October-November Update

As always life has been busy and full of blessings these last few weeks. Here are some of the highlights of both our lives and ministry in the last month or so.

In the beginning of October, Cristian and I received our first visitor to Peru (as a married couple). My long time friend Shawna came for two weeks and we enjoyed exploring some new places with her.

Not only for the fun company, but I also was blessed by Shawna's visit and the time we were able to share together in Cuzco, talking and sharing about our lives. Even though we talk by phone, and see each other when I am home, there is nothing like spending quality one on one time with a dear friend. I am so thankful that God gave us that time together just at the right time.

Later in the month, I spent a couple of days visiting the area where FH serves in Lima. It was great to see so many changes and in the communities and in the lives of people.

One of the activities I visited was a nutrition workshop. When I entered the church where it was being held, I thought that the woman teaching was an FH staff person....but to my surprise it was Elena (the women in the blue smock), one of the community health promoters that FH has trained and mentored for so many years. I remember Elena from my first months working as part of the health project training team, and Wow, what a transformation. I was so excited to see the confidence Elena had as she taught other women in her community about how to prepare nutritious meals for their families. And it was easy to see the joy that Elena had as she served her neighbors.

This year the Health and Nutrition Education Project (that recruited and trained many community health promoters like Elena) is coming to a close, in order for FH to begin a new project focused on violence prevention. But seeing Elena in action teaching her fellow neighbors is evidence of how God is working through FH to change lives and begin overcome different issues of poverty.

The other project I was able to visit was a pilot project that we started this year in one of the Lima communities: a "Ludoteca" - which is a sort of games library/ center where children can c0me an play for a few hours a day with games that help them develop both intellectual, motor and social skills (well and just the opportunity to relax and have fun). There is also a section of books and a table where kids can come to do their homework. The center is completely run by the community. FH is training mother and teen volunteers in how to oversee the administration of the center, as well as how to work with children to provide them a safe and healthy environment to play and learn.



It is encouraging to hear how the community, through the project, has realized the importance of play in a child's development. Eventually the center could also be a place where FH works with children in helping them developing abilities to prevent violence like active communication/ listening, and conflict resolution.

Lastly at the beginning of November, Cristian and I took a mini road trip (only 60 miles or so outside of the city, but nearly 3 hours on a bumpy, curvy, narrow mountain highway) to Canta, north east of Lima. It was great to get out into God's creation.

Hope you enjoyed the update. Thank you for your continued support of our lives and ministry here in Peru.

Blessings,

Lauren and Cristian