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
Sunday, July 3, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, July 1, 2011
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
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
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