Friday, July 29, 2011

A Brief Journey to Cusco/Machu Picchu

Wednesday (7/20): As we walked off the plane in Cusco, we were greeted by our old friend the SUN!! :) We had not seen the seen since we had arrived in Peru, so we gladly embraced the suns warm rays. Clear blue skies and mountains as far as the eye could see – thank you Jesus for this beautiful welcoming!

Upon arriving to our hotel, we were given cups of cocoa tea (which helps the altitude not affect you as much) and slowly walked up to our rooms to rest for a couple of hours. After lunch, we traveled about 20-25 minutes to an all-boys orphanage called Jesus Mi Luz. We were led to la biblioteca (the library) where Giuli told the story of Hermie the caterpillar, then Jeanne and her told the Gospel story using colors of ribbon which we would later use to help us make mariposas (butterflies).

While we were coloring and creating mariposas is when I was introduced to one of the cutest little boys I have ever laid eyes on. When I asked him how old he was, his answer changed from cinco, nueve, siete, to seis, but I am pretty sure he is cinco. :) Meet my sweet little Toni.

Thursday (7/21): The alarm clocks went off around 5 AM and in about 30-45 minutes we began our adventure to Machu Picchu. After a 20 minute van ride to the train station, 3.5-hour train ride, 30-minute tour bus ride up the mountain which involved a handful of near head-on collisions with tour buses coming down the mountain and being scared by how close we were to the edge of the mountain, we finally arrived at our starting point. Our tour guide was booking it up endless amounts of stairs and steep inclines, and so when we stopped at resting points we were all out of breath because the altitude is a killer. However, the long day of travelling and not being able to catch out breath was worth once we got a glimpse of this…

Friday (7/22): This morning, we were only able to spend a couple of hours at the orphanage because we had to grab lunch and get to the airport in time to board our plane around one. While we were at the orphanage, we played elbow tag with the boys and then taught them how to play baseball. We even had time to play an actual game – they caught on fast and they absolutely LOVED it! Watching them laugh and smile when they themselves or a teammate hit the ball was such a joy :) Even though our trip to Cusco was very short, I would not have traded it for anything!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

I'm Ready for Change

This song has been playing in my head since I have arrived in Peru... such a beautiful and powerful message.

Daring To Be - Natalie Grant
I've had enough of the same old
Tired ordinary world
Telling my heart that I'm nothin'
But an ordinary girl
So sick and tired of falling for that lie every time
I've got a desire just to find out if there's more
And it starts tonight

CHORUS:
I'm waving goodbye to my pretty little life
Taking your hand and crossing that line
Daring to leave the old me
Shout it out loud, I'm not ashamed
Diving in now, and so not afraid
Hello to all that You see
And everything You made me
I'm daring to be

Perfectly safe and complacent
Those are words Your love's replaced
With fearless and brave, and courageous
Yeah, that's who I am today

CHORUS:
I'm waving goodbye to my pretty little life
Taking your hand and crossing that line

Daring to leave the old me
Shout it out loud, I'm not ashamed
Diving in now, and so not afraid
Hello to all that You see
And everything You made me
I'm daring to be

BRIDGE:
Can you hear it?
Calling every heart to come alive
Pulling us deeper
To the life that we were meant to find
And it starts tonight

CHORUS:
I'm waving goodbye to my pretty little life
Taking your hand and crossing that line
Daring to leave the old me
Shout it out loud, I'm not ashamed
Diving in now, and so not afraid
Hello to all that You see
And everything You made me
I'm daring to be

Friday, July 15, 2011

You are Enough

Oh Jesus, I know you are here, but I feel so alone right now... so incredibly alone. I know Your Word says, "I am not alone, for the Father is with me" (John 16:32), but why can't I feel Your presence?! Lord, lead me to some scripture to where I will feel Your arms wrapped around me, and I will know You are by my side.
Maybe You are teaching me something greater than I am allowing myself to see right now. You know I struggle with confiding in earthly people instead of my Heavenly Father. Maybe You have brought me here, away from everything going on back home, so as to strip away everything to where I HAVE to completely rely on You and Your Word alone. Nothing else.
Purify my heart of all negative thoughts so that I may SEE YOU! I want nothing more than to see Your face shining through this darkness. "The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." -Romans 13:12
Jesus, please allow Your Holy Spirit to break me from Satan's stronghold - I am not strong enough to do it on my own, I need Your help! Satan is trying to tear me down and fill my head with LIES about how You have deserted me. I refuse to believe the King of Lies! I REFUSE! Rid me of this darkness and fill me with Your light! I know you have promised us trials and tribulations here on earth, but I have been in this pit for long enough. This is my cry Oh Lord: "They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever." -Revelation 22:4-5
Dear Jesus, I am tired of being a "couch potato Christian." I desire to be used by You to bring glory and honor to Your name, for You are worthy of ALL praise. You deserve so much more than what my life has offered You thus far. Lord, I want my life to imitate Your ways and glorify Your sweet name. It's the least I can do for the One who gave EVERYTHING so that I may live. I am not called to live a "normal" life by the ways of this world, no, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to be an alien of this world - someone who is not afraid to go down the narrow path of life. Oh Lord, in the midst of this darkness, make me a light for the nations, so that Your salvation may reach to the end of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).

Lord Jesus, You are ALL I NEED!

No one else could ever take Your place.

I love You with ALL that is within me.

I praise Your wondrous and Holy name.

You are enough.

Amen.

In the Father's Hands

As we were sitting outside of the boy's home listening to Giuli tell the final part of the story about Joseph and his brothers, a sweet little boy came crawling into my lap. I sat there holding him and kissed his forehead over and over again, wanting him to know that he is loved. After we sat there in complete contentment, breathing simultaneously, I placed my hand out in front of him and with out a second thought, he placed his little brown hand in mine.
Even though I wanted to stay there holding his hand, we had to say our goodbyes. The only thing that got me through it, was remembering that everyone single one of those precious children are in the hands of our Heavenly Father.

"My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
-John 10:29


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Thank You, Jesus

This week, we have spent our days at a home called La Sagrada Familia, which is the place I met my sweet little Carlita, in the birth to 3 year old room, last year.
Carla is one of the sweetest little 2, now 3, year olds I have ever met! Each day I saw her last year, she would come running towards me with open arms. Every time she smiles, my heart melts a little more. I could look into those deep brown eyes for hours and hours.
Earlier this week, Giuli asked us if we had any expectations coming into this month, and I said no because I am extremely bad (or good) at comparing things so I wanted to come with an open mind and heart ready for God to work in whatever way! Well, this week brought to the surface an expectation I did not even realize I had... On Monday, we were not able to go to the babies room because we were painting the 4-6 year old boys rooms. However, we did go on Tuesday only to find that she was not there, but Guili told me that she was in the 4-6 year old girls room when she came here last month. So, I still had high hopes to see my precious little Carla again. When we walked into the 4-6 year old girls room later that afternoon, I found myself constantly looking around for my deep brown-eyed little girl. I asked Giuli where she ways, and she asked one of the other little girls where Carla was, and she told her that she had left the home. Immediately, I felt myself sink into sadness, but I had to hold myself together for all the other sweet girls vying for hugs and kisses.
Later in the evening, when we were back at the hotel, I pulled up pictures of Carla, and tears just started streaming down my face. I am selfishly sad, but genuinely happy for her because she is now back with her family. This is a crazy mix of emotions that I have never experienced before. That night, I prayed so hard for God to ease this pain in my heart and replace it with joy. I truly believe He answered my prayer the very next day through another precious face, who could seriously pass for Carla's little sister...
Thank You, Jesus for placing this sweet little baby in my path and for blessing me with the opportunity to hold her and play with her. She is the little angel You sent to ease my heart. :)

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Team Peru has landed!

After a couple days of orientation, learning about the history of Buckner, learning about our beloved country, cleaning out a shed, stacking TONS of boxes (filled with shoes, clothes for all ages, medical supplies, lines, socks, shoelaces, toys, etc.), and stocking up on humanitarian aid, we are finally on Peruvian soil!!! I am incredibly excited for all that God has planned for our team throughout this next month! I am humbled to play a miniscule part in God's great plan for the country. Our sweet Jesus has given me a love for this country and its orphans that is inexplainable - its a love I never knew existed until 3 years ago during my first trip here. That is when my life was flipped upside-down, and my God began to break my heart for the least of these. I saw poverty like I've never seen before... EXTREME poverty. I saw little orphan hands reaching up desperately wanting to be held. I felt sticky kisses (from lollipops) pressed hard against my cheeks. I felt arms wrapped around my waist in the biggest and most gentle hugs I have ever received. I felt hands clasped in mine as they desired to show off their latest art creation. I saw precious deep brown eyes that were filled with sadness from the past, yet hope for the future. Oh, those eyes, they just melt my heart. I saw sweet little faces that will forever be engraved on my heart.
Dear Jesus, please allow me to not become complacent because I have seen all these things before. Please open my eyes and heart to knew things, and break my heart for what breaks yours! I desire to be used by You to bring glory to Your precious name.

Much love from Peru!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Just 2 days away!!

On Thursday, July 7th, I will begin my third journey to my favorite place on the planet Earth... PERU! Words cannot even begin to describe my excitement! :)

After months of anticipation, I am just two days away from finally getting to meet (face-to-face) the other three members of my team - their names are Lauren (our leader), Jeanne, and Michael! We will begin our journey in Dallas, at the Buckner Missions office. After we arrive and greet each other with handshakes, high-fives, and hugs, everything will slowly dwindle down and we will begin to learn about the history of Buckner and how they are catalysts for change here in the U.S. and across the world! Next comes, saying adios to los padres and then the teams will play "get-to-know-ya" games, and share tons of smiles and laughter :) After a fun-filled day at the mission office, the Peru team will head to a hotel and stay there for two nights. On Saturday, July 9th, the team and I will board a plane that will take us to Miami and then to our final destination... PERU! :) I am seriously boiling over with anticipation! Every time someone asks me about Peru, I get all warm and fuzzy inside and a great big smile takes over my face!

P.S.
I will do my absolute best to keep up with this blog throughout the month. I am hoping to be able to post some pictures here as well, but I cannot make any promises on that one.

<3 James 1:27 <3