We made it to Chao, Peru after 5 long bus rides and three long days! ! Our longest bus ride was over 12 hours from the boarder to Trujillo. It was an overnight bus, so we tried to sleep, but were constantly getting stopped by police at these random check points where they would take all of our luggage out of the bottom of the bus- search for something- and then come on the bus and look around. We traveled along the coast so at some points we could see the waves crashing onto the shore from the road! We also saw a lot of stars!
Chao is about 1.5 hours outside of Trujillo, which is the third largest city in Peru. Chao is surrounded by sandy mountains and hills and its population is small. Since our arrival, we have been getting to know people within the community as well as getting to know those who attend the church we are working with here.
We have no Internet access unless we find an Internet café where we pay to use the Internet on their pretty slow computers, so please be patient with our updates this month- they may be sparse! We eat our meals at a family’s house that grows their own fruit (star fruit) and also has their own chickens, ducks, and GUNNEA PIGS, which they use to feed us.
Hungry?
To get to our meals, we walk about 20 minutes each way from our place of lodging. That is 120 minutes of walking a day- just for meals! That is pretty good especially since it doesn’t count any other walking around the city for our ministry.
Our ministry this month is doing door-to-door evangelism within the city. This is especially difficult because we have only 2 people, Nick and Jamos who translate and the rest of us just try to speak the language in short words and broken sentences. Today while we were out in the morning, we were invited into a home, with dirt floors and tarps and bags as a roof. There were clothes hanging everywhere- not sure if it was for storage or to just keep the bugs off of them. Trash was on the ground and their couch was an old van seat. There were nearly 10 children of all ages running around inside- they were filthy. They were all sick, coughing and had runny noses. One looked like he had chicken pox. The grandma was in tears and wanted prayer for her family. While I was standing there in that home- amidst sickness and filth, praying for a family situation that I just don’t know, I felt peace knowing that God has their back. God is going to provide for them- if they seek his face. It is an honor to pray for children. I pray for their protection and I pray that they grow up knowing the Lord, and that they will develop into a leader within their home and city.
Moses and his friend, a puppy who came with us on our ministry
Sometimes I am not sure how to put into words what I see in these streets. I have so many questions inside my head that lay unanswered because the situations just seem so wrong. Is it okay that a family is living like this? It is okay for these children to have to grow up in conditions that do not bode well for their future? Why are there so many street kids in one small town? What are your thoughts?
This month has been hard on the health of our team. A few of us have had sickness and are feeling better, but it is hard to be sick in a new place- far from home! We would appreciate your prayers for the sustained health of our team and squad. And, for those of you who know me, you know I dislike germs and there are a whole lot of new germs in each country we go to!
Below is Moses, a street kid who is also our amigo!
We are still support raising for our mission trip with a remaining balance to raise of $2,500.00. If you want to be a part of this ministry, please join us and click SUPPORT US on the left hand side of this blog! No amount is too small! Gracias!!!
