Psalm 17:6-9
I call upon you, for you will answer them O God; incline your ear to them; hear their words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
Keep them as the apple of your eye; hide them in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do them violence, their deadly enemies who surround them.
Amen.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
WMF Peru is blogging!
I am quite an infrequent blogger, but maybe someone out there will be reading this. I thought I would give you a heads up that WMF Peru now has a blog! We are continuing to update information about the ministry center building and we have posted other information about the history of WMF Peru. You can also check out the Christmas Card Campaign (that some of the youth who have left the streets participated in), from last year. Watch for prayer requests and other things to come soon!
www.wordmadefleshperu.wordpress.com
Also, for those of you who enjoying cooking and baking (like myself), I thought I would pass along my friend's website for you to check out. She has a lot of information on Peruvian cuisine and in general is an amazing person!
http://www.canelaycomino.com/
Until the next blog!
www.wordmadefleshperu.wordpress.com
Also, for those of you who enjoying cooking and baking (like myself), I thought I would pass along my friend's website for you to check out. She has a lot of information on Peruvian cuisine and in general is an amazing person!
http://www.canelaycomino.com/
Until the next blog!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Things I'm Thankful For
The Things I'm Thankful For (in no particular order):
My Family, my blood family and my Peru family, and my family in other places
The Beauty of God's Creation
Minty tasting things (mint chip ice cream, mint hot chocolate, mint chocolate chips, mint m&m's, mint bark, mint tea, mint leaves...)
The man at the market that always yells "Hi!" no matter if I am two feet away or two blocks away, or already on the bus...
A wonderful home - an apartment where I feel safe and at home and can rest
All of the amazing people in my life who teach me to keep hoping with a hope that is way beyond me
The unending situations that I find myself in, where I ask, "How could I possibly be living this?!"
The "turbo" popsicle that Linsey just bought me to keep my throat all nice and cherry coated.
The sunsets that I get to watch from my roof. They light up my heart and strengthen my faith - to keep believing that there is a God.
The hugs and kisses - there are so many!!
All the incredible children in my life, that includes my nieces and nephews, that includes my neighbors, that includes my godson, that includes all the children we meet on the streets.
I am thankful for all of the people who pray and remember me and us (the WMF community here in Peru)
I am thankful for the hope and love of Christ and how it touches my life.
My Family, my blood family and my Peru family, and my family in other places
The Beauty of God's Creation
Minty tasting things (mint chip ice cream, mint hot chocolate, mint chocolate chips, mint m&m's, mint bark, mint tea, mint leaves...)
The man at the market that always yells "Hi!" no matter if I am two feet away or two blocks away, or already on the bus...
A wonderful home - an apartment where I feel safe and at home and can rest
All of the amazing people in my life who teach me to keep hoping with a hope that is way beyond me
The unending situations that I find myself in, where I ask, "How could I possibly be living this?!"
The "turbo" popsicle that Linsey just bought me to keep my throat all nice and cherry coated.
The sunsets that I get to watch from my roof. They light up my heart and strengthen my faith - to keep believing that there is a God.
The hugs and kisses - there are so many!!
All the incredible children in my life, that includes my nieces and nephews, that includes my neighbors, that includes my godson, that includes all the children we meet on the streets.
I am thankful for all of the people who pray and remember me and us (the WMF community here in Peru)
I am thankful for the hope and love of Christ and how it touches my life.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
New Memories
I realize I have been an infrequent blogger, but I am trying to improve. The days have been so filled with activities, especially as we are in the last few weeks of the servant team being with us.
On Saturday May 11th, we had a most beautiful Mother's Day Celebration. There were so many amazing things about the day, it is hard to know where to start. For those of you who may not know, Mother's Day in Peru, is celebrated 2nd to Christmas. It is a very important holiday in the life of this country. Mother's are held in the highest regard and this day is reserved for celebration, and family gatherings all over the country. Many people (especially young people) have small tatoo's and or it is common to hear the expression that says, "Dios y Mi Madre", which means, "God and My Mother". For many this is a joyous and celebratory day. For many of the youth who live on the streets, it is a hard day, that reminds them of their losses and distance from their families. For some of the young moms that we know, it is a day to celebrate and reflect on their lives as Mother's and how they are finding new victories in being the young women who God is calling them to be.
The Mother's Day Celebration with some of our friends who are young moms, marked a new season in the life of the community here in Lima. Another page turned, and another page started. What has been written is just the bare bones - a lot is left for the excitement and the unknown. There is so much to anticipate and so much to live in the wonder of God's faithfulness. We had planned to have the party in one of the local churches, however we were informed that we would be unable to use the church. So, we decided on plan B, which was to have the party in the New Ministry Center Building! Together with around 22 volunteers, 16 kids and 8 young Mothers, the first paragraphs of the history of the ministry center, we written. The men of WMF Peru, generously offered themselves to take care of the 16 children! Bless their hearts! They did an amazing job and all were fully exhausted by the end of the day - rightfully so!
The afternoon started with a beautiful meditation by Anna on new Life in Christ (letting go of the old) and being clothed in the new and leaving our burdens at the foot of the Cross.
We were all impacted and challenged by her words. Then the ladies went upstairs to the second floor where we had prepared 3 different station activities. While one group was in the room making bracelets, the other group was getting massages and manicures. We had a full team of amazing volunteers! We had a calm and peaceful environment and it was wonderful to see our friends interact with others that they might not normally have interacted with.
The last station was a low cost garage sale that we set up, selling clothes for the women and their children at record breaking prices! It is was a perfect time to set something like this up because of the oncoming winter. One of the mother's commented to someone at lunch time, "Yeah, I went to get my manicure and then I went to Ripley!" (one of the large department stores here).
The day ended with rotisserie chicken, french fries and salad - a Peruvian favorite and a special meal! It was exciting to see the body of Christ working together and how each person gave of themselves so freely. I know this is just the beginning of many beautiful moments that we will spend together.
Our prayer is that are friends would be dignified, healed, celebrated and loved upon as Christ loved the woman at the well, as Christ healed the blind man, as Christ received the bottle of perfume that was poured over his feet.
On Saturday May 11th, we had a most beautiful Mother's Day Celebration. There were so many amazing things about the day, it is hard to know where to start. For those of you who may not know, Mother's Day in Peru, is celebrated 2nd to Christmas. It is a very important holiday in the life of this country. Mother's are held in the highest regard and this day is reserved for celebration, and family gatherings all over the country. Many people (especially young people) have small tatoo's and or it is common to hear the expression that says, "Dios y Mi Madre", which means, "God and My Mother". For many this is a joyous and celebratory day. For many of the youth who live on the streets, it is a hard day, that reminds them of their losses and distance from their families. For some of the young moms that we know, it is a day to celebrate and reflect on their lives as Mother's and how they are finding new victories in being the young women who God is calling them to be.
The Mother's Day Celebration with some of our friends who are young moms, marked a new season in the life of the community here in Lima. Another page turned, and another page started. What has been written is just the bare bones - a lot is left for the excitement and the unknown. There is so much to anticipate and so much to live in the wonder of God's faithfulness. We had planned to have the party in one of the local churches, however we were informed that we would be unable to use the church. So, we decided on plan B, which was to have the party in the New Ministry Center Building! Together with around 22 volunteers, 16 kids and 8 young Mothers, the first paragraphs of the history of the ministry center, we written. The men of WMF Peru, generously offered themselves to take care of the 16 children! Bless their hearts! They did an amazing job and all were fully exhausted by the end of the day - rightfully so!
The afternoon started with a beautiful meditation by Anna on new Life in Christ (letting go of the old) and being clothed in the new and leaving our burdens at the foot of the Cross.
We were all impacted and challenged by her words. Then the ladies went upstairs to the second floor where we had prepared 3 different station activities. While one group was in the room making bracelets, the other group was getting massages and manicures. We had a full team of amazing volunteers! We had a calm and peaceful environment and it was wonderful to see our friends interact with others that they might not normally have interacted with.
The last station was a low cost garage sale that we set up, selling clothes for the women and their children at record breaking prices! It is was a perfect time to set something like this up because of the oncoming winter. One of the mother's commented to someone at lunch time, "Yeah, I went to get my manicure and then I went to Ripley!" (one of the large department stores here).
The day ended with rotisserie chicken, french fries and salad - a Peruvian favorite and a special meal! It was exciting to see the body of Christ working together and how each person gave of themselves so freely. I know this is just the beginning of many beautiful moments that we will spend together.
Our prayer is that are friends would be dignified, healed, celebrated and loved upon as Christ loved the woman at the well, as Christ healed the blind man, as Christ received the bottle of perfume that was poured over his feet.
"We must live in community because the struggle of life against death demands united ranks of souls and bodies that can be mobilized wherever death threatens life." (Eberhard Arnold, Why We Live in Community)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Where did the time go?
I have to admit, I thought that I would be able to do better at writing. Here I am 4 months later. But I guess it is better than not writing at all?
This list of events in the last months could be unending. We have had lots of visitors! Aaron Strumpel (check out his music on the music links) visited us and joined us in our dedication time for the NEW MINISTRY CENTER BUILDING. Check out pictures HERE. Then the Servant Team 2008 arrived! Another friend of the community, Paul Yoder made a visit and we had a lot of fun hanging out and showing him around. We had a great visit with one of our former staff members and my good friend, Tina Bevill! Then, Linsey (my roommate) had a visit from her friend Kendra and my Mom came to visit also! We had a full house - with many late nights and lots of good talks and coffee (thanks Mom :).
Jose Luis (staff) and Viviana had their little baby girl! She is beautiful! I'll try and post a picture of the fam. I'm an aunt again, and am proud!
God is moving among the youth and children. Our times out on the streets with our friends have been rich and filled with a lot of good conversations and times of prayers. We are seeing God's fruit grow these amazing young people and build them up. Today my friend J was baptized. When I saw him after the service, he radiated, beaming from ear to ear! Our God is truly faithful to take us out of the miry pit and to set us upon the rock. J has lived in the one of the main drug dens that many of the youth we know go to, to get their drugs, for several years. He now is living in a home that was recently opened to young people (who are older than 18 years old), who are leaving the streets. If you think of him, please pray for J!
This list of events in the last months could be unending. We have had lots of visitors! Aaron Strumpel (check out his music on the music links) visited us and joined us in our dedication time for the NEW MINISTRY CENTER BUILDING. Check out pictures HERE. Then the Servant Team 2008 arrived! Another friend of the community, Paul Yoder made a visit and we had a lot of fun hanging out and showing him around. We had a great visit with one of our former staff members and my good friend, Tina Bevill! Then, Linsey (my roommate) had a visit from her friend Kendra and my Mom came to visit also! We had a full house - with many late nights and lots of good talks and coffee (thanks Mom :).
Jose Luis (staff) and Viviana had their little baby girl! She is beautiful! I'll try and post a picture of the fam. I'm an aunt again, and am proud!
God is moving among the youth and children. Our times out on the streets with our friends have been rich and filled with a lot of good conversations and times of prayers. We are seeing God's fruit grow these amazing young people and build them up. Today my friend J was baptized. When I saw him after the service, he radiated, beaming from ear to ear! Our God is truly faithful to take us out of the miry pit and to set us upon the rock. J has lived in the one of the main drug dens that many of the youth we know go to, to get their drugs, for several years. He now is living in a home that was recently opened to young people (who are older than 18 years old), who are leaving the streets. If you think of him, please pray for J!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
A Recap
Well, since I do not have all the brain power to write everything that has happened down, I thought I could give you an idea through pictures. So here it goes!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year (In February)!
On the Chile Retreat with Adriana
S'mores with the Servant Team Ladies
Camping Trip Art Projects with our Adolescent Program Friends
Camping Trip Relay Races...Has anyone ever tried to do the crabwalk? Lets just
say...I had a good laugh!
A Camp Fire Conversation with one of our Friends
Coming back from Fun at the River...Camping Trip
A Little Bit of Poker Fun!
I'm not loosing yet!
Linsey & I on Thanksgiving!
Yummy Pies
Practicing our annual Christmas Party Dance for the Youth...we love to
make fools of ourselves and have fun!
Viviana & I on Christmas Eve watching the Fireworks on their roof top!
Foot Washing and Communion time on our Staff Retreat! A great way to start
the New Year!
I have this obsession with taking pictures of our amazing sunsets! They don't
do them justice, but I thought I would share!
Another Amazing Sunset. Little gifts from God to end our days!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year (In February)!
On the Chile Retreat with Adriana
S'mores with the Servant Team Ladies
Camping Trip Art Projects with our Adolescent Program Friends
Camping Trip Relay Races...Has anyone ever tried to do the crabwalk? Lets just
say...I had a good laugh!
A Camp Fire Conversation with one of our Friends
Coming back from Fun at the River...Camping Trip
A Little Bit of Poker Fun!
I'm not loosing yet!
Linsey & I on Thanksgiving!
Yummy Pies
Practicing our annual Christmas Party Dance for the Youth...we love to
make fools of ourselves and have fun!
Viviana & I on Christmas Eve watching the Fireworks on their roof top!
Foot Washing and Communion time on our Staff Retreat! A great way to start
the New Year!
I have this obsession with taking pictures of our amazing sunsets! They don't
do them justice, but I thought I would share!
Another Amazing Sunset. Little gifts from God to end our days!
little miracles
Yipee for a New Year! Another year of blogging, that I promise will improve in frequency! So much has happened in the last month, it would be hard to begin to write about it. But something cool happened today. I was on the bus with (Sebas), one of my friends and co-workers and we were talking. When we were ready to get off the bus, I hear a voice that says, "Sarah". I look at the guy who all the while was standing on the bus watching and listening to us talk, and realized that it is one of the first friends that I met on the street when I came to Lima in 2000. Actually, he may be one of my first friends ever in Lima! I have not seen him or heard about him in years! I said, "K!" But then of course we had to get off the bus. He said that he would write me an email and that he had my email written down.
The amazing thing, is that I didn't even recognize K, because he didn't look anything like he did when he was on the streets...and of course he is 7 years older :) He is clean-cut and looked very well, smiley but a bit shy, like his usual self.
It is a thankful blessing to run into my friend K, after the last month of see numerous friends stumble back to street life and who are in the thick of a battle to stay off the streets. It is a little gift that makes me smile.
*For protection of his person, I have not enclosed "K's" full name.
The amazing thing, is that I didn't even recognize K, because he didn't look anything like he did when he was on the streets...and of course he is 7 years older :) He is clean-cut and looked very well, smiley but a bit shy, like his usual self.
It is a thankful blessing to run into my friend K, after the last month of see numerous friends stumble back to street life and who are in the thick of a battle to stay off the streets. It is a little gift that makes me smile.
*For protection of his person, I have not enclosed "K's" full name.
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