Boys, Girls, Friends, and Fun in the Sun

     Time goes on, and I have been bad at posting regularly. I am going to attempt to post at least a little something every other day. Anyway, on to what you really want to read about, the kids.

     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.

 Our first glimpses

 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

A Week of Firsts

     A week has gone by, and with its passing I have grown in my knowledge of how things work in Peru. Although, as you might be able to tell after this post, a lot of the things I have learned... have to do with food. (Maybe a little bit of culture as well.)

     First things first. On Tuesday of last week, we took an evening trip into Trujillo. We went to the center square named the Plaza de Armas. It was decorated for Christmas and there were peddlers milling about selling their wares.

The focal-point of the Plaza de Armas. 

 A cathedral

 A house I would love to own. :-) Isn't it beautiful?

 Some of the other volunteers. (Left to Right - Stephanie, Bryson, Courtney, Emily, and Tiffany)

Stephanie, Emily and Tiffany. Emily and Tiffany were short-termers from New Zealand. They left the orphanage on Sunday. 

     On Sunday I tried out the church, Centro Biblico, that most of the volunteers go to, along with one of the four houses of kids. (the little boys) It was fun to see them enjoy church. They even were given some pop before the service.

    

     On the food front, I had two very exciting things happen. First, I got a delicious hamburger from a little town (not at all a town like you will probably picture) called Salaverry. It consisted of a huge bun, two (thin but large) beef patties (I could have had a fried egg as well), and fries on top. All for the cheap price of 2 soles (2.7 soles = 1 dollar). It was great. Also, after church we went out, and I was able to try the milkshake that is notorious among the volunteers. It was oreo. It was scrumptious. 

     Although, food is definitely not all I should talk about. These children are such a blessing. They work hard, not only that, but they do it with a joyful attitude. On Monday I had to wash all the inside walls of the Chispa's (younger girls) house with a brillo pad. One of the girls helped me, and was quite happy to do so.

 Here are the twins washing their clothes/sheets. What 8(ish) year old do you know that does this?

     It is however summertime, and with that must come a little fun? What are two things that everybody wants in the summer? 

You guessed it! A pool and....

the Ocean 

Both of which I can see from my window. (Where these pictures were taken.)

     The girls and I had a nail painting party. Incase you didn't know... they are just typical girls. Here are some of the pictures they took with my camera. 

 Yameli and Rocio

 Just hanging out

Even the girls in Peru have Bieber Fever. (Ugh)

     A little story for you all. I was riding the Micro (a small bus) into town, and there were no seats... therefore I had to stand. Unforunately, Micros are not made for the tallest of people. While standing my shoulders were hitting the top of the bus and I had to have my head bent completely over. I looked behind me to see a man and his son cracking up laughing at me. So the moral of the story is... if you are tall and white, don't come to Peru and expect not to be laughed at. 

     Anyway, something I have been thinking about, is how blessed we all are. I am so grateful for my parents. After hearing these kid's stories, I hope I never forget how much I have.