Peru
I’m so sorry that it took me this long to update you on life here in Peru.
Travel day to Peru: We set a new record this time. It took us 52 hours, 4 buses, one river crossing, 2 flat tires (on the same bus), 1 mototaxi, and a truck to get from Quito, Ecuador to Cajamarca, Peru. We missed getting stuck from all the flooding by mere hours. We left at 8:30pm on Thursday, March 9th and got to our host family’s house at 12:30am on Sunday, March 12th. To say we were exhausted, dirty, and overwhelmed would be an understatement.
Location: Cajamarca, Peru. Cajamarca is the 13th largest city in Peru and the capital city of the Cajamarca Region here in the Peruvian Northern Highlands. We are at 8,900 ft above sea level. There is an estimated 230,000 people living in the city. They are known for there dairy production, mining, and archeological history.
What Ministry Looks Like This Month: We are living in the house of the sweetest Peruvian woman I have ever met. Her two children live with her and are around my age. A few years back, God put it on her heart that she was to house missionaries when they would come into town. Someone actually traded houses with her so she could have more space to fulfill that calling. She makes sure that we are very well fed and is concerned that we are too skinny. She’s perfect.
We are partnering this month with a church just a 10 minute walk away named Monte Zion. Our Pastor is a very busy man; running the church, a school attached to the church, and a clinic a couple blocks west of the church. He has asked us to be evangelists, preachers, teachers, and worship leaders this month. We’ve all prepared, and shared, our testimonies and a sermon each. As Worship Facilitator for our team, I’ve been able to collaborate with my team in leading worship at several services this month (many that we have run on our own, and a few that other team members have taken the lead on). Our pastor drives us to different church plants and missions that he has started in nearby towns and indigenous villages. In a typical service we play a few praise and worship songs, share a testimony, and preach a sermon. We’ve also been asked to run a few children’s programs. Luckily I’ve got a couple of teachers on my team.
Weather: Cold. Wet. Rainy. It’s actually really beautiful. On our first day here, my team and I stood on top of the roof of our host’s house and watched a thunder storm roll over the North-Eastern hill. It’s rained every single day since we’ve been here. The rain in Peru has unfortunately washed away all of the bridges that would take us out of Cajamarca via bus. Don’t worry though, there is an airport in town. We have plane tickets that will take us to Lima.
Currency: They use Peruvian Soles that compare to US Dollars at about S/. 3.40 Soles to $1 USD. The conversion rate is a bit tough to do in your head, but I’ve never really been good at math, so I’m super thankful for smartphones and calculators. And, before you get concerned, I’ve already collected one of each of their coins!
Not so fun fact 🙁…their local delicacy is called Cuy (guinea pig). Full transparency? I couldn’t do it. It’s actually known as quite the treat and our host family served it to us last week. I’m so thankful to have teammates willing to help me. It was the first time I couldn’t try the food served to me since coming on the race.
We leave in less than a week, and I know that this goodbye is going to be a terribly difficult one. Our host mom has taken the absolute best care of us and I feel so bonded with her and her kids. I’m excited to continue on my race, but Peru…I’m going to miss you.
Sending my love and prayers,
Kelli
