Hey, it has been busy there since the end of summer in Peru. The kids have gone back to school and you are in the midst of more homework help sessions in the afternoons. I am glad that the kids are bringing their friends. Summer is finally arriving here in the United States although Texas has been very hot recently. I liked your idea for me to share some of the activities that are taking place here in the United States as many are beginning to take an interest in the work we are doing.
A neighborhood park in Coppell, Texas
LOU
Yes, I believe it is a good idea besides I imagine that our Readers want to know also how God’s work goes in the United States. For a long time we have been able to share about things that God has been able to do here in Lima. I think it is time to speak of your country. 
The house of the Townsend family in Coppell
JANIS
I suppose everyone there wonders about life in Coppell, the city where I live, my church, and all the people here who have an interest in Peru. For a beginning, Coppell, as you know, is located in north Texas, and is a suburb of Dallas. Dallas is one of two large cities in this area; the other city to the west of us is called Fort Worth. The total population of both cities is about 5-6 million. Small in comparison to the population of Lima! 
Two young girls in field of bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas
LOU
Yes, here there are also two cities, Lima and the city of Callao (where Jorge Chavez Airport is located). Between the two we have a population of 8 million people. 
A family at a spring community event
JANIS
Well, Coppell is a city of less than 50,000 people located northwest of Dallas. The city planners for Coppell have developed a nice community with parks, many nice neighborhoods and a business section. There are 7 elementary school, 3 middle schools and one high school. Students begin public school at the age of 5 for kindergarten through 5th grade; then they go to the middle schools for grades 6-8 (ages 11-14).
Following middle school there are four years of high school with most students graduating at the age of 18. Coppell has a very good public school system that attracts a lot of families to the city. However, there are a number of private schools in the area if the parents prefer a private education. 
Typical neighborhood in Coppell
LOU
This is interesting. It is a community development with educational benefit.
JANIS
Following high school, students generally enroll in a post-secondary program at a local university or they move to another university in Texas or even go out-of-state. Families generally must pay for the cost of education past high school. 
Baseball field in Coppell park
LOU
Living in Coppell must be very expensive but good city.
JANIS
Well, there certainly is more affluence among the citizens of Coppell. It is a very nice community. Because we have a lot of parks and walking paths in Coppell, it is common to see people outside walking, riding bicycles, walking their dogs, etc. However, there is one notable difference between life here in Coppell and there in Lima.
Typical neighborhood street in Coppell
We drive everywhere! While you and I frequently walk to our destination in Peru, we would get into a car to go where we want to go even if we were going a short distance in Coppell. LOU
Well here as you know the people walk and walk through the streets which is a common habit. Not everyone can have a car to get around in. And we must walk short or long distances. 
Basketball goal used by neighborhood children for recreation
JANIS
Americans, particularly Texans, like their independence so owning a car seems “indispensable”. The United States is a large country, and in many areas public transportation is quite impractical. Most high school students look forward to learning how to drive at the age of 16 and hope to have their own car in high school. 
Offices for the City of Coppell
We drive our cars, park, and go into the store or wherever we want to go. Then we get back in the car and go to the next place. Many fast food restaurants, pharmacies and banks have an area where cars can drive up and handle their business there without leaving the car!
LOU
Yes, eating in the car exists here too. This is interesting. Our countries are different and here where I live we get around by bus, minivans, taxis and bicycles. 
Busy shopping center on weekend in Dallas
JANIS
There is no public transportation in Coppell. The area bus system doesn’t actually come into Coppell although it is possible to take a mass transit bus in a suburb about 1-2 miles from where I live. The bus schedule doesn’t permit many times to catch it so many people don’t even consider using it as regular transportation. Taxis are used only when absolutely necessary such as to the airport. Most of us would not use a taxi for errands and other regular trips. We have our own cars.
Parking lot of busy shopping center
LOU
The majority of people in Lima don’t have their own car so we must take public transporation or a bus to g oto different places in Lima. We use taxis many times when we want to arrive on time.
JANIS
My church, Valley Ranch Baptist Church, is a few miles from my house. The church is about 22 years old and has about 800 families. Our property borders another suburb called Irving. Irving has a very diverse community, in comparison to Coppell, and is composed of many apartment complexes and houses. 
South side of Valley Ranch Baptist Church
You remember meeting Larry Parsley, our senior pastor, last April. He has always had a vision for our church that we would demonstrate the love of Christ outside of the church building. Over time we have been able to develop partnerships in the local community and in Dallas as well as participate in missions in Texas and other parts of the United States. And, of course, we have international mission efforts as well. 
Sanctuary of Valley Ranch Baptist Church before 2008 Auction
LOU
Yes, I remember Larry.
JANIS
One of the projects that members of the church have participated in enthusiastically is the local Christmas Store in which we partner with another church, Cornerstone Baptist Church, located in south Dallas which is a poor area of the city. The second weekend in December each year we convert the VRBC building into a large “store” and transport the caregivers of qualified children to “shop” for gift for their children. It has been wonderful to watch lives transformed over the years. I have always said that the biggest miracle is when affluent people in Coppell learn to love the diverse community at Cornerstone. We can’t find enough ways to serve in the ministries in south Dallas: painting, caring for children, serving food to the homeless, visiting the elderly, etc.
2008 Auction Items for the Christmas Store
The Christmas Store in Peru is an extension of what we have learned through Cornerstone. Church members had visited Peru on short-term mission trips so it was a “natural” next step for VRBC to extend a project for children to an international location.
For me, the partnership between VRBC and El Buen Pastor can grow and flourish in the same way the one has with Cornerstone. 
Peruvian items donated for 2008 Christmas Store auction
LOU
The Christmas Store project has been a great work where both churches can unite to work together to love these children demonstrating the love of Jesus who is the true owner of Christmas. Like the members of Cornerstone, the members of El Buen Pastor are doing a good work.
JANIS
I have learned that God can actually use one person to accomplish a lot. To say I was enthusiastic about Peru after my first trip is an understatement! However, as I talked to people here there was such an openness to give to the needs in Peru.
One day I ate lunch with a VRBC church member, Jeff Jones, who also works for Buckner International. I knew Buckner was beginning to work in Peru and had sent a shipment of 5,000 shoes for their work there. I asked Jeff they could “share” 150 shoes for the children of the first Christmas Store. He said “yes!” And, that began our partnership with Buckner International. This year in 2009 marks the 4th Tienda de Navidad, and Buckner is a regular part of that project. They also brought shoes in June, 2009 as they did last summer. You have a great relationship with Claudia Leon, the country leader for Buckner, there in Peru.
LOU
Having Buckner International working in Peru has been a blessing. This organization has supported us with shoes so that the kids with economic need are able to use them. The director of Buckner Peru, Claudia Leon, the director of finance, Silvia Bermudez, like all of the people who work with them have been part of our support to help these children. 
Shoes given to boy by Buckner volunteer
JANIS
As you know, the partnership between VRBC and Cornerstone has been a wonderful opportunity for serving locally here. I have always envisioned the opportunity to serve the children at El Buen Pastor growing in a method similar to the relationship with Cornerstone. I enjoy long-term relationships, and I think it is the only way to make a long-term change in the lives of the children. In this respect, I have been very pleased to part of a new committee at VRBC that incorporates both Christmas Stores into the same fundraising efforts. Our initial efforts will be “garage sales” through the Adult Bible classes.
LOU
We will always will be available to help and to be able to continue as Partners working for those with needs. Our relationship of friendship between the two churches has already continued for 4 years. And we are very content with your participation on the Committee.
JANIS
You have met Claudia Adame, who is a missionary with e3Partners. She and I now serve as co-leaders for the Peruvian mission efforts for VRBC. We have been working to plan specific mission trips into Peru that will, in part, enable us to bring more VRBC members in contact with the children who benefit from La Tienda de Navidad. In particular, we would like to bring a sports-focused mission team to El Buen Pastor in 2010 where high school and university-age students could combine their interest in sports while sharing their faith. 
Buckner team member gives new shoes to young girl at Christmas Store
LOU
Yes, I know Claudia. It seems to me that you will be a good team and your work will provide many results quickly. With more members of VRBC here in Peru they will be able to see with their own eyes my country. Mission teams with teenagers from high school or the university will be fun so they can spend time with needy children.
JANIS
I don’t have any special skills or secrets. I just talk to people here about Peru, and people want to help. As long as they will listen, I will continue to talk. And, I have others who have been generous enough to help the process along. As an example, a friend of mine who knew about my trips to Peru was eating lunch at a local restaurant. She was standing in the buffet line talking to a complete stranger and told her about my trips to Peru. This woman wanted to contact me so my friend made sure we connected.
This woman, Mary Darden, attends a church in a city about 100 miles south of Dallas. As she and I emailed one another I realized we might have some common connections at Baylor University, a private university in Waco. It was amazing to discover her family has a friendship with another good friend of mine! They also attend the same church! Mary asked me to speak at her church in Waco. The members there were so interested in the work in our efforts in Peru they have committed some of their own resources to assist us.
LOU
It has been incredible the way in which God has been working there in the United States. You know people that perhaps didn’t have a relationship with you but it has been a surprise that you had a friend in common. And God has united you through His work. It is a beautiful surprise of God. 
Farmer´s Market in Coppell
JANIS
Of course, Peruvians in the United States are always interested in talking. Through my work at the University of Dallas, I was introduced to a graduate student, Karina Sandoval, who is from Lima. 
Coppell gardener with summer harvest
As Karina and I talked, she volunteered to present a project at the World Youth Congress in August, 2008, and was awarded money from Peace Child International that has enabled us to begin our first community garden. I have been learning about gardening here by participating in a community garden in Coppell.. All the Coppell gardeners have been very kind and share so much information with us. One day we may be able to partner with the Coppell Community Garden so they can actively work with us to improve our efforts in Peru. 
Ace Home Center in Coppell
LOU
It is good to hear that there are sensitive Peruvians who want to help their country. And I believe there will be more Peruvians that may be interested in giving their assistance to us. The garden project has been new for you and for you also. In the garden we have at the house in Nueva Caledonia (the poor zone where the house is located near El Buen Pastor) we are initiating the project and I believe that we are learning much with the recommendations that you have sent us. The information learned there in the Coppell Community Garden has been important so that you have an idea about how to carry out a garden. And here we are also moving forward with our project.
Onions harvested from Janis´ garden in Coppell
JANIS
A school in Dallas heard about the efforts in Peru. A class of students spent several months collecting school supplies for the children in San Genaro. They collected boxes and boxes of supplies. And they would like to continue this effort next year. Some of the kids want to communicate with the children in Peru. That would be a wonderful opportunity to learn about each culture! 
LOU
This is a surprise that a school class would be able to collect school supplies for poor children and teenagers. It is marvelous to hear that there are generous hearts that may be able to give to others. God will bless them. 
Spring vegetables in Coppell Community Garden
JANIS
Surprisingly there has been interest in our gardening efforts. I know someone who owns a landscape business locally. He has volunteered to put together some seed packets for us and look at seasonal planting calendar.
Individual gardens in Coppell
LOUThis is incredible. More people will know and interest themselves in our work. Perhaps we didn’t think of this last year but now I know that everything is moving forward well.
90% of all vegetables grown are donated to poor in Coppell gardensJANIS
As we have discussed, our efforts there will include teaching the children and their families about caring for the environment. It seems there are many ways to improve life in simple ways such as products we can use when we clean the house; treatments for problem insects, recycling paper and plastic….little by little we can impact the lives of the poor in positive ways all while demonstrating the love of God. 
LOU
We must care for our planet and use products that will not adversely affect life. God gave us this earth and we must care for it.
Compost bins with new materials added after enjoying the harvest of watermelons
JANIS
God has been good to us over the past three years. It is amazing to see how He has worked through friends and contacts here to bring more to the poor in Nueva Caledonia and San Genaro. I have learned that one person can make a difference in the lives of others, and through our partnership God can continue to use us to help many children.
Boy harvesting lettuce in Janis´ garden
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