Thanks for following my blog for Giving Children Hope. We launched our new website and my blog has moved. Please visit it at: http://www.gchope.org/jenises-blog.html
Cheers!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Controversy of Gaza
How does a Christian humanitarian aid organization try and fundraise to serve Gaza? I’m asking a serious question and am open to replies.
Here’s the scoop. Gaza is so politically controversial and even more so within the Christian community. As an organization we do not take a political stand on any situation. We work hard to get aid to where it needs to go. We will work with anyone willing to get aid to the people – no matter what their political beliefs are. That means in every situation we work with all different people.
This can make Christians uncomfortable, but this does not undermine our commitment to Jesus Christ. Quite the opposite. We feel that working together with people who are different than us shows the love of Christ.
The interesting thing about the Palestinian territories (which by the way with our Google map integration we have to do a manual over-ride because even Google doesn’t want to tick anyone off), is that while Christians can debate about the state of Israel and the Jewish people and discuss the Muslims, the Christians living in this region are often Palestinians.
Now, I wan to re-emphasize that GCHope has no political stand whatsoever and we are working hard to get aid to a hospital in Gaza City – Ahli Hospital – which has not received ANY supplies in 2 years. As I restate that, I’ll speak of a personal experience in 2004 when I visited the Holy Land.
I traveled to Israel for the wedding of an American and a Canadian – both Christians – taking place where they lived in Jerusalem. I learned a lot from them and their friends on this trip, and with the Christian expatriates I met, they had varying opinions. But I did something else. I went behind the new wall into Bethlehem, just a few miles away from Jerusalem and it was a different world. I met with a Muslim Palestinian who toured us around and talked to us from his opinion. He was very kind and I’ll never forget the graciousness and hospitality he extended to us.
I also met with some Christian Palestinians and I think their story was the most difficult for me, or the most heart-wrenching. You see, no one wanted them. The Jews didn’t want them in Israel and the Muslim Palestinians didn’t want them either. However, they were walled up into Bethlehem unable to get permits to travel, but being absolutely persecuted. And the thing is, they feel that Christians around the world only seem to care about the Jewish people.
Now again, GCHope is not taking sides, nor am I. But I will state that I was deeply impacted by their plight and that I pray often for the Christian Palestinians who feel so very alone in this world.
We’ve taken a bit of heat so far from all sides for trying to help the people of Gaza. I’m personally frustrated because I need to find a way to raise $10,000 to help this hospital and people who has been hit by war. Whatever you believe about the war, breathing humans created in the image of God have undergone traumatic circumstances and no resources are available to help them recover from the physical ailments that they have. I’m not sure how to be politically correct, I’m just trying to do the right thing and serve people in need.
I did have a wonderful conversation this week with an Interfaith group. This is a small group of people from all different faiths who come together to pray and get to know one another and they want to help on Gaza. What a beautiful thing! People different from one another, some Christians, some Muslims, some Jews, all coming together around the cause of serving the people who are hurt in Gaza with the medical care that they need. I think this goes a long way in bringing a more peaceful world which we continue to pray for.
I’m sure that this post has managed to irritate some people. As my boss called me this week, I’m like a piece of sand that acts like an agitator. Hmmmm, not quite the compliment. But then he went on to state that this sand turns into a beautiful pearl. That I pose good questions that make people think and in turn produce beautiful results. So, I hope this made you think. And I hope somewhere it will produce a beautiful result…maybe it will be for those in the Middle East.
Here’s the scoop. Gaza is so politically controversial and even more so within the Christian community. As an organization we do not take a political stand on any situation. We work hard to get aid to where it needs to go. We will work with anyone willing to get aid to the people – no matter what their political beliefs are. That means in every situation we work with all different people.
This can make Christians uncomfortable, but this does not undermine our commitment to Jesus Christ. Quite the opposite. We feel that working together with people who are different than us shows the love of Christ.
The interesting thing about the Palestinian territories (which by the way with our Google map integration we have to do a manual over-ride because even Google doesn’t want to tick anyone off), is that while Christians can debate about the state of Israel and the Jewish people and discuss the Muslims, the Christians living in this region are often Palestinians.
Now, I wan to re-emphasize that GCHope has no political stand whatsoever and we are working hard to get aid to a hospital in Gaza City – Ahli Hospital – which has not received ANY supplies in 2 years. As I restate that, I’ll speak of a personal experience in 2004 when I visited the Holy Land.
I traveled to Israel for the wedding of an American and a Canadian – both Christians – taking place where they lived in Jerusalem. I learned a lot from them and their friends on this trip, and with the Christian expatriates I met, they had varying opinions. But I did something else. I went behind the new wall into Bethlehem, just a few miles away from Jerusalem and it was a different world. I met with a Muslim Palestinian who toured us around and talked to us from his opinion. He was very kind and I’ll never forget the graciousness and hospitality he extended to us.
I also met with some Christian Palestinians and I think their story was the most difficult for me, or the most heart-wrenching. You see, no one wanted them. The Jews didn’t want them in Israel and the Muslim Palestinians didn’t want them either. However, they were walled up into Bethlehem unable to get permits to travel, but being absolutely persecuted. And the thing is, they feel that Christians around the world only seem to care about the Jewish people.
Now again, GCHope is not taking sides, nor am I. But I will state that I was deeply impacted by their plight and that I pray often for the Christian Palestinians who feel so very alone in this world.
We’ve taken a bit of heat so far from all sides for trying to help the people of Gaza. I’m personally frustrated because I need to find a way to raise $10,000 to help this hospital and people who has been hit by war. Whatever you believe about the war, breathing humans created in the image of God have undergone traumatic circumstances and no resources are available to help them recover from the physical ailments that they have. I’m not sure how to be politically correct, I’m just trying to do the right thing and serve people in need.
I did have a wonderful conversation this week with an Interfaith group. This is a small group of people from all different faiths who come together to pray and get to know one another and they want to help on Gaza. What a beautiful thing! People different from one another, some Christians, some Muslims, some Jews, all coming together around the cause of serving the people who are hurt in Gaza with the medical care that they need. I think this goes a long way in bringing a more peaceful world which we continue to pray for.
I’m sure that this post has managed to irritate some people. As my boss called me this week, I’m like a piece of sand that acts like an agitator. Hmmmm, not quite the compliment. But then he went on to state that this sand turns into a beautiful pearl. That I pose good questions that make people think and in turn produce beautiful results. So, I hope this made you think. And I hope somewhere it will produce a beautiful result…maybe it will be for those in the Middle East.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The New Face of Homelessness
2009 is off to an interesting year. One thing is for certain, we all can't wait for the economy to turn. Who knows how long that will be.
In recent months we've noticed a change in the needs of our program feeding homeless children. I've mentioned, there are over 11,000 elementary age children in Orange County, CA who are homeless. They are homeless for different reasons. But here's a scenario you wouldn't think would take place:
Two able body parents in their early 30's. He has a 4 year college degree in marketing, she went to a technical school in information technology. Both are smart with a willingness to work. They have 3 kids, ages 8, 5 and 2. But guess what, they are both unemployed....for 9 months now.
What would you do? When your unemployment runs out and no matter how hard you try, you can't seem to get a job? How would you feed your family? How would provide shelter?
Unfortunately this family is representative of the new face of homelessness in our community. The college educated family forced to leave their rental home and bounce around from motel to motel with no money for food to feed their children.
We are thankful for all of the partners that support the We've Got Your Back program and help provide food for the weekends for families like this!
In recent months we've noticed a change in the needs of our program feeding homeless children. I've mentioned, there are over 11,000 elementary age children in Orange County, CA who are homeless. They are homeless for different reasons. But here's a scenario you wouldn't think would take place:
Two able body parents in their early 30's. He has a 4 year college degree in marketing, she went to a technical school in information technology. Both are smart with a willingness to work. They have 3 kids, ages 8, 5 and 2. But guess what, they are both unemployed....for 9 months now.
What would you do? When your unemployment runs out and no matter how hard you try, you can't seem to get a job? How would you feed your family? How would provide shelter?
Unfortunately this family is representative of the new face of homelessness in our community. The college educated family forced to leave their rental home and bounce around from motel to motel with no money for food to feed their children.
We are thankful for all of the partners that support the We've Got Your Back program and help provide food for the weekends for families like this!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
More than a website
The last couple days my co-workers have just seen me stressed about a “web data migration” but they really don’t understand what I am talking about in the new "website". Harmony in communications told me the other day she was telling her friend about our new “up-coming website" and he can’t understand why she is so excited about a website. And my “web developer” does so much more then building a website, but we have yet to determine a title that fits what he does that people understand, so he stays stuck with web developer.
All this to say, those of us involved in this project are actually really excited about it. But just calling it a website, well, that doesn’t really cut it. This is certainly web 2.0. When I think of a website, like last night I was on the Pier 1 website looking at dining room chairs, I’m there for information. What’s in the store and what is the closest store available and is there enough of what I want to make me drive over. What we are building provides information, but hopefully it connects you in your soul to doing something greater than yourself. Hopefully it inspires you and lets you know that YOU can do something big for a particular community.
I must say, my friends at The Man Can deserve high kudos for their time and brains. Brett and Fred have been working round the clock on front and back-ends. Harmony and I are frantically trying to move over data. Only it isn’t cut and paste. You have to use your brain.
So we can’t wait to launch – hopefully this week. We welcome your feedback when we do.
The most we can say now is that we hope it will be a place you enjoy visiting on a regular basis. We hope that partner projects around the world will be highlighted in new ways. We won’t focus much on GCH as an organization, but tried to pull ourselves out and connect you better to our partners. We hope that people who want to make a difference but don’t know how will have the tools to equip them and that this will be more of a community of people working together than a website.
As I just returned from Peru and meeting with Dr. Gabriel in the jungles I had the first-hand experience to understand why this community needs a hand-up. I’m inspired by their project and inspired to give to it. However, if you visit a website you might not get the sense of what has been accomplished and what next steps are and why it's so important. The hope is, our new design will somehow help you to understand Dr. Gabriel’s community without going there and inspire you to volunteer or donate to assist him as he cares for the health needs of the community. It pulls me out of it and instead displays Dr. Gabriel. And who knows, maybe we'll have people that want to connect with partner organization Mercy Homes and go visit Dr. Gabriel. We'd welcome that type of interaction.
So, here’s to a new on-line world, and that’s really what it is. It’s more than a website, it’s a community of inspiration and change!
All this to say, those of us involved in this project are actually really excited about it. But just calling it a website, well, that doesn’t really cut it. This is certainly web 2.0. When I think of a website, like last night I was on the Pier 1 website looking at dining room chairs, I’m there for information. What’s in the store and what is the closest store available and is there enough of what I want to make me drive over. What we are building provides information, but hopefully it connects you in your soul to doing something greater than yourself. Hopefully it inspires you and lets you know that YOU can do something big for a particular community.
I must say, my friends at The Man Can deserve high kudos for their time and brains. Brett and Fred have been working round the clock on front and back-ends. Harmony and I are frantically trying to move over data. Only it isn’t cut and paste. You have to use your brain.
So we can’t wait to launch – hopefully this week. We welcome your feedback when we do.
The most we can say now is that we hope it will be a place you enjoy visiting on a regular basis. We hope that partner projects around the world will be highlighted in new ways. We won’t focus much on GCH as an organization, but tried to pull ourselves out and connect you better to our partners. We hope that people who want to make a difference but don’t know how will have the tools to equip them and that this will be more of a community of people working together than a website.
As I just returned from Peru and meeting with Dr. Gabriel in the jungles I had the first-hand experience to understand why this community needs a hand-up. I’m inspired by their project and inspired to give to it. However, if you visit a website you might not get the sense of what has been accomplished and what next steps are and why it's so important. The hope is, our new design will somehow help you to understand Dr. Gabriel’s community without going there and inspire you to volunteer or donate to assist him as he cares for the health needs of the community. It pulls me out of it and instead displays Dr. Gabriel. And who knows, maybe we'll have people that want to connect with partner organization Mercy Homes and go visit Dr. Gabriel. We'd welcome that type of interaction.
So, here’s to a new on-line world, and that’s really what it is. It’s more than a website, it’s a community of inspiration and change!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Great Ideas!
I love sharing inspiring ideas. This one is from partner organization Mercy Homes and what the President Mike is doing with his employees at work.
The company decided to give all of the money that it makes in the soda machine to help support the Mercy Home. Mike and I were in Peru talking about ways to engage employees, and somehow the idea of putting the kids faces on the soda machine buttons was born.
Take a look at these cute kids in Peru and see what you think.
Do you have creative ideas you can share with us?
The company decided to give all of the money that it makes in the soda machine to help support the Mercy Home. Mike and I were in Peru talking about ways to engage employees, and somehow the idea of putting the kids faces on the soda machine buttons was born.
Take a look at these cute kids in Peru and see what you think.
Do you have creative ideas you can share with us?
Monday, January 26, 2009
What do art and human slavery have in common?
Read the entire post to find out:
Over the weekend I had a great chance to catch up with a friend I hadn’t talked to in some time. These days, keeping up with my friends is so hard because every day is SO full here at Giving Children Hope.
As she and I sat yesterday over coffee the time flew. I finished telling her about my week last week and she looked at me and said, “Most people don’t do all of that in 6 months, how do you do it all in a week?” I guess the answer is, when you work in the industry that I am in with the ever changing conflicts around the world (ie Gaza) and you work with so many different kinds of people to get in resources and give out resources, it means that a lot always happens in a week.
For those of us that need to be working in a fast-paced and interesting environment, it’s really perfect. Every day I am learning from the partners that we serve about what issues they are facing in their part of the world. Hopefully this blog is a good place to share them with you and keep you informed in ways that mainstream media can’t. If there are particular things you’d like to learn about, please submit your questions. I promise to listen, and I promise to inform you of the most pertinent information that our partners face and what you can do to make a difference.
Recently, Giving Children Hope is getting more involved with the issue of human slavery because so many of our partners are dealing with the issue of human slavery. We want people to know that when they support us that are assisting in practical ways to support this cause. In response, we’re having an art show on April 18th in our facility entitled My Hands Have a Voice. (www.MyHandsHaveaVoice.org). If you know of people that might like to participate as an artist, let me know. If you know of a celebrity that might like to attend or that can create art, let me know. Otherwise, just save the date and plan on attending.
Over the weekend I had a great chance to catch up with a friend I hadn’t talked to in some time. These days, keeping up with my friends is so hard because every day is SO full here at Giving Children Hope.
As she and I sat yesterday over coffee the time flew. I finished telling her about my week last week and she looked at me and said, “Most people don’t do all of that in 6 months, how do you do it all in a week?” I guess the answer is, when you work in the industry that I am in with the ever changing conflicts around the world (ie Gaza) and you work with so many different kinds of people to get in resources and give out resources, it means that a lot always happens in a week.
For those of us that need to be working in a fast-paced and interesting environment, it’s really perfect. Every day I am learning from the partners that we serve about what issues they are facing in their part of the world. Hopefully this blog is a good place to share them with you and keep you informed in ways that mainstream media can’t. If there are particular things you’d like to learn about, please submit your questions. I promise to listen, and I promise to inform you of the most pertinent information that our partners face and what you can do to make a difference.
Recently, Giving Children Hope is getting more involved with the issue of human slavery because so many of our partners are dealing with the issue of human slavery. We want people to know that when they support us that are assisting in practical ways to support this cause. In response, we’re having an art show on April 18th in our facility entitled My Hands Have a Voice. (www.MyHandsHaveaVoice.org). If you know of people that might like to participate as an artist, let me know. If you know of a celebrity that might like to attend or that can create art, let me know. Otherwise, just save the date and plan on attending.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Honoring the Life of Martin Luther King Jr
Most people know that MLK day is a big volunteer day. What better way to honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. then to spend the day in community service. Today Giving Children Hope hosted about 70 volunteers over the course of the day: http://www.gchope.org/serve-on-martin-luther-king-jr.-day.html. The volunteers also had the opportunity to learn about his life.
I learned some things today. I didn't know that he skipped the 9th and 12th grades or that he finished his PhD at the age of 26! Wow!
So today we tried to inspire the many people in our office to continue to give back. To use their talents and passion to make a difference. Martin Luther King Jr. was a single person who inspired great change in the USA. Who are the Martin Luther's of this generation? What can YOU do to inspire change for the better in your community? Around the world?
I learned some things today. I didn't know that he skipped the 9th and 12th grades or that he finished his PhD at the age of 26! Wow!
So today we tried to inspire the many people in our office to continue to give back. To use their talents and passion to make a difference. Martin Luther King Jr. was a single person who inspired great change in the USA. Who are the Martin Luther's of this generation? What can YOU do to inspire change for the better in your community? Around the world?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
What to do about Gaza?
As a humanitarian, we get asked so many questions about the work that we do. On Tuesday, the press was out to talk to us about Gaza.
The story will air tonight on the Real Orange at 6:30. I’m anxious to see how the story plays out. This was a new reporter we haven’t worked with, and we all know the wonderful job of editors who can make you say controversial things to drive ratings. I understand that the news can be more about ratings than reporting facts, but that’s not the case for every reporter or every station. Of course we understand that the media needs to make a living.
Here’s the situation; the reporter was asking about how you deal with uncooperative governments and in this case how to you deal with a terrorist group not recognized as a government. The fear is that the news report will say that Giving Children Hope thinks its still good to send aid even if 50% goes to Hamas.
It came up because my boss acknowledged the fact that sometimes, some aid lands in the hands not of the poor, but of the people you don’t want it to. He acknowledged this when most organizations that do what we do don’t acknowledge it. In fact, we often know when someone’s cargo gets taken but I’m not sure I’ve ever heard another organization publicly admit to this. I’ll also add that in my two years at GCH I’ve not experienced any of our cargo ending up in the hands of government officials. I know of problems with customs and the length of time it takes to clear, but I am not aware of any product that has actually not gone for its intended use.
That being said, in our 16 years there have been times when some cargo has been extorted from our partners and confiscated by the government. Not most of the shipment, but some of the shipment. The point John was making was that if we send aid to Gaza, if 90% of it ends up serving the poor and 10% ends up in the hands of Hamas, we would still send the aid. We hope that 100% of it goes to serve those in need, but if 10% gets used to open the door for 90% going to those in need we think that we should still work hard to serve those in need.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this. I suppose it’s a controversial subject. I have to say that I agree. We work with a network of advocates around the world and together we all do our best to ensure that those we are attempting to serve get served in the best way possible. But I suppose if I were the person in Gaza distributing aid and there were many wounded all around me that might die, and that if I gave 10% of the aid to them in order for them to allow me the 90% to come and save the lives of those around me, I’d do it. I’d do it in a heartbeat. I might be irritated about it, but when peoples lives are at stake you do what you have to do to help a maximum number of people.
So tonight, we’ll see what the news reports. However, I can assure you that we are working hard to send aid to Gaza and we always pray that 100% of our cargo reaches those in need. And by God’s grace that is usually what happens.
The story will air tonight on the Real Orange at 6:30. I’m anxious to see how the story plays out. This was a new reporter we haven’t worked with, and we all know the wonderful job of editors who can make you say controversial things to drive ratings. I understand that the news can be more about ratings than reporting facts, but that’s not the case for every reporter or every station. Of course we understand that the media needs to make a living.
Here’s the situation; the reporter was asking about how you deal with uncooperative governments and in this case how to you deal with a terrorist group not recognized as a government. The fear is that the news report will say that Giving Children Hope thinks its still good to send aid even if 50% goes to Hamas.
It came up because my boss acknowledged the fact that sometimes, some aid lands in the hands not of the poor, but of the people you don’t want it to. He acknowledged this when most organizations that do what we do don’t acknowledge it. In fact, we often know when someone’s cargo gets taken but I’m not sure I’ve ever heard another organization publicly admit to this. I’ll also add that in my two years at GCH I’ve not experienced any of our cargo ending up in the hands of government officials. I know of problems with customs and the length of time it takes to clear, but I am not aware of any product that has actually not gone for its intended use.
That being said, in our 16 years there have been times when some cargo has been extorted from our partners and confiscated by the government. Not most of the shipment, but some of the shipment. The point John was making was that if we send aid to Gaza, if 90% of it ends up serving the poor and 10% ends up in the hands of Hamas, we would still send the aid. We hope that 100% of it goes to serve those in need, but if 10% gets used to open the door for 90% going to those in need we think that we should still work hard to serve those in need.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this. I suppose it’s a controversial subject. I have to say that I agree. We work with a network of advocates around the world and together we all do our best to ensure that those we are attempting to serve get served in the best way possible. But I suppose if I were the person in Gaza distributing aid and there were many wounded all around me that might die, and that if I gave 10% of the aid to them in order for them to allow me the 90% to come and save the lives of those around me, I’d do it. I’d do it in a heartbeat. I might be irritated about it, but when peoples lives are at stake you do what you have to do to help a maximum number of people.
So tonight, we’ll see what the news reports. However, I can assure you that we are working hard to send aid to Gaza and we always pray that 100% of our cargo reaches those in need. And by God’s grace that is usually what happens.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Adventures in Peru
There will be more to write in the coming days, but for now I have returned from the jungle and will fly home from Lima today. Here´s the net net:
Highlights: Playing with the kids, seeing our taxi driver and his wife accept Jesus, delivering medicines to the doctor who serves over 80,000 people, the cool team of people I was with, swimming in the waterfalls, seeing the beauty of the jungle, meeting with high-ranking government officials, dedicating the new Mercy Home.
Sad times: hearing stories of the kids and families in need, learning about the terrorism that hurt the region, and hands down - sitting with 90 year old Augusto who lives in the dirt crippled up and blind- thankfully he will be moving into the Mercy Home.
Unexpected: Becoming a godmother to my Taxi drivers two kids in a church ceremony, having one of the tribal people at the first Inca village come running at us in face paint with a spear, seeing a freshly killed large poisonous snake, riding on the top of the van through the jungle, dancing with the Inca tribes, being interviewed on the radio, having a bat flying around on of the ¨hotel rooms¨, eating cow heart, dedicating the new medical building by breaking a bottle of champagne over it.
Pictures and video to come later. But this trip really encouraged me in the work of Giving Children Hope. The doctor, the mayor and all of the people came out and were so grateful for the medicines, which cleared customs on the last possible day (praise God). The community felt blessed. Additionally, because we worked with Mercy Homes who is running projects on the ground, they gained favor in the community.
What a wonderful thing to see all that God is doing in the jungle of Peru!
Highlights: Playing with the kids, seeing our taxi driver and his wife accept Jesus, delivering medicines to the doctor who serves over 80,000 people, the cool team of people I was with, swimming in the waterfalls, seeing the beauty of the jungle, meeting with high-ranking government officials, dedicating the new Mercy Home.
Sad times: hearing stories of the kids and families in need, learning about the terrorism that hurt the region, and hands down - sitting with 90 year old Augusto who lives in the dirt crippled up and blind- thankfully he will be moving into the Mercy Home.
Unexpected: Becoming a godmother to my Taxi drivers two kids in a church ceremony, having one of the tribal people at the first Inca village come running at us in face paint with a spear, seeing a freshly killed large poisonous snake, riding on the top of the van through the jungle, dancing with the Inca tribes, being interviewed on the radio, having a bat flying around on of the ¨hotel rooms¨, eating cow heart, dedicating the new medical building by breaking a bottle of champagne over it.
Pictures and video to come later. But this trip really encouraged me in the work of Giving Children Hope. The doctor, the mayor and all of the people came out and were so grateful for the medicines, which cleared customs on the last possible day (praise God). The community felt blessed. Additionally, because we worked with Mercy Homes who is running projects on the ground, they gained favor in the community.
What a wonderful thing to see all that God is doing in the jungle of Peru!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Arrival into Peru
Mike and I arrived late last night. In addition to our cab driver, there were 6 others waiting to welcome us at 1:30 AM. Today we made our way to a town outside of Lima to visit the new Mercy Home. A family of 5 there has committed to taking in 6 kids. We later spoke in the church about what we are doing in their community and encouraged them to help out this new home.
We're now getting our bags ready to take an overnight bus into the jungle. We'll be there Monday through Friday taking another overnight bus back. We're still praying that the medicines will clear tomorrow so that we will actually be able to deliver them to the clinic. Please pray for Pastor Roger who is working hard to get them cleared in time for us.
It's a blessing to be able to participate in what God is doing here in Peru!
We're now getting our bags ready to take an overnight bus into the jungle. We'll be there Monday through Friday taking another overnight bus back. We're still praying that the medicines will clear tomorrow so that we will actually be able to deliver them to the clinic. Please pray for Pastor Roger who is working hard to get them cleared in time for us.
It's a blessing to be able to participate in what God is doing here in Peru!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Off to Peru
So, I'm off to Peru in just a few hours. We're still praying that the medicines cleared customs in time for our trip as we don't have confirmation.
We'll arrive in Lima at midnight tonight, travel in the morning to the construction site of the new Mercy House, and that evening will board an overnight bus into the jungle to visit the first Mercy House and clinic where we'll be delivering the medicines.
I'm not sure I'll have Internet access, but if I do I'll post something here. We return on Sunday the 11th. We'll meet with any government officials while we there, but also get to hang out with the kids. The town is outside of San Miguel.
Thanks for your prayers during this trip. The adventure has now begun.
We'll arrive in Lima at midnight tonight, travel in the morning to the construction site of the new Mercy House, and that evening will board an overnight bus into the jungle to visit the first Mercy House and clinic where we'll be delivering the medicines.
I'm not sure I'll have Internet access, but if I do I'll post something here. We return on Sunday the 11th. We'll meet with any government officials while we there, but also get to hang out with the kids. The town is outside of San Miguel.
Thanks for your prayers during this trip. The adventure has now begun.
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