Month one is down and only 10 more to go- wow TIME FLIES.
Chile was a dream and I loved every second we got to spend in Santiago (1 day), Calama (the majority of the month), and San Pedro (~a week).
The people rock and the food is killer.
In the past few days, our route of travel went a little like this: San Pedro (Chile) to Calama (Chile) to Arica (Chile) then we crossed the Chilean/Peruvian border into Tacna (Peru) and then we arrived in Arequipa (Peru), were we are currently spending a few days!
I decided to interview everyone in the courtyard of our Hostel to get a small glimpse of everyone’s perspective of the past month in Chile!
It is also important to describe a “Completo” as they are mentioned many times in this blog post. It is a traditional Chilean food that is basically just a hot dog with fresh tomatoes, guacamole, and normal condiments (aka lots of mayo).
What were your top moments from the past month?
Praying over the local people around town (specifically one man named Miguel- you can read more about this story here – it is awesome), playing with Miguel and Samuel (two little boys from church), having meals with families from the church, having coffee and reading in the afternoons with teammates, and adventure day to San Pedro with Marcos and the fam.
What was your favorite meal?
Going to Rockin’ Hot (1/2 a burger w guac and 1/2 a completo) PLUS also EVERYTHING (veggie crepe especially & chocolate cake) that I ate at Barros Café in San Pedro.
Where did you see Jesus move?
I saw Jesus move in everyone on our team and in our interactions with the Chileans.
What was something you learned?
I learned that I give love by serving others
What are you most excited about in Peru?
I am excited to see how the Spirit leads our team to do bold things and to see what ministry looks like without a host.
What were your top moments from the past month?
My top moments are experiencing the peace of God and His protection during our stay in San Pedro, surprise completos after school, and celebrating Tori’s birthday with “girls night.”
What was your favorite meal?
My favorite meal was anything we had with Breve (basically pico de gallo)
Where did you see Jesus move?
I saw Jesus move in our team, I saw the power of redemption through storytelling and compassion and truth through prayer after, I saw him go before us and provide us with what we need as far as rest, quality team time, and the school schedule.
What was something you learned?
I learned that the word “trafico” is used regarding drugs and not the number of cars on the road.
What are you most excited about in Peru?
I am most excited to experience more of God and what He has for us- good question.
TAYLOR FLICKINGER & THOMAS POND
From Flick:
What were your top moments from the past month?
In general, Marcos’s family and having fun with them. Also defeating Marcos in the “you’ve got something on your shirt battles,” meeting a couple of young Chilean soldiers and getting to hang with them and pray with them (click here to see the story) , getting offered weed by a man but then getting able to talk to him about God and getting to pray for him and his friend, the festival at the school- both the food and the dancing, getting to see the kids perform what they had been working on throughout the month. Telling kids that God’s love is like hotdogs inside of them (click here for the full story), I could go on and on.. but next Q.
What was your favorite meal?
Eating food at the Fiesta, definitely Churi Pan- specifically the one that Roberto cooked at the bday fiesta, San Pedro empanadas, Café Barros in San Pedro, and Rockin’ Hot with Tito, Victor, and Tom. But wait I had spaghetti alfredo at Barros and it was the best meal that I had. It was also like $8 for a huge meal.
Where did you see Jesus move?
I saw Jesus move in the school with opportunities to talk to kids who were both Christians and not Christians. I got to talk to some girls and tell the truth in the school. Learning to rely more on the Spirit in talking to locals and praying for them.
What was something you learned?
I rediscovered that I LOVE hot dogs and I need to put more mayonnaise on more things like the Chileans do.
What are you most excited about in Peru?
I am most excited about “the Pich” aka Machu Picchu, and not having a structured ministry but getting to seek opportunities to serve, getting to dive into deeper community with one another, and abound in bareness.
From Tom:
What were your top moments from the past month?
Watching Remember the Titans with the team, all of the days we spent at the school connecting with the children and going to Rockin’ Hot with Taylor, Tito, & Victor. Also, sharing my story with the church because that was something that was hard for me speaking in front of people and I’m glad I was pushed into it.
What was your favorite meal?
The “American breakfast night” when we made pancakes and French toast.
Where did you see Jesus move?
I saw Jesus move in our team and in everyone’s personal battles, growth, and boldness. I also saw God move in the way of provision. We ate really well and had plenty of blankets and hot water and I am super grateful for all of that.
What was something you learned?
I learned that completos with tomate, queso, avocado, mayonesia is one of my favorite foods. (and empanadas are not what you think they will be sometimes)
What are you most excited about in Peru?
Not having a host and getting to experience God moving through our own ministry.
What were your top moments from the past month?
Definitely Cima Day. Visiting the Montessori and seeing that the kindergarten classroom there was the same as my own classroom from home (Nicole teaches at a Montessori in Arizona) and having confirmation that that is exactly where Jesus wanted me for the month. Team time that was fully involved- aka moments when we just got to be around one another.
What was your favorite meal?
I think all of the things we ate when we went to Chui Chui. (We got roasted bread with different toppings: dulce de leche, jelly, queso- for clarification these were individually served on the bread, not mixed all together lol)
Where did you see Jesus move?
Definitely at our first church service when we sang songs in Spanish that are the same songs we sing in the US. I could feel him when we were all singing together. I saw him also in everyday connections we got to make with the locals and the people who were hosting us.
What was something you learned?
I learned… hmmmmm.. let me not super think into this… I learned really how to rely on others for guidance towards Christ and also how to share what I am learning.
What are you most excited about in Peru?
Just seeing more of the abundance that we have witnessed so far- being able to find awesome hostels for cheap & little things that could have been stressful but that were taken care of by the Lord before we got here.
AND FROM ME MYSELF AND I
In all honesty- there are SO many top moments for me- but I will try to condense it to a few.. I loved every night the girls got to spend together laughing in our room, the school days that were full of hangman, telling stories, and hanging out with kids, seeing a Chilean soccer game, and basically every moment in San Pedro.
My favorite meal(s) occurred during our “Food Tour” in San Pedro. Chris, Tom, Sarah, Alyssa, Patrick, Shelby, Rob, and I went to different restaurants around town and basically FEASTED on things such as crepes, milkshakes, fresh juice, empanadas, and ice cream. We got to talk to some locals and make friends with other travelers from Argentina and pray over others. It was the best.
I saw Jesus in the way he provided for our team. We were given so many opportunities for deeper relationships with the Chilean people. I saw him move in my teammates and in the way we each got to step out of our comfort zones to learn more.
I learned that my team consists of people who are so loving and dependable. I learned what it looked like to depend on others and to receive service without the need to pay it back.
I am SO excited to see Machu Picchu- I am so excited to explore Peru and for the GREEN grass that is here. (being in the desert for a month made me miss trees and grass- something I have never thought about having to miss) I am excited to see this country and encounter the people in it.
These are the things we are learning and looking forward to-
As always, thanks for taking time to catch up!
xoxo
abigail
