in your prayers and pray that as
they recieve water that they would grow to recieve the living water of
Christ and thirst no more!!
Good Morning from Ica!!
saying goodbye to the boys that we have been with here in Ica.
Yesterday we ate with them, played soccer with them, sang with them,
and ended the day watching a movie.
Time and love invested are always good seeds. We pray that God would
take our little seeds and let them grow.
Today we are giving out water in the desert. Pray for our eyes to be
opened and our hearts to be broken with the things that break our
Father's heart!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
From Madi Barker
We are on the bus right now, going to Ica. This is our last stop of
the trip before we head back to the great Estados Unidos. There is
another street boy home in Ica and I can not wait to see and interact
with my brothers in christ. This trip has been amazing. With each
person I "talk" to (more like sign to), God reveals himself more and
more to me and I fall even deeper in love with Him. It's weird though,
because I came here to give and have recieved so much more! Through
these street boys, God is showing me how to live a life of love. They
have nothing and have had a terrible past, yet their faith is so much
stronger than my own.
Peru is so different from America. Everyone is so nice and loving and
you can literaly walk down the street and have a conversation with
everyone and anyone you see. Everyone down here actually wants to know
how you are doing and they are so sincere. It will definitely be hard
to go back to America where most people, unfortunately, only care
about themselves. I'm pretty sure you cannot walk down the streets of
NYC and have a conversation with the people you see...
I would like to give a shout out to my mom! Don't worry big mama I'm
taking care of Dad. I'm keeping him in line! I took my first warm
shower this morning! Even though it took me half an hour to shower
because the water pressure was a little trickle, it was still amazing!
Funny how we over look all the luxuries we have huh? Oh, and we
haven't gotten to eat the guinea pig yet. But I told Dad that if he
will kill it then I will eat it. :). Maybe.
I love all you guys that I have left at home (you know who you
are) :) and I just wanted to say thanks for all the thoughts and
prayers. I am a very lucky girl to be able to travel to South America
and spread the word of our Lord like He commands us to. This has truly
been a life changing experience, no matter how cliche it sounds. God
is doing great things in Peru! See you guys soon,
Madi Barker
Sent from my iPhone
the trip before we head back to the great Estados Unidos. There is
another street boy home in Ica and I can not wait to see and interact
with my brothers in christ. This trip has been amazing. With each
person I "talk" to (more like sign to), God reveals himself more and
more to me and I fall even deeper in love with Him. It's weird though,
because I came here to give and have recieved so much more! Through
these street boys, God is showing me how to live a life of love. They
have nothing and have had a terrible past, yet their faith is so much
stronger than my own.
Peru is so different from America. Everyone is so nice and loving and
you can literaly walk down the street and have a conversation with
everyone and anyone you see. Everyone down here actually wants to know
how you are doing and they are so sincere. It will definitely be hard
to go back to America where most people, unfortunately, only care
about themselves. I'm pretty sure you cannot walk down the streets of
NYC and have a conversation with the people you see...
I would like to give a shout out to my mom! Don't worry big mama I'm
taking care of Dad. I'm keeping him in line! I took my first warm
shower this morning! Even though it took me half an hour to shower
because the water pressure was a little trickle, it was still amazing!
Funny how we over look all the luxuries we have huh? Oh, and we
haven't gotten to eat the guinea pig yet. But I told Dad that if he
will kill it then I will eat it. :). Maybe.
I love all you guys that I have left at home (you know who you
are) :) and I just wanted to say thanks for all the thoughts and
prayers. I am a very lucky girl to be able to travel to South America
and spread the word of our Lord like He commands us to. This has truly
been a life changing experience, no matter how cliche it sounds. God
is doing great things in Peru! See you guys soon,
Madi Barker
Sent from my iPhone
Goodbye, Kusi!
took an overnight bus ride to Lima for a day of touring and shopping.
Today we are at the Kawai boys home on the coast, one hour south of
Lima. We will be leading the church service this morning!
Friday, May 27, 2011
A note from Shannon (hi Mom)
So as I am writing, well I guess typing, we are on a bus on our way to
Llanganuco, which is a lake up on a mountain. Last night we had a
wonderful evening filled with washing feet, dancing, and listening to
testimonies around a campfire. It was a great night of fellowship and
joy. I was really glad we got to hear some of the Girasoles boys'
stories. It was incredible hearing them share their faith and the
blessing the house has been for them. It was nice to hear that our
mission these past few days and the overall mission of SouthLake is
making a difference for these boys.
I am so sad to think that we have to say Goodbye to the boys today. I
have had such an amazing time getting the oppurtunity to love on them
and speak with them. To see the smiles on their faces is enough to
melt your heart. To recieve a hug is enough to second guess coming
home. This afternoon will not pass without tears but I know in my
heart that these boys are so blessed to be in this home and with
eachother. I am so thankful that God placed it on my heart to come on
this trip and these boys will forever have a place in my heart and a
spot in my prayers.
Llanganuco, which is a lake up on a mountain. Last night we had a
wonderful evening filled with washing feet, dancing, and listening to
testimonies around a campfire. It was a great night of fellowship and
joy. I was really glad we got to hear some of the Girasoles boys'
stories. It was incredible hearing them share their faith and the
blessing the house has been for them. It was nice to hear that our
mission these past few days and the overall mission of SouthLake is
making a difference for these boys.
I am so sad to think that we have to say Goodbye to the boys today. I
have had such an amazing time getting the oppurtunity to love on them
and speak with them. To see the smiles on their faces is enough to
melt your heart. To recieve a hug is enough to second guess coming
home. This afternoon will not pass without tears but I know in my
heart that these boys are so blessed to be in this home and with
eachother. I am so thankful that God placed it on my heart to come on
this trip and these boys will forever have a place in my heart and a
spot in my prayers.
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Beautiful feet
pairs of shoes (provided by Samaritan's Feet). What a humbling and
sweet time with each of the children!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Planted in Christ
hearts to be good soil for the good news that Jesus came to give us
life, and life to the full!
The kids made little cups and planted seeds!
Kusi School
senior trip to Perú. Today we will be doing VBS here!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Good Morning from Peru!!
We arrived safely in Peru! We just finished breakfast and are getting ready to leave on an eight hour bus ride through the Andes.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Peru Trip 2011: Itinerary
Here is our itinerary with links with information about each place we will be visiting! This is SLCA's 8th Senior Mission Trip to Peru!
Sunday, May 22: Leave for Perú
Monday, May 23: Travel to Kusi by bus
Tuesday, May 24- Thursday, May 26 VBS in Kusi school Construction
Friday May 27: Lake Llanganuco / Evening bus to Lima
Saturday May 28: City tour of Lima, shopping / Travel to Kawai
Sunday May 29: Church in Kawai / Travel to Ica
Monday, May 30: Street Boys in morning, Dune buggies in afternoon
Tuesday, May 31: Give out water in the desert. Travel to Lima, fly home
Please pray for each one of us!
Taylor Ballard
Madison Barker
Tera Batts
Meghan Bentley
Jennifer Cernuto
Stephanie Cernuto
Jacqueline Clark
Michael Coleman
Karson Collins
Christina Ford
Jacob Frost
Meredith Hatley
Charles Hazzard
Catherine Kelly
Sarah Lipinski
Meredith Mayes
Devin McEntire
Kelsey Nevel
Shannon Popoff
Taylor Presley
Madalyn Rhyne
Allison Rybak
Ryan Scott
Nathan Sharp
Cameron Travis
Lucas Verville
Kaleena Woodruff
Kailin Yoh
Jay Ballard
Michael Barker
Tia Batts
Jeff Cernuto
Rebecca Frost
Mitch Hatley
Phil Horton
Trish Jackson
Ted Lipinski
Marty Rhyne
John Rybak
Susan Smith
Sunday, May 22: Leave for Perú
Monday, May 23: Travel to Kusi by bus
Tuesday, May 24- Thursday, May 26 VBS in Kusi school Construction
Friday May 27: Lake Llanganuco / Evening bus to Lima
Saturday May 28: City tour of Lima, shopping / Travel to Kawai
Sunday May 29: Church in Kawai / Travel to Ica
Monday, May 30: Street Boys in morning, Dune buggies in afternoon
Tuesday, May 31: Give out water in the desert. Travel to Lima, fly home
Please pray for each one of us!
Taylor Ballard
Madison Barker
Tera Batts
Meghan Bentley
Jennifer Cernuto
Stephanie Cernuto
Jacqueline Clark
Michael Coleman
Karson Collins
Christina Ford
Jacob Frost
Meredith Hatley
Charles Hazzard
Catherine Kelly
Sarah Lipinski
Meredith Mayes
Devin McEntire
Kelsey Nevel
Shannon Popoff
Taylor Presley
Madalyn Rhyne
Allison Rybak
Ryan Scott
Nathan Sharp
Cameron Travis
Lucas Verville
Kaleena Woodruff
Kailin Yoh
Jay Ballard
Michael Barker
Tia Batts
Jeff Cernuto
Rebecca Frost
Mitch Hatley
Phil Horton
Trish Jackson
Ted Lipinski
Marty Rhyne
John Rybak
Susan Smith
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