Birthday Party

After lunch at the rehab center we had a few hours before our next planned ministry. We went to the old square in Arequipa. The feel of the place is European. The front of a seventeenth century monastery makes up one side of the square. The other three sides are modern shops and businesses in antique-architecture buildings. There is a large fountain in the middle complete with pigeons. Opposite the monastery was a row of artisans carving statues from volcanic rock. It was a contest put on as part of the Peruvian independence day celebrations. Ladies with baby alpacas and even lambs were offering to pose for pictures--for a fee.

We took group pictures, and enjoyed some time together. We ended up at Starbucks. Ok, so the mission trip can't be too hard if there is a Starbucks. Suffering is not a requirement.

That evening, Tuesday evening, we traveled to a small orphanage. The children being served there were mostly girls. One boy was disabled and in a wheelchair. The other boy had two older sisters in the home, so the kept him with his family. There were eight girls and the two

Karaoke serenade; what are friends for?

boys for a total of ten kids. When we came in the population of their home tripled along with the noise and fun. 

We joined them to celebrate a Rosalie's birthday. She was fourteen and had been in the home for ten years. At four she was taken from her parents along with her younger sister and infant brother.

Rosalie, Gaby, Bruno, Rosalie's brother, and Jose singing and games. 

The festivities started with two of Rosalie's friends singing for her. One of the house parents opened a karaoke app on a tablet so they could follow the words. Gaby (Pastor Pablo's middle daughter) lead the group in games and singing, for fun, but also to fill the time while David Millsaps and Jose were gone. Each of the house parents gave their testimony; both had been raised by this orphanage, and now were back serving others. At one point we got out wordless disks for the boys and witnessing dolls for the girls. Gaby presented the gospel and then the team kids gave dolls to the girls. Finally, David and Jose returned with pizzas, soft drinks and cake. Yes, Peruvians serve cake on birthdays, and they can put away some pizza. And don't forget presents; Rosalie received several, including a guitar. We all had a good time celebrating Rosalie's fourteenth birthday.

In conversations about this orphanage we heard that the children attend Pastor Pablo's church, and that they recently worked hard at a camp put on by the church. Isn't it amazing how the Lord can take tragedy and renew it in his time? children removed from abusive situations, fueled by satan's love for sin, are now being ministered to by others who were likewise rescued, and now are learning to minister to still others. It was our pleasure to honor this young lady with her friends and housemates.