Hope

I don't even know where to begin as I try to put an entire week and my heart into words. Sorry I have left you hanging for so long...there wasn't much to write the beginning of last week, as we had no team or interns. It was just a "normal" few days living the Peruvian life! However, on Wednesday, a group of people from Azle, Texas arrived and quickly became my new friends and co-laborers in Christ.

I tagged along as the group spent the week at a home for boys in a very rural area of Lima called Ancon. I spent a bit of time at this home last year, but most of the boys are new this year; therefore, I wasn't expecting to get very close to any of them. Oh, but God had a different plan! The first day, one of the boys, Alexis, (above) caught my eye for some reason. He had a "cool guy" veneer, with his vest, flipped-up sneakers and rapper-style vest. But his outward appearance was just that-an appearance; underneath, he is the sweetest, most childlike little boy. Somehow in the midst of our whirlwhind of activities (an ice cream party, building derby cars, going to the movies, playing a game with a flying pig, being captivated by Giuli's Bible stories and getting a laugh out of me playing "futbol") we became friends. It was very common at the home for the boys to ask us to be their godparents..however, Alexis asked me to be his "mom." It was just a game (to me at least) for the week. However, on our last day, I realized it was so much more than that. Alexis became so sad during the movie, anticipating our goodbyes that afternoon. He asked me who was going to be his mom when I left..and then as we said goodbyes, his cool guy veneer came crashing down as he sobbed. All of the other boys were in tears too as the team left, shedding their tough exteriors...because someone had finally come to love them, and now they were leaving. Even a little boy who I had barely gotten to know but had in passing (I thought) asked me to be his godmother, cried as I left. I know I don't understand the level of abandonment and lack of love and care that these kids feel. And it is so very hard to have to leave them with a broken heart and without someone to love them. But I am learning (slowly) that God is their Father and He is more than able to take care of His children. And what we can give them is hope...hope in a God who loves them more than a person ever could, hope in an eternal salvation.

Here are some pictures of the week and the fun we had:

This was my "family" for the week...Alexis, my son, Kenlin, my husband, and Juan, my little brother :)
The boys made and raced derby cars (the church group built the track!)

Ancon, the area where the home is located
My new interns arrived Friday night and they are fabulous! We are in Cusco for the week working in a girls home. I would appreciate your prayers, as I have some sort of upper respiratory infection. Please pray for these girls to know and experience hope...thanks so much.

*Update on the little baby...she actually isn't going to be Giuliana Kelli b/c the nuns made Sofia name her something else..oh well. But here's a picture of the sweetie...she and her mom are doing well, but please pray for Sofia to know freedom in Christ*