Well it’s that time…already?! Month one and debrief flew by and we are now in MONTH 2.
This past month we got to live in Trujillo, Peru and work with Inca Link. This organization is focused on resourcing, enabling, and empowering Inca Link organizations to reach 300 million youth in Latin America with Christ’s love. We lived at the camp and got close with Mariella, Angela, Carmen, Anna and a few others. Mariella is the most amazing cook, cares for us girls so well, and has the biggest heart for the Lord. She is constantly encouraging us with scripture and telling us about what the Lord is teaching her. Thankful for Kayla who has translated, which allowed us to hear her testimony. That was such a sweet moment. Angela and Carmen also work here and have made our time here so much better. Anna is the sweetest woman as well. We’ve had many conversations where I have no idea what is being said but a conversation is being had. I usually end up following her somewhere where she tells me what she means. She speaks a little too fast, but it’s okay because I like a challenge and just spending time with her.
We had the opportunity to work with 3 of the 4 ministries here. Inca Thakhi is a retreat and training center that provides space to build relationships with Christ. Joca and Alex have the biggest hearts for this ministry and you can see the love that they have for the kids and that the kids have for them. Sports ministry is big here, mostly fútbol and floorball! We have gotten close with Yair and Javier, who have been in this ministry, but are now being raised up as leaders. Being only 19 and 21 they have been through a lot, but hearing their testimonies and seeing what God is doing in their lives through this ministry has made me fall in love with this ministry. Amijai works to reach to the impoverished and more dangerous communities located here on the outskirts of Trujillo. We have held devotionals and shared testimonies with the women in the women’s ministry, worshiped and done bible studies with the kids, and I even did some knitting with the older women (they were extremely patient with Jenny and I..knitting is hard). I loved getting to see Denise and Brenda’s hearts. They are so good with the kids and it’s so sweet to see how the kids love to come and answer questions about Jesus! Elim works to minister to the children and families in the garbage dump district. It’s hard to say which ministry was my favorite because they all have something special about them, but Elim was one that hit me hard. We got off the bus and started walking to where we play floorball with the boys. After that, we drove up the street to where the building is where bible studies are held and where we play outside with the kids. Driving up the road is hard not only because there are mountains of trash that smell just as bad as you could imagine, but because the homes of people are also found here. The conditions are less than ideal. We normally started out playing with the kiddos, who all love climbing…on you. They are so affectionate and even though it was tiring, I loved it. From the first time we went I fell in love with the sweetest 5 year old girl. She clung to me and didn’t want me to put her down. She is high energy, but also the sweetest thing ever. Really going to miss her giggles, her running start & jump into my arms and the joy that radiates from her. We also got to sing and dance with the kids before bible studies. The kids are split into different age groups for the lesson. We all split up into different groups and I skipped around as the photographer. From the outside this looks like a place you wouldn’t want to be in. Piles of trash sit on the side of this road burning and giving off such a foul smell. But I want to be there now and I’m not ready to say the goodbye I know has to be said. Peru was one of the countries I looked most forward to on the race. Although this was only month one, I know that God had put me in this country and ministry for a purpose. Going to miss this place, everything and everyone. It wasn’t all fun everyday, but I wouldn’t have wanted to be apart of another ministry.
We also got a sweet opportunity to work with Days For Girls. They provide reusable female products for young teens and women who may otherwise have to skip work or school because of lacking these products. Anna’s grandma and mom helped to give us these duffle bags filled with the products before we headed to Peru. We got to talk with girls from ages 10 up and some mothers about how to use the products, why we need them, and Christ’s love for us and how he made us perfectly in his image.
Some other fun things we got to do included: beach days at Huanchaco, climbing a mountain of sand and rocks and sand boarding down it, walking crowded streets at the market, worship nights (one night up on the roof with the view of the city), walking around Chan Chan, talking to strangers on the crazy bus rides, braiding the Combe drivers hair while standing/squatting, and making a song for Perrichanco (the best team dog we could’ve asked for).
There are so many emotions from this last month. I’m sad to have left a place we have just started to find familiar, a ministry that we have all fallen for, and a community we have gotten to call family. I’m joyful for what is to come in my life (both on and off the race) and what is to come in this ministry and community here. Big things are in the future for Inca Link and I’m so excited to hear about how God is going to grow this ministry!
**Also spent the last week in Cuzco. There was a change of plans in our route. Bolivia was our next country after a few days of debrief with the squad, but due to political unrest we will be staying in Peru another month! Although my heart is heavy for those in Bolivia, I know the Lord has kept our team in Peru for a reason and he has missionaries and ministries that are going to be used as a light in Bolivia at this moment. Travel: We went from Trujillo (10 hours on a bus) to Lima (24 hours on a bus) to Cuzco, stayed here for a week then took a flight back to Lima and another 8 hour bus ride to Huarez!
Thank you all for following along with me this past month! Please pray for continued work in the hearts of the people here and for open hearts for those we are heading to in Bolivia.
***I am still fundraising and need $1,390 to hit my next fundraising goal at the end of THIS MONTH! If you feel led to donate you can clink the ‘donate button’ above in my blog! You can do both one time or monthly donations. Any amount would be a blessing and go towards helping more people hear the name of Jesus!
With much love,
Kristen
