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The last day of distribution brings out lots of creativity. For example, this chair was the right size for the patient. The main problem: no seat!

So, the mechanics, support people, and anyone around willing to help, got to work.

Bernie created a seat.

Kim, Susan, and I, with help from John, covered it with foam and vinyl.

Then we needed footrests that worked. Unfortunately, at this point the pickings were slim. Reid and John made some “universal” footrests work by removing one of the pins:

The end result was a happy man and family:

The mechanics were kept busy all day improvising. Many a chair was cannibalized to create a chair that fits the person being served.

Charlie tells the story of trying to adapt a chair. He had cut the seat for an amputee. He needed to add one footrest and couldn’t find the right kind for the chair. He had been trying several ways to fit a “universal” (universally doesn’t fit anything) footrest, but couldn’t get the two points of attachment to fit. After struggling for a while, he saw Reid and George working on a similar chair – the solution was too simple: only attach one! Voila! It fit.

This man was so excited that the chair, which was fitted with a lap tray, would allow him to get back to work as a street vendor. He sells chocolate on the street corner and can use the lap tray to display his wares.

Matthew 22:8. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy.

Although the team picture doesn’t show it, the team is tired and sore from the first two days of the distribution.

Three of our team weren’t feeling well today, so we prayed over them this morning.

God is good and he gave us the energy to make it through the day. Here are some of the highlights:

Jody was in her happy place ministering to this little boy and his mom. The mom, a single mother with three children – two of whom are disabled – had a three-hour trip, carrying him on buses, to get to the outreach. Her son was fitted with a special stroller so that she can more easily take him with her when she goes out to work as a street vendor. What a tough life, but what a blessing to be able to offer some help!

There are so many people who are a part of our work this week. The seamstress is available to help whenever we need it

Each team consists of a seating specialist, mechanic, support person, and translator. A guide takes the patient to each station, along with any family member(s) that are present. The stations include seating, medical, evangelism, and wheelchair training.

While the people are waiting for their turns, they are often entertained by music and preaching, compliments of Gildeny (shown here with her husband, one of the key organizers, and a few of the Joni and Friends team).

Keeping it all flowing is Roxy – our gatekeeper.

We praise God for the blessing of serving Him!

 

Another busy day at San Juan Lurigancho. We saw many children today, the youngest about 5.

Frank’s mom was so excited when he received a walker with a sling (in addition to a wheelchair) so she can help him practice some “walking”. Initially he seemed skeptical, but then he was going to town!

After a day spent in the back organizing and waiting for some missing supplies, Jody was able to get out with the patients more today. She was in her happy place holding and singing to this little girl. 

In addition to ministering to the daughter, she was able to offer empathy to the mom. She was so thrilled to find someone who understands what she is going through.

It’s so heartwarming (and heartbreaking) to see how happy both young and old are to receive the gift of mobility.

The oldest patient today was 98 and she was very happy with her new chair, too.

At the medical station, Gladys has been hard at work:

Pastor Don is busy telling people about the Lord and praying with them:

Everyone is working hard, but enjoying all the new (and old) friendships:

 

At the end of the day we shopped for a few more walkers since it appears that we will be short for the next couple of days.

The team is happy and exhausted. We appreciate your continued prayers for all of us!

The wheelchair distribution has begun! What an awesome day filled with great people.

Pastor Don tells the story of Janet:

At age 17, she was paralyzed when she was hit by a stray bullet. She has been paralyzed for 15 years. She is a very goal-oriented, gritty, spirited gal – she is not going to let her paralysis stop her. She is aiming to obtain a computer degree and wants to play on the Peruvian para-olympics basketball team.

She was equipped with a better chair and a walker to help build up her upper body strength. After being prayed for, she sought out the pastor of the church in order to learn how to get involved.

Praise God for how he works in people’s lives!

The team worked hard today – from mechanics to support persons to seating specialists…

Hopefully, people leave with a chair and having experienced the love of God!

Today we went to Iglesia Evangelica Bautista to worship

and give away a ceremonial wheelchair (the wheelchair may be replaced and/or adapted tomorrow at the outreach).

We were treated to some Peruvian-style worship:

We also visited the church that will be the site of next year’s outreach, where we were treated like celebrities. Following that we did some sight-seeing, had dinner at a restaurant located in what had once been the home of an artist.

 

 

 

 

Tonight, we had a service of dedication with communion and anointing of each team member. What a blessing to serve on such an awesome team!

We’re here! Saturday was spent getting to know the team and orientation to what is expected of us this week. First we met with our own team.

After a lunch buffet (and, yes, we ate Chinese food in Peru!), we heard the story of Corazones Unidos. God has given Elizabeth a passion for serving the disabled community and bringing them to the Lord.

After another exciting trip on the bus, we reached the site where we will be working. We checked out the wheelchairs:

then did some team-building activities with the Peruvian volunteers:

We prayed with the pastor of the church organizing the outreach – and of course, there was food!

We appreciate everyone’s continued prayers that those we serve will experience God’s love and come to know Him. The wheelchairs are a tool – not the end in itself.

BTW: We met this cute Peruvian dog at the site:

The last member of the team arrived very late Saturday night (minus one suitcase). Apparently our team leaders becomes punchy being at the airport that late 2 nights in a row:

The majority of the team is now congregated outside our departure gate in the Houston airport. The team is getting to know each other – names, names, and more names! We are excited to be on our way!

In case we get hungry, Mary has provided a banquet for us!

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A week from today, our team will be worshipping in a Peruvian church in Lima. I don’t think that it’s any coincidence that our church started a 6-week Sunday School class on short-term missions today. I was privileged to speak about my upcoming trip and show them the Ebenezer video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROm-SuQDSsc If you want to learn more about Wheels for the World, this is an excellent video. How can you be a part of helping Joni and Friends distribute another 100,000 wheelchairs by 2020?

Six weeks! In 6 weeks we will be in Lima, preparing for our ministry! As we prepare, we are all reading the book Before You Pack Your Bag Prepare Your Heart by Cindy Judge. We all want to be God’s hands and feet and not trying to do ANYTHING from our own strength. A big thank you to all those who are praying for specific team members – and the team as a whole.

Not only is the team preparing, but there are people preparing wheelchairs – repairing, packing, shipping. The crew in Lima is preparing the venue(s) and the lists of people.

It takes many people to prepare for this one-week outreach. To learn more about this ministry, click here