Post on Chivay

written by Bethany

We left on Wednesday morning, January 21st by chartered Mercedes-Benz bus - I forgot to get a pic of all of us by the name! It was a sweet bus. Very comfortable. And the views were amazing. We stopped a bunch of times to get out and see alpacas, then llamas. At one stop there were two wild baby alpacas!! The white one in particular looked like an abino - it had red eyes and looked like it had been born just that week. The part I enjoyed the most was when Alissa got on the mic and narrated h

alf the trip for us and it was hilarious. See video below :)

We arrived in Chivay around 3pm and had a late lunch at a Peruvian style buffet restaurant after checking into our hotel (to Americans it would be called a motel, but a nice one and it only cost 15 soles per person, which roughly equals 2.50 dollars). I have been eating so much when I'm here because the food is so good. I wouldn't be surprised if I gained several pounds, what with my second and third, and sometimes fourth helpings of things (when the food is available). Everything here is mostly starches and some kind of meat, like llama, lomo (beef), pollo (chicken), or cuy (guinea pig). I usually go for pollo de la plancha or something of that sort. And everything here is served with french fries and rice! 

After we finished eating, we piled onto the bus to go back to the hotel to change into our swimsuits for the hot springs. We had about an hour to kill, so Maresa, my roommate, and I napped, changed, and 

then did some shopping before meeting up with the group. 

We drove down to the hot springs and it was wonderful. We sort of took over the one pool we were in, but it was great to just sit in the hot water, with the cool evening wind blowing on our faces... We met some Aussies the

re. It's funny how everywhere one goes, no matter how remote, you will meet some Australians. 

We left there around 630 or 7pm I'd say. Went back to the hotel to shower, change, some light shopping again, before going to yet another restaurant. And the Australians were there as well! Anyway, most of us were not hungry again yet, but I had a chicken sandwich and some dessert. During dinner, there was a band playing and some Peruvian dancers. Lydia was sitting next to me and explained the meaning of the dances to me and people sitting around us, Alissa, Brad, Maresa, and Lindsay. 

Then suddenly one of the dancers needed volunteers, or forced volunteers I should say! An Australian guy was chosen for one part and then I was dragged out onto the floor. But it wasn't to dance... They made us sit together, kneeling on this large piece of brown cloth and eat some colca leaves (what cocaine is made out of). My team was so animated, taking pictures and video. I had no idea what was happening until afterward Lydia told me I was now traditionally married in the Peruvian way to some random Aussie guy! haha. 

The next day we traveled to the Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world, but not the longest (the Grand Canyon takes that cake). Maresa will elaborate on this for you now. 

Mama

My day was made today when little Julio called me Mama. We hadn't seen the kids for over two days. Sandy told me the story: Julio came running inside where we were and kept saying "Mama Mama" and then he ran to me. It made me happy to feel such a connection yet sad to think we'll be leaving the kids soon. Freddy called me mama later on too.  I once heard a quote something to the effect of "Healing comes through children." It's sad to think these kids don't have any real parents. I want to be all of their "mama's" and give them full time attention. It will be hard to leave them. 

-Maresa

Good Times Go by so Fast

It seems like just yesterday we arrived here in Arequipa, Peru, however our time here is quickly coming to a close. I thank all of you that have been and that continue to pray for us while we are on this journey. It is a great joy for me to have the opportunity to lead this trip for the second time. I enjoy seeing each member find his or her place in this touching opportunity. We have been blessed and very busy. Each day brings a new challenge and a new opportunity. One of the greatest joys of this trip is to see the team not only connect with the children but to see them connect with each other. We took an overnight trip as a team to the Colca Canyon (the deepest canyon in the world). It is hard to leave the children for that time but this trip served as a great time for the team to grow closer to each other, as well as to really get to know the directors (Dave and Debbie Bolos) and to understand their heart. The more time we spend with them, the greater our understanding of this great work. Dave and Debbie really look at each of the forty plus children as their own, and that does not include the 80 plus that have either aged out of the home or that have been moved to other places. Dave and Debbie feel such a responsibility for each one.
We have had such a great time serving and being served. For all of you that gave money or donated clothes, you should have been here to not only see the look on the children’s faces but also the look on Debbie’s face when she walked in and saw the close to a hundred pair of brand new shoes. I know that was a blessing for her as well as the children.
We have a few more days here and we hope to finish up some of the projects that we have started. I am excited to see the mural when it is finished as well as the new and improved clothing storage area. Please continue to pray that our remaining time here will be prosperous both in our work here and in our hearts. We serve and great and gracious God.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support,
Nathan Cottrell

Making lunch for the kids

One day this past week we made lunch for the kids. We broke up into teams just as we did for the pizza contest. My group, consisting of Nathan, Stacy, and Lindsey, decided to make a Mexican/Peruvian theme. Dave and Debbie took us all to the market and we had to go shopping for our items. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, but it was a lot of fun and a wild experience to see things like full-bodied chickens, cow tongues, and many forms of potatoes. My team's meal consisted of tortilla chips and guacamole dip, chicken tacos, sweet potato fries, Quinoa, watermelon, and ice cream. We were nervous about whether they would like the food, but we know for sure they loved the guacamole and sweet potato fries. I'm sure it was a little strange for them to eat food that was somewhat different, but I think they really enjoyed it. The other groups made some really delicious meals as well and the kids really liked it. We all concluded that while it was a lot of work to create this meal, it was our way of serving not only the kids, but the regular cooks as well because we were able to give them a break. 

-Maresa

Pizza Contest

The other day we had a pizza contest. I was on the team with Nathan and Stacy and the teenage girls/older women. This was a top-secret operation. Nathan made our award-winning sauce, Stacy grated our cheese, and I was the head chef who directed the pie creations. We made the following pizzas: Hawaiian, meat-lovers, white sauce, veggie, and combination (combo was our favorite. Our secret ingredient in this one was Aji, a spicy local pepper powder). Some of the ingredients were different from what we have in America just because we couldn't find the items in the local grocery store (our version of pepperoni for example). It was funny to see how the girls weren't quite sure what to do with the ingredients or how to make the pizza. They gave me a few strange glances throughout the pizza making process, but I took it in stride because I knew they would like the outcome:) We took our pizzas to the brick oven along with the rest of the teams and handed them over to Dave, the master brick oven keeper. It took a long time for the pizzas to bake, but it was well worth it (we're finding it more difficult to cook here because of the high altitude). The kids had a blast eating the pizzas. It was a wild circus in there with pizza slices flying into mouths and kids climbing on top of each other. It was great. I can't resist the urge to brag about how great our team did. We won best-tasting and best overall for creativity, taste and hard-work. The girls were delighted the pizzas came out so well. 

Church

On Sunday we went to two church services. The church is a very humble cement-block building carved into the ground. During the morning service we sang songs (en Espanol of course), then split up into Sunday school classes. I went with Bruce, Lindsey, Stacy, and Sarah Allen to join the youngest kids' class. It was a joy to see the kids learning bible lessons and songs. I didn't understand most of what was going on, but I listened to Lindsey's sermon on the golden rule. Rachel and Lydia translated. The thought crossed my mind during Sunday school class about how well-behaved these children are. In America I think it would have been much more difficult to control the kids and have them listen. The only real trouble maker was "Lil' John", but I put him in my lap and he was distracted with my bracelet so he calmed down. I was impressed with one little boy's prayer at the end of class. It was very confident and heart-felt. After class we went back to church and sang the song "No no, no me Soltaras" it means "You'll never let go." The song is about God being with us even when we're in the valley. That is a favorite song of everyone however, we cannot get it out of our heads. Some of us have even woken up in the morning singing this song. 

The evening service was very powerful. Some of us gringos gave  testimonies to the congregation. They were all very moving. Some tears were shed. Also, our team sang a couple of songs for the congregation. "Open the eyes of my heart Lord" and "You are my All in All." We thought the first would suffice but the congregation wanted an encore, so we sang the second piece. Niel and Sarah Allen did a great job of leading us in the two songs. Sunday was a powerful day of worship. 

-Maresa

Short post: 3rd by Bethany

We were supposed to be on the bus at 830... So this has to be fast.

The mural is coming along as you can see... but we bought oil based paint and so we need paint thinner to get it off our skin, which wouldn't be so bad if we all didn't have sunburns!! Ouch! 

Yesterday we had a pizza making contest for dinner with the kids. Very fun! 

Tomorrow we travel to Colca Canyon until we arrive back here on Thursday night or Friday morning. Not sure. 

New clothes for the kids

Two days ago we began sorting through donated clothes and toys for the children. It was a lot of work, but we organized everything according to size and category. It was worth it when we brought the kids through one by one to pick out their new clothes. I took Marceve through the line and he was overjoyed to receive his new items. The smile on his face was priceless when he found an item he really liked. He especially liked his new camouflaged pants and Mickey shirt. I was worried at first that we wouldn't find any shoes that fit him. He was sad as we went shoe pair by shoe pair and couldn't find any that fit. But then we found a pair hiding behind him and his face was overjoyed! It almost brought me to tears. After we got his clothes, shoes, socks, bath and body items and candy, I took him to his room and we cleaned out his closet. I was very humbled to see how few clothes he had. Some were ridden with holes and stains. We had to throw them away because they were broken and torn. But we had new ones and he was ecstatic about the new ones. As we sorted through the clothes, he taught me some new Spanish words such as "sucio" aka "dirty"and "media" aka "socks."  During our cleaning project he sneakily ate a piece of candy every now and then, and then stashed the plastic baggy back into his clothing drawer. One thing I've noticed is that the kids like to stash their prized possessions. After cleaning the closet we went back to the "clothing store" and picked out a couple of more items that were left that he needed. Once we were done, we announced "no mas" and Marceve went off to play. 

- Maresa

The Epic Mural: Day Uno

How's it going, USA?

Maresa, Bethany, Haley, and myself have set to work transforming an ugly cement wall by the soccer/basketball court in to a super cool mural of alpacas and sheep playing soccer.  Oh yes.

We began the project by priming the 11 x 40 area.  At first, it seemed a daunting task.  However, it didn't take long till we were swarmed by kids, eager to lend a hand.  It was a really great experience, working side by side with these children who have so little but enjoy so much.

At the end of the day, I stood back to take in our work.  A Peruvian girl was standing next to me, also admiring the white wall.  "Si?", I asked her.  "Si," she responded.  We nodded and smiled at each other, satisfied with our progress.  It was a very simple exchange, but it meant a lot to me.

Stay tuned, America.

- Erin Filson -

PS:  I am so glad I'm here!!

It feels like it was just yesterday since I was last here at Nueva Esparanza. Much seems the same. Many of the same familiar faces greeted us upon our arrival and those who no longer work here or have graduated still manage to come around. Nelva was our cook last year but her son had some personal issues so she went to live with him (a 10 hour bus ride away) for most of the year. Julia, one of the 6 from our team from last year who has returned to live here for an indefinite period, told Nelva that we were coming to visit. She decided to visit while we were here so we could reconnect with her and enjoy her wonderful cooking. We greeted each other happily and I jumped on the opportunity to go with her and Judith to the market where we saw many familiar but unusual items, including the hanging chickens complete with heads and feet. It was there that I shared, en espanol of course, my theory that if we in the US had to butcher our own foods or shop for complete chickens, we would probably starve. (We are not as strong as they).

Our coming here last year, this year, and 6 of our team from last year coming separately to live and work, has spoken volumes to the people here. One of the major impacts our group has had is how we can love their Peruvian outcasts. David and Debbie Bolos, founder of the Home and parents to Tony, who ran the Home with his wife Julie , when we were here last year, explained that the common thought on abandoned children is that they are rats and they should be gotton rid of. There is no hope for them outside of a Home like this where Debbie aspires that one of them becomes President of Peru one day. 

While we miss Tony and Julie, the apple didn't fall far from David's tree (they are practically identical in looks, mannerisms, and speech) and Debbie reminds me of Julie with their hearts so full of love for Jesus and these children. Debbie explained to us that without Christ it is very hard for many of the women she works with to understand what it means to love your children unconditionally, that if the father of your child is replaced by a new boyfriend, you don't give up your son. It is thru their tireless efforts and the transforming nature of the gospel that she hopes parents who are still in touch with their children at the Home can be reconciled with love and forgiveness to their parents. It is often the forgiveness of the children towards their parents and abusers that astounds Debbie and helps her to let go and let God transform her heart towards them too.

Some things have changed here. There are some new kids, a new stockpile of donated clothes, we brought, three beloved little boys who are gone because they were thankfully adopted by Italian families, our friends who now live here, and a new team from Liberti Church & co. Our group is 15 strong plus a family of 4 (including two daughters ages 5 and 7) who sadly leave us tomorrow. [The tears from Olivia, the elder of the two, nearly had us in tears as she is already feeling the pain of separation from the good friends she had made since her family arrived last Saturday]. The balance of us are 11 women and 4 men. I don't know about the others, but that many women in one house sharing only 2 bathrooms, made me a little nervous! Women are complicated creatures and I wondered how we would get along . To my surprise and pleasure, this group is awesome. We passed our first 24 hours of travel and our second 24 hours of playing with the kids, organizing clothes, and talking and praying through our book study (The Prodigal God by Tim Keller) with flying colors. I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone on the trip even better and make new memories with them, while recalling the special times I had last year. Being here is a huge blessing to me and an honor; I am so glad to be back. 

~ Stacy Sanseverino

2nd Day in Arequipa

2nd Post by Bethany

We are blessed to have a laptop in its own in room on the 2nd floor of the mission house that we are staying in Arequipa. It is about a 30 minute trip to the orphanage.

Thanks to Keith and Ryan for driving us and our luggage to JFK in NYC on Wednesday evening. Our flights went very well. I will leave the details of that for Maresa to elaborate on since she already started a post earlier today... However, we've all had headaches and need to drink a lot, but the weather is beautiful and everyone is healthy today! Now it hasn't rained yet... but it's about to. 

We went to the orphanage after dropping our luggage off at the mission house yesterday. That was crazy because we were all very loopy and the kids kept saying stuff about sueno and dormido to us. 

Today, our 2nd day, we spent separating the donations we brought and cleaning out their entire clothing inventory. Amazingly, we completed it in one day! You should see the pictures. It was just mounds upon mounds of clothes... I will try to post them later. I have already managed to post some pictures on facebook though. Be sure to check those out. 

Right now, we came back to the misson house to sleep, read, and post before we head back tonight for sport extraganza!!!!! 

Tomorrow I think I will be going to the store with David Bolos, Erin, and maybe Haley to buy some paint and start on some murals! But this is Peru after all, the plans here are never solid - subject to change at any moment. It's a little like surfing. 

Prayer requests: Pray for our team's strength and health and safety. Praise that we've all already started to bond with specific kids. Henry, Gladys, and Luis are my little Peruvian posse so you can keep them especially in your prayers. Praise for hot showers - a rarity on missions trips. 

Note for future posts: I will be posting pictures of every meal I've eaten here so far. I've liked the food so far. And by the way, they love pizza here! My kind of country :) Yesterday I went to El Super (the supermarket) after dinner with some of the team and bought manna cookies. They are similar to vanilla oreos, but healthier and tastier. 

We're here!

Greetings from 8200ft asl in Areguipa, a.k.a. "the White City", named so because of the white-capped volcano that overlooks this scenic city. We call her "Misty" because she's usually hiding behind clouds. We finally made it to Areguipa after 20 long hours of travel. We took off from Philly to JFK airport at 5 pm on the 14th and made it to Areguipa at about 1pm on the 15th. No major traveling issues except a lost wallet and a lost ATM card, but our gazillion and one bags made it safely. Bruce almost lost his backpack today though. It fell out of the window while we on the bus to the orphanage. Luckily someone spotted it on the street. Back to our first impression, the newbies were quite impressed when we walked down the plane stairs onto the tarmac. We took in the mountains and the fresh, warm and breezy Peruvian air for the first time. We met the Liberti folks already here: Lydia, Seth and Andrew. We were happy to see each other again. We then crammed in all our luggage and more than a dozen people into a small bus with lots of character. We took off in style. The scenes along the drive were interesting: many stray dogs, sheep, old Incan women, and lots of rubble. We arrived at the casa we will stay in for the next couple of weeks and met Mariesa and Lou, the missionary owners of the home. Mariesa and I were very excited to have met another person by our name, even if they're spelled differently. Our next adventure was the orphanage. Those who were returning were ecstatic to see the kids again, and the kids were just as overjoyed. The rest of us began to forge friendships with the kids. We played a variety of games: the zip line, hours of jump rope, volleyball, soccer, and basketball. It was great to see the joy in these kids faces and to know that they are safe and not in the streets. I took a particular liking to a nine-year old boy named Mercave. He's really intelligent. He's very patient in teaching me Spanish. We played chess and legos and I let him take some photos with my camera. He has a really great eye for photos. I'll post some of his photos. He also speaks a little bit of English. After our time at the orphanage our group split up. Some went to church and dinner in a Turkish restaurant. I went with the other half of the gang to eat at a small sandwich/empanada shop and then to a grocery store. The grocery store was a circus but fun. One of the first things I like to do in a foreign country is go grocery shopping because it's always an adventure. Our night ended with much needed sleep and hydration. - Maresa

Our First Post for our 2009 trip

Post by Bethany

So this is it. After months of planning, meetings, and fundraisers we are finally off to Peru this Wednesday night to join Brad LaBriola, Julia Black, Seth Shimkonis, and Andrew Heo who are already living there. Those that I've talked to on the team are all super excited, especially after Jesse Rahn, who lived down there for several of the past months, attended our last meeting and updated us on the latest goings-on down there. I've been thinking about it nonstop for the past two weeks. We don't know what exactly to expect and that's part of the fun. I'm really excited to make new friends on the team and play games with the kids all day long instead of working my desk job.

I've been praying, and asking anybody who asks me what to pray for about this trip, for some kids at the orphanage to give their lives to Jesus while we're there. There's nothing in the world more precious and special than that. I went to London for my first missions trip in the summer of 2001. On the tube (aka subway) to church one Sunday while we were there, a middle aged woman sat with a large group of 12 and told us a story about her life. She was also on her way to church, but she didn't become a Christian until a few years before that. She told us that she grew up in a small remote village in Africa. One day a missionary came to her village and stayed for a few weeks. Then he moved onto the next village. Even though she didn't accept Christ at the time, what she heard and saw, stayed in her mind for years and years. When she moved to London, the seed that the missionary had planted in her through the Holy Spirit, was watered when she started attending a church and sprouted into salvation after a year of living in London. This story really encouraged our group and I hope it encourages our group and for those of you who are praying for us and other missionaries and those that they minister to. The seeds that we plant are buried deep in the soil so that one day, when they grow, they will have a deep root in Jesus. And any child who confesses belief in Jesus dying for their sins, is a result of many other people's influences in their life. What a privilege it is that the Holy Spirit allows us to be a part of this process...

So Sunday night, 1/11/09, after our evening service at liberti: Fishtown, the Peru team of 2009 will be meeting at Stacy's house for dinner and to collect and pack all the things we have accumulated from charitable donations. The things the kids really need are socks, underwear, and sports gear. I hope we have a lot of those things.

At our last meeting, Sarah Gulish announced that she will be making a short documentary of our trip. I'm excited about that and hope that it can be posted here on the blog for everyone to view. There's nothing like a video, aside from the actual experience, that can capture the essence of a trip like this, though a blog like this is certainly a plus!

A typical day for us in Peru will, theoretically, look like this: Pancake and egg breakfast at the mission house where we will be living, spend the day at the orphanage and eat there as well, followed by going out to eat dinner in the city every evening, and possibly playing sports with the older kids afterwards. Our team is blessed to have many musically talented and trained people so I imagine that there will be a lot of music lessons and practices while we are there... maybe even a mini recital at the end of the two weeks? That would be super cute.

Until later,

Bethany DePoy

P.S. Hi Mom!