Peru, The Summary.

What an amazing trip. Hope you enjoy the pictures and video's. Here is a little note on some of the staff I met.

The first picture is Rogelio, he is the country director in Venezuela. Is doing great Young Life in a place that is growing more difficult to do so. He is full of life and engergy and is the perfect person for this post. The second picture is me next to Alejandro and Diego. Alejandro is our new staff person in Columbia. He and 3 business owners from Bogata came to our training. The 3rd picture is Carolina. She is our staff person in Argentina. The last picture is actually a video of the club we attended. They are singing a slow song and you gotta love the sheet of paper instead of a overhead, song sheets, or powerpoint.

Hope you enjoyed the updates....

The last post for the Peru Trip.....(also the email I sent to you all)

As I reflect on my 6 days in Peru I am once again humbled by the fact that I go as ‘the expert’ but in the end it is I who get my world expanded, it is I who get trained, and it is I who see Jesus move and am changed. The 6 countries represented, Argentina, Venezuela, Chili, Peru, Columbia, and Paraguay all went home from our time together equipped with the tools both in principle and practice to begin the process of being financially self sustaining. Thank you for your emails, texts, Facebook notes, calls, and prayers, they were encouraging and felt. A few highlights from the trip:

1. Meeting the staff and country directors was a huge highlight. The quality of leadership is off the charts.

2. Attending the Capernaum Club (handicapped and disabled club) was a moving and inspirational time. See below as I outline my experience. One boy that I had the chance to hang out with (Mowli) had lived in a cage for 15yrs and was just learning to be human. He attends Young Life club and we had a ball laughing and singing together. Christen Morrow the staff person and her volunteers were amazing and I was so humbled by what they do every day with these kids.

3. We went to a Young Life club in one of the worst parts of Lima. It was pure Young Life with fun skits, songs (no overhead they just rolled out a long piece of paper for the kids to read on, you can see it on the video), and at the end a leader got up and shared about his journey with Jesus.

4. I had a wonderful time with one of my great friends and mentor’s Bill Hautt. It was fun to see the Jedi Master at work. I believe we created a training model that could be translated into any language and any culture. I am excited to take what we did and do it in other countries. Having these countries own even a small part of their funding is a critical step as we grow around the world.

5. On the last day we went out and did some shopping. I rode in a 12 passenger van with 15 people. Carolina from Argentina was the only one who spoke a little English. I was a fish out of water and in the 5hrs we were together we came up with some pretty interesting ways to communicate, tell stories, and relate. I was convicted on how I need to improve my language skills dramatically.

6. Joe Walters (VP of Latin America), and Scott Miedema (training director for Latin America) are doing an amazing job and it was a joy to join with them. Ministry is exploding in Central and South America under their leadership and new contacts and countries are starting.

Thanks for your partnership in this ministry. I could not do it without you. Prayers were answered.

Jamie

The Capernaum Club Entry...finally. For those of you that don’t know what this is, it is a ministry specifically targeted at handicapped and disabled kids both physically and mentally. It is a wonderful ministry and it has been growing in the US for many years. However we only have a few of these clubs internationally and one of them is in Peru. They have 15 leaders who reach the untouchable and the fringes of society. In Lima many disabled kids live in institutions because their families are unable to care for them. So, this is where they do Young Life, there is where they do contact work, and club. And we had the opportunity to join them. When we pulled up to this place (high cement walls, bars on windows, and generally looking like a prison) I was a bit nervous. Anytime I am around a Capernaum leader I am always blown away at how they show love and dignity to people and particularly kids who are disabled. They are the complete opposite of my first reaction which is to put my head down and walk away not wanting to embarrass them, but secretly just not wanting to cause a scene or embarrass myself. I kind of knew what to expect as the large metal barred gate swung open, but my expectations were swept away as we were mobbed by 56 kids. Over 2/3rds were in some form of a wheelchair. When I say wheel chair most were converted bikes with plastic $5 outdoor patio furniture seats strapped to it. There was a lot of yelling and noise, drooling, spitting, and several kids with growths and open wounds. Several kids hugged me and I not so naturally hugged back. Christen, the staff person who leads the ministry and other YL leaders, were already on the ground hugging and kissing a few kids all of which they knew by name. Christen leaned over and said, don’t worry if they spit or get mad, many have the right to be. I fought the urge to start crying and really wanted to just bolt to the car and forget I was seeing this. After about 15mins of hugging and getting introduced to kids it was time for club to start. Music came on and the doors opened to a hall where two Young Life leaders all dressed up and dancing were yelling and encouraging the kids to come in to start club. At that point I was standing in the back and I started to push a wheelchair, and that’s when Christen turned to me and said, ‘you look strong I need you to help Mowli’. Ok…who is that? (see picture of me helping to feed Mowli) She pointed to a boy about 4’5, not heavy set but strong looking, more big boned. She told me to help him walk from behind as he was learning to walk. I helped him up from sitting and he immediately crawled into my arms like a monkey would. He weighed about 100lbs, and smelled. I helped him out of arms after a long hug and started helping him walk. Christen then leaned over and told me the brief story of Mowli. Apparently his parents did not know what to do with his mental illness and could not control him so they put him in a cage. He stayed there for between 10 and 15yrs, they were not sure as there were no records. When found he was living in the same cage as dogs, fighting for food, and acting like an animal. As I held Mowli and helped him walk into club I started to well up. I was rescued as club started. First came the dancing part, then coloring, then sticker time. A little skit was done which went over well. They sang songs and talked about Jesus. At this point I was on the floor surrounded by wheelchairs, sitting next to Mowli and a few other boys. One little girl in a wheelchair kept kissing my hand over and over and wanted me to cover her face in smiley face stickers. I fought every urge to reach in my pocket for my hand sanitizer, and then I saw the other leaders loving on these kids without inhibition and that is when it hit me. This was the face of Jesus. So I embraced it. I hugged and kissed, and played on the floor. I thought it was time to go after club but the staff of 10 (yes, that is all that is there for 56 kids) asked us to stay and help with lunch. You can see me in the picture with a girl named Milagros (means Miracle). Again this was a pretty moving experience as I sat at a table helping to feed about 5 kids at once. One little girl kept wanting me to eat some of her lunch, again I fought everything in me to just walk away, but did not and hugged her as she hugged back…but this time I felt as though Jesus was hugging me. And that was it. This time was not about me or us going there to help these kids. Apparently the Lord had much more in store for me than what I did for them which was not much. It was one of the best Young Life clubs I have ever seen. It was one of those Jesus was there moments, Jesus met me and I am thankful. What an incredible ministry, I was so humbled by the fact that these leaders do this day in and day out. I can raise money for that all day long!! I pray in some way Mowli and Milagros and the other 54 kids felt hugged by Jesus, in fact as I write this that is exactly what happened. Praise God.

Soccer Games, some Fundraising Training...and Keep your Heads down Gringo's!!

At the end of our training today (which had to end promptly at 5pm) I sat down to watch a soccer match with some of my new Columbian and Chilian friends. It was a World Cup qualifying match (Columbia vs. Chili). What normally I would pass right by flipping channels had now become very interesting to me. Even though I couldn’t understand the language it was fun watching the people in the room go crazy for every kick, header, corner kick, and foul. And I did get to stand up and yell GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL really loud which I have always wanted to do. I tried to get them to switch over to watch the Duck vs. UCLA football game but they just laughed at the fact that there is a team called the Ducks. GO Ducks by the way!!!

The training went very well today and I am very impressed with how each of the staff and committee are grasping the principles of relational fundraising. At this point each country has its own vision/case statement, a draft Donor List, and a good year long strategy. Tomorrow we are going to be role playing asking for support.

The pictures of the Capernaum Young Life club we went to yesterday are on another camera so that post will have to wait. Instead I will share with you the club we went too tonight on the North side of Lima (this is the not good part of town). Just before we left I became a little nervous when Christen, one of the staff here, shared with us about this part of town. Apparently we were to pull up to club (us gringo’s) and they would open the door and we were to jump out and go straight into the house where club is. No touristy camera shots, no mulling around in the street. (I snuck a picture in when we were jumping back in our van and posted here on the blog, think slum and you got it right). The club was classic Young Life. Vibrant leaders, rough kids sitting on the back wall, fun games, loud music, and a leader who knew all these kids got up and shared the his life, heart, and the gospel. It was not in a church, but rather in what seemed the living room of a house on a normal (I say that in context of the rest of the neighborhood not what I am used too) street. I took a little video that I posted here on them doing fast songs it turned out a little dark but you can kind of get the flavor. I met some street kids after, Jesus, Eddie, and a few others. After saying my name and talking, they started laughing and we had a connection. Contact work, works everywhere. Enter their world and ask their name, laugh, and ask some questions. I was sorry to leave.

Tomorrow we finish our training and at Midnight I have a plane to catch. I will post a few more times as a wrap up but also fill you in on some amazing kids I met yesterday at the Capernaum Club, and fill you in on the impact our training will have all over South America.

Blessings,

Jamie

Day 2 - Peru. Amazing New Friends!

This is my friend Fabian. He is the country Director in Paraguay. He is a man full of life, laughter, and depth. In 2002 he had a nice job at a bank and was even supervising many people at the young age of 25. He was volunteering with his church and had a passion for seeing the youth hear about the Lord. Through a series of events he and his wife decided to move to San Francisco to learn about youth ministry and start a youth group at a church. It quickly grew from 1 to 70. Overwhelmed Fabian contacted Young Life. Tony Gonzalez became his mentor. 2 years later they moved back to Paraguay to start Young Life for the first time in his country. He is doing an amazing job and hundreds of kids are being impacted by his ministry. He is also doing a great job of raising money from in country donors. Just last quarter is raised $1500 (which is HUGE here).

Other fun things about my trip:

- I was told when we got here to not flush the toilet paper. This didn't really dawn on me as funny until I had to go #2. Yup, fun thought heh.

- Beans and Carrots for breakfast this morning. Yummy.

- The instant coffee here is REALLY good. I have been a decaf guy for 4yrs now, I think I am quickly getting back on caffeine.

- Visited a Capernaum Club today that is still a little to raw to post tonight. Tears, pit in my stomach, just needs a night to settle in before I write about it.

Blessings,

Jamie

Am I in Prison? Nope just doing some fundraising training in a shady part of Lima, Peru!

This is my room! Homey right? I woke up this morning and felt like Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic shaking the bars on my windows yelling "Let me out, I am not a third class passenger". I arrived last night at about 1a.m. and quickly rememberd that I am from the United States. Here is what triggerd that realization:
1. No seat belts in our van.
2. As we pulled up to the compound we are staying my first thoughts was 'are we staying in a jail'?
3. I asked if I could run in the morning. The response....not unless you want to run for your life...so nope no run this morning.
4. I then saw my room, which by the way is the best one here. Top floor, by meself with my own bathroom. Which brings me to my next American/Only Child moment.
5. Hey, how come they don't have little hotel soaps and shampoo's for me here?
6. Had a good sleep minus the occasional siren, horn, (ok alot of horns) and woke up to something that sounded like a cross between a injured dog and a chicken. Seriously I was half laughing, half bewildered.
7. More to come on this subject..and my interesting meals so far...

Came down to breakfast and met the Young Life staff from Parugay (Fabien), what a wonderful man...more on him later, new staff guy and committee from Columbia, Argentina, some committee from Chili, and the country director in Venezula. Again, I can't tell you the quality of these friends. Humble, funny, generous, and born leaders. You would want anyone of them to be Area Directors or business leaders in the States.

I was introduced to my interpreter, Rosana (see picture of me and her below:). Soon the staff and committee arrived from Lima. (25 total of them). We were ready to jump into our training. See the picture of me delivering the goods.

We ended early tonight and the Columbian brothers wanted to get 'ice cream'. I thought this meant a little trip down the road. Left at 7:45, and we just got home...11:30. Being a 'on my own schedule' kind of guy it will take me along time to get used to the 'slow relational speed' down here. Ice cream a :45min drive...no biggy, walk, stop, talk, look, take pictures, talk, sit, laugh, spontaneous dancing, talking....ice cream. Get lost, stand around for :20mins, one group goes on scouting trip for other, back in car home in 4hrs flat. Latin American trip to Ice Cream shop.

Seriously. This is an incredible place, with even more incredible people. The training is going very well as each country walked out of today with a fundraising case statement almost ready to present to donors.

We will get to see more of Lima tomorrow and also attend a Capernum Young Life Club.

Thanks for your Continued Prayers....please see yesterdays posts for prayer requests.

Jamie

Peru....The Journey Continues

Friends,

After my alarm went off this morning at 2:30am I quickly realized this would be a long day. I will arrive this evening in Lima, Peru at about 11pm. (currently in Atlanta). This will be a 6 day trip with the primary focus on how our South American Young Life staff and committees fundraise and how they can become self sustaining. A great friend and mentor of mine, Bill Hautt, will be joining me as we team teach a 3 ½ day session on fundraising with 6 different countries represented and a total of 40 people.

As Young Life grows and expands around the world much of the funding comes from Americans. As these ministries become established and grow as do their budgets. This puts a huge burden on the Regional Directors to raise these funds, and ultimately there is a ceiling to how much these ministries can grow because of resources. Thus, it is a HUGE priority to have these ministries be self sustaining not only because the US funding has its limits but also for the benefit of local Peruvians, Columbians, Africans, Vietnamese, etc. In some places this may never be possible, but even on a small level the dignity that comes with not relying entirely on US support is monumental. The blessing of indigenous donors giving and seeing these Young Life ministries reaching unchurched kids should not be taken from them because we fail to train and equip our staff and committees. And thus my trip!

I will also get to see some of the amazing ministry happening with Peruvian Young Life. Among other ministries they have a Capernaum ministry reaching out to handicapped and disabled kids. We will attend a Capernaum club on Friday night.

I sent out a questionnaire before hand, and here are two responses:

Paraguay

I would like to have a person who can help me share the vision of YL in Paraguay. I don’t want someone to raise the funds for me.

On collecting donations: In every case we always have to visit them. The postal system of Paraguay is very deficient, so sending checks by mail isn’t an option

Venezuela

In our country, the government doesn’t exonerate the funds donated to a beneficial institution, just a part. But in any case, despite making donations you will have to pay taxes to the state, which is different than how donations are done in the United States. Our biggest obstacle is that the average Venezuelan thinks that donations are the role of the State and their beneficial institutions. Teach me strategies and tolos to presen tour plan and how we’ll do follow up. We’ve received well written information but hearing from those with personal experience would be a bigger help.

As you can see there are some significant cultural, economic, and political issues at hand. This is no small task or goal, and is no slam dunk that it is even possible. Much prayer and work is needed, and what we do at this conference will have far reaching impact around the world as we try and create a template for other countries.

How you can Pray:

· Safety. Lots of planes, trains, buses, scooters.

· Prayer for my family. Seems every time I take a trip of spiritual significance someone at home gets sick or hurt. (with 4 kids it is kind of a roll of the dice everyday anyway). Pray Jenny feels energy and apart of what I am doing. I am missing soccer Saturday (see picture at top) this weekend, so I am pretty bummed about that:(

· Connection to staff and committee – that we would connect and the Lord would uncover some new paradigms, and practical ways to raise support locally.

· Staff and committee would leave equipped with real tools and be energized to start the road to self sustaining ministry.

· Pray for the language barrier and translations. When I train English speaking people on fundraising it seems to some I am speaking a different language…so adding an actual language barrier will be interesting.

· Pray that out of this time we could create something that could be duplicated around the world.

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Thank you for your friendship, support, and prayers,,

JH