November 2nd: We worked in the morning, and in the afternoon there was a party for one of the girls at the homes birthday! It was a lot of fun; they tried to teach us how to dance like them...gringos just can't move their bodies like Spanish people can!
November 3rd: Our friends, Sarah and Morgan, arrive! Just to clear things up, "our friends" are originally from the U.S. The four of us met for the first time at the home in Lima! And now we're a motley crew that works great as a team!
November 4th: We began working on the actual murals! And just a random thing that happened...Kelli got electrocuted!
November 5th: First thing in the morning, we found out that a friend of all of ours, Librada Rose Cantu, who was another volunteer at the home in Lima, had died the night before. She fell 3 stories, and died within the hour. She had just turned 20 and was from the States as well. Because of this news we stayed in, except at night when we decided to bring the kids at the home the toys that Morgan and Sarah brought from Lima.
November 6th: Well the day before Andrea wasn't feeling so well, but then in the middle of the night she got very sick. Luckily we were able to wait till morning to go and get an American doctor that happens to be here too, to come check her out. Long story short, she ended up in the hospital to be tested, and then we spent the night and a lot of the next day in the living quarters of the American doctors with her hooked up to an IV.
November 7th: Andrea came home! Also we were strongly encouraged to finish our work here as soon as possible, and leave. Because of the amount of times Andrea has been sick, and especially how serious it got, this most recent time, we decided that this would be the best decision. So we booked a flight to Lima for first thing Friday morning. Also the door we had the carpenter install was finished this day!
November 8th: We went and paid the carpenter and then asked if he knew someone who could remove the huge pile of trash that has been sitting, stinking up home for who knows how long! He and his brother had the place clean by the end of the day! It was really a huge pile of trash, and he charged us 2 dollars and 50 cents to take it all out!!! Everyone at the home was so excited to finally have the trash out! They got right to work on cleaning the area where the trash used to be! It was so great to see them so enthusiastic about, and take pride in their home! Also I'm not sure if we mentioned this, but the clothes at the home used to be everywhere. All over the floor, everywhere. It was horrible. That is why we bought a door. We removed the beds from one room, had a door put in, so now only one room has clothes! Since there is a door now with a lock, only the older girls can get the clothes that are appropriate for the day! It is so great! Everything is so clean and organized! It has made such an improvement in the overall cleanliness of the home!
We also bought a 2 new trash cans for the home, as well as 2 small couch-like furniture that is typical for Chulucanas, 4 chairs, 2 small tables, and 3 mats. The furniture really makes the orphanage feel more like a home! The kids really love them.
November 9th (Today): First thing this morning we met with a woman who works for the diocese about getting the babies at the Home, to the therapy that they need. The meeting went really well and with whatever money we have left when we leave, will go to their therapy. We should be able to pay for quite a few months of therapy for each of them, which should be enough to catch them up with other kids their age. After breakfast Sarah, Andrea and Kelli went into Piura to try and find a rug for the home. The trip was successful we got two huge rugs that make such a difference in the feel at the home. This afternoon we painted and finished a few of the murals! The place looks amazing, a true transformation! Pictures to come! Keep us in your prayers; we are extra busy this week!
Andrea and Kelli
I’m so very proud of you girls. Changing the world 1 day at a time, the children there will never forget you and how you made their life’s better.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up girls.
Dad/John