As the weeks have gone by, I have been gradually getting to know the kids better. Each one of them has a special way of worming their way into your heart. The kids are divided up into houses, each with their own house mother. The houses are the Chispas (7 little girls ages 1 3/4 - 9ish), the Tesoros (9 little boys ages 2 - 8ish), the Luces (9 older girls ages 10 - 18), and the Amigos (10 older boys ages 10 - almost 17). There isn't a house that I don't throughly enjoy being with. The Chispas are super lovable, just a bunch of little girls ready to have fun. The Tesoros, well... they are crazy. The Luces, they were a tough group to crack at first, but after getting through, I really enjoy them. Then there are the Amigos, they are quite fun. The younger of them, remind me a lot of Isaiah when he is hanging out with his buds. The older ones, remind me of Ben and his group of friends. So, I guess I like being with them because they remind me of home.
The children here are a challenge to me every day. They have been through so much and still have such joy. Can I say that my mom use to bury me in sand as a babysitting method? How about that my mom tried to kill me? Did I have a pot of boiling water spill or get poured over me, resulting in a six month hospitalization? Did I have to run away, at the age of 9, with my little sister? No, and yet I complain. I see how much God has blessed me with, and yet I don't trust Him to provide. I have had nothing of the trials these children have faced, and yet I still have only a portion of their joy.
The past week has contained both experiences to challenge and times of simple fun. Last week we were able to take the kids on Salidas (little outings) as a treat they were told they would have around Christmas. We took the kids, in separate groups, to the Lagunas. (A pool) Here are some pictures of the group I went with.
On the way, Isabel is excited, however I am not sure what Abraham was doing...
Alex and Samir (Who must have been trying to look tough, because generally he is more smiley)Abraham helping Hyedi (Pronounced like Haiti) swim.
Jo with Alejandro.
Abraham watching it all, while still being protected from the sun's rays. He was covering with the towel to prevent skin cancer.
Jorge, such a sweetie. He's one who will run up and hug you every time he sees you.
Taking it all in.
Watching Abraham and David goof off.
Sisters! Isabel and Hyedi
A group of short termers were here for a week and a half. They were from Illinois. Katie, Kelly and Alex. They were a lot of fun. Unforunately, now they are gone.
Kelly is a pastry chief (pretty awesome job). She taught the kids to make cupcakes (homemade!), which is very difficult in the ovens they have here. She was my non-peruvian, peruvian Abbi.
Here are Katie and Kelly together.
Katie is getting her PHD in Math. She loved playing with the kids, especially the three little boys... Alejandro, Jose Luis, and Jhon (John).
Last weekend, we took seven of the older kids (and a majority of the volunteers) to the garbage dump. Thats right, I said garbage dump. We went the for a type of "kids club" which some ladies from another church hold. There is a whole community of people who live on the dump, and so we wanted to attend this club and have our kids give out gifts to those in even more need than them. It was really amazing. Some of the older boys were being particularly good with the kids and adults from the dump. One boy Josue (the oldest boy here at the orphanage), was extraordinarily thoughtful towards an older lady. When it came time to leave he gave her his hat. Talk about having so little, and yet being willing to give even that away. I am so glad that I was able to witness and be apart of that whole experience. Here are some pictures.
Just another day at the dump, burning some garbage.
Just setting stuff up at the church.
To the left of where the camera is standing, you have the "village," to the right, as you can see, the cemetery.
Kids coming to club. After seeing this, After School Kid's Clubs look plush.
Just having some fun before the start of club.
Bryson and Katie playing with the kids.
They have so little, and yet they glorify God. This kid's shirt says, "God is Love." This brother and sister walk all the way up the mountain (not really sure how to describe it), from the village below, to hear God's Word.
We brought Kelly's leftover cupcakes.
Our kids were so excited to hand out the presents. As you can see, Fernando was ready to go.
Abraham was being so loving to these little children...
and Isabel was right by his side.
Those kids were so happy.
Here they are with all their gifts. They said it was like a second Christmas, but even better. (I would assume they didn't really get much on Christmas.)
Going home after club.
Here is Josue with the lady he gave his hat too. (She is wearing it) I am so proud of him for this. It isn't something I can really describe with words.
In that day, we all learned a very important lesson, one that with stay with us for years to come. Through the love of children, this verse became real to me.
"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in the way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35