Wow… It feels like I’ve blogged about this before.. But I haven’t.. Because I haven’t blogged about Peru yet… Ooops.
Okay, we have a lot of catching up to do.. First of all, I’m in Spain now! Whatttt? New continent, new time-zone, new culture, new season.. What fun!
Really though.. Our last month in Peru was absolutely incredible. Words cannot describe how sweet of a time my team and I had.
So.. What’s New?
Team Vivid!
In Mancora, Peru, we had a Leadership Development Weekend- a weekend where the Squad-leaders build us up in leadership, pour into us, and in this case- show us our new teams! The four teams in our squad were moved around and turned into three. My team is: Grace, Kate, Akelea, and I.. Check out their blogs in the side-bar on this page to get to know them! Our team is “Team Vivid”.. It’s a laid-back bunch that knows how to have fun! I’m really excited to see what all the Lord has for this new team.
More Crazy Connections!
Okay.. God is the coolest. I’ve been on the Race for three months to three countries that I’ve never been to.. And I’ve already stayed with FOUR different connections, two of which were my own. God has this ability to make our big world smaller and smaller, the more of it that I see. First, we stayed with Johanna- a woman that I met in Costa Rica. Then, we stayed with two other hosts that know my friend, Haley.. and in Cusco, we stayed with two of the sweetest missionaries that my friends from home stayed with 5-6 years ago.
When I was a Sophomore in high school, I had my heart set on going on a mission trip to Cusco, Peru with my school’s girl’s soccer team. I wasn’t able to go, but the desire was always there. The boy’s team went the next year and I had heard so many stories from everyone about how great of people Cathlene and Daudi (their hosts) were.. They all had such a wonderful time!
We were staying in Lima at a former YWAM base for a week and a half and towards the end of our time there, the Lord gave us the A-OK to go to Machu Picchu in Cusco. We were looking for accommodations when Cathlene and Daudi came to mind. I got their contact info and they welcomed us with open arms!
Staying with Daudi and Cathlene was a great reminder of how much the Lord cares about the desires of our hearts. Though I was disappointed about not being able to go on a mission trip to Peru when I was 15, God knew that I would one day be at the very same missionary’s home with my future World Race team. Being there felt so much like home for not only me but my teammates, as well. The hospitality that Daudi and Cathlene carried was astounding. We all were sick at some point or another and they made sure to take care of us; they would even spontaneously make us meals and homemade ice-cream (The best in the world.. It’s a fact.)! Our team couldn’t have been more thankful for the two weeks that we spent with them. Though we move around so much on the Race, this time was the hardest it’s been to leave somewhere. They had definitely made an impact on us.
Our First Time with Set-Up Ministries
Daudi and Cathlene did a great job at connecting us with other ministry opportunities. We were able to lead their youth-group one night, work at a new cafe that hired people with special needs (I got to make their menu.. Challenging, but such a great learning experience!), march in Cusco for Autism Awareness Day, hike with the church and have a dinner with them. It was so refreshing getting plugged in with the community.
I’veSpentMoreTimeInABusThisPastMonthThanIEverWantToAgainInMyLife
Can we just..
Quito to Mancora: 17 hours
Mancora to Lima: 17 hours
Lima to Cusco: 26 hours
Cusco to Machu Picchu: 8 hours
Machu Picchu to Cusco: 8 hours
Cusco to Lima: 21 hours
97 HOURS. 4 daY$. I’ve obviously gone insane.
I’m not even going to put in the hours we’ve spent in planes and airports from Lima to Atlanta to New York to Barcelona.
I’ll end on this note… It’s been a wild ride, friends.
ROUTE CHANGE
We just found out that they aren’t taking away- but adding countries to our route! We will be in Istanbul, Turkey at the end of our time in Europe before flying to Asia. Then, we will be spending two weeks in Indonesia before heading to Malaysia. This is going to be a great opportunity to share the love of Jesus with people who may have never even heard of His name.
I’m 75% Fully Funded!
God is such a PROVIDER. Thank you to those of you who have partnered with the Kingdom by donating towards this World Race journey! I really appreciate your donations. It means the world to me to have community that truly believes in what the Lord is doing in my life.
I have one month left to raise $4,500! This is my final fundraising goal and after I meet it, I will be fully funded!
If you’d like to partner alongside me, you can donate on my home page! All donations are tax-deductible. 🙂
Thank you all so much for reading this post and following my journey! We are currently at debrief in Spain and will be heading to the Camino afterwards for ministry. I am coming with great expectations and can’t wait to see what God has in store for Team Vivid and I!
With All My Love,
Jordan
