Cambridge Times July 26th, 2007, by Melissa Hancock Times Staff
A local woman's dream will come true next month as she heads to Peru for four weeks of missionary work.
"I'd probably give someone the shirt off my back ...my mother always told me I'm too generous," said Cambridge resident Alexis Bennett.
Bennett said while in Peru she will help with whatever she can. In Manchay, it small village just outside Lima the country's capital - she will help at the Manchay Care Centre construction site. The centre opened in 2003 as a safe place for mothers going to work to leave their children for the play.
"I just support it 100 per cent," she said.
The centre in Manchay is expanding to include a dining hall and additional washrooms.
Bennett will leave on Aug. 10 with a team from Cedar Creek Community Church, working through Kids Alive an international organization that focuses on helping street children, abandoned children and victims of abuse, war, disease and poverty. The
care centre can currently accommodate 20 to 25 children.
"People are living in cardboard boxes," said Margaret Christy, board
member and sponsorship coordinator with Kids Alive at the Cambridge office on Fleming Drive.
Peru's population is nearly 30 million. In - Lima where about a third of the population lives - more than 10,000 children die every year.
Christy described an experience she had at a local grocery store where she overheard a woman complaining because the brand of black forest ham she prefers was not in stock and she wanted to speak with the manager.
"That's how ridiculous we can get," said Christy, who has been on numerous trips to Third World countries. "I feel that every Canadian should have the opportunity to go to a Third World country."
Every day, families in areas of Peru have to purchase clean drinking water, Bennett said, and it can cost about $15 a day for one family's supply.
"If they've got any money at all,they buy whatever they can," said Christy.
After Bennett's first two weeks conclude with the local church team she will stay an additional two weeks, still working through Kids Alive.
"I have a passion for kids," she said.
One of the goal statements of Kids Alive is to provide "Christian care for children at risk".
Bennett said she recently went through a process and said, "I gave myself back to the Lord".
She said she aims to bring hope to Peruvians through prayer. About 90 per cent of Peru's population is Roman Catholic.
Through speaking with people who have been to other countries for missionary-type work, Bennett said, "They felt God working with them."
Bennett is currently raising funds for the trip which costs more than
$3,000 per person. She will also accept donations of items, such as craft-making materials, socks and underwear for children aged four to seven years, vitamin C pills and adult vitamins, peanut butter and cake mixes.
Bennett said another one of her main goals while in Peru is to make daily journal entries of experiences and sites she sees in order to compile information to present in Canada and promote Kids Alive projects and sponsorship opportunities in Peru.
To get in touch with Bennett, send an email to peru2007@sympatico.ca or call her 622-4176.
For more information about Kids Alive, visit www.kidsalive.ca.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
20 Days and counting
Well folks there is only 20 days left till I am off to Peru and then I will be sharing with you live as often as I can. I will share photo's, stories and what God is doing, in Peru, with the children, with the staff, with the people in and around Kids Alive organization, and what God is doing for the team and myself.
Tody I would ask for prayer for two of my family members, my cousin Chris and his wife. Chris has cancer and he has just undergone a week of very heavy kemo and is not doing very well with the after effects. Secondly my father is going to see one of his cancer doctors today and also his myiagravis disease is really effecting his one side of his body right now. He is in a lot of pain.
My parents and I are going to go and tryout the Peruvian resturant in London for lunch today. We all are very excited to go and try it out.
More once I return tonight as to what we ate and how it was.
God Bless to you all
Tody I would ask for prayer for two of my family members, my cousin Chris and his wife. Chris has cancer and he has just undergone a week of very heavy kemo and is not doing very well with the after effects. Secondly my father is going to see one of his cancer doctors today and also his myiagravis disease is really effecting his one side of his body right now. He is in a lot of pain.
My parents and I are going to go and tryout the Peruvian resturant in London for lunch today. We all are very excited to go and try it out.
More once I return tonight as to what we ate and how it was.
God Bless to you all
Monday, July 16, 2007
Count down---25 days to we leave
Well the count down is on for Peru 2007, 25 days until we leave. It has seemed like a life time from the time I decide to see if I could go on this trip till now. I think I started the whole process around October/November of this year and now.
It also seems like there will never be enough time in a day to get everything done and ready before I leave for Peru.
It is actually feeling like it is really going to happen. I have my extra suitcase all packed and ready with the items that are on a wish list from Peru. It is overwhelming in the generosity of family, friends, businesses all over Cambridge and the Gross family for the donation of all the clothes.
I would like to take this time to personally extend my heart felt appreciation to all those whom sponsored me, to the businesses that have donated products or gift certificates to me. Giant Tiger, Wal-Mart, McDonalds Hespeler Rd. for allowing us to run a toll booth at their location twice, Blessings Christian Book Store and all those whom gave generously at my garage sale so I could purchase things for the children. Without God and you none of this would be possible. Thank you so very much and God Bless you all.
Since there are 13 of us going on this venture I am sure that there are many others whom have been supporting this whole project all over the community and each member like me probably has had many generous donors and support as well.
So thank you to all of you as well.
It also seems like there will never be enough time in a day to get everything done and ready before I leave for Peru.
It is actually feeling like it is really going to happen. I have my extra suitcase all packed and ready with the items that are on a wish list from Peru. It is overwhelming in the generosity of family, friends, businesses all over Cambridge and the Gross family for the donation of all the clothes.
I would like to take this time to personally extend my heart felt appreciation to all those whom sponsored me, to the businesses that have donated products or gift certificates to me. Giant Tiger, Wal-Mart, McDonalds Hespeler Rd. for allowing us to run a toll booth at their location twice, Blessings Christian Book Store and all those whom gave generously at my garage sale so I could purchase things for the children. Without God and you none of this would be possible. Thank you so very much and God Bless you all.
Since there are 13 of us going on this venture I am sure that there are many others whom have been supporting this whole project all over the community and each member like me probably has had many generous donors and support as well.
So thank you to all of you as well.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Sonsorship continuation
Well I think most people can relate to how I feel every time I see a World Vision commercial on television. My heart breaks each time I see the commercials. The innocence of the children’s faces, their cute smiles is just plan gut retching. I would sponsor and bring every child to Canada if I could afford to. For many years I wanted to call and sponsor a child and never did, simply because I felt I could not afford to.
2 years ago I started adopting a World Vision Child from Africa. I have been finding it to expensive these days and felt that the admin. Fees were way too high for my liking.
After many weeks of prayer, and struggling whether to cancel with World Vision and go with Kidsalive the decision became clear to me. When I inquired how much it would be a month to sponsor, did they have children in Peru to sponsor, specifically a little girl. They had no girls the day I inquired and 2 days later a girl became available and therefore I felt the decision was to switch.
What is exciting about switching I will get the opportunity to hug, and love up my new sponsored child? I will be able to do something special with her and her sister.
This opportunity of sponsoring this child is more exciting than ever now because it is just not a picture and name it is a reality. I get meet the child and see for myself that she really does exist.
My child’s name is Mercedes and she is 3 yrs old. Mercedes also has a sister Esther in the same care centre who is 11 months old. Here is a picture of my little girl.
They tell me that Mercedes has asthma, but other that is in good health. When Mercedes came to the Kidsalive Centre she was reunited with her baby sister. She immediately recognized her sister and loves to give her kisses. They say Mercedes has adapted well and has won the hearts of all the staff and kids with her cute little curls and big smile.
I think we can all see what they mean by the picture they have sent me of her.
I look forward to meeting Mercedes and Esther when I get to Peru and to the years to come as her sponsor.
God Bless you Mercedes.
2 years ago I started adopting a World Vision Child from Africa. I have been finding it to expensive these days and felt that the admin. Fees were way too high for my liking.
After many weeks of prayer, and struggling whether to cancel with World Vision and go with Kidsalive the decision became clear to me. When I inquired how much it would be a month to sponsor, did they have children in Peru to sponsor, specifically a little girl. They had no girls the day I inquired and 2 days later a girl became available and therefore I felt the decision was to switch.
What is exciting about switching I will get the opportunity to hug, and love up my new sponsored child? I will be able to do something special with her and her sister.
This opportunity of sponsoring this child is more exciting than ever now because it is just not a picture and name it is a reality. I get meet the child and see for myself that she really does exist.
My child’s name is Mercedes and she is 3 yrs old. Mercedes also has a sister Esther in the same care centre who is 11 months old. Here is a picture of my little girl.
They tell me that Mercedes has asthma, but other that is in good health. When Mercedes came to the Kidsalive Centre she was reunited with her baby sister. She immediately recognized her sister and loves to give her kisses. They say Mercedes has adapted well and has won the hearts of all the staff and kids with her cute little curls and big smile.
I think we can all see what they mean by the picture they have sent me of her.
I look forward to meeting Mercedes and Esther when I get to Peru and to the years to come as her sponsor.
God Bless you Mercedes.
Sponsorship
Like any other humanitarian organization Kids Alive International has a child sponsorship programme. Kids Alive provides Christian care for children at risk.
Kids Alive vision is that they will reflect the love of Christ by rescuing children in crisis. There Mission is to reflect this love of Christ by nurturing their children with quality, holistic care, educating them to their full potential and introducing them to the transforming power of Jesus Christ so they will become followers of Christ and effective citizens in their national cultures.
Kids Alive International was founded in China in 1916 by evangelistic missionaries Reverend and Mrs. Leslie Anglin. They felt compelled by God to open the home for the homeless children they saw in various communities around their city. In 1949 they began relief work in Hong Kong and then later a school and home were started. Over the past 50 years they have expanded to include work in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Pacific Rim.
Presently they care for over 3000 children in 12 developing countries throughout the world. their offices in USA., U.K., Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong work to rescue and nurture as many children as possible.
Here are the places they serve:
Latin America: Peru, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala
Africa: Kenya, Zambia
Middle East: Lebanon
Eastern Europe: Romania
Pacific Rim: Papua New Guinea
Asia: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Myanmar
There Goals are as follows as well:
Children's Homes Millions of children throughout the world have lost parents as a result of poverty, war, and HIV/AIDS. In Response, Kids Alive establishes homes to care for the Children. The home is designed to be as much like a real family as possible. The staff and missionaries give love, spiritual care, and individual attention, just as parents would do.
Schools They have started several schools where both missionaries and nationals serve as teachers. When possible, computer education, English as a second language and technical skills are provided. The main objective is to prepare the children and youth to be productive citizens in their own country.
Care Centres In some circumstances, Homes and schools are not the most needed type of care for children. In these cases, Kids Alive determines the need of the children within the community and develops a ministry to meet the need, such as medical care centre or a day program.
So here is your opportunity to make a difference.
Give:
* Partner with Kids Alive by giving monthly
* Sponsor a child in one of their homes
* Sponsor a home with family/friends
* Provide a one-time financial "project" gift
* Donate items for their homes and schools
* Organize fund-raising events in your community
* Invite a Kids Alive representative to present the ministry to your church or group
* Tell your family/friends about Kids Alive and encourage them to get involved
Pray:
* For their leadership
* For their missionaries
* For the parents of each home
* For the children in their homes
* For their schools
GO:
They need workteams and individuals to help with building projects and short-term children's ministries
Share your building, caring, teaching or healthcare skills
You can do any of the above by contacting Kidsalive International at the following:
55 Fleming Drive, Unit 2
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
N1T 2A9
Phone: 519-624-9406
Fax: 519-624-5253
Toll-free: 1-866-839-5437
www.kidsalive.ca
Kids Alive vision is that they will reflect the love of Christ by rescuing children in crisis. There Mission is to reflect this love of Christ by nurturing their children with quality, holistic care, educating them to their full potential and introducing them to the transforming power of Jesus Christ so they will become followers of Christ and effective citizens in their national cultures.
Kids Alive International was founded in China in 1916 by evangelistic missionaries Reverend and Mrs. Leslie Anglin. They felt compelled by God to open the home for the homeless children they saw in various communities around their city. In 1949 they began relief work in Hong Kong and then later a school and home were started. Over the past 50 years they have expanded to include work in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Pacific Rim.
Presently they care for over 3000 children in 12 developing countries throughout the world. their offices in USA., U.K., Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong work to rescue and nurture as many children as possible.
Here are the places they serve:
Latin America: Peru, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala
Africa: Kenya, Zambia
Middle East: Lebanon
Eastern Europe: Romania
Pacific Rim: Papua New Guinea
Asia: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Myanmar
There Goals are as follows as well:
Children's Homes Millions of children throughout the world have lost parents as a result of poverty, war, and HIV/AIDS. In Response, Kids Alive establishes homes to care for the Children. The home is designed to be as much like a real family as possible. The staff and missionaries give love, spiritual care, and individual attention, just as parents would do.
Schools They have started several schools where both missionaries and nationals serve as teachers. When possible, computer education, English as a second language and technical skills are provided. The main objective is to prepare the children and youth to be productive citizens in their own country.
Care Centres In some circumstances, Homes and schools are not the most needed type of care for children. In these cases, Kids Alive determines the need of the children within the community and develops a ministry to meet the need, such as medical care centre or a day program.
So here is your opportunity to make a difference.
Give:
* Partner with Kids Alive by giving monthly
* Sponsor a child in one of their homes
* Sponsor a home with family/friends
* Provide a one-time financial "project" gift
* Donate items for their homes and schools
* Organize fund-raising events in your community
* Invite a Kids Alive representative to present the ministry to your church or group
* Tell your family/friends about Kids Alive and encourage them to get involved
Pray:
* For their leadership
* For their missionaries
* For the parents of each home
* For the children in their homes
* For their schools
GO:
They need workteams and individuals to help with building projects and short-term children's ministries
Share your building, caring, teaching or healthcare skills
You can do any of the above by contacting Kidsalive International at the following:
55 Fleming Drive, Unit 2
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
N1T 2A9
Phone: 519-624-9406
Fax: 519-624-5253
Toll-free: 1-866-839-5437
www.kidsalive.ca
Sometimes Confession is good for the soul
Well folks I guess it is time to come clean. It has been a while since I have posted to this site. I was struggling and working through some issues and there fore felt I could not post here unless I could be 100% positive.
I was strugging with trust and having faith that the finantial part of this trip was going to pull its self together. Well with a lot of prayer and talking with good friends it has all come together and my finances have all come together the way they needed to. This sure has been a testing of my faith and satan really had fun with it and ran rampote in my head. Well he was winning for a while but, after fully turning back over to God it all took care of itself.
Patience is also not one of my strong points and I never pray for it because I have been warned that he might just test you and push you to the limit. This whole process has been testing my patience and once again satan took hold of this and had some fun with me. Once again when I let go and let God things came together in this area as well.
Thus far this adventure sure has been widening my territory and broadening my horizons and it sure has become a real learning process for me. God is good but I seem to forget sometimes to get out of his way. When I do this things all seem to come together. I need to have a hammer that hits me on the head when my thinking goes astray.
Any ways I am glad to say I am loads less stressed over this whole process and HGod has Blessed me through out the whole process.
I am so very grateful for that and look forward to what is about to come in the days ahead.
Please pray for me and everyone on the team.
I was strugging with trust and having faith that the finantial part of this trip was going to pull its self together. Well with a lot of prayer and talking with good friends it has all come together and my finances have all come together the way they needed to. This sure has been a testing of my faith and satan really had fun with it and ran rampote in my head. Well he was winning for a while but, after fully turning back over to God it all took care of itself.
Patience is also not one of my strong points and I never pray for it because I have been warned that he might just test you and push you to the limit. This whole process has been testing my patience and once again satan took hold of this and had some fun with me. Once again when I let go and let God things came together in this area as well.
Thus far this adventure sure has been widening my territory and broadening my horizons and it sure has become a real learning process for me. God is good but I seem to forget sometimes to get out of his way. When I do this things all seem to come together. I need to have a hammer that hits me on the head when my thinking goes astray.
Any ways I am glad to say I am loads less stressed over this whole process and HGod has Blessed me through out the whole process.
I am so very grateful for that and look forward to what is about to come in the days ahead.
Please pray for me and everyone on the team.
Monday, June 25, 2007
PRAYER REQUEST
Please pray for my Cousin Christopher, he is 44 yrs old and has a very rare form of pancreas cancer. There are only 233 people in the world that have had his type of cancer. Please pray for the doctors to have more compassion and understanding to the patients feelings.
Please pray for the good Lods hand of healing over his body, please pray for a miracle. The doctors have basically told him if he does this he will die, if does not do this he will die. They told him they may be closong the cancer clinic in London due to lack of funding. They sure know how to give a guy hope.
Please pray for Chris's wife Julie for her to know how to console and comfort her husband at this time, pray for my aunt and uncle my other cousin and his wife as they all go through this very difficult time. Give them the courage and the strength to handle what ever is to come and for what ever is to be.
I do not know if my cousin is saved or not so pray for that as well
Please pray for the good Lods hand of healing over his body, please pray for a miracle. The doctors have basically told him if he does this he will die, if does not do this he will die. They told him they may be closong the cancer clinic in London due to lack of funding. They sure know how to give a guy hope.
Please pray for Chris's wife Julie for her to know how to console and comfort her husband at this time, pray for my aunt and uncle my other cousin and his wife as they all go through this very difficult time. Give them the courage and the strength to handle what ever is to come and for what ever is to be.
I do not know if my cousin is saved or not so pray for that as well
Thursday, June 21, 2007
TRUE HAPPINESS
Well folks lots has been happening over the past little while. Before I start to share all that has been going on I want to share this little reading I found while clean out a junk draw. It was on a book mark the said on one side TRUE HAPPINESS and on the other side it read:
Jesus said: Mathew 5:3-10
3`Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
4`Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!
5`Happy are those who are humble; they will recieve what God has promised!
6`Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!
7`Happy are those who are merciful to other; God will be merciful to them!
8`Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!
9`Happy are those who work for peace;God will call them his children!
10`Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;
the kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
Jesus said: Mathew 5:3-10
3`Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
4`Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!
5`Happy are those who are humble; they will recieve what God has promised!
6`Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!
7`Happy are those who are merciful to other; God will be merciful to them!
8`Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!
9`Happy are those who work for peace;God will call them his children!
10`Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;
the kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Kids Alive Peru
It has been a while since I have posted anything about Peru so I thought I should but some info in about Peru Kids Alive Projects so you can read what they are doing there.
I have posted this information way back when I first started this blog but I thought for those new you might want to read about Peru
I have posted this information way back when I first started this blog but I thought for those new you might want to read about Peru
Peru Boy's Home
Christian and Dalila Albujar are the houseparents for our older boys who are generally in high school or getting ready to go out on their own. Like any parents they give the boys love and discipline, teach them important skills like how to cook, clean and respect others. They seek to give the boys a spiritual base and an emotional support to confront the tough issues which any teen faces but which often are compounded in children at risk. Currently the Albujars and their own 2 biological sons live with our 8 oldest boys in a rented facility 10 minutes from our main site.
Manchay Care Centre
Manchay, Peru is a mountainous area in the coastal desert just outside the capital city of Lima. It is an area of extreme poverty with no running water, no sewage system, and little electricity.
The Manchay Care Centre opened in May 2003 in response to the needs of mothers requiring a safe place to leave their children while working, so as not to put them in a children's home.
Over 30,000 people live in the town of Manchay. Plywood and cardboard make up the materials used to construct these small (usually 12 feet square or less) houses. Most of the community literally exists hand to mouth.
The care centre is a work in progress. Presently there are two classrooms and a kitchen. These buildings have been funded through the generous donations of supporters. The construction has been carried out by several different work teams from both Canada and the United States. The care centre will continue to develop such buildings as a dining hall, as donor funding becomes availalbe.
Currently the care centre serves children from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Care for the children includes basic hygiene needs, clothing, nutritious meals, health care, educational preparation and spiritual development. Twice a month the mothers join their children for a family-style meal. After the meal they receive training and parenting skills.
The present facility can accommodate 20-25 children. Additional children will be taken into our care as the centre is developed.
Our goal is to add an after-school program for four-year-olds when they reach Kindergarten age. This program would include a safe place for tutoring, a nutritous meal and Bible study.
The Manchay Care Centre opened in May 2003 in response to the needs of mothers requiring a safe place to leave their children while working, so as not to put them in a children's home.
Over 30,000 people live in the town of Manchay. Plywood and cardboard make up the materials used to construct these small (usually 12 feet square or less) houses. Most of the community literally exists hand to mouth.
The care centre is a work in progress. Presently there are two classrooms and a kitchen. These buildings have been funded through the generous donations of supporters. The construction has been carried out by several different work teams from both Canada and the United States. The care centre will continue to develop such buildings as a dining hall, as donor funding becomes availalbe.
Currently the care centre serves children from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Care for the children includes basic hygiene needs, clothing, nutritious meals, health care, educational preparation and spiritual development. Twice a month the mothers join their children for a family-style meal. After the meal they receive training and parenting skills.
The present facility can accommodate 20-25 children. Additional children will be taken into our care as the centre is developed.
Our goal is to add an after-school program for four-year-olds when they reach Kindergarten age. This program would include a safe place for tutoring, a nutritous meal and Bible study.
Lima Home
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is located on the Pacific Coast. Peru, nearly twice the size of Texas, and is a country of contrasts. The rich and the poor, the beautiful and the ugly, the historic and the modern, the mountains and jungle all add to the the mystique of this Latin nation.
Located in the coastal desert region, Lima receives less than one inch of rainfall per year. Moving 30 to 50 miles inland one encounters the majestic Andes Mountains and highlands, which separate the coast from the vast Amazon jungle. These three distinct geographical regions each have their own culture and people groups, making Peru a fascinating place to visit and live.
The Lima Home was founded by Larry and Betty Bartels in 1993 in a rented facility in the suburbs of Lima with 10 boys who were released from a government home that was closing. The number grew to 16 children in July of 1994 when the site of just over half an acre was purchased. In 1999 an additional parcel of land was purchased about a mile from the first parcel. Mike & Diane Fietje became the Directors of this home in the beginning of 2000 when the Bartels returned to the United States.
The Lima home has experienced God's blessing time and time again in its relatively short history. We are thankful to Him for each physical blessing as well as each of the children to whom we have been able to minister. The present facilities on the main property, besides the essentials (ie - bedrooms for kids, and staff), include a playroom an activity room containing a library, homework and craft area, and missionary apartments. Also on the property are a basketball/soccer court, a huge multi-level jungle gym, a sand box, and a swimming pool that can be used nearly year round. Extensive remodeling and construction, including the addition of a second floor on the main house, has improved the property. Much of the work has been done by service teams. There is one main building on the new property. The older boys live at this location along with their house parents. They enjoy the use of a weight room, trampoline and ping-pong table. There is also a halfway house for the older boys that have graduated from high school and are not yet ready to live on their own.
The home has approximately 40 children. They range in age from pre-school to 18. Dave and Connie Rhodes, as well as a number of talented short term missionaries, assist Mike and Diane Fietje. The Peruvian house parents are mature Christians, dedicated to attaining the goals of the home. These goals include not only providing for the physical, educational and emotional needs of the children, but also meeting their spiritual needs, preparing them for adulthood as Christians and as upstanding citizens in their community. As a result, a lot of emphasis is placed on devotions, discipleship, Bible memorization, and church attendance. The children attend 4 different schools in the area depending on their age and abilities. In the home there us also an emphasis on learning English, which will help them get better jobs in the future. In the summers the children attend camp, go on trips, learn different crafts and life skills. The older kids get jobs or work at Christian camps. Future plans include getting a new large piece of land in order to build apartments for each family group (house parents with their kids). This will enable us to house more children in a more family-type atmosphere while having space to make workshops so that the kids can leave with the knowledge of different trades, such as carpentry, welding and auto mechanics.
Located in the coastal desert region, Lima receives less than one inch of rainfall per year. Moving 30 to 50 miles inland one encounters the majestic Andes Mountains and highlands, which separate the coast from the vast Amazon jungle. These three distinct geographical regions each have their own culture and people groups, making Peru a fascinating place to visit and live.
The Lima Home was founded by Larry and Betty Bartels in 1993 in a rented facility in the suburbs of Lima with 10 boys who were released from a government home that was closing. The number grew to 16 children in July of 1994 when the site of just over half an acre was purchased. In 1999 an additional parcel of land was purchased about a mile from the first parcel. Mike & Diane Fietje became the Directors of this home in the beginning of 2000 when the Bartels returned to the United States.
The Lima home has experienced God's blessing time and time again in its relatively short history. We are thankful to Him for each physical blessing as well as each of the children to whom we have been able to minister. The present facilities on the main property, besides the essentials (ie - bedrooms for kids, and staff), include a playroom an activity room containing a library, homework and craft area, and missionary apartments. Also on the property are a basketball/soccer court, a huge multi-level jungle gym, a sand box, and a swimming pool that can be used nearly year round. Extensive remodeling and construction, including the addition of a second floor on the main house, has improved the property. Much of the work has been done by service teams. There is one main building on the new property. The older boys live at this location along with their house parents. They enjoy the use of a weight room, trampoline and ping-pong table. There is also a halfway house for the older boys that have graduated from high school and are not yet ready to live on their own.
The home has approximately 40 children. They range in age from pre-school to 18. Dave and Connie Rhodes, as well as a number of talented short term missionaries, assist Mike and Diane Fietje. The Peruvian house parents are mature Christians, dedicated to attaining the goals of the home. These goals include not only providing for the physical, educational and emotional needs of the children, but also meeting their spiritual needs, preparing them for adulthood as Christians and as upstanding citizens in their community. As a result, a lot of emphasis is placed on devotions, discipleship, Bible memorization, and church attendance. The children attend 4 different schools in the area depending on their age and abilities. In the home there us also an emphasis on learning English, which will help them get better jobs in the future. In the summers the children attend camp, go on trips, learn different crafts and life skills. The older kids get jobs or work at Christian camps. Future plans include getting a new large piece of land in order to build apartments for each family group (house parents with their kids). This will enable us to house more children in a more family-type atmosphere while having space to make workshops so that the kids can leave with the knowledge of different trades, such as carpentry, welding and auto mechanics.
Our Peru Ministry
In Peru over 6 million children under the age of 18 live in poverty and 10,000 street and under-privileged kids die in the capital city every year. In addition, a 50% pverty rate coupled with widespread underemployment has prevented any social service infrastructure from being effective in dealing with the growing number of children-at-risk.
Kids Alive has been providing quality care to children in Peru for many years through the establishment of an orphanage for abandoned, neglected and orphaned kids in Lima, Peru. More recently, Kids Alive has opened a Care Centre for the children of destitute single mothers in Manchay, Peru.
We recognize that there are many children that need our help and we will continue to reach out a hand of love to them, one at a time.
Kids Alive has been providing quality care to children in Peru for many years through the establishment of an orphanage for abandoned, neglected and orphaned kids in Lima, Peru. More recently, Kids Alive has opened a Care Centre for the children of destitute single mothers in Manchay, Peru.
We recognize that there are many children that need our help and we will continue to reach out a hand of love to them, one at a time.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Here is a verse to ponder
Daily Bible Verse
by MyChurch.orgShare
Now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
by MyChurch.orgShare
Now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
Appologizes
I have been really sick all week so I am sorry again for not posting
I got my Thyphoid need 2 weeks ago and have been sick ever since. Thinking it would pass well I was wrong. I have Vertigo, and a throat infection caused by the shot. Just as ya think it is passing bang it hits ya like a ton of bricks.
Any ways I hope all is well and will be posting hopefully later this weekend or next week.
God Bless
I got my Thyphoid need 2 weeks ago and have been sick ever since. Thinking it would pass well I was wrong. I have Vertigo, and a throat infection caused by the shot. Just as ya think it is passing bang it hits ya like a ton of bricks.
Any ways I hope all is well and will be posting hopefully later this weekend or next week.
God Bless
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