Lisa's Story

This is not really my story – it is the story of an amazing God who loves to show us His will one step at a time. I only tell it so He will receive all the glory. It is a testimony to the fact that He hears the cries of our hearts, He does answer prayer, He chooses the weak because He is strong, and that He can do the impossible.

In March of 2009 Lauren was at work at Dallas Baptist Univ. A friend saw her and said “Lauren, I went on a mission trip to Peru over spring break. I went to a place you would love! - an orphanage of about 800 children!, but I don’t know the name of the orphanage!” This really spoke to Lauren’s heart. She tracked down another friend who went on the same trip, but not to the orphanage. She borrowed her friend’s trip itinerary and found the name of the orphanage. Then she googled the orphanage name to get a contact name and number. She and Nancy began making plans to live in Peru at the orphanage 6 weeks during the summer of 2009.

By May, Nancy had decided not to go to Peru, we told Lauren she couldn’t go by herself and that was the end of that! Until….

Wednesday, May 13 Bruce Troy called me into his office to read me the flyleaf of a book that had mysteriously appeared in his office – The Hole in Our Gospel. We later found out that the book had been mailed to pastors across America by Rick Warren’s church. I asked Bruce if I could borrow the book. Wow! This book is about all the pressing needs of the world – poverty, disease, contaminated water, hunger. And it is about God’s great ability to use anyone to change the world. This was the kind of statement I was reading that week “What if there are children who will suffer somehow because I failed to obey God? What if my cowardice costs even one child somewhere in the world his or her life?”

Early the next Monday, May 18, I was driving to my parents’ house, praying as I drove. Suddenly it hit me to call Lauren. This is what she heard, “Lauren, it’s Mom. Listen, I need to talk to you about Peru. I know we told you that you couldn’t go this summer. What if we take a group from Southmont there at Christmas break? Those orphans who don’t know Christ keep sticking in my brain.” Lauren gasped and told me that in her very first conversation with the orphanage contact he – Scott – had asked her if she could get a large group of people together to do something big for the orphanage at Christmas. Her response to him had been “I don’t know a big group of people who have money for something like that!” That moment as I was driving to Meridian, I realized that I might be on a journey, and the destination was not my parents’ house.
Over the summer I began to share what God was doing – was He doing something? – with the college students and friends – anyone who acted remotely interested in Peru.

In October, even though it looked like Peru was off the table at Southmont, the missions committee graciously (faithfully) paid my way to Peru for a pre-trip truth-finding trip. That made no sense to me, but God had a plan.

God supernaturally revealed His will for Southmont’s involvement with the school and for VBS while I was in Peru. Here was a prayer I prayed regarding Lauren while I was there “Please prepare Lauren for this trip. Impress Your Holy Spirit on her, O Lord. ….Please give her an awesome job – just exactly the one YOU have for her…..Please bring it to her in Your perfect time.”

I could go on and on about the prayers God led me to pray, about the answers He so amazingly supplied. 17 days after hearing about the trip and how much it cost ($1880), 30 people had signed up and paid $1150, or someone had paid $1150 on their behalf. During the Thanksgiving, Christmas, end of school, college graduation craziness, God brought together crafts, curriculum, and a perfectly balanced team for 735 children. God placed it on Lori’s heart to gather a huge amount of curriculum and supplies to train the teachers – in the midst of all the holidays and a new grandbaby and a blizzard. Almost $100,000 was given for the trip in 54 days, and everyone got their passport in time!

I must confess that my biggest hope for this trip really had little to do with orphans in Peru. My main hope was expressed in this prayer: “O God, show Your mercy to this congregation at Southmont. Father, unite us for Your purpose, for Your vision, for Your great commission and great commandment. O Lord get us out of ourselves”. Certainly I and many others have prayed for this congregation over the past few years – that God would unite us and show His glory. The first day we were at the orphanage, the children greeted us in the now famous “kissing line”. After a while, I stepped out of line to take some pictures. As I stood there with tears streaming down my face watching my friends being greeted by precious children, I heard the Lord say – Lisa, all the prayers you have lifted up for Southmont have been answered today. Thank you Lord!



And that perfect job for Lauren? On Wednesday of the trip we met with Miguel. I mentioned that Lauren would be staying 5 more weeks and that she had just graduated from college. Miguel asked her major – education and Spanish. He said “Would she want to teach this coming school year – March to Dec?” I said, “Probably not. Her job is to tell people about God.” Miguel replied, “Then she could be our professor of religion!”

God reveals His will for our lives in the daily communications we have with Him; in our weak moments and in our times of praise. He will reveal Himself to us in the valleys of despair. He will send us a song, a friend, a breeze, a whisper. If you want to know God’s will, spend time with Him. Talk to Him, listen to Him, struggle with Him, tell Him how you really feel. Obey Him, move forward with whatever light He provides. II Chronicles 16:9 says “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His;” Proverbs 3:5-6 back that up with this: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

What appears to be a teeny tiny step of weak obedience, just may be the beginning of the most amazing journey of your life!

Kathy's Story

I don’t believe that I ever had a special calling from God saying that I needed to go to Peru. When Lisa mentioned Peru, I just knew I was going and was very excited about it. Never in a million years would I have dreamed of going to Peru to serve God at an orphanage.

Several days prior to our departure, I was a little worried about the plane ride to Peru. It was going to be a 6 hour flight. Now I’m usually not a very good passenger. I am usually terrified of flying with panic attacks and feeling sick. I usually have to sit next to the window so that I don’t feel closed in, concentrate on my breathing, get a lot of cool air blowing on me, and do a whole lot of praying. I can say without a doubt that I felt the presence of God during the entire trip because this time I had no doubts or fears what-so-ever going to Peru or coming back. I never did get to sit next to the window. I had the middle seat both ways. There were no panic moments, just a feeling of great peace even during the turbulence that we ran into on our way to Peru while flying over the ocean.


Mira Flores was a beautiful place to be, nestled up against the ocean. The homes and apartment buildings were nice and clean with beautiful flowers and trees surrounding them. You could walk to almost any where you wanted to go and the weather was absolutely wonderful.

As we left Mira Flores going towards the orphanage, the view took a drastic change. The trees disappeared as well as the beautiful flowers. The closer we got to the orphanage, the less you saw until suddenly they were no more. All that was visible were the sandy hills and run down homes and businesses. There were rows and rows of small tiny homes with hardly a roof covering it lining the sides of the sandy hills. It was a sad sight, and made me very thankful for all that God has given me and my family.

In the middle of a small run down village sits the Comunidad de ninos Sagrada familia (Community of the children). When entering the gates of the orphanage on Sunday, I felt a greater presence of God. Miguel shared with us his story on how the orphanage began with the death of one of his children and one small act of kindness towards a child on the street in need. We toured the orphanage seeing the bakery, wood working shop, sewing room, kitchen, music room, and their homes or casas. I was just speechless. These children are learning a trade and family values in order to help them become responsible and prepared adults. During lunch I sat on a bench and sat at the feet of God in prayer. I was reminded of a verse: Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

The kids who are in the orphanage are there for many different reasons, some have escaped abusive situations, some were abandoned by their families yet, some were sent just to get an education. No matter what the reason, they are in a safe and secure environment where they are free to be happy and are cared for, and are loved. The doors are open to all children who need a place to stay. They are not turned away.

God is our strong tower and our refuge. The orphanage painted a beautiful picture of God wrapping His arms around us, protecting us from the enemy and the troubles that we may face in our lives. This past week, I felt God’s love, protection, peace, and comfort, and I wanted to just soak it all up.

I was asked to share the legend of the candy cane to the children. It was suppose to have happened on Friday. I was going to quickly tell the story and then give them all a candy cane of their own. However, on Tuesday, I was asked if I would tell the story starting on Wednesday and then again on Thursday. Sure, I said, no problem. I, one other person, and a translator went to the different casas on those two days telling of the legend of the candy cane. It was not a rushed time like it would have been on Friday, but rather a relaxed time. We even had time for questions. Now, I was prepared to answer questions about salvation, but I never imagined that I would be asked the questions that were asked during those two days. It seemed that each group of children had very similar questions. Here are some of the questions they asked:

What will happen at the end of time?
Who is the anti-Christ?
Where did the devil come from? Why did God not kill him?
Why, when God promised not to flood the earth, we still have floods?
How do we know if evolution or creation is true?
What is faith?
Who are God’s parents? Where did he come from?
Does God punish us or test us?

Now, in my studies over the years, I have gained knowledge on many of these subjects (glad I was paying attention). On any other day, I may have bulked at the questions, and said something like, “I will get back with you on that”, then go and read up on what I thought I knew. That did not happen this time. Everything that I have studied and learned came flooding back to me, and the Holy Spirit empowered me to answer the questions without hesitation. He also made sure that He had the right person with me at the right casa to help provide additional information for the questions asked. It was truly amazing. The children are searching for the truth. They are eager to know what the truth about God is.

As I sat on the bus going to and from the orphanage during the week, I noticed many people standing along side the road waiting. As I wondered what they were waiting for, I began to peer into their faces and into their eyes. What I saw saddened me deeply because a saw emptiness and hopelessness. I wondered if they were looking for the truth just as the children in the orphanage were; waiting for someone to tell them that God loves them and that He will provide them the hope that they are looking for. Suddenly, the faces of those waiting turned into very familiar faces. I saw this same look in the faces of people who I serve lunch to at the soup kitchen every Wednesday. The same look on the faces of some of the students that I worked with at school; and the same look on the faces of some of the people that I have passed by at a store or walking down a street. Those are the people that need to be shown the truth, to show them where they can find their hope. To tell them that God loves them and accepts them right where they are in life no matter what their circumstances are.

God tells us to “go” into all the earth and share the Gospel, the truth about Jesus. God has shown me that I do not have to go to Peru or other far away places to find people looking for hope that only God can give. When I step outside my front door, I step into “all the earth.” I have been reminded that the Spirit of God will empower me just as He did that week at the orphanage and that I must “follow Jesus” wherever he leads me.

Amy's Story

Peru was an amazing experience. There is no way that words can convey what happened on that trip or the impact it will have on my life. That week in Peru was amazing, humbling, inspiring, sad and joyful all at the same time. My heart was broken and then filled again; broken for the children and their hunger - physical, emotional, and spiritual; filled by the smiles, kisses and hugs from the children, by witnessing the hand of God at work, and by experiencing God's provision in all things.

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!

Nancy's Story

My first time to see "la comunidad" or the orphanage was wonderful. I really had no expectations about it, so it was really neat just to see it for what it was. Miguel, founder of the orphanage, shared his story with us and showed us around the community.


We also went to visit with the little boys, and that moment changed my life. This was one of the few times that I have seen unconditional love coming from a human standpoint. These boys were absolutely precious, and all they wanted was for you to love them. They already loved you.











I was so glad that the others on this trip were spiritually strong. There were questions that I was asked and did not know the answer to. The people here are so very hungry to hear about Jesus coming to save them, but it's something many of them have thought hard about. Having a relationship with Christ means a life-long commitment, and they do not take this lightly.

There were so many ways that God moved during the week, and just a few moments that I never want to forget are the impromptu worship service, talking with Wilbur, listening to Lauren share the gospel COUNTLESS times, the smiles of the children, sharing the gospel, sitting on the roof top reading the Bible with Jon, salsa dancing lessons with the girls, beading, and then some funny ones like accidentally telling the french man I love him, hearing Lauren say "mi nombre" and our waiter thinking she said "mi hombre!", sicknasty bathroom that Michael cleaned, kick-a herbal serum, miranda's blister (poor thing!), sun burns, lack of showers/hot water, Stephen's dance, and so very many more. Feel free to ask about any of these, and I will tell you. There is just too much to write for me to record more about each event individually.

In addition to getting to know these awesome kids, I now have 30 new friends who accepted me into their family even though I had never met some of them. The members of Southmont are absolutely amazing and I consider myself so very blessed to have been able to go on a trip with them. They were my family during this week, and I still consider them family.

Wendy's Story

The following was written by Wendy while we were still in Peru:

The appointment I came for!

When I was moved to come on this trip I had no specific desire or calling in mind I just knew that God spoke to my heart and I had to get up and move in a big way. Having never been on any mission trip at all I think that leaping out on that limb and going to a rural orphanage an hour outside Lima, Peru is a stretch. Even as we signed up for assignments on this trip I still had no idea where my piece of the puzzle fit in. About three weeks before we came I was having doubts creep in about where I fit in the grand scheme. I tossed most of the night and prayed the other half. By morning God had given me the answer I had been looking for... I wanted to float to each area and make sure I could learn from them all. I thought it was because I was uncomfortable with leading some of the activities. That was the reason before the trip.

Now that we are into the homestretch of our visit I can see that God had a much bigger vision than the small piece he gave me before the trip. I am so grateful that He is in control and has the map. This day I would consider to be a pearl on my necklace of miracles.

I visited a casa with Kathy while she told the legend of the candy cane. The pre teen girls slowly began to ask questions after the story. Kathy answered them and as they began to ask more about sin and forgiveness I began to answer them also. I asked how many of them ever prayed to Jesus? Many said they do when they are in trouble. I went on to explain that God is with you in good times and bad. We shared that God meets you where you are and is Jesus is the ONE who will always see you as perfect! I shared with them that God had helped me because I had prayed for weeks about coming to Peru. One girl then started speaking rapidly telling us many things and began to cry as she spoke. In short she was embarrassed that we came all the way to see her in such a low place and that she is not a Christian. She thanked us very much but she was not worthy. She would like to know more about Jesus but she had done bad things And did not know if He could forgive her. By the end of her talking and our response she was sobbing. It tore my heart into pieces to see her struggle with this because it is so familiar. I had the same questions and it took a long time to understand that once you take the step to ask Jesus into your heart He will never leave you and you are a forgiven and new person. Once we answered her questions I went over and hugged her, she simply broke down in tears and she just shook. I held her in a huge hug until she stopped crying and when she finished she had a look of release and calm on her face.

Kathy & I finished up in their casa with candy canes and pictures. It was very hard to move on to the next casa! This struggling young girl might not have accepted Christ today but she heard how to get the unconditional love and acceptance that we all crave and deserve. She felt comfortable enough to open up and share with me very raw and intense feelings and then felt the Holy Spirit as I held her and she let go of maybe just a tiny piece of that doubt, unworthiness and shame. I hope to see her again tomorrow before we leave the orphanage. I will pray for her and so many more that they will come to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Susan's Story

There are so many special times we all shared while at Hogar Sagrada Familia Orphanage. It’s hard to choose just one. So I’m choosing two…

At one of our Peru planning meetings, Lisa asked for ideas for activities for Friday. She mentioned that the kids loved temporary tattoos. I told the group that since I had quite a lot of temporary tattoos at home for my grandson, I would be happy to do that activity. So I purchased some additional tattoos and spent several hours cutting apart and sorting them to make things easier when we arrived. To say that our plans were “liquid” while at the orphanage would be a major understatement. They changed, daily, hourly, sometimes minute by minute. But always the change was good and was a far better plan than we could ever have hoped to conceive. Talk about God being in the details! Not long after we arrived we realized that our Friday “plan” was not going to happen. So I just assumed I would not be using the tattoos and would leave them there for the teachers. Then one evening at the hotel as we were working on one of the craft projects for the next day, Amy and I were talking about the tattoos and not being able to use them. After a brief discussion she decided to modify the craft project and incorporate the tattoos in the activity for the day. It turned out to be a terrific decision.


The next day it was all available hands on deck to apply the tattoos. What a blessing that was! Quite a few in our group were able to hold the hands and touch the faces of those precious children as we applied the temporary tattoos. I was lucky enough to be able to participate in that activity. As we applied the tattoos some of the children who spoke English enjoyed practicing their skills by having a conversation with you. And then others just enjoyed the attention - their smiles were incredible! That is something none of us will ever forget!


But my favorite moment of the trip was our last day in the Baby House. On Monday, Lyn and I, along with our interpreter for the day, Hiroshi, went to the Baby House, our “planned” primary assignment for the week. I don’t think the house parent, Olinda, was expecting us. She seemed a little confused and definitely cautious as she agreed to let us work there. During the rest of that day and the first part of the next day, she continued to be very gracious but guarded towards us. By the end of the second day, she was smiling more and seemed to accept our being there. On Wednesday she was completely at ease, laughing with us, and was able to be her adorable self around the children again. There are typically 30-35 children living in the baby house. She had several of the older girls to help her every day, but Olinda was incredible. She played chase with them, stood on her head to entertain them, sang songs, and was completely loving and joyous. I was humbled and privileged to be part of their world for those few days.




On Friday morning, Lyn had gone to one of the casas to share with some of the girls and I stayed at the Baby House with Olinda, the children and our adorable interpreter Roxana. As I was preparing to leave I asked Roxana to translate something to Olinda. I expressed to Olinda how much I admired her and what she did every day, and how honored I was to have been able to work with her. She told me thank you for coming to work in the Baby House and for loving the children. Both of us had tears in our eyes. Then she took my hands in hers and said “You will be back…” She was right…

Joni's Story

My story is about the young man named Alfonzo that heard about my class from Jeff Cole and came the last two days. He is interested in becoming an ESL teacher. So all I can think about is how can this be arranged. I gave him information in our talk about getting on the internet and finding out about scholarships and ESL programs in border states that teach ESL but I think that there is more that can be done. I want to contact North Texas and TWU, where I got my credentials, and see if they have any possibilities. Lauren is hopefully going to find out his last name. I gave him some materials from the things that I had brought to teach with like books and a dictionary. His English is really good already! I think that one of the team members mentioned that she has space for someone to live in her home. I left my email address with Mario for him to give to Alfonzo. Also, the students knew so much English in the beginning that I had to change to harder material, which I had prepared. And my partner teacher, Ada, was a great help with her interpreting and teaching.

Joni and Alfonzo: