Soles Donations!

Soles for Soles is going to keep going. I realized I just cannot quit- it can't be an option! There is so much we can still do- collect shoes to send, collect money to send, collect prayers to send!

Please consider giving- the more you can give, the more they are able to live. The only thing that holds them back from a better life is our willingness to give! Consider it, its almost Christmas :)

(This might make it easier :))

Big Hope

I have now been in the States for 16 hours. I was so warmly received by my fam at the airport who graciously carried my bags and brought me diet coke and pumpkin bread. Anne also helped me revive my vocabulary (ex. "conspiracy" not "conspiration"). I am glad to be back and SO grateful to be here for the holidays!

The farewell to my students was heartbreaking, but this is the beginning of an entire new adventure for me: a bigger hope. In Cusco, its easy to intercede on the kids' behalf. Sitting here in my butterfly bed, my adventure to begin is to hope for more than my hands' reach and my control. Believe with me? That someone will continue to intercede and keep them from great harm's way and that they will live so abundantly.

Here's what Soles for Soles gave (THANK YOU!!!):

72 pairs of shoes

7 pairs of athletic pants

2 pairs of uniform pants

2 uniform shirts

14 pairs of socks

1 jacket

The director of the school issued a formal thank you on behalf of all of the students and their families. And I pass this thank you onto you-- THANK YOU! I was only the conduit for those of you who gave a little of your luxury so they could have necessity.

So this is it...

Can't believe I only have 2 days left!

Its the beginning of rainy season in Cusco...

AWESOME NEWS!

Soles for Soles has now provided:

-66 pairs of shoes- various types, sizes and colors

- 3 pairs of orthopedic shoes

- 2 pairs of school uniform pants

- 2 school uniform shirts

- 4 pairs of pants

- 14 pairs of socks

- 4 pairs of underwear

A.

B.

C.

Pictured above: A. some of the kids from Inicial II (ages 4-5) receiving their shoes B. Arturo's old and new shoes C. A very, very happy Arturito.

A straggler check has come in too, so I hesitate to say that this is the grand total. I couldn't be more thankful for the people all over the world (England, Australia, France and the US) who have seen the validity of this cause and sacrificed some of their resources to provide some of the most basic necessities for these precious kids. I believe whole heartedly that children with special needs must be the people group closest to sweet Jesus since hearts remain largely untainted by the things that poison our hearts. THANK YOU for appreciating their worth with your resources: prayer and monetary alike!

Last week was spent in bed for a good bit, quite ill with something that resembled death. But I'm back and attem, using my last 2 days wisely.

Not too much interesting to report- today we went to Pisac and Cristo Blanco, so that I could eat the best empanadas (oven baked) ever, and see Jesus.

A.

B.

C.

Pictures above: A. the tea they made me drink when I was sick. I flushed it. B. Empanadas in Pisac. C. View of Cusco from Cristo Blanco.

Working on cake baking, shoe giving, and last minute underwear shopping for my kids tomorrow.

Can't wait to see you all and get the Christmas season started! Woo hoo Feliz Navidad!

Tut tut... Looks like rain.

Rainy season in Cusco! I'm loving afternoon naps and sometimes to walk in the rain. But sometimes... its hard to buy shoes in the rain.

- I ate 6 grenadillas yesterday. It was raining a lot and I didn't want to leave my room.

- Hopefully collecting my money from the agency that cheated us on Tuesday! So far, Cusco people have injustly taken approx $372 of my money...

- Delivering some shoes tomorrow! Bringing them to school class by class. It'd be hard to carry 70 pairs of shoes on my morning walk.

- Lost all sense of hygiene in Cusco. I'm showering once every three days now. At this rate, I will only have to shower 3-4 times before I head home November 24th. Woo hoo!

- Quote sent by CJ: "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."

Buying shoes!

I've taught them Celine.

Making more llama friends.

I love the corn here! Surprised? Me too.

Buying shoes!

I've taught them who Celine is, and what she means to the world.

Prayers

These are two kids who desperately need your prayers this week. Lets join together and believe in a hope for their future and a freedom from neglect and abuse.

Home in less than 2 weeks!

Can't not blog this...

They say "Whiskey" instead of "Cheese" here.

A clip from the long awaited clown dance.

We went to Tia Carmen's to eat lunch Sunday. We've already gotten past get to know America questions, so the convo turned to their normal lives. So I quit listening. Then the people on either side of me had this conversation:

- Do you think Phil Collins was better with Genesis or solo?

- Definitely with Genesis.

-Are any concerts coming to Brasil soon?

- I don't know but if INXS comes, I'm there. I'll take a week off.

Also, Hermano Eduardo's calculator watch is a quite classy watch here.

More pics:

Finger painting

The crucifix I made to decorate the classroom...

The kid we've always called "Miguel Angel."

Double chin, but I love this pic con Shakirita.