My deepest apologies for being MIA this last month. A lot has happened since I last posted. I now have many, many more miles spent on buses under my belt, two more countries added to my list, more relationships (stretching across Latin America) that I cherish so deeply, and an even richer relationship with God. This blog will give you a brief overview of the last month of my race, but I hope to give more specific details of the mighty ways God moved.
IT IS LONG (my bad for sharing the month all at once) so maybe grab some coffee and stay a little while!
Chile-
Antofagasta, Chile:
Our time in Antofagasta, Chile came to a close at the end of August. This is when I realized just how difficult goodbyes would be all year, and boy did it sink in deep. My goodbyes were filled with lots of tears, much laughter, and even tighter hugs. I truly feel like I left a huge part of my heart in that city. What a tremendous month! I felt such an abundance of love, joy, and hospitality from the people I now call family. I miss each of you more day by day. Chile will always be a home away from home for me!
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile:
Before my team arrived at month one debrief, we took two days for some team bonding (something that was very absent month one). WE WENT CAMPING IN THE DRIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!
After arriving in Calama, some of the team made camp at a coffee shop for the day with all the bags while the guys ventured out to hunt for a rental vehicle that could fit all of us. It was a battle but finally we won! We found a truck, which we named Diego, and he was so good and faithful to us! All 7 of us and all our bags fit in Diego – but it was quite the sight and definitely a bonding experience.
Our drive from Calama to the San Pedro desert didn’t disappoint in the slightest, we sat in extreme closeness and the views were breathtaking – it felt like we were driving through beautiful paintings. We got to San Pedro after dark so our camp site was basically chosen by driving down desert roads until we found a spot to pull off. During the night temperatures dropped very low, we woke up freezing, but that didn’t stop us from our adventures.
Let the adventures begin! We drove to El Tatio Geysers seeing llamas, alpacas, little native villages, dry desert reaching for miles, snowcapped mountains, and volcanos. Next, we went hiking, caving, and adventuring in Valle de la Luna. Finished off the day with another impromptu camp site in the middle of the desert. The next morning we struggled to pack up our tents because of the loss of feeling in our hands from the cold desert temperatures but with quick trips to Diego for warmth and the men on our team who graciously helped us pack our stuff, we made it out alive. It was a trip for the books!
San Pedro, Chile:
Month one debrief was hosted in San Pedro, Chile. We have 5 debriefs throughout the year. This a time when the whole squad comes together for reflection, processing, and rest. Our leadership team travels from the States to pour wisdom, encouragement, and love into us over the span of 5 days through one-on-ones, teachings, and just living closely together – we cherish all of our time with our fantastic mentor and sweeeeet coaches. It is such a special time spent sharing stories with one another and exploring the city.
Perú-
Cusco, Peru/Machu Picchu, Perú:
Long, long travel days from Chile to Perú consisted of 3 buses, 4 cities, roughly 36 hours, a border crossing, and unusually large cankles. But at last we made it to CUSCO, PERU!!!
We were super pleased with our sweet little AirBnb, that allowed for our team to live under one roof and share meals around a table. This was something we all longed for and knew would grow our team closer as a family. That it did very well! This is where we played friendly yet VERY competitive card games, cooked endless meals of rice and veggies, stayed up late talking, and laugh sooooo sooo much.
This month looked vastly different than Chile because we didn’t have a ministry host, instead this month was called “ask the lord”. ATL months are stretching! As a team we ask God to show us which city to go to, where to live, and what shape ministry will take. It takes extreme trust, dependence, and faith. Each day ministry was a little different! One day we did a prayer walk around the park and later went back to slackline, play soccer, paint, run around with little children, and just engage in conversations with locals. Another day we fasted from food. We went around the city praying for people, and used our food money to bless people with food that God highlighted. One of my favorite days of ministry was when we did a spiritual scavenger hunt because it created space for the Lord to speak. We then went into Cusco looking for what the Lord revealed to each of us.
While in Perú, one must visit Machu Picchu!!! This wonder of the world did not disappoint! It was completely breathtaking, both in beauty and physically (no really I was so exhausted).
I ended my time in Cusco with a little more action that I anticipated. The sink that was INSIDE the shower fell and shattered while I was taking a shower the morning before we left. Meanwhile the glass cut open my leg and the bottom of my foot leaving me in an uncomfortable and vulnerable state . Thank God for teammates that will run to the rescue and get you dressed! Thank you to my team for remaining calm, getting me to the hospital safely, and for the encouraging letters. Also blessed with teammates (& squadmates – shoutout to Frieda and Shea) that will sit at the hospital for cruelly hours, friends who visit and bring snacks (shoutout to Mollie, Aryne, Emily Ann, and Fabi), and friends who are willing to even stay overnight with me (shoutout to Christy and Paige). All in all, I experienced God working in huge ways during my time in Cusco.
Lima, Peru:
The most eventful bus ride to date! I’ll spare you all the details but try to imagine 26 hours straight on a not-so-bouchée bus. Or imagine 15 people plus daypacks and big packs piling into a one van. Travel days are not glamorous but definitely eventful and stretching!!!
Let MIRACLE week begin! We listened to teachings on quality self care, spiritual gifts, inner-healing and deliverance, values and dreams, and many other amazing topics taught by our very own rockin’ leadership team. Each afternoon we created space to process or outreach in Lima. It was a bittersweet time for me as the Lord brought up some hard things for me to process! We concluded our days in Lima with worship as a squad – POWERFUL, dinner dates with squadmates, teachings, and (one of my favorites) the squad dedicated 24 hours straight to praying over Lima- someone signed up for each hour and during the night there were 2 people in order to hold each other accountable!!!! Oh, and not to leave out the countless hours that my squad spent at Starbucks! The place we were staying did not have wifi so in order to get planning done for our time in Ecuador or communicate with family, we had to venture out to this local Perúvian coffee shop (lolll but really I don’t like starbucks but I was thankful for this one in particular).
Lima, Perú – Part 2 –
Miracle week ended Friday, September 28th! Team Burrito headed out for Baños, Ecuador! Team Chairontai Panta (rejoice aways) left for the Perúvian amazon very early the next morning! My team and team Agape Vita couldn’t leave until Tuesday due to our bus to Quito, Ecuador, so we were given more time in Lima!!!
Honestly, I was more than ready to leave the gloomy climate of Lima, Perú but God had much bigger and better plans than my own. Miracle week may have ended on Friday but God was not done preforming miracles in Lima!!!!!! The most amazing thing took place in that Starbucks on Saturday afternoon. I still get chills thinking about it. I can’t give away much details because I’m writing a entire blog about it, but please join with me in praying for Valeria! Keep a lookout you won’t want to miss it!!
What a dream to celebrate my 22nd birthday in Perú with some of my favorite people! I woke up that morning to handwritten letters (my favorite), french toast, strawberries, and banana pancakes *cue Jack Johnson and Taylor Swift*. Oh but it gets better!!!!! We made our way to the ocean for surfing!!! Who can say they went surfing in Perú for their birthday?! AHHHH! If you will, IT WAS GNARLY! (Even if I did get a bloody nose and didn’t look super great in a wet suit). Ended my birthday around the CHili’s table with corn and sweet laughter with even sweeter friends. What a day to be born, amiright?! #22inPeru
Monday night brought another unbearable goodbye! (details saved for the blog I mentioned above)
Quito, Ecuador:
A 40 hour bus ride straight from Lima to Quito…. Need I say more?! Nonetheless, I made it to Quito, Ecuador safely and I’m loving my time here. These 10 days we are partnering with Cru to reach students across the college campuses here in Quito, Ecuador.
Yesterday was our adventure day! We traveled to Quilotoa, which is a volcanic crater filled with the upmost beautiful turquoise water located in the Ecuadorian Andes. Both hikes up and down were brutally steep (280-meter vertical ascent), but I’ll leave out all the complaining about my weak noodle legs! Next time I’m riding a donkey! Best adventure day to date! I got to kayak inside the turquoise caldera, try guinea pig and lamb, and marvel at God’s creation.
Ahhh what a dream God has given me the opportunity to live and experience him deeper across the globe!!! Month three includes Ecuador and Colombia!!!! I’m expectant of great things as we finish up our time in Latin America!
ps. I won’t go a whole month without blogging ever again, if I can help it. Thank you for making it to the bottom! I love and miss y’all more than I can tell you!
