retreat with the boys

let me try to break down last week for ya. all of us were burnt out and stressed out before the retreat, but it ended up going really well. we went to a beautiful place called camen, in the middle of a bunch of mountains. there was a river, green trees, beautiful flowers, and an amazing view of the mountains everywhere we looked. the boys seemed to really love it.

we had planned a bunch of activities and games for the boys, but it didn't go exactly as planned. the 3 days we were there ended up being really free. everyone kind of did their own thing. some boys went hiking with some staff, others went down to the river, some did art, and some swam in the swamp pool. it was super amazing to see these kids, who live on the streets and have to watch their backs at all times, relax and get to just be kids for a while. it was really great to get to know the kids a little more and to see their true personalities come out when they were able to kick back. some of my favorite times were just sitting back and watching the boys interact with each other. on the last night we were there, the boys played peruvian hide and go seek...which is a little different from the hide and go seek we know. basically there were 2 people who were it and the goal of the game was to beat the 'it' person back to home base. so basically, all the boys found the worst possible places to hide that were close to home base. we (some staff members and i) were laying on a blanket watching the game, and at one point 4 of the kids jumped on the blanket with us...eventually we figured out that was their 'hiding place'. ha. it was a little bit ridiculous, but super hilarious.

one of my favorite moments was at 8 o'clock in the morning when i was sitting on a rock by myself staring at the mountains, and one of the boys came and sat next to me. we both just marvelled at the beauty of the mountains and sat in silence for a while. then he talked about the jungle where his grandma lives and we just talked for a bit. that moment with him was one that i will never forget. i'm so glad we could both be removed from the noisy streets of lima and just marvel at god's beauty in nature...together.

when the retreat was over, we rode a 2 hr bus ride back to lima. on the way i saw people farming by hand, and by horse and plow. the beauty and simplicity of life here left me in awe for the remainder of the bus ride. it got really difficult when we had to drop the kids off. i knew we could go back to our houses and take showers, eat food, and sleep in a bed, but for the boys, they just were back on the streets. i'm still asking god questions about his justice in this injust world and learning lots. as hard as it was to drop them off back on the streets, i'm so glad and feel so blessed to have had that time with them off the streets where they could experience the beauty of god's creation. i'm so blessed to be a part of their lives and i can't wait to see them tomorrow again.

these boys have so much to offer the world...if only they had a chance.