We left the meeting and went straight to lunch at Teoflios house. Many people were they to enjoy the food, people, and the sun! Yes!!! The sun was shining fiercely as we sat out in their little courtyard. These meal times are becoming just an amazing time of learning from all these people that are hosting us. They are sharing their lives, stories of love and hurt and transformation. Incredible-only Jesus Christ can be glorified in it all.
After eating the fill that could last for the rest of the day, we split the group. About five went to visit an official with Col. Tanner. The rest of us went to visit the woman who is in charge of the womans department. We listened to her as she shared her passion. The passion of protecting those that are abused, used, left alone after becoming pregnant. She told us that their are 190,000 teen pregnancies in a year here. They are trying to offer programs to help these young woman, even the young children that are abused along with them.
Now imagine this-dimly lit street, traffic sounds blaring, haze hanging in the air and 50 boys off the street all together. We really didn't know what was going to come from this next stop. As you step into the open air courtyard there they are, lined up in rows just waiting and not knowing what to expect. Hands extended, you reach out and pour love upon love on them. It shocks them at first, do they accept this? Is it a show or genuine? Yes, genuine Jesus love that loves the unlovely and beraggled. It's like one of those shock waves that explodes and rushes powerfully over the place. That, my friends is the holy power of God. Singing, laughter bounced off the cold walls and flew out into the air. I know that if we could have really SEEN what was happening we would have been blinded by the pure light of His love that was blazing from within. It was so thick with the sweetness of the Spirit of the Lord. The boys were lead to a cry for Jesus to redeem their lives and set them free from sin and acknowledge Him as their Lord and King. It began as a steady prayer and then burst forth into an all out cry! They raised their voices and I couldn't help but lift my hands to praise Him. I watched them as they were speaking to their new Father-I will never forget the one standing just off center. He was being known by Love for the first time, tears poured out and fell into the hands of His King. It was time to leave and we were blown away to say the least. Speechless-no words could come to us, only those of adoration to Jesus. We have all decided that we will come back and see all our new brothers.
The last event for the day was, well what else would it be? Dinner. I must admit that Peruvians know who to eat!!!!! The choice of cuisine- Chinese-with a Peruvian twist. Duck was one of the main courses. Just when you think that you have recieved all the food they could ever put on the table, you are informed that it was only the appetizers!!! Maybe we will learn are lesson some day...... But along with our food we were entertained by the dancers who presented many differenct dances from the regions of Peru. At the end of the dinner we were each presented with a gift from one of the men that was hosting us. We were shocked at the generosity-wow, that word doesn't even describe it. Who are we to be given so much? The only way is Jesus. We have nothing good in and of ourselves-but these people must recognize Jesus. He is good beyond measure.
