From Alli Rybak

"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.