Nuevos Pasos

Today was our last day in Trujillo. Yesterday and today we visited an orphanage in Laredo called Nuevos Pasos (New Steps). Seven girls currently live there along with a few staff members. We did some painting, purchased some new items, and played with the girls.

In conversations with the director of the orphanage, we learned that the orphanage had been supported by a church in Spain that has since been unable to give them the same level of financial support with which they began. One of the permanent buildings is completed, which is where the girls live. There is a second building which is still under construction, but which has not had any progress since 2008.

This trip has been overwhelming in so many ways--there are lots of needs to fill, and it is difficult to know what is the best way to help. We brought a number of items that were requested--shoes, pajamas, a new television, and other things. It was great to get to know the girls--they were reluctant to talk with us at first, but soon warmed up to us. This was quite a contrast to the kids at Hogar de Esperanza, who attach themselves very quickly to new visitors. Although this was the first time David and I visited Nuevos Pasos, I hope it will not be our last.

The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

We've been in Peru for four days already!  We made our connection from Houston to Lima with a whole one minute to spare, and then spent the night in Lima airport, but we got here safe and sound.  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were days at Hogar de Esperanza.  In the mornings we worked on projects doing some cleaning and maintenance, and then in the afternoons we did at VBS-type program that Courtney was a big part of planning. Today, we went and watched a school program of some of the girls from the orphanage, and then in the afternoon we went out to help with ministry that works with people who live in the garbage dump outside of town.

It's weird seeing how much some things have changed.  There are buildings, stoplights, bridges, and all kinds of other things that weren't here last time we were here.  Over half of the kids who were at the orphanage 3 years ago are gone, and there are a few new kids too.  The orphanage is also in much worse shape--there are far fewer staff workers, the entire second floor is completely unused, the garden is gone.  And yet, our favorite restaurant still has the same waiter (who remembered Courtney), Jessica still pulled my ears when she sat on my shoulders, and Edwin still hummed while he was on the swing.  Some of the hard things about being here are also the same--it is physically and emotionally exhausting, and we end up feeling raw in a lot of ways.

It's impossible to describe all of the thoughts and feelings that we have coming here three years after we left.  It was heartbreaking to leave the first time, and the kids started pulling those heart strings almost immediately.  Within the first day of being there, we were getting questions like "are you staying here with us" and "are you going to leave again" and "WHY can't you stay."  It was really great, though, to have most of the kids remember us, and be happy to see us.  We've kept up with most of the older ones on Facebook, but had basically no contact with the younger kids.

We are glad to be here, and so glad to be with these kids again.  Tomorrow, we are going on an outing with them to a camp-type place where there is a pool, soccer field, and apparently even some horses to ride.  I could try to say more about all the things we've been doing, but it's past bedtime, so I'll just post a lot of pictures, mostly of cute children, which is probably why you're reading this in the first place :-)

And........on second thought, after a variety of attempts, the internet seems to be refusing pictures uploads, so you'll have to wait a bit longer for them. 

Cheers!
-David

We're off on an Adventure!

This morning, we woke up at 5:45am to leave for Peru! We will be taking a bus to O'Hare and then fly to Lima, making a stop in Houston. After spending the night in the Lima airport, we'll take another short flight and arrive in Trujillo on Tuesday morning.

Thank you all for your support for our trip--both financially and through prayers. If you get a minute in the next day or so, please pray that we get enough sleep on our journey--once we arrive in Trujillo, we will be briefly unpacking and then heading to Hogar de Esperanza, where Courtney will be leading the VBS program.

We will try to post pictures throughout our time in Peru on Facebook. We should be able to check our email and Facebook pages in the evenings, so please send us your thoughts and encouragements that way! We are traveling in a group of 14 people, some of which have never been out of the country on a mission trip before, so please pray that they have a positive and powerful experience.

Even as we're on our way, I have mixed feelings. I am beyond excited to see the kids again--Pablo and Pedro (who were in my homework group), Jessica (who stayed with David and I for a month), Cristina, Jenifer, Alejandro, Rosita, Edwin, Abel, and Italo. However, I'm scared of the big feelings that are waiting for me in Peru. Leaving the kids behind is so hard, and I'm setting myself up to do this again. Our year-long stay in Peru brought some of the most difficult experiences of my life, and I don't feel prepared to revisit those struggles and emotions.

That being said, Jesus is taking this trip with me, and I know that I can rely on Him for the big stuff I wrestle with. I am so thankful to also be going on this trip with a great group of brothers and sisters in Christ, and also to have your prayers and encouragement along the way!

-Courtney

When we left Peru

As I've been reflecting on our return trip to Peru this summer, I am realizing that things will not be the same as when we left. And you might be thinking: what an obvious realization!  But the way I left things--and people--in Peru is still the way I picture them being.

I have been lucky enough to maintain relationships with people who still live in Peru, including some of the kids at Hogar de Esperanza, so I know in my mind that lots has changed. At the same time, I still picture the boys I had in tutoria as first graders who love laughing and reading books. I still imagine that Treci, the guard dog will be there when we arrive, and that each of the house mothers are still working at Hogar de Esperanza.

But I know things have changed, for better and for worse.

Many of the staff members I knew during my time at Hogar de Esperanza have left, and new staff members have taken their places. I do know that Reina, one of the house mothers, is still there, since we message on Facebook, and I look forward to spending time with her.

There have been some children sent to forever families since we left :)  Of course, three of these children are with their family here in Champaign, IL.  When we left, we didn't have a solid timeline for their adoption, but I am so pleased that we have been able to see them adjust to their new family and start to heal.

Other kids whom we left at Hogar de Esperanza have gone to live with other family members or been moved to other locations.

The kids have all grown! This shouldn't be surprising, but, in the photos that we see, so many of the kids look taller! Jessica is no longer the little toddler that we left in 2012, and others whom we left as kids are now teenagers!


I acknowledge, of course, that David and I have changed as well. I look back at the person I was when I first went to Peru in 2011 and just have to shake my head. There is so much that I didn't know. There is still a lot that I don't know, although I'm always trying to learn more (explains my career choice as a librarian, doesn't it?) I am looking forward to returning to Peru, and to Hogar de Esperanza, with a few more years of life under my belt, fresh eyes, and a rejuvenated spirit.

I'm glad you're coming along for the ride.

-Courtney

We're Going Back to Peru!

I am thrilled to be able to share the news with you that we are headed back to Trujillo, Peru to visit many of the kids we worked with during our year-long stay! We will be going with a mission team from our church, Windsor Road Christian Church for ten days at the end of June. Our team is planning to work at Hogar de Esperanza (the orphanage where we lived and volunteered from 2011-2012) as well as Nuevos Pasos (an all-girls orphanage), Luz de Vida (a youth transitional home and women’s ministry), and a ministry that works with people living in Trujillo’s garbage dump. 

                We first met people from Windsor Road while we were living at Hogar de Esperanza—in fact, two families from Windsor Road adopted children from the orphanage whom we had the opportunity to love during our time in Peru, and whom we continue to have close relationships with here in Illinois! We weren’t able to go on Windsor Road’s trips to Peru for the past two years primarily due to the cost, but now, since we’re moving back to Michigan this summer, this is our last chance to be part of the Windsor Road-Hogar de Esperanza partnership. We also hope to lead short term mission trips in the future, and this trip will allow us to learn more about what that involves. 

So why am I telling you this? We need you to be a part of this trip!  Whether you  encourage us, pray for us, or support us financially, you are joining our team and helping to make this trip meaningful for the people we work with.  Being at the point of finishing graduate school means we cannot raise the entire $5,000 cost by ourselves. We have found the plane tickets and will need to pay the bulk of this total within the next month or two. Once we arrive in Trujillo, our costs will be minimal. Many of the children whom we worked with between 2011 and 2012 are still at Hogar de Esperanza, and, more than anything, we want them to know that we have not forgotten them. Please consider financially supporting us to help us remind them that they are loved and that we have not forgotten them.

 

If you’re willing to contribute—even $25 makes a difference—there are a couple of options. You can mail us (at 206 W Washington St Apt 10, Urbana, IL 61801) a check made out to Windsor Road Christian Church, and we will later mail you a receipt for your tax-deductible donation. If you’d rather donate online, we also have a widget in the top left corner of our blog which will allow you to donate electronically, although those donations are not tax-deductible.

We’d love to share more! As we prepare to return to Peru, we will be resurrecting the blog to bring you updates and stories, but please feel free to reach out to us via Facebook, email, phone, or any other way you'd like if you want to hear more! Thank you in advance for your prayers and support!