Marzo (resubido)

This month of March has been quiet... but deeply rewarding. Every Saturday, I continue to have the privilege of sharing the Word of God with the children of Villa María del Triunfo. With their joy and simplicity, they teach me more than they could ever imagine. This time, I was able to give them a more general class, and that experience helped me continue growing, both in knowledge and in service.

Additionally, something very valuable I’d like to share is that I’ve noticed a positive change in the way I communicate with the people around me. This has been possible thanks to the psychological sessions I’ve been attending through the YAV program. Personally, they’ve been incredibly helpful, and I’m grateful to see how, little by little, some inner areas are being restored.

On another note, I’m truly thankful to be part of the technical assistance team for the Greek I course taught by AETE. Although I can’t fully focus during the live classes due to my support duties, I review the recordings during the week, and that allows me to keep learning and growing.

In summary, March has been a calm month, but full of blessings. A month to give thanks, to serve, and to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Febrero (resubido)

February has been a special month in many ways. I celebrated another year of life on February 14th, something I’m deeply grateful for because this past year has been filled with God’s grace and love. But beyond my birthday, this month has allowed me to learn more about what it truly means to serve—a lesson that has been both challenging and rewarding.  

One of the most meaningful moments of this month was my visit to the Cerro La Papa community in San Juan de Miraflores, Lima, where I had the opportunity to spend time with children alongside Pastor Elsa. There, they are holding classes about who Jesus is, using the Proyecto Felipe manual, which guides children through a learning process about who God is and how we can have a relationship with Him.  

I arrived just as they were finishing the first module, and it was beautiful to see how the children welcomed the pastor with so much love and enthusiasm. From the very first moment, it was clear how happy they were and how much they longed for attention—not just in a material sense, but especially in a spiritual one. They know that someone is there to talk to them about God, and they truly cherish that. It’s one thing to be aware that there’s great need in the world, but when you see it firsthand, when you’re physically present in these places, it’s like something inside you is reignited. You realize just how much there is to do, and that the work is never in vain.  

From now on, I’ll be going every Saturday to help with teaching as they move on to the second module. I’m really excited about this because I’ve already connected with some of the kids from the first day. Working with children is something I genuinely love, so this experience fills me with gratitude. I also had the chance to meet a young woman with Down syndrome who attends the classes. I’ve never worked with someone with this condition before, so this is a new experience for me. I’ve been amazed by the sweetness and innocence with which they interact, and I feel grateful to share this space with her.  

Another special moment was when I was given the opportunity to help a thirteen-year-old boy learn how to read. I don’t have formal training in teaching literacy, but I’m using the phonetic method, which I find quite effective. It’s shocking to realize that there are kids this age who still haven’t learned to read, and that this is just one case among many. The community faces many struggles—not only financial difficulties but also social and family-related challenges. Statistics show high rates of domestic violence, abuse, and drug addiction. Many of the children who attend these classes are growing up in very difficult environments, which makes it all the more essential for them to receive the seed of God’s Word. We’re not trying to push them into making immediate decisions, but simply planting a seed, trusting that God will make it grow in His perfect time. 

 

So far, I’ve been able to visit twice. The first time, I helped distribute certificates, assisted in teaching, and joined in prayer. The second time was more of a play day, which gave me the chance to get to know the kids outside the classroom setting. That day, we went to a sports court, and I was able to see how they interact in a freer environment, outside the structure of a lesson. It was such a beautiful experience because I got to see a different side of them—more spontaneous, more authentic.  

This coming Saturday, which will be the first Saturday of March, I’ll be teaching the little ones directly. I’m preparing my materials with a lot of excitement, hoping to share the message with them in the clearest and most meaningful way possible.  

Overall, February has been a beautiful month, filled with service, love, and new experiences. I’m grateful for every opportunity to learn, to give, and to share God’s Word. Serving is a privilege, and every time I do it, I realize how much it also transforms me.

A new year

 The first month of the year always brings a sense of renewal. January has been a time of readjustment, setting new goals, and taking a breather amidst the hustle and bustle of Lima. For me, this time has been marked by service in my church. something that has filled my days with incredible and meaningful moments.

Additionally, at AETE, we kicked off the summer courses, where I had the opportunity to support the logistics team. Even though I carried out some tasks from home, I still felt like a part of this beautiful training process. And this week, with great excitement, I will reunite with my YAV companions, with whom we will continue developing activities in churches and other impactful spaces.

On the other hand, my psychological support, thanks to the YAV program, has been a journey of self-discovery. Little by little, I am gaining a deeper understanding of myself and the areas I need to work on to become the best version of myself.

Meanwhile, Peru continues to be a stage of change and uncertainty. January was not only a month of personal readjustment but also a time of adjustments in the national landscape. The political situation remains in constant motion, with tensions reflecting the feelings of a society seeking stability. Economic challenges are also evident, and many families are starting the year with the hope of better times ahead.

Amidst it all, I look forward to 2025 with excitement. I know new challenges will come, but so will new opportunities to grow, serve, and learn. May this year find us with determination and faith, ready to face whatever comes our way.

✨ Let’s go for more! ✨

Merry Christmas

 This month has been a time of great blessings in my life. Thanks to the YAV program, I had the opportunity to attend my first psychological session. Although I wasn’t completely convinced at first, I discovered how valuable it is to be listened to by someone who knows how to guide you. It has been a revealing experience that has helped me better understand my emotions and how to manage them.

Additionally, we participated in the YAV retreat with Jenny and the girls from the volunteer program. It was a truly special moment, full of learning and connection. I feel deeply grateful to have people in my life who care about me and try to help me in the best way, even though they aren’t family. During the retreat, I learned that all our emotions are valid, something we often take for granted but don’t always know how to put into practice. Recognizing and expressing how we feel is essential, even if it’s not always easy.

In this special space, as a group, we established our agreement:

“To respect, support, and listen to one another, always assuming the best intentions.”

This commitment unites us more than ever and will serve as the foundation for building stronger and more genuine relationships.

There was also room to resolve misunderstandings among my companions and me. We realized that many of the conflicts came from our own internal struggles, which were affecting both our friendship and our group goals. Talking things through was key: it allowed us to forgive one another and, more importantly, to forgive ourselves for not knowing how to manage and communicate our feelings. After this enriching experience, I am confident that our relationship as a team will be much stronger, and our service will be even more meaningful.

To wrap up the month on a high note, we celebrated AETE’s anniversary. Although preparing everything was exhausting, it was completely worth it. We put so much effort into every detail, from the food to the decorations, and the result was wonderful. I feel incredibly happy to have been part of this very special event.

Without a doubt, this has been a month I will cherish with great affection, full of personal and community growth.

November: Faith and Service in Times of Uncertainty

 This month, 🇵🇪 Peru has witnessed turbulent and challenging times. The streets have been filled with protests and marches, reflecting a deep longing for justice ⚖️ and safety 🛡️. In the midst of this uncertainty, I have felt the need to reflect on our trust in the Lord ✝️ and our role as His servants in a broken world 🌍. It is in these moments, when human fragility becomes evident, that we must remember that our God is sovereign 👑, even over the nations (salm 46:10).

I confess that the reality of insecurity 🚨 and crime 🕵️‍♂️ in our country has deeply affected me. There were moments when fear 😟 touched my heart, especially while traveling through certain areas or at late hours 🌃. However, the Lord has used these challenges to remind me of His constant care 💕 and to strengthen my faith ✨. By His grace, I have also had the support of companions 🤝 and a team that reflects the prudence and wisdom that come from God, always seeking to ensure our safety 🛡️ as we fulfill our calling 📖.

One of the greatest blessings 🙌 this month was participating in a workshop organized by AETE as part of the Diplomado Nuevos Modelos de Pastoral Juvenil and Pastoral Militante en Contexto de Violencia. This workshop was AETE’s initiative, and as YAV program volunteers, we had the privilege of collaborating and supporting this effort at the Church of God of Peru ⛪, located in Pamplona Alta, San Juan de Miraflores. It was my first time visiting a church of this denomination, and it was a joy 😊 to experience how other brothers and sisters worship the same God in different ways. I was moved by their warmth 💛 and their genuine desire to serve the Lord with excellence 🌟.

The workshop aimed to encourage young people 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 to develop a habit of reading 📚 that enriches their understanding and better equips them for ministry 🙏. While Scripture 📖 is and will always be our ultimate authority and sufficiency, we know that God uses other tools 🛠️ to shape our minds and hearts 💡. As Paul says, "Examine everything; hold fast to what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). It was a privilege to share with them how well-guided reading can help us fulfill our calling, reflecting the wisdom God has given us 💎.

This space not only strengthened the young people’s commitment but also allowed me to reflect on the value of serving in community 👫. The reality in Pamplona Alta is challenging, but seeing young people filled with a passion 🔥 to learn and serve is a testimony to the transformative power of the gospel ✝️.

Despite the difficulties and challenges this month has brought, I have seen God’s hand ✋ at work in my life and in the lives of those around me. I pray 🙏 that as we continue on this journey, we may be lights 💡 in the midst of darkness, fully trusting that the Lord is working for His glory 🌟 and our good 💕. May December bring even more opportunities to serve and glorify His name! 🎉

October it´s over ... 💛

This month has been full of experiences that really shook things up and made me put some old skills back into action. Working with difficult teenagers isn’t easy, and October made sure to remind me of that.

Right from the start, the group was pure chaos: loud, restless, and full of energy. Talking about violence in those conditions was tough, and I had to come up with all kinds of strategies to keep their attention. Despite the mess, we managed to get through the activities, and meeting our goals felt like a huge win.

One thing that really stood out to me was that, even though they already knew a lot about violence and how to recognize it, the topic didn’t really faze them. They’re fully aware of what it is, but they live with it daily, both experiencing and committing acts of violence without feeling much sensitivity toward it. Knowing that the four sessions I designed would be facilitated by my fellow YAV volunteers and me, I chose to lead the first one. I wanted to get a sense of how the group reacted so my colleagues could adjust their methods and better engage with the teens.

That first session was tough. The topics, like identifying violence, weren’t new to them, so they got distracted easily and joked around a lot. But then we did an activity where they wrote down situations of violence they had experienced or witnessed, and that changed things a bit. It became clear that violence is a constant part of their surroundings, whether at school, on the streets, or at home. Even though it wasn’t entirely surprising, it was still striking.

In the end, the experience was incredibly valuable. It helped me understand how to work with them better and also gave my fellow volunteers the insight they needed to adjust their sessions and really capture the group’s attention. The later sessions flowed more smoothly, and when we covered topics that genuinely interested them, like toxic relationships, they became much more engaged, even if they still made jokes.

Overall, it was a challenging but rewarding experience. It taught me to be more flexible and creative, and it left me with the satisfaction of knowing that, even if just a little, I had managed to connect with these teens and their realities.

And September is over

This month has been a transformative time, filled with learning and valuable connections in my role as a volunteer. One of the greatest gifts has been meeting the AETE team, with whom I will have the privilege of working this year. Their hearts are aligned with the same desire to serve, and this has filled me with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead.

On Saturday the 21st, we had our first community activity, an unforgettable day. We went to a church in one of the districts of Lima, a place that reflects both the needs and the resilience of its people. Our task was to paint a mural that represented the community’s call for better health services. But what made the mural even more special was that it not only highlighted the lack of access to modern medicine, but also how people turn to ancestral wisdom, using medicinal plants to care for their health. The message was clear: "Plants are better than pharmacies." This made me reflect on how, even in need, God provides through His creation. It reminded me of the words of Psalm 104:14, which says: "He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth."

The activity was a joint effort between the Sunday school children and the YAV and AETE teams. The children, with their joy and energy, were the driving force that kept us going, even when the terrain and conditions became challenging. It was a reminder of what Jesus said in Matthew 19:14: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Their purity and willingness to help inspired us all.

Personally, it was a great challenge. The terrain was not easy, and at times the fatigue weighed heavily. But at the end of the day, I felt deeply satisfied. Despite the exhaustion, knowing that we contributed to something the community needed and valued made every effort worth it. As Philippians 4:13 says: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This experience showed me that, with faith, even the hardest challenges can be overcome.

I left that day with a heart full of gratitude, not only for what we accomplished together, but also for the way God guided us every step of the way. I’m excited for what the future of this volunteer work will bring, and I trust that I will continue to see His hand at work in every experience.

Un Poco Sobre Mí

Un Poco Sobre Mí :3

Hola, Bienvenidos a mi espacio. 🌟 Me llamo Diana, Antropóloga 👩‍🎓, y entusiasta creyente evangélica ✝️ que encuentra propósito y alegría en el servicio a los demás. Hoy les contaré un poquito de mí, algo que no suelo hacer, así que es todo un reto... 😊

Tengo 29 años, soy de Perú 🇵🇪, y a lo largo de mi vida he descubierto que lo que más me llena es la interacción con las personas, especialmente cuando se trata de enseñar y capacitar a niños, niñas y adolescentes 👧👦. Creo firmemente que conectar con los demás para transmitirles un mensaje de amor y esperanza es fundamental ❤️, y esto es precisamente lo que busco hacer a través de mi participación en el programa YAV.

Me encanta la música 🎶; me siento plena cuando canto 🎤, aprendo nuevos instrumentos 🎸, y descubro cómo cada nota se entrelaza para crear una armonía que toca el alma. Este amor por la música es algo que también comparto en mi iglesia, donde apoyo a otros y desarrollo mis habilidades. Aunque a veces me enfrento a obstáculos, sé que Dios me ha dado un oído afinado y la capacidad de usar la música como una herramienta de servicio. 🎵

En momentos difíciles, es mi fe en Dios lo que me sostiene 🙏. Sé que las dificultades me acercan más a Él, y me enseñan a confiar en Su plan. La iglesia ha sido mi refugio y el lugar donde siempre encuentro algo que hacer, algo en lo que servir, lo que me mantiene con propósito y dirección.

Además de la música, me apasiona la lectura 📚, especialmente aquellas obras literarias que cuentan historias profundas y transformadoras. Como "María" de Jorge Isaacs, una obra que siempre amaré por su representación de un amor puro y trascendental 💕. La creatividad es otra de mis pasiones, especialmente en las manualidades ✂️, que utilizo para crear materiales educativos para niños y adolescentes. Me encanta ver cómo los colores y las formas se unen para enseñar y deleitar 🎨.

Dedico gran parte de mi tiempo libre a la iglesia ⛪, donde encuentro paz e inspiración. Es allí donde he descubierto nuevas aptitudes y habilidades que jamás imaginé tener. La necesidad de servicio en la iglesia es un impulso para seguir creciendo y aprendiendo.

Disfruto conocer nuevas personas y culturas 🌍 porque siempre hay algo nuevo que aprender y replicar en mi vida. Si tuviera que describirme en tres palabras, diría que soy empática, creativa y consciente de mi debilidad, reconociendo que en mi debilidad, Dios me hace fuerte 💪 (2 Corintios 12:9).

Y bueno, ahora que saben un poco mas de mi y lo que me apasiona, termino diciéndoles que este blog será un reflejo de mi viaje personal a través del programa YAV. Aquí compartiré mis actividades y experiencias como voluntaria, mostrando cómo cada día en el servicio me ofrece nuevas lecciones y oportunidades para crecer. Espero que, al seguir mi recorrido, encuentren inspiración y ánimo ✨, y que puedan ver cómo Dios obra en medio de las situaciones cotidianas para transformar vidas. <3 Bendiciones <3