How full it has been and how incredible. I am so blessed to be able to tell you that we experienced things so precious and so extraordinary in just this first day.
All of us piled into the bus and began our day with songs and a few laughs. We were on our way to a hospital to see the patients and other than that we really didn't know what else to expect. This is one of the same hospitals that we had previously visited last year. The room that the group entered in was filled with beds of women patients. Being able to talk with them, hold their hand, kiss their cheek-it stirred in me something. I started to cry, but knew that I couldn't there. These people didn't need to see tears-that was the last thing they needed to see. So it helped me be able to smile and pour on them love. The next room over was where the men were. These men lay there in the hospital beds as well-some of them admitted due to gunshot wounds. I saw one man getting his dressing changed and saw his pain as the nurses carefully cleaned and reapplied bandages. It was something that was so real-the need for love and the need for hope. It wasn't just a hospital of broken bodies, but a place of broken spirits and hearts that needed Jesus. We were able to sing and praise Jesus right there in their midst. I saw them smile-even the ones that didn't when we first came. I stood next to a man and sang straight to him-his eyes bore into me the entire time, but in the end he smiled so big I couldn't help but smile right back.
Next we went to the childrens hospital that held cancer patients. Our team split into four groups to go and spend time with various age groups. Ara, Ian, Amanda, Josh and I went off to see the age group between 17-22. They all wore stocking caps, well a few didn't-but they were either in their rooms or some were gathered in a 'meeting room' and they were knitting. Amanda shared the rope trick and then we sang Cuan Grande es El (How Great Thou Art) There were gifts that we handed out and many hugs.
Lunch was at the A.C.E school and it was grand. We had pollo y papas fritas (chicken and fried potatoes) The thing about eating in a Spanish culture-it's not a sit down, eat and leave. It's more like meander to your seat, laugh and talk, pour a drink, get your food, talk, eat, talk, eat, drink, bring out more food, keep talking, then on and on and on.
Dinner was at a Chifa restaurant (Chinese) I don't think I have laughed that long in a very, very long time. But unfortunately for you-what happens in Peru must stay in Peru (at least this dinner time) It was an unforgettable night for sure-many a laugh and happy tears from those laughs.
It's kinda late so I should really go.
Buenas noches a todos
que sean bendecidos
..ez..
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| Day Dias |
