Sorry I’ve been lame and it’s been forever since I’ve posted…I’ve had some things on my heart to share, but haven’t had the time to sit down and actually post, or even feel like I had the words to even say what I want to say.
I guess I can talk about the kids that went to Peru. A big group of kids from ACF went down to Chilca, Peru for 2 weeks over Christmas break to help build an orphanage. Pretty sweet eh? My man Dave Mosemann, who was on my team when I went down to Peru a few years ago where my ‘Iron’ and I met, is a grad student at Penn State getting his masters in architecture. He had the genius idea of designing a building for an orphanage as his masters’ thesis…and actually raised the funds and gathered the man-power to do it!! Dave describes the building as:
“The orphanage will be mostly constructed by teams of unskilled volunteers, and therefore utilized an assembly systerm of non-loadbearing metal stud wall and roof panels. Metal stud wall panels are light-weight to carry, allow for insulation and drywall finishes. Masonry, the traditional building style in Peru, will be used sparingly as it requires skill and is not structurally sound in earthquake prone areas, which Chilca is.” …in other words this building is going to be money in the bank!!
How killer is that?! Peru has had a soft spot in my heart ever since I went after freshman year. The people were so amazing. Their hospitality, warmth and love were overwhelming. All regardless of what they had, they were always giving. The conditions their lives were in gives people in America no reason to complain, yet their faith was so astounding. Their trust in the Lord was an example of true faith. Not that we don’t have true faith, it was just with what little they had, their hearts were filled with the love of Christ and that was more than sufficient for them where they were overflowing wanting to share God’s love with others.
I wanted to go back there so badly, and I hope to one day, but I’m so pumped for the guys that got to go. They all worked their faces off on ‘Hannah’s Hope’ and it’s really starting to look like a building now. Not only did they go to work on Hannah’s Hope, but they sent some groups down to Chincha to help with earthquake relief. Back this summer, a devastating earthquake hit Peru. It registered an 8.0!!! It claimed the lives of over 500 people, injuring over a thousand, and effecting the lives of thousands. Chincha was one of the places heavily affected by the earthquake. It’s a humbling reminder of how little we truly are, but also a reminder of how we need to care for each other and help one another as much as we can.
I thought about all the stellar kids down there and prayed for them every day. I’m so glad the guys made it safely down and back. Continue to be praying for and thinking of those going down again to continue the building process and the children that will be given a place to stay while they are awaiting loving homes.
this will still forever be my favorite picture that I took in Peru
