Back in the USA

Cathy, Erin & Kathleen

I guess it is my turn to write on this blog.  I promised the girls I would at some point, and as seeing we are back in the US, it is time.

We left the church yesterday amid sad, tear-filled farewells that went on way too long considering most of the social workers and drivers went to the airport with us.  There was a large group from Dallas on our same flight out of Piura, so we had quite the parade of trucks and vans accompanying us.  Once again, we hugged and cried like we would never see these wonderful people again, but this year I know differently.  This place has a way of drawing you back.  It is mostly the people who work there, but the feeling you get when working with them is all encompassing.  Last summer, Ken blogged the Starfish Story and working at Santisimo Sacramento reflects that very well.  We were not able to help everyone, but it made a difference to the ones we were able to help.

This summer, although our time was much shorter, was just as profound.  The need is still great amongst the people of the villages.  There is little to no electricity, which at this time of year (their winter), makes their daylight very short.

We adopted a family last fall through the Family to Family program and were able to meet them this week.  They have five children ranging in age from 2-13, three girls and two boys.  They were as excited to meet us as we were to meet them (I hope that does not sound conceited, it was not meant to).  Because of Erin's fluency in Spanish, we were able to communicate well.  They live in a very far out village, outside the city limits of Piura.  Even so, the mother made the effort to be at the church to welcome us on Friday AM as we arrived.  Tuesday, we delivered their monthly food supplies and two large suitcases of household goods we brought from home.  Things we take for granted: towels, toothbrushes/paste, cookware, ibuprofen,etc.  They were very appreciative.  We asked what they would like to make their lives easier...livestock, furniture, beds..They chose beds.  Their beds consisted of three double mattresses made of straw that was coming out of the material holding it together.  No sheets, but torn mosquito nets above.  One mattress was on the dirt floor, one on a very bent iron frame and one on a handmade wood frame.  We purchased two sets of double bunk beds and one double bed, and sheets, blankets and mosquito nets.  With the help of Martine, we set them up and made the beds.  I don't know who was more excited, the family or us.  When we met them the next day, Erin asked how they slept and they replied that they were late for school because they slept so late.

Wednesday, we met our family at the church and walked over to see the movie, Finding Dory at the nearby mall.  I think they were just as amazed at the mall as they enjoyed the movie.  They actually handled the escalator quite bravely as another family approached and chose to take the stairs.  They were in awe of the bathroom and the running water and did not know to flush the toilet.  They ate the popcorn and soda with gusto and kept giving up the  international 'thumbs up' sign.

Since this was Erin's first trip, we wanted to give her every experience we could in one week's time.  Saturday, we added an addition onto an existing house and divided the original rooms.  The parents worked with us and they have three beautiful little girls.  A few days later, we delivered food to that same home and we were so happy to see each other again.  On Saturday, as we were waiting to leave, this mother and her daughters came by the church and we had another chance to visit with them.  These people are very incredibly warm and appreciative for all you do for them.  I think it is why people go back year after year.  I, for one, would love to see her again on a future visit.

I am so proud of both of my daughters.  The warmth, energy and skill they showed this week tells me that their hearts are in the right place.

I realize this got quite long, but it is more for me to look back and reflect on this life changing experience.  Thanks for following our blog.

If anyone wants to participate in the Family to Family Program, please let me know.  It is only $300.00 per year and provides the family with basic food supplies each month (pasta, rice, beans, milk, oil). It is GREATLY appreciated by the families.  The list to be matched is two years long, so the need is great.

-Cathy-