Independence

Independence is something most people take for granted. It is something I have rarely experienced.  As a young man with seizures, and inability to "talk" in the traditional sense many people take care of me. I have since birth had help with going to the bathroom, feeding, walking, medicines, etc.  But here at CASP some things have changed - my mom let go of me for about 15 minutes.

Sounds like no big deal I'm sure but it was for both of us as I walked around the school by myself.  I went straight up to the third floor and then tried a few doors.  They were locked!  So I kept going until I reached my class room.  It seemed all very strange this new freedom.  I suspect I could get use to it!

(This is now mom) I did let Jeremiah go not easily though as I was encouraged by one of the mom's that this is a safe place and that I could watch him from the second floor.  So I let go for the first time in 19 years!  I thought my heart would stop.  I can't explain exactly what it felt like except that for a mother with a special child the fears are countless.  But I did it and throughout the week I would do it for 5 minutes at a time.  (these things take time)

Jeremiah doing laundry ( also learned to fold)

Taking turns with my class with the dogs

Franco he loved the pizza

Jeremiah &   Morgan sharing pizza

Claudia, Liliana, Karla - more of my classmates

One of the other things we got to do is to learn math by buying pizza - great deal huh!  We brought a gift from the Youth fund of the United Methodist Church which we partially used here at CASP.  With the money we bought pizza for 31 students.  But before we could order, we had to figure out how many pieces of pizza were needed, how many pizzas that meant, and how much they would cost.  One of the cool things is that one of the CASP alumni works at Pizza Hut and they gave us their discount!  So all our pizzas were buy one get one free!  We had a great time and no one talked much after the pizza arrived. :)

Over all my time at CASP has been wonderful.  I wish I could go to school here longer and take more time to learn with my new friends.  But I know my dog at home will miss me and probably be hungry since he eats all my leftovers. Please pray for my new friends they work very hard learning new things and hope to one day help there moms & dads.

Peace to you!   Jeremiah (and mom)

We are blessed!

Felix, Dwayne, John

Chris in Pharmacy

Waiting for the doctor

We're starting our second day of work here at CASP.  John is displaying his DEstruction skills by helping knock down a wall to enlarge their computer lab. Sheila and Earlyn have proven they can work side-by-side with Spanish-speaking women here without having language skills.  Teresa is proving her worth at taking blood pressures, etc. Chris is working in the pharmacy and also taking "mug shots" of patients for his dad's records. Rita is interviewing the patients or their caregivers before they see the doctor to streamline his work. Jeremiah is attending classes here, adapting very well.  Georgia and Dwayne are keeping an eye on Jeremiah and helping here and there.  Dr. Darcy was busy all day yesterday with patients, and we were here after most of the regular staff had left for the evening.  We are all staying in good health, and are blessed to be in a place so welcoming and appreciative of what we do.  The weather is much better than I'd imagined for a Peruvian winter. The food has been great.  And the people are wonderful.  We truly are blessed. 

                    --Yours in Christ,   Rita

Today was a good day

Jeremiah had his first day of class and made many new friends. He has a wonderful helper her name is Morgan.  She is a college student studying to be a PT..and she is from Kansas University (small world).  One of the many thing Jeremiah learned today is to fold laundry!

I also got to see abuela who is this wonderful woman, who is Jesus incarnate to me. She is kind, loving, supportive and shares all that in kind words with you. Only she is sitting in a wheel chair as she is telling you how grateful she is to see you, how you have a kind heart & that she can see Jesus working through you. It really is a privilege to be in her presence. She has a calming about her that is reassuring. Kind of like if she left the world tonight, you just know that she would be singing with the angels in the morning at sunrise.

Blessings Shera

I am a stay at home mom for some 30 years now.  When I transferred membership to Brighton First United Methodist Church I was extremely excited as they are a mission church.  Unfortunately due to a battle with cancer I was unable to go on any of the mission trips. My cancer is now in remission so when my Aunt Earilyn asked me to join her on the Peru trip I jumped at the chance.  I am looking forward to working with the Anne Sullivan Center Students and also at the clinic.

Welcome Earilyn

I am a retired elementary school teacher and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Flat Rock, Michigan, where I have been the choir director for many years.  This is my first opportunity to participate in a mission trip – and I’m excited!

Meet Rev. Georgia Hale

I am so excited to be in Peru with this team working with children from all over Peru.  I am thankful to share our best and I want to go show the love of Christ to all we meet.

 

My favorite song is "Tu has venido a la orilla". 

 

Paz!

Juana and Georgia Peru 2010

GH

Blood Pressures, Pulse, and Temperature...oh my!

¡Hola! First workday in Tarapoto! Katie testing blood pressure equipment on Ruth. We were planning to set up our medical supplies, etc. and start seeing patients at 1PM. but there were 100-200 people waiting when we got there.  There was a wonderful greeting ceremony...the traditional Peruvian cheek kiss from everyone there to each of us! The worksite was under some shady mango trees, but a little more primitive than we might have anticipated, what with the chickens and dog running among us. There'll be more people tomorrow!  Today we saw all kinds of ailments, found an undiagnosed diabetic, and a case of extreme high blood pressure. Some had come from far away, and had waited since 4 AM to be seen. All that were seen were so appreciative and thankful. We look forward to serving many more tomorrow. Our dentist, Kathy, has arrived and will be on site tomorrow. Yours in Christ,  Rita