Hola from Hayden

buenas dias

This trip has been a very humbling experience.We flew into Lima and settled down in our hostel on Monday. Tuesday we went to the orphanage in Chilca. It kind of hit me very quickly that we were not in Prattville, Alabama anymore. Then we headed to Lomas after we left the orphanage. They were so happy to see us and when we brought out the soccer balls and the bubbles they all went crazy. That was a great thing to see because even though they have nothing at all they are still happy for what they have.

Wednesday we worked with concrete to help make a dining hall for the orphanage. After we worked a little bit we started to kick the soccer ball around with the kids. Then that is when i met my girl Nathelly. She could not pronouce my name so she always calls me Pablo, and i think that is the funniest thing ever. Then after we left the orphanage we went back to Lomas. We played soccer and everything else with them, but we also did VBS and they also loved that very much. They got to sing, dance, make crafts, and learn more about God.

Thursday we still worked with concrete, we were gainging on it but we still were getting closer to finishing. Then we took the orphans to the bay which took us to the Pacific Ocean that was so much fun because we got to see what god made. We got to see sea lions which most of us do not get to see sea lions very often in Alabama. After that we went to Lomas. When we were playing with the kids I saw the orphanage van pull up. Then Nathelly step out ready to play. She is so crazy and she dis liked to be spun. Then we did VBS with the kids again and they were all just so excited for us to be there that they would not even sit down. I got to go and do prayer walk with our interpreter. When all of the ninth grade guys were walking we just noticed all the poverty and it was so sad. Then christian taught us a sentence to tell the parents and the kids that we were having a festival at six. The hard thing about it was that we had to say it in spanish. Then we had a little treat for the mothers and we gave them manicures. Then we served the kids some chicken soup. That to me was the turning point of the whole trip because just watching them eat was so great, because they probably never get a meal like that where they get seconds.

Friday we went back to the orphanage and that was the last day we worked on the dininig hall. We did not get to finish but we did help them get started and all we were there to do was to plant a seed and hopefully they would get up with it. Then we went to Lomas, we did VBS again. Then we had to say our good byes because we are not going back until next year. It was really sad because everyone was crying. The only good news was that I was going to get to see Nathelly again.

Saturday we flew to Cusco. Then we rested for about two hours. I had altitude sickness for the whole day. Mr. Scott and one of the interns Annie told me to stay but i could cause i wanted to go do VBS with the new kids. After three Coca teas later i was feeling very good. It was worth it to go because it was just like Lomas and all the kids loved that we were here.

Sunday was amazing. We got to go see one of the seventh wonders of the world called Machu Peechu. That is like a once in a life time chance. It was so pretty and our tour guide was the best. He showed us everything that we wanted to know. Everyone was so tired and exausted that we came home and slept.

We have dos mas days until we return to Lima to go and hang out with the orphans.

-Hayden Gillespie