Caral - a Lenten lesson

March 2015

We visited the ancient city

Rooseveldt & Gladys

Pyramid

of Caral. The path to the pyramids are beautiful and with water.

Friday - March 20 - special delivery!

We had a bittersweet day as we cleaned up our stations and prepared to end our week with the wonderful people of CASP.  We all joined in and finished painting the children's play bus that has become a special project of Jills'. For those of us that are not artistic, this was a step outside the box. We made a three  hour round trip home visit to give a young girl a new wheelchair. This was a special way to end our wheelchair service with a trip to the edge of Peru and  observe the comings and goings of the  Pervian people. We were greeted by a very gracious mother and grandmother into their home with juice and muffins and the wheelchair fit our young student  perfectly ! Rita presented the family with a prayer shawl made by a member of her church.  We left with a gift of heavenly alfajores (pastry cookies filled with milky caramel & all dusted in powdered sugar) a treat we all have come to love.   We ended our time at CASP  with a fun party of games and dancing and snacks and cake.  We said our goodbyes with hugs & kisses and made a final trip to Wongs ( a Pervian version of Walmart). 
Our team finished this long day with our evening devotions talking about spiritual gifts and how we each thought God's love worked through us for our friends of Peru.

Randa

We are connected

Imagine being in a chair that is a 6 inches too short. You are dependent on this chair and must have it to go to school, home and out about town. You feel uncomfortable irritable and unable to sit up and participate in school.  This was Franchesca's experience. And now she has a new chair.

Chairs cannot be bought here- unless you are very wealthy and then they are orders in. We have to bring our chairs, parts and pieces- and pray for the best.

She is now sitting in the chair my son brought to Peru 2 years ago. Jeremiah's mission was to sit in the chair and bring it to Peru. Jeremiah doesn't talk (in the traditional sense). He doesn't like to be touched - he is autistic. But when we explained what he had to do to get to Peru - he did it.  He allowed himself to be patted down, he waited in line, and he allowed strangers to get close to him.
And now Franchesca has a chair!

Franchesca

Running out of equipment but plenty of love

March 18

We are over halfway through the list of names we have for appointments and we are starting to run out of supplies and equipment  transported from home in extra luggage.  What we haven't run out of are gracious families and happy faces. Parents are bringing their kids in early and several have had long waits to get in. Many have traveled for some distances just to get  the to the appointment. All the win-win pieces to this mission trip made for another rewarding day for those of us working at CASP in addition to repair and restoration of many wheelchairs.

Tonight we were taken out to dinner to Pardos  by the staff at CASP & we had delicious food and good fellowship. We followed up with a nice walk to the hardware store for a few things we need for tomorrow. Today I especially enjoyed watching an  early intervention session with the infant toddlers playing with the physical and speech therapist.  It's obvious there is much love and close connections between families and the school. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.   Randa 

Happy St. Patrick day

March 17

Raul

Just to show that it's not all work down here we got Raul to help get us going for Saint Patty's day! Had two very busy days working at CASP so far. Many people to see with seating and mobility needs and we never seem to have enough time or materials. Everyone seems to always really appreciate our efforts though and that's what makes it all worth while! These families simply have no other resource for this knowledge and I want to thank all those who I am so fortunate to work with, both here and at home, for all their support, as well as our families and friends. We definitely feel your love. Some of the team started painting the " bus" after a trip this morning to the lumber yard and craft store for needed supplies. Weather seems unusually hot for this time of year. Blessings to all.

Jesus

Blessings,
Dale Huffman

Monday full of love

Monday March 16, 2015

Today we were greated with moms, children, flowers and songs.  There were many tears, sounds of clapping and sighs of joy.  The children and teachers lined up by the front door and clapped us in.  The mothers performed a song which partly sang about making a million friends for our children.

We began with the tour, setting up shop, and getting our list of children and adults we would see throughout the week.  As usual we are hours behind after the first student.  We cannot help but greet, hug, and laugh which each new person who comes to see us.

The biggest challenge is realizing no matter what we bring; we will not have enough foam, wheel chairs, parts, or items to fix every situation.  But it is okay we remind ourselves because there will be another behind us to pick up the torch.

One of the students that travelled far we could not finish today.  We are going to their home on Friday.  It took them 2 hours to travel here.  We will take the 4 hours to travel to her on Friday.

This is only the second week of school.  And their communication boards are in full use. Some of us may need this since spanish is lacking:

Our team has found their niche.  I am to work with the parents on Thursday and looking forward to our time together.

Peace!
Georgia

Monday pictures tell many stories

Randa, Julio, Jill, Dale

Each of these pictures tell a story 1) Julio in for a tune up

Georgia & Mercedes                                                    2) old friends brought  together by our sons

Linda & Eda                                  3) New friends, with a chair tune up

Babies in Therapy play                       4) babies & family in for learning with play

Learning numbers                   5) Using a number game to learn numbers

Eda & Dale                         6) Dale helping Eda feel more secure in her chair.

Sunday March 15

Jill & Linda downtown Lima

Hola! We met the most wonderful couple! Mark & Beth Wethington. They head up the Wesleyan e-Comminity which will train pastors through Internet classes throughout Latin America! And what a need for such services! We enjoyed a wonderful church service with them before heading out to tour famous Lima sites. We saw the bones of the multitudes buried in the catacombs under the Church of San Francisco, and the actual burial place of the Conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Pretty exciting for this Spanish teacher. Great Sunday & ready to work at CASP!
From Rita

Peruvian woman

First whole day Peru - Air to Water

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13 - from Jill McCumby

 

Our team of Rita, Dale and I would leave from KS, MO and MI and head out on Peru, meeting up with Randa who had flown in on a different flight.  After 14 hrs later we would join Georgia and Linda at the Hotel San Miguel.

The  next day to relax and get our bearings to what would be very busy week, working with the children, we would go on a boat excursión to 2 islands, learning about the history of  Peru and a naval base.  The bond on the boat reminded you how easy it is to be with strangers who did not speak the language, because by the time we got off the boat, we had non verbal conversation with the locals, shared food and laugh, shared their children and took pictures of each other. We  saw birds, penguns and sea lions and…we were invited to swim with the sea lions!!!  They had wetsuits  or we could just jump in.  I chose to just jump in..the South Pacific Ocean baby!!!  The Peruvians were so kind, they took pics or everyone, we shared a picnic lunch proviced by the travel agents;  chicken salad sándwiches and pear juice.  The staff passed away drink of banana chips and colas.

We returned exhaustd and sunburned but it was a nice reprieve to a long airplane ride and we were all so impressed with the difference in quality of customer service in Peru.  After a long nap of 2 hrs, we would have dinner, and get some exercise by walking to the grocery store, always a really fun place to see the Peruvian groceries, eggs that don’t have to be refrigerated,  and different produce. An ice cream cone was in order by all, and that was even different..I tried Lucina, a fruit flavor that was peach in color. 

Devotions:  We talked about our day, learned about a weaving prayer from Georgia, where you wrap yarn around a frame and weave prayers in and out them, and picked a prayer of another person to pray for all week.  We arrived to our hotel room with thank you notes with Bible verses from Dale’s church. Thankful for 2 people flutent, 2 pastors, a new person (always fun to see them immerse into a misión trip) and a team of 6 that would change the lives of children in wheelchairs, and this was just day one…..

Randa, Georgia, Linda, Dale, Jill, Rita, Yeah!

We are all here safely. Bread coffee and fresh papaya juice with lovely stories of our travels. We are a bit tired from the travel so this morning we visit the coast wih sea lions and other lovely creatures. I am sure there will be many pictures to post😎.

Packing, weighing, packing again...

Our flights to Peru begin tomorrow.  Many have packed, repacked and will still be weighing their bags at the last minute.  It happens we know we are going to travel. We are excited, we plan, we prepare...yet are we ready? 

This is where I ask is your spiritual suitcase ready?  Sure you need some stuff...but honestly we have way more than we need.  If only we were as careful planning our spiritual selves for trips.  What spiritually have you packed and accidently left in your suitcase?  Anger, fear, resentment, judgement, frustration?  All of these need to be let go.  Instead replace them with these items joy, trust, openness, hope, love, and especially grace.  Pack these things and you will be ready to go for anything and everything.

Peace to you,
Georgia

Hola Georgia

Hola Amigos,
If you haven't figure it out by now, my favorite color is yellow!
I love to travel and hang around on the couch watching the birds (and squirrel) outside my window. I am looking forward to being with the people of Peru, sharing God's grace.  Peace!

Georgia on her porch

 

 

Welcome Linda!

I am a U Methodist elder serving two rural congregations in north central Kansas. What an adventure it is to accompany people through their life stories as we share faith together. I love to travel and have enjoyed trips to five continents. Gardening, events with family and friends and long walks keep my husband David and I busy and happy. We have have three grown children - daughter in St Louis, MO and two sons in Richmond, VA. What a joy to be part of this team!

Favorite activities: gardening, traveling, reading, sharing life with family and friends.
Colors: the pastels of springtime
Music: folk and bluegrass gospel
Books: I'm "reading around the world" and am in the Bs. Current favorites: "How the Soldier Repairs the Gramophone" (Bosnian author Sasa Stanisic) and "The Circle of Karma" (Bhutanese author Kunzang Choden).
Thankful: I love Latin America, the beauty of old Spanish colonial cities and the rich culture of Indigenous people. My only sibling, brother Danny, had severe brain damage as a result of encephalitis as a toddler, so CASP and its mission are close to my heart. What a privilege to go learn, serve and share together.

Welcome Jill!

Favorite activity;  Cooking
Color:  Green
Book:  Steve Hamilton: A Stolen Season
Thankful for Peru:  the ability to help my brothers and sisters in Christ and to be the feet and hands of Christ in another part of the world.  To help others, and see old friends, makes the image of Christ being so global, so real.

Introducing Rita

Hola! I'm Rita Tinkler. I'm a retired Spanish teacher who has enjoyed some volunteer activities in my travels to Spanish speaking countries. Then a pastor friend of mine (thanks, Dee Williamston) introduced me to my first Volunteer in Mission experience in Peru. Now I'm hooked! I challenge anyone to take this step with me. When I'm home in Kansas, I substitute teach, and also teach aquacise at the Y. I also keep the highway busy for the hour and a half trip to help with grandchildren ( ages 2,5, &7). I enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, working the puzzles in the newspaper, and looking forward to my next adventures in Peru--renewing old acquaintances and making new ones!

Welcome Dale!

Dale

I most enjoy playing music in church, favorite color is blue and the thing I enjoy most about Peru is being in fellowship with others serving the Lord. We are currently reading "The Story" by Randy Frazee and I am enjoying learning more about the Bible.

As a family we enjoy fly fishing and camping and I enjoy all types of photography. I also enjoy watching the Jayhawks and spending time with my two grand daughters.
 

 

Dale, Alajandra, Alajandra's dad

 

Meet Randa!

My name is Randa Vollertsen and I believe I am the last person to join the team.

My favorite activity is to travel and spend time with my 8 grandchildren in Chesapeake VA, Chicago and Norton, KS. I love gardening. I have a small greenhouse that I can escape to during the coldest part of the winter and surround myself with a little taste of summer. I also enjoy running and during the winter enjoy starting my day with a little time on an indoor treadmill and my I-pod music. I like to watch any type of sports and most especially KU basketball. I guess in a nutshell, I prefer to be outdoors. The only book I am "into now" would be the Adam Hamilton Bible Study series that my Sunday School class is working through. We are just finishing "The Way, Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus".

I have never been to Peru and am thankful to get this opportunity to join the VIM team to Peru and I am looking forward to meeting the people of Peru and sharing in their culture.

 

The journey continues - Peru 2015

The count down begins as we get ready to go to Peru.

Some of us go for the first time, others returning to serve again; either way you can begin to feel a bit fearful.  Did I pack enough?  Will I struggle with the language?  Will my family be safe?

Here is a verse to begin our journey:

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. 

Salmo 55:22
Echa sobre el Señor tu carga y El te sustentará;
El nunca permitirá que el justo sea sacudido^..

Pray for all who travel, who stay home, for those we will meet.  We never know who God intends us to be a blessing to and sometimes it is not who we expected!

We also now begin to introduce some who are going will be familiar and some new.  That will begin in the next set of blog announcements.

Peace be with you on your path,
Georgia