Lily's kids

Lily's kids

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Peniel

“Mommy!” She calls out with her hands reaching up towards me. My heart explodes with love for this little one with big eyes and a crooked little smile. It also breaks as I look down at her. This little one calling me mommy. Who has been through so much at such a young age. “Tia” I tell her. Because that is what I am for her. I am not her mommy. It breaks my heart that she has been abandoned. Exchanged for two bottles of beer. I can’t be her mommy. I didn’t carry her for 9 months or give birth to her. I didn’t even know her for the first year of her life. But God has given me this time with her right here today. And for that I am thankful. 

I love watching her while we pray. Her head bowed and her eyes closed and her big smile as we finish as she cries out “AMEN!” This little bundle of happiness fills me with joy. As I get hundreds of hugs from her each day I am reminded that God has not left us alone as orphans. That sweet Peniel has a heavenly Father who is watching out for her. And for me. And when I look at her and her big brown eyes and dark lashes I know that she will never be left alone. God will be with her. Just as He will be with me. And I am grateful. And I am at peace.



Almost a year!!!

Last few days of school vacations!!! Then here comes classes. All the little ones are excited to start their first year of school and enter Kindergarten.

It's crazy that it's almost February. That almost a year has passed since I first stepped onto Bolivian ground. A Year. Where does the time fly and how can my heart explode with this crazy love after only knowing these kids one year? So blessed by my Savior and in Love with Him and where He has me. Today, tomorrow, in the coming weeks, months and years I KNOW He has me in His hands. Be it here in Bolivia or in America or in any other place. He has His hands on my life and will never leave me alone. Praise HIM!!!

~Lily

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Green Boxers

All the kids got new clothes for the new year which has been really exciting especially for the younger kids.

8 year old Brayan was most excited to get 5 new pairs of underwear and to his delight he got... 1 pair of BOXERS! The other morning he comes running to me after getting dressed and goes "Tia Lily!!! Look!" He pulled down his pants to very proudly show me his green boxers. Made me smile.

Reminds me to be thankful for little things. :)

Update :)

2 more weeks of summer vacation! Excited for school to start back up. It's been tough to be in charge of the summer program and coming up with fun ideas every day for all the kids ages 5-17. Can definitely be a challenge sometimes. 

Lots of changes coming as well at the end of January as several Tias are leaving and the older kids who just graduated are leaving to go to college. Be praying for all the kids as they all get ready for lots of change in the houses. 

Been living in the 3rd house and working with the 8 kids in my house. Little Peniel, the youngest orphan here, has been the sweetest thing. Lots of hugs and kisses and giggles and she is such a precious little girl. I love hearing her go "Tia!!!" 

It's nice and warm here in Caranavi. I definitely do NOT miss the cold in Minnesota. Sunshine and everywhere is GREEN. 

Continue to pray for the kids that God would work in their hearts. Some of the older kids have lots of anger and easily close off their hearts towards Gods. They have lots of hurt deep down inside. Pray that I will continue to be able to have good conversations with them. 

God bless! Love from Bolivia!
~Lily

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Rejoice



Just a few randoms and what God is continually teaching me. So amazed by His love for me. Things continue to go well here! Been lots of sun this week which is super encouraging after 2 weeks of rain. It's mango season so we've all been eating more than our fill of fresh mangos. Delicious!
After walking through the mountains for 6 hours... we were tired

All the kids get new clothes this week for the new year. All the old, dirty, torn clothes get turned into rags for washing and cleaning and they all get to walk around in brand new (or slightly used) clothes and they are all super excited. This morning Brayan, one of the little boys in my house, comes running up to me and very proudly pulled down his pants to show me that he had on his BRAND NEW boxers! Made me smile!

With the beautiful Jasmin
The new obsession here with all the boys is basketball. Every second of every day you can hear a basket ball being dribbled somewhere here in Casa de Esperanza. Love it. Last week we had a tournament with 4 teams. Really fun but I came away with tons of blisters on my feet. The joys of playing sports on hot concrete barefoot.

David and his sweet smile
Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. There are some days where I forget this. Where I'm tired and just want to sleep. Or where my patience is gone. And then I am reminded that my strength doesn't come from me. And I can rejoice in that. I can rejoice that I CAN'T do it by myself. And that I NEED Jesus. I rejoice because He has PROMISED to NEVER leave me alone.

So rejoice in this day. This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. This is the  day that God has given us. So live it to His glory. Because tomorrow is a new day and this day will be gone. So use each day to glorify our Father.

God bless! ~Lily

Saturday, January 12, 2013

5 months

5 months!!! So amazed by God's goodness in these 5 months! Been living in one of the houses for the past month working as tia and it has been an amazing month. It is a LOT of work. And lots of hard work but so rewarding. Lots of special moments like putting 3 year old Javier down to sleep and reminding him just how much Jesus loves him and seeing his sweet little smile. Or giggling with the girls late into the nights.

The summer program is going well. There has been loooots of rain making it hard to play outside and do fun activities. But we had a 6 hour walk, basket ball tournament, pajama party and have more fun things planned. Only a few more weeks left of vacation!

Seeing God working a lot in my heart. Be praying for the girls here as there is lots of gossip and mean words going around and several are really struggling. Continually praying for patience and grace to love and love and love no matter what. It isn't always easy.

Continue to pray that more kids would come since there's lots more free space since the 10 kids who graduated are all leaving for college.

Lots of love from Bolivia! Thanks for all your love and support and prayers! You are all a huge blessing to me! God bless!

~Lily

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2013!!! Lots of stuff going on and so great to have Jessa arrive here in Bolivia the day before Christmas. Been super busy working in the house as Tia. Love it but loooots of work.

Wake up every morning at 6 and clean and make breakfast and then we wake up all the kids. Lots of cleaning and helping out and LEARNING lots of stuff. The kids have one more month of vacation from school. Yesterday we took all the older kids for a walk all through the mountains and we walked from 10 in the morning until 4. Got back tired with sore feet but the views were amazing.

Excited to see what God will do in this coming year. Please continue to pray for the kids. Pray that more kids would come and that God would touch their hearts and draw them to Him. Also for continued strength and patience! God is so very good! Lots of love from Bolivia!!!
~Lily