Oh, those faces.

An invitation...

Right now, the main focus of Soles is to:

• Raise money to get down there! 
• Get others to join!
• Get prayer going. 

To recap: Soles is an organization that is raising money for medication, shoes, and other educational resources for CEBER San Martin in Cusco, Peru. Our goals for 2010 are to raise enough money to send one boy down to a psychiatrist, and be medicated for the year; to get down to Cusco and hold some training sessions for teachers; provide equipment to aide in autism instruction.

Raising money: 

• For me to get down there, just for airfare, I need an additional $600. After that, the cost is really minimal. 
• For equipment to bring. The schools in Cusco don't have easy access to occupational therapy or autism therapy equipment. I'd ideally like to bring a sensory swing and some other cool stuff that would really improve these kids lives.
• If you have access to resources-- restaurants, schools, teams, organizations who would be willing to sponsor us-- let me know!

Getting others to join:

• Now we're networking-- join me on this adventure!
• We need people who are skilled (or even just comfortable) with people with special needs.
• Specifically, nurses, PTs, OTs, autism teachers, doctors, dentists, dental hygienists
• I'll be in Cusco for 3 weeks (goal), you can join me for any amount of time!
• Target dates are from July 19-August 10th.

Prayer:

• For fundraising!
• For other people to join.
• For the logistics to be smooth.
• God's hand to be evident in planning. 

Blessed are those.. whose lives become roads you travel

And how blessed all those in whom you live,
      whose lives become roads you travel;
   They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
      discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
   God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and
      at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!
Psalm 84:5-7

I love Psalm 84, its become my lifesong this week.

I'm anxious to move forward with planning for the next trip to Cusco. I'm waiting for the funds to come in, but am sure that they will. Having the faith for this is trying me, but I am swimming in trust, that the Lord's hand will be evident in the planning of this trip. I am certain that he will equip the called. 

That being said, no updates this week. Keep praying, giving, and telling people of the goodness of God, evident through His works in Cusco-- and in our hearts. Bags and mugs are definitely available-- and already paid for! Each mug/ bag sold will profit the trip directly. If not, I can have 30 cups of coffee without doing the dishes...

Gather the Scattered

I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered.

I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame.

- Zephaniah 3: 19

What an awesome testament that what the Lord will do in Cusco! 

Manuel was taken to a psychiatrist in Cusco this week. He was diagnosed with Frontal Lobe Syndrome, which is not too typical a diagnosis here. I'm not sure what the implication is, except that he was prescribed the appropriate medication. The money we were able to send down last week is transforming his life. The doctor in Cusco only charged him half of the cost for the appointment, after seeing his mother and situation. The grace of the Lord is everywhere. 

Some support letters have been sent out, and I'm picking my brain for other ways to get sponsored to get back down to Peru. If you have had any successful fundraisers, etc, please let me know! I am saying in faith that I am going back to serve from late July into early August, and walking in the hope that the Lord will provide the money. Walk with me in faith-- and come to Peru with me!

Thanks for EVERYTHING. Manuel's life (and my life too) is transformed by your giving. 

Besitos, Sarita.

How Beautiful Heaven Must Be...

Hello sweet friends,

The money raised from t-shirts and the Yo Soybean concert is being hand delivered to Marianela today! It brings my soul ease to know that there is something we are doing in the midst of their daily tragedies.

I have been waiting eagerly for the kids to come back from summer vacation. The flooding that happened in February likely swept away some of their adobe homes and caused some distress. Nela told me yesterday that only Percy and Arturo came to school yesterday (and Arturo was asking for me-- oh my heart!). So, at this point, there is still a lot of uncertainty. Let's be in prayer, a lot of prayer.

I've been curious how God is going to continue Soles. However, God spoke to me (and quite loudly) when Marianela sent me a message that said this (more or less): What we need to to know what to do with these children.

What they need is people who know autism to come and teach the teachers how to teach. Teach the teachers how to teach with love. As is the nature of the Spirit, remarkable provisions have already fallen into place. At CCCC prayer group on Saturday, I raised this inkling of taking people down there in prayer. Immediately, a speech pathologist would like to come. (I had 6 non-vocal children, 5 of which could talk, but didn't know how.) I also have come into contact with several dentists and dental hygenists who have showed interest in joining.

The next step is provision for this trip. We're looking at July 18- August 14th as possible dates. As our speaker at Classic City said Sunday "prayer drives missions, and missions drive funds." Let's not be defeated by the recession-- but cover the trip in prayer, with the foreknowledge that the funds will be provided for! Funds will NOT drive the mission. PRAYER drives the mission. Amen? Amen.

Also, shout out to a couple of friends who are changing the world. CJ is working fervently to bridge the gap between the church and those with Developmental Disabilities. It is an AWESOME thing. Check out some more, along with testimonies from some of the work done in Atl. My Heart is Heavy With Light

Allison Scherberger, who is about as awesome as they come, is raising money to ride her bike for 1000 miles. This is raising money for a village in Colombia. I mean, game changer. You know? Justice Isn't Just a Theory

Let's be mobilized by the living Word of God and 'continue in this grace of giving.'

When I step into the light...

I love Dave Matthews (listening to "Lie in Our Graves").

I had an inspiring two days at the Autism Society's conference in Atlanta. There were some incredible (and wacky) speakers-- it reminded me very much that autism is an "unknown" subject. Academically, I am thrilled to be a part of the autism community if only for the mystery of it all.

Be in prayer for Soles please. I ask this not because we are struggling (since we have no real criterion, we can't really struggle), but because the tug to continue this project has faded. My apartment still has a box of bags and mugs (and even a few t-shirts) but my zeal for the project has faded and I am unsure if this is my heart or if the essence of purpose of the project has been fulfilled according to the will of God. I suppose what I am saying is that I am not currently feeling the call of God to continue Soles, yet I have trouble reconciling this thought since no good work can truly reap anything negative (in theory). So, I am asking for prayer that Soles continue to be a "well" and not a "monument."

I also ask that you be in prayer for international missions. The heart of Athens in entrenched in poverty, and I am realizing more and more that it can be directly influenced by my actions. Before you sign up for an international mission trip (I know SB and summer are coming around... 'tis the season), consider the truest need of the community you will serve. Is it money, man power, information? Is the call on your heart to travel or to be an in-disposable part of servanthood? The joy of travel should never be confused for the joy of mission work. They are so often intertwined. Especially when you're a restless 23 year old.

Hate to not be uplifting through encouragement, but hopefully these things will uplift you in your conversations with sweet Jesus.

In this grace of giving,
Sara C.