The busses pulled away from the beautiful camp on Lake Nicaragua, where we had been debriefing, at 10:00 am in the morning. It was going to be a long travel day but I was stoked for our first flight and excited about the idea that I would be spending the night on a new continent.
Lake Nicaragua our beautiful debrief location.
The day progressed with a bus ride from the lake to Managua, a plane ride from Nicaragua to Lima, Peru and another hour long bus ride across Lima. We pulled up to the church at 1:45 am, warn out and rumpled after an exhausting day of hurry up and wait. I was expecting a dark empty church and maybe one unfortunate congregant who got the short straw and had to stay up to let us in.
When I stepped off the bus a crew of about 20 exuberant Peruanos were there, arms wide open, wrapping us in warm embraces, sloppily kissing our cheeks, shouting “bienvenidos” (welcome.) Tiredness had shut down my brain, so like a talking parrot I started repeating bienvenodos, only later did I realize that that I was telling them welcome, which didn’t make any sense. They didn’t care a bit, and the hospitable greeting continued. We quickly rolled out our sleeping mats on the church floor and by 2:30 am were comatose.
Lima, it’s really dry and dusty here.
I’ve already learned so much from our hosts about hospitality. The church members put on three meals a day for us, wash every dish, set up tables, help with our laundry, and a few have moved out of their houses so we have a place to stay. Today one of the ladies even wanted to come over and clean the house. I hope that when I get back to the United States I can welcome visitors with open arms the same way I’ve been welcomed. Our culture has a lot to learn about hospitality!
Eating one of the many great meals the church cooks for us.
Our living conditions are wonderful, a bit tight, but fun. About 20 of us are staying in the house I live in, which only has one bathroom. It’s my team (Salt), the Yeti’s, ½ the media team and 3 translators, what a party! We call it the Jacuzzi house because it has a beautiful tub, which is ironic because there is no hot water. I’m staying in a 10′ x 10′ room with four girls. It’s like college, only way more cramped, no furniture and much more fun. This month will definitely be a lesson in learning to live together. My prayer has been that the teams we are with will not only cohabitate but really live in community.
Being around people with the intensity that the World Race provides is an amazing opportunity. Personal flaws, quirks or problems that are easy to keep hidden in other circumstances bubble up to the surface. I visualize this type of community as rocks striking each other. Sometimes it hurts and grinds but it shapes you and ultimately sparks of passion and fire for God are a result.
Our ministry this month has a lot of variety. We will be doing school presentations, helping with small groups and the youth group, taking part in services, working in a very poor community near the church and helping plant a church. It’s definitely enough to keep busy. I already love this place and am excited to see what God brings!
Dance party at church, they know how to get down! (Photo courtesy of Tim Weisemann)
