Family and Friends,
I can not tell you how proud I am of my team. This has been an amazing week and it is hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day. It has been so rewarding.
This morning we were met by about 50 kids this morning. Loys and his team had activities all set up for the kids. We fed them, told them a story about Noah and the Ark and did our butterfly craft. We used coffee filters colored with water color markers, then sprayed them with water so the colors mixed and made little antena out of pipe cleaners to make a butterfly. The kids, ranging in age 3 to 5, had a great time creating the butterfly.
We spent most of the early part of the afternoon getting ready for our party with the youth. These would be age 13 to 20 year olds. We decorated the community center with ballons and streamers and then got ready for an obstacle course rely race. Let me explain....we put three poles in the ground....set up tires for the agility part of it and a beam for the last part of the course. It was the gringos vs. the Peruanas......Here is how it worked....seven people to a side for seven seperate stations. The first two people had to pop a series of three ballons....one with confetti, one with water and one with flour. The second person also had to jump rope three times.... Person number three(me..no one else wanted to risk getting sick from the water) had to bob for two apples and move them from one container to the next. Person four ran the tires...person five had to move four glasses of a peruvian corn drink under, over and under ropes and then fill a container at the other end before tagging person number five. Person six had to walk two beams and person number seven had to eat five marshmellows. After person seven eat the marshmellows....all seven had to fit into a small tent and zip it up and the time was recorded. Best time won. The gringos came in 3rd.....not bad considering our seven probably could equal 12 peruana. LOL Great fun!
Kris gave a talk to the teens about the possibilitys they have to change the way their lives are by just following Christ and gave her testimony and then we shared a meal with the teens. These kids crave the attention just like the little ones do, but are often the ones that get forgetten because they are more grown up.
One more day in the barrio. We are going to finish up some work tomorrow and then I am going to have the last word. I have been asked to talk to the community leaders about leadership. It will not be long and the Loys and Theresa will move to another barrio and start over. They will not leave this barrio high and dry. They will still spend time there, but the concentration will be to start helping another barrio come to Christ and build leadership! I think it is somewhat fitting that the last word will come from me on this my last trip leading. Makes me sad to think about it!
I know I have not posted pictures the last couple of nights. I will post some when I get back to the Valley. It has been a bit busy the last couple of days....trying find the right words to put into my lesson and to make them meaningful! Keep me in your prayers over the next 24 hours that I can give my brothers and sisters in the barrio the right encouragement and that God gives me the right words. Pray for Kris too....she has to translate on the fly for me!
Love to all!
Mitch
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Well....Just two days remaining in our mission trip to Peru this year and I can feel some of the sadness sneaking into my heart. I guess I kind of expected it to happen.
This was acutally the first day I have seen Annita. She has apparently been in the jungle working. If I got the story right she is working to buy wood so that she can start her own business. It was so good to see her today. I also got a chance to talk to Carolina for a bit too! She is doing well in school and is learning english. She says she doesn´t like it very much! I also got a chance to talk to Annita´s other daughter Rosa and Ruth! They are both living in Argentina and have started a church! I believe this mission is making a big difference.
Our day included the delivery of five more gifts to some of the women that host groups. Some are hosting story groups for the children and the youth and others host groups for adults. Each one of them is eager to continue to learn and then to start new groups placing others in charge of teaching.
This afternoon the ladies of our group met with about 40 women from the barrio and Tori Reef gave her testimony and then gave a little talk about prayer. We had Danell buy 40 wooden boxes for making prayer boxes and then we had the women painted them. They will use them to write they´re prayers out on a piece of paper. They idea is to put their papers in the box and from time to time look back and see how God works in their lives.
Dan and I continued doing some construction work this afternoon. The school building that we worked on last year is almost done. We have put two more walls up and started drywalling. They will likely put the roof on it once we are gone.
Tomorrow will no doubt be a very exciting day. We are going to have some fun with some of the young kids late in the morning and the tomorrow night we are going to have a party for the teen group. We are going to play some games, eat and Kris is going to talk about what it means to be a young person, a Christian and the responisbility they have and ability the have to change their directions. Should be an amazing night!
God Bless!
Mitch
This was acutally the first day I have seen Annita. She has apparently been in the jungle working. If I got the story right she is working to buy wood so that she can start her own business. It was so good to see her today. I also got a chance to talk to Carolina for a bit too! She is doing well in school and is learning english. She says she doesn´t like it very much! I also got a chance to talk to Annita´s other daughter Rosa and Ruth! They are both living in Argentina and have started a church! I believe this mission is making a big difference.
Our day included the delivery of five more gifts to some of the women that host groups. Some are hosting story groups for the children and the youth and others host groups for adults. Each one of them is eager to continue to learn and then to start new groups placing others in charge of teaching.
This afternoon the ladies of our group met with about 40 women from the barrio and Tori Reef gave her testimony and then gave a little talk about prayer. We had Danell buy 40 wooden boxes for making prayer boxes and then we had the women painted them. They will use them to write they´re prayers out on a piece of paper. They idea is to put their papers in the box and from time to time look back and see how God works in their lives.
Dan and I continued doing some construction work this afternoon. The school building that we worked on last year is almost done. We have put two more walls up and started drywalling. They will likely put the roof on it once we are gone.
Tomorrow will no doubt be a very exciting day. We are going to have some fun with some of the young kids late in the morning and the tomorrow night we are going to have a party for the teen group. We are going to play some games, eat and Kris is going to talk about what it means to be a young person, a Christian and the responisbility they have and ability the have to change their directions. Should be an amazing night!
God Bless!
Mitch
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Family and friends....
I hope this finds everyone well! We are having the time of our life. What a great day in the barrio.
Relationship building to me is one of the most important aspects of our journeys to Peru. Those feelings were strengthened today. We did do some real work sanding and painting three walls in the classroom building next to the community center.
We also put up another wall, that will get drywall on it before we leave.
However, I think the best part of the day was taking some gifts that we had Loys and Danell purchase before we came to five women that host either a home church, a bible study for adults or bible study for the youth. The joy those gifts brought was amazing. We let them know that we were presenting them these duplicate what they were doing.
I want to tell you a little story about one of the women. Her name is Carmen. Most of her family are Jehovah Witness. She is hosting a group of youth and adults for bible study. She is the only professed Christian in her household.
All of her children and grown and are not abusive. Yet she had such a strength and said that she prays ever day that God will change her family's heart. She prays everyday for a changed man in her husband. She sets an example for all of them and knows that God will hear her prayers. What a beautiful lady!
After lunch we planned visits to the house of Henry and Maria, two of the kids that our group has gotten to know from day one four years ago. We also had a visit planned to see Annabelle. We had some gifts that we brought from three former team members.
Debra.....I was mistaken...Henry has grown and all the clothes will fit him perfectly. The sandals you sent were the perfect size.
When we got there he was wearing sandals twice the size of his feet. And tell Andrew that Henry loved everything he picked out.
Melanie....Maria had a glow about her when we told her to take a seat on the couch and that we had brought her something too! She loves the pictures and just loved everything you sent to her. She to has grown into quite the young lady.
You will be please to know that she is involved in Fuentes(story telling) to the younger kids. Now to make you jealous.......I get a big hug from her every day. I will give her several from you!
Roger and Livonia and family....Annabelle is getting bigger too and she is still such a doll. Her smiles when she greets us each day is priceless.
She loves everything you sent! You know that she loves to write and her eyes lit up at all the notebooks. But I have to tell you....above all else....her eyes were bright with joy as she found the photo book. I believe that it will be the gift she will enjoy the most for a long time to come.
I think that will do it for tonight! Back to the barrio tomorrow. We have five more gifts to deliver and we are going to talk about prayer with 40 of the women from the barrio.
Good night from Trujillo, Peru
God Bless....
Mitch
I hope this finds everyone well! We are having the time of our life. What a great day in the barrio.
Relationship building to me is one of the most important aspects of our journeys to Peru. Those feelings were strengthened today. We did do some real work sanding and painting three walls in the classroom building next to the community center.
We also put up another wall, that will get drywall on it before we leave.However, I think the best part of the day was taking some gifts that we had Loys and Danell purchase before we came to five women that host either a home church, a bible study for adults or bible study for the youth. The joy those gifts brought was amazing. We let them know that we were presenting them these duplicate what they were doing.
I want to tell you a little story about one of the women. Her name is Carmen. Most of her family are Jehovah Witness. She is hosting a group of youth and adults for bible study. She is the only professed Christian in her household.
All of her children and grown and are not abusive. Yet she had such a strength and said that she prays ever day that God will change her family's heart. She prays everyday for a changed man in her husband. She sets an example for all of them and knows that God will hear her prayers. What a beautiful lady!After lunch we planned visits to the house of Henry and Maria, two of the kids that our group has gotten to know from day one four years ago. We also had a visit planned to see Annabelle. We had some gifts that we brought from three former team members.
Debra.....I was mistaken...Henry has grown and all the clothes will fit him perfectly. The sandals you sent were the perfect size.
When we got there he was wearing sandals twice the size of his feet. And tell Andrew that Henry loved everything he picked out.Melanie....Maria had a glow about her when we told her to take a seat on the couch and that we had brought her something too! She loves the pictures and just loved everything you sent to her. She to has grown into quite the young lady.
You will be please to know that she is involved in Fuentes(story telling) to the younger kids. Now to make you jealous.......I get a big hug from her every day. I will give her several from you!Roger and Livonia and family....Annabelle is getting bigger too and she is still such a doll. Her smiles when she greets us each day is priceless.
She loves everything you sent! You know that she loves to write and her eyes lit up at all the notebooks. But I have to tell you....above all else....her eyes were bright with joy as she found the photo book. I believe that it will be the gift she will enjoy the most for a long time to come.I think that will do it for tonight! Back to the barrio tomorrow. We have five more gifts to deliver and we are going to talk about prayer with 40 of the women from the barrio.
Good night from Trujillo, Peru
God Bless....
Mitch
Monday, July 06, 2009
Monday, July 6th
Hello to all!
I do not have a lot to add tonight. It has been a real good day. We spent the day in Trujillo taking in some of the local sights. Even though Dan, Kris and I have seen many of the sights we saw today, it was fun to take the new team members to the Plaza de Armas.
We took them to the city center to give them a sense of the European-Spanish influence in architecuture. We took them to the Mercado at the city center. It is always fun see there eyes when we walk into the meat market and they see all of the hanging chickens, beef and the like.
We then went to do a little shopping....some found some souviniers to bring back home. I am finding it more enjoyable to watch everyone shop than actually spending the extra money.
We also had a chance to go to the new offices for Project New Hope International. They are renting an entire building that will be put to good us. They are planning to start to help some of the battered and beaten women. They will also use some of the space for the University program and some space will be used for the City Church and their services.
We have not seen a lot of the sun since we have been here. I would guess that temperatures have been 70 degrees each day and cloudy. No rain.....just no sun. It has been very pleasant with some cool nights. I think I may have to ask for an extra blanket before I head to bed.
Tomorrow.....back to the barrio for a morning of work. Looks like we will be doing some dry wall. We are planning a visit to some of the house church leaders to give them a gift and pray with them. Then in the afternoon we are going to treat some 30 women.....non-believers to a spa day. We are going to given them manicures.
Have a blessed evening!
Mitch
I do not have a lot to add tonight. It has been a real good day. We spent the day in Trujillo taking in some of the local sights. Even though Dan, Kris and I have seen many of the sights we saw today, it was fun to take the new team members to the Plaza de Armas.
We took them to the city center to give them a sense of the European-Spanish influence in architecuture. We took them to the Mercado at the city center. It is always fun see there eyes when we walk into the meat market and they see all of the hanging chickens, beef and the like.
We then went to do a little shopping....some found some souviniers to bring back home. I am finding it more enjoyable to watch everyone shop than actually spending the extra money.
We also had a chance to go to the new offices for Project New Hope International. They are renting an entire building that will be put to good us. They are planning to start to help some of the battered and beaten women. They will also use some of the space for the University program and some space will be used for the City Church and their services.
We have not seen a lot of the sun since we have been here. I would guess that temperatures have been 70 degrees each day and cloudy. No rain.....just no sun. It has been very pleasant with some cool nights. I think I may have to ask for an extra blanket before I head to bed.
Tomorrow.....back to the barrio for a morning of work. Looks like we will be doing some dry wall. We are planning a visit to some of the house church leaders to give them a gift and pray with them. Then in the afternoon we are going to treat some 30 women.....non-believers to a spa day. We are going to given them manicures.
Have a blessed evening!
Mitch
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Today is the day......
My love to all of you! I hope this finds all of you well. We pray for your continued safety and guidance as you pray for us.
It was our first real day the people in the barrio and I can not think of a better day to do it than the Lords Day. We made our way to the barrio around half past nine. As we returned to there for the first time in a year we were amazed to see that the medical building was completely enclosed with windows and doors.
I think all they need now is some equipment and a staff. What a blessing that will be for the people of the area.
We were also greeted by about 150 smiling little faces. Our mission this morning was to play some games with the kids, feed them and tell them a story with a craft. I am so proud of the way my team worked together this morning.
Kris and Andrea taught the story to two groups of kids and we made puppets with the kids. Chandler Christian donated some 500 lunch bags to our group and we did lunch bag puppets with the kids.
It was our first real day the people in the barrio and I can not think of a better day to do it than the Lords Day. We made our way to the barrio around half past nine. As we returned to there for the first time in a year we were amazed to see that the medical building was completely enclosed with windows and doors.
I think all they need now is some equipment and a staff. What a blessing that will be for the people of the area.We were also greeted by about 150 smiling little faces. Our mission this morning was to play some games with the kids, feed them and tell them a story with a craft. I am so proud of the way my team worked together this morning.
Kris and Andrea taught the story to two groups of kids and we made puppets with the kids. Chandler Christian donated some 500 lunch bags to our group and we did lunch bag puppets with the kids.It is really quite amazing at the creativity and the imagination of these kids. What a blast. We played a little red light green light and a couple of other games and handed out some treats. A great morning.
This afternoon....we played a little soccer and volleyball with a number of adults from the barrio. I am always humbled by the competion and reminded that I am getting older and definately not in playing contidition. None the less....we hung in there with them and were competitive too.
After our dinner....it was church time. It get so much out of their services even thought I may not understand everything. We sang a number of praise songs and Dan Hitzler delivered a mesage about the Holy Spirit. He did a great job! Loys spoke some too! I like to listen to him teach. He does it with such a passion.
Tomorrow is the Barrio Directors day off....so we will take the day off too! We plan to head into Trujillo during the day to take in a little sight seeing....and see the projects new offices. Then a evening at Mike and Danells for some pizza and maybe........a little playstation.
We miss all of you back home!
Mitch
This afternoon....we played a little soccer and volleyball with a number of adults from the barrio. I am always humbled by the competion and reminded that I am getting older and definately not in playing contidition. None the less....we hung in there with them and were competitive too.
After our dinner....it was church time. It get so much out of their services even thought I may not understand everything. We sang a number of praise songs and Dan Hitzler delivered a mesage about the Holy Spirit. He did a great job! Loys spoke some too! I like to listen to him teach. He does it with such a passion.
Tomorrow is the Barrio Directors day off....so we will take the day off too! We plan to head into Trujillo during the day to take in a little sight seeing....and see the projects new offices. Then a evening at Mike and Danells for some pizza and maybe........a little playstation.
We miss all of you back home!
Mitch
Saturday, July 04, 2009
El Mirador
Hello to all!
What a great day! For those of you who really know me, you know that I spend a lot of time stressing the little things. Last night was a restless night, knowing that today was the day we were getting started....plus my room was a little cold. The night air was really cool.
My day started about half past 5 just thinking about how I would address everyone once we were out there. Silly right....right!
What an amazing day as we got to re-acquaint ourselves with everyone. I held a little devotional about creation, since we were standing in the midst of an amazing, lush green area! It felt almost like we were a jungle....banana trees, exotic flowers and just beautiful bright red bougainvillea!
We got a chance to break the ice with a few fun relay races and the gringo girls proceeded to beat the Peruvian women from the barrio. We mixed in a little volleyball and a walk to the top of one of the rocks surrounding El Mirador to take some pictures.
We wrapped up our day with the group with Dans testimony. Dans testimony seemed to spark some emotion from many in the group.
One of Peruvian men was asked pray one of four prayers. His was so emotional and the amazing moment of prayer being said in two different languages....Rosa prayed....Yoler prayed(his was the emotional one....so heart felt), I prayed and Loys finished up. It just seems like there are certain things that transcend language. Prayer and emotion are two of them. It was so moving that one of my team members had a moment. Tori was just so taken by the moment she got emotional too. What a great day!
Thanks to all of you who are keeping my team in your prayers! They so welcomed and we feel them.
Have a great evening!
Love Mitch
What a great day! For those of you who really know me, you know that I spend a lot of time stressing the little things. Last night was a restless night, knowing that today was the day we were getting started....plus my room was a little cold. The night air was really cool.
My day started about half past 5 just thinking about how I would address everyone once we were out there. Silly right....right!
What an amazing day as we got to re-acquaint ourselves with everyone. I held a little devotional about creation, since we were standing in the midst of an amazing, lush green area! It felt almost like we were a jungle....banana trees, exotic flowers and just beautiful bright red bougainvillea!
We got a chance to break the ice with a few fun relay races and the gringo girls proceeded to beat the Peruvian women from the barrio. We mixed in a little volleyball and a walk to the top of one of the rocks surrounding El Mirador to take some pictures.
We wrapped up our day with the group with Dans testimony. Dans testimony seemed to spark some emotion from many in the group.
One of Peruvian men was asked pray one of four prayers. His was so emotional and the amazing moment of prayer being said in two different languages....Rosa prayed....Yoler prayed(his was the emotional one....so heart felt), I prayed and Loys finished up. It just seems like there are certain things that transcend language. Prayer and emotion are two of them. It was so moving that one of my team members had a moment. Tori was just so taken by the moment she got emotional too. What a great day!Thanks to all of you who are keeping my team in your prayers! They so welcomed and we feel them.
Have a great evening!
Love Mitch
Friday, July 03, 2009
Arrival
Hola from Huanchaco, Peru.
My team and I are staying the same place we have the two years previous, at the lovely Hostel Bracamonte! It was a beautiful morning even though most of us were barely awake when we arrived. We can hear the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing against the shoreline. I am not sure about anyone else but I think after the long trip, seing fresh beds and having the sound of the ocean help me get some much needed rest.
We ended up with less time in the Lima airport this time around. We ended up on a 5 am flight t0 Trujillo....were picked up by Mike and Danell and dropped at the hostel.
It still was a long trip and everyone has gotten some much needed rest. I think fresh beds were a welcome site.
We are going to head into Huanchaco for lunch this noon hour to go over our plans for the weekend. Tomorrows activities will include a return to El Mirador to spend the day with the community leaders from the barrio. It will be a chance to get reacquinted with each other, plus a chance to play some volleyball....soccer.....and a couple of other games that we have planned. I believe there will also be a chance f0r one or two from our team to share some testimony.
Tonight we will have dinner with Loys and Theresa. It will be good to see them again and get re-aquainted. I know that when we come they love having us.....I also know that it makes things double busy for them and Mike and Danell. I really appreciate the work they are doing down here.
I do not know if I shared anything about my team yet. Besides myself...Dan Hitzler and Kris Shermer are veterans of this trip. Tori Reef is one of the newcomers. Tori is a long time friend of Danells. I know the two of them are looking forward to the week. Also new this year are Andrea and Jamie Whelan. They may end up being the two that surprise me most on this trip. Even though we have had a chance to meet and get ready for this trip over the last few months, I am still trying to see the dynamic of it all. Should be interesting. I know this much....I am really glad to have Dan back with me this year.
I am not sure how much I will have to add later tonight. If I do....I will come back and post.
Until later.........God Bless!
Oh....Anna....I love you!
Mitch
My team and I are staying the same place we have the two years previous, at the lovely Hostel Bracamonte! It was a beautiful morning even though most of us were barely awake when we arrived. We can hear the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing against the shoreline. I am not sure about anyone else but I think after the long trip, seing fresh beds and having the sound of the ocean help me get some much needed rest.
We ended up with less time in the Lima airport this time around. We ended up on a 5 am flight t0 Trujillo....were picked up by Mike and Danell and dropped at the hostel.
It still was a long trip and everyone has gotten some much needed rest. I think fresh beds were a welcome site.
We are going to head into Huanchaco for lunch this noon hour to go over our plans for the weekend. Tomorrows activities will include a return to El Mirador to spend the day with the community leaders from the barrio. It will be a chance to get reacquinted with each other, plus a chance to play some volleyball....soccer.....and a couple of other games that we have planned. I believe there will also be a chance f0r one or two from our team to share some testimony.
Tonight we will have dinner with Loys and Theresa. It will be good to see them again and get re-aquainted. I know that when we come they love having us.....I also know that it makes things double busy for them and Mike and Danell. I really appreciate the work they are doing down here.
I do not know if I shared anything about my team yet. Besides myself...Dan Hitzler and Kris Shermer are veterans of this trip. Tori Reef is one of the newcomers. Tori is a long time friend of Danells. I know the two of them are looking forward to the week. Also new this year are Andrea and Jamie Whelan. They may end up being the two that surprise me most on this trip. Even though we have had a chance to meet and get ready for this trip over the last few months, I am still trying to see the dynamic of it all. Should be interesting. I know this much....I am really glad to have Dan back with me this year.
I am not sure how much I will have to add later tonight. If I do....I will come back and post.
Until later.........God Bless!
Oh....Anna....I love you!
Mitch
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Peru 2009
Welcome to all of my friends and family! Back in December it looked like we were going to head back to Trujillo with a fairly large sized group. It looked like we would be taking 12-14, but I think the economic times in the United States put a damper on that. Instead, I will take a smaller but enthusiastic group of 6, including myself.
Our plans have finally come together. As we have learned over the four years we have been going to Trujillo, plans can change often and more times that not even change once we get there. We are really excited about this trip because we are going to do more teaching than ever. We have a total of six lessons planned. The lessons range from the little kids to the teens and even the leaders of the community. One of our member, Dan Hitzler, is even going to get a chance to preach/give a lesson during their Sunday evening services. Should be an exciting moment!
There has been a lot of growth over the last year. Not only in Villa Hermosa/Milagros, but throughout the 9 barrios that our missionaries are working in. Mike Bukta is now completely running the mission work for PNHI and has really done a great job of getting the missionary family's actually working in the barrio more focused and moving in the right direction. We are hearing of increased numbers of home churches and increased numbers of individuals giving their lives to Christ. Soon the community leaders in each barrio that will have to be able to take the responsibility of continuing the spiritual growth with in that part of the barrio. Exciting times for those people. It is my hope and prayer that the lessons we are developing for them will help them understand the great responsibility and the enormous example each will need to show.
I hope that you will return here often during my trip. I will be in country from July 2, returning to Phoenix the morning of July 12. Your prayers for our work and our safety and the safety of our families at home would be greatly appreciated. I will again try to update the blog each night before I close my day. Our schedule may make that more challenging, but I will keep you up to date.
Our plans have finally come together. As we have learned over the four years we have been going to Trujillo, plans can change often and more times that not even change once we get there. We are really excited about this trip because we are going to do more teaching than ever. We have a total of six lessons planned. The lessons range from the little kids to the teens and even the leaders of the community. One of our member, Dan Hitzler, is even going to get a chance to preach/give a lesson during their Sunday evening services. Should be an exciting moment!
There has been a lot of growth over the last year. Not only in Villa Hermosa/Milagros, but throughout the 9 barrios that our missionaries are working in. Mike Bukta is now completely running the mission work for PNHI and has really done a great job of getting the missionary family's actually working in the barrio more focused and moving in the right direction. We are hearing of increased numbers of home churches and increased numbers of individuals giving their lives to Christ. Soon the community leaders in each barrio that will have to be able to take the responsibility of continuing the spiritual growth with in that part of the barrio. Exciting times for those people. It is my hope and prayer that the lessons we are developing for them will help them understand the great responsibility and the enormous example each will need to show.
I hope that you will return here often during my trip. I will be in country from July 2, returning to Phoenix the morning of July 12. Your prayers for our work and our safety and the safety of our families at home would be greatly appreciated. I will again try to update the blog each night before I close my day. Our schedule may make that more challenging, but I will keep you up to date.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sunday, July 13
Well....up early this morning for breakfast....make sure our bags are packed and catch our flight from Trujillo to Lima.
Once in Lima we were picked up by a friend who arranges tours around Peru. We took in a little of the Peruvian culture with a visit to a museum full of ancient artifacts and mummy's. We were unable to view the mummy's due to the earth quake of last year that affected the coastal areas from Lima and south of there. We got a real history lesson though of all the different so called dynasty's of the country. Very interesting!
From there it was off for some lunch. There is quite the Asian influence....specifically Chinese. They are quite proud of the food that is a mixture of Peruvian and Chinese. It was very good.
After lunch we visited one of many catholic churches in the city. This one of the oldest with three different levels of Catacombs. They used the catacombs for burying monks, benefactors and in later years commoners.
Our stay in Peru ended with a visit to Mira Flores, where we did a little shopping. We visited one of the Indian markets. I think in three years I have done enough shopping that I have learned to keep my hands out of my pockets. It is a very neat part of town though. We almost go stuck down there due to a festival of some kind. There had been a very large parade during the day and we were leaving with enough time to get to the airport to check in and get through to our international flight. I am thankful that we had a very good driver....he forced his way through some of the traffic, all the while looking out for our safety.
Our flight home was uneventful....with one exception. If you have ever been out of the country you know that you fill out an immigration form when you arrive to your destination. You are told to not lose the bottom portion of your form because you need it to leave the country. I reminded my team going in of that and guess who ended up losing his form...yep! Me!!!!! I ended up having to pay a $15 Sole fine. Not bad.....about $5 U.S.
We arrive back in Phoenix late morning on Monday. It is good to be home to see my family and will be good to get back to the normal routine...but sure do miss the people back in Trujillo! I also miss the weather. It was 65 or 70 everyday. I got home and it was humid and the monsoons are underway.
Please keep our brothers and sisters in Trujillo in your prayers...they are growing in the faith! What generous, awesome people they are! We love them dearly and will continue to pray for them everyday. I pray daily for Loys and Theresa and his family and Mike and Dannel and their family for the awesome sacrifices they are making to take God's word to all nations!
Love,
Mitch & Anna
Once in Lima we were picked up by a friend who arranges tours around Peru. We took in a little of the Peruvian culture with a visit to a museum full of ancient artifacts and mummy's. We were unable to view the mummy's due to the earth quake of last year that affected the coastal areas from Lima and south of there. We got a real history lesson though of all the different so called dynasty's of the country. Very interesting!
From there it was off for some lunch. There is quite the Asian influence....specifically Chinese. They are quite proud of the food that is a mixture of Peruvian and Chinese. It was very good.
After lunch we visited one of many catholic churches in the city. This one of the oldest with three different levels of Catacombs. They used the catacombs for burying monks, benefactors and in later years commoners.
Our stay in Peru ended with a visit to Mira Flores, where we did a little shopping. We visited one of the Indian markets. I think in three years I have done enough shopping that I have learned to keep my hands out of my pockets. It is a very neat part of town though. We almost go stuck down there due to a festival of some kind. There had been a very large parade during the day and we were leaving with enough time to get to the airport to check in and get through to our international flight. I am thankful that we had a very good driver....he forced his way through some of the traffic, all the while looking out for our safety.
Our flight home was uneventful....with one exception. If you have ever been out of the country you know that you fill out an immigration form when you arrive to your destination. You are told to not lose the bottom portion of your form because you need it to leave the country. I reminded my team going in of that and guess who ended up losing his form...yep! Me!!!!! I ended up having to pay a $15 Sole fine. Not bad.....about $5 U.S.
We arrive back in Phoenix late morning on Monday. It is good to be home to see my family and will be good to get back to the normal routine...but sure do miss the people back in Trujillo! I also miss the weather. It was 65 or 70 everyday. I got home and it was humid and the monsoons are underway.
Please keep our brothers and sisters in Trujillo in your prayers...they are growing in the faith! What generous, awesome people they are! We love them dearly and will continue to pray for them everyday. I pray daily for Loys and Theresa and his family and Mike and Dannel and their family for the awesome sacrifices they are making to take God's word to all nations!
Love,
Mitch & Anna
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Saturday, July 12
I want to thank everyone for their prayers while Anna and I have been here.
Please keep us in them for a while longer. We will be leaving for Lima in the morning and taking a tour before catching a flight late tomorrow night for Houston. 
We will arrive back in Phoenix early Monday morning.
In some ways it will be so good to be home. We miss Ashley and Derek a lot and the dogs of course. We are sad however that we are leaving our brothers and sisters in Christ from the barrio.
The last day there was bitter sweet. The pictures on this page represents everything that I continue to return to Peru for. It's always good to go and work hard and accomplish something that can the people there can see. 
The bottom line to what we do on this mission trip is develop long lasting relationships that mean something to these people.
We had an awesome day...starting with putting up some new walls for one of the women who teach kids classes in her home. The walls are made of thatch but they will be good enough to hold classes and keep the sun and wind off the children.
This afternoon....we did nothing but play with the kids. We mixed in a little men vs. women volleyball.
The men won of course! The end of the day meant long good byes. We have many great memories of all the people in Villa Hermosa-Milagros. And we are bringing back greetings to many who have already been here for a mission trip. 
For those that are waiting for some additional word...Anna got up this morning and joined us in the barrio all day. She said she was fine....but I think she willed herself to be there. She is doing so much better tonight. She is just fine! I don´t think she would have missed today for anything. Annita.....the mother of the girl I baptized last year......really took a liking to Anna and gave her a special gift today.
Yesterday, she gave Anna a pair of earings and some perfume from Avon. They have so little and are so generous! Annita´s family really loves Anna and hope that I bring the kids next year.
This will be the last post until we get back to Phoenix. We love you all very much!
Mitch & Anna
Please keep us in them for a while longer. We will be leaving for Lima in the morning and taking a tour before catching a flight late tomorrow night for Houston. 
We will arrive back in Phoenix early Monday morning.In some ways it will be so good to be home. We miss Ashley and Derek a lot and the dogs of course. We are sad however that we are leaving our brothers and sisters in Christ from the barrio.
The last day there was bitter sweet. The pictures on this page represents everything that I continue to return to Peru for. It's always good to go and work hard and accomplish something that can the people there can see. 
The bottom line to what we do on this mission trip is develop long lasting relationships that mean something to these people.We had an awesome day...starting with putting up some new walls for one of the women who teach kids classes in her home. The walls are made of thatch but they will be good enough to hold classes and keep the sun and wind off the children.
This afternoon....we did nothing but play with the kids. We mixed in a little men vs. women volleyball.
The men won of course! The end of the day meant long good byes. We have many great memories of all the people in Villa Hermosa-Milagros. And we are bringing back greetings to many who have already been here for a mission trip. 
For those that are waiting for some additional word...Anna got up this morning and joined us in the barrio all day. She said she was fine....but I think she willed herself to be there. She is doing so much better tonight. She is just fine! I don´t think she would have missed today for anything. Annita.....the mother of the girl I baptized last year......really took a liking to Anna and gave her a special gift today.
Yesterday, she gave Anna a pair of earings and some perfume from Avon. They have so little and are so generous! Annita´s family really loves Anna and hope that I bring the kids next year.This will be the last post until we get back to Phoenix. We love you all very much!
Mitch & Anna
Friday, July 11, 2008
Friday, July 11
I am going to keep it short tonight. Anna has come down with something and I want to get back to the room. I think she has a touch of the flu. Please don´t be too concerned....she will be fine. She needs a good night rest. Do keep her in your prayers.
We held a ceremony for 20 couples today. Eventually, they will all stand before the justice of the peace and God to be married. Anna and I stood before all of these 
couples and gave our testimony. Not something that I was expecting.
Most of the morning we were busy setting up for the weddings. We also delivered two back packs to a couple of the kids in the barrio. Roger Winkles had a back pack full of goodies for the girl that he and Livonia sponsor.
Her mother was so taken by the event that she was in tears the whole time. She was so overwhelmed by the generosity.
We also took a back pack to an little boy named Henry. He is a special little guy that Deb Courts sponsors. He was so thrilled to get the stuff that Deb sent.
His mother and father have crafted a letter to Deb that I know she will be thrilled to get when we get back. We are leaving what ever money is left over from our budget to help the family. Henry´s monther has uterine cancer and will either need to undergo treatment or have surgery.
The afternoon was focused on the couples getting married. We had gifts for them that included an Old and New Testement Bible....a plaque with the poem "It Takes Three" and a picture of the couple. They had the community center completely decorated and six different cakes. It was quite beautiful.
Our evening ended with a praise session and prayer at the end of the night. We had an awesome day.
Mitch & Anna
We held a ceremony for 20 couples today. Eventually, they will all stand before the justice of the peace and God to be married. Anna and I stood before all of these 
couples and gave our testimony. Not something that I was expecting.Most of the morning we were busy setting up for the weddings. We also delivered two back packs to a couple of the kids in the barrio. Roger Winkles had a back pack full of goodies for the girl that he and Livonia sponsor.
Her mother was so taken by the event that she was in tears the whole time. She was so overwhelmed by the generosity.We also took a back pack to an little boy named Henry. He is a special little guy that Deb Courts sponsors. He was so thrilled to get the stuff that Deb sent.
His mother and father have crafted a letter to Deb that I know she will be thrilled to get when we get back. We are leaving what ever money is left over from our budget to help the family. Henry´s monther has uterine cancer and will either need to undergo treatment or have surgery.The afternoon was focused on the couples getting married. We had gifts for them that included an Old and New Testement Bible....a plaque with the poem "It Takes Three" and a picture of the couple. They had the community center completely decorated and six different cakes. It was quite beautiful.
Our evening ended with a praise session and prayer at the end of the night. We had an awesome day.
Mitch & Anna
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Thursday, July 10
Hello to all!
I think the fact that this trip is starting to wind down is hitting us all. We just completed our evening devotional and discussed our final two days. A couple of my team members talked about how hard they thought it was going to be on Saturday when we leave for the final time.
Today was a great day! Lots of hard work, as we poured more cement.
We worked on cement columns inside the classrooms that they have started. Once again it was the young guys coming to the rescue. Esaiah Harlan and David Spidle did a lot of the heavy lifting and pouring to get the cement into the wood forms. We also poured another footing for an extension of the clinic. I am always amazed at some of their primative measures for creating things....but they always work out well.
I think the fact that this trip is starting to wind down is hitting us all. We just completed our evening devotional and discussed our final two days. A couple of my team members talked about how hard they thought it was going to be on Saturday when we leave for the final time.
Today was a great day! Lots of hard work, as we poured more cement.
We worked on cement columns inside the classrooms that they have started. Once again it was the young guys coming to the rescue. Esaiah Harlan and David Spidle did a lot of the heavy lifting and pouring to get the cement into the wood forms. We also poured another footing for an extension of the clinic. I am always amazed at some of their primative measures for creating things....but they always work out well. Lunch in the barrio was always a treat. Annita, Theresa and Carmen always work
ed really hard to keep the kitchen clean and preparing a delicious lunch. This photo shows my typical position for about 30 minutes after each lunch!
This afternoon...more teaching for Roger and Kris. They taught another small group of women about forgiveness and confessing sin. We have one more small group on Saturday. They have done a great job. Kris has been amazing with much of our translation needs! I´m so glad she is here.
I can´t begin to tell you how proud I am of my team. Anna kept up with myself, David Spidle and Esaiah Harlan today. She really wanted to get in there and work around the concrete today! David and Esaiah have really worked hard! David was sitting on top of the walls of the classrooms pouring cement down these forms. John Spidle, Glenn Bedal and myself worked hard too....we worked hard at trying to keep up with the young men. I hope I am not giving you the impression that Roger didn´t sling some mud....because he did too! Roger has actually been the one I have counted on to work on lessons for the women´s groups. He has been awesome and really flexible.
Tomorrow(Friday), we will be doing some construction again...however...our afternoon will be filled with celebration. We are going to go through marriage ceremony for 20 couples. It won´t be official right away...it is a pain to go through the process here.... Licenses...fees...judges...the government....newspaper ads...more fees......judges.......you get the drift. We will start the process for them and then when all 20 couples have done everything needed....a justice of the peace has agreed to marry all 20 couples...free of charge.
That is it for tonight! We love and miss you all!
Mitch & Anna
ed really hard to keep the kitchen clean and preparing a delicious lunch. This photo shows my typical position for about 30 minutes after each lunch!This afternoon...more teaching for Roger and Kris. They taught another small group of women about forgiveness and confessing sin. We have one more small group on Saturday. They have done a great job. Kris has been amazing with much of our translation needs! I´m so glad she is here.
I can´t begin to tell you how proud I am of my team. Anna kept up with myself, David Spidle and Esaiah Harlan today. She really wanted to get in there and work around the concrete today! David and Esaiah have really worked hard! David was sitting on top of the walls of the classrooms pouring cement down these forms. John Spidle, Glenn Bedal and myself worked hard too....we worked hard at trying to keep up with the young men. I hope I am not giving you the impression that Roger didn´t sling some mud....because he did too! Roger has actually been the one I have counted on to work on lessons for the women´s groups. He has been awesome and really flexible.
Tomorrow(Friday), we will be doing some construction again...however...our afternoon will be filled with celebration. We are going to go through marriage ceremony for 20 couples. It won´t be official right away...it is a pain to go through the process here.... Licenses...fees...judges...the government....newspaper ads...more fees......judges.......you get the drift. We will start the process for them and then when all 20 couples have done everything needed....a justice of the peace has agreed to marry all 20 couples...free of charge.
That is it for tonight! We love and miss you all!
Mitch & Anna
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Wednesday, July 9
Well, not much to pass on today. As we expected, we spent the day in Huanchaco. A transportation strike kept us local and commuting by foot. 
We took a long walk down the beach as a group this morning....just kind of checking out the various shops and hostals along the way. The beach in Huanchaco is such a cool place to be. Even though it is a real small community there is
a lot of action. There are a large number of hostals in the town and of course one of the main attractions is the fisherman using these boats to get there catch. We watched two of the area men come in with nets full of crab. The tradition of using the reed boats for fishing and surfing is still used today. 
We headed back to our hostal around noon and had lunch together. Then most of us spent the afternoon at the beach. Three members of our team took surfing lessons and spent about an hour or so surfing. This picture is 
one of my youngest team members, David Spidle, catching a little surf!
Supper this evening was back in the central part of Huanchaco...then back to our hostal for evening devotions, dessert and now time for bed. I wish I had more to share tonight. It was just a good relaxing day.
We will be back in the barrio tomrrow....putting our backs to good use in the morning. We have more construction projects to do....then a women´s lesson again in the afternoon!
Keep us in your prayers...all of you are in ours!
Love,
Mitch & Anna
We took a long walk down the beach as a group this morning....just kind of checking out the various shops and hostals along the way. The beach in Huanchaco is such a cool place to be. Even though it is a real small community there is
a lot of action. There are a large number of hostals in the town and of course one of the main attractions is the fisherman using these boats to get there catch. We watched two of the area men come in with nets full of crab. The tradition of using the reed boats for fishing and surfing is still used today. 
We headed back to our hostal around noon and had lunch together. Then most of us spent the afternoon at the beach. Three members of our team took surfing lessons and spent about an hour or so surfing. This picture is 
one of my youngest team members, David Spidle, catching a little surf!Supper this evening was back in the central part of Huanchaco...then back to our hostal for evening devotions, dessert and now time for bed. I wish I had more to share tonight. It was just a good relaxing day.
We will be back in the barrio tomrrow....putting our backs to good use in the morning. We have more construction projects to do....then a women´s lesson again in the afternoon!
Keep us in your prayers...all of you are in ours!
Love,
Mitch & Anna
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Tuesday, July 8
Hello to all!
What a great day! We went into the barrio this morning and got started on a couple of construction projects.
We added some room to one of the ladies that teaches the young kids stories. Nothing to special.....four walls made of bambo and reed. In the picture to the right, Anna is trying to re-weave some of the exsisting material to use on the new structure. The other place we worked on was a house for a mother and her young child. They are currently living with a sister in the barrio and it is not a good situat
ion for them. So we are starting them out with a similar structure. Reed walls and a covering. The thatch wall in the back is what we started with. I came by the same place a day later and the picture to the left is what I saw. Someone must have decided to help this woman out financially, because we found mud bricks going up.
We also worked on some footings for an classroom that Loys has started. We mixed and dumped cement for the footings most of the afternoon. They have a need for more room. It is near the clinic that we worked on last year. Anna got right in there with us and helped mix the cement.
She would help fill buckets with sand and rock as we mixed! She worked so hard today. My whole team is doing a great job. Here is the interesting thing. The clinic was initially started last year as one small building. When we arrived it was four of those small buildings long and it looks like they would like to make it two stories.
Our last item this afternoon was meeting with a group of ladies that meet every Tuesday afternoon for bible study. Roger Winkles, who is on my team, taught stories to them and discussed grace and forgiveness. We had a craft with them afterwards where they wrote their sins on a clay pot....then smashed it into pieces and glued them to a wooden cross!
We are getting an unscheduled day off on Wednesday. There is a one day transportation strike. We are told not to try to go to the barrio...there will be a lot of rock throwing and rocks blocking roads. We will hang out in Huanchaco and may be do a little surfing!!!
Love to all!
Mitch & Anna
What a great day! We went into the barrio this morning and got started on a couple of construction projects.
We added some room to one of the ladies that teaches the young kids stories. Nothing to special.....four walls made of bambo and reed. In the picture to the right, Anna is trying to re-weave some of the exsisting material to use on the new structure. The other place we worked on was a house for a mother and her young child. They are currently living with a sister in the barrio and it is not a good situat
ion for them. So we are starting them out with a similar structure. Reed walls and a covering. The thatch wall in the back is what we started with. I came by the same place a day later and the picture to the left is what I saw. Someone must have decided to help this woman out financially, because we found mud bricks going up.We also worked on some footings for an classroom that Loys has started. We mixed and dumped cement for the footings most of the afternoon. They have a need for more room. It is near the clinic that we worked on last year. Anna got right in there with us and helped mix the cement.
She would help fill buckets with sand and rock as we mixed! She worked so hard today. My whole team is doing a great job. Here is the interesting thing. The clinic was initially started last year as one small building. When we arrived it was four of those small buildings long and it looks like they would like to make it two stories.Our last item this afternoon was meeting with a group of ladies that meet every Tuesday afternoon for bible study. Roger Winkles, who is on my team, taught stories to them and discussed grace and forgiveness. We had a craft with them afterwards where they wrote their sins on a clay pot....then smashed it into pieces and glued them to a wooden cross!
We are getting an unscheduled day off on Wednesday. There is a one day transportation strike. We are told not to try to go to the barrio...there will be a lot of rock throwing and rocks blocking roads. We will hang out in Huanchaco and may be do a little surfing!!!
Love to all!
Mitch & Anna
Monday, July 07, 2008
Monday, July 7
Hello to all,
We had a day off to play tourist today. Our morning started like every other day, except we drove about 45 minutes south of Trujillo to see some of the businesses that the project has started.
We toured a farm where they have milking cows, guinia pig, and snails. They have worked out some interesting relationships to really start producing in all three of the areas.
They will send out their first shipment of snails to Europe very soon. They have different contracts already in place with some of the mines to sell the guinia pigs to the workers for food. Here, they are a delicacy! I am hoping that when we tour Lima that I can try some of it. 
We´ll see.
We also tour Huaca de Luna! Many of you have heard me describe this site from my first trip to Trujillo. It was one of the early civilizations in Peru. It dates to about 700 years after Christ. It is a very intersting site.....5 different temples built one on top of the other as power changed hands.
This evening we had dinner at Mike and Danell´s. They had a local friend of theirs come in and cook us some traditional Peruvian dishes. It was all very good. A lot of fried food. And we had a little fun on top of it.
Check it out!!!!
Tomorrow, we will return to the barrio. We are going to dig in deep and get some construction work done in the morning. Then in the afternoon a lesson with the women. We are going to talk about confessing your sins. We will be doing this in group settings...much like small groups. The barrio directors are trying to ecourage small groups for studying.
Until tomorrow night! Good night! Buenes Noches!
Mitch & Anna
We had a day off to play tourist today. Our morning started like every other day, except we drove about 45 minutes south of Trujillo to see some of the businesses that the project has started.
We toured a farm where they have milking cows, guinia pig, and snails. They have worked out some interesting relationships to really start producing in all three of the areas.
They will send out their first shipment of snails to Europe very soon. They have different contracts already in place with some of the mines to sell the guinia pigs to the workers for food. Here, they are a delicacy! I am hoping that when we tour Lima that I can try some of it. 
We´ll see.We also tour Huaca de Luna! Many of you have heard me describe this site from my first trip to Trujillo. It was one of the early civilizations in Peru. It dates to about 700 years after Christ. It is a very intersting site.....5 different temples built one on top of the other as power changed hands.
This evening we had dinner at Mike and Danell´s. They had a local friend of theirs come in and cook us some traditional Peruvian dishes. It was all very good. A lot of fried food. And we had a little fun on top of it.
Check it out!!!!
Tomorrow, we will return to the barrio. We are going to dig in deep and get some construction work done in the morning. Then in the afternoon a lesson with the women. We are going to talk about confessing your sins. We will be doing this in group settings...much like small groups. The barrio directors are trying to ecourage small groups for studying.
Until tomorrow night! Good night! Buenes Noches!
Mitch & Anna
Sunday, July 06, 2008
First Full Day in the barrio
Hello all!
Morning came way too soon this morning! After a day at the park with the people from the barrio we all woke up sore this morning.
Not much has changed after our day in the barrio today! We are all very sore and tired! It is a good sore though.
We arrived at the barrio at 9 a.m. this morning and got ready for story time with the children. We are all very proud of Kristin.
She taught three different groups of children this morning and she did it all in spanish. She was awesome. The whole team was great today....helping out with our craft, moving tables and chairs, and most importantly interacting with all of the kids!
The one thing that is different this year is that they are cooking all of our lunches in the kitchen they put in, in the community center. The center even has it´s own bathroom now. We don´t have to order port-a-johns any more. The meal we had today was mashed potatoes shaped like a football and then stuffed with ground beef, a boiled egg, raisens and a calamota(sp) olive and then it was deep fryed. I´m not sure if that gives you a good picture or not. It was very good!
After lunch we had family time...playing ping pong, some games in the courtyard.
One of the games that my family had to do was a potato sack race. I think I came in second on that one. 
We also played some volleyball, which they are very good at. Loys had a lesson for us later in the afternoon. He talked about why we can´t be ashamed of our faith and that we have to tell others. He used the illustration of being fishers of men! It was very good!
We all had supper in downtown Huanchaco tonight. They always have good food. We are all thinking about hitting the sack. We will get a day off tomorrow for a tour at some of the businesses that the project has started. A tour of one of the archialogical sites and a meal of native Peruvian food at Mike and Danell´s.
I hope this finds every one well! Anna and I love you all very much. Anna says she is still feeling a little lost with the language barrier....but I keep reminding her that I am too sometimes and it is ok. She is doing a great job and getting along just fine.
Love,
Mitch & Anna
Morning came way too soon this morning! After a day at the park with the people from the barrio we all woke up sore this morning.
Not much has changed after our day in the barrio today! We are all very sore and tired! It is a good sore though.We arrived at the barrio at 9 a.m. this morning and got ready for story time with the children. We are all very proud of Kristin.
She taught three different groups of children this morning and she did it all in spanish. She was awesome. The whole team was great today....helping out with our craft, moving tables and chairs, and most importantly interacting with all of the kids!
The one thing that is different this year is that they are cooking all of our lunches in the kitchen they put in, in the community center. The center even has it´s own bathroom now. We don´t have to order port-a-johns any more. The meal we had today was mashed potatoes shaped like a football and then stuffed with ground beef, a boiled egg, raisens and a calamota(sp) olive and then it was deep fryed. I´m not sure if that gives you a good picture or not. It was very good!
After lunch we had family time...playing ping pong, some games in the courtyard.
One of the games that my family had to do was a potato sack race. I think I came in second on that one. 
We also played some volleyball, which they are very good at. Loys had a lesson for us later in the afternoon. He talked about why we can´t be ashamed of our faith and that we have to tell others. He used the illustration of being fishers of men! It was very good!We all had supper in downtown Huanchaco tonight. They always have good food. We are all thinking about hitting the sack. We will get a day off tomorrow for a tour at some of the businesses that the project has started. A tour of one of the archialogical sites and a meal of native Peruvian food at Mike and Danell´s.
I hope this finds every one well! Anna and I love you all very much. Anna says she is still feeling a little lost with the language barrier....but I keep reminding her that I am too sometimes and it is ok. She is doing a great job and getting along just fine.
Love,
Mitch & Anna
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Fun in the Sun
Hello to all!
It was a really good day! We went to a big park where they have three or four swimming pools, three soccer fields....volleyball etc. We had a ball with about 48 people from the barrio who help Loys and Theresa run the program in the barrio.
These people have committed themselves to the program and are serving in various areas. Annita, who is the mother of the young girl I baptized last year is the President. She oversees all areas. Some are in charge of the kids church choir. Some are in charge of sports and recreation and many other areas! We started the morning out with some ice breaker games.
This one is me getting ready to slurp down this Peruvian treat, then race 20 yards away to 
find a small cookie buried in a mound of flour. I won this contest and got a small bag of goodies. Anna got in on the fun two. One of the other ice breaker games involved an apple between the forehead of partners. Anna and Kris couldn't keep the apple from falling. 
It was so much fun!
It was a really good day! We went to a big park where they have three or four swimming pools, three soccer fields....volleyball etc. We had a ball with about 48 people from the barrio who help Loys and Theresa run the program in the barrio.
These people have committed themselves to the program and are serving in various areas. Annita, who is the mother of the young girl I baptized last year is the President. She oversees all areas. Some are in charge of the kids church choir. Some are in charge of sports and recreation and many other areas! We started the morning out with some ice breaker games.
This one is me getting ready to slurp down this Peruvian treat, then race 20 yards away to 
find a small cookie buried in a mound of flour. I won this contest and got a small bag of goodies. Anna got in on the fun two. One of the other ice breaker games involved an apple between the forehead of partners. Anna and Kris couldn't keep the apple from falling. 
It was so much fun!I got to play goalie today. I found out how out of shape I am(as if I didn´t already know that)! Anna was a scream to watch this morning. She was all over the soccer field chasing down the ball! The very first ball kicked her way suprised her and knocked her over! She got up laughing and went on with the fun! It is fun to watch her take this all in. We all played volleyball before and after lunch. Anna spent a lot of time with some of the small children and Danell this afternoon.
It was such a beautiful place to have some fun and fellowship with our friends!
We just got done with our evening meal and are all going to sit down together for discussion and study. We have some planning to do for tomorrow. One of the things we continue to talk about is be ready for change and be flexible. We´ve seen quite a bit of changes already and that is ok. All things for the Glory of God! They are expecting a transportation strike in Peru on Wednesday. We may not make it into the barrio but will change days if we have to.
Everything is going really well....but we are very tired and will sleep well again tonight! I´ll see if I can get Anna to write a few words a little later.
Love to all!
Mitch & Anna
Friday, July 04, 2008
Happy 4th of July
Family and friends,
As most of you know already, we arrived safetly this morning in Trujillo. It has been a very long 24 to 48 hours.
Once we got to our hostel late this morning. We got a chance to take a little nap before getting together with Pato from Project New Hope.
He gave us a little lay of the land as far as the project goes. Mike and Danell joined us. Then a few words from Danell on Hope for Kids and some of the projects she is involved with. 
Loys and Theresa, who are the missionaries in the field joined us as well. I think they are starting to see some of their plans take seed.
It has been a good day for reaquainting ourselves with the team here. Also a good day for just taking a deep breath and catching up after a long trip. Anna has really be taking it all in. I am actually really anxious to get back to the room and talk with her a little bit about the day. I am really interested in hearing her insight on this as a first timer.
I got a little caught up in some last minute changes today. It is ok though....I remind myself about needing to stay flexible and roll with the changes. It looks like we will get a little more construction than we previously thought...and that is ok.
As most of you know already, we arrived safetly this morning in Trujillo. It has been a very long 24 to 48 hours.
Once we got to our hostel late this morning. We got a chance to take a little nap before getting together with Pato from Project New Hope.
He gave us a little lay of the land as far as the project goes. Mike and Danell joined us. Then a few words from Danell on Hope for Kids and some of the projects she is involved with. 
Loys and Theresa, who are the missionaries in the field joined us as well. I think they are starting to see some of their plans take seed.It has been a good day for reaquainting ourselves with the team here. Also a good day for just taking a deep breath and catching up after a long trip. Anna has really be taking it all in. I am actually really anxious to get back to the room and talk with her a little bit about the day. I am really interested in hearing her insight on this as a first timer.
I got a little caught up in some last minute changes today. It is ok though....I remind myself about needing to stay flexible and roll with the changes. It looks like we will get a little more construction than we previously thought...and that is ok.
This flowering bush or tree or whatever it was is an example of some of the exotic beauty that this country has. The flowers sat atop a large stem.
I am going to keep it short tonight! Thanks for all of your prayers. We are heading out at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning for a day of recreation with a group fromt he barrio that helps Loys. Should be a good day of relationship building!
Love to all!
Mitch & Anna
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Pre-Trip Party
I hope that these musings have been informative for you to read. I sometimes sit down at the computer without much to add, yet have a lot to say. I think I am finding it somewhat therapeutic.
At any rate, we are a little over a week away from getting on our flight from Phoenix and making the journey to Trujillo! It will be wonderful to be back in Peru with so many of the people who have become friends. I really do think about a number of them on a daily basis and wonder whether they are thinking about the group from Chandler. I wonder what is going on in their lives and what kind of changes are happening in their lives because of Mike and Danell and Loys and Theresa. I had word from Mike the other day that they had started holding services on Sunday in the community center. He said one report had 100 people attending this last Sunday! Now that is a real sign of progress. Please continue to pray for these leaders and the work they are doing!!!! And I thank each of you! It is because of your support, prayer and sacrifices that more is getting done. Thank you!
We had a final get together with the entire team on Sunday evening. We had a cookout at my place in 115 degree heat. Actually by 6 p.m. it wasn't quite as bad and most weren't even here until 7 p.m. and the sun was finally down. We turned on the misting system and it cooled things in the patio area so that it was comfortable. We had burgers and dogs with some potato, pasta and fruit salads. There must have been 17 or 18 people. Eight of them were kids and they had a great time swimming in the pool. It was just a nice evening and it was good to get together and talk about the trip some more. As the evening was coming to a close, I got Mike on the Internet service skype and we had him share with us a little about this years trip. I think it was cool that those that who have never had a chance to really get to talk to Mike had a chance to hear from him.
The last thing to do is to get together 2 days before our flight for some final organization and then the adventure begins.
This has really been a learning experience for me again. It was easy to be part of a team the last two years. I really got a lot out of that. I am finding out how much more there is though as I lead this year. I have a greater appreciation for what my good friend Debra Courts went through the previous two years. The thing I find interesting is.....I was really of the belief that we would be larger team again this year. We had grown in size as a group from year 1 to year 2. I think that God was telling me something when he made it just 8. I think he was telling me to learn how to do it with a smaller group first! I feel really good about what I have done in preparing my team.....and pray that they have a great experience and we are a blessing to those in the barrio. I can't wait to do it all over again!
I have a few things left to prepare for at home. Derek is going to be in charge of the house and everything that goes with taking care of house stuff for the time we are gone. That includes my dogs.....Kirby and Kali and my bird Kiki. What is with all this K stuff anyway......???? :-)
At any rate, we are a little over a week away from getting on our flight from Phoenix and making the journey to Trujillo! It will be wonderful to be back in Peru with so many of the people who have become friends. I really do think about a number of them on a daily basis and wonder whether they are thinking about the group from Chandler. I wonder what is going on in their lives and what kind of changes are happening in their lives because of Mike and Danell and Loys and Theresa. I had word from Mike the other day that they had started holding services on Sunday in the community center. He said one report had 100 people attending this last Sunday! Now that is a real sign of progress. Please continue to pray for these leaders and the work they are doing!!!! And I thank each of you! It is because of your support, prayer and sacrifices that more is getting done. Thank you!
We had a final get together with the entire team on Sunday evening. We had a cookout at my place in 115 degree heat. Actually by 6 p.m. it wasn't quite as bad and most weren't even here until 7 p.m. and the sun was finally down. We turned on the misting system and it cooled things in the patio area so that it was comfortable. We had burgers and dogs with some potato, pasta and fruit salads. There must have been 17 or 18 people. Eight of them were kids and they had a great time swimming in the pool. It was just a nice evening and it was good to get together and talk about the trip some more. As the evening was coming to a close, I got Mike on the Internet service skype and we had him share with us a little about this years trip. I think it was cool that those that who have never had a chance to really get to talk to Mike had a chance to hear from him.
The last thing to do is to get together 2 days before our flight for some final organization and then the adventure begins.
This has really been a learning experience for me again. It was easy to be part of a team the last two years. I really got a lot out of that. I am finding out how much more there is though as I lead this year. I have a greater appreciation for what my good friend Debra Courts went through the previous two years. The thing I find interesting is.....I was really of the belief that we would be larger team again this year. We had grown in size as a group from year 1 to year 2. I think that God was telling me something when he made it just 8. I think he was telling me to learn how to do it with a smaller group first! I feel really good about what I have done in preparing my team.....and pray that they have a great experience and we are a blessing to those in the barrio. I can't wait to do it all over again!
I have a few things left to prepare for at home. Derek is going to be in charge of the house and everything that goes with taking care of house stuff for the time we are gone. That includes my dogs.....Kirby and Kali and my bird Kiki. What is with all this K stuff anyway......???? :-)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Thirty Days and Counting
Welcome back to my Peru Blog. For those of you who are on my e-mail blast, you will have seen much of the information that I am posting. For those that are here for the first time.....the countdown has begun. I will be making my third trip back to Trujillo, Peru. I travel with a group of people from Chandler Christian Church in Chandler, Arizona to help missionary's Mike and Danell Butka and Loys and Theresa. 
The main purpose of our trip is to build relationships and show them the love of Christ and the hope that they can have in him.
If you would like more information about the project and Project New Hope International....please check out the following link.
http://www.projectnewhopeinternational.com/
I truly believe in the efforts of John Hendee and the rest of those involved in the project. Good things are happening and progress in being realized.
I am leading the trip this year and will be joined by 7 others, including my wife Anna. I am so bless to have such a wonderful wife! She has been so supportive of my yearly trips to Peru and I am so pleased she will be joining me! Here is the team that has come together for this years trip!
(Top:(Left to Right) Esaiah Harlan, Roger Winkles, Kristin Shermer, Glenn Bedal Bottom:(Left to Right) Anna Otto, Mitch Otto, John Spidle, David Spidle)
If you are here for the first time and are a believer...I welcome your prayers! We have many needs for our trip include protection for my team and our families that we leave behind. Safe travel both going and coming home! Protection while we are in the barrio! And for guidance as we carry out the plans that we have.
The main purpose of our trip is to build relationships and show them the love of Christ and the hope that they can have in him.
If you would like more information about the project and Project New Hope International....please check out the following link.
http://www.projectnewhopeinternational.com/
I truly believe in the efforts of John Hendee and the rest of those involved in the project. Good things are happening and progress in being realized.
I am leading the trip this year and will be joined by 7 others, including my wife Anna. I am so bless to have such a wonderful wife! She has been so supportive of my yearly trips to Peru and I am so pleased she will be joining me! Here is the team that has come together for this years trip!
(Top:(Left to Right) Esaiah Harlan, Roger Winkles, Kristin Shermer, Glenn Bedal Bottom:(Left to Right) Anna Otto, Mitch Otto, John Spidle, David Spidle)
If you are here for the first time and are a believer...I welcome your prayers! We have many needs for our trip include protection for my team and our families that we leave behind. Safe travel both going and coming home! Protection while we are in the barrio! And for guidance as we carry out the plans that we have.
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