It’s Almost Time…

We head to Peru next Monday.

My emotions are kind of all over the place right now, and we’re in full-blown preparation mode as of today, but it’s sure to be a life-changing experience, and I really hope you’ll join us for the journey, too.

Kevin and I will be blogging from Lima once every evening, from the 13th to the 17th. Shaun Groves is leading our group, and we’ll be traveling with Angie Smith and Jen Schmidt, as well. We’ve been lucky enough to spent time with Angie and Jen at one point or another over the past couple of years, but we’ve never had a chance to meet their kids, so we were really excited to hear that Angie‘s daughters, Abby & Ellie, will be going with us on this trip! We can’t wait to meet them, and to read about their (and their mom’s) experiences over at Angie and Jen‘s blogs while we’re all together there, too.

And speaking of cutie kids, we’re going to have an opportunity to meet the little girl we sponsor while we’re there…

Her name is Fresia, and we can’t wait to tell you all about her!

PS- We’ll be attaching this banner at the bottom of each of our blog posts next week…

It’ll be there for folks who would like to click it and sponsor a child from Peru. There’s no pressure, and we’re not being paid by anyone to blog about it- we’re just grateful for what Compassion is doing, and we’re happy to help them in any way we can!

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67 Responses to It’s Almost Time…

1. Sherri says:

   Nov 6, 2012 at 3:44 pm

   What a wonderful privilege to get to go on such a trip!!! My niece went to Peru several years ago on a mission trip. When they went to leave, they all left their shoes and any clothing, hair clips, etc. with the children there. I was so touched by their love for these people they’d just met. I sponsor a child through World Vision. I would love to be able to meet my little guy one day.

   

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2. Susan @ Afford Your Passions says:

   Nov 6, 2012 at 3:52 pm

   I hope the two of you have a fun and rewarding trip to Peru! My thoughts will be with you as you undertake this journey!

   

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3. Debbie says:

   Nov 6, 2012 at 3:57 pm

   My husband and I sponsor a girl from Burkina Faso.

   

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4. Sara says:

   Nov 6, 2012 at 3:59 pm

   Hi,
   I just read your blog about your sponsored child you are going to get to meet. We sponsor two children in Guatemala and God has opened the doors for us to meet them. Get ready for absolutely the best blessing you have ever ask for or imagined. Also, be ready to leave a piece of your heart in Peru! Believe me, they will take good care of your heart. We get to go back to Guatemala in December and you cannot believe how happy and excited we are! May God bless your trip!

   

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5. Harbormom says:

   Nov 6, 2012 at 4:10 pm

   I will pray for blessings for you and Kevin on this trip. How exciting that you will meet your “daughter by choice” while you are there! Be safe and God bless…

   

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6. Gini says:

   Nov 6, 2012 at 4:26 pm

   SO COOL!!!! Can’t wait to “journey” along with you!!!
   ~Gini

   

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7. Mindy says:

   Nov 6, 2012 at 4:34 pm

   Praying for you all as you step out in this new, adventurous journey. I just know God is going to bless your socks off! And I know all our hearts will be challenged as we follow along…

   

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8. Donna Lohr says:

   Nov 6, 2012 at 4:39 pm

   I spent a summer in Peru on a teacher exchange program one summer and can’t wait to see where you go…
   I do have a question about Compassion. I have hesitated to choose a child because it scares me that something might happen that prevents me from continuing to support her until she is old enough to support herself…what would happen then?

   

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   • Tracey says:

     Nov 12, 2012 at 6:13 pm

     Hypothetically,if you had to drop a sponsorship, Compassion would try and work with you to see if it was a temporary problem. If not, perhaps you would know someone who could take on the sponsorship cost and you could continue to write to the child?
     There are older children waiting for sponsors who would only need a couple of years sponsorship before they leave the programme. (It varies depending on country). Perhaps consider taking on an older child? Teenagers can be wonderful letter writers! I am sure as you prayerfully consider sponsorship, God will direct you. And He is able to provide if we take that leap of faith at His direction.

     

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9. Tess says:

   Nov 6, 2012 at 4:55 pm

   How exciting! My husband and I used to visit Peru every year on missions trips; even spending an entire month in Lima once, until we adopted our first son (I left our story on your adoption post not too long ago). Peru holds a special place in our hearts and I am so blessed to hear you are going there. The Lord is definitely going to do some amazing things in your life. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35. This verse was THE verse from our very first trip to Peru about 8 years ago, in which He tore open our hearts and left part of it there. May it encourage and strengthen you, God bless you.
   Tess

   

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10. Brenda Owens says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    YAY…COMPASSION! And how awesome that you are visiting your sponsored child. You just might influence some of us to do the same. Best wishes and Godspeed. Eager to hear all about it!

    

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11. Tracey Turley says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    How exciting! We recently went on a mission trip to Guatemala & got to meet our sponsor child while we were there! Have a wonderful & safe trip!

    

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12. Kim says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    My husband is leaving tomorrow with a group of fellow pastors on his first Compassion trip. He is going to El Salvadore. I can’t wait to hear all about your experiences. Praying for you!

    

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    • Ruth says:

      Nov 13, 2012 at 8:51 am

      Oh wow!! We have a little girl whom we sponsor in El Salvador. Our family will be praying for their trip! God Bless

      

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13. SuzyMcQ says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    Safe travels and godspeed to you all.

    

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14. Angela S. says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    I’ll be reading along! It’s sure to be an amazing trip for you all!

    

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15. Dawn says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    Kevin and Layla,
    I wish you guys all the best on your trip! I can’t wait to see all that you guys experience. Good luck!

    

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16. Jody says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    Thrilled for you guys and can’t wait to follow along on what is sure to be a life changing trip!

    

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17. Linda says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    SO excited for your trip! I know flying is scary for you so hold Kevin’s hand and God will hold the other so you will be okay!

    

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18. laura@Top This Top That says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    god bless your heart and your kindness! Looking forward to hearing about your journey and the impact that you will make on peoples lifes.

    

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19. Claire says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    Oh this is awesome! I love Angie, I have read all her books, and I so enjoy seeing what Compassion does.

    

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20. Lisa Mende Design says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    This is going to be life changing. I went to China last year to the orphanage where I support children. It is amazing to see the children. God Bless You for doing this! And I mean you will be blessed as much as the lives you touch while you are there.

    

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21. Heidi @ Decor & More says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    Yay!! I’m so excited for you!! This will be life-changing, I’m sure… can’t wait to follow along. You, Layla and Kevin, have exactly the heart needed to communicate with the big blogosphere and beyond about the work of Compassion. Honored to be along for your ride!
    xo Heidi

    

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22. Deborah says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 8:17 pm

    May god bless you and Kevin during your trip to Peru. I am new to your blog but the more I read the more I am drawn to it. Just from the things that you have been sharing it looks like God is using you in a big way. Thank you for sharing your life and your beutiful home with us all.

    

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23. Bonnie says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    I’ll be praying for you all! My parents just returned two weeks ago from meeting their sponsored boy, Sergio, in El Salvador. Life changing!!!

    

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24. anna see says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    this is so exciting! i’ve been sponsoring through compassion since 1988 when i was 18 yrs old. so grateful for compassion bloggers getting the word out. praying for an awesome trip!

    

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25. Kat @Low Tide High Style says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    I’m sure it will be a life changing and amazing trip! I hope you have a safe and fruitful visit!

    Kat

    

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26. Asten says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    Super exciting for you guys to meet your precious sponsor child. Hope the trip goes well, prayers are with you

    

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27. Kristin S says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    Thrilled you are taking this trip and excited to follow you on your journey.

    Love Compassion

    

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28. lee ashley says:

    Nov 6, 2012 at 10:37 pm

    Have a wonderful time – my prayers will be with you for a safe journey! We can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures.

    

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29. Ter'e Crow Lindsay says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 6:32 am

    I was just thinking about this, this morning. In the wee hours. I am so thrilled you are doing this – and sharing the journey with us. You kids certainly will not walk alone thru this journey. You’re in GRAND company and you have all of us, behind you.
    Vaya con Dios!

    

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30. Culpepper says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 7:52 am

    What an amazing adventure. God bless you on your journey.

    

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31. Mary says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 7:57 am

    I’ll be praying for you as you go. You get to go with Lysa Terkeurst wow! Her books are amazing.

    

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32. Lindsay says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 8:11 am

    I am so excited for you guys going on this journey! My husband and I went on a mission trip to Nicaragua this past summer and were blown away by what God taught us in one quick week. I know that you will have the same experience. I’ll be praying for safety, a wonderful time for your group, and of course for God to move and do big things as He always does!

    

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33. Tami C says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 8:29 am

    This is wonderful! I look forward to reading your posts while away. Seven years ago my cousin was able to meet her sponsored child in Africa, it was such a blessed moment. She still tears up when talking about it. It will be monumental for all of you! Prayers for a safe and blessed journey.

    

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34. Teresa says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 8:52 am

    Can’t wait for your posts from Lima. My son has been living in Peru, currently in Lima, for the past 14 months. He is having amazing experiences, as I’m sure you will too!

    

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35. Rebecca says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 10:12 am

    Have a wonderful time! Blessings-

    

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36. Courtney says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 10:59 am

    Since you announced your trip, I have been so excited to read your blog while you are down there!! I hope you guys have a wonderful time!! I know that what you see and learn will be life changing. I pray God’s blessings and protection for your trip. Looking forward to next week’s posts!

    

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37. Lorraine says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 11:03 am

    My husband and daughter just returned from Honduras with Compassion. It was my daughters trip and she was looking forward to meeting her sponsored child, Samuel. She’s been a sponsor for three years. My husband ended up sponsoring a little girl there while on the trip! They found out that she needed a sponsor and her packet had been sent out to a Matthew West concert!! They were able to pull it and we became her sponsors mid week!!! They had an incredible time, Compassion is a wonderful company and their “tours” are top notch!! I know that your lives will never be the same after this trip!!!! Excited for you and Kev!!!

    

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38. birdy boots says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    OH wow!! — safe travels to all of you. Can’t wait to hear the daily reports

    

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39. Natalie says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    So excited for you guys!! Safe travels!!

    

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40. cindy barganier says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    Praying for you next week. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
    xoxo
    cindy

    

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41. Kristie says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    Peru is an interesting place. My husband & I took our (at the time) 15 month old daughter to Lima back in October of 2008 for his oldest brother’s wedding. Good luck and I can’t wait to read all about it.

    

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42. Diana says:

    Nov 7, 2012 at 11:58 pm

    I think it’s wonderful what you guys are doing. It makes my heart happy that there are good people in this world

    

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43. Axelle the french cook says:

    Nov 8, 2012 at 4:44 am

    We’re thinking positively of you.

    

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44. tinagleisner says:

    Nov 8, 2012 at 7:34 am

    Have a wonderful trip. It will certainly change how you look at life, as we really can’t imagine how wonderful our world is until we visit other countries. I went to Zimbabwe and worked with entrepreneur women there, graduates of CAMFED and it was an amazing experience.

    

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45. jessicaA says:

    Nov 8, 2012 at 8:40 am

    So excited for you guys! Hope you have a wonderful and safe trip! We sponsor a little kiddo in Honduras and I really hope to get to meet him one day! You will be in my prayers!

    

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    • Layla says:

      Nov 8, 2012 at 12:13 pm

      That’s awesome, Jessica! I hope you’ll get to meet him, too. Thank you for e-traveling with us as we explore Peru with Compassion. We appreciate your prayers so much!

      

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46. Rosalie says:

    Nov 8, 2012 at 10:41 am

    My sister-in-law lives in Lima! She’s coming home soon to visit. Looking forward to reading about your time there.

    

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    • Layla says:

      Nov 8, 2012 at 12:12 pm

      Awesome, Rosalie! We feel so blessed to be able to see Lima with Compassion, and are so happy you’ll get to see your sister-in-law soon, too!

      

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47. Sarah@SpeakingofTruth says:

    Nov 8, 2012 at 11:40 am

    Can not WAIT. I am so thankful that you are doing this, raising awareness for those precious kiddos (in Jesus name! ). Praying you through every moment. Proud of you.

    

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    • Layla says:

      Nov 8, 2012 at 12:11 pm

      Thank you, Sarah! Your comment made us smile so big, and we’re so happy to know you’ll be on the journey with us!!!

      

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48. Linda says:

    Nov 8, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    So excited to be following you on an amazing trip.

    

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49. Pat Mucci Tayco says:

    Nov 8, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    I am so excited to hear about your trip. I just got back from Compassion’s Sponsor Tour to Peru on October 20. There are no words to describe being able to hold your sponsored child in your arms. It is such a blessing. I also met at least one of the parents of the children we sponsor. They are so appreciative of being connected to us through Compassion. Two of the best decisions I have ever madewere to sponsor children and also to go to meet them! Enjoy your time in Peru. You will be in good hands with the Compassion Peru staff. They are AMAZING!!! Praying for you all and I can’t wait to read your blog!

    

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50. Traci says:

    Nov 8, 2012 at 11:40 pm

    Layla and Kevin!
    I am so excited about this opportunity. {And a little jealous, ya know.}
    I have been praying for you since the day I found out, and I cannot wait to see all the amazing things God does through you, those children, your readers, and everyone else involved.

    I love you guys!

    

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51. Rachel Carey says:

    Nov 9, 2012 at 8:45 am

    Yep, I ‘adopted’ Ronal from Indonesia. He’s 6 and has been waiting a long time for a sponsor. I was so excited today knowing that he will soon find out that someone on the other side of the world fell in love with him. $38 per month is a small price when it does so much good!

    He’s also STINKIN’ cute!!!!!

    Layla, are you able to get packages to your ‘child”?

    

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52. Steph says:

    Nov 9, 2012 at 9:08 am

    I’ve been following you both for a while (love your style!) and read this entry this morning after a particularly difficult morning with my boys – difficult in that they wouldn’t get out of bed, couldn’t find clean socks, argued over wearing long-sleeves on a 30degree day, forgot to add their books to their reading logs due today, etc…… – HARDLY a tough morning but that just goes to show you how blessed I am. If that’s tough, I have it easy. I recognize that and beat myself up all the way to work for losing my patience with them. That’s when I read this and realized I need to do something for kids who wished this was their morning at times. I (without thinking to consult my husband) went ahead and picked a child in Peru to sponsor. His name is Carlos and I can’t wait to hear more about him. This will be a great opportunity for my kids to learn about kids their age who don’t have the luxury to argue over what to wear! (among other things, obviously). Thanks for the inspiration. Timing is everything!
    I can’t wait to hear about your experience in Peru. Safe Travels.
    Steph

    

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53. Krystle @ Color Transformed Family says:

    Nov 9, 2012 at 10:54 am

    I am looking forward to reading about your trip. Last week we found out that adopting from Colombia was not why God had planned for us. We still feel that God is leading us to adopt from a Latin American country and are considering either Peru or Dominican Republic. I am looking forward to learning about Peru through your journey as we seek God’s will for our lives. I know you will be blessed with an amazing trip.

    

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54. Laura @ The Turquoise Home says:

    Nov 10, 2012 at 12:29 am

    I love Lysa and Angie (and you!) although I’ve never met any of you. And I love Shaun … I have met him. We were once members of the same church. AND, I LOVE Compassion. I’ve sponsored a girl (Naomi in Uganda) for several years now. So, needless to say, I’m so excited for your trip and I can’t wait to hear all about it!!

    

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    • Layla says:

      Nov 10, 2012 at 6:48 am

      Hi Laura! Thank you for leaving us such a sweet comment! We’re excited to travel with everybody (unfortunately Lysa isn’t going to be able to make it), and can’t wait to blog all about it starting next Tuesday!

      

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55. Yvonne says:

    Nov 10, 2012 at 1:31 am

    Looking forward to reading the blog posts about this trip and will be praying for all of you!

    

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56. Laura says:

    Nov 10, 2012 at 10:30 am

    Wow I’m so excited for your trip!! I traveled to Lima Peru several years ago for a missions trip! The experience and people there changed my life forever =) I also help support a little girl from Mexico and love the Compassion organization too. Enjoy the time with your child and I hope your trip is safe and beautiful!

    

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57. Sandy Briscoe says:

    Nov 10, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    Safe travels to you and Kevin. I am sure your trip will be an experience that you will never forget

    

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58. Rhonda Irizarry says:

    Nov 10, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    What a very exciting time, may you be blessed during your wonderful journey.

    

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    • Layla says:

      Nov 10, 2012 at 10:01 pm

      Thank you, Rhonda!

      

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59. Janet says:

    Nov 13, 2012 at 8:44 am

    Travel mercies to you! We also sponsor a 13 year old young lady from Peru! She lives in the coastal community of El Progreso. Will you be traveling there? We would love the opportunity to meet her some day. You are very blessed to meet your sponsored child.

    

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60. Maria L says:

    Nov 13, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    That is awesome, Looking forward to read your blog updates. Love me some Peru. I was born there..

    

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