Sometimes its a still small voice, sometimes a mighty rushing wind. Today His power and presence came in laughter from a game of volley ball and the eyes of many girls searching for love.It was one of those days. One that hits you blind sided-you weren't expecting it but there it was. The day started off by going to Callo and visiting various political people and also a group of previous gang members. All of our meeting we amazing-listening to the big dreams and plans and hopes that these men were telling us about and how they wanted us to be apart of it all. And then walking in and shaking the hands of men that have experienced life in a way none of us could imagine. Being there in the midst of that all was pretty incredible. Actually the day really started when we all met this morning to pray. I have to admit that I highly doubt any of this would have happened the way it did if we did not pray and intercede for one another and the leaders and people we were going to meet that day. Anyways, we went to lunch around two or so and had pollo once again and also llama! Fun times once we found out what we were eating :) Took a couple pictures and then all were corralled into our bus.
The next stop was the huge Peruvian style YMCA (I really don't know what else to liken it to) The had 'football' courts, volley ball, indoor tracks, outdoor fields and pools. Every one kinda just took off and did their own thing...passing out tracks and stickers or whatever else we had. I took some pictures and soon had groups of young kids posing for their 'foto'. As I came around the walk I ran into one of our body guards=in broken 'Spanglish' we talked a bit and he led me to the volley ball court (he apparently loves to play) and wanted me to join in. Well, we already had a few of our people there on the court-it's to be expected of us people from head quarters I guess :) So we had an awesome game with the kids there and even one of the body guards did a couple sweet serves!
Of course we really had no idea what was next so we all kinda just laughed and talked. It's one of my favorite things about the bus-just sitting there listening to everyone just enjoy everything. Then we found out that instead of going back to the hotel we were on our way to the girls shelter!!! No one had any idea how long or what we were going to do-but we were pretty excited for the plan. Once we got out we were lead to a court yard and there was a huge bundle of soft, fleece blankets. Everyone took five and we headed to our first house of girls. They gave us a small tour of their little home and then told us a couple of their names as well as a bit of background. The blankets got handed out and then we got to just talk and give out little things we had with us. It was time to move on to the other building and I was giving the girls some things and it was horrible-all the girls started telling me not go. They held on so tight and kept saying not to leave-but we had to move to the next and as I left my heart again started to break. I walked into the next building and the girl was telling her story of how she had to have an abortion-another that spoke after her had the same story. Listening to those words come out of those young mouths completely broke me.
Their words still haunt my heart and I have not forgotten their faces. Faces of pain that were looking for hope.
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
