Project Postponed

The August Peru Work Trip had to be postponed. Keep reading about further updates and trips to come in the future.

Thanks for checking!

New Photos of Hannah's Home

Here are some new photos of Hannah's Home of work that has been done over the past couple of weeks since the May project. As you can see the doors have been installed and another portion of the wall has been constructed down the side of the property.

Hannah's Home Work Trip August 5 to August 12, 2006

We need plumbers and electricians for the August Work Trip to Hannah's Home in Chilca, Peru. Trip dates are 8/5/2006 to 8/12/2006.

If you are interested in the ChildReach Ministries August Work Trip to Peru please call Jeff at 816.228.1789 or e-mail us at mailto:ejeffh@childreachministries.org .

As we continue to work on Hannah's Home our needs for skilled help will become clear. Please check back to see our needs for the August and subsequent trips.

Natali

I have never met anyone like Natali. She is five years old, and is everything a child is supposed to be - curoious, generous, gregarious, mischievious, lots of other "ous" words. She was the first face at the door every morning we came to Hogar Di Ninos (HDN) and the last to go in when we left. I thought her name was No-Natali, because the most common phrase heard at HDN is "No Natali, no!"

If you knew what had happened to Natali, you would be amazed. I am not going to tell you everything, just rest assured she is miracle of God. She has been neglected, abused, forgotten and ignored. At HDN she is loved. For who she is, as who she is. She gets the run of the school because, as a result of her abuse, she has trouble sitting still. Here in the states she would be labeled ADHD and given Ridilin. At HDN she is allowed to move around and be Natali.

On Thursday at lunch time Natali sat with one of our team, Dick Rogers. Dick and Natali were sharing a bag of potato chips during lunch. Dick gave Natali the bag and she ate a chip. Then she gave Dick a chip. Then she ate a chip. Then she gave Dick a chip. Until the bag was down to crumbs. She poured the crumbs in hand and scooped them all into Dick's mouth. She made certain Dick got the last bit. Then she smiled and ran off.

On Friday at Puca Sana Natali was sharing her ice cream with one of her friends. She had the biggest smile on her face as she did that. How many kids have you met that would share ice cream with another kid (with out being told to) and smile about it? Natali takes pleasure in sharing. It is who she is. Because of whose she is.

A friend of mine says you cannot out give God. I belive him now. I saw Natali sharing.

Luz Meri

I met Luz Meri in March at Hogar Di Nino's (HDN) in Chilca, Peru.

Luz Meri is a beautiful little girl with the most amazing smile. She is 9 years old, and lives with Felix (the director of HDN), his wife Erika and the other kids at HDN. In March we learned her story, and I'll share it with you.

Luz Meri has only been at HDN for a short time. About 9 months ago a man showed up at Luz Meri's home and told her that he was her real father, the man her mother lived with was not her father. Then he left.

Shortly after that, Luz Meri was talking with a teacher, and told the teacher she was being abused, and had been abused for some time. The teacher reported that, and the government took Luz Meri from her family to protect her.

In May Luz Meri and I connected right away. She smiled her little smile - like a smirk, but her eyes dance. She hugged me tight, just grabbed me and would not let go. I asked her how she was and she said very confidently "Mui bein" (That's "very good" for the espanol challenged among us). She is very calm, very deliberate and very beautiful.

On Friday we took the kids for ice cream (thanks Miss Debbie!), and Luz Meri sat next to me on the bus. She wanted the window open, and sat with her head on my shoulder as we rode to Puca Sana and Bocerone (Big Mouth). As I did all the stuff a leader has to do, Luz Meri sat quietly waiting on me before she started her ice cream. On the ride back she just sat with me, always touching me and smiling at me when I looked at her. I was struck at that point that I have done nothing to deserve this. Why me God? What have I done to be able to be loved by this kid? And God told me very clearly "Nothing. She just loves you."

I am humbled by Luz Meri's capacity to love.

August Work Trip 8/5 to 8/12/2006

If you are interested in the CRM August Work Trip to Peru please call Jeff at 816.228.1789 or
e-mail us at jeffh@childreachministries.org .