header

Monthly Archives: January 2009

Click on the title of the blog post to view the entire entry.


Photo of the day 2/01/2009 - Oops I’m on a date?

January 31, 2009 – 10:45 pm

Oops I’m on a date? No, I wasn’t on a date. Sandy (pictured above at the look out over San Bartolo, which is behind her) and I watched the sunset from one of the lookout points in San Bartolo, took a walk by the Pacific Ocean, and eventually bought some ice cream. I got chocolate and she got picante, which means hot (but it was actually cherry). All this might sound like a date, but it really wasn’t. Let me tell you what really happened and how it started. I was hanging out with everyone watching people skate at the local skatepark when I spotted some beautiful clouds starting to gather in the sunset. Then on my way to go shoot the sunset, I ran in to Sandy, and I asked her if she wanted to come with me to shoot pictures. So, we went up the hill together and photographed the sunset and then continued towards the ocean to get some different angles and perspectives of the sunset. It was pretty awesome. We had some basic chats, nothing extensive due to me only knowing a little spanish and her only speaking spanish. Then, once the sun had dipped below the horizon, we started to head back to the house. But first we stopped for some ice cream and soda. And after that, we joined everyone back at the house to watch the movie WALL:E. The perfect ending to the perfect evening.

I wish I could give you more info about Sandy, but I know very little. I know she is from Cusco (where Manchu Picchu is located). She lives here at a private home in the beach town San Bartolo, Peru just a half hour drive southwest of Lima. When Brad and I first arrived on Sunday, Sandy was the one of the first kids to make me feel at home with her warm personality by picking on me and chatting with me. Sandy is one of about 10-12 kids who live in the private home here in San Bartolo run by Lucy Borja. Lucy originally had two homes: one in Lima and one in San Bartolo. However, due to reasons I cannot understand and know little about, both homes have been closed. And about 200-250 kids have been sent back to live on the streets. Currently, Lucy is fighting in court to be able to reopen her homes and get the kids back into a safe environment. It’s really hard to understand why all these kids had to go back out in to the streets after Lucy has worked so hard over the past ten years to create a safe home for them. I suppose Sandy is a fortunate girl, being that she still lives in the private home (which I believe was opened after the home in San Bartolo was recently closed) here in San Bartolo. If you wish to read more information about the kids here in San Bartolo, please click on Lucy’s name to the right:  Lucy Borja

By sethshimkonis | Posted in Peru, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Photo of the Day 1/31/2009 - Saltar (which means “to Jump” in spanish)

January 30, 2009 – 11:35 pm

As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen this style of photograph many times. However, I think the dirt streets of Pachacutec, Peruvian kids, and a few international missionaries give it a different touch. There isn’t much to say other than I really enjoyed this photo and hope all of you enjoy it as well. The photo was taken on our walk to Church. I’ll take this time to introduce you to some more people here at New Hope. Some of them you have seen in previous posts, and some might be new. From left to right: J.D. (From Ireland), Benildo, Augusto, Henry, Peter (also from Ireland, and behind Henry), Flavio, Mateo (AKA Brad), Ruben (Augusto’s Brother), and Isaias.

By sethshimkonis | Posted in New Hope Children's Home, Peru, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Photo of the day 1/30/2009 - Team Liberti, thanks for the love.

January 29, 2009 – 11:48 pm

Here we have a great photograph of tons of awesome people. Included are the kids and some staff of New Hope, Team Liberti, “The Interns,” as Nathan likes to call us (or those who are serving long term at the home), Dave and Debbie who founded New Hope, kids and neighbors from Pachacutec, kids who used to live here at New Hope, and we even have the two guys from the bus company who drove the second bus to the airport (far right in the dark green shirts).

While they were here, the team came up with the brilliant idea to paint a mural of Alpacas and Sheep playing futbol.  Since they put a lot of hard work in to the mural, I thought it was only fitting to do a group photograph in front of it before the team left for the states. The mural is right at home in the perfect spot centered on the futbol court. Not pictured are the sheep of the mural due to being a lot shorter than Alpacas.

By sethshimkonis | Posted in New Hope Children's Home, Peru, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

Photo of the day 1/29/2009 - Hey Brad, when are you coming back?

January 29, 2009 – 12:01 am

When you first arrive at New Hope, one of the first things the kids ask you is, “How long are you staying?” and, when you leave, the only thing the kids can ask you is “when are you coming back?” With those two questions posed to you, it’s hard to ever think about leaving since they always want you to come back. The above is just what happened on Brad’s last day at New Hope. Brad has been here since mid November working with the older boys, giving the little Peruvian girls at the Home a single guy to try and marry off (no success yet), and overall being a great role model to all the kids. It was a sad night too when everyone said their goodbyes to Brad. He has certainly made an impact on all the kids and made some great friends with a lot of the older boys at New Hope. For the next few months, Brad will be living in San Bartolo, just south west of Lima. But just like I mentioned earlier, the kids never let you leave without promising to return. Brad will be returning to New Hope sometime around May to spend more time with the kids before he heads back to the states. Surrounding Brad is just a fraction of his Peruvian Family. From right to left: Maricruz, Marina, Roberto (in the blue sweater), Fredy in the yellow, Elizabeth, and Paty (who is always hiding from the camera) and last but not least, Brad, in the center.

By sethshimkonis | Posted in Peru, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Photo of the day 1/28/2009 - Birthdays: Peru style

January 28, 2009 – 8:08 am

Here at New Hope, Birthdays are not just an ordinary day. They are something to celebrate with lots and lots of fire works. Well, maybe the second “lots” wasn’t needed. However, we did celebrate a birthday recently, and it happened to be Julia Black (Julia is in the center of the photo, just beyond the cake on fire) turning the grand ole age of blank blank on January 27th (you never tell woman’s age, or is it you never ask a woman’s age? I’m not sure. I just don’t want to hear from all the women out there, if I let it out).

Julia is a major staple here at New Hope. She is the Educational Director. If you want to know exactly what she does, you can ask her, but chances are you won’t get a minute with her, because she is always in a meeting, always going beyond her job title by helping older kids write resumes, find jobs, and helping them set goals. Somewhere in there, she finds some time to do a bit of laundry and make some food. Needless to say, Julia is worth celebrating because of everything she does around here.  And this should be a birthday to remember… I mean, a cake with firework candles? That’s a Peruvian birthday.

Team Liberti: I will be posting more photos in the future of you guys. So hold on to those memories and keep checking back to see if your pretty faces show up on the blog. We miss you guys, and you did an awesome job. The clothing closet is all sorted and in order.  And the kids have already begun to count down the days until you return.

By sethshimkonis | Posted in Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Photos of the day 1/24/2009

January 24, 2009 – 5:30 pm

Dave and Neal tackle the project of building shelves for the clothing closet (the “closet” is really a small room). When the team arrived, there was no walking room in the closet due to so much clothing donated during the christmas season. The team’s first project was to create more space in the closet by sorting the clothing into sizes and gender. After everything was sorted, the kids were able to come and select the clothing they needed. Once these shelves are complete, the closet will be incredibly organized.

Jorge uses a couch cushion as a weapon to minimize Fredy’s attack during their friendly wresting match on the lawn out in front of their house.

Jhon (left) and Miguel (right) are two little boys here at the home who love to hang around together, and that includes basketball hoops.

On our way to Colca Canyon, the bus stopped for some sightseeing. So Neal and I decided to include our selves in the sights. Neal and I shoot a quick candid while Haley sneaks into the shot at the last minute. Neal is one of my prayer supporters back in the states, and it was great to spend time with him while he has been here.

Liberti team members made tons of haste while the sun was shining on this day. The mural of sheep and Alpacas playing futbol is almost complete. A few more finishing touches will complete this awesome piece of art. When you’re out of paint brushes and rollers, you turn to mama invention and ask her what to do in order to finish the job. She tells you to use rags or your hands.

By sethshimkonis | Posted in Peru, Photo of the Day | Comments (2)

Photos of the day 1/23/2009 - A Peruvian market, American cuisine

January 23, 2009 – 2:23 pm

A dog scrounges for bits of fallen food in the main market place of Arequipa, Avelino. Typically, people start shopping at 5 am in order to haggle for the best food at the best prices.  Those arriving later at the market will have to contend with the flies and rodents for meat and produce baking in the heat of the day.

Nathan and Lindsay, two outgoing gringos, demonstrate for an entertained Peruvian audience how to swing dance and make a complete fool of yourself in the local market place, Avelino. Team Liberti had their first taste of food shopping and experienced what Peruvian tutors at New Hope do every Friday morning. Team Liberti split into groups and cooked traditional American fare with the kids at New Hope.

One group from Team Liberti, Bethany, Haley, Bruce and Sarah, haggle over the price of potatoes. Their group cooked fried chicken, mashed potatoes and an apple pie with the little boys, giving them the opportunity to experience a tasty, American dish.

Rosmary, tutor to the little boys, presents an apple pie ready for baking.

Tired from their market experience, Nathan and Lindsay prepare sweet potato fries and guacamole, while a Curious Jorge examines tortillas for the chicken tacos.

Liberti group Lydia, Neal, Sandy, and Sarah pose with the little girls and a Peruvian family that works at the home. Together, they made meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans, with an apple pie for dessert.

By sethshimkonis | Posted in Peru, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Photos of the day 1/21/2009 - History from Peru

January 20, 2009 – 7:23 pm

Yesterday, history was made in the United States when Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. Of course, I could go on about how it’s a milestone and all the rest, but for us here in Peru, I think we were amazed to just be able to see his inauguration. Not only did we see it on the internet, but we saw it live, as broadcast by CNN and Facebook. We watched it from my computer fullscreen with little problems; technology clearly has come very far from the the handwritten script. I am clearly thankful for all those who worked so hard to bring us Obama’s Inauguration, to all those who set up microphones and equipment, and sat tirelessly and cold behind the cameras. To those who sat in the producer’s trailer amped on caffeine to keep all those stunning images and sounds coming across our tvs, computers, phones, and radios, I would like to say thank you. I think this was the first time I realized just how hard these people work. Having not been around TV much and also being in a foreign country, it made me realize how much it takes to bring a live event to the world.

I was very excited to witness Obama’s inauguration, not just because I cast a vote in his favor, but because I was in Peru with other americans from all different backgrounds, different upbringings and we were all standing together in the same room because of one purpose. And it wasn’t Obama. The reason is Jesus Christ. Team Liberti, the folks serving from Liberti long term, and the Bolos family were all standing in one room because of the same purpose. And no matter how Obama does in the next four years, Christ will still be King over the U.S. and the entire World.

By sethshimkonis | Posted in Peru, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

Photos of the day 1/20/2009 - Painting and Pizza.

January 20, 2009 – 7:17 am

Dave “Zidan” Dardzinski (nicknamed while here on the first Liberti visit last year, by the kids for a famous Futbol player) strides proudly, with one of his team’s creations in his hand, towards the brick oven or the “horno.” Zidan and his team who won the prize for hardest working team. Dave holds a pizza topped with a smile while his team or “equipo” follows not too far away. In the background to the left of Dave, you can see the bus which the team is riding around in all week. Dave clearly dwarfs the tiny bus here in this photo. “Dave, how do you fit in such a tiny bus?”

Sandy Smith (Lydia’s Mom) and Augusto pose for a quick photo while the rest of the kids line up outside the window of the “fuente” building, which means fountain, before the pizza making party/competition begins. There were five teams consisting of about 13 Kids and Gringos, all who worked with tons of culinary creativity and plenty of fun.

Remember how I mentioned Team Liberti and the kids were painting a really creative and fun mural on the “Cancha” or Futbol court? Well, here we have Erin Filson and Bethany DePoy from Team Liberti in the beginning stages after they have primed and drawn a quick sketch on the wall. On the first day, I saw some photos of people covered in white paint. I believe there was a paint war. When you can paint, write, or cover anyone in any kind of substance that someone might not like, but the painter, writer, or coverer might find funny, chances are there will be a paint fight, water fight, etc. On the bus to camp, some kids brought washable markers. Can you guess what happened? Let me tell you, Me, Brad, Lydia, Jorge, Flora, Fredy, and more, all were held down one at a time while others on the bus drew on our faces and created beautiful abstract art on each one of our faces. I promise to post these photos in the near future. They are hilarious!

Leader of Team Liberti, Nathan Cottrell pictured here, is in the process of feverishly grating cheese for his team’s pizzas. Nathan led last year’s team, and is the Liberti connection with New Hope. Nathan and Tony, one of David and Debbie’s sons, went to college together at Crown College in Colorado. After college, when Tony and his wife Julie were running the Home for a year, Nathan brought Team Liberti to the Children’s Home for our first visit to Peru. Best idea you’ve ever had Nathan. I guess the idea for your pizza sauce comes in close second. Nathan’s team brought home the title of best tasting pizza.

From left to right: Paty, and Estafania help Liberti Team member Erin Filson clean up after two of the little boys, Julio and Beto pelted Erin with left over flour from the pizza making contest. Like I said; if others think you will look funny wearing some sort of liquid or powder, chances are you’re going to wear it one way or another. You should have seen Erin before Paty and Estafania brushed her off. She was almost completely white. Erin, Beto, and Julio were on opposing teams.

By sethshimkonis | Posted in New Hope Children's Home, Peru, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Photos of the day 1/19/2009 - Birthdays and Church

January 18, 2009 – 11:52 pm
[caption id="attachment_302" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Here Makiver and Rosmel, the birthday boys, sit while everyone else sings happy birthday to them. From left to right: Roberto (blue) Miguel (white cap) Alvaro (Grey t-shirt) Fredy (open mouth, like always) Glady in red shirt, Julia (tall gringa, sorry Julia, Jorge (right of Julia) Lydia, Mateo, Angelica, Beto (in front of Angelica) Dave (behind Angelica), Ines. In the front with giving bunny ears, Jhon, and Julio (Lydia has her arm on his shoulder) Two birthday boys sitting, on the left: Rosmel, On the right, Makiver. Behind Makiver is Luis (barely visible) In the far back left: Lucia and Liz, and just the top of the tutor Glady's head is showing. "]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_306" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Rosmel and Makiver sit in the birthday seat as everyone sings happy birthday to them."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_303" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="It's a treat to have Hermano David come to your Birthday. I mean, he is the director of the home. It's kind of like getting to meet the President. Just kidding. Dave wouldn't miss these guys' birthday for the world. In front of them is the birthday celebration food: Jello, Animal Crackers, candy, popcorn and a small dish of french fries and chicken."]Its a treat to have Hermano David come to your Birthday. I mean he is the director of the home. Its kind of like getting to meet the President. Just kidding, Dave wouldn't miss these guys birthdays for the world. From left to right: Makiver, David, Rosmel[/caption] [caption id="attachment_304" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Boys will be boys. I love these guys. "][/caption] [caption id="attachment_305" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Everyone posing for a birthday photo. People not in the other photo: Andrew Heo, another long term Liberti Missionary who is working with the young boys (to the right of Jorge, who is wearing the red shirt at the top), Flavio (on the far right in the red sweater) a guy who grew up at New Hope and still comes around to spend time with the family, Gladys (green and yellow jacket, in the middle) the little boys' tutor."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_308" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Team liberti with their worship leader Neal (out in front) rocking the stage with an english worship song, "Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord." They sang so beautifully I thought I was going to cry. "]Team liberti rocking the stage with an english worship song "open the eyes of my heart". I thought I was going to cry, because they sang so beautiful.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_309" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Team liberti singing english worship songs. I don't think they knew how much this meant to those who are serving here long term and speak english. Thanks guys!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_310" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="The other half of Team Liberti singing worship songs. They filled the room with their voices to the point I thought the windows might blow out."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_312" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Nathan gives a wonderful sermon/testimony about love while Dave translates Nathan's sermon into spanish."]Nathan gives a wonderful sermon / testimony about love while Dave translates Nathan's sermon in to spanish.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_314" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="David Bolos, along with his wife Debbie Bolos and the help of a ton of supporters, founded the church which we attend as well as New Hope Children Home. The phrase in the Background on the poster refers to Kind David in the Bible. It says "The sword of David." I believe it is appropriate for Dave and Debbie, because they have guarded and loved these kids with their own lives. "]David Bolos, along with his wife Debbie Bolos and the help of a ton of supporters founded the church which we attend as well as New Hope Children's Home. The sign behind him is a reference to King David, and says "The Sword of David" Dave has guarded these kids hearts with his life. I think the phrase behind him is very appropriate.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_315" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Octavio, a pastor at the church who has been a member for seven years, gives a short welcome sermon to Team Liberti while Dave translates into english."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_316" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Fernando the worship leader, and son of Octavio, leads worship in spanish from the podium. Behind him from left to right are: Octavio a pastor, Abel a pastor, Dave founder and pastor, and John, another pastor at the church."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_317" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Fun and games always ensue on the walk home from Church. "]Fun and games always ensue on the walk home from Church.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_318" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Piggyback rides are really popular from the gringos for the kids. It's love without having to use words. "][/caption] [caption id="attachment_319" align="aligncenter" width="810" caption="Double hug. Bruce shows some love to Maricruz and Jorge."][/caption]

By sethshimkonis | Posted in Peru, Photo of the Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)