Have you ever seen the movie "Newsies"? Its a movie/musical based on the true story of a group of children in New York city in the late 1800's and early 1900's who were very poor and sold news papers to make a living. Tonight, Monica and I sat and watched Newsies (she sang along) - it is a great pic if you haven't seen it, and after Monica told me what it was about, I remembered the stories that Nana (my grandma who passed away last year) used to share with me. She was born in the early
1900's and living as a child through the Great Depression - mostly living on the streets with her brother trying to make a living. One of the ways they worked, was by selling news papers. I don't think she every saw the movie. I wonder what she would have thought of it. Whatdo you think aunt Sherise? Have you seen it? It reminds me a lot of my friends who live on the streets.
Today I arrived at our meeting to find out that last night during the street outreach time there was a lot of violence. Pray for our friends. Pray for us as we go out to visit them in the place that has become their home. Pray for our friends to continue to return home, or new homes, and alternative positive places where they might make
their home.
What not to do...
Do not open a can of Afrikano (terokal - a brand of shoe glue) carelessly.
Today, to my own surprise I opened a can of terokal because I wanted to use it to make cards for many of you! What I didn't know was that it was hard to open, and when the top finally popped off, it was spilled all over my favorite jeans and on my hands. It burned a bit! Linsey sacraficially helped me rub it around a bit and peel some off and then we discovered that probably the only thing that is going to get that stuff off is turpentine. YUM! So, I'm fixing (yes, David, this ones for you)
to pour paint thinner over my jeans to try and peel off this stuff.
The other day, we were at the office making cards for friends of the mission, and we were using the shoe glue that our friends who live on the streets often inhale. Someone had the idea to pour the terokal onto a plastic plate so that everyone could use it. I was told, that within 5 MINUTES, the shoe glue had eaten through the plastic plate and the glue was sticking to the table! This seriously alarmed us as we thought about what damage the shoe glue is doing to the little lungs and brains
of our friends. Pray that chains would be broken. Pray that we would know how to meet them where they are at.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
The Little Things
It is helpful to keep this journal and to process outloud and at the same time let you into my life. In these last months, I have likened this part of our journey and my own, to the Israelites exodus from Egypt into the promised land and their experience of the desert. Sometimes I wonder what this personal desert is about and find the twisting undefined journey exhausting and confusing. There is so much I am learning here in this part of the desert. I am learning that it means letting go of control - letting go of a lot - recognizing that I cannot do anything to change the way things are and the best that I can do, is trust. I am learning. Somedays it is easier than others. But I have to say, that so many changing circumstances make it impossible to control everything. So, God leads, and I follow and there is a lot that is mysterious, but I trust - and try to trust. Thanks to those of you who have encouraged me by letting me know you are reading this. It keeps me writing. Thanks for caring.
Yesterday, I realized that in desert moments, it is hard to see the positive, to see the Lord's beauty because you are so concentrated on the desert. Where is the water? Where is the Manna? Someone recently prayed for me, that I might have eyes to see. I keep praying that prayer for myself. And often it is the little things that bring JOY and HOPE and BEAUTY and WONDER to our lives. It is remembering God's faithfulness through our days. It means at the end of the day remembering the "Manna" that was given from our Lord to us to eat (as Monica and Linsey would say).
So I am recounting to you some of the "Manna" I have experienced in these last days in no particular order:
When we were out on the streets and we were remembering with our friends who attended Casa Job about the English class that Tina taught and all the sudden I burst out singing at the same time as our friend V - HELLO, HELLO, HELLO, HOW ARE YOU? I"M FINE, I'M FINE, I HOPE THAT YOU ARE TOO! We laughed hard after that!
Caldwell, Linsey's boyfriend is visiting and he is from India and Nepal (although he lives in the US). He is making us real Chai tonight!
Isabel (the Langley's daughter) and I had a special date before her school started this past week and we had ice cream and went to Coney Park - a little fun park for kids! It was hilarious letting Isabel try the bumper cars on her own. She was determined to drive them, even with her little self!
The little boys playing in our park. They find the most simple things to be the most entertaining. Dirt piles, hand stands, soccer games in the street, pop-a-wheelee's, tree houses in the park tree.
The market juice lady! She makes the best extracts - beets, carrots, apples, pineapple, grapes or whatever fruit she finds!
Getting to hold new beautiful babies (there are many new baby girls!) - getting to hold and play with Natalia (the Langley's sweet "fruit snack" daughter).
Going with Rachel to the 80's tae bo class!
We received news that we will now have enough funds to purchase a building!!! Gratitude! We are dreaming with the Lord! What might he want us to do? Many ideas have been thrown out there including my newest idea to make a bowling alley and rent out the bowling lanes and have our friends run the business. What do you think!!!??
Luisa, Sebastian and Brian are back to work! Linsey and Monica are feeling better!
We celebrated David's, Jose Luis's, Anna's, JA's, M's, V's, C's birthdays...there are more...soon to come!
Music - lots of music - Birthday CD's - guitar playing, singing my lungs out, MUSIC is healing.
Dance - lots of dance - Birthday discoteca dancing - moving those feet, dancing until you can't move anymore, DANCE is healing.
I
The grace that is the health of creatures can only be held in common.
In healing the scattered members come together.
In health the flesh is graced, the holy enters the world.
II
The task of healing is to respect oneself as a creature, no more and no less.
A creature is not a creator, and cannot be. There is only one Creation, and we are its members.
To be creative is only to have health: to keep oneself fully alive in the Creation, to keep the Creation fully alive in oneself, to see the Creation anew, to welcome one's part in it anew.
The most creative works are all strategies of this health.
Works of pride, by self-called creators, with their premium on originality, reduce the Creation to novelty- the faint surprises of minds incapable of wonder.
Pursuing originality, the would-be creator works alone. In loneliness one assumes a responsibility for oneself that one cannot fulfill.
Novelty is a new kind of loneliness.
IX
The teachings of unsuspected teachers belong to the task, and are its hope.
The love and the work of friends and lovers belong to the task,
and are its health.
Rest and rejoicing belong to the task, and are its grace.
Let tomorrow come tomorrow. Not by your will is the house carried throught the night.
Order is only the possiblility of rest.
Wendell Berry 1977 "Healing"
Yesterday, I realized that in desert moments, it is hard to see the positive, to see the Lord's beauty because you are so concentrated on the desert. Where is the water? Where is the Manna? Someone recently prayed for me, that I might have eyes to see. I keep praying that prayer for myself. And often it is the little things that bring JOY and HOPE and BEAUTY and WONDER to our lives. It is remembering God's faithfulness through our days. It means at the end of the day remembering the "Manna" that was given from our Lord to us to eat (as Monica and Linsey would say).
So I am recounting to you some of the "Manna" I have experienced in these last days in no particular order:
When we were out on the streets and we were remembering with our friends who attended Casa Job about the English class that Tina taught and all the sudden I burst out singing at the same time as our friend V - HELLO, HELLO, HELLO, HOW ARE YOU? I"M FINE, I'M FINE, I HOPE THAT YOU ARE TOO! We laughed hard after that!
Caldwell, Linsey's boyfriend is visiting and he is from India and Nepal (although he lives in the US). He is making us real Chai tonight!
Isabel (the Langley's daughter) and I had a special date before her school started this past week and we had ice cream and went to Coney Park - a little fun park for kids! It was hilarious letting Isabel try the bumper cars on her own. She was determined to drive them, even with her little self!
The little boys playing in our park. They find the most simple things to be the most entertaining. Dirt piles, hand stands, soccer games in the street, pop-a-wheelee's, tree houses in the park tree.
The market juice lady! She makes the best extracts - beets, carrots, apples, pineapple, grapes or whatever fruit she finds!
Getting to hold new beautiful babies (there are many new baby girls!) - getting to hold and play with Natalia (the Langley's sweet "fruit snack" daughter).
Going with Rachel to the 80's tae bo class!
We received news that we will now have enough funds to purchase a building!!! Gratitude! We are dreaming with the Lord! What might he want us to do? Many ideas have been thrown out there including my newest idea to make a bowling alley and rent out the bowling lanes and have our friends run the business. What do you think!!!??
Luisa, Sebastian and Brian are back to work! Linsey and Monica are feeling better!
We celebrated David's, Jose Luis's, Anna's, JA's, M's, V's, C's birthdays...there are more...soon to come!
Music - lots of music - Birthday CD's - guitar playing, singing my lungs out, MUSIC is healing.
Dance - lots of dance - Birthday discoteca dancing - moving those feet, dancing until you can't move anymore, DANCE is healing.
I
The grace that is the health of creatures can only be held in common.
In healing the scattered members come together.
In health the flesh is graced, the holy enters the world.
II
The task of healing is to respect oneself as a creature, no more and no less.
A creature is not a creator, and cannot be. There is only one Creation, and we are its members.
To be creative is only to have health: to keep oneself fully alive in the Creation, to keep the Creation fully alive in oneself, to see the Creation anew, to welcome one's part in it anew.
The most creative works are all strategies of this health.
Works of pride, by self-called creators, with their premium on originality, reduce the Creation to novelty- the faint surprises of minds incapable of wonder.
Pursuing originality, the would-be creator works alone. In loneliness one assumes a responsibility for oneself that one cannot fulfill.
Novelty is a new kind of loneliness.
IX
The teachings of unsuspected teachers belong to the task, and are its hope.
The love and the work of friends and lovers belong to the task,
and are its health.
Rest and rejoicing belong to the task, and are its grace.
Let tomorrow come tomorrow. Not by your will is the house carried throught the night.
Order is only the possiblility of rest.
Wendell Berry 1977 "Healing"
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Jail Visits
Yes friends. Our daily lives here in Lima sometimes incorporate visits to jail. Monica and I went last week to visit our friends. As always, it was a hard experience - however the hearts of our friends continually receive us with open arms and it is a great gift. It is a gift to bring a smile, hug and the Truth of Christ in and for their lives. Many of my friends encourage me to continue to "Press on for the Prize".
Monica wrote a blog on her perspective and jail experience. She gives a very detailed look at what jail is like, and you might enjoy it. I have pasted the link below!
Thanks Monica for your insights and detailed description!
Monica's Blog
Monica wrote a blog on her perspective and jail experience. She gives a very detailed look at what jail is like, and you might enjoy it. I have pasted the link below!
Thanks Monica for your insights and detailed description!
Monica's Blog
Friday, February 23, 2007
Another Day in the Life of Lima
Well, first of all, thank you to Linsey, I like meatloaf. All that to say, I did not eat a lot of it, because as you may or may not know my vegetarian days, (Thank you faithful members of the Environmental Club at Gunn Highschool :) sometimes keep me from eating lots of meat. My meat intake tends fluxuate. Anyways, I'm not opposed to meatloaf, it was good! The name still gets me though...
Life in Lima is completely unpredictable. You never know who you might come across or what you might see. It really is an adventure. For instance, on your way home from work you might be serenaded by a man with a portable amplifier and an electric guitar rocking out to your most favorite 70's tune. Or like today, we listened to two men playing their typical Peruvian instruments on the bus. This is the way they make their living. One played the Charango - A small guitar like instrument that looks more like a bango and the other was playing the Samponia - (the pan flute) and singing. These artists are truly amazing! Today when we arrived at the Friday morning program with our friends who live on the streets ages 8-18 we were suprised to be greeted with an applause as we walked through the door and a unanimous "Buenos Dias!" from our sweet friends. This of course is all due to another friend, Luis who formerly lived on the streets but now lives at home and works with an organization called INPARRES that has a program for young kids who live on the streets - providing medical education and life-skills encouragment. Today, Linsey taught us all about prayer and that we can talk with God all the time. At first, the kids had a hard time listening because they love to do school work types of hand-outs, but then they started listening.
I continue to learn more about what keeps my friends on the streets. The lie of being embarrassed or ashamed of the way they look and the life that they live. The lie that they will not be received or loved after having been on the streets, keeps them bound to believing that they were made to be there on the streets. I pray for their freedom from this lie and for my own freedom from believing that the bad things and habits that I have, mark me and make me who I am.
Today when I arrived home, there were around 100 young ladies running around the park in army shirts and pants chanting army chants - mind you they were running at 3:30PM in the striking heat of the day - probably up to 85 or 90 degrees!
Ok, this is a bit random. Up and coming, I will give you highlights from 2006 and some pics as well as reference to other fellow Lima blogs so you can learn a bit more about what life is like here.
Life in Lima is completely unpredictable. You never know who you might come across or what you might see. It really is an adventure. For instance, on your way home from work you might be serenaded by a man with a portable amplifier and an electric guitar rocking out to your most favorite 70's tune. Or like today, we listened to two men playing their typical Peruvian instruments on the bus. This is the way they make their living. One played the Charango - A small guitar like instrument that looks more like a bango and the other was playing the Samponia - (the pan flute) and singing. These artists are truly amazing! Today when we arrived at the Friday morning program with our friends who live on the streets ages 8-18 we were suprised to be greeted with an applause as we walked through the door and a unanimous "Buenos Dias!" from our sweet friends. This of course is all due to another friend, Luis who formerly lived on the streets but now lives at home and works with an organization called INPARRES that has a program for young kids who live on the streets - providing medical education and life-skills encouragment. Today, Linsey taught us all about prayer and that we can talk with God all the time. At first, the kids had a hard time listening because they love to do school work types of hand-outs, but then they started listening.
I continue to learn more about what keeps my friends on the streets. The lie of being embarrassed or ashamed of the way they look and the life that they live. The lie that they will not be received or loved after having been on the streets, keeps them bound to believing that they were made to be there on the streets. I pray for their freedom from this lie and for my own freedom from believing that the bad things and habits that I have, mark me and make me who I am.
Today when I arrived home, there were around 100 young ladies running around the park in army shirts and pants chanting army chants - mind you they were running at 3:30PM in the striking heat of the day - probably up to 85 or 90 degrees!
Ok, this is a bit random. Up and coming, I will give you highlights from 2006 and some pics as well as reference to other fellow Lima blogs so you can learn a bit more about what life is like here.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Thoughts on Self-Care, Being Me and Slowing Down
I find myself today in the quietness of working at home, taking a breathe to reflect a bit, and listening to the funny horn blowing of the ice cream sellers. Here are two quotes that I have enjoyed today.
"Make ready for the Christ, whose smile-like lightning - sets free the song of everlasting glory that now sleeps, in your paper flesh - like dynamite." - Thomas Merton
"If you can't take time to do nothing, you're a slave to doing. Doing nothing is a radical, revolutionary act. It frees you from the universal slavery of our age; slavery to the clock. The clock measures doing but not being." - Peter Kreeft
"Make ready for the Christ, whose smile-like lightning - sets free the song of everlasting glory that now sleeps, in your paper flesh - like dynamite." - Thomas Merton
"If you can't take time to do nothing, you're a slave to doing. Doing nothing is a radical, revolutionary act. It frees you from the universal slavery of our age; slavery to the clock. The clock measures doing but not being." - Peter Kreeft
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Feliz dia de Amistad!
Happy Valentines Day everyone! Here in Lima we not only celebrate the day of St. Valentine, but we also celebrate "Dia de Amistad" which means, "Friendship Day!"
I am thankful for your friendship! So be celebrated!!!
As for love - alas - there is no one in sight, in mind, IN THE PICTURE and despite the fact that I am whistled and hollered at, at least 20 times a day, there is not one guy who I fancy or who fancies me (at least one that I know about). I guess I'll just keep praying and try and keep a good attitude about it all.
No, but really. We are celebrating friendship here. Monica invited some of us over for Valentine Milkshakes on her rooftop. Yes - it is summer here and well, I love it!
Today was a great day. On Wednesdays, we usually meet at the office for a few minutes and then leave to make visits to our friends who have transitioned from the streets back to their homes. Jose Luis and I went to visit two of our friends in the same district but who live far from each other. Our first friend lives so far outside of the center of Lima that once we got off of the bus (after at least an hour), we walked 15 minutes up into the dirt hills to reach her house. It was a humbling experience to be a part of her reality and know that my friend continues to fight to make good decisions for herself and her family instead of heading back to street life - which in some ways might feel like an easier option at this point. After visiting with our friend and her two children we returned to the "Tragamoneda" translated "Swallowing Coins" - which is a Casino located in the central market area of the district that we were in. At the front door of the Tragamoneda, we found our other friend and once again hopped on a bus for another adventure in a different direction to visit his house and family. Upon arrival we were invited to eat an ice cream cone (which was most satisfying in the heat) and then spent some time sharing with our friend and hearing about how he has been doing in his job as a "Cobrador" - the person who collects money on the buses. Perhaps in another blog I will explain this better.
Happy dia de San Valentin and Dia de Amistad!
I am thankful for your friendship! So be celebrated!!!
As for love - alas - there is no one in sight, in mind, IN THE PICTURE and despite the fact that I am whistled and hollered at, at least 20 times a day, there is not one guy who I fancy or who fancies me (at least one that I know about). I guess I'll just keep praying and try and keep a good attitude about it all.
No, but really. We are celebrating friendship here. Monica invited some of us over for Valentine Milkshakes on her rooftop. Yes - it is summer here and well, I love it!
Today was a great day. On Wednesdays, we usually meet at the office for a few minutes and then leave to make visits to our friends who have transitioned from the streets back to their homes. Jose Luis and I went to visit two of our friends in the same district but who live far from each other. Our first friend lives so far outside of the center of Lima that once we got off of the bus (after at least an hour), we walked 15 minutes up into the dirt hills to reach her house. It was a humbling experience to be a part of her reality and know that my friend continues to fight to make good decisions for herself and her family instead of heading back to street life - which in some ways might feel like an easier option at this point. After visiting with our friend and her two children we returned to the "Tragamoneda" translated "Swallowing Coins" - which is a Casino located in the central market area of the district that we were in. At the front door of the Tragamoneda, we found our other friend and once again hopped on a bus for another adventure in a different direction to visit his house and family. Upon arrival we were invited to eat an ice cream cone (which was most satisfying in the heat) and then spent some time sharing with our friend and hearing about how he has been doing in his job as a "Cobrador" - the person who collects money on the buses. Perhaps in another blog I will explain this better.
Happy dia de San Valentin and Dia de Amistad!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Meatloaf Anyone?
Alas, I am finally writing again. After a month of craziness and some computer problems, I'm back to blogging. I'm struggling with the inspiration here, but forcing myself to do it. I figure it will get easier as time goes by. To be honest, it is just really hard to think about summarzing my days and thoughts in a few words. It is hard to even know what to say when there is so much to say. But I'm going to do my best to help you learn the context!
Anyhow, we recently found out that our dear friends Samuel and Techi were taking the opportunity to travel with their daughter to Israel. Patty was offered a scholarship to study in the university in Israel. We are all really sad to have seen them gone because they are family to us. I am excited for them too because I know that there are not opportunities like this in Peru. It has been the longing of their hearts and that of their children, that someday they might study at University.
Here is a paragraph that has encouraged me lately, taken from Jean Vanier's book "Community and Growth". If you have not read it - it is a jem.
"The more a community grows and gives life, sometimes by sending some of its members far away, the deeper its roots must grow into its soil. Expansion has to be accompanied by deepening. The more a tree grows, the stronger its roots must be; otherwise, it will be uprooted by the first storm. Jesus speaks of a house built on sand. A community's solid foundation is in the heart of God. If is God who is at the source of the community, and the more it grows and expands, the more it needs people who stay close to this source.
There is external growth, which is nearly always in expansion. But there is also internal and secret growth, which is a deeper rooting in prayer in Jesus, in greater love and forgiveness between brothers and sisters, and greater compassion and welcome. This growth is not visible but it creates a tangible atmosphere: a lighter joy, a denser silence, a peace which touches people's hearts and leads to a true experience of God."
On a lighter note - we are having meatloaf, mashed potatoes (with gravy) and string beans, curtousy of Linsey. I informed my friends, that I have never had meatloaf in my life and that meatloaf is something we Californians only see on TV or in the movies. (Or maybe its just my family???) Linsey and David informed me that meatloaf is a regular dinner treat in Michigan and Crestview, Florida. I'm a little suspicous, but ready to try something new :)
Anyhow, we recently found out that our dear friends Samuel and Techi were taking the opportunity to travel with their daughter to Israel. Patty was offered a scholarship to study in the university in Israel. We are all really sad to have seen them gone because they are family to us. I am excited for them too because I know that there are not opportunities like this in Peru. It has been the longing of their hearts and that of their children, that someday they might study at University.
Here is a paragraph that has encouraged me lately, taken from Jean Vanier's book "Community and Growth". If you have not read it - it is a jem.
"The more a community grows and gives life, sometimes by sending some of its members far away, the deeper its roots must grow into its soil. Expansion has to be accompanied by deepening. The more a tree grows, the stronger its roots must be; otherwise, it will be uprooted by the first storm. Jesus speaks of a house built on sand. A community's solid foundation is in the heart of God. If is God who is at the source of the community, and the more it grows and expands, the more it needs people who stay close to this source.
There is external growth, which is nearly always in expansion. But there is also internal and secret growth, which is a deeper rooting in prayer in Jesus, in greater love and forgiveness between brothers and sisters, and greater compassion and welcome. This growth is not visible but it creates a tangible atmosphere: a lighter joy, a denser silence, a peace which touches people's hearts and leads to a true experience of God."
On a lighter note - we are having meatloaf, mashed potatoes (with gravy) and string beans, curtousy of Linsey. I informed my friends, that I have never had meatloaf in my life and that meatloaf is something we Californians only see on TV or in the movies. (Or maybe its just my family???) Linsey and David informed me that meatloaf is a regular dinner treat in Michigan and Crestview, Florida. I'm a little suspicous, but ready to try something new :)
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