Touch down in Lima, Peru was as close to perfect as it could possibly be. The Lord faithfully continues to carry us in the palm of His loving hand. Our group of 25 landed in Lima, Peru with no issues whatsoever! Thank God!!!
After the first night of sleeping in a hostel, “The Race” began. Our 5 teams raced to Chincha. We were required to stop in 8 different locations including: The catacombs, town Plazas, the Parque de Amore, a location to eat cow’s heart and civeche (marinated raw seafood -actually pretty good!). We stopped and asked for directions too many times to count. Being the stranger in a strange land and speaking a strange language is certainly brings no lack of challenges!
10 hours later, we made in to our final destination in Chincha. (our team surprisingly got there 1st.) Our hosts, Pastor Desiderio and his wife Hilda came out to greet us with big beautiful smiles and open arms. We set up our tents for the month, a mere 2 feet from the pen of the dreaded goats. (That’s right, I’m living in a tent surrounded by farting, screaming, freaky goats for a month…. and I’m okay with it. Well, most of the time 😉
If that’s the worst of it, life is good. Oh, and it is! Everyday the food has all been lovingly homemade by the pastor’s wife. It’s fantastic! We’ve had chicken stir-fry, spaghetti, beef and potatoes all so full of flavor! For breakfast we always have two rolls one with jelly and one with scrambled eggs or tuna. If we drink the water here, we could become seriously ill. Praise God, with all we have consumed thus far, we are still healthy. We eat outside under a big tent with a view of the foothills of the Andes Mountains, feeling so blessedJ
Here is a picture of my friend Patrice’s tent by the goats. (My pix not downloading)
Here’s an idea of a “Day in the life” of a World Racer.
6 Am. Wake up – Personal devotions
7 Am. Bring all toiletries to the “bathroom” (no running water. Must take bucket showers and wash hair in “trough”, b.y.o. clean water for brushing teeth. (Should an item such as toilet paper be forgotten, must walk back to the tent – get a lot of exercise this way)
8 Am. Breakfast of juice and 2 rolls.
9 Am. Group praise and worship to get ready to visit our families in Tambo de Mora or Los Jardenes in Chavalina. (Where my team is working)
12 Pm. Take the bus to our location(s)
1-5 Pm. Visit all of the families in the area. Many of them have really touched our hearts. (More on this in the next blog.)
7 Pm. Dinner
8 Pm. Debrief
9 Pm. Free (Wait in line for the bathroom.)
Overall everything is coming together well. The team dynamics are slowly but surely coming into place. Sometimes I look around and think “Wow, this is what I’ve been preparing for and I’m here, with these people, for a year!” It still seems very surreal.
Everyday God gives a new revelation. Most days I feel like a little kid. Being a child again brings so much freedom along with many growing pains. So now, I’m focusing on what my Father has for me and how I can grow in the right direction.
Considering the bumpy emotional ride down here, I can truly say, God has provided a soft landing.
