A Reflection or Two

On previous trips we've never spent so much time with the kids getting to know and love them.  Frequently we're too busy building to get quality time with the kids we're working hard to bless.  In retrospect, despite the sleep deprivation, this container delay worked out well.  We really got to know the kids and they greatly enjoyed getting to know us.  We totally had to depend on God and develop our faith - as did the children who desperately wanted a playground.  And we still finished most of the playground (except one circular slide we weren't able to build at another site).  The delay also delayed the parts leaving for the two other sites in Peru that are getting playgrounds soon and some of the parts we needed for Lima we're mistakenly marked for Pucallpa (Amazon Rain-forest). We wouldn't have been able to build the tire swing or fireman's pole had the container arrived in a timely manner.  Even the theft of the initial playground parts worked out well.  Had the parts not been stolen this playground we just built would have been 40% larger and we never would have finished.  And it's the perfect size for the space available and the number of kids who will be using it.  The kids can't play on it until tomorrow as the concrete is too fresh but watching them play is just icing on the cake.  God is GOOD!!! And I'm exhausted...  -Rich

 

It is Finished!

Well friends, God did it through us.  The container came at 3pm yesterday afternoon; we worked nonstop until 10:30 pm, and then were back on site at 6:30 am this morning.  We finished at 5:30 - praise the Lord!  See below for the picture of the beautiful playground and the kids.  We're going to start the picture downloads to Rich's PC and he will start the Flikr portion of the trip blog as soon as he can.

Tomorrow is a travel day; 5 of us return to the US, and 12 move on to Cuzco and Macchu Picchu.  Thank you again for your prayers and your support. 

It's a Go!

This week has been one emotional rollercoaster after another as we have anxiously awaited the arrival of our container.  We have been our knees, pleading with the Lord to intervene and not allow the devil to have his way with the customs proceedings.  The US Embassy has been involved, Rep. Upton's office has been involved, you have all been involved with your prayers - and guess what?  We received the call at 6:30pm tonight that all is now approved and we can get the container...but it closed for the night before we could get it.  So now we have to wait until Saturday morning to get the container (complete with yet ANOTHER payment), truck it down to Pachacamac to the Juniper Tree home, unload it (in less than 2 hours), sort it, and then get started.  That will leave us with less than 48 hours to complete this playground, and that doesn't account for our sleep time Sat/Sun nights (which is now debatable) and worship with our hosts on Sunday morning (which is NOT debatable).

This is a God-sized problem.  Last night I presented in our devotion time two passages in Scripture that remind us of God's sovereignty over His purposes: Phil 2:12-16 and Isaiah 55.  I encourage everyone to read this and rejoice with us as our Great God has taught us to depend upon Him.  And His work in us is not yet completed in us...

We need your prayers - first, that no other attack from the enemy will be had and that the container will arrive safely, on time (or early!) for us to get started.  Second, that even if there is further testing, our team will withstand the fiery arrows of the enemy and bless the Lord.  Third, for extreme stamina, focus, and safety as we attempt to marathon build a playground - the assembly required is intense enough, but we also have to allow for concrete settling.  Fourth, for our attitudes to be like Christ - that we may continue to serve each other and the people of Pachacamac and Manchay - particularly our beloved new friends: those beautiful kids!

We'll try to post some photos on blogspot as well.  Stay tuned.  Please comment for us; we'd love to know what you're all thinking and praying for.

God bless!

Ryan

A GREAT Day - And Hoping for Another GREAT one Tomorrow

We were assured we'd have our container by early afternoon today and then once again Customs had issues.  This time it was with an antihistamine we had on the container that they just recently (within the past few weeks) took off the approved list of medicines allowed for import into Peru.  There were some other issues as well but the short story is we didn't get the container but we had an amazing day with the kids - and we got some other construction projects accomplished.  Ryan will blog about the time with the kids in a moment. 

I just talked at length with our customs agent and he assures me we will get the container tomorrow morning (Friday July 1).  Every inch of our container was checked today and it came up squeaky clean.  He said the only thing that could derail our container tomorrow would be Satan - and he's not getting any glory in this story.  Please pray with us to that end and pray for stamina for the team as we're going to do a 5-6 day job in 2-3 days if we get the container tomorrow.  Thanks!!!  Sorry for the infrequent updates...  Rich  (Now here's Ryan with highlights from today!)

Hi all - as Bill Walker put it in our debrief devotions tonight, the time with the kids tonight was a little taste of heaven - except that he'll know Spanish (his words)!  We split the team into 3 houses and were guests with the young girls, the boys, and the older girls for dinner.  Can you imagine sitting around a large table, holding hands with all of these children, and praying over a meal?  How about sharing conversation?  Laughing?  Smiling?  Telling jokes?  We had it all, with plenty of pictures to show for it.  (by the way - picture loading on blogspot is very slow, so you'll have to wait until we make it available on Flikr at the end of the trip - sorry!).

After the meal (which, of course, was a delicious Peruvian treat), we all gathered for a time of devotions with the children.  Now, again, imagine a large room full of children and the team.  The home director STARTS the evening with prayer requests - and the kids raise their hands with requests, and other kids raise their hands to volunteer to pray on those requests!  The prayer time lasted over 10 minutes (after the requests!).  How beautiful to hear these children praying for one another.  In addition, an older boy prayed for the playground project - they want it badly!  After prayer, we launched into 4 different worship songs; 2 were songs the team learned (Open the Eyes of My Heart)(I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy Down in my Heart) in Spanish, and the other 2 were different.  Imagine yourself closing your eyes and hearing the praises of these kids; to many (or most or all), Jesus is so real because of the pain they have had in their past.  It was absolutely beautiful!  After the songs, Alex Smart gave the lesson in Spanish and English on keeping our focus on Jesus - and used the object lesson of Jesus walking on water and Peter's response.  Alex's impromptu lesson sank in with the kids.  Praise the Lord!

After our devotion time, we all went outside (in the dark, with kids in their jammies) and played for another 30 minutes.  Again - no playground yet, but sheer delight on all our parts as we listened to the kids just giggling and enjoying themselves.  I spoke with an intern at the home and she mentioned these kids never get to spend so much time with teams and that "this is just awesome."

So there you have it; a little taste of heaven.  Thanks again for all your prayers and your support for making this happen.  There's still time to pray for us, and time to complete the playground.  God bless! - Ryan

A Picture is Worth...

Well we survived the National Holiday by painting, laying concrete, and going through our puppet show, dramas, and carnival for another group of children.  We also spent the evening together at Lima's famed water fountain park.

Today we await news of the container release - please pray for a "green light" specifically!

We will try to upload photos tonight - we're having difficulty with this part of the blog.

Take care and enjoy your day - and pray!

-Peru Team

Carnival in Peru!

Day 2 of the week and still no container - but we've all been reminded today that the Lord is faithful and certainly able to finish what he started.  The teams ran 2 carnivals and puppet & drama shows today at the Oasis Care Center in Manchay: in the AM, we cared for 3yrs - 5 yrs, and in the PM we cared for 6yrs+.  The puppet show included fun songs (all in Espanol) and a funny telling of Noah's Ark; the drama reenacted Jesus walking on the water and inviting Peter to do the same.  Interesting enough - we've all stepped out on the water in faith that the container holding what we believe we're here for will eventually come.

The carnivals included many fun games with prizes, as well as 2 spectacular pinatas - and yes, kids love candy here too!  (see photos below of some of the events of the day!)

As of this blog, the container has not yet been released - but we believe it's close.  There is a public holiday tomorrow, so no activity, but please be in prayer for the final release so the container moves on Thursday.  Please also pray for those involved, that the Lord will encourage them - this has been a long process for them.

In the meantime, we are staying busy with painting, concrete laying, and hole digging in preparation for our work on the playgrounds.  Someone pointed out tonight that we need to focus on the heart of service, rather than the task.  Each night's devotion's have challenged all of us to care for one another as we care for Peru's children.

One particular mention - we visited a home of a single mom in a shantytown.  This was a reminder to all of us of how blessed we are, and what poverty looks like here in Peru.  This home was approximately 10x10 with dirt floor, no running water or electricity, with the only amenities being a bunk bed, small dresser, and a small cooking table.  The mom must purchase her water from a local water truck that stops by every couple of days (see the 55 gallon drum in picture below).  The walls were made of thin wood with a tin roof held down by large rocks.  This was a sober prelude to our nightly devotions this evening on the Good Samaritan and our responses.

Thanks for your prayers!

Ryan Arledge

 

The Big Guns Are Coming Out Today

No container yet but Congressman Fred Upton's office has been doing a great job for us calling many in high positions in Peru.  The hope is today the US Ambassador will also call on our behalf.  But our biggest weapon is prayer.  There's a story on Mission Network News today (on 1,000 radio stations) asking people to pray the container is released today.  THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!

Still No Container But a GOOD First Day

We dug all the holes we could today from the blueprint of the playground we'll be building.  The rest can only be done once we have the container and the equipment.  We're hoping the container is released tomorrow.  If not, we're in a pickle because customs is closed Wednesday for a Peru Holiday.  PLEASE pray it is released tomorrow and through a miracle it can be delivered tomorrow afternoon.  The current plan is to spend a day doing ministry with the kids.  Puppets, dramas, games, etc. will be on our agenda for 92 children.  It will actually be a nice break from digging holes.  The largest hole we dug today by hand was 3 feet wide and four feet deep through hard clay and rocks.  That's for a circular slide.  Thanks for your prayers!!!  Everyone is well and enjoying Lima where it rained today - something that's not supposed to happen very much in the desert. 

We Have Arrived Safely!

Hi!!!

It was a long day but everyone is safe and well.  All our flights were relatively on-time and all our bags made it - minus a few bottles of root beer.  Some luggage handler must have been thirsty. :)  Tomorrow morning we start digging holes in anticipation of a container arriving soon with all the playground equipment.  PLEASE PRAY that we get the container by Tuesday as Wednesday is a national holiday in Peru and customs is closed.  We appreciate your prayers and would love to read your comments.  The internet connection here is very slow but we'll try to get some pictures uploaded at some point.

God's "Plan A"

Dear Lima Peru Team and Friends!

We leave tomorrow and as I write this our container still sits in customs.  It’s maybe an hour ride from customs to the ministry site where we are supposed to be building the first playground on Monday but that plan is uncertain. 

I have never shipped to Peru before and I may never again.  The amount of red tape in that country is unbelievable. Our Shipping manifest was approved by the Peruvian Consular in Chicago.  Every document (in triplicate) was read, approved, and stamped by the consular BUT that was only the beginning.  All the cargo then needed to be approved by the appropriate “Ministry” in Lima – and that included three different Ministries.  One Ministry rejected some of our medicines because we didn’t list an expiration date.  These were items Kristin and I couldn’t find an expiration date on – like scalpels, gauze, bandages, needles for insulin shots, and exam gloves.  All those items had to be taken off the container and destroyed – which was a full day process as they were at the back of the container.   A different Ministry took a full week to scrutinize one item on our container - the 500 wooden cars and trucks that were handmade by craftsmen in Kalamazoo.  That set us back considerably and they actually still haven’t “approved” those items so they’re requiring we post a bond- which we’ll hopefully get back.  Then we ran into an issue of customs wanting additional detail on much of our cargo.  We listed the name or description of each item, a quantity, the weight, the final destination for where it would be going, and a value.  BUT they wanted to know the manufacturer of each item and the place it was manufactured – plus they wanted each item to have a value.  It wasn’t enough to say there were 450 playground pieces for a total value of XXX.  They wanted a price on each swing, slide, ladder, and platform, and pole.  So we supplied detail on the four different playground manufacturers represented on the container and as much other details as we could dig up.  Then yesterday we were dealt two additional challenges.  When our customs agents (people that work for us) were inputting everything into the customs system it kicked out our soccer balls.  Apparently soccer balls need to be approved by a completely different Ministry –so we made the decision to have the soccer balls pulled.  It’s an unfortunate but necessary decision as approval from yet another ministry could take days or weeks that we don’t have.  Finally about 2 yesterday afternoon everything was put into the customs system but shortly thereafter their computers crashed.  Once our information is “received” by their system we get a claim # and the exact amount of our necessary bond.  I just got off the phone with Mike Fietje ( our director in Peru) and he has now received our customs #, our bond amount ($5,221), and he’s headed for the bank.  Getting a bond is a process that takes 24 hours.  Once we have this bond we personally go to customs and they will give us a green light, orange light, or red light.  Green means everything is in order and we can take the container (minus the soccer balls).  Orange means we can take the container but we’ll need to do additional follow-up with customs.  Red means there are problems with our paperwork and we have to start all over again. 

PLEASE PRAY GOD PROVIDES US A KIND HEARTED CUSTOMS OFFICER WHO GIVES US A GREEN LIGHT.  Please also pray we get the majority of this $5,221 bond returned to us. We’ve also been paying $75 a day “storage” fees on our container to our shipping company which have amounted to about $1,500.  We’re asking them for leniency and would appreciate your prayers about that too.

Best case scenario we’ll find out if we are green, orange or red on Monday (customs is closed on the weekend).  And then once we have clearance our trucking company requires 24 hour notice to deliver the goods to our site.  So we’re looking at a Tuesday delivery as our best possible scenario – unless both customs and the trucking company are extremely cooperative.  Where do we go from here?  We have blueprints for the main play structure and should be able to lay out a good portion of it and start digging on Monday and Tuesday.  Then if we still don’t have a container on Tuesday we can do ministry activities with the children on Wednesday (puppets, songs, dramas, etc.).  If you needed the balls on the container for your activity, you’ll want to pack those in your suitcase.  Additional meds and supplies for Dr. Dave and nurse Autumn can be purchased at a pharmacy in Lima.  Beyond that we’ll just have to figure out and follow God’s plan A as He’s not surprised by this delay.

I was encouraged this morning when I read an e-mail I received from Franklin Graham.  He wrote…

‘I have been reading through the book of Deuteronomy and have been impressed at the mighty hand of God that moves dramatically throughout the pages of Scripture. The Bible recounts that as Moses neared the end of his life, he reminded the people of Israel about the mighty hand of God. “Because the Lord loves you ... the Lord has brought you out [of Egypt] with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage” (Deuteronomy 7:8, NKJV).

After Moses died, the Israelites stood on the banks of the overflowing Jordan, ready to cross into the Promised Land. It looked impossible. The water was swift and deep. But God told Joshua to instruct the priests to go and “stand in the Jordan” (Joshua 3:8). As they approached the rushing torrent, nothing happened. 

But when they touched the water’s edge with their feet, God worked a miracle and stopped the river. The priests stood in the middle of the Jordan until a million or more Hebrews had crossed into the Promised Land. When they stepped out on the other bank, the water resumed flowing. 

Sometimes when we face difficult situations, we may feel that we are in bondage to our circumstances, but we must trust God and step out in faith. Obstacles may seem frightening, but the Bible says that God will honor a person who depends on Him to lead and guide. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6–7, NASB).”

Thanks for stepping out in faith with me!!

Rich Anderson

We need Prayer!!

Dear Friends!

We leave late Saturday and arrive in Lima on Sunday afternoon.  Our hope is to begin building a playground and treating medical needs on Monday.  BUT our container with the playground and medical supplies is still stuck in Customs.  It's been there for over three weeks now and our missionaries in Peru are diligently working with Customs Agents to get it released.  There's another meeting in a few short hours.  Thanks for your prayers!
-Rich Anderson