I’m falling in love… with Peru that is.
This month we’re again working with Inca Link, specifically Inca Link Peru. If you didn’t see my description in a past blog, Inca Link is an organization spread among several Latin American countries with a vision to reach the 300+ million youth here with Christ’s love. This base is located on the outskirts of Trujillo (I’m literally a few blocks from the edge of the desert and absolutely nothing), a city in the northwest region of Peru.
We’re living in a compound that can sleep north of 100 people (we’ve filled it up a couple times) and has space to play soccer or basketball, workout, and hold camps or retreats. A group from Canada was here working with us and left about a week ago. There are four ministries that are divided up within Inca Link Peru, each with a different director. They are:
Inca Thaki (Inca Talk-y) – A sports ministry (Praise!!) where they take the kids sandboarding, skateboarding, play soccer and have camps in order to have a way to evangelize and disciple the kids. It’s such an amazing program as the first kids through the program are now coming back as leaders to disciple others, and I’m in love with the vision of this ministry.
Mana (Ma-nah) – This was Inca Link’s very first ministry here in Peru. It started as a daycare, but as the kids got older, they needed more and so the program expanded into a full after-school program that now has dozens of kids of all ages. They come to learn and have fun, and we get to go and love on them. I love the heart behind this ministry.
Elim (Eh-Leem) – This is the garbage dump ministry. The area of Trujillo we’re staying in used to be the dump, but eventually they needed a larger area and moved even farther outside the city to the present location. Many families who work at the dump also live there in wood shacks set up next to and within it. A few years ago a former World Racer from 2011 came back and helped to start the Elim program which now is growing quickly. They have tutoring, sports, and other programs to teach and uplift the kids and families there, and I love the people. The kids especially have so much joy despite the circumstances.
Amijai (Om-y-hi) – A program that works with mothers and their kids, Amijai is a program we’ve worked with a lot so far. Our job has been to play with, teach, and lead the kids while the mothers learn ways to provide such as knitting or sowing, and we’ve also helped lead a couple bible studies that they have. I love the people in this ministry as the mothers, kids, and Inca Link staff are so incredible. I’m energized just by being around them.
As you may have figured out, the ministry and people here are incredible, and I’m loving every minute. Between working with the kids, incorporating sports, ministering and praying with/for people, and so much more, this month is already flying by and I can’t believe we only have a couple more weeks here. So, right now I’m just taking things a day at a time. God is so good and knows exactly where we need to be in His perfect timing. I can’t describe how content and joyful I am. Obviously, there are tough times on the World Race, yet this is the life that God created me for and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Ministries like Inca Link Peru just make it all the more sweeter.
I’m falling in love with Peru and this life that God’s called me too.
God Bless!
-Ben
Oh! Also, Peruvian food is AMAZING!!!
