In the Peruvian desert, dust covered toes, sweat stained t-shirts, matted hair, and sun-burnt shoulders become more normal as each day passes. Cleaning my clothes in a bucket in the middle of the courtyard, hanging my unmentionables on the roof to dry, sharing a bedroom that’s exploding with 18 other women’s belongings, sitting on the dusty concrete floor to eat each meal, and taking a surface level conversation into the depths of the Word within an instant seems completely common. I’m amazed at how easily my mind and body adapted to life on the Race.
This month my team reunited with the rest of P squad in Trujillo, Peru. We live on site at Savage Ministries, and our days are filled with English classes, vacation Bible school, sports ministry with the youth, and lots of church.
Every afternoon at 2:30, we venture into the scorching desert sun to round up the kids for VBS. For a half hour, we wander the streets with a tambourine clanging, drum resounding, and voices shouting for the niños and niñas to “Vamos a la fiesta con Jesus y gringos!” Seriously, that’s what we shout, “Come to the party with Jesus and foreigners (or white people)!”
At first, the sandy streets are barren. We see little homes of cinderblocks and mortar locked up tight. “No one is home? Isn’t the daily siesta coming to an end?” But Joel, our exuberant host marches boldly forward shouting for the children to join us. Off to my right, I see little fingers and big eyes peering around a door opened just enough to let in a sliver of light. “So they are home…They do hear us!” Emboldened by this slight movement, we shout, dance, sing, and bang the drum even louder. Yes! A few niños join our silly band!
Suddenly, I look up to see a dust covered chica taking in the scene. I wave, and beckon her over. Tentatively at first, she leaves the security of her doorway. Next thing I know, I see two big, beautiful chocolate eyes staring up at me as her hand slides into my own. With my limited Spanish, I learn her name is Julisa and she’s 6 years old. We don’t say much, but language doesn’t matter.
We walk a few more blocks in the blazing sun, and I feel a bit like the Pied Piper, with so many kids following our silly, loud, gringo parade! We arrive back at church, and I look around to see bright eyes, smiles filled with light, and curious but trusting faces looking back at me. Now, it’s time to teach them about the One who will change their lives. The One who brings hope, peace, joy, love. Praise God, I’m here in Peru and ready to work alongside God this month!
“Yes, I think I’m going to like it here.”
Please pray for my team and squad as we serve in Peru this month. Pray that we’re bold with God’s Word, and that His seeds of truth and hope and love plant deep roots into the hearts of the children we meet.
Love, Love, Love
Kate
