An Unforgettable Experience

If I were summarize my summer into one phrase, I would say, "Life is about relationships and Jesus". Those are the two things that matter and everything else was at the wayside. There were no political arguments, no social arguments, no fight over money; rather, my summer consisted of building relationships with broken people (which we all are) and sharing about Jesus (the author and perfecter of our salvation).

Ica

Most of the boys in the home located in Ica are found on the street and/or brought out of trafficking. They taught me what real happiness and joy lived out looks like (and how to make homemade chocolates but that's another story haha). The home in Ica is not an easy one to work at. Some of the boys dream big and some have never been given the opportunity to dream. When we would play soccer, they would come alive and would laugh and tackle each other. This home also taught me that faith doesn't make things easy, it makes them possible. Each guy has a different personality and bring something different to the atmosphere at this home which makes it all the more beautiful in its brokenness. 

Kusi, Yungay 

Where to begin talking about this home is hard because everything that could have possibly happened in Peru, happened at this home. I got sick at this home, I fell out of the top bunk in this home, I broke the soccer goal at this home, I learned how to launch matches of the top of the box while lit at this home, and the Lord created relationships with these boys that I know will last for ages. I spent about a month's worth of my time at this home and the house parents at his home became my Peruvian Parents and the boys at this home became my brothers. I shared my testimony with the boys at this home and that is when we became brothers. I wept when I left this home (as did the boys). I lived life with this guys and helped out in the home with them. I became one of them and I would do it all over again if it means showing them the love of Christ and getting to talk about Jesus. I learned what real discipleship and ministry lived out looks like at this home. It is loving and serving people well, not necessarily a bunch of programs and special services, but loving and serving people well just as Jesus did. 

Urumbamba, Cusco

A home full of faith and spirituality with a passion to love Christ and pursue him. Not every boy at each home knows Christ as savior and is baptized but at this home, that does not reign true. Each boy at this home knows Christ as savior. This home was hard to say goodbye to because the boys would say, "are you going to return and be a pastor here?" and another boy told me, "I know the Lord will make you a great pastor one day". These are the relationships that will last a lifetime. These are the stories that show me that the Holy Spirit is working all over the world. 

Iquitos & Puerto Alegria (Rain forest)

This home has the least amount of resources but is full of life! This kids (as most kids are) were hilarious and loved to goof off. At this home, we read a Psalm before each meal and I loved that. I felt poured into at this home. To hear the Word of God many times throughout the day and not just during my personal devotions was a great joy. This home also displayed to me the mighty hand of God in creation. All of the tropical birds, plans, trees, animals, fish, bugs, insects, etc. The Amazon Rain Forest is a beautiful place that speaks the glory of the Lord. I have also never seen rain like I did while I was there. One night, it was as if the skies just opened and God let an ocean fall. I couldn't see about two feet in front of me and I couldn't hear anything and anyone except the rain. It was incredible, to see the power of the Lord in creation and nature. 

Las Casas Girasoles (The Sunflower Homes)