Ahoy hoy!
Well we eventually did make it to Peru! Only after two nights of bus travel, being loaded onto the back of a tandem truck like cattle in order to get to customs, and a day layover in the border town of Tombes. All in all though it wasn’t a bad trip, the bus we were on was actually pretty nice and since we travelled during the night we were able to sleep for alot of the trip. This month our team is once again in the city.The city Trujillo, is located on the northern part of Peru along the coast and almost everything about it is different from last month in Quito. Whereas Quito was cool and rainy, Trujillo is hot and dry. Quito is located in the Andes, while now we are along the coast; however one common theme is that while both are mountainous regions. Though Quito is lush and green, Trujillo is much more arid. Before driving into the city we came across barren desert, reminding me of what I imagine Afghanistan or some place like that to look like, huge sand dunes lead up to the base of the mountains, so needless to say it is very different from a geographical standpoint.
For the month we are staying at the same church as another one of the teams, where we also eat our meals and hang out when we have down time. Ministry involves us working to improve one of the local churches, we have repainted the whole interior of the building, are working at painting what is outside, and have built a concrete wall along the back of the property. Back to construction, that of which isn’t always the most fun in third world countries! However it has been great to see the progress we have made and also great to see how our work has blessed the church.
We have also been helping with a VBS program on weekends for kids aged 3-12. Before each program we go around the neighbourhood inviting kids on the street or from where ever to come to the church. Between us being white, and our candy bribes we have been able to round up a decent amount. This can be challenging as some of the kids are a real handful. Then four nights a week we go to the ‘cell’ groups of people who go to the church we are staying at. It is nice to have interaction with the people since the main part of our ministry doesn’t allow it as much.
One cool thing we are doing this coming Friday is going to a garbage dump where alot of families are living; apparently the youth group has a ministry there and we will take part in that for the day. I really don’t know what to expect, but I’m sure it will be a big eye opener, I mean we have seen poor people and poverty, but not at all to the extent of living in that type of environment. Pray that God would prepare us for that opportunity, that he would speak to us through it the message he wants us to recieve, and that he would use it for His glory. I don’t really have much for expectations going into it, but I know it will for sure be a good experience!
Well that is all for now, thanks for investing in this ministry through your prayers and for taking the time to read what has been going on in my life!
Blessings,
Justin
