More Reflections

Now that I have been home for a few days, I have been thinking about the people of Peru quite often. I am so glad that God guided me there for our mission.

The best part of the trip for me was the opportunity to get to know some very special people, Betty, Pepe, Florella, Marilena, Emilia, Chelsea and many more. We were able to share love through God’s guidance even in the midst of a lot of poverty and devastation for many of these families. As I have reflected these past few days, I see their smiling faces and their tears. But most of all, I remember the hope that was in their eyes. The people of Peru are filled with love and my heart ached when I had to say good bye to many new friends.

This is Jason, his brother and him were fascinated with digital cameras. Every time we took a photo, they would rush to see the actual photo! I think they could have done this all day!


Having fun with the families was just as important as sharing God's word and building the homes. I played English School Teacher and taught English to many of the children and they were teaching me Spanish. Florella, was just a wonderful little chatter box who I became so fond of! She was so eager to learn, she is a bright young girl with happy spirits regardless of their situation. This is a hand puppet we just made together, who she just so happened to name, "Colleen."



This is a photo of a young boy named, Jaime. He was a child of some workers nearby. He was a young boy with few words. He was so quiet, he did not respond to any of my questions. I brought over some scrap wood and attempted to build a block building with him. But he just sat there and stared at me. After a minute, I pushed it down and went back to work. After a few minutes, I looked back to Jaime and there he was rebuilding his own block house.



This photo is of me in front of some neighboring homes. You will see how the earthquake just easily brought the adobe bricks down. They have cleaned up this area, but you can see, the ceiling and doors are non-existent.

I want to thank everyone again for participating in this trip with me. We touched many lives thanks to each and every one of you. I am forever grateful as I will cherish the memories I have from Peru, forever.

Ciao y Muchas Gracias, Colleen

Reflections

We arrived home safely yesterday around 4:00am. Weary from another two days of travel, yet filled with love and compassion for the new friends we've made. We represent the first Lakeside Church Impact Peru team to come alongside Shelter Our World in Ica Peru, but we will not be the last. Three more teams will make the long journey this year to continue the work that has begun and further enrich the relationships with so many people we'll all come to know and love as we glorify the name of Jesus in Peru.

As I reflect on the process of the past six months, I've come to understand that the Lord creates opportunities to reveal Himself to all of us all the time; through our everyday and often predictable routines, as well as the extraordinary and totally unexpected events in our lives. While the news of the earthquake that affected this region was presented to the world the evening of August 15th, people throughout the world were provided many alternative methods in which to perceive the effects of that night and the people of Ica Peru. Perhaps each one contained an opportunity to draw closer to God's heart along the way.

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We could tune into CNN, MSNBC or FOX News and view it from our televisions...

We could surf the world wide web and view it through our computers...

We could fly to Lima and ride the bus to Ica and view it from the Pan Americana Highway...

We could ride in the tiny little Tico taxis and view it from the neighborhood streets...

We could walk the neighborhoods and talk with people and play with the children...

We could build a home and view it from the perspective of a grateful family...

We could knock on the doors of strangers and what remains of their homes and go inside...

We could journey far enough inside to the back rooms to find the forgotten generation...

And we could hold hands, hug each other, praise God and pray with one another...

As for today, we the team that God called, Isaiah 6:8, went without knowing what we would find. Now we are the ones that return to our families and friends with an amazing blessing and stories to share. We grew, we stretched, we prayed, we learned about the purpose of our tears (tiny little messengers when words aren't enough) and God revealed himself to us. We discovered His nature, His grace, His heart and so many other wonderful blessings. We thank you all for your love, support and prayers throughout the past two weeks. We would like to share the words of Paul as he was completing his third missionary journey, as they now somehow have become more personal and relevant in our lives too.

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." ACTS 20:24

Blessings,

Marty Listberger

Strong Sense of Community

We´ve spent a week among the beautiful people of Ica and experienced the generosity of the poor. It is amazing how the people live in such difficult situations yet share everything. There are communal kitchens where the government gives small stipends to responsible residents (mostly women) to cook for those in need of food. The concept is that everyone contributes something, even if some can contribute only their hunger. From what we´ve seen in Ica, no one is hungry.

Several days ago when walking through the neighborhood where the first house was constructed, a woman met us to ask for help for an elderly couple next door. The woman was in a wheelchair and her husband had difficulty walking. The only family was a daughter who worked outside the house and they did not welcome visitors. Another neighbor also expressed concern for this couple as their house was destroyed and they are living in rubble. The sense of community caring is deep, and yesterday we returned to visit the couple and offer prayers. We learned that the government doctor was scheduled to visit today. Pepe, our guide and invaluable translator, will be monitoring this family´s situation carefully and helping as much as possible. Also, as we were able to enter their home, so now the woman who runs the community kitchen will be able to visit, monitor and help this family.

The people of this growing agricultural community are poor, mostly immigrants from elsewhere in Peru, but warm and generous. The children are beautiful and loving. I will always remember the sense of community and selflessness inherent to the culture of the people in Ica, Peru, and also the sense of community of the Lakeside team. This has been a truly wonderful experience and for this we are blessed.

We return to Lima today, and to our loved ones in California tomorrow.

Ciao,
Stephanie

Prayers and Love for the Elderly

To my dear family and friends,

It is time to say for our team to say goodbye today as we begin our journey back home. I feel sadness to leave the friends we have made and joy that I will be reuniting with my family and friends that I am missing very much. I have been blessed beyond words by the people of Ica, Peru. I have made friends with the most beautiful people Betty and Pepe and all of our team members that have shown me an abundance of love for helping others and a passionate heart for serving our great and glorious Lord. WOW!!! what an incredible week......

Yesterday was a day that I will never forget and one that I feel my heart must share. Earlier in the week neighbors in the community of Jose´ pleaded with us to help an older couple that was living in the community. We were able to visit them yesterday and meet Juan and Amelia who are about 60 or 70 years old. Words cannot describe the conditions that they are living in. They lost there home in the earthquake and have managed to make a makeshift canopy for the kitchen and a metal tent of some sort for sleeping in(the heat and bugs are very hard for us to deal with let alone these older people that are very weak). Amelia was sitting in a wheelchair and was struggling with a very bad cough and was very crippled and in pain. She had no ability to help herself in anyway. Juan her husband was standing and we could feel the tremendous pain he was feeling. He loves his wife very much but does not have the means or the ability to care for her the way that he would like.......My heart was aching and I know the team felt the same way........We loved and hugged Amelia and Juan and then layed hands on this old woman and prayed and cried out to God!!! Tears flowed......I know that God will move in miraculous ways for this elderly couple, my prayer is that it will be soon.......A woman named Luc that has the community kitchen in the neighborhood and a heart of gold was able to come in with us. She had not been able to see them before and now that she has she will make sure that they get food and help to move Amelia from bed to wheelchair to help with the sores she has developed on her body......Juan and I hugged and cried and it is a moment that I will never forget. He was given hope and love yesterday and that is something that will never be taken away.......Praise God for opening our hearts and the door to these beautiful people!!!

As we depart today for home my prayer is that God will open the eyes and hearts of the people who come to Ica and the people who live in Ica to find the Elders here and embrace, love, touch and take care of these older people. They do not have medical care and retirement homes like we do in the US......It is absolutely heart wrenching to see our elders suffer like this.....The one thing that I did find out is that Shelter Our World takes donations which can be specified for individuals and 100% of the money goes directly to the designee. If this story moves you in anyway and you have the means to help financially I know that this would change the lives of Amelia and Juan in a big way.......

I can hardly wait to share the rest of our journey with everyone. My heart has been forever changed and I am filled with graditude for the abundance I have been given.......

Praising God, Love and Hugs to all, Lynn

Sunday Faces

Dear SOW, Lakeside Church, Share Partners, Families & Friends,

Today we have dedicated ourselves to rest and celebrating God. We attended church services and would like to dedicate this entry to pictures and let the Faces of Ica, Peru tell their stories.

We love you and will see you soon!

Marty Listberger

Finish Strong!

Dear SOW, Lakeside Church, Share Partners, Families & Friends,

We are praying for you and we thank God for your prayers and support. Tomorrow (Saturday) will signal the beginning of the conclusion of our time together here in Ica Peru. It is with great joy and sincere gratitude that we will being saying good-bye to our friend, Lee Jimison, as he begins the long journey back home. Before I share my thoughts about this, let me take a few moments to share some of the events of the past 36 hours.

We arrived at Casa por Marliena (Marliena´s House) about 9:00am this morning. Following a day of rest and refresh time at a beautiful oasis called Huacachina, combined with the experience gathered from building Jose and Rosa´s house, the team began working with great confidence. Lee and Jim layed out the chalk lines, David and Lynn setup the cut station and began cutting posts and studs, while Tory and Colleen assisted with the raising of the corner posts. Within 30-minutes the first wall went up and we were off and running.

It was quickly becoming clear to me that the team was functioning well and that they had succeeded in working me out of a job. The team no longer required a leader...they were clear on their mission and each person knew their role. I really credit this to Jim and Lee´s leadership. As I looked around for bent nails to sweep up or pencils to sharpen, I noticed Marilena leaning against the wall accross the street. A little girl ran to her with a tissue to wipe the tears that were flowing down her cheeks. I invited Colleen to join me and explained that the house can wait, ¨we need to comfort Marliena.¨ Marliena was overcome with emotion, not able to believe that people she had never met woke up, prayed up, showed up and were excited, laughing and happy to rebuild her home. A home that fell one evening last August within minutes in the wake of an earthquake. Struggling through her tears, Marliena explained that she wanted to do us a favor. As we hugged each other we explained that the greatest favor she could do is to accept this house as a gift from God and honor Him by making the name of Jesus great throughout this neighborhood. Marliena looked at us and said, ¨in reality, that is what I already do...you came such a long, long way to help me.¨ The only thing I could say was, ¨then Marliena, it is appropriate that God has selected you. Just as he sent Jesus all the way from Heaven to save all of us, He has sent us to help you. He wants to bless you because you truly love Him.¨ Yes, there were more tears and more hugs...we returned to work and Marliena stood watch all day - I believe she will continue to be used by God...she has many neighbors who are watching too!

You may notice that the picture above does not include the entire team. The hot sun and humidity has taken its toll on many of us throughout the week. While everyone tries diligently to maintain proper rest and water, we´ve experienced more than our fair share of instances of heat exahustion. Either that or were experiencing some sort of stomach ailment that is slowly working it´s way through the group. First David, then Tory, Emily, Colleen and now me. We´ve done well to look after one another and Betty has been incredible at providing tea, nurishment and even soothing cool compresses to reduce fever and provide comfort to those that have needed to power through the 24-hours required to get back on their feet. It is wonderful how God has provided both Betty and Pepe as extended members of our team. They are absolutely His saints and we have been blessed in so many ways.

As we approach the final few days of our time in Peru, we were treated to another example of God´s creation and beauty even in this most desolate place in the middle of the desert. Here most people see dirt, poverty, very little in the form of trees and due to the earthquake piles and piles of bricks and stones...yet, God finds ways to reveal himself and all his Glory. This picture was taken while lying in the sand in front of a dune buggy behind Huacachina. I love how the wind forms wave-like markings in the sand and how the setting sun stars just as it meets the horizon.

So, just as the sun sets behind the dunes we prepare to say good-bye, for now, to our friend, Lee. His gifts for construction have been second only to his kindness, gentle manner and spiritual leadership. We´ve all experienced Christ´s love shining brightly through him this week. ¨Thank you Lee.¨ We pray for his safe travels to Lima, Miami, San Francisco, Sacramento and El Dorado Hills as he anxiously anticipates his reunion with family and friends. We also pray for relief in the storms, high winds and rain that have created difficult circumstances throughout northern California.

Meanwhile, as we continue to experience the culture, wonderful food and music (mostly 80´s Rock from the USA in all the Taxis!) in Peru and share the good news to encourage the people of Ica over the next few days we invite you to continue to pray that we finish strong. Pray that each member of the team can find the time to be completely alone with God. Pray that we recognize what He is seeking in each one of us as we prepare to return home to all of you.


P.S. In case you´re feeling that God is calling you to join one of our Lakeside on Mission Impact Peru teams, we have a seat reserved just for you!

Yahoooooooooooooo!















A special hello to Sandy, Shane and Shannan - I love you!

In His Arms,

Marty Listberger

One Down, One To Go

Hello Lakesiders and Share Partners,

It is Thursday here and it has been a wonderful trip. My fellow team members are just great and we are having a productive yet fun time. Marty keeps us all organized and is doing a great job keeping our focus on the mission and our interaction with each other and the families we are ministering to. He is truly dedicated to the success of this trip!

After a long day on Wednesday we were able to finish Jose and Rosa´s house except for a few small items. It is a very rewarding blessing in having a small part in helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Jose and Rosa know that they have received this blessing from God.

There was much interest by people in the neighborhood as they watched the progress of the house. Our construction methods are different than what they are used to seeing. A wood frame structure and the process in which to construct is far different than the brick and mortar construction they are familiar with. I´m sure they were surprised at the time it took to build and I´m sure will be pleased with the finished product after it is plastered on Saturday.

The kids in the neighborhood are like kids evertwhere, they love to play. It was fun to see Lynn, Colleen, and Tory play and spend time with them and have a blast doing it. Between hammering and nailing they were holding the baby and playing soccer. These kids probably just love the attention of having adults spend time with them doing the most important thing, having fun! Although our trip for the most part is very safe there are a few small hazards to watch out for. While Lynn was in the process of training a new hammer it ended up striking the wrong nail. Ooch! You will notice in this photo Lynn holding up her bandaged index finger.

I´ve enjoyed working with Jimi who speaks my language. Having been to Peru already to help build another home he was a great help in my understanding of building one of these homes. Truly someone who loves to serve.

Everyone on our team compliments each other with their talents to make this trip so fun. It is wonderful to develop new friends and relationships that will remain from now on. It´s encouraging to see young men like Tory and David who at such a young age are experiencing the blessing of ministry. Lynn and Colleen are just fun to be around and keep us laughing all the time.

It is nice to have Emily and Stephany filming and documenting the devastation from the earthquake. My prayer for them is that their hard work and diligence in making a film will make people aware of the need and energize people to help.

Thank you all for sending me here and to receive the life changing experience of bringing God´s love to those less fortunate. I know we receive more blessing than those we´re trying to bless. Although I feel that not being able to communicate with words to the families makes it hard for me, I´m glad for my team members that can. I believe the most important part is the relationships that are built. I´m glad that I´m able to contribute a small part and do what is easy for me and that is to build.

I also want to thank Bill Harggett who was so gracious to open his home to are team and to have Pepe and Betty to help us all week long with everything from cooking to translating for us.

God Bless, Lee

Filming in Ica...

Buenos dias all! The past couple of days here is Peru have been life changing. Walking through streets made of dirt, with expensive borrowed camera equipment, has established a wide array of emotions within me.

On New Years Day, Tuesday, while filming at the construction site, I was given the opportunity to follow Florela, a cousin of Jose, around her neighborhood. She intorduced me to her best friend and her family and described their extremely unfortunate circumstances. Although I do not speak a single word of Spanish, somehow I understood her perfectly. Her best friend, or mejor amigo, is now living in her backyard and the position where the adobe house previously stood is the location of the front yard. Florela´s mejor amigo´s family was very kind and welcoming. Personally, I have not experienced a single hint of hostility amongst the locals. Although thievery is an issue, it is done only to acquire what is desired, not to harm.

Florela was entranced with my equipment and how it works. She asked me to flip the view finder around to face her while she played with her younger sister. How cute? After this, I stopped the tape and played it for her and her mother. Then I taught her the basic camera and tripod functions. I took the camera and tripod outside and allowed her to navigate the filming for a while. I could tell she greatly enjoyed it. Florela even asked me if she could have the tape to watch her work over and over again. Unfortunately, I can not give it to her because it contains some necessary footage. Also, the tape is incompatable with the VCR and DVD players her family owns.

Yesterday I was able to have a personal interview with both of Betty´s, our kind housekeeper, daughters. They very kind and welcoming when I asked some intense questions. After the interview, I received a tour of the house. Very nice. Good work SOW! I was then lead to a neighbors house where the ¨community kitchen¨ takes place. Because of the differing financial situations of everyone in Betty´s neighborhood, one person is given a stipend to obtain cooking utensils and be the host of the area. Almost everyone brings food to the ¨community kitchen¨ so all can share.

Despite the magnitude of fear that exists within the eyes of the people of Ica, a strong sense of solidarity has been established. This community strength just solidifies the future of the wonderous people.

Loving it here... Emily

Third day building!

Today is day 3 three of building! Wow what an expierence already. So much has happened during this trip so far. So many good discussion's so many good expierences and many good blessings! At the begining of the first work day we came to the work site with just a slab of cement and a pile of materials. Now let me just say that Marty has been an amazing leader setting us up every step of the way always looking for our best interest making this very poverty stricken place a very good time. We manage to always be laughing, smileing, or making jokes at eachother. But, we are just blessed to have Jimmy and Lee leading us on the work site because without their patients and expertise I would be in a very bad position! But we are just so blessed to have such an amazing team! Well, now seeing everything come together on day 3 is just awesome. We came to the worksite with just a frame and a roof. So, we decided to get an early start so we could finish by lunch time. Colleen and I actually had quite a good experience mixing concrete today. We had a great time using a onion bag as a sifter for sand to mix. And Colleen was all over that she told me she was having a blast with it.. Well, lets just say for a few minutes haha! But, we learned alot. With my mom and tory using over the head hammering techniques managed to put the roof supports up! We had many people stop by today completely interested in what it is us americanos are doing building a house. Marty had introduced me to alot of people like pablo and elena that he had met from his previous trip that they we just so excited to see him and meet all of us. I cant beleive the impact and hope that brings all these people that lives in these "pueblo heavens" poor areas. Finally when about 5 or 6 came around when we were all beyond tired we finally finished. But, what sticks out most in my mind we stood around in prayer with the team and the family Jose, rosa, their grandparents, florela, and their baby! And we had our closely grown friend Pepe and translator translate the prayers and after we touched the house with all of our blessings and prayers jose began to break and tear up. Some of my thoughts for the day are just that we understand we cant help everybody but, to give blessings and prayers and hope to this one family I pray in turn that it will impact the community to become more hopeful and curious about the true reasons we came on this trip and in one day see them in heaven with us all!

GOOOOOOOOL!!!

Soccer is more than just a sport to all of the kids that live in Ica. Around 4:00pm-5:00pm they all get together at the soccer feild accross from the house we're builing. Not many of them own their own soccer ball. So, I brought mine from home and I bring it with me when we go out to the job site. They can't wait for me to get done working so we can get a game going. Oh, and get this, some of them play bare-foot on a concrete field! Just goes to show you how often they must be playing to build up those calluses.

To help you get an idea of how much they teasure soccer, the first time I let some of the kids play with my ball, they thought that it was a gift. A few other kids had come out to play and then they started arguing over whose ball it was. I actually saw one of the older kids try to walk home with it. I had to stop him and try to explain that it was for everybody to play with while I was there. It was definately an eye opener to see how possesive they can be over little things. But to them, a soccer ball is more valuable than a car would be to us.

Happy New Years!

What a way to start the year, but on a mission in Peru building a house! What a blessing! We got a little bit of a late start due to not getting the best sleep. The Peruvians here brought in the New Year with lots of dancing, fireworks and music and the neighbors very close our were no exception. I think they may have stopped around 5 am.

Today´s goal was to put on the roof and start putting up the siding. We did the get roof on as you will see in the photos. It was hotter today, but we were motivated by a devotional this morning out of the book of Luke that Jim led about service. As Jim puts it, ¨We don´t have to do service, but Jesus tells us to. ¨

Off to the site we go, in the smallest taxis I have ever seen. These little cars are smaller than a Geo, but they are everywhere and stoplights a merely a suggestion. It is always quite an exciting ride even for the short distance we travel.

When we arrived at the house today, it was nice to see the frame up. Lee and Jim are really leading the construction project. Their skills have been invaluable. They have been very patient with everyone as we learn or relearn to use a hammer, saw and screwdriver. We only had one injury so far, Lyn hit her little finger with a hammer. But of course that did not stop her, she kept on going.

Florella is a young girl who is very bright who is a cousin to Jose, of the house we are building. I (Colleen) made a handpuppet of a doll with her today. She is a bright ten year old who wants to be a veternarian. Lynn spent the many hours holding a baby named Lamamay. This little girls hair won´t lay down, it stands straight up. So they call her Hair of an Angel.

A few of us went for a walk through the neighborhood. Many walls of the homes made of brick are still in piles on the ground. The people have attempted to put back up walls with tarp, stacking the bricks, and by sewing together rice bags. The inner walls of their homes are gone and many roofs have caved in.

We spoke to one woman, who asked us to help her parents, since they were very old and their entire home was destroyed. They had put up some old boards that were found some where for the front of the house, but when you peeked inside, there was nothing else to the home. It is hard to see these experiences some times because there is only so much we can do. We are going to go back and pray for the parents when they are home.

Lynn handed out many candys (caramellos) to the children in the neighborhood. They get so excited to get even just one piece since they don´t get any very often. She has become very popular with all the children.

There is a small cement soccer field right next to the home we are building. Last night, after work four of us, David, Lynn, Tory and I played soccer. At first, we were there with four kids. Before we knew it, there were ten on each side, playing soccer. Many families came out to watch afterward. What an event! It was nice to hear the laughter and enjoyment, in their midst of a difficult situation.

This experience has been remarkable, I am learning so much. Tomorrow, we hope to complete one of the homes. Please keep us in your prayers as we touch more lives.
With Love,
Colleen