We're Here!

Hola Amigo(a)s!
We arrived in Trujillo about 6:30 on the 1st of August. Our Flights went really smoothly! In fact, they were either early or right on time for both flights. We were able to meet up with Tony and Ashlee in Miami and fly down with them and meet up with Tony's cousin in Lima where their where two interns plus a team of two waiting on us. We stayed overnight in Lima and rode the bus down Sunday. Today we poured footings for one of the kid's homes at the orphanage. Thanks every one for your prayers and support. I may not update this every day since I borrowing Lisa Mirret's Mac.
Later Gator!

Heading out

I guess this is it! The 2010 team pulls out of the First Alliance parking lot at 9:00 7-31-10 for RDU!

Our team will be heading out Saturday!

74 days, 20 hours until our next crew leaves to go to Trujillo, Peru. Our team this year consists of Austin Barber, Nilsen Tesh, Dustin Foster, and Jeremy Gobble.

We're home!

We made it home to Lexington about 3:00 pm Sunday after about 31 hours of being involved in some form of travel. Thank you for your prayers while we were on our trip. Also, this will serve as a reminder that we will only have one service Sunday at 10:45 and will serve as a time for us to share about the trip.

Friday, July 10, 2009

We are wrapping up our last day at the guest house tonight with a birthday party for Carolyn and Abby N. You'll have to ask them about the Peruvian "first bite of cake" tradition.

We spent the morning at the worksite, pouring more footers. We finally finished the footers for the entire dining hall building and proceeded to some of the wall that will enclose the compound. Though in some ways it is hard to see our progress because it is all sort of underground, we can now see the footprint of the entire building where there was only one wall when we arrived. We handed out some clothing and candy to the kids (they remembered we had promised it on Friday). They each had a huge sackful's worth by the end. The local workers-- our overseer (dubbed El Grande Jefe--"the big boss"), the on-site gardener, the cement mixer, etc.--enjoyed their handfuls as well. After working side by side all week, their gap-toothed smiles won by a handful of candy warmed our hearts.

After lunch and clean-up, we were off to the downtown area to tour the historic square and do some shopping. We walked about a hundred miles, with no idea what direction we were going. I think that is how our interns get their revenge on us for being so noisy and embarassing all the time. We found a few good deals, though we were surprised to find most of the shopping consisted of store after store of shoes (their local specialty--they even have a "big shoe" like Thomasville's Big Chair). So I hope you all like shoes. : ) Many of the guys found some warm hats, and Nilsen and Dustin found some especially gaudy versions. They insisted on wearing them on our wanderings through Trujillo afterward... as if 25 gringos weren't conspicuous enough! They drew a lot of laughs, and quite a squeal when they blew kisses to a bunch of girls who were just heading home from their school. We also stopped by a churro stand for one last fix!

We are packing up now, humbled to realize how much we possess. Many adults are leaving clothes and duffel bags for local distribution; some even left their shoes with people at the worksite. Can you imagine people in the US gladly accepting our worst pair of sneakers after we had worked in them on the dusty, sometimes muddy construction site all week? But these folks did.

So as we close there is not much left to say, except, Moms, don't plan to have rice or chicken for awhile when we get back. Please. I mean it.

This will probably be the final entry for the blog, as tomorrow we head out for the bus at 7:20 a.m., travel all day to the airport then fly overnight to get home. Just pray for safe and smooth travel, especially as we go through immigration and customs again. We are looking forward to our own beds and seeing our families, but I think each of us will leave a piece of our hearts here in Peru. See you soon!

Blog for Thursday, July 9, 2009

We had a very long and tiring day but all are still well.  In the morning we joined both other teams for their last turn at the construction site...it was nice to have a few extra hands as we are all getting a little weary but in good shape.  Jesse is almost better and was able to pitch in and help too, which made him happy.

After a quick change, we went to the day care to do our VBS.  In Peru it is called the "guarderia" and it seems aptly named, as the kids are more or less corralled behind windows with bars and a door that is literally guarded by one of the matrons.  It is in a very poor part of town, where many families have two parents working, or one or both missing, so the kids are left to their own devices... the older caring for the younger.  We had the younger group, from about 1-1/2 years to 5 years.  They seemed to enjoy acting out the story of Jonah, and especially liked the huge blow-up whale.  We moved outside to the requisite soccer court for some games (notably, "duck,duck, gringo" instead of duck, duck, goose), then Zach and Abby (through a translator) explained the gospel through the wordless bracelet. We gave each a bracelet and a bag of goldfish and returned them to the house.  As we left, we brought in our donations, which they will use as birthday gifts for the children over the next year, or will give judiciously to needy families in the community.

We learned at supper that the church plant had reqested we return for another service, so we quickly regrouped and headed out again.  Nilsen and Ashley gave testimonies and we sang a few more songs for them.  They seemed genuinely encouraged by our words and presence.  Afterwards, the pastor took some of our men to pray for a nearby community member--a 13-year old brought in from the jungle with hydroencephaly (sp?)--a condition that has cost the use of his limbs and leaves him racked with seizures if unmedicated.  While they were our, Nilsen, Dustin, Zeke and Sarah entertained the youth by performing the macarena, robot dances and more to the upbeat worship songs being played on CD.  The kind ladies of the church brought in Cokes and saltines to serve to us.  Their generosity continues to touch us.

Today (Friday) we construct for the last time, then are off to the market and some tourist spots in the afternoon.  We are all looking forward to that!  Pray for our strength and protection still, and thanks for the many prayers already!  Ciao!