PERU BLOG - JULY 13TH

“Hungry, I run to You; for I know You satisfy.”

Satisfying. What is satisfying, really? Yesterday one of our leaders, Dave, was wearing a shirt from Compassion and it made me reconsider my definition of satisfying. The front of his shirt simply said: “the opposite of poverty isn’t wealth”; the back: “the opposite of poverty is enough.” Enough what? Money? Shoes? Clothes? How are we, as Christians, defining our wealth? God will provide. He gives us everything that we need to survive. Are we not called to measure our wealth in faith? Love? Ability to help others? God-given talents? If so, I’m a billionaire! I have riches in the form of love and friendship and family and faith that people dream of. I have never been afraid that there might not be food available for me. Never in my life have I had to wonder where my parents are or whether or not they would be able to take care of me. I have enough clothes in my closet for an entire city. God blessed me with more people in my life than I could have ever imagined I would have; all who love and support and care for me. Who am I to consider myself anything but rich?

I wish you could all be here. I wish you could meet these people and play with these kids and just experience this place. I know we’ve only been here for a few days, but I feel like I’ve been here my entire life. I haven’t slept this hard in a long time (and that says a lot because I’m a heavy sleeper). Maybe it’s getting up early, or maybe it’s because I feel so comfortable here, but this is some of the best sleep I’ve gotten in weeks. And I totally don’t mind getting up early. I actually am excited to wake up in the morning and see what we’re going to do next. I can’t really blog every little detail, because then I would have nothing to say when I get home, but I’ll still fill you in on our daily adventures. =)

Yesterday, I was on paint duty – with Kelly. We may or may not have gotten into a paint fight. We may or may not have involved everyone in the room. It definitely was hilarious, and I’m pretty sure everyone here thinks we’re insane. Matthew, one of the boys here (don’t even start Britani – he’s 11), told one of the other guys here that Ohio girls scare him because they’re crazy! Hahah It was too cute. But we’re really starting to get to know the rest of the team members, and I really enjoy bonding with everyone throughout the day. Yesterday we seriously talked about love stories all day. I asked everyone I worked with about their love lives and how they met/proposed/etc. It was awesome to hear how God works in some seriously funny ways. He’s a funny dude, the Big Guy.

Last night for dinner some of the neighborhood ladies came and made us a Peruvian dish…DELICIOUS! Mmm…it was seriously so good. It was some combination of brown rice, chicken, peppers, egg, idk what else but it was really really good. Then we played the HAHA game...success! I honestly cannot play that game without cracking up. We got quite a few people to play and it was super funny. Then Manny (one of our new friends, who is also a translator) was like, ‘you want a real Peruvian experience? We’re gonna play kiwi.’ So a bunch of us played this kiwi game and it was sweet! (Minus getting a soccer ball thrown at my head and an elbow to the cheek.) After that, we just sat around outside and talked for awhile.

It’s so awesome to see how God works through such a variety of different people. It proves that God doesn’t see your outside appearance; He just sees your heart. He doesn’t care if you’re a 22 yr. old med student or a 9 year old little girl…He can use you. If you have a heart for the Lord and you want to help: He will use you to shine His light on the rest of the world.

p.s. These blogs may be coming later than when I write them, but it all depends on time/internet availability/etc. Keep checking back!

peaceandlove<3