Today was a day of closure and goodbyes for us as we finished our final full day in Peru. We began with a special worship service with the Esperanza de Ana staff that included communion and an opportunity to share encouragements from our team to theirs and their team to ours. It was amazing to see the strong friendships built in just a week between this amazing staff and our team. After our final lunch and recess, we said goodbye to the kids of Esperanza de Ana. Despite many hard circumstances, these kids are full of life and joy and it was such a blessing getting to know them through the week over meals, soccer, and endless rounds of Uno.

Today we also wrapped up our service projects, working alongside the Esperanza de Ana facilities staff, Eddy, Milton, and Hugo. Together we completed a new brick pathway around their volleyball court and started building a wall behind a soccer field. The EA staff take great pride in providing a safe, clean, and orderly property for their kids, and we were happy to help. Other highlights today included a trip to the beach (including a flamingo sighting!) and games and a bonfire with their older youth.

Overall the week was such a beautiful picture of unity in the Body of Christ. Despite all the barriers of language and culture, we worked together towards a common goal of blessing the community of Esperanza de Ana in the name of Jesus. We look forward to maintaining our partnership with Jim and Tony Kay and Esperanza de Ana even after we return home tomorrow.

-- Bill and Christie Jester

After a long day of travel yesterday, we spent the day today getting to know the community we're serving and the people we're serving with. This morning during worship we shared a little bit about us and our lives, including the trials and joys we've been experiencing recently. Afterward, we took a walk through Chilca to learn about and see firsthand what this area is like and how people live here. We used multiple forms of local public transportation to make our way around the city to Pucusana, including combis (smaller buses the size of 15-passenger vans) and mototaxis (three wheeled, covered taxis that fit 2-3 people). We shared lunch at a restaurant in Pucusana and tried traditional Peruvian dishes, including lomo saltado (beef stir fry) and fresh fish, and those of us who were interested took a boat ride on the Pacific ocean and saw some beautiful cliffs and animals. The sea lions and penguins were especially fun.

Overall, today was a culture shock for some and a reminder of blessing for all. As we walked around the city we noticed how resourceful people are with what little they have, and how much community and relationship seems to be present, which is something we often miss out on or take for granted at home. We were also reminded of how much we've been blessed with. It's clear that Esperanza de Ana is a very special place, and we already feel so loved by the staff we've met. We're looking forward to meeting the kids tomorrow and getting our hands dirty working around the center. Please continue to pray for our team as we serve alongside our Peruvian brothers and sisters in Christ.

-- Brooke Person

Today was our first day to meet the kids at Esperanza De Ana!  In the morning, we started a few service projects: replacing old bamboo structures, building new walkways, and preparing building materials for new fences.  Then for a quick snack break we walked over to a shop called Panchitos, located just outside the fairgrounds.  We resumed our work to complete a fair amount on each project.  Prior to lunch the children started to pour in from various schools around town.  The children were excited for their lunch and filed into to the lunch hall where they said a prayer in unison.  They all had bright smiles on their faces and seemed ecstatic to meet us.  After lunch, we introduced ourselves to the kids and broke into 2 groups to play hunter, princess, and bear (an icebreaker game). 

The kids seemed very effervescent and at home.  It was truly inspiring to see them full of such joy!  We felt very welcome, like we were apart of the Esperanza De Ana family.  It reminded me to slow down and take a step back.  It's very easy to become distracted by the world, especially with the myriad of busy tasks we have back home.  We are made for relationship with Christ and from that relationship with Him we are to love one another.  Today reminded me that without love those things mean nothing,  

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:2.

-- Benjamin Johns

This morning began with the routine of breakfast and group devotions with the staff. Afterwards, we spent time hearing testimonies from a few of the workers and praying over their specific needs. Because of moments like that, our team has been growing closer together with the interns, the Esperanza team, and each other. A cultural experience that we continued today and was learning traditional Peruvian dances from some of the staff. Then, it was back to work on any property upkeep that needed done. Despite the sun, the job was fun and many in our group commented on the joy they felt in serving wherever it was needed.

In the afternoon, we were fortunate enough to play games and talk with the kids during recess. We were grateful for their patience with our limited Spanish, and the teachers helped us understand what was going on. I know that a lot of us made some new friends today. After lunch and recess, our team split into smaller groups to work more and run activities in the classrooms with the kids. The preschoolers and kindergarteners made shakers to shake in time to a Spanish song, and the highschoolers constructed contraptions to drop eggs in and test if they crack. Overall, the biggest word that came from today was Joy. Joy in the Lord and gratitude for his plans; joy in being with each other, and joy in seeing the ministry and its fruit. Praise the Lord!

-- Charis Turay

Today marks the halfway point of our time here at Esperanza de Ana. Each morning we have been blessed by spending time with the staff in worship and prayer. This time together has been a great way to connect with the teachers and staff who minister daily to the students here. Our normal rhythms were interrupted today with an adventure. We were broken up into teams, given a shopping list, and sent into the marketplace in Chilca. The twist: they didn't let us use our translators! As we reflected on this experience this evening, it was clear that God used this fun time to open our eyes to the culture here in Peru. On a side note, we all accomplished our tasks, and no one got lost.

Today marks our second day of working in the classroom with the students here. We have been very excited to interact with the students in this way, as well as with them during there recess. Knowing that these students are being flooded daily with the love of God by the staff here, as well as learning about God's word is very encouraging. Our times of sharing in the evening are filled with gratefulness for this experience as well as a new commitment to praying, going, and giving to the work of the Lord, not only in Peru, but around the world.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, and for supporting us as we are on this adventure.

--Don Jones