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Saturday, August 18.

8:30 a.m.
The day began with a bus ride (big surprise there!). We were on our way to the Ventanilla, the poorest area in Lima. We arrived and were instantly surrounded by beautiful, dirty little children who were excited about what we had brought for them. We grouped the kids together and the show began.

Andy told the epic tale of David and Goliath. Goliath consisted of Nathaniel Forman on the shoulders of Daniel Anderson. David was an unsuspecting child selected at random from the crowd. When Goliath fell all the kids rushed him and not only tried to behead him but to also make him look like a piece of beaten abalone. Intervention was necessary. (What can I say? Andy is a convincing storyteller.) To forestall a riot, we sang, danced, made balloons, gave them food, played violin and guitar, and then, as the grand finale, we broke out the candy. Oh, the chaos that ensued! If you have ever taken American candy to a horde of children in a third world country you will understand how useless it is to try to keep order and how difficult it is to keep from getting trampled. When all the food was gone we tried to get back on the bus. It took a while because everyone wanted ‘un besito,’ a goodbye kiss, from the Americans. (In my case, I think it was a good excuse for them to check my sweater pockets for any last remaining pieces of sticky goodness. Smart kids.) Once the bus got going, we tossed the candy out the windows. I think there were some casualties, but the pain of getting brained by a tootsie roll was over shadowed by the sweetness of the gifts and the knowledge that it was given in love.

I feel that this is what the Lord has been doing this whole trip. We have been tossed many surprises that have left their marks, but I think we all can taste and see the Lord’s goodness towards us. We truly serve a great God. We have been thrown things that are not easily recognized as blessings. When they come flying at us they look like sickness, exhaustion, earthquakes, dirty laundry, difficult people, and cold showers, and when they first smack us in the face we wonder what is going on. But, when closely examined, we can plainly see the impression of our Savior’s loving hand reassuring us that before we were faced with these things they were filtered through the fingers of our great God.

3:00 — p.m. Lunch
3:15 — p.m. Children’s Seminar
11:45 – p.m. Return to the hotel

Grace, peace and truth

Red (Mary Frances) – reporting for the team

The wonderful Pastor Salazar talking to people in Ventanilla.

Look! It’s Ruth! No, she’s still not feeling terrific, but at least she’s on her feet today.

No picture can possibly do it justice, but here’s a small taste of the overwhelming reality of the shantytowns of Lima.

Many of the residents of the shantytowns have immigrated in from the mountain areas of Peru in search of a better life. Around 70% of the families in Ventanilla are led by single moms. There are very few men to provide Godly examples for the boys growing up here.

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