COMMON HOPE

JANIS

The summer months are passing so quickly. It is already March and the summer break for Peruvian children is over. This year Common Hope has been fortunate to increase the number of children and teenagers sent to Canete.

I think we are now beginning to see some really good fruits from our efforts over the past few years. But, tell me about the camps in January and the other summer activities.

LOU

We began with the camp for the children that was held from the 10th of January until the 15th of January. We took 25 children who had a good time playing games, sports and learning the Word of God. Judith, of the girls who is a teacher in Sunday School, accompanied us this time, to help take care of the kdis. Besides this we had a second camp for the teenagers from the 24th of January until the 29th.

JANIS

Through many generous donations we have been able to send more children to camp this year. The kids have the chance to play in a carefree manner which is very different from their normal lives. They also meet other children from all over Peru. Maybe during this time when they have the freedom to enjoy themselves they are also able to learn and experience God’s love for them. This is the 4th or 5th year in which we’ve sent kids to Canete. I think we are now seeing the positives results of this experience. For one, they have to have a good report card at the end of the year which helps them value their education. But more than that they learn to love God and return to Lima with a desire to serve others.

LOU

Yes, the kids had the opportunity to compete in games with other kids and the group we brought from Chorrillos was able to win 5 medals besides having the best camper of the week (a boy that participated in all the games and had a carácter known throughout the camp). It was a surprise to receive the awards but God was good. Not one child was sick during the camp and this gave both Judith and I contentment.

JANIS

I know it was a wonderful experience, and I am very grateful for those who wanted to participate with us by making the camp and the summer classes a possibility. I believe the kids gain so much from the experience that will benefit them in other ways throughout their lives. They learn that poverty doesn’t have to prevent them from achievement and having good feelings about themselves. We can’t put a price on that advantage!

LOU

We are thankful to God the these donors that made it posible for the kids to go to the camp and change their lives during the week. We are confident that in the future they will have a changed life and be good individuals. Through having opportunities to study and learn a career that will change change their lives.

JANIS

Remind me again about the classes offered besides the summer camp. I know you taught English and math again. But this year, we added drawing and games which included ping pong. The girls had their jewelry-making class. But what are some of the other areas taught? I am sure the kids were occupied and had fun.

LOU

Well, besides learning Word and Excel (on the computers donated) and in free time we taught choreography to the kids. They were able to do handcrafts and took these home so their parents could see what they made. In addition we had a “School of Warriers” (a local program in Lima) that Common Hope supported so that 6 girls from San Genaro were able to go and learn about how to evangelize children and youth. During the first 8 days these girls learn choreography, how to be a clown, how to put on a Vacation Bible School (program), to act out dramas, to pray and to advise children and youth. Then during the next 9 days they were assigned to different provinces in other cities in Peru applying what they had learned (accompanied by an adult leader). During 17 days, they were away from home but learned much about helping others.

JANIS

It is exciting to see how they are all growing spiritually as well in their relationships with others. I am looking forward to returning to Peru in April so I talk to them and hear about all their adventures. I think we have finally found a methodology of programs and experiences to create a good foundation with the kids there. God has been gracious to open the right doors that have enabled us to help them learn how to help themselves….and to give them a desire to pass their experience on to others. I am very excited about the weeks and months ahead of us!