Here we are, at the end of Day One on our mission to Peru...and I believe that today, God smiled on this team. I have heard it asked before, what do you get when you squeeze a lemon?...whatever is inside of it. Well, lets just say today we all got squeezed a little bit...and I do believe that God was very proud of what came out.
Our departure went very smooth from KC only to be delayed 2 hours in Dallas....and then to have our seats in Miami close to being given up...as we were running through the airport trying to make that connecting flight. We all made it on...a bit flustered at the thought of them thinking about giving our seats away, and then we sat on the flight for 2 hours...looking back, I do believe God was squeezing us a little bit.
One of many things I like about missions trips is that God strips you of who you think you are to show you who you really are, so He can bring about a change. On arriving SAFE in Lima, thank You God, we only received 3 of our 48 bags...meaning...waiting in another line to individually fill out paper work for each bag...a process that took close to 3 hours, and hoping that they will be delivered as promised tomorrow morning. I have to know that God was smiling...because my team did not complain...they were all troopers...their attitudes were awesome. I think we all realized that that STUFF we brought...well, maybe we dont NEED it as much as we think we do after all.
God showed me that all that preparation I have done in the last week for this team, all the papers and stuff for devotions...they don't need it right now...they just need Him, to be in His presence and Hear His voice.
Today was spent visiting Pucasana, a small fishing village, where we saw breathtaking views of the ocean. We had a great lunch by the water and enjoyed a nice little hike up the mountain to see the ocean. I do believe everyone enjoyed themselves greatly.
We then went to Hannah's Home to for a quick tour along with meeting the Peterson family and Dave Mosemann...missionaries to Peru. It is amazing to see all God has done here in just one year since being here last June. To see that many others have come and served and to see His work accomplished shows me the importance of the Body of Christ and how we each have a part in the bigger picture!
Next...we went to see THE CHILDREN!!! Wow, they have all grown a foot since the last time I was here, just a year ago! It was neat to see their faces light up as they recognized those from our team who have been here before. Adam M, Rob, Dakota, Dawn and many others were playing a game of soccer with the kids...which they loved! One team member told me over and over...I can't believe how HAPPY they are...yes, JOY was bouncing off the walls of that orphanage. If you ever are in need of a good dose of laughter, fun and smiles...Hogar de Ninos is the place to be! They were so much fun to be around! Even little Carlita was making silly faces and sticking her tongue out at us as we drove away, she was so shy last year! What a great way to end the day!
We found out tonight that 15 of our team will be joining the Hogar children in marching in a parade on Wednesday, costumes and all! Erika, mom of the orphanage, was trying to show Mike Stiles the march...lets just say he wont be marching! :) Our marching team will be having practice Monday and Tuesday this week so that they will be "parade ready!"
Construction and VBS starts tomorrow...pray for our VBS team, again I am so proud that they are diving in to the change in plans, seeing as we have none of our VBS materials...its all in the suitcases! They are doing a great job of being ready! I am so proud of everyone on this team. Friendships are being made, walls are coming down and God's presence is evident in each person's life.
We are tired and weary, but I'll close with this...God smiled today here in Chilca, Peru, and to top it off...there was definitely loads of laughter tonight as we were "attacked" literally by crickets at dinner! I've never heard so many screams, arms and legs and even food flying...for some reason there are a ton of crickets here! We all got a great laugh out of it!
More to come! Thanks so much for your prayers! Everyone is safe, healthy and having a blast!
Amy Hayward
Our departure went very smooth from KC only to be delayed 2 hours in Dallas....and then to have our seats in Miami close to being given up...as we were running through the airport trying to make that connecting flight. We all made it on...a bit flustered at the thought of them thinking about giving our seats away, and then we sat on the flight for 2 hours...looking back, I do believe God was squeezing us a little bit.
One of many things I like about missions trips is that God strips you of who you think you are to show you who you really are, so He can bring about a change. On arriving SAFE in Lima, thank You God, we only received 3 of our 48 bags...meaning...waiting in another line to individually fill out paper work for each bag...a process that took close to 3 hours, and hoping that they will be delivered as promised tomorrow morning. I have to know that God was smiling...because my team did not complain...they were all troopers...their attitudes were awesome. I think we all realized that that STUFF we brought...well, maybe we dont NEED it as much as we think we do after all.
God showed me that all that preparation I have done in the last week for this team, all the papers and stuff for devotions...they don't need it right now...they just need Him, to be in His presence and Hear His voice.
Today was spent visiting Pucasana, a small fishing village, where we saw breathtaking views of the ocean. We had a great lunch by the water and enjoyed a nice little hike up the mountain to see the ocean. I do believe everyone enjoyed themselves greatly.
We then went to Hannah's Home to for a quick tour along with meeting the Peterson family and Dave Mosemann...missionaries to Peru. It is amazing to see all God has done here in just one year since being here last June. To see that many others have come and served and to see His work accomplished shows me the importance of the Body of Christ and how we each have a part in the bigger picture!
Next...we went to see THE CHILDREN!!! Wow, they have all grown a foot since the last time I was here, just a year ago! It was neat to see their faces light up as they recognized those from our team who have been here before. Adam M, Rob, Dakota, Dawn and many others were playing a game of soccer with the kids...which they loved! One team member told me over and over...I can't believe how HAPPY they are...yes, JOY was bouncing off the walls of that orphanage. If you ever are in need of a good dose of laughter, fun and smiles...Hogar de Ninos is the place to be! They were so much fun to be around! Even little Carlita was making silly faces and sticking her tongue out at us as we drove away, she was so shy last year! What a great way to end the day!
We found out tonight that 15 of our team will be joining the Hogar children in marching in a parade on Wednesday, costumes and all! Erika, mom of the orphanage, was trying to show Mike Stiles the march...lets just say he wont be marching! :) Our marching team will be having practice Monday and Tuesday this week so that they will be "parade ready!"
Construction and VBS starts tomorrow...pray for our VBS team, again I am so proud that they are diving in to the change in plans, seeing as we have none of our VBS materials...its all in the suitcases! They are doing a great job of being ready! I am so proud of everyone on this team. Friendships are being made, walls are coming down and God's presence is evident in each person's life.
We are tired and weary, but I'll close with this...God smiled today here in Chilca, Peru, and to top it off...there was definitely loads of laughter tonight as we were "attacked" literally by crickets at dinner! I've never heard so many screams, arms and legs and even food flying...for some reason there are a ton of crickets here! We all got a great laugh out of it!
More to come! Thanks so much for your prayers! Everyone is safe, healthy and having a blast!
Amy Hayward
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