W E L C O M E T O P E R U
I MADE IT TO PERU! My team and I have been here for two weeks, and we have two weeks left. We’re working with a ministry called Inca Link Peru – they’re really passionate about reaching the youth (ages 5 – 18) through community projects, sports, bible studies, and VBS type activities.
I played UNO one day with Jordan, Robinyo, Paco, and Bryan.
Thursday afternoons – from 4-6:30 p.m. – moms and their kids come to Inca Link’s property. The kids play on the playground and do a VBS-type lesson, while their moms get to work on life skills (this week was sewing and making christmas tree type things!). I played puzzles with some kids and took pictures this past Thursday.
Ministry has looked really diverse these first two weeks, but our schedule is mainly ministry for 2-3 hours in the morning, then lunch/a break in the afternoon, and then ministry again from 4-6 (and sometimes 7-9, depending on the day). One thing that’s surprised me the most about Inca Link is how self-sufficient they are. All of the bible studies and kids programs are run by locals, university students, and Inca Link staff. They are empowering local communities rather than becoming dependent on short-term teams. They’re letting us help out in as many ways as possible, and that looks like inviting us into ministry rather than us having to create it.
Mack and Melissa tag-teaming the Monday afternoon women’s bible study! They talked about the story of God splitting the Red Sea, and reminded the women that – because God is the same today – nothing in their lives is too big for God to conquer.
While my girls were rockin’ teaching the study, I played with these kiddos outside. At one point, they wanted to play blindfolded tag (I obliged… I can’t say no to the crazies). I ended up tripping over the curb at just the opportune time… when all the moms got done with bible study and came outside to witness it. It was really funny. Wish you could’ve been there.
On Monday morning, my team cleaned on of the classrooms on property. There was a blank chalkboard wall. I couldn’t resist the urge to draw something on it. JOY JOY JOY JOY JOY.
Our squad of 40 has been split up this month at 5 different ministries all over Peru, so it’s just my team and I at Inca Link. I’ve had to pick up more logistical responsibilities, but for the most part “team leader responsibilities” have looked similar to Ecuador. I absolutely love being able to JUST be around my team, even though I do miss and love the rest of my squad. One of my favorite things has been seeing some of my girls break out of their shells (it can be pretty terrifying/restricting to be around 40 people all the time), and it’s been the most hilarious/strange/amazing thing ever. Team Esther is a bunch of weirdos, and I love them.
As we were walking up to the roof to hang out and talk, Lexi tripped up the stairs… with her knife and mango in hand. Nothing fatal happened (thankfully), but she did say “Huh, that must be why my mom told me not to run with knives.”
I wake up at 6:00 (ish) every morning, grab my bible and journal, and sit in an empty bunk room every morning until breakfast. It’s become one of my favorite times, even though I don’t love getting up super early every day.
We decided to celebrate Christmas a day before Thanksgiving this year. My girls wanted me to be able to celebrate with them (kind), so they planned a “secret sister” for us all. We picked names out of a hat a month ago, and since then hours of planning has happened. We all spent time making little notes, coming up with creative wrapping strategies (pro tip, clean underwear works as great wrapping paper), and buying little snacks. Each girl got things that they LOVED. We laughed a freaking ton, and cried a little too (happy tears). Abby made me a playlist specifically for my plane ride home, and it was the kindest. I really love these girls and how much they love each other.
Cami & Kori. Since we have a chunk of free time after lunch most days, some of us have made a point to start working out. I haven’t exercised this consistently since senior year, and it’s the BEST.
I’ve started going up on the roof every day to watch the sunset, usually with a cup of tea in hand. Melissa – we call her Melisita – also loves sunsets, and is usually up there with me. We laugh and talk and freak out over the clouds and the color of the sun. One time she asked, “where does the sun go when it sets?” and I couldn’t answer it. So, Mack explained it to her one day. #communitylivin
Meet Mariela. Mariela cooks food for us three times a day, six days a week. She puts up with how strange we are, smiles all the time, and always asks us really cool questions during meals. For team time one night, our team decided to do headphone worship and we invited her to come. We all put our headphones in – full blast so we couldn’t hear ourselves – and then belted the music that was in our ears. Cami asked her at the end what she thought, and it translated to something along the lines of, “God loves hearing us sing in different languages.” We love Mariela a lot, and she’s a huge blessing to our team.
Meet the one and only… Valentin! Valentin is kind of like our Peruvian Dad. He tells the worst (best) dad jokes, tells us to pick up after ourselves, makes sure we’re on time for ministry, and drives us around in his little yellow car. He’s in charge of maintenance at Inca Link, but has also taken a lot of responsibility for our team since we’ve been here. Himself, his wife, and his two-year-old son live right below our bunk room… bless their souls.
To end the blog for all you dog lovers, this is Inca. I don’t like dogs, but my girls love her.
Please be praying for my brain as I finish up the last 2.5 weeks with my girls. Pray that I discipline myself to be present, choose hard things and growth, remind myself that I don’t have to worry about the future, and rest in assurance that transition home is going to be okay. I don’t want to waste my last couple of weeks here because I’m so wrapped up in thinking about the future.
My squad mentor wrote an email to me last year, and said something I hope I never forget: “the way that you end one season is the way that you’ll start the next.” I want to end this season well so that I can start the next season of my life well.
Thank you thank you thank you for reading and keeping up with my life. Sending love from Peru!
-Lyss
