Month 10 brought another month of working with Cru, but this time, in Lima, Peru. This month was a lot of fun, but it was also super restful for both myself and my team. It feels crazy that this month is already over and that I’ll be back in the states in what feels like no time at all!
STINT team
This month my team worked with another STINT team: Kayla, Emily, Melissa, Jacob, and Bennet. We were able to hang out and spend time getting to know them, which was really encouraging. They are headed home about the same time as we are, and it was super helpful to talk to people who are going through the same sort of transition that we are. I really believe that inter-organizational cooperation is so important and during this month we were really able to come together for the purpose of sharing the Gospel and loving the students on the campuses.
Beach
I was back on the beach this month (Hallelujah). The beaches in Lima are very different than what I’m used to, but I’m convinced, that the sounds of the waves and the smell of the ocean air will always feel a little bit like home, so I loved it. Many trips were taken.
New Friends
I was lucky enough this month to run into so so so many friendly people. Honestly Peru was one of the friendliest countries that I have visited. People were so quick to help my team and I with directions, or offer advice on the best kinds of food to try, it was great! This month I got to meet and hang out with so many people who just wanted to practice their English, and who asked the hardest questions! (Example: What is the difference between See, Watch, and Look? ummm… I don’t know???)
Sozo
In another blog I know I already talked about the end of my team, but not enough can be said about these people. They have seen me at my worst, my best, my messiest, my most unloveable, and they have carried me through sickness, heartache, and questioning. They are the people who have shaped my Race, and the Lord has used each of them to teach me invaluable things. I won’t ever be able to look back at the places that I’ve been without thinking about them.
Machu Picchu
This was probably one of the coolest things that I’ve gotten to see on the Race. I mean, it’s freaking Machu Picchu. I got to stay the night in a charming little town and explore and sight see not only with my team, but with my whole squad. It was pretty great. I got to learn more about the people who lived there and about their culture, and it was really awesome. There is so much respect for tradition and it was wonderful to be able to visit such a sacred place for them.
Mountains
Holy crap. There is nothing else like it. This was the first month where the mountains were snow capped, which while being incredibly daunting, they were also incredibly beautiful. These mountains hid ancient civilizations, and it was easy to see way- they were nearly impossible to travel through. I thought I was going to die several times during the van rides to and from Machu Picchu, but luckily I survived.
Favorite memory
Driving home from Machu Picchu in the middle of the night, winding through some insane snow capped mountains, my squad and I noticed out the window of our van just how beautiful the stars were. We were able to ask out driver to pull over for a few minutes and get out and just take it all in. I have never seen stars like that in my life. In pitch darkness the sky was lit up to the point where I could see what was going on around me. Our squad got to sing a worship song before climbing back in the van to go home. Those moments, just taking in all of God’s creation and Glory with my friends, on the way home from a splendid adventure, were magical and I can’t even begin to describe it. It was like looking out into the ocean and realizing just how small I really am. It was definitely my favorite moment from this month. (And yes, I found a painting of the exact view that we were looking up at. It’s amazing.)
It seems nearly impossible to imagine that I am now in month 11, but here I am. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities that I have been given, and I can’t wait to see everyone when I get home!
Much Love,
Morgan
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