Now it´s my turn...

Yolanda, here. I just wanted to share what an amazing experience this has been so far. We have been so warmly received by the people here... it has been very humbling. They are so excited that someone from the "outside" has come so far just to see them.

The soccer clinics have been a great way to reach out to the people. The kids have been so excited... they could hardly wait to show us their soccer skills, and let me tell you that they are GOOD. It touched me so to see them cheer and jump up and down when we stopped to pick a group up this morning. They were thrilled to get their picture and metal this afternoon at the closing ceremony at this site. The players chosen for the "Peru Cup" that will be played Saturday, as well as their parents, were so proud of this honor. We go to another area tomorrow to work with another group of kids for the next two days.

I was so moved today when the group of locals presented each one of us with gifts and one person after another stood to thank us. These people, who are the definition of the word "dirt poor", gave us gifts to thank us, when we had already recieved such a gift of being with them. There have been some very exciting conversations with the adults, but I´ll let the others share that.

We´re all already planning our next trip. Shamon and I have totally fallen in love with two 12 year old boys and want to bring them home with us, and I´m sure we´ll find more the next few days. The people here are precious. We are all totally exhausted (so excuse any part of this post that doesn´t make sense), but are out of this world excited about what´s happening and what´s to come... not just for this trip, but for future ones. Start praying now about how God wants you to be involved in the days to come. He´s planning an amazing work here, and we would miss out on so much if we don´t join.

On one last note, I wanted to share how God provides for His children. Julia wanted me to tell you that their group fed 72 people with 5 chickens. Talk about fishes and loaves! I´m most thankful that me, the queen of making trips to the bathroom, have been spared the experience of using the local baños at the soccer fields. God is, indeed, very gracious to me! *)

More stories to come!