So many beautiful faces just like this one
I had to go to the bathroom.
#1
in the outskirts of Lima, Peru
Dust-covered village, not a porta-potty in sight – understatement
so I ask my translator and soon we’re following a man to his house
Dirt steps, hollowed out rooms, feels kind of like the Flintstones
The father tells his family someone is here and they come out to briefly greet us
Yes it’s awkward
because I have to go to the bathroom
#1
Over to the side is a makeshift curtain
And I step inside and observe a hole on the ground
which I use
This was the common landscape in Lima
And soon I thank the family who has graciously offered a stranger into their house
But in the corner
over to the side
So many moments like this meeting people and sharing the love of Christ – I will never be the same
I see
a doll
that looks like it belongs in a dumpster
but it is in a house
Is this filthy doll a little girl’s toy?
That image has stayed with me, humbling me many days
Years later, I sew and I pray sometimes
“God, use my simple sewing skills for others, keep me open to your ways.”
I wish I had been making Tess the Guinea Pig Girl dolls back then
because I would have given her one
or two
or a dozen
Tess and Esther, Joy and Leah hang out together. On Friday, Tess’s friends will begin their journey to live in Madagascar.
I want the Guinea Pig Girl dolls to go places
Near and far
Operation Christmas Child boxes
Regular places too
To be loved
and hugged
Three of them go to Madagascar on Friday
Esther, Joy and Leah will meet the Mahafaly people
On Saturday, Tabitha, another Guinea Pig Girl doll, goes to Nepal with an anti human-trafficking advocate
Can you imagine?!
Although Tess will miss her greatly, she’s excited for Tabitha and her big move to Nepal.
To bless a little girl or a hurting soul
In my own comfortable land or continents away
My sewing machine feels happy, just wish “we” would have started sooner.
“Heavenly Father, mightily use my human brothers and sisters in Christ. Protect and anoint every aspect of their journey. And for my fabric friends, Lord, whoever receives one of these little dolls, may she receive it with the love with which it was made and sense the everlasting love which only comes from you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Read more about my friends’ travels here and here, I hope to have some pictures of the GPG in their new homes.
To order a Guinea Pig Girl doll, check out my website at oliveshootinstitute.com.
My Awesome Olive Shoots 
Hi Cindy,
I would very much like to send some GPG’s out in our OCC boxes this year! I have tried on several occasions to click the link for theoliveshootinstitute, but it always comes up with a “broken link” page. Help?
Carol T
8^)