Gifts that pass through many hands

I often get to be the deliverer of wonderful gifts; clothing, groceries, equipment, diapers, formula, and many other essential and often economically out-of-reach gifts for precious people in Peru.  I often get to see the teary eyes and feel the hugs, see the smiles that are just glimpses of hope giving way in the midst of so much desperation. It is an honor that I cannot put into words.  I try to explain that these gifts come from God and His people, not from me.... from donors, friends, churches, even strangers who hear of a need and are stirred to meet it.  So, this is a thank you, a public declaration to the goodness of God and the generosity of His people from all over.

Some of you know of Samuel, a precious boy who came to live with Doris in her home for children only a few days after his birth.  Doris loves to look into the birth family situation and seek to minister hope and healing with the gospel even to those who've abandoned their kids.  Well, Samuel's mother was not hard to find. Miriam has Cerebral Palsy and has spent her life sitting or laying or crawling about in the dusty and desolate hills of Huaycan, a shanty town outside of Lima.  About 4 years ago, her mother who works long and hard hours to provide for her 7 children was surprised when Miriam's younger sister called her attention to her swelling belly.  Miriam was 17. Miriam was pregnant.  Although its never been confirmed who raped Miriam, we have our suspicions and the realities are terrifying.  Miriam was placed into a government run orphanage that is far from ideal.  Its a home where hundreds of girls live, and the "house" for girls with disabilities feels like a wrecking yard for human souls.  Some of these girls were abandoned 30 years ago and family has never come to get them, so they lay curled up in a ball on the cement.... waiting to die.  Others, still have a twinkle of life and hope in their eyes. Miriam did from the day I met her.  Samuel has the same twinkle, in fact, we all marvel at the beauty, health, and life that has come from pain, abuse, and injustice in Samuel's life!

Samuel laughs a lot.... 

We have worked with Miriam's mother, Samuel's grandmother quite a bit and have been able to minister to her and her 2 youngest sons living at home.  Angel, the next youngest under Miriam also has Cerebral Palsy. He is a precious kid with so much desire to learn, to grow, to develop.  Angel has never been to school or had therapy, but when we got him a walker last year, he was DETERMINED!  Angel is walking now with that walker anywhere he can find steady ground to practice on.  Bryan, the younger brother is Angel's best friend and caregiver. He deeply loves his brother and wants to protect him. Their relationship is beautiful.  We are concerned for the safety of the kids, concerned to help her find a job with some dignity and enough wages to not leave her 2 disabled kids home for hours on end....  She has made some progress though we continue to wait to see if a promised social welfare project will purchase a cart from which she can sell food from her front door will be given.

On the way up.... this is the lower part where there is actually electricty and water... none where they live!

After years in this home, Miriam's mother, Samuel's grandmother decided to take her home. Last month I spent 10 hours at the Child Welfare office experiencing what it must feel like to be overlooked, disregarded, lied to and taken advantage of. We were told to be present to receive her at 10am.  Throughout the day we were told at least 30 times that she was "on her way, in the car" and the home is only 20 minutes away.  At 8pm, Miriam finally entered the building... walking!! While we had visited her with the mother a few times, neither of us had seen her walk. She had a walker, had gotten some therapy, and looked so dignified.  Miriam entered with a smile, a small bag in her hand, and nasty and rude social worker behind.

As we loaded Miriam and her small bag of belongings into the taxi, I began to explain to her that she would meet Samuel, that Samuel has a wonderful mother who loves him, that he is safe and protected, has food to eat and speaks to languages.... but the she was the one who had given him the gift of life and that we are all so thankful for that. She help up the little grocery bag of cookies that were her parting gift from her friends at the orphanage and ever so quietly whispered "para mi hijo..." (for my son).  I cried.  The meeting was awkward, it was scary for Samuel as the other kids began to tell him "Samuel, its your mom..." Samuel ran crying to Doris and Miriam turned her head away in shame. My heart was heavy.

A few days later we received a call that the clothes sent as her "belongings" were old, torn, baggy men's size XL clothes and they literally had nothing of hers. All she owned had been sent with her and evidently lost in the orphanage. They did not have a bed for her.  She was sitting in the ground and crawling because they did not send her home with a wheelchair.  We got to work! Facebook statuses bring about amazing results. I posted the need for clothing and friends began to call. A small missions team from Canada pulled together 2 bags of adorable, feminine, quality clothes. Another friend brought over her most stylish and quality clothing.  I was amazed. God does not just provide, he does so abundantly!

I emailed a friend in the USA who also has Cerebral Palsy, a friend who I used to do therapy for.  Terra confirmed that she had a wheelchair sitting in the garage and I knew it would be in excellent shape because Terra takes such good care of her things.  Terra had a chair in Fresno,CA. A team would be coming in 2 days from San Luis Obispo, CA, we just needed to get it there.  Several emails with possibilities went back in forth, including a company willing to transport it in their truck and in the end my dear "sister" and her mother Sarah and Marilyn jumped in the car and drove 4 hours there and back to deliver it. That night, the chair was loaded on an airplane with a team of young people from San Luis who was willing to pay the extra baggage fee. Sunday afternoon, I had the chair at my house and Monday morning we loaded the chair, clothes, and a bed purchased by friends in Switzerland into Doris's van and made the long trek up into the hills.

Long story short, the gifts were extravagant expressions of the extravagant love of our God. The clothes were the right size, perfectly! The pink roxy jacket was like a dream come true.  The purses so fun. The wheelchair could not have fit better of a Quickie technician himself had custom built it.... I didn't need to make a single adjustment. The bright shining purple chair was like a new bike on Christmas for Miriam.

Sister Luz, Angel, Christen, Miriam, Doris and Samuel, Bryan in their home

Samuel and Miriam got to know each other a little bit more without pressure and without labels of "mom."  There is much to be done and we're praying and dreaming of how we can help this family, but I am amazed at home many hands these gifts passed through with so much love to be delivered to those who often feel forgotten!

I think of this verse...
"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!"
 Isaiah 49:15


Thank you to the many who had a hand in this special delivery and in so much more. We continue to share the only true hope we know with these friends, the hope of Jesus and His Word to make lasting changes in a life!