Peru Project- Jan19th-26th

Sorry the posts have been few and far between; we’ve been busy! Yesterday we split into two groups; one at Hannah’s and the other in Lima visiting the Compassion children they sponsor.

We ran out of nails for the nail gun on Wednesday. We can’t find nails for it anywhere, not even in Lima. Pneumatic nail guns are not sold in Peru. So we nailed the second story floor at Hanna’s Hope the old fashioned way. and we finished it! God has a way of making our task fit the time we have, and He strengthens us to complete the tasks well.

Another group at Hannah’s tiled the bathroom floor and the shower dividers. The Bathroom needs finished before the girls can come, so we worked with Wilmer and Jose’, two Peruvian contractors who work at Hannah’s. Both have a true talent at construction and are amazing teachers. We didn’t quite finish, but we gave it a great shot. They’ll finish in a day or so after we leave.

Our Compassion visit was incredible. The four children we visited were wonderful. They came from as far away as Pisco, a town damaged heavily by the earthquake. We toured the Lima Zoo (a first for all of them), ate at KFC (another first), and played on the toys at KFC.

Last night we ate barrell chicken (mmmm), sampled guinea pig (sort of gamey, like squirrel), and debreifed the trip on the beach around a camp fire. Life long relationships have been forged, and many of us cannot wait to be back to Peru.

I’ll keep blogging for another week or so as I process the trip, and I invite the participants to jump in and comment or blog as well.

In John Jesus says we must hurry to finish the task we have been given, because night is coming, and people need the Light of the world. Not only in Peru, but at home as well.

Keep the Faith!

David Meysembourg

A quick update for the last few days,

Wed -

We arrived at Hogar de Hannah early in the morning.  We took a tour of the compound and were getting fired up to start working.  However, we first went over to visit the little rascals at Hogar de Nino across the street.  That “quick” visit turned into several hours of joy.  We got a dance show from the kids (we got it on video), tour of the facility, and ended up hanging out with the little angels for a couple hours.  When Greg Traber walked in at first the kids didn’t recognize him but after only a few quick moments and someone mentioned the name “Shrek” all the kids quickly remember.  He is officially coined poppa bear by the Ni River crew.  After we were all exhausted from the kids we headed back to Hogar de Hannah. 

     Ashamed to say we didn’t do that much Wednsday evening work wise.  With most of us under the weather and the rest exhausted all we did was move the lumber to the back of the lot and evaluate the work to be done (decking, trusses, tiling, etc)

Thur.

     Today was HOT!  The sun came out early and we planned a lot of early work to avoid the afternoon sun.  Quite a bit of work got done on the deck, several trusses assembled, and the majority of the bathroom walls were finished being tiled.  After lunch we had an awesome opportunity to visit and minister to Erika and her mother down the street.  Erika’s mother has a sever illness that prevents her from working and supporting her three children.  We spent a few important minutes and provide a little support for her family.  We also visited Hogar de Nino again today and that is already the highlight of everyones day!

      Tomorrow we plan to work as much as we can on the decking, assemble and mount as many trusses, and knock out the tile in the bathroom. 

 Terry Witt 

Sorry it took so long gang, but we are finally up and running! So I’ll update you on the past three days activites.

We got into Lima a little late - about 40 minutes delayed. After a short wait for the bus, we were on our way to Hostal Alfa in Mira Flores, a district of Peru. The first night was long and loud (there’s 9 million people in Lima), but we all slept well.

Breakfast on Sunday was typical for the rest of the trip; scrambled eggs, rolls and strawberry jam. Washed down with fresh squeezed orange juice and a cup of Peruvian coffee. At noon we boarded the bus to go to the bus station(!) so we could get to Chincha, where our first project is.   Three hours later we checked into Hostal Oasis, our home until Tuesday afternoon. Off to Iglesia Emmanuel for service in another bus. We christened this bus the clown car. It’s a 12 person van, but at one time we had 19 people in it! But only once. The service was given by The World Racers from AIM. They are a group of people who have left home and family for one year to visit 12 countries in 12 months as missionaries. It was great!  We sang and worshipped and listened for two hours, but it seemed like much less. Then off again in the clown car for Hostal Oasis.

Chincha is a city of 177,000 people that was close to the epicenter of the earthquake in August. Most of the city is damaged, many people live in tents still. Iglesia Emmanuel was heavily damaged, and we are here to help repair some of the damage. We will repair two 10′x12′ walls, pour a sidewalk and love on some kids!

Long story short, we completed all the work and more! The sidewalk became a patio, and we demolished one 5′x30′ wall and moved the debris. And we repaired a block window that was damaged. Oh, and we carted all the kids we could in wheel barrows as well. We worked with several Peruonos (Peruvian); Oscar (el Maestro), Benito, Edgar ( Superman), Pedro, and Desi (Pastor Desi’s son).

But the highlight of the week had to be meeting and working with Pastor Desi and his wife Hilga. Desi said on Sunday that all they had worked for was lost in three seconds. But to spend time with them you would never know it. They cared for us, fed us, loved us and shared all they had with us. 

Now we’re at Ole Grande for the second leg of the trip. The Vonage phone and computer are down, and others want to use my laptop. Tomorrow night someone from each group will update for you. Tonight we are all well and looking forward to the ocean putting us to sleep.