JANIS
Hey, Lou, it was so sweet…and humbling…to hear John Hewlett tell us that his daughter saved her money so she could donate it for the benefit of a poor child in Peru! It reminds me of the story in the Bible when the woman gave everything she had? A young American girl has collected what is a small amount of money in the eyes of the world, but she gave everything she had. If more adults gave sacrificially, the world would be a better place.
LOU
It is incredible to hear this. When John told us what his young daughter had done I felt humbled because a small girl gave all of her savings but she gave it out of love for the children in Peru. The amount might be small but what is interesting is that she is it wasn’t important to her and through this we learn that when this little girl is grown and is older it is possible she will have an interest in missions. I can only ask that God blesses her very much. JANIS
Yes, I agree. And, I honestly think the amount is inconsequential to God. He sees the heart. Children’s hearts are not full of the concerns of life. They recognize what it most important many times before we, as adults, see it. So like the boy who gave his lunch of fish and bread, God can take a small gift and multiply it to meet many needs beyond our human abilities. LOU
It is true that God is able to do many miracles including the multiplication of things very small. For God nothing is impossible. The heart of this girl has been very generous and God has seen this. Besides the Kingdom of heaven belongs to children like her. And I imagine that John must be proud of his daughter. JANIS
I hope we have an opportunity to see how God uses this gift to work in the life of Flor. What have you heard from the members of El Buen Pastor about the visit of the team from Valley Ranch Baptist Church? I know they were glad to see for themselves the children who are recipients of the events at the Christmas Store in Peru. LOU
The members of El Buen Pastor were excited about the visit of the members of your church. The arranged the church so that it would look good, they prepared their donations to be carried back to the United States for the auction. Besides they asked me “Lou what will the Americans want to eat for lunch?” and I told them that it could be something fried with soft drinks. I think they had been excited but nervous to be good hosts. JANIS
I was very happy to see another team of church members visit El Buen Pastor. As you know, I have been the only one who has been at La Tienda de Navidad each year. They can hear my stories and see photos, but nothing replaces the actual experience. They all remarked about how many children were present in Sunday School and how polite the children are when there. LOU
I believe that having an actual experience is the best method that one can have to reach the hearts of others. And this time, this group that accompanied Pastor Larry was most identified with the children and teenagers that attend Sunday School. I think that is was special day to be able to share what God has done until now. JANIS
I feel good knowing that we are demonstrating it is possible to develop relationships AND care about one another despite the distance. With each visit both the members of VRBC (Valley Ranch Baptist Church) as well as El Buen Pastor come to see one another as partners in an effort to bring the good news of God’s live and the resources to help the poor help themselves. No longer can El Buen Pastor or Peru exist as a concept or unknown destination but as place where there are friends and connections. And, the United States is less an unknown land but a country with people who care about others around the world. The world grows smaller and we become more alike. LOU
The relationships are closer and the knowledge between the two churches make them able to understand one another little by little even understanding the culture. The two churches have something despite the distance and the language and that is the love for neighbors and those who are weak. JANIS
I have talked to some of the team members from VRBC since they returned to the United States. Everyone felt good about the time spent there. They were quite impressed with the obvious love the teachers have for the children, and they also enjoyed listening to the teachers. While there may have been a language barrier for some many of the team members saw teachers who were knowledgeable and passionate about their desire to communicate the love God has for each one of the students. It is obvious to everyone that God has been working through the teachers long before VRBC arrived. LOU
As you know, I am part of those who are teachers in Sunday School and each year each one of the teachers that the Americans see have more than 5 years teaching and others have more than 13 year. Namely God has given us the privilege to see children grow and now they participate in the youth group. During the visit of the VRBC members, Larry was again able to be in my class and he seemed to me to enjoy the class. He was a good student! JANIS
We are all relieved that our pastor is a good student! I know he was more familiar with Romans this year than Revelations the last time he visited! He tells the story to everyone about his first visit and his incorrect answers to your questions! LOU
Larry is a good student and a special pastor. I honestly don’t remember what happened two years ago when he responded badly to the question that I gave him but it was obviously because of the difference in language. Each time he attends my class I enjoy it I know despite the differences in language I know that near me is a servant of God. JANIS
Aside from time spent with the kids, the walk we take through the poor zone has a great impact on Americans. Nothing can replace walking the same road the children and their families travel on a daily basis. It gives them a personal experience walking on a path full of rocks looking at homes with minimal necessities of life. Of course, the contrast at the top of the road with the beautiful ocean view left a lasting impression of both the hope and the need that exists in Peru. On one hand, the sound of the Pacific on the shore with its beautiful view is contrasted with the broken homes, dirt roads and obvious lack of basic necessities. That mental picture permeates into each heart and stays there as a reminder of the life of the poor. LOU
Yes, I know that it was impactful for them to climb through this zone and to recognize the faces of the children that they had seen a few hours before in Sunday School. Here when you hear the word “American” it means someone who only wants to be on a tour through the city or someplace historic but here they were able to see the see from the top of the zone that there was garbage and bad odors and they walked through the zone where there were many rocks. This place showed the type of life of the children that live in this zone and the members of VRBC were able to experience for about 30 minutes. JANIS
That same evening they returned to the United States and woke up to their “normal” American lives. However, I think experiences like the one they had in Peru change how they see “normal”. Hours before they were walking along the roads traveled by the poor and now they see the nice homes and their own beautiful yards. Their closets contain more shoes and clothes than they need. They confront what has been “normal” through the vivid contrast in San Genaro the day before. It may take days and weeks to integrate that experience but they have a “new kind of normal” now. And, I think through this experience God can begin to speak. LOU
God speaks to hearts and it seems to me that the members of your church have a clearer vision of how life is in Peru. Each one will reflect about their American life and the experience they had here. JANIS
You’re right. These experiences leave us changed forever.