Last Thursday I was the substitute for the class that I help in during the week. Miss Ali the teacher was going to Ecuador with of the other volunteers, who had to take a trip out of the country to renew her passport. She had planned work for all of kids to do in the notebooks for Thursday and all I had to do was watch them. Friday we were going to be having school outside or ´playing´.
Thursday my morning started at 5.40 a.m. when a rolled out of bed. I would have plenty of time to have breakfast, walk the other kids to school at 6.50, get stuck outside having not realized before I left that the doorbell was broken, have devotions, eat breakfast, and get my things together before school started at 7.30. Oh, I found out that morning that 3 of my 9 students were going into town and for a doctor’s appointment. They ended up coming for the second half of school.
So they file in and we start with some songs. Rocio who is 14 was a great help about figuring out what I was trying to say and then interpreting to the rest of the class. The last song was I Can Only Imagine, which the kids are learning in English. I had Rocio read Ephesians 6.10´20 which is about the Lord´s armor. I had the armor drawn on the white board and we went over the different pieces. Devotions closed in prayer and then the kids grab a book for about half an hour. The problem is only three of them can read so I grabbed a book and read to the others. The kids did a lot of copying of words and sentences and then math problems. Some of the kids worked hard others not so hard! Junior could not seem to do his addition problems on anything but my fingers! When he used his fingers that meant he had to count with his chin and then he couldn´t see and so would miss a finger and get the wrong answer. Now Kevin sat quietly in the front of the class, I always assumed he was working hard. But when it came to the math there was a sequence he had to fill out like 344, 345, ..., ... 346 ect... every time I went by his desk he was still on the same number that I had last helped him with. July was fun I didn´t think I was capable of explaining prime numbers in Spanish, but I think she understands is now. Unless you help Marita she puts random numbers at the end of all her addition problems. I really was not able to help Rocio with her word problems though they always used to be my favorite in English. Italo is great. He loves math and works hard but can´t remember how to write certain numbers. So sure, there were little behavior issues but really the day was pretty smooth. Oh, well Marita writing on the white board with a fabric marker was not fun, but I pretty much got it off.
Friday was really more of a difficult day being outside the kids just do their own thing. It started out great with devotions and then math problems that I had prepared for each of them with sidewalk chalk outside. When we were done with that, I looked down and it had only been an hour.
My mind dwells upon my salvation. My heart is covered by Jesus´ righteousness. Faith is my shield against the enemy’s darts. The belt of truth holds me together. My feet are carrying the Gospel of Peace. The sword of the Spirit will penetrate many hearts. Most importantly God will hear my prayers.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Language Therapy
Here is a brief overview of my five students in language therapy. They each have different problems, but even more so different aspects of their personality that make them dear.
This is Junior! He just turned nine. His right side is weaker. He has to practice moving his tongue left and right up and down. This is difficult for him because his tongue naturally goes to the left side. He speaks pretty well but he always has a ton of saliva in his mouth and slurs his words some. During language therapy I look at the pictures of my family that are above Junior's head.
So here is my office, or closet. This is Zuzu or Zuleica. She is two and comes to me mostly for stimulation. A lot of times she can be shy, but once you get to know her, and she's not tired, she has plenty to say. I do a lot of blowing exercises with her because she needs to use more force when she talks.
Everyone loves Edwin. He's generally a happy sort of fellow. He is six years old and has some form of autisim. He always has a cup or bottle cap with him. He breaks up leaves, grass, or plastic puts it in the cup and then pretends to drink it. While my dad was here, Edwin would call him "bad man" "bad man".
This little fellow is Abel, Italo's seven year old brother. He can be a little hard to manage but he can also give the biggest hugs. He loves to lick and bite anything that comes near his mouth! When I use my hands to work with his mouth they approach carefully and are ready to be pulled away quickly.
This is Junior! He just turned nine. His right side is weaker. He has to practice moving his tongue left and right up and down. This is difficult for him because his tongue naturally goes to the left side. He speaks pretty well but he always has a ton of saliva in his mouth and slurs his words some. During language therapy I look at the pictures of my family that are above Junior's head.
So here is my office, or closet. This is Zuzu or Zuleica. She is two and comes to me mostly for stimulation. A lot of times she can be shy, but once you get to know her, and she's not tired, she has plenty to say. I do a lot of blowing exercises with her because she needs to use more force when she talks.
Everyone loves Edwin. He's generally a happy sort of fellow. He is six years old and has some form of autisim. He always has a cup or bottle cap with him. He breaks up leaves, grass, or plastic puts it in the cup and then pretends to drink it. While my dad was here, Edwin would call him "bad man" "bad man".
I love Italo he is nine. I work with him a lot in language therapy as well as in school. He always is wanting to learn. Throughout the school day he will ask at least three times me? me? Can I work with you now? And during lunch he will show me how he can practice his addition on his fingers. He is nine years old and does not talk very well at all. Though he has been at the orphanage for a long time, he has a memory problem that takes a lot of consistent repetition before he learns a word. For example, one day we did nothing but talk about the color yellow, I believed he really had it but when I introduced green, he lost yellow. In this picture I went over to his house and we were working but it turned into a tickle war where he ran and hid under the towels.
This little fellow is Abel, Italo's seven year old brother. He can be a little hard to manage but he can also give the biggest hugs. He loves to lick and bite anything that comes near his mouth! When I use my hands to work with his mouth they approach carefully and are ready to be pulled away quickly.We all were created in God's image and have a soul that goes to eternity. Lord give us eyes, ears, and a heart for the least of these little ones.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Direction and Purpose
Everything always sounds better on paper or in this case on a computer screen. It is easier to tell of the smiles and hugs and wonderful events then of the things that are not so swell. I´ve always wanted to go onto the mission field and could never believe that then was not the right time. I have always wondered why Jesus was thirty before he began his public ministry. How about Moses what was the delay. I must recognize that God´s time table is much different than mine, but his is much better. He sees with a long term perspective which is something I need while I am here. It is easy to fall into the tendency of just making it through each day rather than looking at the children's´ life as a whole and evaluating what is best for them physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
The primary hurdle is the language. I can´t say just anything I want and I can´t explain what I mean. The kids don´t always want to sit and listen as I try to read the Bible and they can be quick to say not intiendo when it is an important issue. I know I will look back on this trip having learned and grown a lot maybe also be more confused about the future, but God is there and he does not fear for my future for he holds my future.
Wherever I am I will glorify God and enjoy him forever.
The primary hurdle is the language. I can´t say just anything I want and I can´t explain what I mean. The kids don´t always want to sit and listen as I try to read the Bible and they can be quick to say not intiendo when it is an important issue. I know I will look back on this trip having learned and grown a lot maybe also be more confused about the future, but God is there and he does not fear for my future for he holds my future.
Wherever I am I will glorify God and enjoy him forever.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Meet and Greet
Saturday an American girl, Emily, came to the orphanage to play games with the kids. Later she, Samantha, and I walked to the beach and then took a bus to a church function. Samantha, one of the other volunteers, and I met Emily´s fiance, a Peruvian. They said that they want to have us over for dinner some time next week. The other day at church I met Dorcas, a Peruvian who speaks English very well. She works with missionaries helping them learn English and doing whatever else is needed. When I was telling her bye, she got my email and said her birthday was on Friday and some friends were going out for a movie. Both times I have left the orphanage an invitation for another event has come along. Although I don´t like to leave the orphanage it is neat to meet people and get to know them. The stranger on the street and your best friend provide opportunities for shinning a light.
One Cup of Pepsi
So everyday I normally am wanting some kind of American substance or sweet. I brought some stuff with me and then my dad bought some stuff while he was down here, but I have really tried to do with as little as possible. Just so I can say I did it and because if I don´t eat it or spend it I get to give it to the kids.
I have played soccer almost everyday since I have been here. I noticed that they are keeping score but I normally have no idea how my team is doing. The other day I was on a team with two other boys after we won by one point I started to leave but they ran after me and said since we won there was some kind of reward. I went into the dinning room and was poured a whole cup of Pepsi. I was smiling the hole time this was definitely a treat. The other boys also had giggly smile on their faces as they sipped their reward.
Your word is sweet, sweeter than honey on a honey comb.
I have played soccer almost everyday since I have been here. I noticed that they are keeping score but I normally have no idea how my team is doing. The other day I was on a team with two other boys after we won by one point I started to leave but they ran after me and said since we won there was some kind of reward. I went into the dinning room and was poured a whole cup of Pepsi. I was smiling the hole time this was definitely a treat. The other boys also had giggly smile on their faces as they sipped their reward.
Your word is sweet, sweeter than honey on a honey comb.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
One Big Hug
You might have thought I gave the hug but actually I received it. Jim Elliot has always been one of my biggest heroes as he struggled with and pursed his dream of serving God in another country and going to the unreached. He and four other men served God until they were martyred by the Acuas. Right before I left I had finished another book about his life written by his wife Elizabeth Elliot Through the Gates of Splendor and I had talked with Keitha Wittig, a lady who had worked with them in Ecuador and is now retired at Penny Farms. Only to add finding out about Mrs. Bowens kindred love for the Elliots and her allowing me to borrow her copy of the diary of Jim Elliot, which I am thoroughly enjoying. Today as I stepped out of the van Bert Elliot, Jim´s brother, gave me a big hug as I walked into his home church. I was able to talk to his wife Colleen for a little bit and she said that most of their years they spent working on the other side of the mountains, but they have been in Trujillo the last twenty years. I was so thrilled to go to Centro Biblico Church and see the work that God is doing. The church also has a school were our four high school students go.
Mr. And Mrs. Elliot were paid so much respect as people before, in between, and after went to greet them.
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.
Mr. And Mrs. Elliot were paid so much respect as people before, in between, and after went to greet them.
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.
Alias, his wife, and three daughters.
The Christian school where many of the kids go to school had a fiesta. The lady with the microphone was sort of like a clown who dance sang and played games with the kids. The lady in red in the background was the bubbly lady that recruited me as photographer. 
The blue building has the volunteers´ rooms upstairs and the library, kitchen, dinning room, and offices down stairs.
Everyone loves to use my camera. I found them in their room posing with teddy bears.
family, friends
Sorry, I have been so bad about putting pictures up. This computer does not like me, not that one ever did. Plus the Internet will cut off right when I start to publish.
Dad and I had lunch after church with Alias and his family. Alias is the guy in the cap, the fix it man at the orphanage who dad worked with. In Peru many family members live in the same house, they just keep adding on rooms.
Dad and I climed the sand dunes that lie just outside of the orphanage´s wall. Since it was dark we apprently went the hard way up and down, up and down, instead of the slopping way up.
Dad and I had lunch after church with Alias and his family. Alias is the guy in the cap, the fix it man at the orphanage who dad worked with. In Peru many family members live in the same house, they just keep adding on rooms.
Dad and I climed the sand dunes that lie just outside of the orphanage´s wall. Since it was dark we apprently went the hard way up and down, up and down, instead of the slopping way up.
Did I miss something
Listen . . .
What do you hear. Half of my language therapy time is supposed to be spent on listening to noises outside, or having them close their eyes as I make a sound and they try to identify them, a rattle, bag, whistle, liquid ect. . . There are many new sounds around for me to take in. How often do I hear them, do I really pay attention. Many nights a strong wind will roar weaving its way through the sand dunes, erasing all signs of footprints, and coating everything in a layer of grime. I hear a clock ticking, the dog ´Tracy´ loves to bark at night, a fly buzzes by, and a lone mosquito humms me to sleep as I dive under the covers. Do we spend enough time listening, even close to half the time. I am thinking of our spiritual lives. We stay so busy, we think we are doing good if we get our supplication in. Listen, God is speaking through his word, through his people, and through the door ways he opens. I don´t mean this in a mystical kind of way, but in a practical way as we take time to prioritizes our ever fleeting life. When I listened to the wind the other night, it reminded me of God´s power, creation, and like the wind though He can not be seen, He is their and leaves a mark covering the past and making a clean slate. Listening is often an action, it is more than sitting quietly, but asking question, to show concern and see what you can do to help. One boy here told me NO several times. It does not take much listening to understand that this is more than a composition of two letters, but an attitude that reflects the heart. This particular boy had been severely abused. He needs to have a strong authority figure that both corrects and loves. The kids in language therapy are being taught how to listen and identify sounds, not for hearing purposes alone but for speaking. Is it not the same with our Father when we listen to just the way he says something ´tone, context´ we can begin to more clearly communicate with others in a real language not our own made up sounds.
So be hearers first and doers second. James 1,22
What do you hear. Half of my language therapy time is supposed to be spent on listening to noises outside, or having them close their eyes as I make a sound and they try to identify them, a rattle, bag, whistle, liquid ect. . . There are many new sounds around for me to take in. How often do I hear them, do I really pay attention. Many nights a strong wind will roar weaving its way through the sand dunes, erasing all signs of footprints, and coating everything in a layer of grime. I hear a clock ticking, the dog ´Tracy´ loves to bark at night, a fly buzzes by, and a lone mosquito humms me to sleep as I dive under the covers. Do we spend enough time listening, even close to half the time. I am thinking of our spiritual lives. We stay so busy, we think we are doing good if we get our supplication in. Listen, God is speaking through his word, through his people, and through the door ways he opens. I don´t mean this in a mystical kind of way, but in a practical way as we take time to prioritizes our ever fleeting life. When I listened to the wind the other night, it reminded me of God´s power, creation, and like the wind though He can not be seen, He is their and leaves a mark covering the past and making a clean slate. Listening is often an action, it is more than sitting quietly, but asking question, to show concern and see what you can do to help. One boy here told me NO several times. It does not take much listening to understand that this is more than a composition of two letters, but an attitude that reflects the heart. This particular boy had been severely abused. He needs to have a strong authority figure that both corrects and loves. The kids in language therapy are being taught how to listen and identify sounds, not for hearing purposes alone but for speaking. Is it not the same with our Father when we listen to just the way he says something ´tone, context´ we can begin to more clearly communicate with others in a real language not our own made up sounds.
So be hearers first and doers second. James 1,22
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Pictures
Here was our hotel for one night in Lima, Peru. It was very nice. The free breakfast consisted on two pieces of toast, a cup of jucie, a cup of coffee, and some jam. We shortely after found the McDonalds.Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A branch on the vine
Many of the staff and voulunteers go to diffrent churches. This last Sunday my dad and I went to church with the children. We all hoped in ¨BOB¨, that is the bus´ name, and headed to a Baptist church. First there was Sunday school with a lesson on John 15.1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser.
After we took the kids back to the orphanage Alias had all of the voulunteers over for lunch. Alias is the fix it man who my dad had worked with all week. He was very grateful for all that Dad helped him accomplish. Dad and I enjoyed time with his three daughters Kayla 10, Becky 5, and Amanda 3. He took all of the volunteers to the beach, but the best part of the trip was dancing in the car and pretending like we were singing to some Peruvian music. The girls loved it.
My work with the school and language therapy are going well. In school I take certian kids aside and work on counting, addition and colores. In language therapy everthing is about repetition and excersizing mouth muscels. I have five students that you can keep in your prayers, I will try to bring you future updates about each of them, Zozo 2, Edwin 6, Abel 7, Junior 8, and Italo 9.
Truth is something that never changes it was established by God for all time. We must live by the truth for we will be judged by truth. My God is truth.
After we took the kids back to the orphanage Alias had all of the voulunteers over for lunch. Alias is the fix it man who my dad had worked with all week. He was very grateful for all that Dad helped him accomplish. Dad and I enjoyed time with his three daughters Kayla 10, Becky 5, and Amanda 3. He took all of the volunteers to the beach, but the best part of the trip was dancing in the car and pretending like we were singing to some Peruvian music. The girls loved it.
My work with the school and language therapy are going well. In school I take certian kids aside and work on counting, addition and colores. In language therapy everthing is about repetition and excersizing mouth muscels. I have five students that you can keep in your prayers, I will try to bring you future updates about each of them, Zozo 2, Edwin 6, Abel 7, Junior 8, and Italo 9.
Truth is something that never changes it was established by God for all time. We must live by the truth for we will be judged by truth. My God is truth.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Fiesta
On Friday I walked the children to the private Christian school they attend. There was going to be a fiesta in celebration of the schools anniversary. As I was saying goodbye to one of the boys a bubbly lady appears and starts talking to me about . . . something, finally she pretends like she is taking a picture and I figure out she wants me to come back in a hour to be the photographer for the party. This was a lot of fun. I got to eat cake with my hands, and make people smile ¨cheese¨. Then I helped sweep up the mountains of trash that come with Peruvian parties, either from a lack of trash cans or a lack of desire to put the trash in one. The kids have begun to weasel into my heart. I love it when I begin to grasp more of each child´s personality.
Friday nights are movie nights and during Monster Inc ¨dubbed in Spanish¨ I girl leaned over and told me she was crying. At first I thought it was kind of odd, but then I began to think about the kind of stuff many of these children have been through. They probably have so much stored up inside that at any moment waves of memories and emotions can come over them. I hugged her and played with her hair. Only God can understand and heal her wounds. I have written some verses on a card for her that I found in Romans during my quite time. They are words that comfort me as I find my place of service her in Peru.
Romans 8,28 )apparently they don´t use a semicolon.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
31 What shall we say to these things, if God is for us, who can be against us.
35a Who shall separate us from the love of Christ.
Pictures to come.
Friday nights are movie nights and during Monster Inc ¨dubbed in Spanish¨ I girl leaned over and told me she was crying. At first I thought it was kind of odd, but then I began to think about the kind of stuff many of these children have been through. They probably have so much stored up inside that at any moment waves of memories and emotions can come over them. I hugged her and played with her hair. Only God can understand and heal her wounds. I have written some verses on a card for her that I found in Romans during my quite time. They are words that comfort me as I find my place of service her in Peru.
Romans 8,28 )apparently they don´t use a semicolon.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
31 What shall we say to these things, if God is for us, who can be against us.
35a Who shall separate us from the love of Christ.
Pictures to come.
Arrival
Hola,
Reporting from just outside of Trujillo, Peru. The traveling part of the trip went terrific. God blessed us as we found our way to the hotel in Lima and then to a McDonald's for breakfast. The first couple of days I was given time to adjust to my new settings and get to know the kids. This was difficult for me because I am the kind of person who wants to jump right in and take on more work. Monday I will begin my work at the school, as well as, my work with language therapy. I had a meeting with the orphanage´s school psychologist who had planed out the lessons and gave me directions for the language therapy program. I will have four students. The first session is basically breathing, blowing, smiling, ect. . to work on controlling mouth movements. The children in language therapy range from 2 to 9 I will have them each individually in increments of 30 minutes.
Ms. Ali is the school teacher I will be working with, she is very sweet. She speaks a little English and really wants to learn more. I told her that she could teach me Spanish and I would teach her English. We are both excited about this opportunity.
Reporting from just outside of Trujillo, Peru. The traveling part of the trip went terrific. God blessed us as we found our way to the hotel in Lima and then to a McDonald's for breakfast. The first couple of days I was given time to adjust to my new settings and get to know the kids. This was difficult for me because I am the kind of person who wants to jump right in and take on more work. Monday I will begin my work at the school, as well as, my work with language therapy. I had a meeting with the orphanage´s school psychologist who had planed out the lessons and gave me directions for the language therapy program. I will have four students. The first session is basically breathing, blowing, smiling, ect. . to work on controlling mouth movements. The children in language therapy range from 2 to 9 I will have them each individually in increments of 30 minutes.
Ms. Ali is the school teacher I will be working with, she is very sweet. She speaks a little English and really wants to learn more. I told her that she could teach me Spanish and I would teach her English. We are both excited about this opportunity.
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