What an amazing day! We spent the morning at the same sites we were at yesterday, and then had the championship. It was a blast! Let me tell you... Danny Hassler is hilarious! I wish I could describe the kind of spell he puts on these kids. He´s like the Pied Piper, running around with them chasing him! They love him, and you can tell how much he loves them too.
I`m sorry to report that the ladies lost the first Copa de Gringo volleyball match, 10 to 0! These Peruvians are serious about their sports! Don´t worry, we plan on using part of our day tomorrow to practice in hopes that we might at least score one point at the championship on Friday. (To be honest, we were impressed that we got the ball over the net... and that´s only because we served first!)
(just as a side note... we´re being serenaded by a Peruvian in the hotel lobby. I`m not sure where he came from, but he´s pretty good. Shawn matched his skills by playing ¨Stairway to Heaven. Not quite the same genre, but it worked.)
To end, Peruvian driving tip number 352--
When driving a taxi, honk your horn only after you are mid-way through an intersection that has no stop signs or traffic lights, so that another taxi stops only inches away from your car. Your customers will give you a bigger tip because they´re greatful to be alive!
Ok, the Peruvian is now playing Hotel California and we´re all trying to remember the words-I have to go so that I can concentrate. Wait... now we´re on La Bamba. Have a great night, guys!
-- Yolanda
Chiclayo Peru
FAME AND GLORY
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Day Two
Here we are, just finishing our first camp championship tournament. We are now done in the first two areas that we were working in. I preached a sermon on salvation today, that was crazy. I can tell you that I am proabably not the person that should be preaching. It was quite the experience. The championship was played in a stadium, and there were probably around 300 to 350 people that came out for the event. We had the volleyball tournament and the soccer tournament. After that we presented awards and sang a song, and then I preached. We were also rewarded with home made rice pudding, I sure hope it does not give us the Inca revenge. It was great. We are very excited about the last two days and are looking forward to the rest of the week. Wardell is going to teach a bible study at the local church tonight. Tomorrow is a day of rest. We all need to regroup and chill for a bit. The days have been long and hard, so we are looking forward to a down day.... Shamon
Day One Recap
Well day one is in the books.... It went really good. We broke down into two teams and went to two different squatter villages to run the soccer camps, vbs, volleyball and bible studies. I watched as my son Christian played soccer with the kids. At first they were not all that willing to pass him the ball, but by the end of the day they were begging for ¨Ingless¨ to help represent one of the local teams that will be in today´s tournament. I just hope that if they win, they wont want to keep him. He did great yesterday and really enjoyed playing with the kids. It is amazing to watch kids that can´t speak the same language work it all out and figure out a way to communicate. Christian and Landy both presented a bible devotion to the kids and at the end of the day, Landy presented the plan of slavation to the adults. The whole community had a blast. We are heading back today. Where I think I am supposed to preach tonight... That should be fun....
Tuesday!
Today is our last day at the first site. Yesterday started off a bit rocky, since the teacher of the local school decided not to let her kids out of class like she had promised Juan (speculation is that she found out we were a Christian group). We had smaller groups of kids in the morning, but made up for that yesterday afternoon, when both sites had more than 100 kids! We returned from lunch, and about 20 or so kids were waiting for us... we started handing out t shirts, and turned around and there were 100! Praise God!
Christian was worried that he would be run over by the kids here playing soccer, but he held his own with them, and even scored twice. He also gave a devotion yesterday, about God having a plan for each of their lives. He did great. My "baby" is really growing up-- I think he would have been fine on this trip without us, just goes off with the rest of the group and does his thing! He's already eaten cow heart and ceviche, and wants to try everything else he can. Let me tell you, the adults on this trip are amazed at how much this kid eats!
I was able to share a devotion with the kids yesterday, and then the plan of salvation with the adults as the camp was ending. Please pray that God`s Words are sunk deep into these people`s hearts. As you might know, this area is heavily entrenched in witchcraft.
Also pray for poor Novene and Wardel... they are still without bags!
Much love,
Yolanda
Christian was worried that he would be run over by the kids here playing soccer, but he held his own with them, and even scored twice. He also gave a devotion yesterday, about God having a plan for each of their lives. He did great. My "baby" is really growing up-- I think he would have been fine on this trip without us, just goes off with the rest of the group and does his thing! He's already eaten cow heart and ceviche, and wants to try everything else he can. Let me tell you, the adults on this trip are amazed at how much this kid eats!
I was able to share a devotion with the kids yesterday, and then the plan of salvation with the adults as the camp was ending. Please pray that God`s Words are sunk deep into these people`s hearts. As you might know, this area is heavily entrenched in witchcraft.
Also pray for poor Novene and Wardel... they are still without bags!
Much love,
Yolanda
Peruvian Driving 101
God is still in the miracle business!
I know that seems like a bold statement, so let me explain...some of our outings require us to ride in the local taxis. Doesn`t sound particularly miraculous, but the fact that we have all thus far lived through the experience is truly a miracle! Most of the streets here are standard streets with lines, however, those lines are apparently just a suggestion and there does not appear to be any laws requiring drivers to stay within them!
Some other observations about driving "etiquette" here in Peru:
1. If you don´t have a horn, and use it liberally, you will get nowhere.
2. Bumpers are for...well, bumping.
3. You can fit 6 cars (maybe more) in 2 standard lanes.
4. If you don´t get there first, it doesn´t count.
5. Finally... you really can get 6 people in a Daewoo hatchback.
On a more serious note, today was our first day of camp. Julia and I helped 42 preschoolers make a book about the 7 days of creation. They were so excited to make something for themselves with pretty colors and shiny stickers. They even insisted on having their pictures taken with their books. The kids are absolutely precious and treat us like celebrities--I had several moms hand me their babies just to have a picture taken with me. It has been very humbling to see how they live and how readily they accept us. God is so sweet to allow me the privilege of being here. Although the day was hectic, and I am very tired, I am excited to see what God has planned for tomorrow. I don´t want to miss one whisper He speaks or one fingerprint He leaves! Our God is truly amazing!
Resting in His arms (especially on the taxi rides!),
Tera
I know that seems like a bold statement, so let me explain...some of our outings require us to ride in the local taxis. Doesn`t sound particularly miraculous, but the fact that we have all thus far lived through the experience is truly a miracle! Most of the streets here are standard streets with lines, however, those lines are apparently just a suggestion and there does not appear to be any laws requiring drivers to stay within them!
Some other observations about driving "etiquette" here in Peru:
1. If you don´t have a horn, and use it liberally, you will get nowhere.
2. Bumpers are for...well, bumping.
3. You can fit 6 cars (maybe more) in 2 standard lanes.
4. If you don´t get there first, it doesn´t count.
5. Finally... you really can get 6 people in a Daewoo hatchback.
On a more serious note, today was our first day of camp. Julia and I helped 42 preschoolers make a book about the 7 days of creation. They were so excited to make something for themselves with pretty colors and shiny stickers. They even insisted on having their pictures taken with their books. The kids are absolutely precious and treat us like celebrities--I had several moms hand me their babies just to have a picture taken with me. It has been very humbling to see how they live and how readily they accept us. God is so sweet to allow me the privilege of being here. Although the day was hectic, and I am very tired, I am excited to see what God has planned for tomorrow. I don´t want to miss one whisper He speaks or one fingerprint He leaves! Our God is truly amazing!
Resting in His arms (especially on the taxi rides!),
Tera
Monday, June 23, 2008
Shamon Update
Well here we are. Today we will start soccer camps. I am looking forward to it. Things have been good so far, of course we are in South America and don´t speak the language, and that creates so many issues like trying to have the desk clerk at the hotel set up a wake up call only to have the guy come knocking on my door three seconds later and i am standing there not dressed to take company.... Moving around in a big group to and fro is tough. It takes very long to get around in a big group and it is wearing down Danny since he is translating for us. We went to a service last night where Mitch broke the record for the longest sermon ever. I think it went like three or four hours....
Here we go!
Yolanda here...
Today is the first day we´ll get to spend with the kids, and I think we´re all ready for that! I am so excited to be able to play volleyball with the groups of older girls- that was such a special thing last time. I hope that I am able to have some one on one with them.
This trip so far has been much different from last time. The hotel is nice, we have been eating great restaurant meals, and I even got a hot shower this morning! It almost feels like this part is the vacation! I am sure I will be exhausted by tonight... out schedule is very busy. Please pray for strength and endurance for all of us!
Yesterday was incredibly long, but wonderful. We ended the day by going to a local church service. It was wonderful to worship with the local congregation, even though I understood very little of it (except for Mitch York`s LONG message!). It is cool that we are working with local churches!
Ok, it is time for breakfast, so I am going to take advantage of tea and toast!
Today is the first day we´ll get to spend with the kids, and I think we´re all ready for that! I am so excited to be able to play volleyball with the groups of older girls- that was such a special thing last time. I hope that I am able to have some one on one with them.
This trip so far has been much different from last time. The hotel is nice, we have been eating great restaurant meals, and I even got a hot shower this morning! It almost feels like this part is the vacation! I am sure I will be exhausted by tonight... out schedule is very busy. Please pray for strength and endurance for all of us!
Yesterday was incredibly long, but wonderful. We ended the day by going to a local church service. It was wonderful to worship with the local congregation, even though I understood very little of it (except for Mitch York`s LONG message!). It is cool that we are working with local churches!
Ok, it is time for breakfast, so I am going to take advantage of tea and toast!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Rest Up And Ready to Go
We are all rest up and ready to go after our long travel from Tampa to Lima and finally to Chiclayo, Peru. Everyone seems to be in great spirit. I guess we will find out how energize we really are whenever Andy gets down stairs for lunch.
Wardell
Thank you Lord for our safe trip to Chiclayo. Unfortunately, our bag did not make it to Peru. We are anxious and hopefully that we will receive it within 5 days. We are blessed and are ready to meet the children.
Novene
Wardell
Thank you Lord for our safe trip to Chiclayo. Unfortunately, our bag did not make it to Peru. We are anxious and hopefully that we will receive it within 5 days. We are blessed and are ready to meet the children.
Novene
Traveling Man
We spent Saturday on three planes and hold up in multiple airport terminals but we finally made it to Chiclayo, Peru with most (but not all) of our luggage. All of the equipment and supplies made it but Wardell, Novene, and Andy are missing bags. I can loan Andy a shirt but Novene with out her wardrobe is a fashion disaster waiting to happen. Hopefully the bags will be here today. Here is a picture of the team killing six hours in the Lima terminal.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Tampa Tribune Article About Our Mission Trip!
Church Mission Gets Ball Rolling
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jun/14/pa-church-mission-gets-ball-rolling/
By DIANE LOEBEL
The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 14, 2008
NEW PORT RICHEY - Twenty-one people from First Baptist Church of New Tampa will leave June 21 for a weeklong mission trip to Chiclayo, Peru.
This year - the Wesley Chapel church's fifth in Peru - the group will work with missionary Juan Barone Vargas, Peruvian and Chiclayo government officials, educators, schools and individuals from mission teams already in the country.
The church funds Vargas and budgets money annually for a mission trip. Team members kick in extra money for personal items that aren't covered. Fundraisers are held throughout the year.
"The program is very well-received, with great support from the congregation," said Jim Allee, an associate pastor at the church.
This year, the group again will stage soccer camps. Last year's camps drew about 260 children from the rural Zania Valley area.
More than 450 youngsters from shantytowns across the coastal city of Chiclayo have signed up for soccer this year after hearing about the camps at school, church and by word of mouth.
"We hold soccer camps in Wesley Chapel in spring and fall," Allee said. "They are very popular and very well-attended. We adapted our local soccer program for the mission program."
First Baptist officials say the soccer ministry is a good way to encourage children to go to church. Vacation Bible School studies are intermingled with the soccer sessions.
Youngsters ages 6 to 12 play on concrete or dirt because there's no grass. In the morning, children 3 to 5 keep busy with crafts and Bible stories. All are fed a nutritious lunch daily.
"The children love it," church mission director Michael Ritchie said. "They don't have a chance to play organized soccer in their towns and villages, although they do have village teams that compete with each other. The kids are tough. If they fall on the cement, they just get right back up and keep going."
Four two-day camps are offered, with a tournament capping the mission trip. Each participant receives a T-shirt, medal and photo. Tournament winners also get trophies and soccer balls.
In the evenings, the missionaries work with adults in neighboring churches and villages.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF NEW TAMPA
WHERE: 28125 County Line Road, Wesley Chapel
WORSHIP: 8:15 and 10:50 a.m. Sundays; 9:30 a.m. is Sunday school for all ages; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday is Bible study; a Spanish mission service is at 7 p.m. Saturday
CALL: (813) 907-1685
ONLINE: www.fbcnewtampa.org
To suggest a Faith in Focus feature, call Jeff Scullin, (813) 779-4614; write him at The Tampa Tribune, 38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills FL 33542; or e-mail jscullin@tampatrib.com.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jun/14/pa-church-mission-gets-ball-rolling/
By DIANE LOEBEL
The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 14, 2008
NEW PORT RICHEY - Twenty-one people from First Baptist Church of New Tampa will leave June 21 for a weeklong mission trip to Chiclayo, Peru.
This year - the Wesley Chapel church's fifth in Peru - the group will work with missionary Juan Barone Vargas, Peruvian and Chiclayo government officials, educators, schools and individuals from mission teams already in the country.
The church funds Vargas and budgets money annually for a mission trip. Team members kick in extra money for personal items that aren't covered. Fundraisers are held throughout the year.
"The program is very well-received, with great support from the congregation," said Jim Allee, an associate pastor at the church.
This year, the group again will stage soccer camps. Last year's camps drew about 260 children from the rural Zania Valley area.
More than 450 youngsters from shantytowns across the coastal city of Chiclayo have signed up for soccer this year after hearing about the camps at school, church and by word of mouth.
"We hold soccer camps in Wesley Chapel in spring and fall," Allee said. "They are very popular and very well-attended. We adapted our local soccer program for the mission program."
First Baptist officials say the soccer ministry is a good way to encourage children to go to church. Vacation Bible School studies are intermingled with the soccer sessions.
Youngsters ages 6 to 12 play on concrete or dirt because there's no grass. In the morning, children 3 to 5 keep busy with crafts and Bible stories. All are fed a nutritious lunch daily.
"The children love it," church mission director Michael Ritchie said. "They don't have a chance to play organized soccer in their towns and villages, although they do have village teams that compete with each other. The kids are tough. If they fall on the cement, they just get right back up and keep going."
Four two-day camps are offered, with a tournament capping the mission trip. Each participant receives a T-shirt, medal and photo. Tournament winners also get trophies and soccer balls.
In the evenings, the missionaries work with adults in neighboring churches and villages.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF NEW TAMPA
WHERE: 28125 County Line Road, Wesley Chapel
WORSHIP: 8:15 and 10:50 a.m. Sundays; 9:30 a.m. is Sunday school for all ages; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday is Bible study; a Spanish mission service is at 7 p.m. Saturday
CALL: (813) 907-1685
ONLINE: www.fbcnewtampa.org
To suggest a Faith in Focus feature, call Jeff Scullin, (813) 779-4614; write him at The Tampa Tribune, 38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills FL 33542; or e-mail jscullin@tampatrib.com.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Mission Support Letter
Dear Mission Support Team,
It’s almost time to go and we are getting very excited! In-country missionaries Juan and Alicia have been busy contacting local schools and setting up locations for us to do soccer camps with elementary aged children and vacation bible schools with preschoolers. They have told us to prepare for over 400 children! We praise God for opening these doors of ministry to us.
We are still putting the final details in place and preparing for our departure. We’ve ordered our supplies and we’re getting our vaccines. We’re trying to learn some songs in Spanish and we’re preparing our hearts for whatever God has for us to do. We ask that you continue to pray for us in these final weeks of preparation and especially while we are away.
Specific prayer needs:
· God’s blessing for Juan, Alicia and their family.
· The Holy Spirit to go before us and open the hearts of the children and parents we will meet.
· That our spiritual eyes would be open to God’s hand at work and that we would each be changed by our time in Peru.
· Health and safety as we travel. We will leave on June 21st.
· Safety and protection for our children and their caregivers left behind.
Thank you for your prayers and support for this ministry. We look forward to sharing with you when we return!
Serving Him,
Peru Mission Team
Come celebrate with us!
Please join us for our Missions Dinner
Wednesday, July 9th at 6:00pm
At First Baptist Church of New Tampa
We’ll be sharing photos and testimony from our Peru trip.
Come see how your prayers and financial support made an impact
on the people of Peru and on us!
Please RSVP to the church office (813-907-1685) by Friday, July 4th
We are located at 28125 County Line Rd. Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
Just off Bruce B. Downs, across from Super Target--Inside Meadow Pointe Subdivision
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Gearing Up
I can't believe that we'll be in Peru in just three short weeks! I know that time will go by very quickly, and I'm trying to prepare myself physically, mentally, and spiritually. We had a team meeting Tuesday night, and I think I was becoming a bit overwhelmed with the thought of us all trying to coordinate 21 people going on this trip, the enormity of knowing that we'll have about 400 (!!) kids to minister to, and the reality of what a challenge it is to fund all of it. All along, we have wanted to give the children of Peru the same opportunity our own kids have when they play soccer-- a t-shirt, medal, and picture. That was much a much easier task to accomplish last year, when we had less than half of that number, but what a wonderful "problem" to have!!
Shamon, Christian, and I went today to get shots-- yellow fever for all of us, and tetanus for Shamon and me (probably a good idea... I was a little nervous last year when I scratched myself on a rusty iron fence!). Christian was the first one to get poked, and he took the needle like a champ, even after we told him it was an early birthday present (his birthday's Monday)! ;) I'm so proud of him; he is so ready to just take in the whole experience, and is quite adventurous. I can't wait to see what God is going to do in my baby's life while we're in Peru!
Please, please continue to pray for us! We covet the petitions you place before the throne of God on our behalf. It's only through the power of prayer that we will be able to accomplish anything on our trip, and I SO want to show God off and glorify Him!
Those shots have wiped me out, so I'm off to bed!
Shamon, Christian, and I went today to get shots-- yellow fever for all of us, and tetanus for Shamon and me (probably a good idea... I was a little nervous last year when I scratched myself on a rusty iron fence!). Christian was the first one to get poked, and he took the needle like a champ, even after we told him it was an early birthday present (his birthday's Monday)! ;) I'm so proud of him; he is so ready to just take in the whole experience, and is quite adventurous. I can't wait to see what God is going to do in my baby's life while we're in Peru!
Please, please continue to pray for us! We covet the petitions you place before the throne of God on our behalf. It's only through the power of prayer that we will be able to accomplish anything on our trip, and I SO want to show God off and glorify Him!
Those shots have wiped me out, so I'm off to bed!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Schedule of Activities 2008
Schedule of Activities
Sunday 22
5.10 am - Arrive in Chiclayo
1.00 pm - Orientation and Coordinating Meeting
6.00 pm - Sunday Service (Jesús the Savior Church)
8.30 pm - Dinner
Monday 23
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm - Dinner
Tuesday 24
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm – Dinner
Wednesday 25
Down day to recover and regroup
Thursday 26
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm – Dinner
Friday 27
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm – Dinner
Saturday 28
9:00 am Local Ministry
5.00 pm Airport Return trip to Lima
Sunday 22
5.10 am - Arrive in Chiclayo
1.00 pm - Orientation and Coordinating Meeting
6.00 pm - Sunday Service (Jesús the Savior Church)
8.30 pm - Dinner
Monday 23
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm - Dinner
Tuesday 24
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm – Dinner
Wednesday 25
Down day to recover and regroup
Thursday 26
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm – Dinner
Friday 27
7.30 am - Breakfast
9.00 am – Soccer Camps
1.00 pm - Lunch
3.00 pm – Soccer Camps
5.15 pm – Minister to families
8.00 pm – Dinner
Saturday 28
9:00 am Local Ministry
5.00 pm Airport Return trip to Lima
Peru Chiclayo 2008 Soccer Mission
Here we are again, preparing to embark on our second soccer mission to the Chiclayo area of Peru. The trip this year involves many of the same people as last year and will take place June 21 2008 through June 28 2008. Planning and preperation are well underway.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Maggy
Is been great so far, I had a great time watching the guys playing really hard with kids half their age. I say they were just fine, for all of them being in their 30´s or mid 40´s. :)
God´s is been so good to us during this time, we will be back soon and our prayers need to be with the Missionaries here Lisa, Juan Baron and his wife Alicia.
God´s is been so good to us during this time, we will be back soon and our prayers need to be with the Missionaries here Lisa, Juan Baron and his wife Alicia.
Our last day
Today was our last day of camp for each group. I think all of the guys will be limping around for days to come... after playing soccer all day with the kids, they faced each other, and then the locals. Our guys played really well together, but I have to say that they struggled a bit to match the skills of these men. Tomorrow is the big tournement with kids from each of the four areas we´ve visited facing off for the championship. Talk is big all over town, and I think we´ll have quite a turnout. We´re really excited to see what tomorrow brings. After the tournement, we head out to Chiclyo to begin our journey back to Lima, where some of us will fly home and some will continue on to Machu Pichu.
We had a wonderful time of fellowship and prayer last night. This part of Peru is really sunk in witchcraft, and you can tell that there´s warfare going on-- but nothing God doesn´t already have a handle on. It´s so important for us to continue to build relationships with these people so that they can understand that our only motive for being here is to tell them about Jesus and show them His love.
Í had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with four teen-aged girls, who I had been playing volleyball with until they stopped and asked if they could practice their English. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to practice my Spanish, and Maggie gave us a tract to go over together. I was able to share on a very intimate basis God´s love for them and His perfect plan for them. Surprisingly, I was also able to share with Molly, an American Peace Corp volunteer who is working with us. Each one in our group could share similar stories... I´m learning that missions work is all about making yourself available to the people around you.
I will be sad to leave tomorrow. The time has gone by so quickly, and we´ve made a little home away from home here--with the exception of the toilets and the cold showers! ;) I´m really going to miss the kids and their bright smiles and hugs, and the parents thanking us for being here. Today, as our group left Popan Bajo, a little old lady who knew Mitch and Debbie from their trip in October was there. She had the Bible that they had given her from that trip and asked us to come back again and again. That´s what it´s all about!
We had a wonderful time of fellowship and prayer last night. This part of Peru is really sunk in witchcraft, and you can tell that there´s warfare going on-- but nothing God doesn´t already have a handle on. It´s so important for us to continue to build relationships with these people so that they can understand that our only motive for being here is to tell them about Jesus and show them His love.
Í had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with four teen-aged girls, who I had been playing volleyball with until they stopped and asked if they could practice their English. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to practice my Spanish, and Maggie gave us a tract to go over together. I was able to share on a very intimate basis God´s love for them and His perfect plan for them. Surprisingly, I was also able to share with Molly, an American Peace Corp volunteer who is working with us. Each one in our group could share similar stories... I´m learning that missions work is all about making yourself available to the people around you.
I will be sad to leave tomorrow. The time has gone by so quickly, and we´ve made a little home away from home here--with the exception of the toilets and the cold showers! ;) I´m really going to miss the kids and their bright smiles and hugs, and the parents thanking us for being here. Today, as our group left Popan Bajo, a little old lady who knew Mitch and Debbie from their trip in October was there. She had the Bible that they had given her from that trip and asked us to come back again and again. That´s what it´s all about!
Shamon Updates Again!
OK, here it is Friday already and I have only had one hot shower since we left the states. The cold showers are starting to get a little old. We wrapped up todays camps and visits and had a wonderful time today. The way the camps work is that we start the day with a devotional for the kids, then play half a game. These kids can play! We then include devotionals during the day in between the half times and games. These kids really love to play and they will do it all day. They are really excited to see us show up in the mornings. It really touches your heart to see them interact with us and talk to us. We have now run four two day camps. The camps are in different areas, and we will have a "Copa de Peru" tomorrow where we have chosen twelve kids from each camp to represent their area in a tournament. That will be played tomorrow morning in the town sadium. The kids are really pumped about it. After the tournament we will give the winners some new balls and take all the kids and their parents out to eat.
For these camps, we broke down into two teams and each team ran two camps that were two days each. After the teams came back in today, we had a "Copa de Gringo" where a bunch of the local people watched us make fools of ourselves when we played each other. Andy´s team won, but only because the game was on concrete and the other team had been playing in the sand all week.
The funniest thing happened the other day, while playing the kids in one of the remote sites, Mitch York was putting the ball in play via a corner kick. Well, he ended up kicking the cow crap farther then the ball. Today, when we were playing, I was passed the ball and turned around to see that I was being covered by a cow. I was able to beat the cow to the ball though. This place is a hoot.
We spent some great time in prayer last night with everyone in our group and were able to take a few minutes to catch our breath and talk things trough. The group really enjoyed it, and needed it, we were able to use the time to refocus on why we were here. It is really easy to get lost in the busyness of what we are doing.
It is funny, almost everyone has decided that they will be back next year to do this again. This has just made such an impact on the communities and us. I am trying to talk Landy into moving down here with me and living in a adobe hut in the middle of nowhere. All we would need is a couple of chickens and a cow.
Shamon
For these camps, we broke down into two teams and each team ran two camps that were two days each. After the teams came back in today, we had a "Copa de Gringo" where a bunch of the local people watched us make fools of ourselves when we played each other. Andy´s team won, but only because the game was on concrete and the other team had been playing in the sand all week.
The funniest thing happened the other day, while playing the kids in one of the remote sites, Mitch York was putting the ball in play via a corner kick. Well, he ended up kicking the cow crap farther then the ball. Today, when we were playing, I was passed the ball and turned around to see that I was being covered by a cow. I was able to beat the cow to the ball though. This place is a hoot.
We spent some great time in prayer last night with everyone in our group and were able to take a few minutes to catch our breath and talk things trough. The group really enjoyed it, and needed it, we were able to use the time to refocus on why we were here. It is really easy to get lost in the busyness of what we are doing.
It is funny, almost everyone has decided that they will be back next year to do this again. This has just made such an impact on the communities and us. I am trying to talk Landy into moving down here with me and living in a adobe hut in the middle of nowhere. All we would need is a couple of chickens and a cow.
Shamon
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Mitch York here...
I have very little time to post... the kids have been awesome and we have been well received. In other news, I have now played soccer for the first time in my life, two days in a row. I can say two more sentences in Spanish very well... ¨My enitire body hurts and I want to die.¨ To make it worse, I have been playing with 11 year olds and tomorrow the local adults want us to play them.
Young Mitch taught a great lesson two nights ago and Mike Ritchey gave a fantastic message after we sowed the fïlm Facing Giants. Everyone at FBCNT should be proud of the group they are stepping up and doing great things. Andy got bit by a wasp on the mouth but other than that, everyone is ok. God bless and see you all soon.
Young Mitch taught a great lesson two nights ago and Mike Ritchey gave a fantastic message after we sowed the fïlm Facing Giants. Everyone at FBCNT should be proud of the group they are stepping up and doing great things. Andy got bit by a wasp on the mouth but other than that, everyone is ok. God bless and see you all soon.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Now it´s my turn...
Yolanda, here. I just wanted to share what an amazing experience this has been so far. We have been so warmly received by the people here... it has been very humbling. They are so excited that someone from the "outside" has come so far just to see them.
The soccer clinics have been a great way to reach out to the people. The kids have been so excited... they could hardly wait to show us their soccer skills, and let me tell you that they are GOOD. It touched me so to see them cheer and jump up and down when we stopped to pick a group up this morning. They were thrilled to get their picture and metal this afternoon at the closing ceremony at this site. The players chosen for the "Peru Cup" that will be played Saturday, as well as their parents, were so proud of this honor. We go to another area tomorrow to work with another group of kids for the next two days.
I was so moved today when the group of locals presented each one of us with gifts and one person after another stood to thank us. These people, who are the definition of the word "dirt poor", gave us gifts to thank us, when we had already recieved such a gift of being with them. There have been some very exciting conversations with the adults, but I´ll let the others share that.
We´re all already planning our next trip. Shamon and I have totally fallen in love with two 12 year old boys and want to bring them home with us, and I´m sure we´ll find more the next few days. The people here are precious. We are all totally exhausted (so excuse any part of this post that doesn´t make sense), but are out of this world excited about what´s happening and what´s to come... not just for this trip, but for future ones. Start praying now about how God wants you to be involved in the days to come. He´s planning an amazing work here, and we would miss out on so much if we don´t join.
On one last note, I wanted to share how God provides for His children. Julia wanted me to tell you that their group fed 72 people with 5 chickens. Talk about fishes and loaves! I´m most thankful that me, the queen of making trips to the bathroom, have been spared the experience of using the local baños at the soccer fields. God is, indeed, very gracious to me! *)
More stories to come!
The soccer clinics have been a great way to reach out to the people. The kids have been so excited... they could hardly wait to show us their soccer skills, and let me tell you that they are GOOD. It touched me so to see them cheer and jump up and down when we stopped to pick a group up this morning. They were thrilled to get their picture and metal this afternoon at the closing ceremony at this site. The players chosen for the "Peru Cup" that will be played Saturday, as well as their parents, were so proud of this honor. We go to another area tomorrow to work with another group of kids for the next two days.
I was so moved today when the group of locals presented each one of us with gifts and one person after another stood to thank us. These people, who are the definition of the word "dirt poor", gave us gifts to thank us, when we had already recieved such a gift of being with them. There have been some very exciting conversations with the adults, but I´ll let the others share that.
We´re all already planning our next trip. Shamon and I have totally fallen in love with two 12 year old boys and want to bring them home with us, and I´m sure we´ll find more the next few days. The people here are precious. We are all totally exhausted (so excuse any part of this post that doesn´t make sense), but are out of this world excited about what´s happening and what´s to come... not just for this trip, but for future ones. Start praying now about how God wants you to be involved in the days to come. He´s planning an amazing work here, and we would miss out on so much if we don´t join.
On one last note, I wanted to share how God provides for His children. Julia wanted me to tell you that their group fed 72 people with 5 chickens. Talk about fishes and loaves! I´m most thankful that me, the queen of making trips to the bathroom, have been spared the experience of using the local baños at the soccer fields. God is, indeed, very gracious to me! *)
More stories to come!
Hola From Peru!
Hello Guys!
This is Shamon saying hi for the group in Peru. We are sitting in an internet cafe in Cayalti Peru. Currently we are in the middle of showing the locals the movie Facing the Giants. The movie theater is very state of the art. Basically it consists of a movie projector hooked up to a laptop and projecting on the side of a building. The people that are watching the movie are sitting in chairs in the middle of the street. I hope they are enjoying it.
It has been hard to get internet access because we have been on the run constantly for the last three days. The soccer clinics to date could not have been any better, but there is nothing that we are teaching the kids about soccer. They are very good.
We broke down into two groups for the clinics that we have been running. Basically, we have the kids broken down into multiple teams and then they play each other throughout the day. In the breaks between half times and after games we give short devotionals. The kids have been very responsive to this so far. They love the attention. Loving on these kids really leaves a lasting impression.
Andy says hello everyone!
The camp that I have been involved in was in a very remote area. It was amazing how we bounced along a dirt road in the middle of the barren desert for an hour to come to a little adobe hut with tin roof and there is a little sandy field that we are playing soccer on.
Oh yeah, so far Andy has been stung by a wasp and fell through a chair (had to get that in). This has been much enjoyment for the rest of us.
Shamon
This is Shamon saying hi for the group in Peru. We are sitting in an internet cafe in Cayalti Peru. Currently we are in the middle of showing the locals the movie Facing the Giants. The movie theater is very state of the art. Basically it consists of a movie projector hooked up to a laptop and projecting on the side of a building. The people that are watching the movie are sitting in chairs in the middle of the street. I hope they are enjoying it.
It has been hard to get internet access because we have been on the run constantly for the last three days. The soccer clinics to date could not have been any better, but there is nothing that we are teaching the kids about soccer. They are very good.
We broke down into two groups for the clinics that we have been running. Basically, we have the kids broken down into multiple teams and then they play each other throughout the day. In the breaks between half times and after games we give short devotionals. The kids have been very responsive to this so far. They love the attention. Loving on these kids really leaves a lasting impression.
Andy says hello everyone!
The camp that I have been involved in was in a very remote area. It was amazing how we bounced along a dirt road in the middle of the barren desert for an hour to come to a little adobe hut with tin roof and there is a little sandy field that we are playing soccer on.
Oh yeah, so far Andy has been stung by a wasp and fell through a chair (had to get that in). This has been much enjoyment for the rest of us.
Shamon
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