Thoughts from Catherine...

It feels so good to be back in Perú, and I truly feel blessed to be able to share this experience with my classmates. One thing that has really stood out to me is how almost everyone is stepping up into leadership positions in various areas in order to better our group. Evan and Tyler have been doing an incredible job leading devotions in the evening, Czander, Josh and Evan have been leading us in worship, Jordan, Jessie and Lucas have been incredible with leading and organizing the different crafts that we have for the kids during VBS in the mornings, people have been taking leadership on the construction site, during VBS, and everyone is giving of their time to spend time with the kids we meet.

This morning during VBS, we talked about how Christ is the most valuable treasure that we could ever have. After enjoying a puppet show, singing songs, learning the Bible verse, and participating in a skit, the kids went back to their classrooms to decorate treasure box. When I found out that we would be giving glitter to all these little children I was definitely concerned. And while the glitter did end up all over the desks and floor, and all over their hands and in their hair, for many of them, it was the first time they had ever seen it, much less been able to use it. Their faces lit up, and they would come up to us time after time with a new design on their treasure boxes, most wanting to fit as much on there as possible! It is moving to see how such a simple thing can make a difference in the lives of these children. Please continue to pray with us that God will use what we do and say to reach the kids in the schools and that their hearts will be touched by what is being taught.

There is not a person on this trip who does not love the time we have spent with the boys. A couple of days ago we were in Ica. We didn’t have any work to do there so we had the opportunity to spend a lot of time just hanging out with the boys. Both SouthLake kids and Peruvian kids were gathered around playing instruments, some playing games and other just sitting and talking with the boys. Almost every guy had run around the center with at least one boy on his shoulders by the end of the night. The girasoles (the Scripture Union’s name for the street boys in their program) were laughing and playing with us all night and all the next morning. We have never seen such joyful kids. It is incomprehendable that children with so much joy have gone through so much. This trip has definitely opened up our eyes in a way no story ever could. We have met, played, and laughed with the very boys that had been in the streets not so long ago. It is not something that can be quickly forgotten and these boys will be in our heart and our prayers long after we have gone.

Our theme verse for VBS is Jeremiah 29:13 which says, ¨You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.¨ Not only are we trying to teach this to the kids, but it is something that we have been focusing on all week in our devotions. I personally have been challenged to seek God not only when I need him, but throughout the day. He is the vine and we are the branches. If I am not connected to my life source, the Bible says that I will be cut off and wither away and die. Our nightly devotions have really inspired me to really focus on my relationship with the Lord and make it a priority in my life. It is amazing at what a difference it makes.

Thank you to all who are praying for us and supporting us back home! We love you!

Days 4-5: Photos!

We have been very busy doing VBS, making adobe bricks, peeling bambo for the roof, and digging the foundation of an addition to the Kusi school! Please pray for our last day of work tomorrow! "Shucking" Bamboo to be put on the roof

Michael helps the kids with their sheep craft:

The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the Sheep.

More sheep!

Devan and Audrey making bricks.

Almost 200 bricks just

after the first day!

The students at the Kusi School greeted

us with a traditional dance.

Day 3: The 11.5 hour bus ride!

We drove a reeeeeally long time from Kawai to Caraz. We came upon this view about 5 hours from our destination.

Day 2: Ica

Sunday was wonderful! We spent the morning with the boys at Casa Girasoles, Ica and then went to Peruvian church!

Josh and Scott with some new little friends!

Futbol! Everyone´s favorite sport

Two boys from Casa Girasoles

Kate!

Safe in the Mountains

Hello all! We have arrived safely in Caraz! We got in a little late and have not been able to buy phone cards (!). The students will get them tomorrow afternoon and will ring home then :)

Tomorrow is our first day of VBS! Please pray for the Gospel message to be shared clearly as we teach about the lost sheep from Luke 15!

There have been a few upset tummies :( Please pray for health for all tomorrow!

Peru 2010: Day 1

We arrived in Lima late Friday night, and after loading the bus, drove an hour and a half to the Scripture Union Boy's home in Kawai. Then, time for bed!

Saturday morning we awoke to the sounds and smells of the Pacific Ocean. Kawai is located right on the beach and is used as a summer camp where children are taught God's word!

After breakfast we drove...well, the "chofer" drove and we slept...for four hours to the southern city of Ica, a desert city partially devastated by the earthquake of 2007. For lunch we stopped by our favorite restaurant, Roky's, a place famous for its delicious rotisserie style chicken.





Ten minutes outside of Ica is a small squatter village where the people have not running water. Their only source of water is the government water trucks that come by once every two weeks. They fill up anything they can, buckets, pitchers, large trashcans, anything!

We bought a water truck for only 30$ and delivered free water to the residents of this area. The students were so diligent and caring. They carried VERY HEAVY buckets full of water to the homes in the dusty town. Some up to distances of an eighth of a mile.

We prayed that these people, mostly women and children, would know the living water found through Christ alone!





After emptying the water truck, we drove another 10 minutes to Huacachina, an area of the Atacama desert famous for "carros tubulares"- dune buggies! We are still cleaning the sand out of our ears :)




-Miss Jackson

Leavin' on a jet plane!!

SLCA seniors 2010 are heading to Peru! Please pray for safe travels and changed lives!


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