Love,
Rachel
Tuesday, July
18, 2006
We’re in
Lima, Peru!
We arrived
safely last
night. It’s
going to be
tough getting
to know
everybody’s
names and
stories. As
soon as two
more from
Montana join
us we will be
a team of 26.
Today we will
take a tour of
Lima and
tonight we fly
to Trujillo
and start our
work tomorrow
morning.
I’m going
to try to
spotlight team
members so you
can get to
know them
along with me
and see the
diverse
backgrounds
and reasons
for going on a
mission trip.
My Uncle
Tom, (my
brother, Tom
Eggum was
named after
him) is on his
third mission
trip with
Hope4Kids.
He’s our
favorite uncle
and I’m not
saying that
just because
he’s our only
living uncle.
He has been a
great support
to our family
through the
years and when
times were
tough always
made sure we
had Christmas
presents. He
was a designer
of games and
toys for many
years with
Warner Paper
Co. Later he
worked for
Jessup Paper
Co and created
his own line
of games
called TeePee
Toys. In 2003
he lost his
wife of 57
years to
cancer. In
2004 we wrote
to him about
our upcoming
trip to Chile
and he wrote
back, “I’m
going with
you.” We were
thrilled to
have him join
us. He adds
so much to the
team and each
time becomes
“Uncle Tom” to
all the team
members. In
2005 he joined
us in Romania
and now is
here with us.
As a designer
of games of
toys he never
has really
grown up and
we all love
him. I think
he’s very
proud of our
Hope4Kids
president and
his namesake
as he says,
“he turned out
all right.”
Ralph.
Lynn, Karin
and Nathan are
a Mesa family
who are on
their first
mission trip
with
Hope4Kids.
Karin is in
her final year
of high school
and is
studying
Spanish so the
family wanted
to go to a
Spanish
speaking
country for
their
vacation.
Pastor Chris
Townsend told
them about
Hope4kids and
the Peru trip
so they signed
up! We’re so
glad they
did. Ralph is
actually a
walking
miracle. A
number of
years ago he
was in a
horrible car
accident-with
a crushed
skull and many
other
complications
he wasn’t
supposed to
live. The
medical team
agreed there
was nothing
they could do
and really
didn’t spend
much time on
him. When they
realized he
might make it
they told his
wife that he
would have to
live in
assisted
living and be
taken care
of-that there
was probably
much brain
damage and he
may need total
care. Two
weeks later
Ralph returned
to work!! A
few months
later one of
the nurses saw
him walking
around like a
“normal”
person and
declared,
“You’re
supposed to be
dead!” He’s
got a great
story to tell
and said, “If
you run across
anyone who
doesn’t
believe in
miracles-send
them my way.”
He has his own
plumbing
business and
absolutely no
brain damage.
We know this
great family
is going to be
a tremendous
addition to
our team.
We met
Helen on one
of our trips
to Uganda.
She was there
with another
team. We told
her she needed
to hook up
with Hope4Kids
and would be a
fantastic
addition to
our team so
here she is
joining us in
Peru! She’s
posing with a
security guard
at the
airport.
Abandoned
at the age of
13, Helen’s
parents left
her in charge
of her younger
brothers and
sisters and
never
returned.
Although
people in town
knew of their
situation the
authorities
were never
called in.
Raising
themselves as
best they
could these
children were
abused,
molested and
raped by
adults who
should have
been looking
after their
welfare! In
her early
20’s, Helen
was
hospitalized.
Pastors
visited her
encouraging
her to turn
from drugs to
a new life in
Christ. She
asked, “Where
was God when I
was being
molested and
raped?”
Finally, with
no where else
to turn she
asked Jesus to
be Lord of her
life. She
entered a
Christian
rehab and has
never looked
back. She’s
worked with
gang members
who are
addicted in
New York,
L.A., and
other cities
around the
world. She
rescues and is
foster mom to
babies born
addicted to
drugs. She
has been able
to face some
of those who
abused her and
tell them what
they did was
wrong but
because of
Jesus she has
forgiven
them. She has
a strong
desire to
serve God and
to go to the
hurting to let
them know God
truly does
love them and
His heart
breaks along
with theirs.
Now she is
here with us
to see what
God has for
her in Peru.
Tuesday,
July 18, 2006
We all
gathered
together for
our first
family time.
Tom talked
about our
roles here and
Hope4kids
vision to
build a clinic
and a
kindergarten.
We are
exploring
property to
develop so the
people can
become self
sufficient.
Tom reminded
us to look for
the positive
in
everything.
Instead of
being negative
ask yourself,
“What do I
like about
this?” He
encouraged us
to spend our
energy looking
for something
we like
instead of
wasting energy
on the
negative. He
shared how he
has seen how a
positive
attitude in
dealing with
his cancer has
made such a
difference.
While Tom was
going through
radiation he
would rather
have been with
our team in Africa but decided to look at “what do I like
about this?”
and
concentrated
on doing what
he does best
right where he
was-encouraging
others! He
met a man
waiting for
radiation who
was so
defeated and
discouraged.
Tom shared
with him the
great need for
hope and being
positive and
encouraged him
to return to
his hobby of
trains. The
next week the
man was
waiting for
him and
couldn’t wait
to tell him
how he had
gone home and
worked on his
model trains
and felt so
much better.
Our team took
a short bus
tour of
Lima.
Went to the
Basilica
Cathedral in Lima. This is the cathedral and
archbishop
palace in the
main plaza.
We also
visited the Catacombs Museum dedicated to St Francis
Assisi .
We had a great
time outside
the museum
feeding the
pigeons until
one did a job
in my hair.
That ended the
fun for me
anyway. Marcy
became my new
best friend
and cleaned it
all out with
her bare
hands!
We are looking
forward to
beginning our
tasks on
Wednesday.
Thanks for you
prayers.
Rachel
Wednesday,
July 19, 2006
Today we
visited the
barrios where
we will be
holding
Vacation Bible
School for the
next four
days. We
broke into
groups and
passed out
fliers
announcing
when and where
our
celebration
will be held.
As we
walked through
the barrios
with our
Peruvian hosts
we met many
poverty-stricken
but happy
people. The
children
laughed and
played and
were delighted
to follow us
around. We
asked our
hosts many
questions as
we walked
these sand
dunes people
were claiming
as their
homes. The
government
will allow you
a plot of land
but you have
to build your
house and live
in it. Your
house can be
any type of
construction
from brick to
reed walls.
Some are
crudely made
make shift
shelters while
others are
carefully
constructed of
mud bricks
made right on
the property.
No one has a
bathroom. Our
hosts are an
organization
called Nueva
Esperanza (New
Hope.) They
work in these
barrios
helping the
people
survive. One
of the things
they are doing
is to hand dig
latrines.
Currently the
people have to
go find a
private place
to go to the
bathroom and
that is
difficult to
do here.
Often they go
at night
behind a
little hill a
short distance
from the
barrio. Here
women are
attacked and
raped. New
Hope is
expecting to
eliminate some
of the
violence
against women
by providing
public
bathrooms
within the
barrio.
We were
also told the
children are
at great risk
to molestation
here and
prostitution
is common.
The people
have come from
the mountains
to these
settlements
because they
are hoping to
find work.
When there is
none they have
to get
creative.
Some bake and
sell bread;
some make and
sell shoes out
of their
homes; women
get jobs in
the city doing
laundry and
cleaning homes
or become
prostitutes.
You see men
making
bricks. Most
men don’t like
the idea of
one woman so
they kind of
move about
leaving the
women and
children to
fend for
themselves.
New Hope is
constructing
community
centers where
the public
will have
education,
play games and
attend barrio
meetings.
Hope4kids is
planning to
help with some
of this
construction.
Mike and
Cathy are from
Great Falls
Montana where
they attend
Faith Center
Church. Their
Pastor David
is a longtime
friend and
supporter of
Hope4kids. A
number of
people
including
Pastor David
and his wife,
Susan have
traveled
around the
world with
us.
Mike has
gone to
Juarez, Mexico
with Faith
Center for a
short mission
trip. While
there they
built a rural
community
school house.
They wired it
in
anticipation
of electricity
coming to this
rural area one
day but to
date is
operating with
no
electricity.
Mike is
self employed
remodeling and
selling used
homes. This
gives him the
flexibility to
go on
missions.
Cathy is an
administrator
for the
Montana State
University.
This is their
first mission
trip with
Hope4Kids.
Cathy says the
most moving
part of the
trip thus far
is seeing the
poverty and
devastation in
the barrios.
She and Mike
discussed what
they would fix
first if they
had the
opportunity.
Mike would
bring in
water. Cathy
would build
bathrooms so
the women
would be
safe. Mike
says he finds
it so amazing
how widespread
poverty is all
over the
world. You
can go
anywhere to
make a
difference in
the lives of
the
poverty-stricken
people-including
your own
state!
We are so
pleased to
have Cathy and
Mike on this
team. Their
easy going,
willing
attitudes have
been a great
contribution
to the work we
have ahead of
us. We’re
hoping this is
just the
beginning of
their
partnership
with
Hope4Kids.
Elizabeth
works for
Hope4Kids.
She works long
hours to put
these trips
together. She
spends late
nights and
weekends
working to get
things done.
She works with
the airlines,
the hotels,
our hosts and
team members
who have a ton
of questions
before going
on a mission
trip. She is
a tremendous
addition to
Hope4Kids.
Not only does
she spend
countless
hours working
she somehow
manages to run
a household of
three kids and
a husband!
Her dedication
is obvious in
all she does
and we are so
happy to have
her here as
she continues
organizing and
arranging all
that we are
doing here.
This is her
third trip
with
Hope4Kids.
Thursday, July
20, 2006
People
Spotlight
Kevin and
Chris joined
our team from
California.
Tom has been
to their
church to
speak and
three members,
including
their pastor,
Ken Jensen
were with us
when we were
deported from
Cuba for
religious
activity!
Kevin and
Chris heard of
our work in
Uganda and
wanted to be
on the ground
floor of what
we are going
to be doing in
Peru.
They have
worked with
youth for a
number of
years but are
feeling a
strong pull
toward
missions.
They spent a
month in
Mexico. While
there the
girls they
were working
with wanted to
give back to
their
community.
When they
started to
build a church
the girls
asked, “Why
can’t we do
that?” and
pitched right
in. Kevin and
Chris are
considering
moving to
Mexico as
missionaries
once Kevin
retires. They
say that is
their plan but
if God has
something else
for
them-they’ll
do that!
Kevin
drives a
beautiful,
custom “Harley
clone”
motorcycle and
has to figure
out how he can
take it with
him.
These two
are
fantastic.
They are eager
to serve
weather it be
getting
covered with
mud in
construction
or playing
soccer or just
loving the
people. We
are blessed to
have them with
us.
Kelly and
Dawn Kiki join
us from
Spokane
Washington.
This is their
second mission
with
Hope4Kids.
Last year they
went with us
to Uganda and
loved it.
Dawn, a
talented
artist painted
a mural on our
orphan store
and Kelly, a
school teacher
visited
schools,
interviewing
teachers and
students.
Dawn owns a
tea house and
uses her
artistic
talents doing
murals,
painting tin
tiles and
other artsy
textures and
touches to
private homes
in the Spokane
area. If you
are ever in
the Spokane
area stop by
the
Brambleberry
Cottage and
ask for Dawn.
Have a cup of
tea and get to
know this very
lovely young
woman.
Kelly is
very involved
in the school
where he
teaches. Last
year he put
together a
video
presentation
of his trip to
Uganda and
shows it to
his students
who are
extremely
interested in
the crisis in
Africa. Maybe
we’ll see some
of his
students in
Africa one of
these days!
The Kikis
are a joy to
team members
as they bring
their ideas
and leadership
and love and
talents and
generously
share them
with us. We
hope to see
them on more
trips in the
future.
Thursday,
July 20, 2006
Today we
started VBS
(Vacation
Bible
School). We
split into two
barrios with
Carla leading
one group and
Dawn leading
the other. I
went with
Dawn’s group
so I’ll be
telling about
them and
tomorrow I’ll
go with
Carla’s group
(Fellowship
and North
Point
churches) and
will report on
their
activities in
my next
update.
When we
reached the
barrio our
Peruvian hosts
were already
there setting
up the sound
system, tables
and stations.
We unloaded
our supplies
and broke into
stations. The
kids began to
arrive and
were lined up
according to
their age
groups. Each
group was
given a
different
color shirt.
The groups
were split up
among our
stations and
at the end of
30 minutes
would switch
to another
station. Some
of the groups
had
translators
and those of
us who know
some Spanish
kind of winged
it.
Jennie and
Tyler held
three-legged
races, played
duck duck and
red rover. It
was a little
difficult to
explain the
concept of the
games but they
did a good job
demonstrating
and the kids
joined right
in.
Chris,
Howie and
Helen played
soccer. They
didn’t have to
tell the kids
how to play!
They seemed to
have a great
time with
Chris and
Helen using
their Spanish
and Howie
blowing the
whistle.
Uncle Tom
and Sharon’s
groups played
with large
colored balls
and bean
bags.
Sometimes they
were pretty
swamped with
kids but our
hosts came to
the rescue and
helped
organize them
so Tom and
Sharon were
able to really
enjoy playing
with the kids.
Marcy, Mary
and Cathy ran
the craft
table. The
morning groups
made crosses.
The mom’s
stood watching
for a while
but soon
pitched in and
enjoyed
crafting with
their kids.
Mary, who
knows Spanish
quite well met
some women
from the
barrio and
enjoyed
visiting with
a nurse who
works in a
clinic there.
The
Peruvians told
Bible stories
at their
station which
was in
someone’s
house. Kids
were spilling
out the door
and watching
through the
windows.
Another
house housed
the food. We
served
breakfast and
lunch. In the
morning
Nathan, Lynn,
and Karin fed
the kids
porridge made
in huge pots.
The kids stood
around the
table drinking
it from large
cups. They
seemed to
enjoy it
tremendously
and loved
laughing and
communicating
with the
Americans.
Karin speaks
pretty well
and laughs at
her mom’s
accent but
Lynn is
actually doing
well.
Robert,
Mike, Kevin
and Ralph
helped put a
new roof on a
community
center. It
was really
interesting to
observe and
REALLY
different than
the remodeling
and
construction
jobs these
guys do in the
States! The
base of the
roof was large
bamboo pools
laid across
the top of the
walls for
braces. They
then nailed
smaller bamboo
poles across
the braces.
On top of that
they rolled
out a woven
bamboo that
looked like a
huge place
mat. Over
this they
placed a
plastic tarp.
Then the fun
began! They
mixed a huge
batch of mud
and carried it
in buckets up
a hill leading
to the roof.
Mike and the
Peruvian guys
spread it over
the entire
roof and left
it to dry.
Next they
were asked to
take out a
brick wall so
they could
expand the
kitchen. Mike
and Kevin
carefully
removed the
bricks while
Ralph and
Robert removed
the old mortar
and cleaned
them up for
re-use.
After our
lunch break we
re-convened
with VBS.
Dawn moved
people around
so they could
try different
stations.
Word had
gotten out and
there were
several
hundred kids
ready to play
and eat. I
went first to
the food
serving area
to take photos
of the kids
being served
lunch. They
were swamped!
Uncle Tom,
Nathan, Howie
and Karin made
sandwiches and
poured drinks
as fast as
they could. I
ended up
washing cups
in a cement
sink with cold
water. They
were filled
with Kool-Aid
as quickly as
I could wash
them and then
returned to be
washed for the
next group.
It was
non-stop all
afternoon.
With the food
gone and
dishes washed
we all went
outside to
finish the day
by watching a
puppet show
and danced to
the music.
The
construction
crew finished
taking down
the wall and
extended the
kitchen. They
built a header
for a window
and a door.
A tired but
satisfied
group headed
for the bus.
We all were
happy to take
showers and
have a good
meal knowing
we would be up
again EARLY
tomorrow to do
it all over
again!
Thanks for
your prayers.
Everyone is
doing well.
Friday, July
21, 2006
People
Spotlight
On her
first mission
trip with her
church Carla’s
pastor started
a tradition
called notes
from home.
Before a
mission trip
they put up
banners and
tables at
their church.
The tables
hold names of
those going
and stacks of
note cards.
People write
notes of
encouragement
to team
members-whether
they know them
or not-and the
team leader
takes them on
the trip.
Each morning
they have mail
call and team
members are
given a few
notes each
day. Carla
said when she
was in Kenya
five years
ago-soon after
9-11, those
notes were
such an
encouragement
to her so as
international
mission
coordinator
she has
continued this
tradition.
Carla also
works with her
church’s
organization,
Anthem4Africa.
They have done
the global
commute
started by the
founders of
Invisible
Children.
Invisible
Children was
started by
teenage boys
who went to
Uganda and
found hundreds
of children
walking to bus
terminals,
community
centers, etc
every
night-sometimes
they’d walk
for hours-in
order to be
locked up so
they would be
safe from the
terrorists who
kill them if
they find
them. In
Anthem 1000
people showed
up in support
of these
children.
5-600 children
slept on the
gym floor that
night. They
wrote letters
to the
invisible
children and
raised
awareness to
the horrors of
Africa. Some
of these teens
have
completely
changed since
this event.
One girl, a
junior in high
school,
changed her
mind about
what to do in
life and is
actively
studying
nursing so she
can go to
Africa to
help.
Anthem4Africa
spotlights
organizations
who are
already
helping Africa
like Hope4Kids
and Sam Crump
who started an
African
orphanage
called
Sunrise. They
raise money
for special
projects like
building a
well. Their 4
stands for
1)Education.
2)Health
3)Micro-businesses
and 4)
awareness of
local
organizations.
This is
Carla’s second
mission trip
with Hope4Kids
as well as her
son, CJ’s. CJ
is 16 and went
to Uganda with
us last year.
He called home
and told Carla
that Africa
was “the
happiest place
in the
world.” He
loves soccer
and always
finds a game.
He has played
soccer in four
different
countries and
hopes to do a
lot more.
Carla and
CJ are
committed to
doing the work
God has given
them and
they’re fun
too!
Five years
ago Christine
watched Carla
leave along
with other
church members
for Kenya.
9/11 had just
happened and
Christine
thought they
were nuts and
said, “I could
never do
that!”
Her
five-year-old
son constantly
listens to a
Christian
group Mercy
Me. He has a
DVD called
“Here am I”
and watches it
everyday! One
Sunday in
church Eric
started
talking about
Hope4Kids
going to
Peru. She
said all of a
sudden she
felt such an
urge to go.
She told her
husband,
“You’re going
to think I’m
nuts but I’m
going to
Peru.” With
his full
support she
kissed him and
their two sons
goodbye and
came with us.
This is
Christine’s
first mission
trip and she
has really
bonded with
the women of
the barrio.
She has washed
dishes in
plastic tubs
on the ground,
has held
babies and
helped do
laundry by
hand. She is
so amazed that
no matter what
your culture
or economic
standing-it
seems to be
universal-women
want to take
care of the
homes and
family. She
watched a
woman sweeping
the sand in
front of her
house and
said, “she
does that just
like I do my
front walk!”
The women
seem to love
Christine as
much as she
loves them. I
think they can
see her heart
for
“partnership”
rather than
the attitude
of “I’m here
to do
something good
for you”. She
relates so
well with them
and many shed
tears knowing
that Christine
would be
moving on to
another barrio
tomorrow.
What fun to
watch
Christine with
her gentle,
loving
spirit. She
has so much to
offer.
Pat and
Diane are not
only Tyler’s
grandparents
but are very
involved with
Hope4Kids.
Diane is a
board member
and secretary
for the
board. She
also is the
director of
the Northwest
branch. Pat
has been
chairman of
the board for
the past five
years.
When I
asked how
Hope4Kids has
changed them
Pat
immediately
responded, “It
brought me to
Jesus!” Five
years ago
their daughter
Colleen made
them go to
church to
listen to Tom
speak and they
decided to go
on a mission
trip to
Chile. Pat
accepted
Christ on that
trip and they
have been
going ever
since. They
have been on
ten mission
trips in five
years! They
are loving
it. They both
agree that
these years
are definitely
the best part
of their
lives. Now
they are
passing their
legacy onto
their
grandchildren.
They have
offered to pay
the way for
any of their
grandchildren
who choose to
go on a
mission trip
with
Hope4Kids.
This is their
grandson
Tyler’s second
mission. His
first was when
he was
twelve. He’s
a great asset
to the team
with his
enthusiasm and
love for
kids. He fits
right in and
the kids
gravitate to
him. We hope
he’s going to
keep coming
back and
bringing his
siblings and
cousins with
him.
This time
in Peru Pat
and Diane have
been meeting
with other
board member,
Tom and other
key people to
explore ways
Hope4Kids can
make a
difference in
Peru. Their
team has
visited
several
schools which
have no water
or
electricity.
A child cannot
attend school
unless he/she
has a uniform
and a pencil
and paper.
Most students
are mal
nourished and
the schools
don’t have the
means to feed
them. One
school told
them not to
bring soccer
balls because
the kids are
so mal
nourished they
don’t have the
energy to
play!
85% of the
kids in the
poor barrios
are unable to
attend
school. They
are left to
their own
devices and
need to make
money for the
family. An
alarming
number of
girls become
prostitutes at
a very young
age. Very few
boys attend
school. In a
school of 1800
students only
300 were boys!
40% of the
girls become
pregnant
between the
ages of 11 to
14.
The vast
majority of
kids are
abused and
raped by their
parents,
uncles,
neighbors and
brothers. The
stats for kids
are shocking.
They are in
desperate need
and we are
grateful for
loving people
like Nueva
Esperanza (New
Hope) who care
enough to
reach out and
devote their
lives to these
destitute
people.
Today is
Pat’s
birthday. I
remember last
year he
celebrated his
birthday in
Uganda! Maybe
every year
he’ll be on a
mission for
his birthday.
We’re
appreciative
for all that
Pat and Diane
do to make a
difference.
Friday,
July 21, 2006
In family
time this
morning Tom
talked about
God bringing
people across
our paths for
a purpose. In
1973 when Tom
was just
starting on
this mission
journey he met
Corrie Ten
Boom,
holocaust
survivor and
author of The
Hiding Place.
He asked her
what kind of
advice she
could give him
she responded,
“God never
allows anyone
to come across
your path that
He doesn’t
allow them to
touch your
life or you to
touch
theirs.”
Tom
encouraged us
to look at our
encounters as
divine
appointments.
He suggested
that
worshiping God
is not only
words or songs
but a
lifestyle.
Our actions
should say, “I
love you,
Jesus.”
If people
come your way
believe that
God has sent
them. Let
that person
take on the
face of Jesus
and treat
him/her as
though he were
Christ. Wow!
That’s a tough
one because
some faces
sure don’t
look like
Jesus. We
would be
surprised at
how such an
meeting could
impact
another-not
only in Peru
but when we go
home-in the
grocery store,
in our
neighborhoods-even
at church!
Tom
challenged us
to say to God,
“Here am I.
Send me. How
will you use
me today and
who will I
encounter?”
He asserts
that God is
more anxious
to use us than
we are to be
used by Him.
With that he
sent us on our
way to the
barrios to see
what God would
have for us
today.
I followed
Carla’s
Vacation Bible
School team
around today.
At
breakfast the
two
Christine's,
Marissa and
Marilyn served
porridge.
Conner, CJ
and Scott
played soccer
with the
kids. I don’t
want to say
that Scott is
competitive or
anything but I
do have a
photo of him
with his arms
raised in
victory and CJ
lying face
down on the
ground.
Eric and
Kirin played
Frisbee and
ran races with
wrist
streamers.
Katie and
Julie made
Jesus
bracelets with
the kids for
the morning
craft.
Angie and
Chris R played
with hula
hoops, bean
bags and the
parachute.
The morning
flew quickly
by and after
lunch team
members
switched tasks
and stations
and kept busy
serving
sandwiches and
lemonade,
played more
games and made
sack puppets.
At the end of
the day was a
puppet show
and dancing.
Then it was
time to say
goodbye. We
wouldn’t be
back to this
barrio again
and in two
days a lot of
relationships
were started.
There were
tears all
around when
the goodbyes
were said.
The team
members and
Peruvians kept
grabbing one
another
hugging and
then one more
hug-a few more
tears and we
had to move on
because
Saturday and
Sunday we are
going to do it
all over again
in two other
barrios.
Dawn’s team
had similar
experiences.
At the end of
their
fun-filled day
they were
entertained by
two little
dancers. The
men finished
their project
for the
community
center and it
was their turn
to say
goodbye.
It’s funny how
people can
become so
special in
such a short
time. . .
Saturday, July
22, 2006
People
Spotlight
Don and
Marilyn are
board members
for
Hope4Kids.
They went to
Russia with us
in 2003 and
came on board
shortly after
that. Don is
in charge of
the business
aspect and
Marilyn is in
charge of
Don. They
have been on
five mission
trips with us
including
Chile and
twice to
Uganda.
Marilyn has
worked with
our medical
teams and does
an outreach to
the local
Catholic
churches while
traveling.
She met a lady
who was making
rosaries for
the prisoners
in Reno but
had to stop
because they
were using
them to choke
one another!
So Marilyn
asked if she’d
like to make
them for her
to take on
mission
trips. She
agreed so each
time Marilyn
comes armed
with rosaries.
Marilyn is
one of my
heroes. She
is willing to
leave her
comfortable
home in order
to make a
difference in
this world.
She doesn’t
have to.
She’s earned
the right to
the good life
of retirement
but she says
she has to go
because “Jesus
wants me to!”
She’s been put
in some
awkward
situations at
times. Like
on the road to
Tororo Uganda
we couldn’t
find a
bathroom and
we all headed
to the
bushes. I
remember
thinking, “How
many people in
Marilyn’s peer
group would be
caught doing
this? She
could just go
on cruises and
have coffee
with her
friends and
live a good
life. Instead
she has left
her
comfortable
lifestyle
because she
believes when
God blesses
you it is your
responsibility
to help
others!”
She’s an
awesome woman
and I’d like
to be just
like her.
Don is a
great guy. He
and Pat always
bring joy to
the kids with
their music.
He plays the
trumpet and a
crowd
gathers. He
says the
highlight of
this trip is
that it is
such a
humbling
experience to
see the real
needs here and
to appreciate
the life we
have in the
United States
with our
tremendous
resources.
We all love
Marilyn and
Don and are so
blessed to
have them play
such an
important part
of Hope4Kids.
Bruce
is from the
San Francisco
Bay area. We
met him
several years
ago while we
were in Cuba.
That’s when we
were kicked
out for
religious
activity!
Bruce has
been working
hard on
construction
this trip. He
worked on a
crew putting
public
bathrooms in a
barrio so the
women wouldn’t
have to go
behind a hill
and risk being
violated.
They dug down
15 feet (by
hand of
course) and
since the soil
is sand, had
to keep
pouring water
on it so it
wouldn’t
collapse.
Then they put
three big
drums one on
top of the
other down the
hole and build
a shelter
around it and
there’s the
bathroom!!
Bruce has
been doing
mission work
for about 8
years. He
goes to Mexico
about twice a
year and helps
out a friend
who is a
missionary to
the people of
Guerreio and
Ojxaca which
is Southern
Mexico in the
foothills.
He sponsors
a child in
Zambia, Africa
and traveled
alone to see
him. He’s a
great addition
to our team
and has a
great sense of
humor which
REALLY helps!
He told me he
has a
girlfriend and
I asked if I
could put that
in his bio.
He replied,
“yes. She
knows it.”
Saturday, July
22, 2006
What is
required of
you? “He has
shown you, O
man, what is
good; And what
does the Lord
require of you
But to do
justly, To
love mercy,
And to walk
humbly with
your God?”
(Micah 6:8) (NKIV)
What is
required of us
now that we
have seen the
needs of
Peru? The
children are
hungry with no
breakfast or
lunch. Is it
fair that they
have no
adequate
protection
against the
elements and
the people
around them?
Is it right
that they have
don’t have
access to
water? Don’t
they deserve
medical
attention?
My pastor,
Rod, once
asked, “If you
were walking
past a home
that was on
fire and you
heard children
screaming for
help would you
walk on by and
say, ‘God’s
will be
done’?”
If you
don’t do it it
may not get
done. You
have the power
to make a
difference.
We met a
little guy who
had been
scalded by a
pot of boiling
water. His
face and arms
were badly
burned. We
were able to
get him to a
hospital and
pay for his
treatment.
The
immediately
took him to
surgery. One
life was saved
because
someone took
action.
We
met a baby in
one barrio who
had a cleft
palette. He
was one month
old and
obviously
needs a series
of surgical
procedures.
His first
surgery is
$500 and we’re
not sure what
the rest will
end up
costing. This
little boy
won’t get help
unless someone
steps up and
says, “I want
to make a
difference.”
His mother
can’t nurse
him because
his mouth
won’t form
around her so
we are
providing
formula and a
bottle for the
moment.
If
not you….Who?
We
continued with
our vacation
Bible school
in the barrios
today. With
many kids
showing up our
days have been
hectic
providing
laughter,
God’s word and
food. Our
guys on the
construction
crew worked to
put a tin roof
on a new
community
center and did
some other
finishing up
work. They
did manage to
take time out
to play volley
ball with some
of the kids.
Our hosts
treated us to
a beach party
at the end of
the day. We
had a great
fire and
grilled
hamburgers.
It was a
fabulous way
to finish our
day as we sat
talking and
laughing and
sometimes
crying. With
the waves
rolling in the
background and
the beautiful
cool evening
we felt
refreshed and
happy with our
days’ work.
Sunday, July
23, 2006
People
Spotlight
This
is Mike K’s
first mission
trip with
Hope4Kids,
however he is
not new to
missions. A
number of
years ago he
went on a
leadership
tour traveling
to countries
like Hong
Kong, the
Philippines,
Thailand and
Russia. He
has also gone
on short term
mission
trips.
Mike and
his family
just started
attending
Northpoint
Church where
they heard
about
Hope4Kids for
the first
time. When
their pastor
talked about
the trip to
Peru Mike’s
heart leaped
and his wife
started
jabbing him.
He struggled a
little because
their
anniversary is
the 29th and
he will miss
it but his
wife thought
it would be
okay in this
case. Isn’t
that sweet?
Mike is an
assistant
principal in
the Peoria, AZ
district. He
said he
received
tremendous
support from
people at the
school, his
family and
friends. He
was amazed how
generously
people also
supported him
financially.
Among his
highlights is
making a
difference by
adding things
the people
don’t have.
He helped
build a public
toilet in a
barrio,
painted a
community
center in one
barrio and is
helping put a
roof on
another
community
center. He
loves that the
team is
bringing joy
and sharing
God’s love
with the
people of
Peru.
Building
relationships.
Mike is an
awesome guy
and we are so
appreciative
of how hard he
is working.
Conner.
What a delight
is this 15 yr
old from
Boston! His
Uncle, Pastor
Scott and his
cousin, Katie
are also on
this trip.
Conner is so
full of energy
and jumps
right in to
play soccer,
serve food or
whatever tasks
he is asked to
do. His
infectious
smile wins the
hearts of
everyone. Two
of his
highlights
have been
playing soccer
and practicing
Spanish. When
asked how this
trip has
impacted his
life he
replied, “I
know I’m going
to get really
annoyed with
my friends
when they say
they are bored
or don’t have
anything to
wear! After
seeing these
kids and how
they live we’d
better not
complain about
anything!”
What a joy
to have him
with us. He
said the first
thing his
Spanish
teacher taught
him to say was
“Hello. My
name is
Conner. I’m
dangerous!”
Julie
is a
15-year-old
from Anthem,
AZ. She has
attended
Fellowship
Church for
five years and
has done
mission trips
to Mexico.
Locally she
has worked at
a homeless
shelter and
the Foundation
for the
Blind. She
loves working
to make
changes in the
lives of
people.
Her
highlights are
seeing the
smiles when
she’s playing
with the kids
and meeting
new people.
“It makes my
day!” Some
days have been
extremely
emotional for
Julie. She
spent two days
working in a
barrio and
bonded with
the cutest
little girl
who wouldn’t
let her go
when it was
time to say
goodbye. They
cried together
and will never
forget one
another.
Next summer
this sophomore
hopes to
travel with us
to Africa.
We’d love to
have her join
us. We know
the Africans
would love her
as much as the
Peruvians do.
Sunday, July
23, 2006
Today
instead of
attending
church we
worshipped by
going out to
serve the
people of
Peru. Before
we left we had
family time
and Tom made
us all
emotional by
telling a
couple
stories.
Today he
talked about
Dorcus, a
woman of the
Bible who
served the
poor-orphans
and widows.
The
missionaries
of New Hope
aren’t holding
church
services at
this time.
They believe
in meeting the
needs of the
physical
crisis first.
When people
are hungry or
sick they
aren’t able to
hear about
Jesus. First
you have to
show them
Jesus before
you can tell
them about
Him.
We
separated into
our groups
with two
groups doing
vacation Bible
school in two
different
barrios and
two
construction
groups working
on separate
projects.
Our little
burn victim
was released
from the
hospital
today. We
were so happy
to see him and
everyone
wanted to take
his picture
and touch him.
Christine
R. and her
brother Brian
received word
that their dad
has suffered a
stroke.
Please keep
him in your
prayers as
well as
Christine and
Brian. It’s
very difficult
to receive
news like that
when you are
so far from
home. Please
pray for their
dad’s strength
and health to
return.
Monday, July
24, 2006
Happy
birthday to
Christopher
Eyde who will
turn 11 on
July 26th.
Your mommy
will be home
in just a few
days with many
pictures and
even more
stories of
God’s love.
Today we
wrapped up our
projects and
spent time
with our new
friends in the
barrios.
After dinner
we honored the
missionaries
to the six
barrios with
gifts for them
and the
barrios. We
loaded them
down with
crayons,
books, pens,
pencils,
socks,
underwear,
stocking caps,
clothing, baby
supplies and a
ton of other
necessities.
One missionary
showed a video
he had put
together. It
was fabulous.
He gave
everyone who
had worked in
his barrio a
copy.
As I
watched the
video I
thought about
the six
couples and
their families
who spend six
days a week
working in
their assigned
barrios trying
to elevate the
standard of
living for
their brothers
and sisters.
I’m sure they
get burdened
with the
overwhelming
needs but they
continue to
smile and
really love
the people.
One missionary
told me he had
seen poor
before he came
to his barrio
but he had
never seen
people this
poor. These
people are the
real heroes.
They are there
when the
little girls
become pregnant.
They see the
babies born
who are so mal
nourished they
have countless
medical
problems.
They see the
men drunk and
beating their
wives. Daily
they are faced
with all the
problems that
stem from
poverty yet
they continue
striving to
make a
difference.
Longing to
show these
people the
love of
Christ. While
we all return
to our
fabulous lives
in the U.S.,
they remain
working for
the cause of
Christ.
“Is
this
Salvation
war over?
This war
is just
beginning.
My part is
coming to
an end.
But while
I still
have
breath, I
commit
myself to
strive for
the Lord
and all
those who
need Him.
While
women weep
as they do
now, I’ll
fight:
While
little
children
go hungry
as they do
now, I’ll
fight;
while men
go to
prison, in
and out,
I’ll
fight;
while
there yet
remains
one dark
soul
without
the light
of God;
I’ll
fight.
I’ll fight
to the
very end!
Fellow
Christians,
the war is
not over.
Win it for
Jesus
Christ!”
(William
Booth-Founder
of the
Salvation
Army. May,
1912)
Hope4Kids
often partners
with the
Salvation Army
whose theme
has always
been “heart to
God and hand
to man.” We
agree with the
founder,
William Booth
that this is
indeed a war.
First we need
to love God
with our whole
heart and then
we will extend
your hand to
others. We
are so
grateful to
God and His
mercy toward
us that we
want to have a
lifestyle
change. Tom
challenged us
to ask
ourselves if
we have had
that change.
First have you
given your
heart to God?
It’s so
simple. You
just ask Him
to forgive you
and tell Him
you accept
that Jesus
died for you
and now you
want to live
for Him. Then
ask yourself
am I extending
a hand? How
can I multiply
myself? What
talent has He
gifted me with
that I can
share with
others? What
resources can
I give away?
You might not
ever go to
Peru but you
can go to your
neighbor-you
can reach out
to your
co-worker.
You can love
people right
where you are.
Tuesday, July
25, 2006
Baby Tom
Word got
out to the
barrios that
Hope4Kids was
there to help
kids. A
father came to
one of the
barrio leaders
and asked if
we could help
his son. He
was in the
hospital with
pneumonia but
had multiple
problems. He
had a tumor in
his
chest-kidney
problems-a
problem with
the brain.
The father
said Baby Tom
is 16 months
old and is the
size of a 3
month old. Dr
Don and
Elizabeth went
to the
hospital to
see Baby Tom.
Dr Don came
back with a
report that
wasn’t good.
This baby had
a tumor in his
back; the part
of his brain
that makes you
swallow is
missing so he
is fed through
a tube. The
tube is in the
nose instead
of the abdomen
because with
no running
water and a
great lack of
understanding
of personal
hygiene within
his home there
is larger risk
of infection.
Baby Tom has
no knee caps.
He has club
feet.
Elizabeth said
that it was
such a sad
case even the
baby’s doctor
cried. Dr Don
pointed out
how much Baby
Tom’s parents
love him.
They both hold
him and kiss
him and want
him to live.
His mother
whispers to
him while his
father
hovers. Once
you see him
and know his
name it
becomes too
personal to
turn your
back. For the
moment
Hope4Kids will
provide the
food needed.
A team member
paid for
testing. We
will keep you
posted on Baby
Tom’s
progress.
Please hold
Baby Tom and
his parents in
your hearts
and prayers.
Tuesday, July
25, 2006
Living In A
Dump
Tom,
Elizabeth and
New Hope team
members
visited a
barrio that
had been built
upon a garbage
dump. The
walls were
made of sand
mixed with
garbage.
There was
about 30 feet
of garbage
beneath the
homes. The
toxic
materials
within the
walls and
underneath the
homes are
destroying
children.
They called on
several
children who
were once
normal, happy
children who
are now
mentally &
physically
challenged.
One girl lives
in a house not
only built of
garbage but
cows are
enclosed in an
area attached
to the house!
The back yard
is deep with
manure. In
order to walk
to the
outhouse in
the back yard
they have to
walk through
this manure!
Elizabeth gave
the girl a
purse and a
stuffed
animal. She
kept kissing
them and
saying,
“gracias!” It
was such an
emotional day
for the team
to see lives
being
destroyed
because the
people simply
don’t
understand the
toxic danger
they are in.
Another
little girl is
bedridden and
doesn’t appear
to be aware of
her
surroundings.
They said one
day she was
running around
laughing and
going to
school and
suddenly she
was weak and
didn’t know
anyone or
anything.
What can be
done about
this crisis?
How do you
relocate 100’s
of families?
How do you
teach them
about harmful
environments?
These at risk
kids have been
enrolled in
our Hope4Kids
program and
New Hope will
work with them
on cleaning up
their
surroundings,
getting them
medical
attention and
will explore
the best
routes to save
them. We will
continue to
update you on
how you can be
involved and
help these
kids. We will
also let you
know what is
being done and
how they are
progressing. We’ve
been told that
to build a
clinic in each
of these
barrios will
cost
approximately
$5000. $7000
if you add a
birthing
room. One of
the team
members
figured we
could build 6
clinics for
the price on
one SUV! Not
a bad price
for saving
hundreds of
lives.
Proverbs
14:21
says:
“It's
criminal
to ignore
a neighbor
in need,
but
compassion
for the
poor—what
a
blessing!
(Message
Bible)
The New
International
Version
says in
Proverbs
14:31
“He who
oppresses
the poor
shows
contempt
for their
Maker, but
whoever is
kind to
the needy
honors
God.”
These
verses and
many others
like them are
the driving
force for
Hope4Kids when
we see the
hurting poor.
It’s people
like you who
are honoring
God and making
a difference.
Thanks for
your continued
prayer and
support!
