That’s so Peru….has become one phrase that I will always remember. Peru is one of a kind. I have had a great month here, but at the beginning of the month things were not looking good. Here is a recap of one my most favorite, but hardest months yet.
After an all night bus ride to Huanuco, Peru, we arrived at VeinteOcho church around 7:30 in the morning. There was a youth conference currently going on and with no time to rest we jumped right in and helped with the conference. We had trouble contacting our ministry contact because the youth conference was priority. We had no idea who to talk to about ministry plans and that left us worrying what the rest of the month would look like. After several days of waiting and not really knowing what to do, we finally were able to talk to our contact and we have been going non stop since.
The first week in Peru we prepared three dramas for kids, teenagers, and adults. We made banners and participated in a citywide peace march. We cleaned several churches and participated in over 5 church services around the city. On Sunday’s we participate in the big church service which is the main church. During the week we travel to small community churches which are 10x10ft rooms. But sometimes there is more love and worship in those small communities of believers than you normally see in a church service filled with thousands. The second week we visited people in the community who have not been lately or not able to attend church. These were some of my favorite times. The Peruvians are so welcoming and kind. All invite you in to talk, share the gospel and sometimes go and buy you 9 fruit cakes and force you to eat until you never want to see fruit cake again, and then we end up singing praise songs around the dinner table in a blend of Spanish and English harmony. We also were able to spend time with the youth group and the children’s ministry which is especially close to my heart. We were invited to eat breakfast at several church members house where we tried cuoy or aka guinea pig and yes it tastes like chicken. We were able to go into the mountain villages and evangelize where I saw two children receive Christ. I was able to share my testimony in Spanish (which I do not speak lol) at a church conference weekend. I have been asked to share a message just 2 minutes before the service actually starts. I have been able to sing with the praise band on Sunday mornings. We helped the youth perform a flash mob in the city park to promote the conference. We have had bonfires, movie nights, ice cream outings and so much more with the people from this church. And we were able to end the month with a thanksgiving meal with enough food to feed eleven people which we planned for but we ended up feeding over 40 more people by the end. God provided abundantly this month, and all along I think he just wants us to let go and trust him.
We have been able to do all this but it hasn’t always been easy. There were miscommunications often and learning that the Huanuco cultural is very laid back when it comes to planning and punctuality has taken some getting used too. But that is exactly what has made this month interesting and fun. Never knowing what might come of the day. A last minute bonfire or a last minute testimony to prepare are helping us to rely fully on God this month. I have loved being a part of a church community this month and it reminds me of my own church family at home, Faith, who I miss and cherish so much. This month has taught me so much about community. It doesn’t matter the language, the country, the social status, the labels, when you come together to worship God you are one body, near or far we are all apart of God’s church working toward one goal: glorifying God and seeing His Kingdom grow.
I’m so grateful for Peru. My team and I definitely had our ups and downs this month but we perservered through. I think by the end of the month, we were all exhausted. Luckily we had a debrief where we could catch our breath for Ecuador.
