daniel

Can you save a starfish?

Last Friday I (Mark) went to Ventanilla for my monthly visit. It is a great time to encourage the staff and children there and also to spend some time sharing what is on my heart with the teachers. It is such a priviledge to be able to be involved in such a work and to be able to help disciple Alfredo, a man who reallys wants to serve in every way possible, living on the breadline, by faith, for the love of God and those he serves.

The kids were in their final class of the week, which was free drawing with the title 'Spring' or 'Primavera' in Spanish. It is lovely to see children who have so little and are disadvantaged in so many ways enjoying learning, and producing good quality work to boot.

As I've got to know this kids their stories have touched my heart. One such story is Sofia (see below) who has no dad and whose mum works from dawn to after dusk to provide food for Sofia to live. Last month when I went to Ventanilla she was just wandering around and had no place to go, until her mum arrived home late at night. What sort of life is this fof Sofia? (She is one example of so many here). Most of the kids have similar stories, with generally 1 parent available to them, when not working, or sometimes they have no-one, technical orphans who live with a family member as both parents have disappeared for one of so many reasons.

This situation really reminded me of a story I heard some years ago about starfishes on the beach. The story goes like this:

'A man was walking on the beach, a beach covered in starfish, thousands if not hundreds of thousands. As he was walking he saw his friend tossing some of the starfish into the water. The man asked his friend 'what are you doing you cannot save all of these starfish'? His friend replied 'you're right, but I can save this one, and this one, and this one'.

I feel this is why I am here in Peru, I cannot save and alter all the lives of the people here in Peru, (although I want to)or even those I meet, or even work with, but I can help one here, one there. I can train and inspire leaders so they in turn can do the same job. Jesus Christ walked the planet 2000 years ago and has altered the face of human history, and he told us to remember the poor. To look after the widows and orphans. I want to do the same. I want to be able to save hundreds of starfishes, as many as possible. My question is how can I do more? I am affecting the lives of many people here, young and old alike, but I want to do more. Can you help us? Can you be a hero of the poor? Can you defend the defenceless? Can you help us save more starfish? Can you help Sofia?

Happy First Birthday Joel!

Yes, amazingly, Joel is 1 today! Happy Birthday Joel!



Here is the first year of his life in just under 4 minutes...