FEEDING THE CHILDREN IN CHILLON!

This morning we awoke and left our home at 5:30am. We had a specific purpose. We joined several Pastors from Iglesia and their daughter churches to feed the children of Chillon. In this first picture, the gentleman with the bullhorn is loudly calling the children to come and eat. He was walking up and down the road calling to them. He then turned on his siren that echoed through the mountain. Children started to make their way out of their homes, walking down the mountain holding hands with siblings and hungry bellies. Pastor Julio walked that huge red trash can down as well. It was filled with cups for the oatmeal.

Every child gets 2 rolls.

This is their "oatmeal." It is really like a milky drink with some oats added in. It also had peruvian cinnamon in it for taste.

They also each get one of these cups filled half way with the oatmeal.

Actually giving these babies food was a truly humbling experience.

They were so thankful with bright eyes and smiling faces!

We had around 75 kids for breakfast. Once they were handed their breakfast, they then took a seat on benches. Pastor Julio takes advantage of this time and plants seeds of Truth in their hungry hearts.

Pastor Julio then took several of the men up the mountain to another area where they were feeding more children. This photo was taken by Philip while up above us on the mountain looking down on us.

Mandy and Yeliska became fast friends. Yeliska (3years old) and her baby sister, Annalea (18 mos ) walked together to breakfast. We never saw their momma. They bobbed down the mountain together.... happy as larks! They were the last to leave.

SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT & THE FIRST DAY OF CAMP!!!

On Sunday night, we were given a special treat! They had a special band come and play for us during the service. It was a 10 piece band with several guitars, flutes and pan flutes, some native stringed instruments, and a giant cow jaw that the percussion player played!

Along with the band were fabulous dancers that danced several times....each time with a different native costumes.

They graciously posed with us afterwards. Ellen and Philip both got to dance with them. Ellen learned some of the dances and Philip just blushed and did his best!

He was a great sport.... and then got to model their headgear!

Yesterday was our first day of camp! The kids were so excited! The language barrier was difficult at times, but we all understand the language of love. They are very generous with hugs and kisses! We had a little over 100 kids!

Ellen (otherwise known as Tigger) started us out with games! They LOVE to play! Energy is something they are not short on!

Our campers! Don't they just warm your heart?

I'll end with this picture.... one of the games they played was a ballon contest! How quickly can you blow your ballon up from YOUR NOSTRIL!!!! Hilarious! This is David... he won the contest!

WE ARE IN PERU!!!

We landed last night around 10:00pm in Lima, Peru. We spent a bunch of time (8 hours) in the Miami, FL airport yesterday.... a very bonding experience!

This picture was taken outside of the Peru International Airport sometime around midnight! We then all loaded up on a school bus and drove 45 minuted to the Guzman's home where we are staying.

This morning we were taken to the church, ate a delicious breakfast, and then took a drive up the mountain to the cross overlooking the city. We walked the last little bit up to the cross.

We spent time talking with several children and then Pastor Enrique led us in a prayer for our time in the city asking the Lord to move and work in all of our hearts. He talked about the many examples in God's Word where people "went up the mountain" to hear from God or to be close to Him. It was a bitter sweet time. Pastor Enrique shared with us that a beloved brother in Christ and marriage mentor was killed last night in a robbery/shoot out right around the time we were landing in Peru. He received the news of his friends death as we were unloading at the Guzman's. He had spent the night at the hospital and was so transparent about our deperate need of Jesus and His continued faithfulness to us in times of grief and in celebration.

Sweet peruvian babies!

Our team picture up on the mountain standing in front of the cross and overlooking Comas. Gigi and David were not present. They had gone into Comas to shop for supplies for camp. Speaking of Gigi.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING FRIEND!

The boys are jumping... some are attempting toe touches!

On our walk up the mountain we met several friends who followed us up to the cross!

At lunch they had a party for us. All the pastors and their families ate with us, and then they had a very special presentation for us. The Santo Crew did a "break-dance," and it was incredible.

It was at this point that the dance breakout began. We danced the Cotton-Eyed Joe a few times and a peruvian (fanny shaking) dance as well. We laughed and danced and laughed some more! In a little bit we are going to have a full band rehearsal. Four of our band members are peruvian....a combined worship experience!

PERU- ready or not...here we come!

In a few short hours we will be boarding a plane to Peru! This is our incredible team!! From top left to right.... Philip Morlan, Vince Wallace, Rob Howard, Scott Moore, Bengy Del Villar, Stephen Rush, Ellen Staggs, Barb Taylor (bottom row) Jessica Morlan, Mandy Reutter, David Mills, Gigi McMurray, and Erin Tumlin. (not pictured) Juan Vasquez, and Matt Eldredge We will be meeting at the airport at 4:15am tomorrow morning.... there are benefits to meeting this early I'm sure! We will be posting updates, pictures, and prayer requests on this blog. For now you could be praying specifically for.... 1. health of our team 2. safe travels 3. that the Lord would provide all the support needed to reach our finacial goals for funding this trip 4. for comfort and protection of our loved ones that we are leaving behind in the states 5. for the hearts of the Peruvian children.... that they might be transformed as they worship the One True God! 6. that the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts will be acceptable in His sight, our ROCK, and our REDEEMER!