Well, I feel like for the last year and a half, I was circling, of course with purpose, but to me, sometimes it didn’t seem that way. Sometimes I wondered what in the world I was doing here. Then like I said last month, I had absolutely no clue what my life would look like after September when my 2 year term ends. Remember how I asked for prayer for God to make things more clear, about my future. Well, God heard your prayers. The fog has cleared and now like that bird who had its target locked in and was speeding forward to reach it, I feel like I am doing the same!
2 really exciting things are happening both at the same time!
As you all know, I have been volunteering at a government run orphanage for the past year. They are starting a program that has not been done in Peru yet! It is a center where they will use technology to help provide more independence in many areas of function for kids with moderate to severe disabilities. Part of the technology is using computers and devices to help give “a voice” to these kids who are not able to speak naturally. The really cool God thing here, is that at my old job, I was part of a team of therapists who evaluated kids for this very thing!!! When I came here, I figured this area of my experience would not be tapped into much since it just didn’t exist here yet. Little did I know that God had prepared me for this moment years before when I took the decision to be part of the evaluation team!! The even cooler thing is that same team continues to support me by connecting me with other people, donating materials, and helping me search for training opportunities. One of them even put my request for help on a list serve for therapists who have a passion for this type of therapy all over the world! And because of that act, I now have people donating material, applications, teaching courses from a distance, AND I even have a team of 4 wonderful women (1 from Canada, 2 from USA, and 1 from Puerto Rico) who will come down here in July to provide a week long training!! WOW! God is good!
That time (January-March) that I had to wait in the fog was not unproductive. It made me slow down, made me really think about and dream about what it was that was in my heart. Reminded me what God had already put in my heart before I even came here to live. During that time, God reminded me that my desire all along has been to work with children with special needs-providing therapy but ALSO coming alongside the families to help give them a hope for their future and the future of their child. I didn’t really know what to do with that desire, being that all my time here has been spent in orphanages where there are no moms and dads…BUT GOD KNEW!!
A few weeks ago, I was asked if I wanted to have a therapy room in a building that the church plans to use as a community center in an area that is known for high rates of poverty, addiction, and homelessness. I couldn’t BELIEVE it! It was exactly what I had just been praying about, and what I had envisioned 3 years ago before I even stepped foot here to live! Of course, I said YES, and since then have been running to figure out all the details of starting a small clinic from the ground up. My hope, is that we can provide not only occupational therapy to those in need, but that I can offer a place for other professionals (national and international) who would want to come and serve to provide therapy to children in need and give support, encouragement, and hope for their families.
SO, Now I am running at full speed ahead. At times, I feel like things are happening so fast, I wonder if this is for real. It amazes me at the speed at which life can change. That being said, I have decided to extend my time here in Peru past September when my 2 year term ends. I don’t know the details yet as to how long my next term will be. I will for sure be visiting the US for my furlough in October, but I will be returning back to Peru at the end of the furlough to continue my time here.
1. Most importantly, you can give praise to God that He heard our prayers for clarity and He has given me direction for the future!
2. You can pray about the 2 projects that are happening simultaneously and for all the logistics to be figured out.
3. You can consider donating financially to help provide the clinic with all it needs to get up and running by July, 2015. Right now, I am moving forward in faith that God will provide what we need to make this a reality. If you are interested in specifically donating (tax deductible in US) for the therapy room, follow these steps: Go to www.lifemissions.com , click on GIVE tab at the top of the page. Scroll down until you see the section called Life Missions-Camino de Vida Missionary Support and search for the section called “HELPING HANDS”- physical and occupational therapy. Put in your donation and click continue.
4. If you are a current supporter of my ministry personally, please prayerfully consider if you are able to continue after my 2 year term. If you are not YET a supporter but feel led to financially personally support me, please contact me at [email protected] so that we can further discuss details, or go to the “Ways to give” button on this blog.
Thank YOU so much for your continued support in prayer, encouragement and financially. Without YOU, I would NOT be able to do any of this. Blessings and peace to each and every one of YOU.