Last Days

I can’t believe it, I leave for home in two days. The last few days have been full of realizing that such and such is my last this and my last that. Thursday Samantha threw me a fogota (going away party) with the friends that we had made from Saturday night church and the other volunteers. We went to the beach in Salaverry and had a bon fire. I have loved hanging out with the young people from the church in Salaverry. We sang songs, played games, ate smores, and then ended with a prayer. Everyone is asking when I will be coming back.
Friday in school Miss Ali’s class (that I work in) and Amy’s Kindergarten class had a going away party for me. I was thrilled to get cards from several of the kids. Since Friday was my last day of language therapy I decided to get cookies and just hang out with each of my kids. Every time I go to get one of the kids for language therapy there are mixed emotions, sometimes they are ready to go and other days they hate the idea. Well, Friday several of the kids were playing outside when it came time to get them and they were completely miserable as I dragged them away. I wanted nothing more than to be like “listen today is a fun day, you don’t understand the surprise I have for you.” When I was standing outside calling one of them, I couldn’t help but think of God and how he has so much in store for us but we don’t want to move or go outside our comfort zone. What frustrating foolish sheep we can be sometimes. The way the kids treat me and the other tias is often a good demonstration of how we treat God. So, what behavior do I want to avoid? Ignoring his voice, saying no, never saying thank you, always asking for more, and not giving him what he asks for (because it’s all his anyways). Just as there are things to avoid there are definitely things worth imitating, the smiles, the love, the trust, their generosity, the kids here don’t have to bear their burdens alone, we too can rest in the arms of our father.

Monday night Sam and I put on an evening for the mother figures while Amy, Laura, and Angela watched the houses. We bought some chicken and made some mashed potatoes and salad, the best part was the cheesecake that was for dessert. I think they enjoyed the time to relax and spend time with each other. After dinner Sam read John 13.1-17 where Jesus washed the disciples' feet and then we washed the mothers' feet. We are thankful for their service to the kids.

Mother for today

Today, the mother of one of the houses took three of the girls on an outing while I watched the house. I was excited about getting a break up from my normal routine and getting the opportunity to spend time with some of the girls in their house. When I came to the house a little before eight this morning the girls were watching a movie, a little while after the Madre (mother figure) had left I cut off the television, which is always my goal and always a problem! Bridgett was doing homework, Milagros was playing outside, and Yamelit and Alisa were working in the kitchen which only left one in the house who was very mad at the evil Tia (aunt, the name all volunteers and workers go by) who doesn’t like TV. She continues to mumble about liking all the other Tias except for me while I insist on playing a game with her or reading a book. Finally, I pulled her out of the house and up to the volunteers’ quarters where I found three strawberries, some bread and sugar for us to make a “me” version of strawberry shortcake. The girl was pretty quiet. It was neat to see how she responded when I persisted to love her despite her unlovable attitude. It was a great day! I even got to do a short devotion with them on the beatitudes tonight.

Here are a couple of quick highlights and then some pictures. One day in language therapy I was telling Marita about my family from the pictures that are on the wall, the next day she comes in and says she had prayed for my mom and dad.
Sam and I take five of the older kids to church with us. None of them are confessing believers and so don't take communion. Last Sunday, Sam brought two younger boys and started to explain communion before we got to the church, one of them quickly says I don't won't to take it, but the other one said I do. While the rest of the kids and I went in to church, Sam sat down with Davis. He said "I understand it, the bread represents Jesus' body and the wine his blood from when he died on the cross for us" Sam asked "Is he still dead?" Davis - " No! he rose three days later, he is my savior and I really want to take communion."

Anable is one of the new girls, when she first came she cried a lot and did not like people to talk to her or come near. The other kids said she doesn't like gringos. Now, she is a different kid, so sweet, always says hi, and has the best hugs.

The sunset from our patio. You can't realy see it in the picture but the ocean is in the distance.

That bus is a migro and it is how everyone gets everywhere. You stand anywhere on a main road and wait for your lettered bus to come by. When you see the one you want comming you wave it down, and hop on as they slow down. They are fun to ride; I like it when there aren't any seats and I get to stand up, hanging onto the railing.

Plaza de Armes, or the center of town in Trujillo. I am with Liz the director of the orphanage.

So, one of the new workers has watched me play soccer and decided to ask if I play chess too. He brought his game from home and we played during lunch break, NO I did not win . . . shhhh .. .. don't tell anyone!

My school! Daily line up for departure.

Italo and Junior work on math with me.

Marita is learning to read. (I hope)

Here is the school teacher/ my co-worker and friend. Miss Ali is so sweet and is always talking about God. She truly demonstrates his peace and joy.

The kids went to the zoo.

This was the fiesta that Hugo and Sarita through for two of the boy's birthday. They invited me and Sam, and it has truly been one of my highlights.

Arnold, there is not a person I can think of that would not want him.

Hugo and Sarita and their boys. Sarita has been working here over six years and married Hugo five years ago. They are no longer the parents of the boys house I was really sad to see them go.

America, America

My thoughts have been consumed by my country as I pray for the upcoming election. Sunday, I was in charge of watching the kids in the library which gave me the time to read some different Bible passages as I was thinking about the state of my country. How easily the prayers and situations of the prophets seem to coincide with all that our country is going through.
In the passages that I read I kept seeing the importance of first confessing one’s own sin. When we come in with repentance and humility we can present the needs of our country.
Daniel 9:3-5 "So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws." This is my own confession as I desire it to be my country's confession.
2 Chronicles 20:3 "Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD" How much I am like Jehoshaphat I fear for the state of my country. I want God to preserve this country for himself. 2 Chronicles 20:15 "Thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s" How comforting! God calls us not to be afraid but know that he is in control of the battles both physical and spiritual. Verse 16- 18 we will go out to battle and trust in the Lord and he will give us cause to rejoice (v. 27)

Nehemiah 1:3-11 "The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.
Nehemiah’s Prayer
4As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5And I said, "O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.' 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man."

Like Nehemiah I have a deep sadness for my country. Like the wall that surrounded Jerusalem was torn down so our moral wall is coming to ruin. While The Israelites were reassembling after being scattered my prayer has been for the Lord's mercy, that he would not bring destruction upon us by our own hand. It is so important to keep up our wall of defense as an individual and as a country, not letting our worldview be torn down by those who would have us live in lies.

Who knows how this will be read four years from now, or even tomorrow night.