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!
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.
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!
My husband and I sponsor a girl from Burkina Faso.
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!
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…
SO COOL!!!! Can’t wait to “journey” along with you!!!
~Gini 🙂
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…
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?
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.
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
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!
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!
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!
Oh wow!! We have a little girl whom we sponsor in El Salvador. Our family will be praying for their trip! God Bless 🙂
Safe travels and godspeed to you all.
I’ll be reading along! It’s sure to be an amazing trip for you all!
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!
Thrilled for you guys and can’t wait to follow along on what is sure to be a life changing trip!
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!
god bless your heart and your kindness! Looking forward to hearing about your journey and the impact that you will make on peoples lifes.
Oh this is awesome! I love Angie, I have read all her books, and I so enjoy seeing what Compassion does.
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.
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
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.
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!!!
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!
I’m sure it will be a life changing and amazing trip! I hope you have a safe and fruitful visit!
Kat
Super exciting for you guys to meet your precious sponsor child. Hope the trip goes well, prayers are with you 🙂
Thrilled you are taking this trip and excited to follow you on your journey.
Love Compassion
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.
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!
What an amazing adventure. God bless you on your journey.
I’ll be praying for you as you go. You get to go with Lysa Terkeurst wow! Her books are amazing.
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!
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.
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!
Have a wonderful time! Blessings-
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!
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!!!
OH wow!! — safe travels to all of you. Can’t wait to hear the daily reports 🙂
So excited for you guys!! Safe travels!! 🙂
Praying for you next week. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
xoxo
cindy
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.
I think it’s wonderful what you guys are doing. It makes my heart happy that there are good people in this world 🙂
We’re thinking positively of you.
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.
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!
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!
My sister-in-law lives in Lima! She’s coming home soon to visit. Looking forward to reading about your time there.
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!
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.
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!!!
So excited to be following you on an amazing trip.
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!
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!