Sunday 11-13-2011

Today was a day that was beyond anything I could ever think about. We began our day with breakfast @8:30 am at the outdoor kitchen at the church where we have held the Outreach. Jeryl led an inspirational devotional and we joined with our co-workers from Corazones Unides for our time of singing and devotions. Following devotions we packed gift bags for the pm home visits and hopped into the Moto-taxis to go visit the Rehabilitation Center started by the local church and disability ministry. The founders have prayed for 12 years to have a wheelchair distribution in Chulucanas. The Rehab Center was well equipped for the many little children who spend time with them. After the tour we split into several groups and each group of 4 plus a translator went to assigned homes to visit families that had a person affected by a disability. Some were close by in the city and others were out of town. Deysi, CJ, Dale & I headed out of town in two moto-taxi’s with our translator Nillo Boy(last name). Nillo is a wonderful Christian young man from Puro and volunteered today for the first time as a translator and hopes to do more in the future. He is currently in Veterinary school. We drove for ½ hour in the moto-taxi before we turned off the main road and onto a sand road. Passing a few homes made of adobe and sugar cane, we continued. When we arrived at the home we were greeted by 6 children, the parents and a few neighbors and friends. The gospel was shared and the parents and the children accepted the Lord and were so happy that we would take the time to visit. The15 year old daughter can’t walk and is very small. As I held her, I could feel her bones and know that many children suffer from malnutrition. After ½ hour we traveled some more sand roads until we were nearly at the 2^nd family home. As we approached, we needed to hop out of our Moto-taxi’s and help to push them over the sand and on to the destination. This family had an adorable 6 year old daughter who was sitting on a blanket, protected on 3 sides by towels and walls decorated with magazine photos and pictures that she had drawn. She loves to draw. Chickens ran about and flies swarmed by a water jug. As we visited, shared the gospel and gifts….2 women and another teen girl joined us. Praying together was exciting as they repeat after the person praying in their language. As we prepared to leave the oldest woman(80) begged us to come and pray for her grandson, just up the road. We were already very late to return for the afternoon activities…but how can you say no to prayer requests. The grandson has been ill for a month. He did not return from the field one day and when they found him he was ill and never recovered. We hiked over the sand past a few family houses, wondering how far this close house would be until we arrived at the home. The young man sat on a chair, totally expressionless. We had prayer with the family. Each of the family participated loudly and tearfully as we prayed for the young man. The full grown turkey added his voice to the din. The family is expecting a miracle and was thankful that we took the time. Thanks to Jill for warning us that locals revere visiting missionaries as Pastors and priests. Since we had hiked a short way and the taxi’s were back at the first house, we managed to get them to pick us up at the road, rather that navigating more sand road with the taxis and we were closer to the road than they were. Shortly after getting on the highway, the first taxi stopped and the riders hopped out….the chain was off. The operator turned the taxi on it’s side and put the chain back on and we all hopped in the taxis and headed back to town. We were over 1 hour late for dinner, we ate quickly and hiked with the group to Deysi’s family home. Chulucanas is famous for it’s pottery and she had some at her home for us to admire and purchase-since the pottery is too far away from town to visit. Chulucanas is not a shopping town. We were refreshed with jello provided by Deysi’s family. Deysi was so thrilled that we came to visit and her family and neighborhood were all amazed as 20 gringos visited her home. Deysi is a local gal that found romance after a former Wheels Team-mate returned to court and marry her and whisk her away to New Mexico. We were blessed to have them with the team. D’s sister was fitted with a beautiful well fitting chair the first day at at this town and many of her friends greeted us at church tonite. Stephanie, a girl that our team fitted with a chair early in the week was at the service with her mom and sister. It was neat to see her so happy in her new chair.

We enjoyed two Sunday services while in Peru. Talk about worship. Wow. The offering song at both churches was a very vibrant joyful, lively song….a real time of celebration. Tomorrow is our last day of work. We are excited to again be meeting and sharing with our Peruvian friends. Look for photos on FB.

Diary of a Mission Week in Trujillo, Peru 11/11/11

Riding the bus today to Chulucanas, With my laptop well charged, I finally have time to update my journal and post a blog. Group activities begin daily at 7 and end after a late dinner….generally heading for rest after 10 pm.

A typical day begins with a daily team meeting at 7AM. Our singing voices needed to be awakened, devotions, prayer and sharing were a daily joy before we met to pray with our prayer partner and then breakfast at 8 or so….and then……the taxi ride. Each ride was an intense thrill ride each morning and evening as we traveled. The name of the game is “chicken” and left hand turns were often nailbiters. The taxis are always very small and will lit with blue flashing lights on the license plates.

Saturday, November 5

5:15 AM We arrived at the Lima airport where we met our fellow team-members. We were able to recognize one another by our WFTW t-shirts and rejoiced as we met our fellow workers for our time with WFTW. Arriving in Trujillo, many of us were missing luggage. We lined up at the TACA airlines desk and filled out paperwork, knowing that the luggage was prayed for before we left and trusting God to bring it to us in his time. Fortunately it arrived around 9 PM to shouts of joy. For us, this was the 2^nd luggage delay, having been without 1 piece while in Cuzco.

After a bus ride to the guesthouse, we hired taxis and took our first of many Trujillo taxi thrill rides. Arriving at CU, we were blessed to see a balcony full of wheelchairs, crutches and walkers. We were greeted warmly by the Peruvian folks who handle a wonderful disability ministry year round. Dinner out at a “safe for North American’s” restaurant and home to find our suitcases and beds.

Sunday, November 8

A beautiful service of communion and blessing and “hand-washing” followed our first breakfast together. Richard led our group in meditation on Sunday morning before we left for some shopping. We could not begin our work until after Sunday evening service. The market was a neat cultural experience. Peru is very famous for shoe production and they were at the market. Coffee sales were high as the “gringo’s” needed lots to take home with them. Surrounded by hanging ducks and beef we enjoyed a different type of shopping. We also took a trip to the beach and saw the world famous Trujillo surf and waves. Returning from our outing we had time to rest and prepare for the Sunday evening service at CU. We were blessed by beautiful Spanish music led by a wonderful worship team, and a convicting sermon by Pastor Marco, whose wife is the leader of the disability ministry. We were blessed to understand thanks to the help of several translators on the team.

 
Monday, November 7

Our 1^st day on the job. To be updated. :)

Tuesday,November 8

Juan, shot 13 times. Couldn’t afford surgery. Sells souveniers in his town. Wife left after he was paralyzed. His son was born 3 days after the accident. He sees his son 1x per month/.

Wednesday, November 9

The salvation story was shared with each client as we waited for the wheelchair and each client visited with the Peruvian evangelism team before going home.

Pastor Marco shared from Gods’ word and challenged us to see the lost of the world as an emergency, not only urgent.

Team 3 saw 6 guests today. Our first was Jhan, 16, who suffered with a mental and physical disability. He came with his father and needed a wheelchair. He never had one. Jhan spent much of his days in bed and his father lifted him and carried him. When Jhan was fitted and could sit comfortably he happily clapped his hands and smiled broadly. Jhan’s father depends on Jesus daily for his strength.

Eva, a 13 year old girl was born with a mental and physical handicap and her loving parents brought her for her first chair.

Gabriella, 96 visited us with her niece who also cares for her own mother and another elderly aunt. She had a very obvious skin cancer on her face and a large part of her nose was affected. She was unable to afford surgery and the cancer continues to grow. She was very tired out from a long day of travel and was accustomed to spending much of her day in bed. The guys were able to find the perfect chair. After a few leather cushions were made, and covered with beautiful pillow cases, we were able to remake a matching case to cover the 45” foam to fit aound the front of her for resting her arms and chairs. Though her time on earth may be short, she will rest comfortably in her beautiful chair with matching cushions handmade by a special lady from the USA.

I was saddened as one guest after another was confined to a chair due to lack of money for surgery, lack of Physical Therapy and lack of opportunity. Many who were seen will have a new life with a chair or encouragement to walk and exercise. I now realize what a gift it is to have health insurance,,,,even when our deductible is very high. Excellent care is available to us. It is not the same in Peru.

Marina, 49 came with her beautiful 26 year old daughter. Marina had a stroke 2 years ago and has been confined to a chair or bed since then due to partial paralysis of her arm and leg on the right side. Craig took one look and decided to try a quad cane after a quick, perfect fit of a wheelchair. Craig gave her the cane and encouraged her to walk with the wheelchair following. Each step came with a squeal of fear. She never expected to walk again. No one ever told her that she could and she did not have a cane. After a short rest, she was ready to try again and this time she stepped forward with confidence and tears of joy ran down her face(and mine). Her daughter was also holding back tears. Craig is confident that within 2 weeks she will be walking with ease in her home. Without vision….people have no hope. Marina was so thankful to Jesus and joyfully received a new Bible and Joni books in addition to a gift bag before moving onto the next station.

Angel, 13, confidently wheeled himself in to our station. A cute little guy, Angel loves to play soccer. He was accompanied by his Mother, but very independent. We chatted and fell in love with him immediately. He was not to be controlled by the paralysis of his legs that he had from birth. As we prayed and were introduced, Jill joined us with shouts of joy. Angel has been to WFTW 4 years and is well known and loved. Angel just happens to be the little guy pictured on our prayer card. What a joy to meet him and to pose with Jeryl’s for an updated photo with Angel. He was fitted with a really neat sport chair and loved the gift bag and the teen Spanish book that he was given. He is a smart energetic boy who loves the Lord and will go far in life. Angel’s visit was a wonderful ending to a great day.

 
Thursday, November 10

Today was our last day to serve at our location in Trujillo with the ministry Corazones Unides-a local Christian church and disability ministry. Today was supposed to be a short day, with time for packing up wheelchairs to leave for Chulucanas in the morning.

We left the guesthouse around 8 am and arrived at the location. After warm greetings from our Peruvian friends,. Pastor Marco shared encouragement from God’s word teaching us about faith and love….using the example of a pulse oximeter ( a gift which was shared with Corazones Unidos) which shows the amount of oxygen in our blood, our physical health and faith and show the spiritual health.

Frank Delivered Doll from DeWitt's to Sandra

Craig: PT, Dale: mechanic, Carol: support and Cecilly: translator met and prayed with our first client of the day. Sandra was a 10 year old girl who was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Her grandmother cares for her and brought her to WFTW. She is a beautiful, patient, girl who loves school. Her eyes lit up with joy as we showered her with love and a wheelchair. The team made many adjustments to a chair to make Sandra comfortable. It was very important that the wheels were easily accessible so she could play volleyball. When I gave Sandra a black and white/black pr of workout gloves(shared by a IV YMCA friend), she was visibly thrilled and continued to caress her hands with a loving smile. She loved Jesus and she and her grandmother showed the fruit of the spirit as we visited and shared the gospel for 5 hours. Dale & Craig and others raised her seat, made a foot platform and pads, lowered the wheels and gave her the support she needed for her twisted trunk and legs. When the chair was fitting perfectly she was able to wheel herself around very quickly and her shy smile brought many tears. Her grandmother could not finish thanking and hugging us. Sandra is a very smart girl and loved reading the Bible and bible stories that we gave. She loved reading The MAGIC SCHOOLBUS in Spanish. As she rested patiently, it was decided that Sandra would be the recipient of the Spanish musical doll that Frank brought from home from a supporter who could not attend. All of our guests became celebrities as many photos were taken before departure. We closed with prayer and a group photo(which we gave to the guest) and prepared to greet our next guest.

Our tummies were calling for lunch at 1:45 when our 2^nd guest, Jose, a 35 year old man joined us. Jose and many of our Thursday guests began travel at 4 AM to travel from the highlands of Cochobamba for their appointments and were wearing the typical highlander brightly colored clothes and hats. J was a big guy with tiny legs that he crossed on his seat of his chair. At first glance he appeared to be an amputee, but polio had done it’s damage when he was only 2 years old. His brother accompanied him, however he lived with his sister and family. Many of our guests could not work and spent most of their time in their homes. The team found a wheelchair for J and added cushions to the footrests so he no longer needed to have his short legs dangling or seated under his body on the chair. The gospel was shared and he was happily on his way to the evangelism station before heading home. At 3 pm we enjoyed a lunch of rice, pepper and fries prepared by the ministry ladies. Since this was the last day, it was time for more musical wheelchairs, inventory and clean-up. The wheelchairs for Chulucanas were loaded on a truck along with walkers, crutches, spare parts and more. Wheelchair bags, cushion covers, Velcro, etc was inventoried and recorded so that the next team will know what is in storage in Peru.

It was time to say good bye to our dear friends at Corazones Unides. After a beautiful time of singing together in Spanish and English, testimonies and gifts were shared. Hugs and tears, photos and “till we meet again” words were shared and we left for our last sleep in Trujillo. It is a joy to know that we will meet again in heaven some day with those who share our love of our precious Lord Jesus.

Friday 11-11-11

5 Am- The team loaded luggage and boarded a bus to travel to Chulucanas, a days drive. Ladies from the local ministry Corazones Unidos accompanied us and will serve as short term missionaries with us. We just received word that the truck load of wheelchairs has arrived. Praise the Lord. One of our team members is Daises, whose home and family live in Chulucanas and she made all of the arrangements and she is sooooo excited this morning to travel and share Jesus in her home area.

We arrived at the Iglesia (church) in Chulucanas around 2:30 and were greeted warmly by the church family. After sorting the luggage and storing the WFTW supplies at the church we boarded moto-taxis and headed for the hotel about 4 blocks away. Each moto-taxi held 2 people and a few pieces of luggage(see photos). Moto-taxi’s are a 3 wheeled motorcycle with seating for 2 behind the driver. Adding our luggage worked the cycle very hard. It was suggested that we leave all techi things at the pastors house….Sort of unsettling, however we have a 4 star(Peruvian standard) hotel. Dale and I are blessed to be on the street side with moto-taxis running lots(earplugs and pm Tylenol gave me an excellent 9 hours of sleep after crashing before dinner(8PM). We had front row view from our balcony of a local little miss parade with bands, floats and we are thankful to have good air circulation. The only downside is that the patio door does not close totally, so we strapped the door closed with a luggage strap while we slept and while away today at the church. The security guard is just below(2^nd floor) and we are assured all is well cared for. J

Saturday 11-12-11

We hiked from the hotel to the church at 6:45 where the team met for our daily devotional time. The focus on the joy of the Lord as our strength was an encouragement to us to remember why we are here and who we serve. At least one person that is coming for a wheelchair has been on a bus for 12 hours. Can you imagine traveling from Pa to Indiana to get a wheelchair? Our team saw 8 clients today. Our team’s last client was a 62 year old man who was injured when he fell off of a wagon and was run over. He was brought to the church by his son. He fractured his vertebra, was paralyzed and never had surgery. He loved the Lord and was thrilled with his new wheelchair, with a comfortable pad. All of our meals were served by the church cook on the patio outside of the church. Delicious food and warm fellowship. We just finished dinner now at 8:30 after a full day of work. Time to head for the hotel and home visits tomorrow.

Headed to Chulucanas

We have lots of stories to share, but time does not permit.  We are presently loading the bus to leave at 5 AM on an 8 hour bus ride to our next distribution city, Chulucanas.  Many are tired and fighting colds.  Please pray for our health and safety as we gladly serve the Lord.  The hard work and long hours have been a joy and privilege.

Day 3 Trujillo

Today was the best day yet. Our team saw 6 patients. Jhan is a 16 year old young man who smiled broadly and clapped his hands with joy after being seated in a comfortable chair. His dedicated father depends on the Lord daily to help him care for Jhan.

Eva came with her wonderful parents. Eva was very tired and had waited many hours after a long ride to arrive at the Corazones Unides. Her parents love for her was very real. Eva had several brothers and sisters. Eva happily received her chair, a warm hand knitted scarf and small gifts, but her parents were thrilled when she received a beautiful Bible from WFTW and verses of encouragement. This family also loved the Lord and depend on his help daily.

Marina 49, arrived with her daugher,26 who she lives with. Marina had a stroke 2 years ago and had no PT or help to learn to move out of a chair. They were resigned to life in a bed or chair. Craig fitted her with a beautiful wheelchair-her first, and a quad cane. Marina did not think she could use a cane, but with Craig, the PT's encouragement, she took several steps with squeals of fear. She rested a moment and was ready to try again. This time she was smiling with tears of joy as she and her daughter realized she has a future that includes walking. Craig is confident that in 2 weeks she will be walking around the house. Many tears fall as we meet our beautiful patients each day and see the life changes that are happening with a little care. Most of our patients have not had any followup care available to them after a hospital experience, so muscles are no longer working and need some hard work to be useable. Many folks needed surgery but did not have the money so they are stuck at home, unable to work. Our health care costs now look like a gift, compared to the lack of opportunity for many.The gospel is shared by the team and the guests then move on to see the Dr and the Evangelism team.

Sandra arrived with her father, a tall white-haired Peruvian man. She appeared to be a teenager, however upon introduction she answered the intake questions and we learned that she is a 36 year old mother with aplexia, a muscular disease inherited from her Mother who passed away 10 years ago. Sandra loves the Lord and loves her husband and daughter. Her father also helps her to have opportunities.

Our final guest for the day was Angel, a 13 year old by who was born with no use of his legs. Well, he is not one to sit around. He had worn thru many chairs and has visited WFTW in the past. He loves to play soccer and he is the goalie....the only wheelchair team member. His eyes lit up as he found a teen book in his gift bag along with the Bible story of Joshua and I encouraged him to be strong and courageous as Joshua of the Bible. Jill, our team leader arrived to greet Angel, as he has been a special guy to the team in the past and is well known and loved. It was at that time that I realized Angel is the little guy pictured on our prayer card, a photo obtained from the WFTW site. How exciting. Angel loves Jesus and recommited his life to Christ with the counselors.

I have enjoyed learning to know the teens, the translators and the Peruvian volunteers that we are serving with. It is a true joy. This ministry is very well prepared for our arrival with lots of wheelchairs, food for us, and materials and many helpers. A Carpenter and seamstresses are ready for any request and fashion whatever is needed. We prepared photo cards of the team for the volunteers tonite, writing a note and a verse on each card for the 75 volunteers from Corazones Unides.(check spelling:)

We left the center after 8 Pm last eve, after playing musical wheelchairs, as we moved chairs to be loaded in a truck to travel to our next Outreach site...Chulucanas. Please pray for us as we travel on Friday and that the wheelchairs arrive on time and that we are safe as we visit uncharted territory.

We celebrated Joyce's birthday today and she stated that she had the best birthday ever. We need more team member birthdays to celebrate. The Peruvian birthday cake and ice cream was a special treat. The food has been wonderful and the Peruvian cooks are sure to feed us plenty of safe and healthy food and we praise God for fruit and wonderful fresh juices along with ample chicken and rice served in many creative and delicious meals.

God bless you. We thank you for your support and prayers and please continue to remember us.

Trujillo Update

Dear friends,

Sorry we missed yesterday because it was such a long day.  We will try to catch you up on the last 2 days.  We have seen many people and have heard many stories of devoted families taking care of their disabled parents, children, grandchildren, aunts and uncles.  We have seen people who seem non-responsive to their families and their environment start to interact when seated properly.  Today, this is exactly what happened.  A 62 year old woman had a global stroke one year ago.  The stroke left her basically totally paralyzed and bed bound for the last year.  Her daughter has been taking care of her, bathing, changing her and feeding her.  When she was seated in her wheelchair, she reached for the translator's water bottle, took it off her belt and placed it on her lap tray!!  She was following people with her eyes and was able to touch the therapist's hand.  This was the first time the daughter knew that her mother was aware of what was going on around her!!!

Another therapist was working with a child and noticed how the mother, who is a single mother, has been taking great care of her child.  This therapist told the mother how impressed she was with the care and love she shows her child.  The mother started crying as she never receives any affirmation of all her hard work.  Later, we were told that she and the uncle who had accompanied her to the distribution accepted the Lord!  We never know how a kind word, a smile or hug will impact a life.


Our seating station had a 13 year old child who gave us the thumbs up when he was fitted with his wheelchair.  He was given a walker, too and the family was so excited because he wants to walk but they get tired supporting him in his attempts.  Now he will be able to practice and God willing, become a functional ambulator.

As for numbers, Tuesday we saw 30 people, 55 people heard the Gospel, 32 people accepted the Lord for the first time and 16 recommitted their lives to the Lord.  Today, we saw a total of 30 people, 56 people heard the Gospel, 31 accepted the Lord for the first time and 14 recommitted their lives to the Lord.  We are seeing people who are traveling anywhere from 3 hours to 1/2 hour for wheelchairs, walkers and crutches.

We are looking forward yet sadly to our last day in Trujillo.  Thank you for your prayers and thoughts this week.  Continue to pray for our health as we are heading to Chulucanas where malaria is prevalent.  Also, strength and endurance as we have had long days and short nights.  Please pray for the people who will be receiving the wheelchairs tomorrow to see God's love for them!!  Look for the update of our adventures tomorrow in the land of WFTW!!!

Written by Cindy

Birth of a Princess!

happy mondays to our fellow bloggers,

we started our wheelchair distribution today. we saw a total of 34 people today. most were adults but we had 2 children who could see the world in a sitting position for the first time in their lives. the smiles and tears of the adults who could finally move themselves independently, the tears of family members whose loads were lifted as their loved ones can now stand up with limited assistance because of the assist of a walker. People can now walk in their homes again with the assistance of a walker. can you imagine being stuck in your home for 2 years because you do not have a wheelchair or stuck in bed all the time because you don't have a walker. these are some of the stories we have heard from the recipients and family members we served today. the best news is that 32 people accepted the Lord today while 16 recommitted their lives to the LORD. now i know these numbers do not match the original numbers but remember, family members and friends come with the recipients and also see the love of Jesus and hear the message of salvation. of the many stories today, one stands out as a God showed up story. deysi rogers told us of a young woman who had a brain hemorrhage just prior to defending her thesis for her law degree 9 years ago. the hemorrhage left her paralyzed in all extremities except for her right hand. she was in her grandmothers wheelchair that did not fit her well so she was not able to use her right hand to assist her in propelling the wheelchair. the poor fit resulted in pressure sores on her buttocks. when she came to the distribution today, she wanted an electric wheelchair that she could propel with her right hand. she was told we don't have electric wheelchairs. she then asked for a wheelchair that could be modified later as an electric wheelchair. after we prayed a specific prayer for a chair that could meet her needs, deysi tested her right arm strength and found it was strong and could assist her in propelling just the right wheelchair. tj, her mechanic and husband, had seen a chair in the pediatric chairs that he felt would work for her. when they pulled the curtain up to get the chair, she saw the chair, pointed at the chair and said "that's my chair!!!!"  we put her in the chair and it fit perfectly after some minor adjustments.an important adjustments was making brake extensions so she could reach over to the left side to lock the brake and lock the brake on her right side also. there was a white and black wheel on the right side of the wheelchair. tj instructed the client in how to use the different colored wheels to propel herself forward, backwards and in circles. after some practice, she became quite proficient in moving herself around the room.   when she started moving the chair, she said  "i feel like a princess!!!!" she also said her ability to move herself will be a great help for her mom and brother who is her primary caregiver. her brother had quit university to take care of her and now may be able to go back to university to finish his studies. she said she wants her brother to study physical therapy so she and he can help other people like her medically and legally. did we tell you that she finished her law degree 2 months ago!!! deysi told her joni's story and how joni reflects the love of God when she talks to people, she said "this has really strengthened my faith. i can see the love of God in all of you. i want to serve God with my career. i am going to start with my family and my community and see where God takes me."               Transcribed by Cindy Vanders as dictated by Deysi Rogers

Safe Arrival in Trujillo

The Wheels for the World-Trujillo team of 20 safely arrived in Trujillo yesterday.  We had a good day of orientation and meeting our Peruvian partners in ministry.  Everyone's luggage arrived by evening and we were able to get our supplies and gifts organized. It was wonderful to spend this morning in prayer and a time to consecrate our hearts unto the Lord for His work in the days ahead.  Now we are looking forward to setting up the wheelchair distribution after worshiping at the church where the distribution will be held. It will be a lot of work going on into the wee hours while we unwrap, measure and arrange all 210 wheelchairs, as well as the supplies and gifts.

Wheelchair Distribution Day 1 begins tomorrow.  God, please prepare the way for many souls to be saved.