Peru

We have been in Iquitos, Peru for over a week now and are getting ready to start our journey home this evening. I can´t believe the trip is almost over! We have had an amazing time in Peru this last week working with Drew at TBarM Camp Amazon. Here is the rundown of the week.

The first two days we spent helping Drew get ready for the youth camp that started Monday and is going on now. We cleaned cabins and bathrooms, built bunk beds, and spent a majority of time unloading and hauling grass for a new soccer field. On Saturday we got to participate in a plaza outreach. We walked around a neighborhood and gathered all the kids we could. Then we played games in the plaza with them and had the opportunity to share the gospel with the kids before we left. It has been really great getting to work with Drew and see his heart for the Peruvian people.

Monday, camp started and we got to jump in and help out. Since Monday was Peru´s day of Independence the campers all decorated their coaches as patriotic as possible, came up with team cheers, and had a parade around camp. I joined in with the Eagles (one of the girl´s teams) for the week. Tuesday and Wednesday we got to jump in with all the sports rotations: volleyball, basketball, kickball, and American football.

I think the best part about being in Peru is that I have gotten to see how Camp Amazon is coming together! I came to Peru on the trip in January of 2005, when camp wasn´t even started yet. It amazes me the work the Lord has done down here since then to put together an awesome camp experience for the Peruvians. I have also reunited with a couple girls who helped us out at the camp we put on in 2005. God has blessed me with the opportunity to see how much camp means to these kids. The girls remembered what group they were in as well as my group. They also sang their team cheers for me and my team´s cheer (which I didn´t even remember). They also named off almost every other person that came on that trip with us! It has been so fun getting to work with these girls again this week (as a couple of them are now the counselors)!

Another surprise blessing about being in Iquitos is that Deborah, who has worked with a lot of TBarM trips in the past, is here for a couple of months! I first met Deborah when she was one of our translators on a trip to Panama. It has been a lot of fun getting to be around her again and hear how the Lord is working in her life! One of the funniest memories from Peru is probably when we found out that Deborah has never had a brain freeze. We tried really hard to have her experience her first one while out to dinner with us one night, but sadly our attempts failed :).

I can´t believe this trip is ending. God has been so good to us, and I am so blessed to have been a part of God working in so many countries. I´m sad the travels are ending but looking forward to coming home and seeing all of you! Thanks again for all your prayers and support! See some of you Friday and hopefully the rest of you soon!

Freedom

Things in Brazil have been going great! The other night our big event went really well. I would guess there were over 200 people there, including some guys from a drug rehab center which we would visit the next day. Something pretty cool happened which we thought was a mistake but the Lord totally used it for good. During the In the Light drama, the CD totally skipped back a ways at the part where the Bad Girl is forced by Satan to drink, smoke, and do drugs. We panicked a bit but kept on going with the drinking and smoking....thus making this part seem really long and over exaggerated! What we didn´t know is that God used this to speak to the drug rehab men.



The next morning we went to the rehab center to eat breakfast, worship, and have devo with the men. About 40 men (ages 12-50) live in a house trying to break free from chemical addictions. There we learned how much the drama meant to them. The drama club of the center even wants to learn In the Light to present at churches, etc. It was cool how God used what we thought was a mistake for His good to impact the men even more.



The Lord really spoke to my heart while we were worshipping with the men at the rehab center. I was awed by how passionately the men worshipped and praised the Lord. I thought about how they truly know the meaning of freedom from sin and addiction. After taking it all in for a moment, I realized that I know the same freedom in Christ that these men know! It may not be drug addiction, but I should praise the Lord just as passionately because He has freed me completely from all my sins just as He has freed these men from addiction! How often I forget this and don´t worship as I should with true gratitude of the freedom and victory I have in Christ!



Yesterday we had the chance to speak at 2 youth groups. One of them is with a church that we aren´t working with directly. However, Ellen informed us that when the pastor of that church heard we were coming he wanted to help out. His church has donated 600 Reals (about $400) to Ellen´s family to help with costs such transporting us to and from the airport (about 5 hours from the town we are staying in). The Lord has provided in amazing ways for us on this journey!

Our time in Brazil is almost up...I can´t believe it. Ellen´s family and the Brazilian people have truly been a blessing to our team. They have taught me a whole lot about hospitality and what it means to love people like they are a part of your own family. We have about 2 more days with them and then will fly out to Peru (our last stop)! I will definitely miss Ellen and my Brazilian family!!! Until Peru...

And Now the Main Event

We have arrived safe in Brazil! I was finally able to get up some Uganda pictures so make sure to check those out below as well as the guest blog from my good friend Ande from college. It has been so great getting to see Ellen (my good friend from TBarM) and her family! They have taken such good care of us. We have definitely eaten like kings...so much for losing weight on this trip :).

Last night we spoke in Ellen´s church about our trip. What amazing me is how perfectly the Lord has put this trip together. The goal for us speaking was to open the eyes of the church to the world of missions. Had Brazil been our first stop we wouldn´t have had great stories to share with the church, but God knew what He was doing by putting each of our ministries together. We were able to tell the church all about the needs in China, India, and Uganda and share what God was doing in each of those countries. We were blessed to hear from many of the church members how encouraging our talk was to them.

That brings us to tonight! If you read this be praying for us because we (well really God) are the center of a huge event the church is putting on in the center of town. This morning we walked for 4 hours inviting people to come tonight! Before we head to the event, we will stop by the TV station to advertise a little more and share what we are doing in Brazil and what God has been doing on our trip. Then we will head down to the center square where a huge stage has been built. Tonight 2 bands will play, we will do the In the Light Drama, and then Sean will preach the gospel. Please pray that people come and God´s word will be spread to the people of Sorriso (the town we are in)! I´ll get back to you soon with updates on how everything went! Thanks for the love and talk to you soon!
-Sarah

Uganda Pictures

Guest Blogger: Ande´ McDaniel

Joining the 80 days around the world team, which is really like 50 something days, for my 12 days around the world was wonderful. We definitely serve a loving, faithful, and big God. It was only 4 months ago that I prayed about a chance to go to Africa and now I've been blessed with the opportunity to serve with Natalie Rolfe at the Lulwanda Children's Home in Mbale, Uganda. Meaning "rock," Lulwanda Children's Home sits on top of a high rocky area and overlooks God's beautiful creation. Here, 90 children who have been fully or partially orphaned due to AIDS live and go to school. I saw the testimony to God's ability to provide when I saw that these kids each have a bed, uniforms, 3 big meals a day, school, computers, loving teachers and house moms, and all kinds of games and activities. The Lord has taken these children from dire situations to a place where they have the potential to become the future political and spiritual leaders of Uganda.
" But you are a chosen people...special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

In the mornings we spent time performing manual labor while the kids were in school. Then in the afternoons we played games, blew LOTS of bubbles, sang with the kids, and just got the opportunity to see how sweet, happy, and content these children are. I was amazed and touched by the heart these children have for Jesus. Perhaps it is their daily dependence on Him that makes Him so close to their hearts and minds. It is my prayer for these kids, as well as American kids, and even myself that we all remember true and lasting happiness after hardship comes from a deep faith and hope in the Lord.
"For I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and make them rejoice after their sorrow." Jeremiah 31:13
"And their is hope for your future, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 31:17

The country of Uganda itself possesses beautiful landscape and people. We lived at Pastor Morris' home and encountered numerous people who were serious in their relationship with the Lord. Whether it was Ja-Ja (meaning grandmother in the luganda language) who served us by tending to all of our house needs, or David who devoted himself to some 21 amazing meals, or the seminary guys who were asking the hard spiritual questions, these people displayed pure servant and dedicated hearts. I felt blessed to be a part of their culture for even a tiny while. And then one of the best days I had in Uganda was when Natalie, our Texas friend who is a long-term missionary/teacher (and only American) at the children's home, took us to Sissy Falls. We drove through a very rural village to get there and on the way children were running from their huts to wave at us. It was a blessing to see their excitement and smiles and then to smile and wave back at them. The Falls itself and the long, sweaty hike ALL the way to the top displayed God's majesty. It was absolutely beautiful and breathtaking up there.
"The Heaven's declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork." Psalm 19:1

I was told before I left the U.S. that the Spirit of God was moving across Africa. After being there and talking with people I believe that and feel truly blessed and unworthy to have been a part of God's great plan for that beautiful continent.
Peace and Love,
Ande'

Mzungu!

We didn't go a day in Uganda without hearing that loving phrase for white person, "Mzungu," from at least one kid as we walked or drove by. In a country of about 2 million orphans, Uganda has the great need to taking care of the kids orphaned by AIDS or various other diseases. This last week we have had the honor of being a part of this effort by working with Natalie Rolfe and Luwanda Children's Home.

Luwanda Children's Home houses 90 orphans (half boys and half girls). Many of the kids have sad stories about being left by one or both parents in situations where they are not provided for or taken care of. Luwanda provides an incredible home to the kids, 3 meals a day, clothing, schooling, and most importantly has a focus on preaching Jesus Christ. The goal is for these kids to grow up and be leaders of Uganda, making a difference for Christ in their country.

I have loved every minute at the children's home. In the mornings while the kids are in school, we have done various projects like painting and sweeping off the basketball court (not as easy as it sounds :). Every afternoon we have been able to play with the kids for several hours. Ande' McDaniel, my good friend from college who just met us for the Uganda leg, brought a whole suitcase of games, bubbles, puzzles, stickers, and candy for the kids. My favorite has been watching the kids chase the bubbles, which they will do for about 20-30 minutes at a time. I amazes me how easily they find joy.

The part of this week that has stuck out to me the most is my bond with 2 little girls, Faith and Aidah. They have been at my side every afternoon. One day we spent over an hour reading books (thank goodness they ready to mean some because I was starting to lose my voice). Another day we played about 5 games of memory and 3 games of trouble.

What amazes me most about these girls is their faith in the Lord. They would sing me their favorite worship songs and write me notes. Here is one (copied exactly as written) from Aidah:

Dear Sarah
I Love you so much
I pray for you everyday
God bless you and take good care of you from Aidah to Sarah
My name is Aidah thank you for coming to Luwanda
God loves you so much This picture a for you
today is a good day
thanks to come here
God is mercyfull God is Loveness God is kindness
God is a Blessing to us all of the people on the wold

What a blessing these girls were to me!

No only have I seen God's love and joy in the children, but have learned so much through watching Natalie in her element. She has such a passion for teaching and loving the kids that Christ shines through her daily. Not only was I amazed by her following of God's calling on her life, but also the local Ugandan people who were so passionate about sharing the gospel with their own people. These people lived to further the kingdom of God!

So basically I loved Uganda! Right now I am typing this up in the Dubai airport as we are on our way to Brazil. We have a 14 hour flight in front of us, night in the airport, 3 hour flight to Ellen, and then good 6 hour drive to where we are staying. It's going to be a long trip :). Sorry I am not able to post pictures here and we also couldn't do it in Uganda because of slow connection, but I promise to get some up soon! Also be on the look out for a guest blog from Ande' :). Thanks so much for your support and prayers! See ya in Brazil!

Incredible India

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

I can't believe I am back here again for the 3rd time! What a joy it was coming back to the orphanage as we were welcomed with flowers and smiling faces. I didn't realize how much I missed being called Sarah Auntie!

There are only about 45 kids here right now because many have gone with relatives for the summer. While I definitely miss some of the other kids who have touched my heart, it has been good to get to know the kids more personally with the fewer numbers. We were even able to take all the kids to Pizza Hut again!

Each day we have started have an "Olympics" for the kids. We have divided them into teams and had all sorts of competitions for them. My team, the blue team, consists of the 6 smallest boys who are so cute, but all over the place!!! One of my favorite nights had to have been when all 6 of my blue team boys (ages 4-8) got together and walked me to bed. This was incredible because I have a problem keeping all 6 together at one time. Usually at least one of them has wandered off somewhere. Not only did they walk me to bed and put me in my tent, but they told me a bedtime story (well at least the one who spoke the most English did :). Then all 6 of them laid down outside my tent for about 5 minutes. It was precious!

I am loving being here, but each time I come it gets harder and harder for me! Reality starts setting in that these kids' conditions never get any better. While I call it "suffering" to sleep in the heat, be eaten by bugs, use a squatty potty, and bathe out of a bucket...this is life to these kids! They live this day in and out! Yet in the midst of being hot, unclean, thirsty, hungry, tired (waking up at 5:30 every morning for prayer) and confined the the walls of the orphanage these kids have the most incredible joy that can only come from the Lord.

Not only have I learned so much about true joy from these kids, but also about having a servant's heart. I have had kids wash my dishes, carry buckets of water for me, offer me their food, pick me flowers, and help me cook. They don't do this because they have to but because they desire to serve me! I came to hopefully show Jesus to these kids, but rather found that they have shown Jesus to me!

We have alreaady said our goodbyes and are in Agra doing debrief and visiting the Taj Mahal. Tomorrow we will drive back to Delhi to fly out towards Uganda! Thanks for your prayers. Keep these precious kids in mind as well. Daily they depend on the Lord to provide drinking water and food! Love and miss yall!

-Sarah