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Pucallpa
The past two weeks I had an amazing time at Kids Alive in Pucallpa, whose mission is to “rescue orphans and vulnerable children, care for them in compassionate, holistic settings and share with them the life changing hope of the Gospel.”
This is an incredible work and it was a privilege to be a part of, my time at Kids Alive was a highlight and a blessing during my time in Peru.
In Pucallpa they have a care center (where I lived with other missionaries and interns) where we spent a lot of our time. The children come from the community to be supported and receive the things they’re lacking at home. From food, clothes, showers, homework help, English classes, sooo many things importantly including: love, acceptance, support, fun and hearing about the salvation available to us from God by his grace! About five minutes away there is a ‘casa hogar’ called The Orchard, where currently 11 children whose own families were incapable of caring for them in some way, live under the care of some amazing house parents (who also have children of their own).
Any story that begins with pancakes is a good one, promise that this wasn’t the daily...
My first morning (and many mornings and evenings after) with the girls we spent time singing and sharing together ♥️
Every morning the sky was different & it was stunning to see.
It felt like an invitation from God to get out of bed and start the day!
Legit deepest, darkest Peru where I expect Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pastuzo brought Paddington up.
I was thankful for when it rained, causing a break in the thick humidity for a few hours.
By 8am we’d be heading to the Oansa Court or to The Orchard after breakfast together (featuring coffee and a Psalm). The first week we helped sort out a new inventory -which the girls clearly LOVED- all jokes aside they actually enjoyed organising?!?! I was motivated on by the Peruvian oreos at hand 😋
Some afternoons we’d head back to The Orchard to help with homework, which was often tedious but 1000x more rewarding and just mint to spend time with the kids.
Even more rewarding for this special boy with gelatina de piña (pineapple jelly) after learning the national anthem!
Rewards for us included ají de gallina 😍 a favourite Peruvian curry of ours.
Tuna fruit from the cactuses,
and pizza Fridays as a comfort from home!
Oansa afternoons when we stayed at the centre were filled with crafts and games and songs.
Lots of smiles..
A LOT of laughter,
and new friends 💜
We danced
played ‘soccer’ (and “refuelled” afterwards)
and frisbee.
The boys liked to speak too quickly so that I couldn’t tell what they were laughing about,
tbh they were cool dudes,
so I took Sharee’s phrase “if you can’t beat them, join them”.
We were ‘Hermana’ to the kids.
I LOVED spending time with them.
Not to mention everyone at the Centro de Cuidados- Saturday’s spent with the teachers and missionaries were incredible!!
On the boat exploring the jungle!
Or catching the gorgeous sunset by the lake.
It was uplifting to hang out with the kids,
and so inspiring to meet the house parents who are raising them in loving homes. They are doing an incredibly difficult and awe inspiring job.
The children are so precious.
Despite all of the adversity and pain they’ve faced they are so joyful!
All the peeps at Kids Alive Pucallpa (missionaries, teachers, workers, children, cooks!!) inspire me in different ways,
and I’m so grateful for how they challenged me, encouraged me and shared God with me in many ways.
‘Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger’ Psalm 8:2