Peru Fun Facts:
- Peru’s terrain boasts Andean peaks, coastal deserts, and rainforests of the Amazon basin.
- Home of the incredible Inca ruins- Machu Picchu. (We are not going to get an opportunity to visit these ruins so if anyone would like to go with me in the future, I will be coming back to explore!)
- Peru is five times larger than the UK
Ministry: Savage Ministries (savageministries.com)
They run a school, vacation Bible school, Sunday church services, youth services and many more outreach programs. They are also located in other countries.
Housing:
Three classrooms turned into bunkrooms with bunk beds; two rooms for the girls and one for the boys. Some squad members are up on the roof in their tents. All 45 members of F squad are here for the month; so fun! We have one shower, a kitchen, a chapel and we hang out on the stairs.
Life:
Many times I have told people that my heart is half farm girl/half mountain girl. It is also half latina. I really feel at home in Spanish speaking countries. I love air kissing on the cheek to greet friends and neighbors, I love how families really take care of each other, and I love walking a minute to the local bodegas for a treat. If you stand on our roof you can see the ocean and the mountains. It is a 20- minute taxi ride to the beach, the mall, or the city center (park, pedestrian mall, restaurants, shops). The local kids are so sweet. We helped with vacation Bible school last week and there were so many great moments. One girl asked my friend if she had a baby, would the baby speak Spanish or English. Some of the girls that I have made friends with asked me if we use the same money in the USA that they use here. I love conversations like these. Many people at the mall come up to us and take pictures of us or with us. People shout “hello” at us, stare at us, simply say “gringos” as they pass by us, the little kids shout “gringos” at us, but our neighbors are really just curious about us. The local store owner asked me if I know Morgan Freeman.
Last week my team helped plan and run the games during vacation Bible school. This week we are helping in the pre-school classrooms and helping with two different church services at night. Monday was our day off, and we were able to enjoy the beaches of Huanchaco. Monday night I hosted a “Back to School Night” theme party in honor of the school here starting back up after their winter break, in honor of my love for theme parties, and in honor of Geneseo High School going back to school this week. Theme parties are a hit around the world!
It really is wonderful to bless people! You can bless people in so many ways; spending time with them, financially helping, praying for them, being kind to others, not complaining, and the list goes on and on. You will realize that the people you are trying to bless usually turn it around and bless you more. Think of a way you can be a blessing to someone this week and if you want to share your story, I would love to hear how you blessed someone.
Romans 12:5-8 “so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
