So one of the girls shared her story with me, and I wanted to post it on here to let you know the kinds of emotional and physcial things these kids are dealing with. I wont mention her name, but I do want to tell you her story.
She is one of eight children, but she told me that two of her siblings died as babies. Shes probably about 13 or so, and she´s the only girl in her family. She and all of her brothers have different dads. She told me that only one of her brothers lives at home, and hes twenty four. I think she said that she lives in the Community with two of her other brothers. I was sitting on the side of the basketball court after my evening English class, and she came down and sat next to me. She could speak a little English, so we started talking, some in English and some in Spanish. She told me that she wanted some practice with English so we started up a conversation. As we talked, I asked her what she thought about God and if she had a relationship with Him. She told me about an experience last Saturday that she had with God, and then the converstation quickly turned to Spanish as she began to open up heart and tell me about her homelife. She told me that her mom hits her when she goes home, and that the man her mom lives with now abuses her mom. He, or one of the other 8 guys her mom had been with, also had been cutting one of her brothers with a knife. Like cutting his arms. She told me that none of her brothers stand up for her when her mom starts hitting her. She also told me that it is very hard for her to see her mom when her mom comes and visits her at the Community. I can't imagine. She told me that there are many other children with stories like hers that live in this Community.
This girl stayed through half of dinner to tell me her story. She just opened up and was very honest with me, and she told me everything without even shedding a tear. This was just her life.
This is the magnitude of the problems these kids are dealing with. Please pray for them that God will give them the grace to love their families and forgive them as they recover from their hurts. Lauren and I are able to meet many of their parents when they come and visit their kids on Sunday so maybe you should also pray that we won't want to smack them upside the head when we learn about how they've treated these precious kids.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
So I just wanted to write a little about what has been going on lately. There is SOO much to tell, but here are a few highlights. Karina and Luis Felipe came to visit for a little while a couple two weekends ago, and it was so much fun. We went to the market down the street, and that was an experience. Seriously. They just have everything right out there for you to see and buy. The chickens are fresh. And you know what I mean by fresh. Ha. And there are about 5 million flies and they come with the food…for free if you want them!! Haha. So yeah but it was fine cause you just wash everything off really good and hope you don’t get sick from the water. So far, no problems. Well, maybe a few, but its okay ;). Okay yeah but in all seriousness, we had a blast. We made Agina de Gallina and I basically don’t know how to spell it, but it was so great. Muy Rico!!!
Luis Felipe, Me, and Karina
Milagros...shes so amazing. Shes lived in Ventanilla her whole life and actually lived at the community and now shes back as a volunteer. We are makin some sweet stuff here. YUMMMMM
Sweet Karina with some of the girls.
This is probably one of my favorite pictures of Lauren. He was just hugging her and hugging her with this huge grin on his face.
Last week, there was a huge fire behind the Community and it burned down two houses. I am so thankful for that it did not come down the hill and burn down the Community. Please keep the families whose houses burned in your prayers.
I have the best job ever...I get to have 730 children that I never birthed and that I dont have to pay for their college. I get to take their pictures and give them hugs and listen to their stories. I love it. These boys are from ABC and they have the responsibility of feeding the alpacas every day. They were SOO funny.
So yeah. Things have been going really really well. There are days that are harder than others, but I absolutely love being here and I am so thankful that the Lord has given me this opportunity. I have been thinking lately about how thankful I am for the other people who made it possible for me to be here, and who have helped me out while I have been here. I do not understand why God is so good to me and why He has blessed me with so many things. I do not deserve it. But thats the most incredible thing about grace and a second chance. I am so thankful for both of those things.
What I am most thankful for is a God who cares enough about me to have a personal relationship with me. I honestly do not how I would do live without Him. I was thinking the other about how life would be without Him and I honestly couldnt imagine it. I am so thankful for His sacrifice on the cross to cover my sins and that He paid the price. I am thankful that He is willing to meet me where I am and that I do not have to work my way into heaven or work my way into his presence. I am so thankful for grace, and that He sustains me, with all my quirks and weirdness. I am so glad He understands me and that He has given me friends who also understand me. I am sooooo blessed.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Precious Roxana
Man I got so convicted today...We had church with Las Grandes (Big Girls House) and about 8 girls came. It went really well, and Lauren and I are thinking that casa churches are going to be the best way to do church here. Anyways, after church, we were talking about the cuys (guinea pigs...yeah you eat them) and why 80 of them were being prepared by the kids last night. The girls expained to us that one of the girls in Huaracas House needed surgery. Some of you from the Southmont group might remember her...she was a precious little girl (shes prolly about 12 and she has some obvious bone structure problems around the bridge of her nose. Basically, what I gathered from what the girls were telling us is that the bone structure in and around her face is caving in and she desperately needs help. The money that came from the sale of the cuys is going to help pay for the reconstructive surgery that will happen in two weeks. The girls were telling us that the results of the surgery are unknown and its pretty risky because while it is absolutely necessary, the results could be that she looses her sight, hearing, and ability to speak. They also said that she might not even make it through the surgery. Its so risky that it may cause death. She also has a sister that lives in Huaracas with her, so I am sure this has been an issue involving a lot of fear of the unknown.
I was so convicted because here I am being a fat American and worried about temporal things relating to me and a little girl that lives in Huaracas might not even make it past the next two weeks. I got so convicted on how I spend my money and what I spend my time thinking about. And where will she spend eternity?
Please be praying for Roxana. I am going to try to get some more information.
And I remember there was a picture of her and Chris that was taken in January...if you want to see what she looks like so that you can put a face with a name when you pray. I am so sorry I do not have time to find it. But if you find it, send it to me and I will post it on here. Thank you so much for your prayers. Love you guys. Im going to go get ready for bed.
I was so convicted because here I am being a fat American and worried about temporal things relating to me and a little girl that lives in Huaracas might not even make it past the next two weeks. I got so convicted on how I spend my money and what I spend my time thinking about. And where will she spend eternity?
Please be praying for Roxana. I am going to try to get some more information.
And I remember there was a picture of her and Chris that was taken in January...if you want to see what she looks like so that you can put a face with a name when you pray. I am so sorry I do not have time to find it. But if you find it, send it to me and I will post it on here. Thank you so much for your prayers. Love you guys. Im going to go get ready for bed.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Weeks 3 and 4!
Well its Friday! Praise the Lord. This week has been crazy because I havent known what English classes I was going to be teaching until the day of, plus Ive been teaching intensive English classes from 4-6 each evening. Ive heard the word ¨Miiiiiiiiiiisss¨ more times than I ever want to think about...and in that tone of voice too.
This week, I taught colors, numbers, months of the year, days of the week, and seasons. Some of the kids already know all of this, and some are to afraid to even begin to pronounce a word in English. There are a few kids in some of my classes that just arrived from the jungle or from some other part of Peru and they do not know a word of English. Many times they sit in the back of my classes, looking scared and closed off and my heart goes out to them. I want to start a class for kids that know absolutely no English and do not understand what is going on. So, hopefully I will be able to do that this next week.
This week, I have really been thinking about the difference between what I say I want to do and what I do. For instance, I say I want to know God more, but then when it comes down to it, I struggle with wanting to sleep longer vs. getting up and actually spending time with Him so that I really can know Him. I am also wanting develop the type of relationship that I constantly am relying on Him and talking to Him throughout the day, and while I know that Im subconsciously relying on Him, I want it to be a conscious conversation that is constantly going on with Him.
I am getting to know the kids better, and God has given me opportunities to share Him with them. This morning, I didnt have class, so I went to the cafeteria to grade papers and a couple of girls came up and started helping me. They were asking me what types of things I like (as kids here often do) and I asked them what they thought about God. I was then able to share Christ with them using the sweet bracelet from Lisa (thanks Lisa!!) that explains the gospel using 5 really simple little stick pictures.
I have been feeling so much better this week...I got a little sick yesterday but that was my own fault cause I had been drinking the water, which I will NOT be doing any more. Terrible idea. So, Im just recovering from that and so thankful that it didnt last longer than a day.
Im still trying to get a schedule down where I can kinda get everything in ballance. Its kinda frusterating, because I feel like there are not enough minutes in the day to do everything that I want to do. With teaching comes all of the paper grading and yada yada. Please pray that God will give me the wisdom to know exactly how to handle the time He has given me and that I will be able to actually just hang out with the kids more than I have been able to in the last week. With teaching English until 6 every night, dinner from 7 to 8 and then bed by about 10, there is not a ton of time in there to hang out, but it definitely can be done =)
Lets see...funny moments this week...Well, I found out that Ive been using body fragrance this whole time thinking it was deoderant...no wonder it wasnt working! I bought it here and apparently assumed that since it looked like a stick of deoderant, that it probably was! Boy was I wrong. Lets see...one of my kids in my classes tried to give me THE EYES during class...if you know what I mean. I was like...um kid, Im pretty sure your about 14. Did I mention Im 24? hmmm. I actually cant think of any more funny or embarrassing stories which is kinda weird. Guess it was a pretty uneventful week.
Well friends, I need to go, but I will update soon! Blessings!
This week, I taught colors, numbers, months of the year, days of the week, and seasons. Some of the kids already know all of this, and some are to afraid to even begin to pronounce a word in English. There are a few kids in some of my classes that just arrived from the jungle or from some other part of Peru and they do not know a word of English. Many times they sit in the back of my classes, looking scared and closed off and my heart goes out to them. I want to start a class for kids that know absolutely no English and do not understand what is going on. So, hopefully I will be able to do that this next week.
This week, I have really been thinking about the difference between what I say I want to do and what I do. For instance, I say I want to know God more, but then when it comes down to it, I struggle with wanting to sleep longer vs. getting up and actually spending time with Him so that I really can know Him. I am also wanting develop the type of relationship that I constantly am relying on Him and talking to Him throughout the day, and while I know that Im subconsciously relying on Him, I want it to be a conscious conversation that is constantly going on with Him.
I am getting to know the kids better, and God has given me opportunities to share Him with them. This morning, I didnt have class, so I went to the cafeteria to grade papers and a couple of girls came up and started helping me. They were asking me what types of things I like (as kids here often do) and I asked them what they thought about God. I was then able to share Christ with them using the sweet bracelet from Lisa (thanks Lisa!!) that explains the gospel using 5 really simple little stick pictures.
I have been feeling so much better this week...I got a little sick yesterday but that was my own fault cause I had been drinking the water, which I will NOT be doing any more. Terrible idea. So, Im just recovering from that and so thankful that it didnt last longer than a day.
Im still trying to get a schedule down where I can kinda get everything in ballance. Its kinda frusterating, because I feel like there are not enough minutes in the day to do everything that I want to do. With teaching comes all of the paper grading and yada yada. Please pray that God will give me the wisdom to know exactly how to handle the time He has given me and that I will be able to actually just hang out with the kids more than I have been able to in the last week. With teaching English until 6 every night, dinner from 7 to 8 and then bed by about 10, there is not a ton of time in there to hang out, but it definitely can be done =)
Lets see...funny moments this week...Well, I found out that Ive been using body fragrance this whole time thinking it was deoderant...no wonder it wasnt working! I bought it here and apparently assumed that since it looked like a stick of deoderant, that it probably was! Boy was I wrong. Lets see...one of my kids in my classes tried to give me THE EYES during class...if you know what I mean. I was like...um kid, Im pretty sure your about 14. Did I mention Im 24? hmmm. I actually cant think of any more funny or embarrassing stories which is kinda weird. Guess it was a pretty uneventful week.
Well friends, I need to go, but I will update soon! Blessings!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Nothin More to ¨Peru¨ve =)
Wow. So I´ve officially been in Peru for two weeks. It definitely feels like so much longer than two weeks, not because the time has been dragging, but because so much has happened. I stayed in Lima in a hotel with Karina for a few nights until Lauren got here on Saturday. I was so very thankful for Karina´s help...I definitely could not have done it without her. By the time Sunday rolled around and it was time to go to the la communidad (for those of you who dont know, that what the orphanage is referred to here), I was honestly dreading it. I didn´t expect to feel this, especially after having such a wonderful experience in January. It wasn´t that I didnt want to see the kids, but it was more that I was going to live in a place where I was out of my comfort zone and that many of the things I had lived with for so long (like hot water...or sometimes just running water period, internet, familiar food, etc) would no longer be a part of my life in the same capacity they were before. To be honest, I struggled with going to one of the poorest districts of Peru because I knew I would not have the materialstic comforts I was used to.
When we got to la communidad, I was glad to be there. The kids greeted us with hugs and kisses. School started the next day, and I definitely did not feel prepared. Well, I guess God knew how tired I was and how much I needed sleep, because I actually ended up getting very sick for the first part of the week. I had horrible stomach problems, and I hadnt even really even eaten the food. The started within the first hour of being at the community. I would get up and make it across the room and realize that I didn't have as much strength as I had thought.
So, I taught a few classes throughout the week, but everything was really weird, because in addition to having the language barrier, there really wasn't a schedule of classes. It was just like "well...walk into the room, and if the kids don't have a teacher, you've found yourself a place." So one class I ended up teaching for almost 3 hours. That was interesting. Then I found out later that it's the teachers that rotate in secondary...not the students. Hmmm. interesting concept...ha.
The school indeed was finished in time for the government to pick up the teachers salaries, so of course that called for a celebration. Actually, it called for TWO celebrations!!! The ministry of education (education department) came out to the school and they had a fun celebration and then came back and did a formal celebraton on Saturday. I got the worst sunburn of my life during that celebration. We are A LOT closer to the equator here...
This last week, a mission group from Austin, Tx. came and did VBS at la communidad. This was the group that did so much for Lauren and I as we prepared to come to Peru. They came and stayed for the week and this meant that the kids only had school for about an hour every morning, and then the rest of the day was filled with fun activities and things that the group had planned. It great to meet some new faces from texas, and it was sooo wonderful to see Karina, Carlos, Luis Felipe, Horishi hahah, Rodo, Rox, and Super Manny =). And it was also great meeting the other translators I had not met before. I seriously had an amazing time.
Lauren and I were able to go into Lima this last week and spend a couple of days getting some supplies and things we will need for the rest of the year. Its so funny because I am so used to just going to Walmart and picking up some stuff and being done with it, but here, there is no Walmart. Many of the stores are about the size of closets (some bigger than others) and only sell certain things. Eduardo came an hung out with us and translated for us, which was very helpful. I think we found almost everything we needed, and Mom is sending the rest of the stuff I need from the states =) I am so glad for moms.
This week has been hard emotionally and spiritually for me. There really hasnt been a solid week of normal school schedule since Ive been here, and I think its just hard getting adjusted and realizing what I need to devote my time and energy to in order to succeed. God has definitely been calling me to a higher level with Him, and Im learning that while I know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is where I am supposed to be, there will still be challenges, and life may still be pretty stinkin hard. But its so encouraging to have a God who provides EVERYTHING we need. I saw His sweet hand today. When Olive Branch left today, they left some of their leftover food with us, and when Lauren and I opened the suitcase, there were some of our favorite snacks in there. God even cares about what we eat. Thank you so much, Lord.
There is so much more I could write about, but here are some specific prayer requests that I have.
-Please pray for spiritual and emotional strength for both Lauren and I.
-That our lives would constantly be pointing to Christ and that everything we do would be glorfiying to Him
-That Satan would not distract us from the goals God has set before us, and that we will only use the energy God has given us on things that really matter.
-For continued opportunities to share the gospel.
-That peoples minds and hearts would be open to the Lord and that the Holy Spirit would draw them toward Himself.
-That I would be able to learn Spanish quickly.
-That the Lord will give me wisdom on how to plan my classes and most importantly, how to integrate the Bible into my classes.
My schedule for this next week looks like this (but could change in a heartbeat haha)
Mon-Fri teach English from 8-1 (Ill prolly have some breaks somewhere in there)
Lunch from 1-2
Teach Intensive English from 4-7 Mon thru Thurs.
I am excited about what God has in store. I absolutely love Peru and Im so glad He has placed me here. I am so thankful for what God has done to get me here, and Im so thankful for the people Hes placed in my path.
I will have an address soon, and I will get it to anyone who wants it, so shoot me a quick email for fb msg if you want it and Ill send it on. lane.nancy@sbcglobal.net
Also, check out my latest album of pics on facebook. For some reason I couldnt upload them
here.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2398551&id=23926997#!/album.php?aid=2398551&id=23926997
Much love
When we got to la communidad, I was glad to be there. The kids greeted us with hugs and kisses. School started the next day, and I definitely did not feel prepared. Well, I guess God knew how tired I was and how much I needed sleep, because I actually ended up getting very sick for the first part of the week. I had horrible stomach problems, and I hadnt even really even eaten the food. The started within the first hour of being at the community. I would get up and make it across the room and realize that I didn't have as much strength as I had thought.
So, I taught a few classes throughout the week, but everything was really weird, because in addition to having the language barrier, there really wasn't a schedule of classes. It was just like "well...walk into the room, and if the kids don't have a teacher, you've found yourself a place." So one class I ended up teaching for almost 3 hours. That was interesting. Then I found out later that it's the teachers that rotate in secondary...not the students. Hmmm. interesting concept...ha.
The school indeed was finished in time for the government to pick up the teachers salaries, so of course that called for a celebration. Actually, it called for TWO celebrations!!! The ministry of education (education department) came out to the school and they had a fun celebration and then came back and did a formal celebraton on Saturday. I got the worst sunburn of my life during that celebration. We are A LOT closer to the equator here...
This last week, a mission group from Austin, Tx. came and did VBS at la communidad. This was the group that did so much for Lauren and I as we prepared to come to Peru. They came and stayed for the week and this meant that the kids only had school for about an hour every morning, and then the rest of the day was filled with fun activities and things that the group had planned. It great to meet some new faces from texas, and it was sooo wonderful to see Karina, Carlos, Luis Felipe, Horishi hahah, Rodo, Rox, and Super Manny =). And it was also great meeting the other translators I had not met before. I seriously had an amazing time.
Lauren and I were able to go into Lima this last week and spend a couple of days getting some supplies and things we will need for the rest of the year. Its so funny because I am so used to just going to Walmart and picking up some stuff and being done with it, but here, there is no Walmart. Many of the stores are about the size of closets (some bigger than others) and only sell certain things. Eduardo came an hung out with us and translated for us, which was very helpful. I think we found almost everything we needed, and Mom is sending the rest of the stuff I need from the states =) I am so glad for moms.
This week has been hard emotionally and spiritually for me. There really hasnt been a solid week of normal school schedule since Ive been here, and I think its just hard getting adjusted and realizing what I need to devote my time and energy to in order to succeed. God has definitely been calling me to a higher level with Him, and Im learning that while I know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is where I am supposed to be, there will still be challenges, and life may still be pretty stinkin hard. But its so encouraging to have a God who provides EVERYTHING we need. I saw His sweet hand today. When Olive Branch left today, they left some of their leftover food with us, and when Lauren and I opened the suitcase, there were some of our favorite snacks in there. God even cares about what we eat. Thank you so much, Lord.
There is so much more I could write about, but here are some specific prayer requests that I have.
-Please pray for spiritual and emotional strength for both Lauren and I.
-That our lives would constantly be pointing to Christ and that everything we do would be glorfiying to Him
-That Satan would not distract us from the goals God has set before us, and that we will only use the energy God has given us on things that really matter.
-For continued opportunities to share the gospel.
-That peoples minds and hearts would be open to the Lord and that the Holy Spirit would draw them toward Himself.
-That I would be able to learn Spanish quickly.
-That the Lord will give me wisdom on how to plan my classes and most importantly, how to integrate the Bible into my classes.
My schedule for this next week looks like this (but could change in a heartbeat haha)
Mon-Fri teach English from 8-1 (Ill prolly have some breaks somewhere in there)
Lunch from 1-2
Teach Intensive English from 4-7 Mon thru Thurs.
I am excited about what God has in store. I absolutely love Peru and Im so glad He has placed me here. I am so thankful for what God has done to get me here, and Im so thankful for the people Hes placed in my path.
I will have an address soon, and I will get it to anyone who wants it, so shoot me a quick email for fb msg if you want it and Ill send it on. lane.nancy@sbcglobal.net
Also, check out my latest album of pics on facebook. For some reason I couldnt upload them
here.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2398551&id=23926997#!/album.php?aid=2398551&id=23926997
Much love
Friday, February 26, 2010
The Countdown: 5 days left!
Wow. So today has been a crazy day. Yeah, I haven't gone to sleep yet, so I'm actually writing about yesterday. My day started with an email we got from Peru telling us that school had been pushed up two weeks earlier than Lauren and I had anticipated. So, while I'm so excited to be over there, I'm realizing that I only have five days left in the states. I spent most of the day packing and getting things ready to go. Mom and Dad surprised me with a netbook, which was totally unexpected and super exciting!!! Now I have a way to communicate when I'm there!
I am so blessed beyond words, and I don't deserve the goodness God is showing me. I am so humbled, first of all, that He has chosen to call me to Peru, to give me such an amazing traveling buddy, ministry partner and friend (Lauren), and then to give me such AMAZING Peruvian friends.
Money is coming in slowly but surely. I am not fully funded yet, and it has been on my mind today. I confessed that I was a little nervous about not having what I needed, and then Lauren read Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" and this is exactly what it said, "It was Paul's delight to spend his life for God's interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns-"What if God wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things." All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God."
Um so yeah...I was pretty speechless after she read that. I definitely felt God speaking to me through that and saying "I've called you, and all you have to do is obey."
I think one of the hardest things right now is just mentally preparing for the transition. I am having a little bit of a hard time coming to the realization that I'm going to be away from my family and friends, and that their lives are going to go on without me. It's not about me! Imagine that!!! hahaa.
Another huge prayer need that I have is for the ESL program that I am teaching beginning a week from Monday. I am the only English teacher that will be there during the week, and I don't have curriculum or lessons plans done yet. I do not know what level the majority of the kids' English skills are at (great English on my part, I know), so that first week that I am there will probably be spent assessing their skill and figuring out what I need to teach them and how to teach them. This is scary for me because I have never taught English before. The goal is to have an intensive one-year long English program. Pray for creativity and wisdom to know how to love these kids and teach them English while teaching them about Christ. Many of them have come from abusive situations or have simply come here because they knew they had better opportunities at the orphanage. I am so excited about having the opportunity to change about 300 generations for the better...what a neat opportunity.
I have meetings the rest of this week with ESL pros and teachers who have done this sort of thing before, so I am excited about gaining some knowledge and great tips from them :)
Well, that's about it for now-I'm sure there's more I could write, but I'm going to try to go catch a couple hours of sleep before it's morning :)
Prayer Request Recap:
-Pray for the spiritual, academic and social readiness of the hearts of the children at the orphanage
-Pray for wisdom for both Lauren and I in assessing their needs and being able to organize the information and teach them in a way that they can understand.
-Pray that my truck sells so that I can get my financial things in order before I leave
-Pray for mission group from austin that will be at the orphanage the second week we are there- pray for God to do mighty things through them.
-Pray for Lauren and my continued strength and obedience as we continue to seek God.
-Pray for spiritual fervor and complete dependence on God.
Let me know if you want a prayer card. Feel free to msg. me your address on Facebook and I will mail you one.
Blessings,
Nancy
I am so blessed beyond words, and I don't deserve the goodness God is showing me. I am so humbled, first of all, that He has chosen to call me to Peru, to give me such an amazing traveling buddy, ministry partner and friend (Lauren), and then to give me such AMAZING Peruvian friends.
Money is coming in slowly but surely. I am not fully funded yet, and it has been on my mind today. I confessed that I was a little nervous about not having what I needed, and then Lauren read Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" and this is exactly what it said, "It was Paul's delight to spend his life for God's interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns-"What if God wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things." All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God."
Um so yeah...I was pretty speechless after she read that. I definitely felt God speaking to me through that and saying "I've called you, and all you have to do is obey."
I think one of the hardest things right now is just mentally preparing for the transition. I am having a little bit of a hard time coming to the realization that I'm going to be away from my family and friends, and that their lives are going to go on without me. It's not about me! Imagine that!!! hahaa.
Another huge prayer need that I have is for the ESL program that I am teaching beginning a week from Monday. I am the only English teacher that will be there during the week, and I don't have curriculum or lessons plans done yet. I do not know what level the majority of the kids' English skills are at (great English on my part, I know), so that first week that I am there will probably be spent assessing their skill and figuring out what I need to teach them and how to teach them. This is scary for me because I have never taught English before. The goal is to have an intensive one-year long English program. Pray for creativity and wisdom to know how to love these kids and teach them English while teaching them about Christ. Many of them have come from abusive situations or have simply come here because they knew they had better opportunities at the orphanage. I am so excited about having the opportunity to change about 300 generations for the better...what a neat opportunity.
I have meetings the rest of this week with ESL pros and teachers who have done this sort of thing before, so I am excited about gaining some knowledge and great tips from them :)
Well, that's about it for now-I'm sure there's more I could write, but I'm going to try to go catch a couple hours of sleep before it's morning :)
Prayer Request Recap:
-Pray for the spiritual, academic and social readiness of the hearts of the children at the orphanage
-Pray for wisdom for both Lauren and I in assessing their needs and being able to organize the information and teach them in a way that they can understand.
-Pray that my truck sells so that I can get my financial things in order before I leave
-Pray for mission group from austin that will be at the orphanage the second week we are there- pray for God to do mighty things through them.
-Pray for Lauren and my continued strength and obedience as we continue to seek God.
-Pray for spiritual fervor and complete dependence on God.
Let me know if you want a prayer card. Feel free to msg. me your address on Facebook and I will mail you one.
Blessings,
Nancy
Friday, February 5, 2010
Here we go!
Dear Family and Friends,
God has been doing some amazing things recently. Some of you know that I went with a team of about 30 other individuals from Southmont Baptist Church to visit an orphanage in Peru during the first week of January. We put on four days of VBS for the children, conducted teacher-training courses, and worked on the construction of the school at the orphanage. Six of us (including myself) lived at the orphanage during the time we were there. God allowed us to see a place that is in desperate need of Him. Hogar Segrada Familia, which is the name of the orphanage, is home to 730 children. It is one of the largest orphanages in Lima, also housing a medical clinic and school.
While I was in Lima, I strongly felt God calling me to return. He gave me a burning passion to see the children at the orphanage come to know Christ. Most of them do not have a relationship with Christ, and many have never heard the gospel.
Since age 16, I have known that I was going to be involved in missions somehow, and for the past eight years, I have been asking God for the specifics of this call. While I was in Lima, He answered this prayer. One of the other girls on the team, Lauren, also felt God calling her back, and we are planning to return to the orphanage the first week in March.
We plan to stay for ten months, which is the duration of their school year. We will be teachers in the school that is located on the orphanage grounds. During this time, our primary focus is to share the gospel and the love of Christ with the children, teens and other teachers who call “Hogar Segrada de Familia” home. Obviously, we cannot do this alone.
I am inviting you to be a part what God is doing in Peru. We both deeply sense God’s leading in this, and we know He will take care of the details. The total cost for one of us to live there for one month will probably be between $300 and $400 per month (between $3,000-$4,000 .per person for 10 months).
Whether you choose to pray, or give or do both, I invite you keep up with what is going on and how God is moving in South America by continuing to check this blog. I would also LOVE emails while I am there. My email address is lane.nancy@sbcglobal.net. If you do want to give financially, please send it directly to Southmont Baptist Church, 2801 Pennsylvania Drive, Denton, TX 76205-8307. Checks should be made out to Southmont Worldwide (for tax deduction purposes, do not write either of our names on the check; instead write them on a sticky note and attach to the check). I am so excited to be a part of something that is so much bigger than I am, and I pray that you would seek God’s direction on being a part of this opportunity as well.
Blessings,
Nancy
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