Quarantine or Leprosy Colony?

PLEASE pray.... the orphanage where we work with kids with disabilities has been put on quarantine because a little one had swine flu (she is now in ICU fighting for her life and Angela will likely to be in Jesus' arms soon).  They have an order for 21 days of NO ONE leaves or COMES IN!  This means that the staff (with janitors, cooks, caregivers and all) also cannot go home and are working 24 hours/day for 21 days.  No back up has been sent.  I cannot imagine. The kids cannot stand being locked up and more than staff can.


I spoke with the director today to ask what they need. Although the government is their boss and has insisted on the TOTAL quarantine they have gotten no supplies or back up help.  He said they have rationed everyone's food down to half the normal (which was not much) and now staff are taking turns skipping meals!

The team from Westgate church in San Jose, CA was going to be working there on Saturday.  Instead, we will be delivering some basics in bulk such as rice, sugar, oil, eggs and milk on Saturday to the gate but will also write cards and bring flowers and a "to-go" lunch for the staff. I have asked him to set up a room inside and have them take shifts of a break and a rest.  


I so wish we could come in and be relief.... but orders from minsitry of health will not even allow entrance with gowns and masks.  Please pray for these women (and a few men).  They are in crisis, totally tired, fighting illness and caring for the most severely disabled kids in Peru 24 hours/day!

I am excited we can go and be Jesus hands and feet and imagine they feel somewhat like lepers... but I know a TOUCH, just a TOUCH from the Lord Jesus, encouragment to their hearts could give them grace for today!


I am looking into what can be done, but I was informed by a friend who serves on the United Nations disability council that emails and letters to US foreign aid officers in Lima and also to Mental DIsability Rights International might call some attention and move people to action...


http://www.mdri.org/mdri-contact-us.html


Above all, let's pray God's spirit falls on them and brings refreshment as he can MOVE NOW and laws take time!


Please also pray for me. I have a food poisoning/water contamination illness and have been out on my back for 24 hours. Its a busy week with much to do and I am completely incapacitated!

Lonliness of the Soul in the Orphanages

I wish I had a few pictures of these precious ones to share with you, but by court order we cannot take cameras into these orphanages. 

My team has been spending time along with anyone else who wants to join us from the other YL leadership teams in the orphanage where about 40% of the kids at a particular school come from. Its summer vacation, so there is no school and that means that 5 women are in charge of 59 kids for 12 hours a day.  Recently, the group of 23 adolescent boys with mild disabilities were moved out of this home to a cheaper and further place (without a close by school and so no longer going to school) to save the lovely Peruvian government some soles (Peruvian money). So now its 59 kids, mostly little ones.  

Most of them under the age of 10. Tiny red wheelchairs EVERYWHERE. After I get our team settled, introduced (though they are getting pretty comfortable) I have been wandering the back bedrooms... and I wish I could take you there. You would never be the same though. Maybe that is best, the pain is so deep I have had a hard time sleeping this week. The spiritual battle is fierce. 

I think I have always wanted to believe that maybe our enemy, on some level, had some compassion or courtesy and would mess with "us" who have some level of intelligence as a layer he must fight past.... but no, no courtesy, no mercy. His torment of those whose minds and bodies are weak is horrific.  I found one little girl throwing her head back toward a window desperately trying to hit her head while sitting in her wheelchair, biting her arms until she bled and screaming. I was told this was her "normal" behavior.  I could not calm her down, but as I began to pray in the spirit and take authority over any tormenting spirit and apply the blood of Jesus to Maria Elizabeth's life, she calmed down. I lifted her little 20-pound body (at age 5) into my arms and sang worship and prayed over her.  I told her that her life mattered and she was not a mistake. I had this sense that language did not matter as it was her spirit and not her intelligence or lack of that needed ministry. She fell asleep in my arms.  

Why? What does "being" or a life that "matters" mean to little Maria Elizabeth? On some level I feel like I understand her... I would be thrashing and trying to hurt myself or kill myself if I was just left in a back room alone like this, unable to express my pain...and with the enemy's torment!!??  Its not as simple as being left in a back room, having them forget to feed her, I have this sense that though she may not understand many things, she know she has been forgotten and left... almost left for dead.

I went on to find Lorena. 4 years old. Another one with cerebral palsy, but she has been in bed without getting out for 3 weeks.  She cannot sit in her wheelchair because somehow her foot was severely burned by some boiling water in a staff person’s hands and in her chair, her movements or other kids (they are always bumping, crashing each others' chairs) could slough off the newly forming scab. I was sent to give her a bottle. She did not want the bottle and SCREAMED and cried... I would too. It was some nasty orange/yellow liquid that smelled disgusting.  

Finally, I lifted her out, cradled her in my arms and she began to calm down.  I lifted her head to rest on my shoulder so she could look around the room, but she fainted.  My goodness... she has not only been in bed, but has not been UPRIGHT AT ALL for 3 weeks. No wonder why she fainted. I began to pray over this precious one too and just broke and wept.  Thankfully no one else was there to see me make a fool of myself crying. 

I just kept saying to the Lord, "there has to be more than this."  This is not what God intended. Its not just "I'm-alone-in-here-loneliness," its deep soul loneliness. Its total abandonment.  Its torment to the human soul.

  I walked, sang, and prayed over Lorena for a good 40 minutes. I walked her outside and around the entire compound, just to give her some sunshine and a view of the sky and some new sounds. She nestled into my chest and she fell asleep.  I probably wasn't "supposed" to take her out of bed, but the sweet women who are so overwhelmed would see me walk past and flash a smile of relief.... I know they wish they had the time or hands to do this too!

Today I was dreading going... I am so tired when I am done, covered in all kinds of bodily fluids, its hot and no air or fans in there. But more than that, it is a deep, heavy, battle.  We got a call though that one little one has possible swine flu and no one is coming in or out.  I found myself wondering who and praying that God in His mercy might take one of these precious ones who lives in such isolation and abandonment home into his presence if its a relief from this existence.  That is it. Some of these kids are happy and healthy and they are BEING. BUT, some of them are merely EXISTING and its empty, hollow, lonely, and painful!  I know they were made for more... but a broken world, broken and absent parents for a variety of reasons, and a broken government that can only place 1 caregiver for 16 kids means a horrible existence. 

I am not going to lie, this messes with my theology of the beauty of just being when not able to do anything. It messes with my understanding of God's justice and mercy... It messes with all I know and yet I know and trust in a BIG God who can handle and somehow has space in His heart for the pain of the whole world.... 

Please pray for my team and I, especially as I go to the back rooms. That’s where I am called... I don't want to ask any of the team to join me yet as they are not ready for it, but I need a covering and prayer as I go!

Blessings, friends!

Perspectives from a Bus Ride in Peru

A few nights ago I was on the lovely, overcrowded and often dangerous public bus line with Carlitos, who now serves as the Capernaum club director and as an almost full time volunteer.  I also had a friends' niece with me.  Now, I rarely ride buses these days since I bought a car, but since I was 2 days overdue on my technical revision, the risk of a s/500 fine was enough to put me back on the bus!

As we rode along, Carlos and I were talking about the growth we had seen in Lucho's life (one of our favorite Capernaum kids who has ataxic CP and despite a gait that makes you think he will fall at any moment and difficuly speech, he is funny, witty, intelligent and just like anyone else) and how to help work crew be a successful experience for him next month at our outreach camp.  All of a sudden a young man get on the bus to beg... but this young man was a spitting image of Lucho and his disability was almost identical except that his speech was extremely unintelligible.  He stood at the front of the bus and "sang" for us all.  It was a painful thing to watch and listen to as his eyes seemed to be crying out with desperation, looking for someone to LISTEN to him.  People tend to look the other way, not knowing what to do with the pain and shame, somewhere between denial and pity when anyone gets on to "ask" for money by singing, playing an instrument or outright begging, but the discomfort was taken up several notches. There was tension in the air.

The little girl who was with me, Gloria seemed to tense up. I pulled her closer and began explaining as I often do to kids "He has something called cerebral palsy and when he was in his mommy's tummy he did not get all of the air called oxygen he needed, so he talks and walks a little bit different from you and me, but I sure would like to be his friend, wouldn't you?" Gloria looked up through tears and said something I will not forget.... something that reveals so much of the cultural attitude toward people with disabilities

"He is not a crazy man who kills people? "  She went on, "That's what my mommy says about people like that and I am scared."  

Instead of show my disappointment and sadness even anger, I began telling her about Lucho and others who are my close friends, about my own bowt with meningitis as an infant that could have left me like that. I was healed, they were not.  I asked if she had ever been sick or hurt, if that made her crazy. The conclusion she settled on was that he was really different and only a little scary, but not a killer.

The young man made his way down the bus opening his crippled hand for donations.  Many put a few cents in his hand but couldn't muster eye contact or even an acknowledgment of him. When he came to us, he must have read our hearts in our eyes. He stopped and began talking, pointing wildly and motioning things.  He took off an ID he had pinned to his chest and showed us his name. Herbert is 17. The rest we can only speculate. We told him we have friends who have disabilities like his and his eyes almost popped out of his head with excitement. The bus was packed and people stared as we listened... as Carlos so intently listened and looked deep into this kids' eyes.  We didn't understand, but we listened for at least 10 minutes... that is a LONG time when you do not even know a word spoke. Herbert finally arrived at the stop where I assume he would switch to another bus to see if he could get a few cents from "singing" and as he did he reached down for a handshake.  Instead, I stood to give him the traditional kiss on the cheek.  He reached for Gloria's hand, and though shaking a little she offered him her hand.  As he got off, people looked uncomfortably at us, but curious. Carlos and I were silent, heavy hearted.  How do we reach more Herberts, how do we see more Lucho's find purpose? Maybe doing just what we did... listening and sharing with those on the bus and with 5 year old little girls; dispelling lies about people with disabilities.  As we walked to our friends' apartment Gloria announced  

"I am going to tell my mom she is wrong and people like them don't kill. He just wanted us to be his friends and we are."

One at a time. Convince one person at a time to view our friends with disabilities for the beautiful creation that they are... its all I know to do!  Maybe Gloria will be Peru's next Capernaum director... or a special education teacher... who know what God will do with a changed perspective!!

Christen

Thanks, Goodbyes, Year End Giving and Hugs!

Once again I am heading back to Peru and saying goodbye to family and friends. Its been a FULL, sweet 3 weeks. I spoke 14 times about the minsitry, slept in 10 different beds, drove over 1,500 miles and saw tons of people who I love and treasure, who support, pray for and encourage me.  You could say I had some time with my team... the team who sends me. I wish I could have seen you all, there just were not enough hours in the days for more coffee breaks and walks and talks.... not to mention the fact that I didn't get out of California this trip!  I am a RICH woman, rich in relationships, in heritage and legacy and so so grateful. So, I leave feeling rich and full (and a little tired and worn out).  Thank you to those of you who made time for lunch, a walk, coffee, a meeting or church service where I shared, a phone call, or a hug!

Thank you to those of you who gave to the campership campaign... we have 12 scholarships! I was hoping to get more like 50 to divide between the 4 countries, so if you are still interested, its not too late... and can actually be done all year long as they go to camp throughout the year!

I also wanted to remind you that if you are interested in making a year end gift, it can be done online and still make it in time! I rarely share about my personal fundraising, but its good to share and ask once in a while.... my wise friend has taught me that "God loves a cheerful giver... and a cheerful asker!"  I know this has been a tough year for so many and lay offs, closing companies and high unemployment are affecting us all! I am praying for many of you who are in that place.  I have also lost about $700/month in donations over the last 6 months which makes for some big challenges with the coming year. Our ministry is growing and expanding, the demand for more travel, more training, more resources for more countries is very present, and yet giving is down.  

If you are economically able, would consider 

1.  giving a monthly gift of $25, $50. $100 or $150?

2. A one-time, year end gift ?

3. Increasing your monthly giving to grow with us?

To give using a credit card or a bank account, use Young Life Giving Website or the link below.

Your gifts and partnership help us equip more national leaders in various countries to reach more teens with disabilities! We are praying and dreaming with national leaders for a Capernaum Outreach to begin in Paraguay, Colombia, and Nicaragua in the next 36 months!  

Regardless of your ability to give, please pray with me for God's provision, for even more partners, and for the leaders in each country as they seek to raise teams and funds to make their minsitry sustainable!

I love and appreciate you all! Blessings, thanks, & Happy New Year!

Christen

https://giving.younglife.org/OnlineGivingChoice.aspx?GiftType=area&MissionUnitCode=X396&MissionUnitName=Lat%20Amer%20Capernaum%20-%20Morrow

Christmas Gift!

People with disabilities around the world live forgotten, hidden away. Volunteer Young Life Capernaum leaders in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Costa Rica and Chile are weekly spending time building relationships, learning their caregiving needs, & sharing loving these kids.

Summer camps are the opportunity of a lifetime for teenagers with severe disabilities in a developing country to experience life as a typical teenager alongside of able bodied peers. For most students, the cost is simply out of reach for their families but would be a chance to see a sunset, a beach, play a game, spend the night outside of the 4 walls of their home or barrio for the first time in their lives! The best part of all is that they will hear the story of Jesus love!

For that person you love who you don’t know what yo get... how about giving the gift of a week at camp in their name? Your loved one will become a part of something larger than life, something eternal in making a difference. The gift you wrap or hand to your loved one will be a beautiful card with faces of kids who we hope to send to camp, describing the gift given in their name sent to you or them, you choose!

AND you will receive a tax deductible receipt and a picture and brief follow up after camp about the teen you sent to camp that you can share with the your loved one!

How to Give the Gift:

• Give online with credit card or bank account: https://giving.younglife.org/OnlineGivingChoice.aspx Give to “Young Life Area Ministry,” search under area number for area X396 (the most important part) Select CAMPERSHIP.
• Send a check made out to Young Life to YL Income Processing PO Box 520 Colorado Springs CO 80901 WRITE “X396 CAMPERSHIP” ON MEMO LINE!

Email Christen the name this gift is being given in and either your address or their address for where you want us to send the card...

Its been too long since I have written, there really is so much to catch up on. BUT I wanted to share one of the humbling things I am learning still….

“Poverty is dressed up pretty in the brick and mortar here, maybe not as ugly as the shanty towns out there.”



One of my good friends and a leader for Capernaum in Lima made this comment to me. Poverty does not strike me the same way it used to. When I pull into a neighborhood in the hills on the outskirts of Lima, it does not have the same effect it once did. I am comfortable there. It seems normal to me to have the huge hose pulled from house to house to fill trash cans with water for daily use, to see kids sitting and playing on a sand floor, to be offered a brick to sit on instead of a chair. I am aware that the little electricity they have is shared between neighbors and whoever has a TV has all the neighbors over. The soup kitchens called “comedors” where kids bring their own plate, are served a meal and head home seem as common as the lunch room when I was in school. Perhaps its horrible that I am so comfortable with this, perhaps its good. All I know is that this is the reality of many people whom I deeply love and respect. It is their life and knowing them and meeting them there is an honor…..



Now, I live in the north of Lima, in Callao on the border of San Martín de Porres. I will admit its not the fancy part, often one will go through 5 taxis before they find one willing to come out here past 8pm. BUT, the little neighborhood where I live I love! Its “gated” (you all would laugh if you saw my “gated community”) and a little safer inside that a couple of blocks away. Where I lived for the first year, about 12 blocks from here is not quite as safe, but feels like home to me too. Everyone has real houses with cement and brick… From the outside, most are painted some color. All have electricity at least for a light bulb, some have phones and even internet. But, my friend was explaining something to me that is hard to comprehend… those are masks. The houses are masks. Over the years families have put everything they have into building a home for the next generation and continue building up story by story for the generations to each have a “home.” So a house looks like stability, but its not. All too often many of these people, and many of my friends do not even have 1 sol (about $0.35) to buy bread for their family or take the bus across town to work. I think I forget this.



Our Capernaum team for the most part comes from these homes, this community, and this humility. I would not have it any other way as these people are my close friends, my family here in Peru and incredible servants with talents and gifts that blow my mind. However, poverty is dressed up well in their lives and the mask only comes down once in a while… sometimes leaving me with my foot in my mouth and embarrassed. We joined a large group of our students at a zoo outside of Lima for the day a couple of weeks ago to be extra hands and help for the school and to have some good time getting to know kids and parents. The cost of entrance to the zoo was a special price 5 soles… about $1.78. Think the Monterey Aquarium in prestige. Nice place. Super cheap. So, I asked the team to each cover the entrance and if they each put in 5 soles for gas for the van and we would be covered. I made lunch and brought for my team.

Little did I know that the 5 soles for park entrance was no small thing. I am still learning how families work here. If a young person works and lives at home, his/her salary goes to the family. They can ask for money when they need it to buy food (not like a coke or starbucks, more like a piece of bread) or for their bus fare to and from school. Ministry and volunteering is not seen well by parents who just want to see their kids get ahead.. its seen as a waste of time and resources, as a thing from their teen years to be let go. So, the fact that the team had gotten together 5 soles for a purely “fun” event as seen by parents was no small thing.

But here comes the gringa… asking for their 5 soles to cover part of the gas. I have been encouraged by board members and friends here to be sure to charge people their part. “DO NOT let them get accustomed to you paying for everything” I hear constantly. Don’t let them take advantage of you comes the warning. The van is a whole ordeal as I have been warned to make ministry pay their 1 sol/kilometer. So, I did as I was asked and later my friend explained to me how harsh my request was. His family was all out of money. Nothing to eat that day. 5 soles could feed them at least bread and milk for a day. Another leader was in a very similar situation as she looks for work to maintain her aging grandparents and schizophrenic mother. I am left feeling like an idiot and wondering once again how to balance this, how to make them responsible, teach interdependence and not dependence but also to be merciful and care for my friends, help with the resources entrusted to me.



I am not done learning about this culture… what I lack in knowledge seems greater each day. I am grateful for gracious friends and teachers, but, man, this can be hard!

It leaves me wanting to see…. what is it that is hidden behind the brick and mortar of other homes, behind careers and success in other, behind smiles and laughter in others, what is hidden in me... It leaves me longing for heaven where we will all be what we were made to be and where the pain and need will be gone as we are sustained and satisfied by our Heavenly Father!

So, I am reminded "blessed are the poor in spirit, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them." And I just wonder what the homes of these will look like in heaven for my friends who have struggles through homes like these...

Capernaum... Need I Say More??