LOVE like Los Pinguinos

La Mosca “The Fly” is a squatter community next to a trash dump outside of Santiago. Many families survive on less than two dollars a day; and for most, picking through trash is their main source of income. The community is plagued by disease, addiction, crime, illiteracy, and malnutrition. Since 2007 REUNION has supported a local Pastor and his work. Pastor Luis and his family are awesome; in addition to running their church, they serve food to 100+ hungry kids six days a week and seek out and meet the needs of those in their community.

Our past trips have focused on providing medical care and helping with community construction projects. We are excited that this trip will be more focused on the community, with an emphasis on women and children. We will spend time working with the nutrition center, playing with the kids, and helping Luis’ wife Reina at a sewing clinic she has been starting up. On our last Skype call with Luis he asked us to spend some time specifically with the young women of his community. He said they often get caught up in prostitution from the ages of 10-18 and would like to see if there are ways we can show them they are valued, loved, and don’t need to be stuck in that lifestyle.

To be honest, I’m not sure how we are going to do that, but Luis has said it is a huge need and has asked us to do it. He has become like family to us and we would do anything to help him and his community. Despite being americano outsiders, he said his community values our relationship with them and our service to them; and that they would be impacted more than we might think if we choose to make these young women a priority. We can’t say no to that!

But Katelyn and I need your support to pull this off. We are fundraising with these cool T’s and notebooks in hopes that you will not only buy one or two, but that you would tell the story of La Mosca when asked about how cool your gear is. Despite being in a dark place, Pastor Luis is able to be a light to his community and is changing the future for those children as he nourishes them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. My family is lucky enough to have a front row seat encouraging him and his family and no doubt transforming ours as well.

...so why penguins? Well, Katie really wanted to make a penguin shirt to raise money for her trip. How can I say no to that!

Other cool gear: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/la-mosca