In case I didn’t mention before, we switched teams during the first bit of time in Lima, Peru. While praying into our time, we felt called to travel to Cusco, Peru and connect with a church previous racers had worked with before. Their church is in a time of transition as they move from an old building to a new building, and they needed some assistance preparing the new one. What’s interesting about this is that as a team, we felt as if we weren’t doing enough with our hands. We wanted to do something more hands on… and He provided that opportunity! But it wasn’t until we started our 25 hour bus ride journey back to Lima from Cusco that Christazia and I realized that the LoRd really provided so much more.
The LoRd has been revealing Himself so much to me through people. As I look back on all the time that I’ve been gone, the connections, the relationships, the partnerships, and the goodbyes have meant the most. Since the morning I left on January 11, I have been surrounded by people. I am living in close, close community with the squad I’m on, made up of people from all over the States, France, El Salvador, and South Africa. We see a lot of each other:) We are always running into other travelers, locals, or people that we have previous connections with.
The first time I tried to write this blog was in Lima, but I was too distracted by the noise, movements, and craziness of the squad. Then at a restaurant in the JFK airport in New York, I was distracted by all the language differences, even in the States! Now sitting in this hostel in Northern Spain, there are Germans coming and going every few moments, speaking a language I don’t know a word of. The more I travel the world, the more I realize that all people are much more similar than different. Yes the countries differ in physical landscape, language, traditions, and culture, but people all over the world are inherently the same, living with needs, wants, dreams, etc. While there is so much that brings us together, I have been enjoying the beauty that comes with each different relationship and connection.
While we were working with the church in Cusco, we spent most of our time with Leo and Miguel. Leo is a 30 yo who has traveled all over for different service trips, but has been based in Cusco for the last six years helping with Calvary Chapel Cusco. He is one of the most multi-talented, genuine, peaceful men I have ever met. Miguel had only been living there for a week when we arrived, but was traveling for work from Lima. He was so loving and fun… always dedicated to saying English words the right way which provided many laughs. We got to spend so much time with them working in the church, walking around town, cooking Loma Saltado, drinking tea till late, learning salsa, and just doing life together. The language barrier between was always interesting if Jesse and Rudolpho weren’t around to translate, but the laughs that were provided were worth every moment of frustration not knowing what was being said. The ministry and worship we had with them was unforgettable. Below are some pictures to give you a shot of what it looked like.
While it would have been fun to list and show pics of every connection and precious moment with people made in South America, it would have been impossible. The people have been incredible and the goodbyes were tough… but with tough goodbyes come great blessings. We loved and were loved well:)
This is Jesse and Christina – Venezuelan refugees we loved meeting and cherished every moment together in Lima.
Calvary Chapel Cusco – the new building!
Demo day.. first time for both of us. Watch out.
Just another day at the office..
In the middle of making the best meal we’ve had on the race thus far.
