JANIS
The Christmas Store in Peru represents a journey for me over the past three years. I have lived a good and “safe” life in the United States. My parents gave me a good home and many opportunities. But, I am learning that God gives all Christians an opportunity to serve Him in the things that matter to Him. And, through the Christmas Store in Peru I am discovering what it means to follow Jesus to live a life of courage by working with the poor. I am convinced that serving God means stepping out of my safe world and taking a risk to do the things He has asked me to do.
The Christmas Store in Peru represents a journey for me over the past three years. I have lived a good and “safe” life in the United States. My parents gave me a good home and many opportunities. But, I am learning that God gives all Christians an opportunity to serve Him in the things that matter to Him. And, through the Christmas Store in Peru I am discovering what it means to follow Jesus to live a life of courage by working with the poor. I am convinced that serving God means stepping out of my safe world and taking a risk to do the things He has asked me to do.
LOU
It is the third year for the Christmas Store and God has blessed us until now. Through my Peruvian part, I will tell you that I am not surprised to see poor in the zone of the district (of Lima) where I live. Since 1996 I am in this poor zone and I have seen with my own eyes how they have lived and how the children have changed into young people many times without opportunity to develop their lives. Those that can enter the university and have better future are a very small number.
JANIS
Yes, you have had the opportunity to work among the poor for many years. But through La Tienda de Navidad in Peru we have been able to witness how God can use you and me as well as the members of El Buen Pastor to help poor children. Each one of us must make an individual choice. Am I going to stay where it is safe or will I do my part to transform the world? Often I think Christians are more interested in telling others what we believe. However, the key here is what we actually do…that demonstrates our true beliefs.
JANIS
Yes, you have had the opportunity to work among the poor for many years. But through La Tienda de Navidad in Peru we have been able to witness how God can use you and me as well as the members of El Buen Pastor to help poor children. Each one of us must make an individual choice. Am I going to stay where it is safe or will I do my part to transform the world? Often I think Christians are more interested in telling others what we believe. However, the key here is what we actually do…that demonstrates our true beliefs.
LOU
Yes, it is true through the years I have been in this zone. My sisters Nella, Moraima, Annabella and Rocio have worked very hard with the Sunday School for years. Besides them, many other people have been our support such as Rocio Perez, Rene Anton, Chelly and now Choya, Jessica, Rafael, Roy, Vilma, Olinda, Maria Varcalcel, Marcelina, Tomasa and Giovanna Chnacafe. I believe through the years, God has sent people since 1988 until now to be able to spiritually help the poor in the zone. Today God can use other people but the result will be the same from going and preaching to all people. Perhaps the actors today are others but God knows His work.
JANIS
Yes, I think it is amazing to learn how God has called individuals over time to serve in San Genaro. Your own family has demonstrated quite a commitment to this service over the years. Through them God has prepared the way for the work we are both privileged to do now. There are also many who live in the poor zones who serve with dedication.
It has been exciting to watch how my church, Valley Ranch Baptist Church, has come alongside the members of El Buen Pastor in this particular event. For the past several months people have been donating ítems, money, etc to insure that the Peruvian Store would provide a Christmas for 206 children in the poor zones in Chorrillos. One family brought jeans and t-shirts to donate before I left; another member bought the small toy animals at the garage sale to put in the stockings this year; the Buckner team came to put new shoes on the kids’ feet. Together we have all been able to make a difference this holiday season.
LOU
JANIS
Yes, I think it is amazing to learn how God has called individuals over time to serve in San Genaro. Your own family has demonstrated quite a commitment to this service over the years. Through them God has prepared the way for the work we are both privileged to do now. There are also many who live in the poor zones who serve with dedication.
It has been exciting to watch how my church, Valley Ranch Baptist Church, has come alongside the members of El Buen Pastor in this particular event. For the past several months people have been donating ítems, money, etc to insure that the Peruvian Store would provide a Christmas for 206 children in the poor zones in Chorrillos. One family brought jeans and t-shirts to donate before I left; another member bought the small toy animals at the garage sale to put in the stockings this year; the Buckner team came to put new shoes on the kids’ feet. Together we have all been able to make a difference this holiday season.
LOU
The thoughts of God are different from ours but when we are on the same road with God there isn’t anything or anyone that can stop the work of God. It is very exciting to see the lives change as people support this work. God has blessed us more from what they have given.
JANIS
We each have our individual parts in La Tienda de Navidad. Each one of the Sunday School teachers in El Buen Pastor devote countless Saturdays and free time to Shopping and wrapping the gifts. Your sister, Rocio, coordinates many of the activities and makes many decisions from handling wire transfers of money, to Shopping, to wrapping gifts and to coordinating all the volunteers. What would we ever do without Vilma who stores all the gifts and shoes in her home for weeks? What about the willingness of Buckner International to provide some of their mission team to bring shoes and spend an afternoon playing with the kids? Each person has a heart for the children there. Without their individual responses to serve, La Tienda de Navidad in Peru would not happen.
JANIS
We each have our individual parts in La Tienda de Navidad. Each one of the Sunday School teachers in El Buen Pastor devote countless Saturdays and free time to Shopping and wrapping the gifts. Your sister, Rocio, coordinates many of the activities and makes many decisions from handling wire transfers of money, to Shopping, to wrapping gifts and to coordinating all the volunteers. What would we ever do without Vilma who stores all the gifts and shoes in her home for weeks? What about the willingness of Buckner International to provide some of their mission team to bring shoes and spend an afternoon playing with the kids? Each person has a heart for the children there. Without their individual responses to serve, La Tienda de Navidad in Peru would not happen.
Shopping in Central Lima for Gifts
Wrapping presents in El Buen Pastor
Year Three: Serving Together to Bring Christmas to the Children in San Genaro
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