When we first arrived in Peru I was shocked by the conditions. It's something you have to see and experience for yourself to understand but honestly it's worse than I remember Senegal being. As we drove away from the airport on the way to the hotel I saw a group of prostitutes. My heart aches that the women are so poor and desperate and trapped in this degrading life. I don't know if anyone else saw them but it is an image that will never leave me.
We arrived at our hotel (or should I say resort) at about 1 in the morning. The next morning breakfast was at 7 and we were off to minister. So here is what our time ministering looked like on Friday.
We arrived in a neighborhood and parked the bus in the dusty soccer field which would later become our stage. But first it was time to love one the people. We did this by splitting into three groups. One group to pray with people, another to wash hair and still another to play soccer.
I opted to wash hair but of course with washing hair comes the risk of lice. We saw it in some of the girls heads but I had to remind myself that Jesus would have washed their hair and he didn't have access to over the counter lice ridding shampoo. So I washed with love (while still taking precautions against the lice)
When it came time for lunch we changed for the drama and also took a bathroom break. This is somewhat of an adventure. We were directed to what was essentially a chicken coup with a drop toilet inside. Good times, good times.
We then performed our drama which explains the Gospel. After this we went to talk to people individually or in smaller groups. I spent time with this one little boy named Dayson (98% sure that is NOT how you spell that) Dayson listened to me read and small (but still forty page) book that explained the Gospel through Bible verses. He listened to me suffer through the entire thing in Spanish. He helped me with the big words and didn't even give up on me when everyone was handing out toys. At the end Dayson prayed to accept Christ into his life. He then introduced me to his little brother and his dog named Rambo. He asked me about the United States and what it was like to be on an airplane. Thankfully my Spanish is coming back so I don't need to rely on the translators. Though I do "spench" it at times. In all 20 people claimed to have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. I like to say we reached this many people, we if nothing more planted seeds. When some girls asked when we would be back, all I could say was that I hoped we would be back soon but I couldn't promise. That is something I am having a hard time reconciling on this trip. We are there one day and then gone the next. What are we doing to really, truly, help the people?
Thankfully today was an answer to prayer in that regard! Unfortunately you will have to wait till tomorrow to hear about it since I am absolutely exhausted! Until then Dios te bendiga!
