Don't Come If You Can't Handle the Fun!

The last day of a mission is always bittersweet. You want to go home to your family, but you want to stay because the kids need you. You want to rest, but you want to go back and play. You want to sit and cry, but you want to laugh and sing. There are many emotions involved, but one was prevalent on Friday, our last day: LOVE. Hugs were shared, tender words were spoken, gentle actions were given. The wonderful part of Friday was that these and many other things were given by our team and the kids and moms. We received much more than we could imagine.

Our day started at Reina de la Paz, talking and hanging out with the girls and having them all sign our red Buckner t-shirts. Many of us bought some of their handicrafts that they make and sell: scarves, blankets, candles, etc. Afterwards we set up a small carnival for the girls with several fun games with cute, girly prizes; a "sock walk," clothespin drop, beanbag toss, ball kick, and face painting made our morning bright with their wide smiles. We got to eat our box lunches with them again and listened as they described the different Peruvian foods and chattered like the teenage girls that they are. This week is great for them because they can forget, if just for a few hours, the burdens they carry and act like kids!

Our time at Reina de la Paz ended with more dancing from the girls and their helpers, Miguel and Esteban. We then called each girl up to present them with a Bible and gift bag, made by the children of Sunrise.:) We ended our time together with a few photos and a hug line. Please keep praying for all of the girls at Reina de la Paz and their babies, that they will read their new Bibles daily and find true peace in Christ. (Please specifically pray also for Javier Francisco and his mother Viviana, who are both ill in the hospital and for Andrea, whose baby girl is due on Monday!)

San Ricardo also was amazing. Because we didn't have much time there, we decided we would "scrap" our VBS agenda and visit and say goodbye. We brought the crafts along with us and after singing time, we sat on the rotunda and helped them make bracelets. It was the quietest we saw those kids all week! We then handed out gift bags from the Sunrise kids which were a huge hit! They were so excited to have their own gum and bubbles. Another highlight was giving gift bags to the workers at San Ricardo. Those ladies work 6 days a week 24 hours a day! They were very appreciative that we had thought of them. There is one lady there with her 5 children. She is a single mom named Evelyn who had to work to support her kids and had to leave them alone to do this. She was reported to the authorities and her kids were going to be taken and she begged to be taken with them wherever they went. She has been at San Ricardo for almost a year and is leaving soon. We gave her a Bible and a gift bag and took a collection on the bus which we gave to Buckner so they can follow up with her and help with her needs.

From Sue: Giving Evelyn her Bible was one of the humbling experiences of my life. Through Guigli she wished God's blessing on my life. To me, she is a hero. Saying goodbye to the kids and teens is never easy. We need to remember that God is watching over them and that in Him they have can hope, love, joy and peace.

From Maggie: It was hard saying good-bye to every kid and teen and mom, but I remember that we aren't truly leaving them. God is watching over them much better than any earthly being could. Also, we are praying for them and keeping the orphans in our hearts. Sunrise will also continue to provide for Reina de la Paz and San Ricardo. The team leaves you with this verse- James 1:27- "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...."