Compassion Canada in Peru Day 2
Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’.”
To start the day we were welcomed at the CELIM Student Centre in Santa Elizabeth in the warm and gracious Peruvian style with traditional dance performances from children and their leaders. Then we were invited into the classroom for preschoolers, where we witnessed the care and support given to mothers and their children through the Child Survival Program. We heard stories from the mothers of the love and help they received throughout their crisis pregnancies and into the early years of their children’s’ lives. We saw the fruit of this program in its final stage as mothers displayed their new learned skills of hand made crafts which they were now selling to support their family. It was the most rewarding shopping experience for many of us on the team!
Then we visited the homes of four families in the Child Sponsorship program. Upward we climbed to the various levels of the affordable land these families built their homes and their lives upon, and with extravagant hospitality they welcomed us into their world. We shared our testimonies of faith and we heard some of theirs, including a heart wrenching appeal from the mother of three young boys praying for her husband, Thomas, who is not saved. Thomas was presented with the goodness of Jesus as we shared a meal at their kitchen table.
We also learned about the progress of their children, Jonathan, Havier, and Walter, who had sponsors from Canada. In the providence of our Mighty God, we were abundantly blessed to see first-hand the incredible impact of letters and gifts of a sponsor from our very own Harvest family. We are even bringing back to Canada, a personalized “thank you” message.
In these few hours of our visit with the people of the CELIM Student Center at Santa Elizabeth, our prayers are being answered.
Psalm 118:23-25 “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us we pray, O Lord O Lord, we pray, give us success!”
