FredMcKinnon.Com

Yet another great day in Lima, Peru.  We visited a rural church today and were greeted by these beautiful kids.  Maybe you sponsor one of them?

Over and over, we talked to these kids about how their Compassion sponsors have changed their lives.  One young lady (she was 17) said she had just graduated and was hoping to get accepted into the Navy.  She’s been a sponsored child since she was 4 years old.  She said “Compassion has changed my life”.

I met a great little boy today – I tried so many times to comprehend his name, but I can’t recall it and I’m sure I can’t spell it.  He was my buddy.  He was so shy at first, but a few hours into our day and he was saying “your name is fred”.  I love hearing them say “Fred” – they roll the “r”.  So do I, now.

Our home visit was a moving experience, as expected.  We hiked up these hills as our bus couldn’t make the climb.  We kept saying “I think I can, I think I can” like the little train who could.

Our home visit brought us to a place where once again I was amazed at the poverty.  A tiny hut with a cloth roof, a stove, some chickens – but this actually had two rooms.  The mother weeped with joy as we blessed her.  Her two daughters are 5 and 3 … the 5 year old is in the Compassion project.  They are all Christians walk to the church.  Loving this woman, encouraging her as a good mother, praying a blessing for her, and seeing those kids excitement over the visit and the food … words can’t express.

I have a video of the actual visit inside, but it’s still uploading to YouTube … so enjoy today’s clip of our hike down to her home.  Maybe I can get some videos of our “competition” today – my team won, we jumped through hoops and crawled through the church in a maze race.  I was glad I’d been doing regimen!

Compassion Trip to Peru, Day 1

Awesome first day in Lima, Peru.  We visited one of the urban projects here in town at a local church.  Did you know that ALL of Compassion’s ministry is carried out through the local church?

We were greeted by the most beautiful people ever with song and dance, as you can see from some of the videos I’ll post.

Today we learned about Compassion’s “CSP” – or “Child Survival Program”.  This is an amazing ministry where Compassion workers reach children before they are even born.  Those who are pregnant or who have recently given birth and who are part of this program are ministered to on every level, from spiritual to social, emotional, and intellectual.

We had the honor of visiting the home of one of the mothers who is in this program.  She was a young, single mom with a beautiful little girl.  She lived in the “Squatter” area — in a tiny hut that was probably not much larger than a 12×8 room.  We were able to witness the Compassion worker as she worked with the infant and checked the various assignments and homework that had been given the mother.  I had the pleasure of praying for this mom and her young daughter and speaking a blessing over her home and family.

Totally had a blast with the kids today.  This one little boy, Ernesto – he grabbed my heart.  He was such a sport-model … and I was pretty surprised at how quickly the Spanish came back to me.

Tonight we’re having dinner with three of the local pastors here in Lima who are part of the Compassion ministry.

Looking forward to Day 2.

Here’s a quick video we made outside after our home visit. We were also able to give this young mother a big basket full of groceries. My perspective of life, people, love, and what’s important … is changing already.

Hello Friends,

I’ll be leaving in a few days and joining a group of church pastors and missions pastors for a week long mission to Lima, Peru with Compassion International.

I’ve never met a single person on this trip – but I’m looking forward to doing so.  I’m looking forward to the time away, the opportunity to give of myself, to love others, to share a smile, a hug, and hopefully, bring back a greater understanding of Compassion’s ministry.

Time and internet-availability permitting, I will be blogging, uploading photos, videos, and sending out “tweets” via my @fmckinnon twitter account.  (still not following my updates on Twitter – click here to do so).  Many of my “tweets” will update my Facebook Status as well.  Of course, this assumes I will have access to the internet, or that my phone will work and have coverage in Peru.

So all next week will be blog bursts, tweets, and updates from the mission field.

If you’ve never sponsored a child, I’d encourage you to consider it.  Just click the Compassion banner above (or this link) for more details.

Pray for us, and please pray for my family as well.  They are in GREAT hands.

For the Kingdom,
Fred