wayfarer's lane

Clean clean clean

2011-03-19T10:01:00.000-05:00

So at most of my jobs I am cleaning. Cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, closets....you name it, I've probably cleaned it. But at home (rather my parents home) I just don't feel too much like cleaning, because I have most likely been doing that all day other places. But in order for me to feel relaxed I need a good clean environment. When I was younger I had this weird habit of cleaning my room spotless before bed. I dusted, cleaning the mirror, made my bed if it was messy and even vacuumed. I thought I was just ocd, but I think now that it is just part of who I am. Like this morning I cleaned the kitchen before making breakfast. I like the idea of starting fresh. Being able to breath when I am about to do something I enjoy doing. Unfortunately everyone isn't this way as well. I know like what my mom said when I was younger, "clean up as you mess up" it really does make things seem less chaotic.

Harses, harses, harses, harses...name that movie!

2011-02-18T23:25:00.000-05:00

...You got it....well "you've got mail" actually! I love that movie...Hannah Parish you've got it, can we switch our movies back? :)

Ok so I have no idea where or what the Lord has for my future (like after summer camp). But I do know that I am well I guess the best word to describe me is diverse! I have had experience these past 2 years in a great many different things.
Sooooo, the other week Joe called me asking if I would fill in for a work boss that was going to be out of town for 2 weeks. What work crew may you ask? Horse crew! Ok just curious...how much do I look like I know about horses? I ride and love a good western but, ok well he said I just had to supervise the girls, they would know what to do. I was actually flattered that he thought to call me. I guess I look like I can work hard. And BOY did we work hard. Cleaning stalls, moving hay, shoveling tons of manure...I was busy busy and smelly too! So know I have just one more thing to add on the I have had experience in this list. Horses. Oh and I have been riding more too. Summer, Karen and I went on a looong ride last sunday...I think I am still a little sore. It's been fun to be around horses and stuff. I see why there are cowboys. Oh and I have to admit it made me want to fufill my childhood dream of becoming a farmer too...bwahahahhahahahaha! but true story.

Mi Jhoncito

2011-02-08T19:12:00.000-05:00

FELIZ CUMPLEANOS A MI JHONCITO!

Today is Jhon's 3rd birthday...wow how much he has grown in the past year and a half since he came to the albergue. I remember he wouldn't walk, talk, play, or let anyone hold him. Now he is spelling, singing, like to be read to, we were learning a little english when I was there, he helps with the laundry, plays with others, and loves being around people! He is like a bright ray of sunshine shining down through sky on a cloudy day. Everyday we were together he brought joy into my soul. When I had a bad day he always could cheer me up! His little laugh or just the way he said "Tia Susanna" made me smile. Oh what a precious gift from God. He had a rough beginning but things have gotten better, and I know that God will make them even better as he grows! There isn't a day that passes that I don't picture that sweet little boy's face, or hear that joyful voice in my head. I pray for him often. Would you pray with me for this dear gift?

Pray that:
-He would continue to love the Lord even at such a young age I know he loves the Lord
-he would learn more and more about Jesus Christ who is his saviour
-the people in his lives would raise him up in Truth and lead him down a path of righteousness
-he would get along with the other boys in his house
-he would help Jose Luis and the other kinder kids feel at home at the albergue
-i pray that he would get a family one day who will love and appreciate him in all of his ways!

He loved to be tickled after bath time and wouldn't let me put on his clothes....lol

I really want to go back and visit this precious child...mi Jhoncito. Te quiero tanto y te extrano bastante!
Besitos y abrazos
con carino, tu Tia Susanna

Prayers

2011-02-01T21:41:00.001-05:00

I have decided to post a little information on the kids that I worked with in Peru. Just some ways to pray for them. Hopefully this will be a weekly/bi-weekly thing!

Abraham

Abraham is in the Tesoros house, the oldest boy in that house. He is dear friends with Italo taking care of him and teaching him all sorts of things. Sweet Abraham, a helper in the house and often overlooked and under appreciated. He is up to learn all kinds of new things. Photography, guitar, american football (you should see his throw!), futbol, art....the list could go on and on! He is TALENTED!

Please pray with me that:
-he will grow in his relationship with God
-that God will place godly men in his life especially during his teen years
-that he will become a godly leader and be watchful of what he does (there are lots of little eyes around)
-that he will be noticed for the good things he does and has done in his life
-that he will continue to pursue new things and continue to develop his talents
-A FAMILY....this boy NEEDS a family.

"...with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Not my life, but yours oh Lord.

2011-01-23T23:26:00.000-05:00

Wow how awesome is our God!I had a day full of Him. He was everywhere I went, I was surrounded by people that love Him and want to live passionate lives for Him. He really slowed me down, spoke to me and shook my world upside down for the gazillionth time! Ah I love MY FATHER!

This afternoon and evening I got the chance to spend some time with a family who adopted a boy from the Ukraine and is on their way in 12 days to adopt a teenage girl now. It is beautiful. What hearts they have. Compassion for these kids, once orphans but now have families thanks to the Fumia family! The Lord has blessed them so much and has pushed them, fought with them about this, and helped them through it all. He has changed them in great ways. Ah it is amazing what he has provided for them, what faith they have! Sorry if I am not making too much sense, I am overwhelmed at what is going on, and it isn't even my life!

So 2 things God has taught me today (I already know these but He has to keep beating me over the head, I am stubborn).

1. DO NOT WORRY SUSANNA- This morning in church I was fidgiting with my fingers worrying about what job I would have in the fall. He tells me this:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴ Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:22-24
As I talked to some ladies tonight He just confirmed that I need to live my life in the now and not worry about what is to come. Look what he has done for me so far, and to think about what he will do in the future, he WILL provide. I needn't worry.

2. SURRENDER MY LIFE EVERYDAY FOR HIM
⁸ Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. ¹⁰ Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:8,10
I have been living for me. When who gave me life? God, should I be living selfishly no, but I do. My prayer tonight is Lord, take my life, I surrender all, it is yours. Let your will be done. Everyday let me give up myself to live for you in all ways.

At the end of the evening we were talking about a missions trip to the Ukraine and I felt like this could be something. As I got into the car every sing I heard on Klove, He used to speak to me. Surrender your life, it is not your own, you are just one person, but one person can do big things, I love you, you are mine, my child. The Lord is leading me into missions, orphan missions, I don't know what is going to happen but He is moving! He is working in my heart and life. I am excited to see what happens! Please pray that I would know this week if he wants me to go on this trip.

*check out the Fumia's blog!

Fads go out like the tide....often.

2011-01-13T23:15:00.001-05:00

Ok my post has nada to do with the title, I just couldn't think of anything good.

So those of you who are around me will know (maybe some of you you aren't as well) you will know that I still talk (a lot) and am impacted by my year in Peru. Hogar de Esperanza was my home, if I went back today it would be like returning to a home away from home. I made friends with people who will always be there for me (even far away), I have mentors and children there. It is home. So, therefore, I cannot get it out of my head, night or day. I often day dream about being there, thinking that the kids are just around the corner. But I often, very often dream about it at night. I have these vivid real life dreams about the kids, my friends, co-workers, and our lives together. I wake up in the morning shocked to see my sister's bed in the room with mine, realizing I am not in Peru after all but at my parents house in the US.

My church has decided to do these "faith promises" where we outside of tithing also pray for and/or support a mission that is connected to our church. There have been a lot of promises made for this year! I have been struggling with making one because financially I am not doing so good, but I know that is where the faith part comes in. Pastor Alex wants us to have that faith to give what we are not sure that we can give, because God will provide. But another thing is I don't know much about any of these missions (as I have been gone off to college and Peru the past 6 years) so I wouldn't know who to give money to.

All of this to say, last night I had a dream that I signed a paper saying I would give $25 a month to Hogar de Esperanza this year, and in my dream I wasn't making any money but God wanted me to support them. I didn't think much about it this morning as I woke up or even throughout the day, but just a minute ago I got an email (the church body did) about the "faith promises" that were made. I have decided that God does really want me to step out, have faith, and watch him help me as I give even a measly $25 a month to Hogar. I know it isn't my church related but I really feel this is what He wants me to do this year. I pray that He would give me the faith to promise this amount every month and more in the future. Those kids and adults made such an impact on my life, I hope I can return the favor in this small way!

Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

He will give us rest.

2011-01-08T01:27:00.000-05:00

I don't know why but for some reason I am restless. I am satisfied with most of my life at the moment, but tonight I am feeling restless. Almost like if I could hurry time along...but for what? I have no idea. Maybe it is my future so unknown making me weary and restless. My mind is constantly jumping from subject to subject like a kid who had ADD. But not just my mind, tonight I couldn't seem to completely pay attention to one thing or person for long periods of time, my ears where picking up others conversations distracting me from my own. Restless. Fidgety. Becoming weary. I would like to go run right now.....it's dark out and cold...not to mention unsafe.

I really enjoy these verses, and want to give God my restlessness. because i sure don't want it anymore.
Matthew 11 " ²⁸Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Here is verse 28 a song by KARI JOBE

Come to me, you weary one.
And I will give you rest.
I will give you rest.
Come to me, you weary one.
And I will give you rest.
I will give you rest.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Take me upon you, I will give you rest.

Come to me, you broken one.
And I will give you peace.
I will give you peace.
Come to me, you broken one.
And I will give you peace.
I will give you peace.
I will calm your waters, and I will whisper,
"Peace be still."
Take me upon you, I will give you peace.

Come to me, you burdened one.
And I will give you joy.
I will give you joy.
Come to me, you burdened one.
And I will give you joy.
I will give you joy.
You will rise like eagles, and my joy will be your strength.
Take me upon you, I will give you joy.

Come to me (x3)
I have been waiting for you here.
He has been waiting for you here.
Come. Come to Him.
Come and find your peace.
Come and find your rest.
Come and find your joy.
He is waiting here for you.
He is waiting here for you with open arms,
To hold you, to embrace your heart, to love you.
He is waiting here. (x2)

Oddly humble pie

2010-12-02T07:44:00.000-05:00

I am seeing a trend in my life. Well two, they kind of go hand in hand. Odd jobs and being humbled.
Do you know what an odd job is? Like a random job, something that needs to get done, usually not fun. They are practical but sometimes very odd.

It first started at camp, all the staff have to to odd jobs at the beginning and the end of the season, and even sometimes in the middle. Things like washing tarps, picking up gumballs, weeding the grass, mowing the woods (yes I had to do that), and the list goes on and on....no really it does. Somehow it NEVER ends!
Then, in Peru, I had an assortment of jobs. When they had a job that they didn't know who to give it to, they usually gave it to me. I did things from gardening, digging sand holes for compost, to wiping down cabinets, to speech therapy.
This past summer at camp I was donned "AAA" (all around assistant) sounds like an award rather than a job title. But yes, that is what I did. Anything and everything. Kitchen, program helper, take phone calls, babysit, vacuum snow....
OK I am starting to see a trend here.
Present day, it all started with Sunday school. They needed a teacher for 4-6 grade girls. I offered to help. Since then I have started to working at the local thrift store (which a friend asked for help), helping out a local business owner with her odd jobs around the house and her work (it is the busy season!), and this week I am cleaning house for a dinner party on Monday.
My life is anything but consistent.

For some reason the Lord wants me to do odd jobs. ALWAYS. I think.
Always I am thankful for good work, always I am learning something new, always I can be flexible, always I am happy to help. Always I am being HUMBLED!

Yes, these years of odd jobs have been nothing more than stretching, growing me and more importantly humbling me. I am learning that the behind the scenes work has to be done. That not always, hardly ever, am I going to be the center of attention in work.

OK let's get real...yes I am human, I complain about my work, my feet hurt, I am tired, I want to do things for me most of the time.Do I really want to be humbled and doing dirty work?, no. Being humble is a battle, constantly I am fighting this battle, I fall on my face a lot, thankfully He picks me back up. and the good news is that if I allow Him to work in my heart, He will do so much in my life to give Himself glory!

So for now the Lord is using me.....quietly. I am not the one shining brightly (actually I am dusty and dirty) HE is. He shines brighter because I do the dirty work.

What is the bigger picture for my life? I know the ending. It is BEAUTIFUL! But for now I am human and want to know the now, now. I have a feeling I am not going to be a famous: artist, missionary, or even camper. I am going to be a behind the scenes girl for something big. I just know He is going to use me in a big way, but quietly eating my humble pie.

I like the way it is said in I Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Orphan Sunday

2010-11-08T00:57:00.000-05:00

I am not sure where to start on this one. This is probably one of the hardest things but yet most enjoyable and passionate thing I like to talk about. Orphans. Yes, orphans. We all know I was over in Peru for a long while at AIHE volunteering. There was no mistake that God, my God, my King, my FATHER, had me over there. I think it is very interesting how he uses one passion to reach another. I obviously have a passion for the camp ministry. Through that passion he led me to Peru where I found my next passion. Orphans. I fell in love with those crazy, wild, sweet, loving, trying, exciting, wonderful, parent-less, kids.

Today is Orphan Sunday. the Lord laid it on my heart yesterday to speak about orphans in sunday school, I have one girl in my class who was adopted from Russia 5 years ago. I know it must of been hard for her to listen to me talk about how orphans live and what they go through, because who in there could relate to what I was saying. HER. The other girls had looks of concerns and actually listened and participated today, while she sat there looking away. I know I brought back those awful memories and possibly traumatic times she had there. But I know that (and she does too) God saved her, he gave her a family that loves and cares for her so much. I hope that she can take her experience and share it with other orphans and give them hope. Next week we are writing letters to some kids from AIHE. They are really excited. And so am I.

I am still going through a lot of transition. It has been much longer and harder than I thought it would be. I often break down and cry for what seems like no reason, but it is because I saw and experienced so much, so much I have a hard time telling and expressing to others what it is. I want to so badly but don't know how. Anyway.....

Today has been emotional to say the least. My heart is so burdened with the 145 mil orphans out in the world. I want to just scoop them up and cradle them all in my arms, protecting them and comforting them, telling them that they are safe and the world cannot get them anymore. But how can I, just one person, do that? I wish, oh how I wish that I could. But, even though I am not that big I know that God can place me somewhere where I can make a difference and change the lives of some of them. I want to go. I want to protect. I want to comfort. I want to heal them. These unwanted kids. I have some road blocks though. I owe money for my student loans. Pray for me, that I wouldn't stress and worry about them so much. That God would take care of them (even give me a full time job to get rid of them) so that I can go and be free to serve and care for the children of the world.

watch this clip and please think about how you can help too. Prayer even helps so much. Please pray for the orphans and abandoned children of the world.
Orphans Sunday

I want to leave you with this.... "Defend the cause of the fatherless..." Isaiah 1:17
Alleluia, Dios es Rey!

Father, Let your light shine down on me

2010-11-03T11:10:00.000-05:00

I have been doing some running again (more on that in a minute). But this morning during my run I was listening to my "chrisitan" play list instead of my usual "peruvian running" play list. And while I was running this one long stretch the song, Let you light shine by Bethany Dillon, came on and the lyrics are so powerful. I encourage you to look at them. Our Heavenly Father did, is doing, and will do so much for us. How can we begin to fathom all of that? Sometimes I think instead of trying to figure it our we should just bask in that light. Enjoy who He is and what He is to us! We should let HIS LIGHT shine down on us.
Matthew 5:14-15 says, "You (insert name) are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but in the lampstand, and it gives light to all that are in the house."

This picture was taken in Cajamarca, Peru during a trip I took for a friend's wedding.I like how the light shines on this one spot. Are you that one light spot on a hill amongst those in the dark? Is God's promise rainbow radiantly shining above you? Too often I find myself blending in with the gray shadows of life. Conforming to the world. I, however, desire to be the city on the hill with my Father's light shining down on me wherever I am. It is hard, but I know with HIS help and with the surrounding of other believers I can be that light! Hallelujah to our KING! As you go about your day doing new exciting things, or even those monotonous daily routines, think about how His light is shining upon you.

Sarah Skid and I have been running 5k's recently. Well, we ran one and are running towards our second on the 20th of this month! What joy, I am so thankful God gave me legs to run with and a friend to push me on! Here we are at our first race with Sarah's friend Sarah.

We are planning a race in May to raise money for CRS. More to be posted on that later!

Bah!

2010-08-17T10:53:00.000-05:00

Agh! Bah! Grrr!
That's how I feel right now. I am waiting, thinking, deciding and alone on what to do with my life. And I feel trapped! (in this small town with nothing to do, and in this house all by myself).

I sometimes just want to SCREAM! but i am the only one here so it seems kind of ridiculous to do that.

So i am swimming and cleaning and cooking a lot to make my life seem like it has some kind of meaning, until i can get a job. but i am still teaching sunday school which is awesome! so i have that to look forward too!

-feeling stuck.

Wait...wait? Wait for what?

2010-08-13T14:43:00.000-05:00

Now that I am looking at it the word wait is an odd looking word. Oh well.

I was talking to some friends one night during camp and we were talking about what we all were doing/ thinking of doing for this next year. Job wise. We all were in the same boat. Lots of different options, but we all wanted to go and do what God wanted us to do. I had been looking at different schools to work at all over the country and was telling them about some of my options. When I got home that night, God had different plans.

I was reading my (bilingual) bible in the book of Psalm and EVERYTHING I read screamed, "Susanna, what are you doing? Just WAIT on ME and MY perfect timing." So it was double time with Spanish and English... I just sat there, stunned. I didn't know what to think. Time, I thought, was running out, I needed a job asap! But God knew differently.

These are all from Psalm.
37:7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him...
37:34 Espera en el SENOR y guarda su camino, y El te exaltara para que poseas la tierra.
39:7 "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You."
40:1 Al SENOR espere pacientemente...
40:4 How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust.

So I took a week after camp to "wait". God didn't think that was long enough. So now after a month I am still waiting. Here this though, I am being active, not just sitting around saying, "Okay Lord, I'm just a waiting send me a job." I think we should be active waiters. I have given my resume to several different people from New Mexico to Honduras. I am teaching Sunday School at FCPC for girls grades 4-6 and I love being involved there again! So here I am waiting on the Lord and what He has in store for my life. Patiently waiting. (but can I wait here bc this is a really cool couch!)

CAAAAAMMMMMP!

2010-07-09T22:51:00.000-05:00

Things in America that are going on:
-I am at CRS again this summer.
-Chief Hannah gave me a missle pop and I have soooo much energy right now!
-I think in spanish a lot still but manage to talk in english.
-Christmas in July at camp right now, feels more like Christmas in Peru but the english version.
-I still wear my overalls....ALL the time.
- Looking for jobs....
-All over, New Mexico, Texas, Illinios, North Carolina
-In transition. Its hard.
-Missing Jhoncito.
-I love Hannah Parish!
-Chauuuu!

Que bonito tus hijos, O Dios!

2010-06-19T16:26:00.000-05:00

How beautiful.
Que bonita.
Wow!
Lately when I see these faces of these precious and BEAUTIFUL ones I cry. For many reason. I cry because I am not with them anymore, they have to live in the albergue, they may or may not have families, but mostly I cry because God, our God, made them. He made them each in a very special way and loves them with everything He has. He made them in His own image and made them beautiful!

Mark 10:16

And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Psalm 68:5

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

(many photos thanks to John Foster)

Este es mi familia.

2010-06-05T12:07:00.001-05:00

picture thanks to Couttney!

This is my family. What is family? What do you call family? The dictionary says this.

a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.

b. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.

2. All the members of a household under one roof.

3. A group of persons sharing common ancestry.

Well I agree that these are all correct answers but I think family can mean much more. For me family is not necesarily the ones you come from, the same color, the same language, the same background....family is those you love. For me I have a great family, a huge family, a diverse family. I recently had to leave my "new" family to help my "old" family. It was the hardest thing I have done in life. I just left Peru on a minutes notice to come back to the states to help my mother who was in the hospital with my father, we weren't sure he would make it. I can gladly say he is alive and doing well! God is not through with him yet, and I am so thankful!

Sunday and Monday I was ripped from my family in Peru. I felt like someone was tearing my guts out of my body, stretching my limbs from one side of the room to the next. My head was pounding, my legs went limp, my eyeballs turned into waterfalls. Never-ending waterfalls. I hurridly packed my things up. Left a mountain of my things in my room, and cried as I spent the last few hours with my family, playing, singing, dancing, cooking, cleaning, and enjoying one another's company. I had the sweetest crieyest despedida in the world.

I have been in the states helping my family and as I am here I am terribly homesick. I am homesick for that once called foreign land and language, my children, my tia's and tio's, my sisters, and my mothers. I am homesick for rich peruvian food, dry desert land, loads of laundry washing, and much more. I am homesick for my family. I have succesfully cried my eyes out since I have left and writing this is very hard. I pray that God is not finished with me over there. That I will get to be reunited with my family again.

For now I have to deal with that change and get to see what God has in store for me here in this land.

-Praying for change over here!

Becca, me, and Courtney

Miller school singing a song to me and spelling out we love you.

The Tesoros (aldiar and samir) doing a rap song

One of the sweetest moments- Junior holding me and sobbing. I will miss this dear one.

Mi Jhoncito

2010-05-27T14:14:00.000-05:00

"J-H-O-N, jota-hache-o-ene, jota-hache-o-ene, J-H-O-N". Jhon. Let me tell you a bit about my favorite job here. I babysit Jhon (2yrs) every afternoon 4-6. We have so much fun together. We do laundry, play outside, count to 10 and spell his name (which he can do by himself!), go to the library (he says biboteca) to read and do puzzles, watch his favorite tv show at 6 Chavo, and cuddle. His face lights up when we run into each other during the day and recently he as started to run towards me with his arm wide open! Then I run to himand scoop him up and tickle him as he laughs and laughs. My heart is full when I am with this little one. He will be the hardest person to leave when I go. Yuck, I don't wish to talk about that yet. Yesterday we spent not only the morning but also the afternoon together. Here are two funnys fromt the day. 1st we went to do my laundry, when we were in my room he saw a photo of my nephew Parker, who is the same age as Jhon, and my sister Elizabeth, Jhon saw it and said, "Jhon, tia, Jhon, tia Susana". I told him, "no that's Parker and Elizabeth." He refused to think it was anyone other than us. Later while we were talking to Becca who was hanging laundry I was holdin him and he was playing with my face when he grabbed my cheeks and kissed me on the lips! I was so surprised. Most kissing I have had in years hahahah!

We also have been matchy matchy lately, wierd. Yesterday it was orange and grey, today it is overalls.

What I believe.

2010-05-20T13:53:00.000-05:00

Ready for it?

"Red sky at night, sailor's delight,
Red sky in morning, sailors take warning"

And there you have it!

-ps i found this cool verse to go along with it Matthew 16:23

Grace

2010-05-18T13:08:00.000-05:00

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace. How sweet the sound!

What a beautiful song! We sang this sunday and what a wonderful one it is. We also sing it in spanish and let me tell you that the words are still just as strong! I love that God saved us, gave us grace the very frst hour we believed. God takes us in and comforts us when we are in danger and in touble, he has promised good to me and not only does that cover what I get on earth, but much more in heaven and the new earth! When we get to heaven it will be glorious and we will keep singing these praises to him not only for ten thousand years but for ever to come! God's goodness and grace is sometimes infathomable to me, how could he possibly want me, this wretch of a person, to sing praises to him for eternity? Well he does and I sure am happy about it! I am so excited about his love, grace, and mercy for me and that I, yes ME, I get to praise him for ever to come!

-Love you all!

Newest update letter

2010-05-15T10:27:00.000-05:00

May 12, 2010

Dear friends and family,

I hope this letter finds you well as you finish up the school year and start your summer activities. I pray that God will bless you all this summer and give you good fellowship with family and friends as well as that much needed rest! Summer is far from our minds here in Peru as the kids have been in school for the past two months and the cool fall weather is creeping upon us.

God has blessed me so much here at Hogar de Esperanza. I have been through many job changes, which has given me different perspectives of all sides of this ministry. I am currently a "casita assistant." I help clean two houses as well as help out in the afternoons when the kids are home from school. This job has been one of my favorites. I have had the chance to become much closer to the kids in my two houses. Our relationships have grown and gotten deeper and more real. I have gone from the fun volunteer who only plays with the kids to the volunteer who fills in when the house mother is out for the day. We have shared many hard but also many exciting times together.

I want to share with you a little bit about Mother's Day here. Unlike at home, Mother's Day here is very extravagant, filled with lots of special events at schools, here at the orphanage and also in churches. A lot of our kids have mothers who are not active in their lives, some have mothers who have died, and a few have mothers they get to see on a weekly basis. The two weeks before Mother's Day were filled with crafts and preparation of skits for the "big" day. Along with those activities came stories and lots of questions. Most of the stories were sad ones. I heard little girls telling one another why they got left here, a little boy in class saying "no mama, no mama," and a little orphaned girl crying longingly for her mother. It was very emotional for all of us here--the kids looking back on their old lives with their mothers or focusing on their current lives without their mothers, and of course we volunteers who have mothers and don’t know at all how these children were feeling.

Sunday during the church program one of the classes did a singing/thanking moms act, and the main speaker was one of our girls whose mother had died a little over a year ago. I thought I was going to lose it right there in church. Later that day I talked to my own mother, and we cried and prayed as I told her that I have started to see how much God has blessed me--more than I will probably ever realize. I only pray that God will bless these little ones much, much more than He has me.

So as my time here quickly comes to an end, please be in prayer for these relationships and all the emotions that are involved. Pray that God will continue to use and change my life in a way that will bless others that I come in contact with. And lastly, pray for these little children, God's children, that they will be comforted, loved, and hopefully adopted!

Thank you so much for supporting me and praying for me on this journey! It means so much. I cannot wait to see you all when I get back in July, Lord willing!

God bless,
Susanna Davenport

-if you or someone you know are interested in adopting a Peruvian orphan, check out our website at http://www.perukids.com

La Campina

2010-05-06T14:11:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was John's birthday (the volunteer not to be confused with the 2 yr old I babysit), and we took him on a surprise trip to the Campina! This is a little piece of countryside near Salaverry and Moche, a small peice of heaven here in the Trujillo area. The Huacas are located here as well, making it a popular place for the tourists. However, our trips to "la campina" or "Javier's" are never, may I repeat, never touristy. We are now dear friends to this rather large family of brothers, nieces, nephews, throw in a grandmother and a few wives! So we spent this birthday night listening and dancing to the guys play some newer but a lot of older traditional music, eating good sudado and chicharron, and salsa dancing well past our appropriate bedtimes (9pm haha!). As we were saying our goodbyes and see you laters, I was talking with one of the girls about how much I love this little hidden treasure (our friends) and how much culture there was here. La campina and all it comes with will be greatly missed by all of us, but well remembered in our hearts and ears (as we have their cd!). Thank you Robyn for letting us join your "campina family".

-I googled La campina de Moche and these pics were 1st!

The brother's band!

This is their workshop.

They make traditional Moche pottery. Also here is the Moche god "Aiapeac" a very popular design in the area. Mom be expecting great pottery with this guy on it!

Escalera al cielo

2010-05-04T11:55:00.000-05:00

New Find! A "novela" or soap opera that I just love! It is called "Escalera al Cielo". Saturday while in the Luces house we watched this most of the afternoon. It is a korean soap dubbed in spanish. I was reading my book and then found myself drawn to this show. I literally couldn't tear my eyes off of it at times. I was so ethralled. It is quite ridiculous and not the best filming or acting at that, but I was so excited that I could understand what was going on and being said! So here it is garanteed you'll love it...ahahahahaha!

it is below!

Escalera al cielo Ep 9 (2/6)

2010-05-04T11:54:00.000-05:00

This glass is so transparent I can see the pain

2010-05-01T21:48:00.000-05:00

Today I had the privledge of getting to stay in one of the girls houses (bc it is labor day) and I have to share this moment with you.

To set the scene I was in the living room helping out with math homework, I had 3-4 girls asking for me to make up problems/check their work. Getting a little crazy. I heard a cry of one of the girls from the other room. She pretends to cry at times, but is really laughing, so I ingnored her. But after a couple of minutes I had enough and shouted, "you sound like (a girl in the other house), such a crier." I was hoping this would shut her up. Nope. She kept on, so I left my spot and went to see what was up. I found her curled up on the floor by her closet with big crocodile tears pouring out of her sad brown eyes. I tried tickling her to get her up, but ended up having to pick her up like a little baby (she is 6). I held her and waked over to her bed where I tried to get the story out of her. She mumbled something and then proceeded to tell me she got in a fight with another girl over something silly. As I held her I found myself at a loss for words. I don't know what happened to me, but everything I tried to say just came out weird and awkward. So I just sat there holding her like a baby and trying to calm her down. As I sat and looked into her eyes I saw who she was. Her past. Her new life here. Her hurt. A scared, upset little girl who needed a mother. Her eyes told me she was alone in the world. Not only is she here away from her family, but worst of all her mother died a few years ago. I looked at her and saw her pain. I wanted to cry. My heart was hurting so much for this little one. Here I was a temporary "mom" trying to do my best, and I knew that my best would never be even good enough for her. As she cried I started to tear up. The pain was awful and I could feel it seeping out of her body and it spread all around me. It was like it escaped through her tears or something. I think she needed that cry so bad to release a bit of that hidden pain. The actual "problem" got solved, but there is a bigger problem that is still there, and probably always will be. Pray for our little ones who have lost their moms or dads. They try and cover up the pain, but you can't do it forever.

Things, these are JUST things. They comsume us.

2010-04-29T21:50:00.000-05:00

I have to confess, I do not come from a weathly family. I know, I know..shocker, huh? Ha! No, I am so thankul that God has made my family's life tough. That we as a family had/have to work through things, hard things. Work for our things, rather than getting them handed to us. Why yes it would make it easier, life would be smoother, more glamorous. But I am so glad that God has made us the way we are, so that we can learn to lean on HIM during the hard times in our lives. We have to depend on what we do in life (ie jobs) to get us by, or the best of all FAITH! I love just praying something like this, "ok God, here it is, you know it but I am going to tell you. I need help. Quiet frankly I need ____ (fill in the blank). If it what you want I know I will get it." And at times, sometimes the same day or the next I get just what I was praying for! It is really "chevere" to rely on God!

Like I was saying about not having much stuff...I think God has taken things away from me on purpose. So that I can live for Him and rely on Him. Not that I do not have the things I need, I am talking about wants. The little extra thngs in life that we all drool, dream, and constantly think about. Of course I am human and I want nice things. I want lot of stuff, but when I think about it life without so much stuff is so much nicer. SIMPLER. You can breath. What happenes to all that stuff anyway. I'll let you know. It sits there! Had no idea did you? Yep thats what happens.

I have had a few recent conversations with some different people about "things". One said, "I just like to buy things, just for fun. Do I use them? No. They just sit around, but I like it. I lke to have more and more things. The bigger the better." The other said something like this, "You would be so happy if you had everything in the world." Would I? I asked. Really would I be happier with everything I could ever want, and even those things I don't want either. I don't think so. I got laughed at twice for saying, "No thanks, I am completly happy with what I don't have and furthermore, I have God." My debating got me nowhere sadly. They just kept talking louder and louder to drown me out. I do not have too much patience for people like this, so I said, "well I have God with me and I am will be happier than you ever will be even with all of your things." and walked out.

I keep reminding myself of how God wants us to live for Him and not earthly things. I also look around and see people that have literally nothing and because they have Christ in their lives they are happy as clams. These verses also help A TON!

Matthew 7:24-25 The Wise and Foolish Builders

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Luke 16:19-24 The Rich Man and Lazarus
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell,where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

Matthew 19:24
"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Matthew 6:19-24 Treasures in Heaven
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

*ironic kinda *orphans playing

-Love you all!

Along the way

2010-04-27T19:15:00.000-05:00

Here are some important things I have learned during my stay here.

1. Little boys will gladly change into their pajamas only if it is a race...a timed race to be precice.
2. Kids do not stay still while getting their hair cut, thus ending in quite the cut.
3. Drinks with ice make you get the "griiiipe" (a cold).
4. Hot soup on a hot day is so healthy for you. Soup in general is the best thing you could eat.
5. You can never eat too much rice at one meal...even if you are 2.
6. Any kind of bite is from a mosquito.
7. You may think you know how to spell your own name, but you don't.
8. There are only white people in the USA. Everyone else was adopted.
9. I can speak chinese.
10. Glee can heal your soul!
11. We sweat because we drink lots of water, not because it is hot as blazes outside.
12. Jackets are highly recomended in weather under 80 degrees.
13. Runners are scarse, girl athletes are scarser, therefore being a white girl runner people think you are crazy.
14. Never underestimate the power of blonde hair on a bus, the people sitting by you WILL pull it out.
15. Packages from home are like little pieces of heaven.
16. Saturdays mean that it is hard to speak spanish.
17. Rocks make good weights.
18. Americans all wear the same kind of shoes...chacos.
19. The more ridiculous your birthday card looks, the better.
20. And lastly, you must wear your "going out" clothes out, and your "house" clothes in, NEVER mix the two...confuses people.

I know there is more and Becca could write a billion more...but we are saving that for the book.

Home

2010-04-25T18:03:00.000-05:00

So while sandboarding in my backyard in sunny Peru, those in my home town got hit by a tornado. We have always had tornadoes since I can always remember. I remember never being afraid but rather fascinated that the sky could turn so black and th wind could go so fast. Then comes the hail, sometimes as big as small baseballs. Finally if you are unlucky you see the tornado. I remember trying to wait by the windows so I could catch a glimpse of one. But my smart father would always rush us into their bedroom closet so that if it hit the house we would be safe. And then there was the sound. Like a train coming through. I remember the endless drills at school, how painfully boring they were. I remember thinking that I wished we could have earthquake drills just because they were different. (very thankful now that we do not live on a fault line, especially after having been in Peru during a few earthquakes here and around us). But even through the worst of the tornado winds God always protected us and those around us.

So like I was saying, yesterday Choctaw county and Yazoo, MS go hit hard by a tornado. I had no idea until I was on fb later and saw that my parents had no power at the house. I called the phone and found out that thankfully they were safe and the actual town of Weir (ie. our street ha) was fine. But just down the road houses were gone. Nothing there. I was sitting there trying to imagine my entire life just gone in one storm. I couldn't. I also heard that there were a few deaths caused by the storm. I can only praise God for sparing the rest of the county. It was awful, but it could have been so much worse. Think Haiti or more recently Chile. My town, my county, my people....you are in my prayers. May the God of Wonders use this to strengthen you together as a family, the body of Christ. May he bring you together to help one another, to lend a hand to your neighbor or the family in need down the way. I wish I could be there to help out. But God's plans are perfect and His will is being done, even through this hardship. Keep strong and may He be praised through the storm. I love you all, and we here in Peru are praying for you! See you in July!

Psalm 121:1-2
I lift my eyes up to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

"I will praise you in this storm"

Left - a little town in Peru called Cajamarca during an afternoon rainstorm. Right- I am watching the storm.

Study study study...

2010-04-13T14:09:00.000-05:00

I thought after college that I wouldn't be faced with the things of my school days like studying, reading, and memorizing, ever again. Well wow was I wrong! I move down here to Peru and guess what, they speak spanish. Why yes, I have studied for 4 years but was far (still am) from being fluent. So I come here and have been taking spanish classes every friday. I am on the intermediate level! I was thrilled to hear that! So I have to study a lot for that. But in reality, I really don't study nearly enough. They even give us homework. But I will say that it is much less and easier than that which Senora Dieckman gave us in sp 1 and 2. :)
So on top of that, I have been more interested in photography and recently design. I am doing research and constantly trying to find new ways to learn more about these things. I am also looking into home businesses. So if you are one who has started your own home business and have advice let me know! Aside from all of that, we as a group of workers and volunteers are reading a book of the bible every month. AND I am involved in a bible study with the madres on The Purpose Driven Life. A few of us have also decided to start a bible study on Beth Moore's Living Beyond Yourself. So I have a lot to study. I really hope I am not taking on too much with all of these bible studies and spanish class, mixed in with my normal schedule (which surprisingly has calmed down a bunch!). I pray that God will open my heart to hear his words and live my life in a manner that he wants me to. I do hope I can be faithful to these things, because I know it is so important to be in his word and get to know him more. Pray for a renewed strength!

-I am just starting The Purpose Driven Life and already have found some amazing things to live by. Check it out. Paul's secret to spreading the gospel...he was FOCUSED! No one can serve two masters (be it a person or possesions). "The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose." And well-formed love banishes fear! I am excited to find out more and to enforce what I already know, so that I too may live my life with a Christ-like purpose!

Week in a list

2010-04-09T18:58:00.000-05:00

It's friday, what did I do this week? Let's take a look.

1. Had a nice Easter lunch with some volunteers from the Albergue.

2. Photo shoot with baby Jhon.

3. Learning to crochet.

4. Read part of The Lovely Bones.

5. Hemmed two pairs of jeans.

6. Ate soup.

7. Watched LOST.

8. Talked to an old friend.

9. Went to visit Kevin at his new albergue (where we proceeded to talk to one another on finger phones).

10. Got a package from my family (included with an 8x10 school pic of Caroline).

11. Wore my old lady glasses.

12. And realized the 4 of us who workout together in the am's look like a legit exercise class!

I think that does it for this week. Man, ya me canse´. Or man, I made my self tired.

Love you all!

New beginnings

2010-03-16T18:17:00.004-05:00

Jhon being very silly. Can't you see why I love him!

Monday was a day of new beginnings. It started out like any ole normal Monday, but by lunch that all changed. We have a little boy here that is in the process of getting adopted and his family was coming soon. They would tell us," oh it should be just another 2 or 3 weeks." But the summer came and went and no parents. So Monday before lunch I was hanging laundry on the roof and heard people's voices speaking in english. Not that is too odd because we the volunteers speak english, but I didn't recognize these voices. I looked down and our little boy was playing with a family. They had come! They were trying to talk to him (the mom knows a little spanish) and he was so excited about telling them about his friends and school here. He has a brother and 2 sisters and the 4 of them took off and had a great time playing. He left 30 min after. We are having his going away party tomorrow and they head to Lima in a week or so, then to the states. I am so excited for him and his new family and life! He is going to be so blessed, but at the same time the reality of it all is going to set in. Our kids have unusual expectations on adoptions and American families. They think that they will live in this mansion with gold and get all the ipods and teles they can ever think of getting. True they may all get ipods being that the entire country has iphones now....man I am going to be waaay behind when I get home. But anyway, he will have such a better life there than here. But it is still wierd to think that these ppl who have never spent more than 30 minuties with him, just took him away, when we have spent months getting to know him.

We also got a little kitten! He is black and his name is Simon. The kids say we have the same kind of eyes...don't worry they are the pretty blue kind. ;) So we have Simon to eat/kill the rats. Eww I know! I saw the other day and about jumped out of my pants...it was a soo big and gross. So I hope little Simon makes it here. We all love him and he is just as cute and friendly as can be! (even our dog Tracy doesn't mind him).

I have made a new friend. His name is Jhon, and is 2 yrs old. We have just about hte same color skin and he occasionally calls me "momma", which is rather wierd. We do everything together in the afternoons. In my new job at 4pm I go to the Amigos casa and do laundry, ect...and I walk in and Jhon shouts out, "Sana! Sana! YO, YO, YO!!!" (translates Susanna, Susanna! I, I , I) Which means that he wants to come help me do laundry or whatever job there is to do that day. I thoroughly enjoy his company. He holds the laundry room key for me, hands me clothes to hang up to dry, and laughs with me. We also like to read and play on the playground. He is just the cutest little thing (yes cuter than Simon) and I LOVE I mean LOVE his laughs. They are so sweet :)

Love you all!

*pics thanks to my new friend Jen! (she is the new kinder teacher)

Summer where have you gone?

2010-03-08T18:59:00.010-05:00

Me and Becca hanging out with some of the girls on Saturday morning

Summer has come and gone. Where did all the time go? Well the sun and season are here still, but the kids are now back in school and our jobs have gone back to "normal". Mine has changed a ton, but it is going great.

Me and Daisy at the pre-camp meeting!

Frankie and Piero playing at the park playground.

So our summer started out the week before Christmas. We had Christmas holidays and then after New Years we started the infamous "summer programs". I rememeber older volunteers telling us newbies that summer was the BEST time here at the albergue and it was so chilled and fun. So as you can only imagine we were pumped! The kids went to summer camp, thanks to Twin Lakes in Jackson, MS who came down for the week to have camp with kids here in Trujillo. Thanks guys! So while the kiddies were at camp we went to work planning our summer programs. We worked sun up to sun down...well maybe not that much. I was partned up with some others and was in charge of art, reading, and games. Sounded like a PERFECT summer! I was ready to by the following Monday. Then the chaos started. Wow, summer was hard. I have worked at summer camps for the past 8 years, so I know what it is like to run activities and such, but this was waaay different. In the mornings we had 2 hours of tutoria, I had some of our 5 and 6 yr olds. We learned our alphabet and numbers, started doing sums and writing. Teaching the alphabet is hard, guys. Yes I learned it years ago and I wish I could remember how I learned because I am sure it would have helped me teach. We had great days in tutoria though. I would teach them through games and other stuff. I can tell you that it was sucessful and they learned how to say a-z including ñ! So then after tutoria every day we had 3 more hours for our activities. The kids were slpit up into 5 groups according to age and they would rotate activities. I think I was more excited about some of them than they were. But in the end they really had fun! We read A Secret Garden, A series of unfortunate events, and a series called Casa de Arbol. In art we made things like paper mache masks, salt dough, painted, and so on...games we started out playing futbol (soccer), volleyball, and kickball, but in the end we played a TON of jump rope. They are super at jump rope...but then again what 8+ yr old isn't?

Courtney and I were matching and having so much fun on the merry go round thing!

All of us Christmas day at the Plaza!

The afternoons were filled with activities that they could choose from. Yo-yo, drawing/painting, baton twirling, guitar, futbol, photography, and chior are some of their choices. I mainly stayed working in the garden and was able to plant corn, lettuce, cilantro, radishes, and tomatoes! They are coming up so nicely! So at the end of the summer we had our "clausaura" which is like an ending program or event. We went to Moche Park to swim and play, and then after lunch the kids put on a show of the things they had learned this summer. It was a lot of fun and they all did a great job!

Some of us after a futbol game on night

Mateo and I playing jump rope with some of the kids

Becca, Mateo with 2 of our moms, Sefora and Milargos

Even though it was not the BEST time ever here and definetly not "chilled out" it was a pretty great summer! Our kids were exposed to so much that they would have never had the chance to do had they not been here. I even think about my childhood. Besides summer camp, I just went to the pool and played outside all summer. In fact I am pretty sure my mother locked us out of the house all day long. These kids were exposed to much more in one summer than I was in probably 10 summers. Thanks parents...haha kidding!

Cristina and me at moche park

Marecielo at the pool.

So now the kids are in school getting their learn on and I am cleaning houses. But anticipating the days I can get to the beach to have some of that last summer fun. I got burned last saturday...don't worry I am planning on putting on plenty of spf next go round!

Chauuuu! Les quiero mucho!

* Oh I already told my mom and I thought she was going to jump through the phone in excitement, but I am learning French! Soooo much harder than spanish in the pronunctiations, but the verbs are really really similiar.

Despedida time again...

2010-03-04T12:42:00.006-05:00

So every couple of months one of the volunteers leaves us and moves on with life. Some have moved home (Mateo and Anthony) and began the search for jobs, while others have opted for staying here in Perú. Nicky is getting married in just a few weeks to a guy who lives in Cajamarca (supposed to be a beautiful mountain city) and we are going for the wedding! Lena, who is from Ukraine, is now teaching in Lima, and Sam moved to Chiclayo, 3 hrs north of T-town. So during the despedida party, we the volunteers give a presentation to those leaving. Kind of a way of saying thanks for all you have done and we will dearly miss you. So last Friday afternoon we said goodbye to Sam, Mateo, and Lena. Without further adue I will let you see for your self what really goes on here at Hogar de Esperanza Volunteer Life 2010.... So grab some popcorn and enjoy!

Ok so it wouldn't upload on here but go here and watch it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz93ya65CHQ&feature=player_embedded

Love from Hogar de Esperanza!

gLee!

2010-02-22T18:41:00.008-05:00

We have no tv, our internet was our for 2 weeks, power going off and on, the telephone has permanent water damage....talked to my mom and she said, "wow, you sound like a real missionary now." Ok mom let me tell you about a little thing called 2010...people all over the world have access to the internet and mostly wireless, none of that dial-up stuff. Therefore making it so much easier to make contacts, talk to family and you can still minister using those things....the world is advancing like crazy. I love it! But I do love the simplicity of life still. Snail mail...my favorite! HINT HINT! :)

*snail mail

My summer has been filled with trails and hardships (James 1:2-6), but I have managed to pull out and see the good times. The time that Jhonatan sat with me outside and we read books one afternoon. Skipping rope with the kids at night before dinner..."tia, i had no clue you could skip rope! How are you doing this?" Well let me tell you I have 23 yrs and I too as I child skipped rope. They where amazed! Lying at the beach with the other volunteers on weekends, being in the Luces house one night when the lights were out and we sang songs, played games and read in the candle light, Valentines day lunch at the secretary Carmen's house, Josue (14yrs) helping me voluntarily in the garden! HA! These are just a few moments...

*skipping rope

*sunbathing

*watching gLee

Going to Patty and Alleen's apt on weekdays, but mainly weekends to cook, hangout or watch our favorite tv shows on itunes! Like gLee! Love it! But I love spending time with them. Last night I was at their place for dinner with the interns of Peru Mission and after dinner Patty and I were looking at way old pictures and what laughs we got! It was so much fun! We also watched Planet Earth, which is her new favorite thing to do. We watched fresh waters and it was beautiful! You must watch it! I did fall asleep at the end, but only because I had a busy weekend and was way tired. But it is just so delightfully wonderfull that my very best friend is here in Trujillo with me! I am truly blessed!

*best friends

I just read The Kite Runner. It is not for those with a weak stomach or a weary heart. But it touched my heart and I have a whole new feeling towards family and what you mean to those you coame in contact with, but most importantly the things you are too scared to do, but you should...man up and do them! Wouldn't you like to see how life really should be and not think about how things would have turned out if you would have done something different?

Think about life and what is important to you and do it!
I also have ZERO dirrection for my life after Peru and I am excited about that, oddly enough.

ps. quote of the week...someone at dinner asks about cheerleading, "why did you lift weights?" Patty responds, "so we could pick up girls." Gracias gracias Patty Kinsey! HILARIOUS!

Love y'all!

*just a few fvorites

Taste the rain.

2010-02-13T14:23:00.006-05:00

Friday:
BEEP BEEP BEEP...off goes the alarm. I roll over to turn it off. It reads 6am. "oh already?" I ask. I can really go back to sleep until 7. Back to sleep I go, until...."!BEEEEEEEEEEEP!" what was that? Sounds like my computer. Great don't tell me it's dead. No the power just went out. Ok so now what time is it? Ah, close to 7. I can afford to sleep a bit longer.

Pit pat pit pat...wow, what is that noise? Sounds like rain. I bet it is just the sprinkler. I get out of bed to look. No, wait it is rain! It's raining! Just think of how easy gardening will be today. So then I think to myself. No power and raining...perfect morning for staying in bed and reading! That doesn't last too long. Outside I hear little voices delighting in the rain. I look out the window and see one girl with a happy scrunched up face as she walks throught the rain to breakfast, another dances in the rain with a smile the size of Texas, and then yet another shrugs her shoulders and puts her hands halfway up, maybe trying to get the rain to stop falling. I crawl back into bed and just sit there for a while listening to the birds singing and the rain stop. To be continuted....

Later... So the day proceeded on as un normal as it possibly could. I went to work in the garden first thing because the ground was wet and soft. Then a group of medics came from the US to do check-ups on the kids and workers. How cool was that! And my friend Emery Irvine from CRS was there with them! It was great to see her and get to catch up. That afternoon we (volunteers) had a short meeting on medicine and what to give kids when. The house mothers then went to a seminar in Trujillo, leaving a few of us in charge until about 7pm or so. Now remember, we still have NO POWER. I head into Salaverry around 5 with Lori and John (2 of our other volunteers) for candles. When we get back ALL of the kids are running around like wild monkeys, playing in the "rain" (spit of rain is more like it). We then find out there is also now no water, due to the fact our water pump is electrical. Ok so let's review. Weird day, rain, no power, and now no water. So we eat by candle light. How sweet you say? HA! I think you are looking for the word caotic, and boy was it! After dinner, the kids went to their houses and played games, sang, and read bible stories. I remember standing some of us standing by one of the upstairs windows facing the gate, just waiting for someone to tell us good news. Nothing happened so I went to sleep.

Saturday:

We have water! It is limited but we have it! Later in the day, Sam tells us about this ceremony that our friends from the campina are playing at, so we decide to go. Around 7ish we head out dressed in our best. Well best rainy clothing. In Moche we wait for Sam at the plaza de armas. We see lots of people dressed up for what looks like a prom, but most likely means a party of some type. Well we are near the Catholic church and see a wedding. We ask a passerby what is happening here tonight and he tells us, "well it is a wedding." WHAT a wedding! We then think so our friends are playing at a wedding? Wow are we underdressed. We decide to stick around until Javier shows up at 8. But Javier never shows and we found out that at 8 (which turned into 9) was a wedding for Javier's brother Carlos. We decide what the heck, let's go to the wedding. We sit in the back, hoping not to be noticed, but the camer guy gets us in the face for a long time. Now Carlos and Isabel will look back on their wedding day video and see a bunch of underdressed gringos and either say, "who are these bums? or Wow rememeber our friends, so glad they came!" Let's shoot for the second one! We decide to go to the reception with 12am being our time to head back home for the night. We get there and well now it is almost 12 and the party hasn't even started. We all are seated and waiting for drinks and food. This is a nice sit down dinner, steaks and all. It is also raining harder now. yay! We proceed to eat and watch the groom dance with the bride and then they both danced with everyone else in the family and then whoever wanted to dance with them could...all to the same song. egh. Then finally the fun part stars..dancing! We all head out onto the dance floor and salsa, cumbia, and just dance! We also got onto Javier for not telling us the ceremony was a wedding..and his brother's wedding at that! But all in all we had a blast!

Sunday:

I am in a house the Luces...this is a first for me, well just being in thier house. We still have no power, but we did have a great day playing outside and painting fingernails. That night we played mancala and hung out by candle light. It was very enjoyable and almost relaxing!

Monday:

I am sick. I woke up and thought I was going to die. Nothing would stay in my body and so I slept until 10:30ish. I then decide I am a wimp for being sick and I should go outside and help with games. I stand outside and we are jumping rope. Easy enough. Then at teh end of reading time I get a big wiff of lunch being cooked and think I am going to be sick all over again. But I decide I can at least make it through art and then take the rest of the day off and sleep. So I barely make it through art, but I do and head straight back to bad. By 3 I wake up and fell achey all over, thinking I am going to die soon. Power come ON! I hear shouts of joy from outside and plug in my computer. Ah, now I can at least watch movies while I am lying here dying.

Tuesday:

I am feeling a lot better. My stomach is still a little queezy but I manage to eaat some dry cheerios.

Wednesday:

Still no internet, but at least it hasn't rained again. That night we head to Starbucks to use internet and let teh world know we are alive out here. They have air-conditioning in Starbucks! How wierd that was. We head back home and it is starting to rain again....

Thursday:

I wake up to hear rain, rain, and more rain. Ugh not another rainy day...go away! So I head out to fix something to drink and I walk straight into a flood. On the SECOND floor! I then see Lena pushing rain out of her room and both of the rooms were flooded. I run back into my room, thinking man I should've stayed in bed. But then I wake up Becca and Beks to come help push water off the floor into the drain. We then realize that the water of the flat roof is leaking through the skylights and cealing. Some of us head upstairs to push the water down the drains, while others are down trying to get water out of bedrooms and such. This takes us a couple of hours, because it is still raining. So we have decided to cancel morning programs due to the rain and damage done. We finally finish and decide to head to Salaverry to help some of the workers with their homes. As we get there everyone tells us they woke up at 5 to clean their houses and we were too late. But we did end up helping in the church and a little in the streets (everything was flooded). The bomberos (firemen) finally came to suck the water out of the streets.

-Coastal peruvian buildings and streets are not built for the rain. They do not have many drains and if they do they are up higher than anything else....wierd I know.

So we get home and try to go on with as many activities as we can. I get a chance to plant the radishes finally! That night we make sand bags to block the rain, just in case it came back. Friday was normal and I finally washed clothes. No internet still, but I am now at Patty and Alleen's for the day (Saturday) so I can use the internet here! Thanks guys! It did rain last night, but not nearly enough to flood again! Hopefully things are looking up!

Hoping we will have internet again soon, by Tuesday they say...but you never can tell. I miss you all and pray you are stayign dryer than me!

Love and Happy Valentines Day!

* it is now monday & we have internet!

ABC....123...

2010-01-28T17:02:00.004-05:00

I am not really feeling a story-type blog today so I think I shall go with a list. Here goes!

1. Listening to the Avett Brothers and Alexi Murdoch...very tranquil or mostly.

2. I had a very sentimental moment today with one of our little kids Johnatan, who is leaving tomorrow. He decided to come to help me in the garden today (it was the girls turn) but any other day had I asked him to help he would have scrunched up his face and loudly said "no!". So he came and worked hard and then I afterwards I saw him sitting in the front all by himself and instead of passing him and going up to my room to clean up, I sat down next to him. He laid on my lap, looked up at me and said, "Tia, read to me please." So we went to the library to get some books and raced each other to the one shady spot in the yard and read. He sat looking and listening, very contently. My heart was beaming. I am so glad that God allowed this precious moment in my day. I know he has probably forgotten about it already, but it will stay with me forever. I feel like my heart is so full and content. Thank you God for a loving me like this!

3. I have been wearing my overalls all week long, due to the horrendous bed bug and spider bites I have accumulated over the beginning of the week. I dare say they (the overalls) are rather comfy. Who am I kidding? They are the best invention EVER! I wouldn't doubt it if I wore them at home. Although they are rather dirty and stained. But yes I an not ashamed (though I should be) to wear them into town....thinking of it tonight?

4. I am teaching a 4, 5, 6, and 8 yr old their alphabet and numbers. It is taking FOREVER. Just when I think one of them gets it, they mess up so bad. Or I tried moving on to sums..but that doesn't work when you think you are writing 22 but really you wrote 11. I am having them trace their letters and numbers a bazillion times. One girl is a month new and she still won't talk. Thus making tutoring very difficult. I wish I remember how I learned my ABC's so then maybe it would be easier to teach them.

5. I have a mosquito net but it keeps falling on my face during the night. Need to look in the closet for a new one. ASAP! But it is kinda cool b/c it is hunter green and I feel like I am camping every night.

6. Haven't been to the beach lately, but there is a surf comp. this week and onto this weekend...umm feeling the beach Saturday. Wanna come?!!!!

7. I am realizing every day my time here is passing and getting shorter and shorter. This scares me. I am getting very attached to these kids and workers and my friends in Trujillo. I think I don't want to leave, but then I think about everyone back at home and I want to live in America.

8. Life is complicated. Sometimes I wish Jesus would just come back so I wouldn't worry about what to do with my life or such things.

9. I have a hard time imagining my life with less spanish or none at all. ugh...sad

10. I find joy in the morning. My heart comes alive for the day and it is new! I usually run or workout with one or two of the other volunteers. Lately we have been running around the inside of the albergue and two of the 8 yr old girls from one house have been running 3 laps with us, and then I get back and turn on Hillsong. My heart sings!

11. I mentioned in my last blog that Paul in my tutoring class wanted to help the orphans in Haiti, and he asked about them the other day. Mentioning my kids in tutoria, one of the older girls asked me the other day where my husband was, and why was I not looking for him right at that moment. After letting her know I wasn't worried about things like that she told me not to worry that she was looking for me. So reassured that a 6 yr old is going to find my husband...ha ha!

12. I need to call my mother now, plus I think I have run out of things to list for now!

To all the teachers out there....may God bless you as you teach little ones. It is hard and you are amazing for doing it!

Love you all!

Paúl

2010-01-20T07:57:00.004-05:00

I started reading Philippians again and I think that just about every time I get something new from it. I just love that about reading and especially the Bible.

"Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel," Verse 12 from chapter 1.

Here Paul is talking about his imprisonment, and that through it all good has come. The cause of Christ has become well known throughout the WHOLE praetorian guard (which was preferring to the governor's palace, but also means corrupt). He trusted in the Lord that his fellow believers would have more faith and courage to speak God's truth.

This makes me think about us. Now I know we are not in literal chains like Paul was, but figuratively some of us are. We are bound by the things of this world, or things are crashing down around us and what do we do? Do we stand up for the Lord and preach the gospel, the truth, the light to all of those around us? I think it is safe to say that we are not always doing this.

When Haiti was hit with that awful earthquake last week, my heart hurt. There were all of those people without food, water, homes. What a scary place to be at right now. It really hit home to me when I heard about all the orphanages that are now gone, and those children are back on the streets, right where they started. We had an earthquake a few weeks ago here in Peru. It was farther up north but you could feel the shaking. Thankfully it was only a 5 and no damage was done. But what if it had, what if it was us instead of Haiti? I have been thinking about that lately and an so grateful that God has saved us, protected us. I was talking to Paul, one of the 5 yr olds in my tutoria class, about what happened in Haiti and how awful it was that those kids do not have homes anymore. Now remember, I am talking to a kid who no longer lives with his family, but is here at this orphanage. So as we were talking about it he says,"Tia, maybe we could let those kids come and eat dinner with us, just maybe we can do that." Wow, instead of saying something to the effect of well that stinks or that's sad, he wants to let them eat dinner with us. How I wish they could!

So I guess I am saying that God can and will do something amazing out of the traumatic thing that has happened in Haiti. Like in the Bible with Paul, He used him when he was imprisoned. He uses us when we are struggling and we feel like life is falling apart...or maybe it literally is. He uses us! Thank you Lord for using us and our circumstances to further YOUR kingdom!

Pray for those hurting in Haiti.

Sun and summertime!

2010-01-15T10:28:00.003-05:00

This is Courtney, Becca, and I at Huaca de la Sol (one of the old ruins nearby)

So to everyone back in the States...I am sorry you are suffering in that cold, snowy stuff, and with bad water while I am in warm sunny Peru enjoying the beach on my weekends off and playing soccer with Peruvian children..it's summer and man am i glad! Hey at least we have the bad water part in common for a while any way!

Yes it is officially summer in the southern hemisphere and I am so glad to get rid of those cold dreary days. When I got back I think I was almost in shock of how warm it was, b/c it was just so cold at home. But I have now gotten used to it and would love for it to never end! Our kids went to summer camp last week, thanks to Twin Lakes Summer Camp who came to Trujillo, Peru to run camp. Thank you so much TLP! We all had a great time and they are still singing camp songs! We have so many volunteers that only 3 could go a day, so that meant most of us only got one day at camp. While we were not at camp we spent our time planning for our summer programs. We all have a tutoria class for 2 hours every morning and then we split up into groups to do different activities until lunch. My summer looks like this: tutoring with Camila, Paul, and Cristina ( we are learning our ABC's and 123's, then I go to games, reading, and art. I have to say it is going to be hard but fun at the same time! We are just about to finish up our first week and I think it is safe to say it has gone pretty smoothly. :)

On another note, I came back to see the garden, let's put it this way...is messy too strong of a word? Well anyway it had not gotten all of the attention it had needed and there were some weeds. But the squash had grown so big! I was just able to pick it last week. The size of a ginormous pumpkin! I wish I could tell you I had gotten my picture with it, but sadly I didn't and I think we are eating it for lunch today. So now we are cultivating the land to plant our summer veggies: corn, green beans, radish (always grow here), lettuce, and tomatoes! Lots of work, but it will be well worth it in a month or two!

I am also thinking about what I am going to do when I get home. Yuck. I really don't want to think about that at all. But July will sadly be here before we know it and it will be time for me to pack my bags and head out. I have started to search online for jobs in Choctaw County area...winner huh? Let me tell you online there are close to none...let's hope there are a few more in the word of mouth are. I am also thinking about Houston, TX and Jackson, MS. I really want a job where I can really continue to use my spanish. If you know of one let me know! I am also thinking of jobs overseas. As much as I miss my family, I love to travel and experience other peoples lives and cultures. I need to start praying about it all, now. Please keep me in your prayers as I start to think about my life after Hogar de Esperanza! :/

Love you all!

2+2 Sum it all up!

2009-12-28T15:56:00.003-05:00

Dear family and friends,

Thank you so much for all of your love, prayers, and support for me. You are so greatly appreciated and I cannot fully express how much you mean to me and the children of Peru! Here is a bit about what has been happening lately in my adventures in Peru.

I think that if I had to describe the orphanage with one word it would be “family”. We have a much more family-like atmosphere compared to that of the government run orphanages in town. There are two girl and two boy houses at Hogar de Esperanza. Each house has a house mother to watch the 12 children (ages 1-16) in the house. They do everything as a family. They eat, clean, play, study, and go to church together as a family. We allow our kids to go to the private schools in the area depending on the age and school needs. The teenagers are allowed “privileges” to go to a friend’s house, or go shopping, just like a teen at home would. By doing this we are letting them live more like a family and not as orphans never allowed to leave the walls. As a staff we pray, meet, and worship together. The workers invite the volunteers into their lives and let us be a part of their families. I think that this aspect is what really makes us stand out and be different from the rest of the orphanages in the area.

Here is a glimpse at what my daily jobs are like. My mornings at Hogar de Esperanza consist of working in the office for a little while making crafts or running errands around the orphanage, playing with some of our 5 yr olds that go to school in the afternoon, and I also help out in the kitchen before lunch. That has been very interesting to say the least! I am learning how to cook Peruvian foods, but right now I am mainly chopping limes and onions. And on that note I have only cried chopping onions once! After lunch I have garden time for a hour with some kids from one of the houses. The garden is split into four sections and each house is in charge of one section. They help me prepare the soil, plant the seeds, weed, and then pick the vegetables. They get very excited about watching the plants grow. It is fun to see them so eager about learning and helping me in the garden! After garden I supervise Yuliana, who is in cosmetology school. She has to practice for an hour and a half, cutting, styling and braiding hair. I have really seen her grow and mature over four months. And of course I fill in at times in the houses when the moms are on their day offs or have to run to a child to the doctor. Those times have been some of the longest and hardest, but some of the most rewarding of all. I don’t really feel like you can really know some of the kids until you live with them. There have been times where I have been watching the boys house and they turn off all of the lights just so they can jump out and scare you, or they get into fights and you have to punish them, or my favorite times of all are those quiet moments before bed and that one kid wants you to read the bible with him. It has definitely been a rewarding experience.

I am very excited about spending eight more months in Peru and learning more every day. I hope that God will continue to use me and those I am working with, in the children’s lives and also the lives of the friends I have made. Please pray that God will mold my heart more and more like his and that I will be faithful to trust Him in every situation I run into. Pray that God will work in the lives of the children. Pray for their families also, and those children who do not have families, which those of us who are working with them can love them and provide for them while they are with us.

I want to leave you with this story of Kevin, who has touched my heart so much in the past four months. He was the 15yr old who worked with me in the mornings before he left for another orphanage. My very first day here, before I knew I would be working with him, he came up to me and told me that he would teach me Spanish if I would teach him English. He showed me around and let me play with him and his friends. Our friendship then began and he would join me in the mornings that first week doing arts and crafts with the kids. The next week we found out that I was working with him. I was a little nervous, but I knew they wouldn’t put me somewhere I couldn’t handle. As the weeks went on we began to get to know one another more and more. We would spend our mornings working, learning one another’s language and telling stories about our families and trying to figure out what we were going to do later in life. I would sit with him occasionally at meal times and later in the day I would play with him and his friends. He became less of a child I worked with and more of a friend. I started picking up on his favorite sayings, “como que no?” and “YIIIIPPPPEEEEEEEEEEE!” I found out that he doesn’t approve of singing songs that don’t glorify God, and that he would always remind you to pray before you ate. Then one day they told me he was moving to another orphanage. I cried. My friend was leaving. They told him little under a week that he was leaving, and noticed a difference in his life. He didn’t smile as much and he was much more somber. He spent his time reading and sitting in the presence of the workers and volunteers. He knew that life was going to be different. The day finally came and I helped him bring his things to the car. Everyone came out to say goodbye and wish him luck in his new life. I think I was the only one who cried. I remember him just looking at me with a blank stare. Oh my heart ached so much that day. The other children ran up to me and hugged me telling me it was ok and that it was ok to cry because I spent so much time working with Kevin. A week passed and we found out he was doing well, just wasn’t showering. He didn’t like the cold water, such spoiled kids we have! I was put on the list to go visit him and was thrilled to find out that my week was first! I was able to go with one of my friends and we brought him all kinds of food and goodies. When we got there one of his friends ran to get him. Kevin started to walk over towards us and then I yelled, “Run, run, Kevin, run!” and he ran over to us but with a blank expression on his face. He stood in front of us for a second and then all the sudden it seemed to hit him who we were and why we were there and the biggest smile came across his face! I about cried then too. We spent the next few hours’ playing cards, taking pictures, and he told us all about his new place. It was hard to leave but I knew that he was in a safe place and that God was with him. I am hoping that our friendship will continue on even though we are in separate orphanages.
I want to leave you with this verse that has so greatly helped me at my time serving these children. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

May God bless you this Christmas season,
Susanna Davenport

www.chiefsuzinperu.blogspot.com
susannadport@gmail.com

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T21:25:00.004-05:00

Christmas time is here....but is it bringing lots of cheer? And if so where does it come from?

Yes I do believe that for some odd reason people are much happier (well those I have encountered) this time of year. Maybe it has to do with all of the singing, yummy food (or panetone here in Peru), and all of the beautiful decorations. But then maybe it has to do with everyone you meet wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. But for those of us who know the real reason of Christmas I think we get our cheer for our Savior who so humbly came as a baby in a stinky manger one night in Bethlehem. We have something amazing to be joyful about. And I love that we can share that with our friends and even strangers on the street. What a joy it is to be saved and to be able to speak freely of what our Father has done for us!

I am extremely happy this Christmas. Yes it is very different, but in the big picture it is only one Christmas of many. I went through a rough time getting out of Peru and then trying to get back in, but through it all I was able to thoroughly enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family and then the beginnings of Christmas. The holiday music, the baking of delicious goodies, a few Christmas parties, warm winter coats and beautiful scarves, and of course the decorating of our tree! (which is real like always) Shame on you guys who have fake trees. So getting to enjoy those things has definitely helped me out now that I am here and am enjoying the sun and warm weather, the multitude of Peruvian Chocolataras (parties with hot chocolate and panetone), snow men and Santa decorations (neither of which they have here) and of course the traditional Peruvian Christmas party at midnight on the 24th.

I think that today, the eve of Christmas eve, I have truly experienced the true meaning of Christmas. I have wrapped birthday presents, eaten banana bread with friends, went to the store to buy ingredients for a breakfast for the kids on the 25th, eaten a delicious mango, played freeze tag with some of the little boys, practiced for an awkward Christmas dance with Peruvian friends, and helped a little girl clean the kitchen. And now as I listen to Christmas music and drink spiced tea I am realizing that Christmas is not the things and traditions we are so accustomed to or where we are used to being, but it is the LOVE that we give. The LOVE that was so freely given to us by that small little baby. That is Christmas. I pray that you too will experience Christmas in this was as well. Help out a neighbor, say hello to an old friend, or just wish a stranger a Merry Christmas, and see how much Christmas is in your heart and not in your bright decorations!

With love to you all!

-Susanna

Why I am still in the US?

2009-12-05T14:14:00.005-05:00

So what I thought was going to be a quick nice trip home for Thanksgiving turned into a long frustrating 2 weeks...er well i am still here so make it three.

It all started in the Linea bus station Saturday morning before Thanksgiving. Sam and I were waiting for Oscar to pick us up and we were going to look around Lima before we had to get to the airport. So while I was brushing my teeth Sam was watching our stuff. While doing so she got distracted by some very clever men and they stole my backpack. I came back and casually asked Sam where it was and then we started to freak out. It was kinda scary. We went to the police station and then to the embassy where they were really ugly to us and we sat there and cried for a good while. After we got it into our heads that nothing could happen until Monday morning. So Sam left and I stayed with Oscar and his family until I could leave. They were so nice to me. Told me that there home was my home. There I saw the love of Christ. I had a great time at church and spending time with them at the house and running to the store. I hope that I can help someone the way they helped me. So Monday came and we went to the Embassy to get my temporary passport and everything went smoothly until that afternoon. After lunch we all took naps and then missed the time that we were supposed to pick up my passport. Well I could blame us but I would like to blame Lima because it is soooooo stinkin huge. I mean it took us aver an hour to get anywhere. I would not like to live in a city that big at all. I do think I prefer the quaint quiet little towns that I have lived in. So I had to postpone my flight again and wait until the next day to pick up my passport. So the next day came and we picked it up early and i made my flight that night. I was able to talk to a few people on the way home about what I am doing in Peru and what Hogar de Esperanza is all about. That was really cool. People seemed really interested and asked tons of questions.

So I got home and had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving with my family. It was small but nice. We had all of the wonderful Thanksgiving goodies and good coffee to go with it! I enjoyed my next couple of days at home with my family and I even got to see Vanessa! That was a nice surprise. We had a great time. I got everything ready and we headed to Jackson to visit some friends before I had to go down to New Orleans. I got to surprise my old cheer coach Dana and I had a great time getting to see my cheerleaders.

So then I had a great visit with my grandmother and we stayed with Mrs. Broomfield. It was really nice. So then we went to NO and got to the airport and I got rejected for not having a permanent passport. So we drove all the way back home 5 hours. I was crushed. I was heartbroken. I wanted so bad to be back in Peru. I had already been gone from the Alburgue for a week and a half and was so ready to see my children. So I called the Alburgue when I got home and talked to Lori about what was going on.

So for as now I am here in MS waiting to go to NO to get a new passport and then change my flight. I feel like I have missed so much in the past 2 weeks. I really miss my Peruvian family and even though I LOVE my family, friends, and my country my heart is currently in Peru with those kids.

So for now I am in Jackson and enjoying time with my friends. We went to the dance and then played in the SNOW! Kasey and I were like little children in the snow. It was such a great night! Tonight we are going to the Traditional Singing Christmas Tree at Belhaven. So for now I guess I just have to enjoy my time here with my friends and family.

Wishing to be in Peru.

Up to Date

2009-11-19T15:07:00.001-05:00

Sorry I never responded after that last post. It kind of is the thing I should have done because it was a very important subject. So thank you so much for your prayers for Robyn's family. The adoption went through and her husband came this past Monday. They just started living as a family last night and will be here doing "family" things for another week or so. Then They head to Lima for another couple of weeks before they can finally go home! We have such an AWESOME God who works such wonders through prayer! Thank you LORD! I will be heading home tomorrow night but won't get to the States until Sunday. So I have plenty of time in the airport and will make a super blog for you!

Chau!

Urgent!

2009-11-09T14:40:00.003-05:00

This picture is of three of the kids with one of the volunteers.

We have this family here or rather part of one. Robyn and Joel Hanson are in the process of adopting kids here. They were both volunteers for a year this was about a year ago. Robyn came down in July in anticipation that the process was almost done and that Joel could come in a month and then in one more month they would be home. She has been here for 4, yes FOUR months now waiting. She has put her job on hold to stay with these kids. She is really going through a tough time being here without her husband and only having her kids on the weekends. This week is her most critical week here. If the process doesn't go through this week, they have to wait until February. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray for the Hanson family. All seven of them . The kids don't really know what is going on and don't understand why they aren't at home already. Please be on your knees for them and spread the word! Pray hard that God will work a miracle for them this week.

Love to you all.

New things around the 'Burg

2009-11-05T12:57:00.004-05:00

Kevin enjoying popcorn at a party before bedtime

Kevin having fun at the beach

So new things happening.

1). I get to go HOME for Thanksgiving. That is 2 weeks away in case you were wondering. :)

2). I am getting a spring cold.

3). The garden is looking great! Squash and cucumbers are growing rapidly. Already picked the radishes and the turnips. Next is the lettuce!

4). Kevin left.

Ok so this last one is what I really want to talk about. Kevin came here to Hogar de Esperanza 8, yeah I said 8, years ago. He was one of the first kids to come months after the doors opened. This place has been his home. His life. His family. When I arrived in August, the first day he came up to me and told me he was going to teach me Spanish and I could teach him English. Then after a few days I found out I would be working with him 3 days of the week. We would be washing and cleaning the vehicles, working in the garden, cleaning the kitchen, and many other odd jobs around the place. Now I have to tell you that Kevin is more of a special needs child. I think his mind is growing slower than his body. He almost seems to have the mind of a younger child, not one of a 15 yr old. And let me tell you that when I found out I would be working with him I wasn't very excited. I would rather work with the cute kids, the smart ones, not him. But I did and it was hard. I really felt like God was working in my life. When we worked I would constantly be telling him to keep working, hurry to the bathroom, or no you cannot get water for the 20th time! He tried my patience. He made me work slower. He made me love. Kevin is a loving child. He loves everything and everyone. He never wants you to be mad at him and always wants you to tell him he has been doing a great job. There were days that were great. He worked hard and I hardly had to get onto him. Other days wore me out, very painful days. We would talk and laugh and sing while working. I really feel like I got to know him. We talked about our families and friends. We talked about God and what He has in store for our lives. He is a child who loves the Lord with all his heart. He has taught me so much and I feel like the Lord used him to work in my heart. Thanks Kevin! He left the other day for another orphanage that can work with him better than we can right now. He found out last Friday and he was so different. We expected him to tell everyone. But he didn't. He was very quite and somber. He usually laughs, smiles, makes happy yelling (WHOOOOO-HOOOO) noises, and says "Como que no?" Which means "how come?" but, he didn't do any of that. I mean really who would if they found out they had to leave a place they loved and called home? So Monday came and when it came time for him to leave, we all walked him to the car and gave him hugs goodbye. When hugging him goodbye I cried. And I mean I cried hard. It wasn't because he was one of the first kids to leave while I was here, but because we had developed a friendship. He means so much to me. I know know why mothers cry when their children leave home. I am nervous for him, his new home, his future. I love him so much that I cried for him. We may be able visit some. I sure hope so. It has been different here since he has gone. He is greatly missed but dearly loved. I know that he has God with him and that He will take care of him always. We must keep him always in our prayers. Please pray for my child, Kevin. I will always love this child with all of my heart.

Love from a learning child.

Yellow

2009-10-30T12:24:00.003-05:00

Yellow is my favorite color. It is the color of my room. It is the color of Dante's shirt and 4 wheeler. It is the name of the song I am listening to right now. It reminds me of life, sun, and new beginings.

Lately I have decided to take a step back and observe my surroundings. What is going on around me? What are other people doing? What does this place really look like?

I have come to these conclusions. Here there is love, and with love comes discipline and trust. I see adults here discipling children for the tings they do wrong because they love them. I see children putting their trust in the adults because they love them. There are kids playing with one another, learning, serving, and anything else a kid will do. I see workers dillegently coming to work everyday. Giving up themselves for these children and for God. This place is LOVE. We have Christ in our walls and we are radaiting His love for others in need of it.

I have recently really been able to appreciate the alburgue so much more. I think the more I get to know everyone here and what we are about, I can understand why it is such a beautiful place and why people give up their lives to serve here. I have been able to appreciate the little things in life more, also. Here are a few:

-Sitting in the grass reading to the 5 yr olds.

-Yesterday I was working in the garden, the sun was shining bright, I could hear beautiful music from the kitchen, and the birds were singing. How beautiful.

-making peruvian crafts with Becca while the older girls were on the internet.

-working in the garden with Kevin. Me- Mires tu pais (country) Kevin- Mi pais ti? Me-si tu pai...ummm lo siento (sorry) tu pies (feet). Hilarious moment!

-working in the kitchen the other day Luz had leftover juice from breakfast and me, her, and Filo had a glass. Filo turns around to talk to us and she has this amazing juice mustache! Luz said "tia you look like Santa Clause!" We all laughed and laughed :)

-cooking in the kitchen with Patty on the weekends

These are just a few of the little things that have made my time here beautiful and I am very excited to see what more will come!

I hope all is well with you, wherever you are!

Love to you all.

Just me

2009-10-26T14:58:00.002-05:00

I have been playing around with my video maker on my computer...it's not great quality stuff, but it's me.

Hope you enjoy and here is my address!

Hogar de Esperanza - Susanna Davenport

Autopista Moche/Salaverry KM 3.5

Frente de Camal de San Francisco

Trujillo, Peru, South America

Hope it's long enough for ya! ha ha ha

Love to you all.

Psalm 139

2009-10-26T08:42:00.003-05:00

Ok so I have this Psalm tattooed on my forearm and every time I read it I want to cry because OUR GOD knows us so well, better than we know ourselves. I feel so open and vulnerable when I read this to God.

Psalm 139
"O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night," Even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand when I awake, I am still with You. O that You would slay the wicked, O God; Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed. For they speak against You wickedly, and Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."

Love to you all.

Give Thanks to the Lord for HE is good!

2009-10-15T22:20:00.003-05:00

There is this song that was on a music video, a Steve Green one to be exact, and it was the verse. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever. We watched those videos ALL the time! I am so thankful for sooo much. I have a roof over my head 3 meals a day and hot water. Plus I have my best friend in Peru with me!!! Even though I have so much and am thankful for it, I still want more....I want to be home for Thanksgiving with my family and friends. I am having a hard time with this because right now I cannot go home, but that doesn't stop me from praying that God will allow me to go home for Thanksgiving. Even if I don't get to go, I will still have a good time here and be thankful for all I have. But God pls find a way for me to get home for TG.

Feeling Jazzy?

2009-10-11T19:25:00.005-05:00

My current play list is jazz. Michael Buble, Dean Martin, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and other greats! Nothing puts you in a great mood like "Good Morning" from 'Singing in the Rain'. Or hearing Ella's rich voice belting out a tune.

Mmmmm...and then add a good book or a drawing and some hot cocoa, it doesn't matter what continent you are on, you still get that tingly warm feeling from your toenails to the tips of your hair!

Almost like the world is yours. Your own little musical, dancing, snow falling, Christmas caroling, twinkling lights, crisp evenings, sail boating, pumpkin carving, cookie baking, adventure going world! What a quaint little world!

I really wanted to talk about the micros here. But I do feel like it was necessary to share with you my love for classic music.

Ok so micros. You are probably wondering, "What is a micro? How big is a thing like this? Can I purchase one? Do they go in your yard?" Well I am glad to say that I can answer all of those questions and many more just for you! A micro is a bus that runs throughout the city. There are many different ones for each different part of Trujillo, so you can find the place you want to go. They have the name of their destination on them so you can be sure to get to the right place. But before you decide to hop on a micro you have to think, "which letter should I take to my destination, there are several different ones". Well that just means you have to ask someone who knows about each letter so that you can for example take the Salaverry C micro to get to Larco or Espana. These buses vary in sizes. Some are tiny and you have to duck your head when you are standing up on them. Some are so big you can have a party on them (we did one day too). No, I do not think you can purchase one. They are bad for the environment too so I would really recommend you do not get one. Well I do imagine that a old broken down micro could go in your yard, but may turn into a new home for someone or something.

So I would think that it is more than ok to say that I have had quite the adventures on the micros. I think just about every time I am on one I have some interesting story to take with me. I have gotten a lot of telephone numbers. Now only one out of these few has been a guy. That was quite the story in itself. The numbers have been from women living in Moche or Salaverry who think it is just wonderful that I am volunteering at the alburgue and they would just love for me to come and visit them. I have not taken them up on these offers yet, but I think it would be interesting if I did. I do not know what it is but I sit down and the person next to me just strikes up a conversation about anything and everything. Helps my Spanish that is for sure! One day I had my arms full of fruit and hopped on a very crowded micro. This young man jumped out of his seat and kindly gave it to me. I sat down and then he proceeded to talk to me. Asked me where I was from and what was I doing in Peru, blah, blah, blah...and then I looked around and saw some of the girls from the alburgue sitting in the back laughing at me! I looked miserable, Nick wouldn't shut up and then he paid my fare . Oh dear. So I would try to end the conversation and just enjoy the rest of my ride home but I couldn't. He asked me for my number and I promise you he did not understand that I did not have one and that I was not interested. So when we got off the bus to walk to the door the girls decided to ask 2 questions and thought it was so funny that a guy was talking to me. So another time I was riding on a micro one morning and a few of the workers from the alburgue got on and were headed to work. That was neat we got to talk on the way. And then another time I was riding and we past one of my friends and she saw me and we got excited and waved like crazy. Last night I stayed with Patty in town and so this morning I caught a micro home and I have to say morning rides are the most interesting of all. You always think it will be a none crowded one but you pick up people who are on their way to work. You see all kinds of people. Guys who work at factories, gas stations, kids on the way to school, old women with their bread to sell. I saw a man with tons of milk in buckets this morning. There was a woman with 3 children, one was being breast fed one the bus! Man the things that happen on a micro! Oh and I forgot to mention the best part of them...they only cost about 1 sole 50. So round trip you spend a dollar. Amazing!

*We just got a new baby the other day. We named him Daniel. Pray that he will adjust and be adopted soon!!

Love to you all.

Happy heart!

2009-10-02T08:33:00.002-05:00

Thank you Pinelake Church for having your sermons and your renewal Bible reading plans on podcasts! My life is happy :)
I really like my church here Larco Pres. but i have to say I haven't found a church yet like PL. And it was so so so exciting to find these podcasts online! http://www.pinelake.org

Boys, boys, boys

2009-09-29T19:44:00.004-05:00

I am like a monkey. I like to run. I talk really fast. I stand on my head. I hate shower time. I play with my friends. I don't like homework. I like to help out in the garden. What am I? A boy!

Fernando with the octopus on the pool

I have spent a lot of time with the boys these past two weeks. Do girls exist anymore? I miss playing outside with the girls or being in the houses braiding their hair. One of the volunteers has been in the Tesoros house (boys) for about a week and a half now. Each house has a casita assistant that helps clean, do laundry, and help out with homework. Since she is in the house I have become helper. I, with Kevin, go in the mornings and do laundry, sweep, mop, clean bathrooms, and many other things. In the afternoons I help out with more laundry and then homework and bath time. I think there was one day where all I did was laundry. It has been a challenge for sure.

Franklin and Piero they are so precious

This past weekend I was in the Amigo's house Saturday am - Sunday am. They are a much better house than the Tesoros, but they are still wild. They had visits in the morning and those who didn't couldn't go out to play. I had to put some kids in their rooms. Later after lunch I did more laundry and cleaned the house some. I tried to get them all outside to play because it was so warm and beautiful, but it is really hard to get 12 boys outside. One would think it wouldn't be, that they would jump right up and run at the opportunity to go out and play, but they are weird. Later that day two of the boys got into a fight so I sent one to his room and the other had to plant the rest of the seeds in the garden for me. I need to find another punishment because the boys enjoy gardening way to much! We had a good talk about family and why we do bad things. He told me that he was abused and so was him mom. I was so sad for him because I was so blessed to grow up in a good family situation. Before dinner I tried to get them to all take showers, but the water was too cold. Poor Sebastian and Paul had to take freezing cold showers, and I got soap in Paul's mouth. After dinner they didn't want to go to bed so they played with some toys and watched TV. A few others decided to play indoor basketball. I probably shouldn't have let them, but sometimes I just feel like things like that are ok because they were having so much fun and being boys. After what seemed like forever they finally were quiet and went to bed. It took some threatening to get another Tia but they fell asleep. All except Pedro. He wandered into my room and asked if he could read the Bible. Well of course I said yes. So he came in and sat on my bed and read and I let him listen to some Spanish Christian music on my iPod. He was so precious (let me tell you that he is a rambunctious, wild, crazy kid). He would read some from one book and flip to another and then tell me to read some. He asked me if I had ever read the book of Matthew and then proceeded to tell me that it was the most beautiful book ever. My heart was so touched. A little boy the age of 9 was sitting there wanting to read God's word. But also it was a stab in the heart. I felt God saying you should have faith like this child, you should yearn for me and want to learn so much more. I feel like children know so much more than we as adults do. I wonder what happens while we grow up. So he finally went to sleep and I couldn't sleep. I had that new mom feeling. Worried about all my kids and were they sleeping alright, and so on. I had to wake Paul up to go to the bathroom twice and then twice I had to pick Sebastian up off the floor when he rolled out of his bed. Then 5 am came. Time to get up and take showers because they didn't get done the night before. Oh it was a long morning, but we all made it to church nice and clean! I slept just about all afternoon! I think I would definitely cover that house again.

Samir playing with his trompo (top) it is a favorite pastime for most of the boys. I still haven't been able to conquer it.

Boys are such interesting beings. I do not think that girls will ever understand them. I thought that because I grew up with so many and have so many guys friends that I knew them pretty well..WRONG! I am not even close. They can be wild and crazy, mean and ugly, and then out of the blue they are sweet, loving, fun to play with. No entiendo. Hmmmm, I bet they think the same about girls. One thing I do know is that working with boys from the ages of 4-14 makes you really tired. I think it is time to go to bed. :)

Please pray for Samir. He is going through some really hard things right now that we don't understand. Pray that God would break him down and that he would want to cling to God. Pray for his heart that there would be a MAJOR change. Pray that he would listen, obey, and respect those in authority of him and also respect his housemates.

Love you all!

I cut a boy's hair for the first time tonight! They all asked to get theirs cut after I finished with his!

Finding myself

2009-09-21T15:49:00.005-05:00

It is funny how you get to a place in your life and you stop and think, "What am I doing here? Where will I go next, and why am I doing these things?". It takes a while to answer those questions, but after time and much thought they all come together.

I remember back when I got home from my first trip from Peru and thinking why did I go? Did I really make an impact on the lives of those I worked with and served? Well I managed to get there by the grace of God and He had a plan for me. I didn't see it while I was there or even when I got back, it didn't come until just about now. I Got home and knew that for some reason He was pulling me back there. I had to get back to Peru, but why I didn't know. I do know now that He had me go there the first time so that I could come back and work now. Other wise I doubt I would have found out about it and would have gone on to do something else. I am here now to serve Him and his children but why else am I here?

I came with the expectations of being involved in some of the daily programs like jewelry making, arts and crafts, physical education, and games. When I got here Sam told me I was going to be doing jewelry, good I expected that, then she said working in the kitchen and working with Kevin and helping out with homework. Wait what? I was not expecting that at all. But with a new found love of being flexible I smiled and said I would do those things. But then my scheduled changed again and I wouldn't be in jewelery but in the garden and not tutoring but working with Julie. Aah, so again my life has been rearranged. But I again smiled and said I could do those things. As time goes by I get placed in different spots, helping cover houses and helping with laundry and cleaning the houses. I am getting more and more used to change and am learning that God is placing me in these different situations because one day they will be useful and right now I can learn to serve in many areas instead of just one.

I was working in the garden today, preparing the soil so I could plant vegetables, and I had a lot of time to think. I thought about Mrs. Sarah Ellen and how I would love to have her help me out digging and stirring the soil around on our knees and with our hands, getting dirty and laughing or having a good conversation. I also thought about how at first I was sceptical about working in the garden and how I knew nothing about seeds and growing them. I looked around and saw the many stages of growth. Hard soil in need of tilling, freshly planted rows, rows that had tiny sprouts coming out of them, and lastly the sprouts that had grown just over the weekend. How fulfilling these things were to see. That I with my own two hands, plus the help of some kids and tools, did this. It was so cool! I then was thinking about why God had me working in the garden, the kitchen and with two of our needy adolescents.

As I was working thoughts of my future were racing through my head. I have thought about teaching, being an artist of some sort, going to grad school for design or ceramics, when it hit me. Maybe I should write, but not just anything something to make an impact on those that mean the most to me...children. I could take pictures and then make them into children's books. This is just a thought. I have been writing more and I realized that the thoughts in my head become stories when I work alone. Just another thought. I still have a year ahead of me and I know that God will place me where He wants me.

So maybe I am not only here in Peru to serve God but to get to the next place in my life. My life is full of journey's and I am finding that each of them is very different. Where will He take me next and what will He do with me? Only He knows for know, but I know that with time and prayer He will make it clear for me. For now I will enjoy my time in the dirt, hand washing clothes, helping in the kitchen, and where ever else I am needed!

Here are some pictures from this afternoon I hope you enjoy!

Love you all!

Family

2009-09-18T17:34:00.003-05:00

Ok so I have been playing with my blog. Got tired of the old boring one I had. Let me know what you think!

This past week I have noticed one major thing here at the alburgue. FAMILY. What a great thing to notice. There are so many different aspects of family here. I see first the family of the individual casitas. Each casita has about 12 kids and one mom. They are most always helping each other out with chores, homework, and just playing with each other.

Next there is the actually family between the kids. Some of them have lots of brothers and sisters here with them. It is really interesting to see them interact. Sometimes they act like they aren't friends and never hangout. Other times they are always playing with each other. The other day I saw a brother and sister playing tag together. They were havng so much fun and it was so good to see them like that. We have a 2 yr old Marecielo and she has an older brother Enrique. The other day I saw here out on the playground with one of the older girls and he was riding his bike near by. He saw her, dropped his bike and they started running towards one another. As they reached the point of contact, they both extended their arms for a great embracment! They then started to play together on the swings and in the playhouse. My heart was so happy. What a great thing to see. Even when sometimes these families cannot live in the same house, they still have that bond. It made me long for my family, my brother and my sisters. How I love you guys!

Thirdly, there are Saturdays. This means family visits. The kids biological families come in the mornings form 9-12 to visit their children. Today is Saturday. For me this time is one of the hardest. Now you have to understand that not every child here is an orphan, even when up for adoption they have family. The kids parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters come to see them. I find it so hard to watch the kids all dressed up running to their families, spending the morning with them and then having to go back to normal alburgue life. Some kids have many visitors while some have none. Some kids get lots of new things, food, and clothes, while some just are content spending the time cuddled up in the arms of their mother. My heart at this time aches for them. For all of them, the crying child beacause the mom keeps promising that "next week is the week you will come back home to me", the mother who is holding her chld and truly wants her back but cannot afford to even keep herself together, the grandmother who wants to be the mother again and take care of her loved ones, but is too old to take in all of her grandkids, for the father who didn't run out on the family and has two or three jobs just so he can bring nice things to his little one and one day get them out. My heart aches. I wish I could magically take glue and never ending love and money and paste all of the families back together again.

Family is such a big part of our lives and without one we feel homeless, left out, and we are always looking to other things for acceptance.

I thank the Lord for my family, for the families that are good and wish good things for their children, for the parents who put their children here because they knew that was the only way to keep them safe for the time being, I thank Him for the many familys here betwwen the children and how strong their bonds are. Thank You Lord for being our Father, escpecially when our own fathers cannot be with us. You are the one and only Father we will ever truly need, and You are always with us. I praise You for being a great and loving Father!

Pray for the families here at the alburgue, that they would continue to be strong and care for one another. Pray for the volunteer's families back at home, that they would know that God is doing good here and taking care of them. Pray specifically for the Hanson family here. That Robyn and Joel and their kids would be able to return to the states very soon!

Love to you all!

Where is the sun?

2009-09-09T15:22:00.001-05:00

The sun likes to play games. Weekends are warm and sunny, and it is such a joy to have beautiful days off. This past weekend it was nice most of Saturday, but Sunday it was sooo cold. Monday was warm but the past days have been cold. I am so ready for winter to be over. Funny I am actually listening to The Beatles song "Here comes the sun" right now! Here is comes...I sure hope it comes soon!

This morning was my first day back working with Kevin. He was sick for about a week, and was so excited to be working with me again. Or that was until I told him we would be pulling weeds in the fruit orchard. He did a good job and I helped him a lot. It can get boring just supervising him and telling him to constantly work, so I worked along-side of him. He told me that my spanish is improving greatly. I was thrilled to hear that. Although I cannot say the word hear in spanish. I have a hard time with that one. We talked about a lot. He wants to grow up and live in Moche which is right down the road from where we are. He also wants to work washing dishes and cleaning. Those will be very good jobs for him. I am glad he is thinking about his future and is trying to figure out what he can do and what is best for him. He told me after he saves up money he wants to move to Lima. He has family there I think. He told me about his family. Broke my heart. He said he has 7 brothers and sisters. He said they used to be in other orphanages around Trujillo but now live in Moche with his mother (maybe his aunt). I am not entirely sure about this because he has been here for about 5 years and told me he had only been here 1 year. He also thinks he is leaving to be with his family this December. Many of the kids think that they are leaving soon and end up here for much longer, possibly until they are 18. But nonetheless, it was really good to talk about families and our goals in life. I also asked him why his brothers and sisters where living with family and he was still here. He told me he didn't know why, but that only God knows. We talked about the graciousness of God and who He was and why he does things. He told me he was so thankful for the alburgue because it has been such a good place for him to live and God has blessed it and everyone inside of it so much. WOW!!!! What a testimony! I am seeing him grow up and I have only been here 6 weeks. Amazing!

Pray for Kevin. Pray that he gets a good family, whether his own or an adopted one. Pray that he will continue to learn how to work and think on his own. Pray that he one day will also be able to share his life experiences with those who need and can benefit from it, so that they can grow in God. Pray for me as I work with him. For patience, a loving heart, that we can have more talks about God, and for creativity in our jobs.

Love to you all!

-Susanna

La Fantasma y Senor Pollo

2009-09-03T13:48:00.000-05:00

I have recently been watching "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" on youtube. I thought of that movie the other day and thought to myself, "self...I bet you can find it online." And I did. I always loved that movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VffXZ44_LQ

This week has been a very weird and strange week. It started off warm and sunny and only a few kids were home sick with a fever and cough. Now Thursday, it is cold and damp and I think over 20 kids are home sick. In the mornings like I said earlier, I have been helping Becca clean, wash clothes and take care of sick children. Today we went to a new level of cleaning and disinfected every house, door, bed, even some children. We bought them masks...they look rather ridiculous, but I think they are working! So because everyone has been sick, no one is outside playing. Which makes for a quiet orphanage. I don't like it!

This is Italo wearing his mask at Anthony's Despedida.

So things were really weird around here, and still are, but at 3 today we had Anthony's Despedida (his going away party). He had served here at the albergue for 8 months. It was sad but it was good. It lifted all of our spirits. Miss Alli was the master planner. She is the teacher of the Miller School here on campus. Anthony was here assistant. She had everyone plan a skit, song, dance, or speech to give to him. Everyone did a great job! We made him a slide show that consisted of his volunteer despedida and his trip to the police station (it was a horrible joke!). For his despedida Sunday we all dressed up as superheroes and had a party on a micro bus. We passed out cake and drinks, danced, and made the Peruvians think we were ridiculous gringos! So after many tears and laughs all the kids said goodbye to their Tio Anthony. It was a good interruption from this weird week.

These are some of the kids during the different performances. The guy taking the pictures in the first picture is Anthony.

After the despedida, I went to talk to Alex, who is in charge of maintenance and the garden, and I was actually able to communicate with him! I didn't understand everything that he said but it is definitely improvement! I went to see if Jonathan could help me plant some of the cilantro today because he was causing trouble earlier, but because everyone was sick we decided he better not go out in the cold. So Becca decided to come help me and get out of the house. It was nice to talk and spend some time working in the garden by ourselves. Later I did some more laundry and punk little Josue came over to bug me. I realized today that he really doesn't dislike me, I am just fun to bother. He kind of reminds me of my dear friend Armando, who likes to bother me. I guess I react better than most people. It has become his little joke or rather I should say I am not it. But I think that in a few months we will be friends.

So I pray that the rest of the week goes better, pray for wellness among the kids and the staff. Also please pray for the director Liz's mother. I do not know all the details but I do know that she isn't doing well and financially they need help.

Love to you all!

Moldable like putty

2009-08-27T18:43:00.000-05:00

Abel-this is his smile...it is enough to make you laugh!

I think the title sums it all up. Is there really a need for me to go on any further? Well ok if you really want me to. So right now, at this point in my life, here in Peru, I feel rather like putty. You know silly putty. The stuff we all used to play with in our childhood. Ok and yes in our adulthood as well. According to dictionary.com silly putty is: "a brand of children's clay like modeling substance that can be shaped, stretched, rolled into a ball and bounced, etc".

So I would say that is also a definition of my life here at the alburgue. I am put in the most random places to do work. Some have even said that I have the weirdest job here. This week not only am I training Kevin to work, practicing with Juliana on rolling hair, gardening, and helping out in the kitchen, I am also helping my dear friend Becca do her job. She is covering the Amigos' house because their madre is out for 2 weeks on vacation. So Becca needs help with homework time, laundry, taking 2 of the kids to school, and many other odd jobs. I am her silly putty. I go, stretch, and mold into whatever she needs me to do. Including controlling the kids for 30 min so she can take a small nap. I guess I know somewhat of how my mother felt when we were all in the house running around. Cleaning in the morning and picking up after kids all day, the constant never ending laundry, helping with homework, gardening, and cooking these are difficult jobs. Really. Honestly. It has been a good experience for me though. I am growing. Learning to be more and more flexible in life. I am molding to where people need me to be.

Today was a WILD day! This morning came bright and early at 5:45 when I had to be in the Tesoros' house to cover for Milagros until lunch time. Got 10 kids up and out of bed and struggled to get them all dressed at 6am. We just got 2 new twin boys in that house. They are 4 or so. They are still getting used to things so I had to help them get dressed. They didn't know where their underwear was. So I did the only thing I could think of. Let them wear Abel's. He was so mad that I did that. He threw a fit and wouldn't put on his shoes, and when I was struggling to help him he hit his head on the wall. That made it all worse. Finally I was able to get the twins dressed, and Abel had calmed down, when from the living room I heard a scream. Kevin had blood pouring down his nose. I had to deal with that. Got him cleaned up and then I found Dante running around naked! So I had to yell at him to hurry and get dressed, it was time for breakfast. I finally got everyone out the door or so I thought. I had to go back to the house and get on to the older boys for playing around and not coming. Then at the table Abel threw another fit because I didn't give him the cup he wanted. I think it was only 7 at this point. After breakfast some kids left for school, the others brushed their teeth and cleaned their ears. That is when I found out that Dante and Danni tried to sneak an extra snack in their backpacks. Lost them. They were not happy about that, and I thought I was going to have to pick up Danni and bring him to the bus. Finally they were all off to school, and before I went into the kitchen I had to do their laundry. I was glad when Milagros got back early and Luce let me leave the kitchen early as well. I went to the Amigos house to help Becca. We had a good afternoon. The children behaved mostly. She even got a nap in! I was glad I could help out. It really wasn't a bad day, just a wild one. My favorite part was at the end when I had to pick up Yen and Paul from school. While waiting for Yen to get his notebook, Paul hit a window screen and it fell on top of us! We were able to get it back up thankfully. Then I got distracted talking to Manuel and when I looked over at the boys they weren't there. They were already running home, and they were halfway there! I went racing after them wailing my arms about. Finally caught up to them at the door and they were laughing hysterically. They mimicked me waving their arms about screaming mi Tia mi Tia! Then we raced to see which could get changed into their pj's the fastest. I think Yen won by a good minute or two. We laughed and had so much fun!

This is just one way that I am like putty. And even though it is only 7, I am more than ready for bed...tomorrow afternoon I have the girls from the Chispa house.

love to you all.

Pescado y Aji...something sure is fishy around here!

2009-08-20T15:31:00.000-05:00

Ok so that was a really bad one, but I couldn't resist! I work in the kitchen 2 mornings a week and most everyday before lunch. Today it was just Luce and me in the kitchen until lunch. When I walked in at around 9 am she was picking out all of the bad peas, so I joined her. That didn't take too long, but that is when she told me we didn't have water (a common thing around here, but I think it may be fixed for a long time). Without water it is hard to cook. Mateo did bring us some water from a hose. I can certainly say that I have never cooked with hose water. I guess you really try something at least once! We also used some of the drinking water. (For those of you who aren't familiar with Peru, you do not drink the tap water...AT ALL!) Once the water problem was solved we were able to really start cooking.
First she had me chop onions and tomatoes. I almost started crying, because chopping onions for 70+ people is a lot of onions. After that we had to sort through the rice to get all of the bad rice out. I know this seems to be a common thing in this blog, but that is only because this rice was cheaper so someone got it....Elias..ha! So we sat there for a long time going through rice, and I know we didn't get it all. Then we made aji (pronounced ah-heee), which is a very Peruvian pica sauce that they use on evrything. This was for the fish. I looked over and Luce asked me if I could take the fish and marinate it in the aji. I told her I could help out that way. So she got the fish out. Now remember that while yes we do have access to the supermarkets, the real market is more inexpensive. And when you are feeding this many people you need fresh and inexpensive. So this means no freezer packaged Sysco fish like at camp or school...no this is fresh stinky fish. Heads, fins, tails, everything but the eyes. I looked over and she was taking the head, tail, skin, ect..off. It was no big deal to her. She then proceeded to throw some cut fish into my hands! I almost lost it. My stomach turned upside down and I think it did some break-dancing or something like it. I could feel the bones. GROSS! So with a blank expression in my face I started the marination process. I was so glad when we were done. Also very glad the aji was so spicy it drowned out the fish smell...well for a while.
After that it was time to cook the fish and she had me make more aji on the stove for the onions and tomatoes. It burned my nose, the pica was so strong! Finallly I was done and had to go lie down to not get sick. Then it was time for lunch....I went in and got rice with onions on top and then beans on the side. Then there was the fish. And it just stared at me, so did Luce. SHe smiled at me and looked happy that I was eating what I had helped with. I sat down at the table with my food and took a bit of the fish, when my stomach started its party again. I looked at Becca across from me and told her, "I can't do it. I can't eat this fish. I watched Luce chop it up and I helped cook it." She laughed and so I gave it to the girls. Thank goodness for girls who will eat anything!
I am sure I will have better and worse experiances in the kitchen but for now that tops it! Tonight me and Becca are making SWEET TEA!!!! We are stoked :)
Love from your onion and fish smelling hands!

Running thoughts

2009-08-16T23:45:00.000-05:00

This is Lariza, I think she is so beautiful and she didn't want her picture taken. Alot of the kids are like that. We have so much fun hanging out and playing together.

Ok so I have been super busy this past week and have been very tired. I fell asleep during movie night on Friday with Paul in my lap and Rosario asleep next to me. Saturday morning I had to cover the Chispas house from 6am-12. Took a quick nap had lunch then spent the afternoon with some friends at the mall. Later met other firends for a really late dinner and an awkward party. Ha! Was so tired when we left and fell right to sleep. Woke up today for church and after lunch took a 3.5 hour nap! It was amazing, but I am suffering now because everyone is asleep and I cannot get to sleep. Thanks nap. Now tomorrow I will be tired, and I have Kevin in the morning and working with him is very tiring in itself. I am sure I will be fine, but lying in bed I have started to think. I sometimes wish I couldn't think. I have been thinking about how strange we all are here in the alburgue. We all have our on little quirks and weird things about us. Even the kids. I personally think it is being in these walls all week long. But I do love it even inside the alburgue's walls. :)

I have most recently been thinking about home and Jackson and things I thought I wouldn't miss or didn't miss at first.

1. Running with friends - we walk on the dunes here

2. Playing in the park with Kasey and our amazing yet sometmes lame bonfires

3. Dance parties with my girls - dancing here is so much different

4. Eating sandwiches ALL the time - we eat a TON of rice everyday

5. Tanning - I have the sun here but I miss my tanning bed and the people I love there

6. College friends

7. Hanging out with boys - this is silly but here you cannot just chill with boys the way you can at home
8. Clean feet

9. Cheerleading - this is one of the biggest ones, I REALLY miss stunting and throwing Jen in the air. LOVE you girls!

10. Camping and exploring the woods and creeks

11. Driving

12. My nephew Parker!!!! And all of my family. :)

13. My old apartment it is so beautiful to me.

14. Weight lifting

OK i will stop now 14 things are plenty to miss and the longer I think I will come up with more. Don't worry there are so so so so many things that I love about Peru.

1. I love getting funny looks for being the only gringo with 8 kids.

2. Hanging my clothes up on the clothes line to dry.

3. Playing like a kids with the kids

4. Most everything here is sooooo inexpensive.

5. Nice breezes and warm sun

6. New experiances and learning new things

7. Getting told I was going to marry the pastor's son whom I have never met - some things just make me laugh and I enjoy laughing

8. latin music

9. the access to fresh fruits

10. CHURROS!
11. the beautiful mountain and beach view from the roof

12. Patty will be here in one month!!!

13. Saying that I actually am doing what I have always wanted to do - live in a spanish speaking country working with kids.

14. I am going to miss winter in MS! YAY it will be summer here!

now time for sleep.

thought of 2 more things about home i will miss...football and christmas

Dirt

2009-08-16T17:36:00.000-05:00

I was digging a hole with Segundo, we had lots of fun!

Segundo putting his shoes on after cleaning them with sand.

Sebastian lying in the sand. We had a great play day!

Feet, they get dirty.

Ephesians 4:22-24

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Trujillo and most of the area around the coastline is very dirty. The people are very clean and keep their houses and things clean, but this part of the country itself is sandy and dirty. There isn't much grass. By the end of the day we are very sandy and our feet are usually black. The other day after playing outside with some friends I had sand in my hair, up my nose, in my ears, just everywhere! I couldn't just use a baby wipe and clean myself, I had to shower to become completely clean. We can look at our lives in sin that way. Sometimes it seems easier to pray a quick prayer to clean ourselves from our sins or change one or two things in our lives, but is it sincere? Or are we just doing it to make us feel better? Are we really becoming clean? I mean totally clean. We need to emerse ourselves into HIS arms, cry out to Christ and let Him know that we need Him to clean us. We cannot clean ourselves. We have to become clean in order to put on a new self. A clean self. I think I can look at the dirt from playing and the dirt from gardening as sin and at the end of the day I have to become clean, so instead of changing just clothes I have to become completely clean in Christ take off the old and be washed and put on the new.

The newness and excitment of being here is starting to wear off and I am tired some days from work, translating spanish all day, and the kids can be a handfull. Please pray that each morning will be a new morning in my eyes and I will look to Christ for help and not myself. Love to you all!

Susanna

Father I am running, Father I am coming home. Back to where I belong

2009-08-13T13:46:00.000-05:00

Strip away my calloused heart
Set Your arrow hit Your mark
Bring me back to where love starts
Bring me back to where You are

Father I'm running Father I'm coming home
I cannot go onYour child is running, Father I'm coming home
Back where I belong

I know You've heard this all before
When I'm down and crying on the floor
Saying I want You and nothing more

But I'm breaking in my heart tonight
I've tried to stand I've tried to fight
But I cannot see without Your light
No I cannot breathe without You

-This is a song by Phil Wickham called Home. I am not sure if any of you are familiar with his work, but he is truly an amazing and honest song writer. He hits you where it hurts. As I was listening to this song I realized that God is bringing me home, not my home with my family or even my new home here, but to His home. To His heart. That is my home. Everyday He reminds me that this life is not my own, it is His and I have to let Him lead the way, fight the fight, breathe for me, because without HIM I can NOTHING!!! I cannot go on without Him, so I have to run to Him. He is truly leading me back where I belong.

This week has been more challenging for me. It has been because God wants me not to lean on and trust in man, but in Him. Yesterday was my first day of working with Kevin. Kevin is one of our 15 yr olds. He goes to school until 9am then works with me until noon. He has the mind of about a 9 yr old and has to be prodded and you have to watch him always to make sure he gets his work done the right way and without playing around. So yesterday we dug 2 compost holes and filled them with rotten vegetables and weeds. Then we started to till the soil in one of the gardens. It was hard work and I had to constantly get onto him and keep telling him to work. It was a long morning but we got alot done. The gardens still need much much work.

That afternoon, a few boys from the Tesoros house came to work in their garden and they were so good at digging up all the veggies. They then were supposed to start digging up the soil when they found worms. They were so fascinated with the worms that they made homes for them, and they founf the mother and father worms for all the tiny children worms. It was soooo funny! I let them keep digging for worms because not only were they having the best time, they were actually getting the soil dug up! After that, I had hair practice with Yuliana. She is in regular school as well as cosmotology school. She needs alot of practice with her motor skills. I am her new doll. She gets to practice styles and rolling my hair 5 days a week. Yay me. I was miserable yesterday. It hurt really bad, and I don't like people touching my hair. As I sat in the chair I thought about how God is making me flexible, and also I heard kids playing outside and how much I wanted to be out there playing with them, than sitting there getting my hair done. On the brightside, my hair will look nice for the end of the day! HA!

This morning a few of us newbies went on a tour of the city of Trujillo, it was pretty good but I fell asleep in the post office. I was really tired from walking and the work I did the day before. But on the bus ride home I sat next to a woman named Matilla. She is from Salaverry which is right down the road from where we live and she was really nice. So nice she gave me her phone number. We talked about kids drinking and how many cows there were, what her family did for a living, where I was from, how many schools there were in Moche. It was a good bus ride. I was very thankful I could understand most of what she was saying and was able to talk to her the entire way! It was good! God id good!

Time to use my muscles in the garden again! I think I may start to get stronger by working there everyday! YAY! haha! Love to you all :)

Susanna

Carrots carrots and more beets

2009-08-11T14:00:00.000-05:00

Dante and me, I promise he smiled later!

Franklin and Pierro!

This is Segundo one of the newer kids...he always asks me to play with him

Everything has been going pretty well so far and I was thinking that things weren't going to get tough. HA! What was I thinking. I mean I am here to serve the Lord so of course satan is going to attack me all over the place.

Yesterday was a tough day. It was cold and I wasn't able to communicate much with anyone. Spanish just didn't make sense to me at all. I knew that I shouldn't have been getting frustrated because I have only been here for one week, but I was. Everyone I talked or tried to talk to in spanish would just make me tired.

This morning I was listening to a sermon of Chip's (my pastor in Jackson) and he was talking about how God wants us to be faithful to Him when the going gets tough. Satan is going to try and make us turn against God but we have to stand firm in what we believe. God will bless us like He did Job and he will give us more than we ever could have asked for. I have been thinking about this and so I looked at today with a new perspective. Today is a blank page that I can start over on and make up my own story, and satan is going to try and be the main character in that story but I cannot let him. Christ is the only main character in my life. Without Him I am nothing. Nada.

As I went to work today in the kitchen I went with a new attitude. I went in there not thinking about the laguage barrier but how can we work together to serve the Lord. Luce was the olny cook that was there today and we sat down and made spaghetti and grated carrots and beets for 3 hours! And we talked. We talked about our families and what I went to school for and so much more. She was such an encouragment to me today and she tols me that by the time I leave here my spanish will be perfect! I doubt it will be perfect, especially since the cooks talk alot of slang, so much more than I do at this moment. Thank goodness!

This afternoon I spent my time in the garden with the girls from the Chispa house and it was good. We had to dig up all the plants in their section and start to till the land...by hand shoveling and raking. Alex one of my bosses said it should take a few weeks to get the soil ready. I have never really gardened before and will be doing the majority of it here, it should be good though!

After my duties were done I went out to play with Segundo who was too busy playing with Dante for me, so I went to hangout with Arnold and the other boys who were playing with their "trompo's" or spinning tops. Jhonathan (11), who is a punk kid, always calls me Tia Mala, for no reason might I add. He was being himself, being tough, and I grabbed him up in my arms and told him I loved him and I felt his body loosen up and go almost limp. He loves me too :) I love moments like those. Those moments when you can take a kid in your arms and show them love that they never saw as a small child and let them be loved and they want it so bad but are so bad at letting people know it sometimes. When I told him I would be here for a year his eyes lit up too! And when Pierro asked if I would be there for his birthday in December and I said yes, he smiled the biggest smile and jumped into my arms like a little boy of 5 would. I loved and cherished that moment. There is so much love that needs to be given to each child specifically and there isn't enough time each day to get to every child one on one to give it to them.

Pray that God would allow more of those tender moments where we can show them love like Christ loves us. And Pray that those who can be adopted would get the chance to be adopted before it is too late ( Josue, Kevin, Yuliana, I know there are more too) and that for those older kids that they will get the attention from us that they need and the guidance. Pray that God would comfort those kids who are homesick and new to us. Pray pray pray! I have to remind myself of this daily. Love to you all!

Weekend and dancing

2009-08-10T15:37:00.000-05:00

Saturday night most of us volunteers went to Salaverry (which is only maybe a ten min walk from us) to eat dinner. We had a good time there and they had the best tres leches torta with whipped cream. Yumm! Then we went back to the alburgue and there was talk about dancing, I wasn't really up for it because we were going into Huanchaco the next day after church, but Sam conned me into it. So I went. What an experiance! First of all it was only 5 soles ( about $1.70), at home we pay about $10 to go dancing. I was speechless ha! So we were early, but people came in fairly soon after. It got crowded fast. The music is mostly reggaeton and salsa. We went with some of our Peruvian friends and they taught us some moves. It was really cool how the guys there can really dance and not just move from one foot to the other like at home. II think the guys could dance better than the girls! So with much laughter and apologies we made it through the night. I like to think that I did a decent job of learning the salsa/other dance moves but who knows...hahaha! My legs, mainly my calves are sore from dancing. What a great workout! They did play about three english songs. They were the oddest choices I thought, some songs from the late 90's and then of course the ultimate song "Apple Bottom Jeans" hahahahahha! I about fell on the ground laughing when I hard that song (reminds me of those good ole cheerleading days)!!!
The next day we went to Centro Biblico Church (the Elliot's church). Yes as in Jim Elliot's brother started this church! How cool is that! Then we went to Huanchaco to see the beach (it's much prettier than ours here) and grab lunch. We ate at this Mexican place that tasted like weird peruvian mexican and it was over priced. Then we looked at jewelry and walked along the board walk. I was hoping it would be warm by then, but I think it only got colder as the day went on. We had a good time but I left my camera battery in the charger so I will have to get pictures next time I go. We are thinking about camping on the beach! Then we went back into Trujillo to buy fruit and I have to say it is so nice to buy fresh fruit that doesn't have a sticker on it or been enhanced.
I will tell more about the kids later. Thanks for your prayers!

Week one

2009-08-08T12:39:00.000-05:00

Ok so I am going to give blogging a try...maybe it will be easier than journaling. Although something tells me they are the same thing.

I have officially been here in Trujillo for ten days. I was really disorriented at first and it was frustrating. I had a hard time understanding anyone who spoke spanish and everything about the culture and country of Peru is different from home, but after the first days were over I started to settle in and feel more at home.

There are about fourty kids here at the alburgue, ranging in ages from 2 - 15 years. There are four different houses for the kids; two boys (Amigos y Tesoros) and two girls (Luces y Chizpas). They each have a house mother who is there 24/7. Props to them because I couldn't do that! The kids have chores and help out around the alburgue to keep it looking nice. When they aren't in school or doing other activities they just run around and play like kids do. It is nice to hear the sounds of laughter and singing and all of the noises that children make.

Today they went to Pizza Hut in town so it is nice and quiet here! I did my first load of laundry and wow does it make me appreciate what I have at home in the US. The washer trickles water in so we have to pour buckets of water into it so that it won't take hours. Then we go onto the roof and hang our clothes on the line. But be sure to wipe it down or you will get black sand on your clothes! It is very much a different world than I am used to but I do love it here.

The kids were on vacation this week so we had activities for them in the morning. I was incharge of art and crafts. They were nuts, but we had fun! I am beginning to uderstand more spanish and they are helping me learn more.

Thursday at lunch I was able to have a decent conversation with some of the boys at my table and their house mother! It was actually a funny story. So I was sitting next to Arnold and Kevin and we were almost done eating lunch. I took a small bite of my salad which consisted of cucumbers and beets. I made a funny face and didn't eat anymore. The boys asked me if I liked it and I said no. They told me if I didn't eat my salad I wouldn't grow to be strong and well. They told me to eat 2 more small bites and that wouls suffice. So with horrible faces I ate my two bites. By then most of the other boys had gone to wash their dishes so Milagros (the house mother) came over to finish lunch with us. She told me to eat all of my salad so I could be strong. I was about to fall out laughing. She said she doesn't like some of the food but she makes the kids eat it so she must eat it also, and so must I! I tried not to think about the beety taste and finished my salad. After I did they clapped for me and told me that now I will be strong. It was really funny.

I miss you all and think of you often! Write more later :)