I learned so much about life and what's really important. We focus so much on things and waste so much! These children have so little and let nothing go to waste, yet all they really want is someone to love and pay attention to them, and to have hope for their future. I also learned more about God. We went in with a plan and that plan was soon turned upside down! Every time something went "wrong", we made adjustments and found that indeed, God had a greater plan. God's provision and direction were so evident. So, does that mean I'll no longer plan things? Of course not! I love to plan and I believe God has given me the gift of organization. What will be different for me is that I'm going to try to be more flexible and aware that when things don't go according to my plan, God may be at work, and be open to whatever He may be doing.
When I've been on mission trips in the past, I've tended to focus on details and logistics. My thinking is always to take care of as much of the organizational work as I can, so that others are free to build relationships. I just don't see building relationships as my strength. I approached this trip the same way, focusing on details. By the end of the week, I was building some relationships in spite of myself and one little girl in particular really captured my heart. Her name is Yessenia and she is 11 years old, the same age as my daughter. She was very bold and obviously a leader among her friends, perhaps being a little bossy with them at times. I usually would not be drawn to such a child; but rather to a shy child, like I was when I was young. But this girl was different, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about her and praying for her. I believe God has special plans for her (actually I know this, because He has special plans for all of us!).
I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to take this trip and am already making plans to go back. I have fallen in love with the country of Peru and its people - especially the little ones!
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