Peru was probably the hardest to write about. So bare with me. We traveled through 6 different cities in less than one month, so you can imagine how much of it is still a blur. To write in detail and explain all that happened would take too much space.
The jungle isn’t for everyone. Most of my teammates would say it was the hardest month for them too, for many other reasons. Even though I can agree that it was difficult, I would say yes to this month over and over again and not change a thing.
So I wrote this blog as if I was writing to my future self, prefacing all the good that came from the uncomfortable:
1. Never go into anything with expectations. Let life unfold itself. Don’t constrain it. You’ll most likely always be disappointed.
2. The humidity is gross and hard. Wear a lot of bugspray. But don’t forget to wake up early and enjoy the morning sounds of wind smooth dancing through the trees, the sound of birds you’ve never heard before and the unfamiliar beauty that is around you. Look at the ants as they work their course in nature.
3. You might have to shower outside, the water will most likely be river water. There’s going to be creepy crawlers staring at you, but if you look up at the night sky, you’ll see stars like never before. Focus on that.
4. Bugspray might not work for you. Your feet might swell up like a pregant woman. Your sandals might not fit anymore, but thats ok. Just rest in a hammock, elevate your feet, and read your favorite book during your free time. Spend time with the Lord. Take a nap. Hammocks are great.
5. Don’t overlook the people who you’re living with. Love them well. Braid the widows hair. Paint her nails. Tell her she’s beautiful. Play with the orphan children. Play with them some more. They adore you. Invite them into the conversation. Be an includer. Hear their stories. They are some of wild pain & terror, but also of powerful redemption.
6. In ministry, always be prepared for things to change. A lot. Whenever and wherever. Just go with it. Have a good attitude. Don’t stress. The Lord will always work out a way. You will love it all. Remain the peaceful & steadfast spirit that you are for your team. Be an anchor.
7. When your friend Connor slips down a muddy hill and hurts his wrist, go with him to the clinic thats 1 hour out of town even if it means you’ll get sick on the whindy & speedy road there. Just stick your head out the window and let the fresh air take away the nausea & blow your hair like a pup. It’ll be worth it.
8. If you’re too scared to take a shower in the pitch black of night, wake up extra early before everyone else. Then hold sweet baby Daniel as he sleeps his most peaceful sleep. Recognize this as worship and the love that pours from our Father. That this child is a miracle. It will be one of the most peaceful mornings of your life.
9. It will rain the hardest rain you’ve seen. Your friend, Maggie will begin dancing in the rain. Join her. It’ll be one of the most freeing and vivacious moments of your life. Dance to the Greatest Showman with no shame. Always choose to dance in the rain.
10. Let the new tribes welcome you in. You will feel undeserving of their hospitality, but accept it anyways.
11. When the Cheif’s second in command invites you to his families house, say yes. Enjoy every second of this once in a lifetime moment. They will chop down a special fruit from the tree and give it to you. Eat it right away in front of them. It’s courtesy. Don’t be weirded out when they stare at you eat. They’ll invite you to sit in a hut around a fire as the sun sets. Look around you. Take it all in. You will want to cry at how much they want to give.
12. You will meet a group of high school students and you’ll realize how much you love ministering to youth. They’ll become your favorite parts of the day. Love them well.
13. Plans will change drastically. You’ll ride in the craziest rhodes of the jungle sides, through waterfalls for 2 days in a cramped truck. Don’t worry about getting sick. Your head will hurt from all the bumpiness. Laugh with your teammates. Sing Christmas music and oldies in the car. Let your driver enjoy the joy that fills the atmosphere. It’ll be an adventure. You will learn how much you’ve grown to love physical touch. Don’t be afraid to cuddle with Jenny, Dan & Kaylin. You’ll love it. They’ll love it. Cherish this crazy adventure in the back of a truck.
14. You will experience the strangest Christmas Day and realize that holidays for you is more about a group of people and location than it is a day. You will talk to your mom over FaceTime on Christmas morning for the first time in 3 months. You will break down and realize how much you miss home during the holidays.
15. You’ll see that Peru likes to celebrate with firecrackers for Christmas. Simply sit there with your new family and watch them all night.
16. The Lord will give your team the desires of your heart and you will see Macchu Picchu. Expect to experience inner healing, reconciliation with your team and to cry over the hard month that was the jungle.
Living in the jungle was a beautiful experience. There is still so much more that I wish I could say. Our ministry was supposed to be working with widows and orphans, and it turned out to be so much more. I wouldn’t trade this for the world. The Lord taught us so much about who we are as a team. What disunity looks like. What a heart of ministry looks like. And how to fight through the uncomfortable and unexpectancies of life.
I also made sure to document as much as I could, so I made my first VIDEO!!
Hope you enjoy part 1 of our Peru journey 🙂
Love,
Jezebelle
