I'm so thankful for the opportunity God gave me to serve Him in Jimbe, Peru. Here is my account of everything that happened, put into words the best I could.
Day 1: Travel! May 20th was an early morning of long lines and baggage checks at the New Orleans airport. We had a long day of flights until we reached Lima around 10 that night. This was my first international flight, so I thoroughly enjoyed the individual screens with free movies and music! This was also my first time as an "immigrant."
(Day 2) The next morning we woke up to another day in transit. This time, a 9 hour van ride to Jimbe. We learned our first lesson of missions: BE FLEXIBLE. Our van had a lot of issues on the way, so it seemed like we were traveling forever. Here's some pictures I got on the way:
As you can see; absolutely beautiful, but also very desolate in some areas. Lots of dirt :) As we drove into the village of Jimbe, the natives were looking through the windows and waving, so happy to see us. It's like I was a celebrity... just for being me, and just for being there. We were greeted with hugs and kisses, and curious but excited stares from the children. We moved into our hostals, which were little rooms with 2 beds and a public restroom. Not too shabby!
It's pretty cool; many places there didn't have roofs because it doesn't rain very often there. Our window was facing the street and was easily opened, so we had children peeking in at times :)
I suppose this was the start of my "culture shock," when I realized that I probably wouldn't be getting a shower for 10 days. It's completely BYOTP (bring your own toilet paper), and you just throw it away instead of flushing it. As most of you know, DON'T DRINK THE WATER. So that was an adjustment as well. We had a constant supply of water bottles so we could stay hydrated and brush our teeth with it. Allison and I got creative with washing our hair in the sink... Gotta do what you gotta do :) (Thank The Lord for deodorant and clean wipes)
Day 3: Our day to be "tourists" and relax. We had our team devotion, which helped us grow closer as a team and prepare our hearts and minds for going out on the field throughout the week. Me and some girls went on a walk around the town, and also down the mountain. Here's some pictures.
The "plaza," which is where many people gather at night. You can see that it is completely surrounded by mountains! I had to wonder if there people there are just used to it since they see it every day, but I was captivated!
These are the houses they live in ^^
These are the roads to go up and down the mountain. Quite bumpy.
God gave us a wonderful rainbow!
You realize just how high up you are... I think the altitude definitely got to me at times. After this we played tag with the kids.
The reality of the language barrier hit me at this point. I am so thankful for our 4 translators we had, because we couldn't understand what the kids were saying to us and had to get help. Luckily, the people there are very understanding and patient with us. I think the hardest part for me was not feeling like I could make lasting relationships, because I work best with one on one talks with people. I just had to focus on showing Christ... responding and loving the way He would without fear. It's crazy to not feel confident in the simplest of things, just because I was out of my comfort zone of the States. But you definitely just learn to adjust and improvise!
Here was our dinner, which was my favorite of all the food we had. I believe it was lamb (don't quote me on that), and potatoes and rice. SO MUCH POTATOES AND RICE :)
We had a service that night in the local church. It was so cute. It was pretty awesome to see the group of fellow belivers. We may look and talk different, but we are brothers and sisters in Christ, which unified us.
Day 4: Secondary School Day!! We had breakfast at 7:30 (bread and jelly), and were at the school by 8. Prior to this, we were told to prepare our testimonies and the story of Christ so that we could share with these kids. I shared my testimony with the 11th graders, and it went really well. We allowed them to ask any questions they wanted. Most questions were about our culture. They even knew political things that are going on here. At recess, I was able to play volleyball with the girls and soccer with the boys. It was so much fun.
We stayed until after 1, had a late lunch, and I was able to take a 3 hour nap. On the mission field, you take naps when possible. That night, we headed to a place called Canches up the mountain. We had a church service right in the middle of the street, the only light coming from a street lamp. The children climbed in our van and we held them while the parents listened intently to the message. We even had worship! Their songs last so much longer than our worship songs, but to watch those people dance and clap was amazing. The kids were sad to see us go, but luckily on Saturday, they came to Jimbe for a church reunion.
Day 5. This was a good day, because I got to call home :) We headed back to the school, this time to share with the Primary students (elementary). I got to share the story of Noah with the 3rd graders. We also sang with them in English and Spanish (the love to hear English). I hope that some seeds were planted, and that they could comprehend what we were telling them. We got to play at recess again. They sure do love duck duck goose.
I had my first money experience when we bought some things in the "bodega" (store). They had more in there than I thought they would!
We played with the children for another 3 hours after this in the plaza, then dinner and a meeting.
Day 6: I realized just how good Peruvians are at soccer (futbol). It's CRAZY. We spent most of the day with the church people.
We had a service at 3, where I gave my testimony again, but this time in front of adults. I was nervous, but it went well. It was really powerful because I felt God completely take me over and speak. The pastor said that it touched someone in the room. And that right there is why I have a testimony, and am called to share it. I learned to be prepared at all times, and to step up when needed.
After dinner we had another church service at 8 with the children. We got to sing a few songs in English
and then played Simon says. There is one sweet boy named Sebastian who seems to be attached at the hip to me. I don't mind :) He wore the same outfit all week.
We played Phase 10 till late. I love my team.
Day 7: Sunday. I was able to give the Bible story to the children. I ended up doing God delivering the Israelites from Egypt, and the plagues. After, they drew pictures of their favorite part of the story. Sweet, sweet kids.
In our devotion on this morning, we were warned to continue to keep our guards up. Exhaustion starts to kick in at this time, and we can get a little cocky and think we have the culture figured out. False. People are still watching us.
Today was awesome, because we broke up into groups with a translator and went out into the town to see who we could talk to. I'm really glad we did this, because the people may see us walking around and know we're Americans, but if jwe don't offer ourselves to more than just the church people, then what are we doing? Are we not here for the lost? We walked around for atleast 2 hours, and talked to 2 people. The first was an elderly man who was sitting on a rock.
He was 86, incredibly hard of hearing, and told us everything he knew about the Bible. He talked forever! It was awesome. We also found a lady in the plaza with her grandchild and spend the rest of the time talking with her until dinner. She was a cook for the Catholic Church, and never heard the story of Jesus. So we told her. She understood but was not at the point of acceptance. I would like to keep praying for her.
Day 8: Out the door by 7 to go to a place called Cachana.
Today was quite interesting. We really had no real plan... but man did God show up. A group of our guys started walking and was invited to a house where they shared the Gospel, and a man named John Marcos accepted Christ. It was truly a divine appointment. We loaded back in and went up up up. We stopped a few times to get pictures because it was just too pretty not to.
Our William Carey team. Love these people to death.
Livin' on the edge. Thankful for God's protection. One of our vans broke down so all 17 of us piled in one!
This is how they keep the roofs from coming off.
This man got fresh honeycomb!
We stopped at another small village to eat lunch that we packed. Our translator found an old woman to give our leftovers to, ans she of course invited me and a few other girls in (Peruvians are so hospitable). We talked, shared the story of Christ, and at 82 years old she accepted Christ, and I got to witness it. The eagerness in her prayer to Jesus was amazing. Her name is Isabelle, and I will see her in heaven.
Because of our van situtaiton, we had to go back, and God had a reason. In our devotion, we applied this to life. Sometimes we are in such a hurry to get to the top, that we miss out on where we are at. God moved and brought soul to Him at 9,000 feet instead of 14,000 feet. He knows what He is doing! He deserves so much glory!
Day 9: Another early morning. We headed to Canches again to spend time in the school there. I was put with the 6th graders. We played games, sang, and told the story of Christ.
It went by so fast, and I took another 3 hour nap. I couldn't believe that this was the last day in Jimbe! What better way to end this day than to play with an alpaca and run when it tries to spit at you!?
And you also can't go to Peru without eating cuy... although I really wouldn't recommend it :) Here's a before and after picture. I'm sure you can figure the rest out.
Day 10: We were out of Jimbe by 4 AM, and with a sleeping pills help, I slept the whole way to Lima. We went to their version of a mall... (never seen so many shoes in my life)
and we ate at a really nice restaurant for dinner. Just like any wise person would do, I ate a big juicy steak. I called my mom and told her NO CHICKEN for atleast a week when I get home :)
Thursday, we went to the Inca market, which was all Peruvian crafts and clothes. It was so much fun, and I was able to get some presents for my family.
We even ate at a Chili's for lunch, and I had pizza for dinner. It was fantastic. I enjoyed being in Lima so much. Here's some pictures.
We flew out at midnight that night, and I woke up just in time to see the sunrise.
I learned so much about myself and about ministry. I'm thankful that God was able to teach me that even though this experience was a stress on my body, it really isn't about me. It never was. Missions will leave you taking back just as much as you gave. I encourage everyone who is reading this to pray about living out the Great Commission to GO. You'll experience God in a new way. His beauty is lavished in Peru. Thank you to everyone who supported and prayed for me. Keep Peru in your prayers. There are still so many unreached people groups there. I love you all!
