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.

Segundo día is almost complete.

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.

Day Dias

Are we ever ready for what lies ahead?

Sure, we can prepare and plan and make ready. But sometimes I think that we will never be ready. Our God is full of surprises. He takes delight in giving us an overabundance of adventures.

And so here I am - about 4 hours away from this grand venture. Leaving for Peru doesn't seem real at the moment. But isn't that just like God to take such an 'ordinary' day and turn it into something extraordinary? Yes. I believe it is just like Him to do exactly that.

So hopefully I will be able to show you the sights, let you hear the sounds and taste the air. Can't guarantee that the internet will be up and running once I get there (it's a bit sketchy at times) But I will do my best to let you know what is happening.

Can you pray? Pray that His Kingdom will come. That His will WILL be done. That Heaven would be brought into earth. That His love would flood our lives. That He would be glorified. Not glory for us, but all for His glory.

I am excited more than I have words for right now. His blessing is so incredible. Who am I? Well, for one-I am His.

These are the people that I will be trekking the ground of Peru with. Please cover them, saturate them in prayer.

David
Thomas
Chad
Josiah
Josh
Ian
Jeremy
Jordan
Rodrigo

Tabitha
Priscilla
Leslie
Adriane
Dakota
Natalie
Amanda
Jana
Jill
Eliza
Libby

So I have been reading this book. I kinda was not knowing what to expect-it's a bit out there, this guy who is writing. It's taken me forever to actually start reading and find time to take in more than just a page or two at a time. The poor book has been on every road trip and I still had not finished it until just a few days ago. It made me smile, made me think-is that right? It challenged me where I was. This guy is a nut-totally bonkers. But he gets it-he gets the crazy, amazing love of Jesus. As I read the last couple chapters I couldn't believe the words that were jumping off the creamy pages in front of me. He went off on so many rabbit trails, so many ADHD thought patterns-from Bill Clinton, pot smoking hippies to the love of God.

Even though some of his ideas were just something I couldn't wrap my mind around I found myself finding this challenge in the midst of his crazy ideas. Because even if he is a bit off his rocker he still had grasped this part of God that I have yet to touch. I want to. I want to be just a bit off my rocker like this guy-if it means to understand the everlasting, realness of His love.

He was talking about the love of God. Not just for others but for us. Accepting that love for ME. YOU accepting that love. I think we forget about that part. I think we get so busy trying to love that we forget the fact sometimes that WE are loved with that everlasting love. Do we take the time to personally revel in that fact? Do we grasp the fact for real and let it rule in our lives?

Let me leave you with a bit of what he said-