Day 03: VBS and Brick Making

Waking up to sunshine streaming through the windows was reflective of day three here in Lima. We had an awesome breakfast of rolls and eggs (which probably came from the live chickens that we walk past every morning). After a quick rehearsal for VBS, we boarded a bus and headed to a school in Chanchajalla. Although we saw pictures of the flooding before the trip, the devastation became a true reality on this ride. Large rivets were carved into the cracked dirt, evidence of the terrifying flood waters that had crashed through. According to our driver and a couple Girasoles boys, the community houses had been submerged for over a month! The weight of responsibility felt by these Chanchajalla families is unimaginable to me. Amidst the crumbling brick walls, tarp-laden shelters, and leaning clotheslines is a little jewel of joy: the school. Even watching the kids scramble around and wave to us through the windows while we prepared for VBS was a blessing. We showed them Bible verse motions, did a Creation skit, and danced to two songs that went with our theme: Observadores Galacticos (Galaxy Observers). Craft time was an absolute blast; getting to interact one-on-one with these precious faces was the coolest. Even though it mostly consisted of repeating colors back and forth and pointing out the "gatos y nubes" (cats and clouds) in the Days of Creation coloring page, there was a comradery present that is inexplicable. Returning to a delicious Peruvian meal, we eventually headed out to the worksite next door to our temporary home here in Ica. We primarily worked to smooth the ground so that we could have a place to lay dried adobe bricks tomorrow (the bricks will be used to build a new church!). We chopped at vegetation, broke up the hard ground with shovels, smoothed it with planks of wood, and finished it off with a layer of water and sand. Sweat soaked our shirts and dust clouded our eyes, but laughter still filled the air. A few attempted the brick-making process, but only a couple succeeded (hopefully we will master it this week). We returned to our bungalows to wash off the dirt "tans" before worship time. We focused on forgiveness (the "F" in our F.A.I.T.H. devotional) and took time in groups to reflect on people we have withheld forgiveness from in our own lives. It is crazy that we struggle to forgive when the One who demonstrated ultimate forgiveness toward us calls us to! Afterwards we enjoyed more yummy food and fellowship with the boys before heading to bed. It is sad to leave the smiling faces who make fun of our Spanish, sing Despacito, and beat us in Uno every night. It was another amazing day here in Ica, and we could not be more excited to see what the Lord has in store for the rest of our time here. Sending blessings!!
- Sydney