The Ingrum Family: Lily

HERE'S LILY

With or new weekly commitment to blog about our time in Peru, we have decided to highlight each of our kids at some point during the next few months. Being that Lily is the oldest, and because of a recent change in her life (see below), we thought we should start with her.

When we moved here nearly three years ago, Lily was only 7 years old. She has spent a little under half of her life here and has grown not only physically, but is growing into a mature, beautiful, young lady of God. As she has faced the many challenges that come with living in another culture, she has dealt with loneliness and frustration, but has also experienced tremendous blessings and growth.

Lily has always cherished participating in ministry events with her daddy. Of all our kids, she is always the first to volunteer for ministry related activities, loving a good adventure. A few months ago, she was asking to accompany Geoff on Wednesdays for the regular ministry program at the center. Last year, I had told her "no" because she needed to focus on her school work. This year, I was convicted that I was elevating her education over something far more important. I decided that I would rearrange her schooling to allow her time to serve alongside Geoff. On Tuesdays, after she finishes the day's assignments, she starts right in on Wednesday's schoolwork.

I am so grateful for the opportunity she has to serve with her dad. She is an enormous help to the ministry, while being discipled through the process of working with Geoff. I am confident that this has been a formative year for her, and I thank God daily for the evidence of His grace at work in her life. Geoff and I both pray with steadfast hope and great expectation that the seeds that are being planted today will issue forth in a glorious harvest in the life of this God-honoring young women.

Pictures of Lily in Action

Lily loves her some babies!!!

Helping with a skit at the Family Bible Study.

I can't understand why the kids love her so much.

Her favorite job in the world, holding babies.

She has the gift of endless energy.

A Short Interview With Lily

Mommy, "Tell me some things you love about Peru?"

Lily, "The food, traveling in Peru, the Ocean, and I love going to the ministry center with dad"

Mommy, "What are some things that have been hard for you here?"

Lily, "Speaking Spanish, being away from family, and I love climbing trees and being in the forest, but here it is all city."

Mommy, "What do you like about working with Word Made Flesh?"

Lily, "I love playing with the kids and having them come to me, and holding babies."

Mommy, "What have you learned during your time here?"

Lily, "I have learned that God has given me a gift to work with kids. It is really hard, but I like it because I love kids, and once they get to know me, they come to me. It has taught me patience. For example, one time I was walking around with a crying child because she wanted her mom. I just kept trying to comfort her, and I had never realized a child could have so many tears."

Mommy, "How have you changed during your time here?"

Lily, "I have seen a lot of poverty and sin and this has changed my perspective on things. For example, I visited a lady's home and she had one room with two beds and a small table. I was amazed that people live like this, while we have big houses and lots of stuff we don't even need. I also sometimes think about the little kids I work with. I don't want them to grow up like their parents who are often rowdy, with no manners, and maybe on drugs."

Mommy, "Is there anything else you want to share?"

Lily, "Peru has been a good experience for me. I have learned a lot and seen a lot of things that have changed me. Although it has been hard, it has been good."

Mommy, "What do you want to do in the future?"

Lily, "I want to have lots of kids and maybe be an artist or a writer. Maybe I would like to be an owner of an orphanage. Hopefully, I can live on a farm because I like nature and animals, and I think my kids would like that too."

Pictures from Lily's time here

Lily's first birthday in Peru. Her neighborhood friends threw her a surprise birthday party.

Our trip to visit Elita's family included a visit to the third largest waterfall in the world, Gocta. Lily and the boys rode mules, while the grownups walked. (Side-note: Elita and Raechel almost died from exhaustion on this four hour trek. Raechel would like to add that the trail was nearly vertical...in both directions. "It was the hardest thing I have ever done." - Raechel)