The Kitchen Crew

Waiting in line for the clinic.

The children loved the dolls, stickers, and gum we handed out!

We saw a lot of people with stomach pain.  Joseph was an

amazing 12 yr. old transator!

Esther, Amber, Me, Sarah, Kay

Traige outside the clinic

At the Market

Special Day with a Special Friend

Peru~the land of over 200 types of potatoes!



Look at all these whole grains and dried beans!




Peru may be a poor country. . .but they have a wealth of healthy foods!



Farm fresh eggs by the 2 1/2 dozen!

Yep!  That really is a cow head and a cow snout. . .delicacies.

Special Memories

Touring the Monastery



A view of Cusco




I love her laugh. . .always so happy!





A diva in disguise!



Boiled potatoes for an afternoon snack



Kay and Sarah



What a memorable day. . .Marleni is a dear friend!  So much fun!



A little shopping with the girls. . .Kay, Kristen, Sarah, Marleni, and me




Walkin' the road to el Arca. . .taking it all in, loving every minute of it!




Oh, a cactus!




Finally got to spend some quality time with my mom on the bus!




Sarah, what a sweetheart!  She was there when I needed a friend :)



Mmmmm. . .cuy!  Before. . .



After. . .




Delicious!  Really, it was pretty good.



The Journey Home

The el Arca ladies. . .me, Laura, Sarah.

Esther and Amber



Dale and Kay




A talented musician making our Closing Banquet even more special!



Some of the pre-med students. . .great group of people!



More pre-med students. . .and Brittany!




Esther, you're such a honey!




Roberto-my you look so thin!




My parents and me




Very special people in my life. . .I'm so blessed!



Lima, Peru



Miraflores. . .kind of a culture shock after being in Cusco.  It's like NY City!




Bud and Laura Lenz. . .my inspiration!



Flying home. . .

Reunited with my family!



Enjoying the gifts I brought them :)




Looks like they fared pretty well without me-lol!  Good to be home.



Reflections

It’s been about a week and a half since we returned from Peru.  I’ve been reflecting on my trip, and while it’s hard to put the feeling part into words, I will do my best to summarize the events that took place. . .

In short, we had amazing trip!!  It was everything I hoped it would be.  We worked as a team, everyone doing their part, and I believe we accomplished what we were sent out to do!  It reminds me of the verse in scripture, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.”  (Rom. 12:4-6)

Trip Stats:

*It was a large group:  17 pre-med students (including two university supervisors) and 18 medical professionals and others!

*During the week our team attended over 800 patients at the clinics, gave out over 500 toothbrushes, pulled 109 teeth and handed out 582 Bibles

*486 confessed faith in the Lord or expressed a desire to know more

*Working in the kitchen at the Children’s Home, we made large quantities of chicken dumpling soup, apple crisp, potato soup, hummus, pesto, and homemade chocolate cake (for a birthday!)

During our closing banquet as each member of the team shared a memorable moment from the week, it was obvious that many hearts were changed among our teammates as well as on the “field.”  There were lasting friendships created, pain relieved, hope offered, and encouraging words shared.  The stories went beyond, “Yeah, that was a nice trip.” It was more like, “This trip has changed my life.  I will never forget. . .”  As for me, part of me really didn’t want to come home.  I’ve enjoyed having a break from laundry, dishes, and the stresses of running a household!  But seriously, I loved serving, making new friends, the thrill of adventure, and feeling fulfilled.  I will treasure these memories forever!

The Adventurous Trip Home:

It was a long, two-day trip home.  My parents and I had a layover in Lima, so we took a taxi and headed to Miraflores.  Security was heightened on every front because the country’s presidential debate was to be held that night.  It was interesting and a little unsettling to see police and military on every corner.  Streets were barricaded and vans were filled with military men carrying shields and weapons.  But local families still had their children out and about with them!  It felt surreal. 

When it came time to board the plane, they frisked everyone, then re-searched our bags!  The stewardesses were on high-alert and I saw fear in their eyes.  I didn’t sleep very well on the plane wondering what was up?!  Thankfully, we arrived safely, but only to experience MORE heightened security.  They must have checked our passports 4 more times before we even got our luggage.  I’ve never experienced anything like that, but ironically, it made me feel safer knowing they were taking extra pre-cautions. 

Our journey wasn’t without struggle and victory even up to the last minute.  My parents and I parted ways in Miami.  They flew onto Chicago, and I waited for my flight to Minneapolis.  My parents’ flight from Chicago to CWA was cancelled, so their final trip was delayed even more.  They were surprised to find themselves automatically booked for the next flight home while others had to stay overnight!  My flight was also delayed and at 4:45pm we were still sitting on the runway, having just landed in MSP.  My shuttle (that would take me home to my waiting children and husband!!) was leaving at 5pm!  I’m still not sure how it happened. . .but I de-boarded the plane, ran, got my two bags from the luggage carousel, ran some more, and MADE IT by 5:01pm!!!  Only a short hour and a half and I was reunited with my loving family!!  We made it J  And the kids said the time went by quickly. . .really?  Good to hear. . .I think that means I’ll be doing it again!

Thank you, for supporting me in pursuing this dream of missions.  Your financial donations, prayers, emails, and encouraging words made such a difference. . .not only in touching me, but in reaching the beautiful people (halfway around the hemisphere) in Peru!  The Lord supplied ALL my needs through your faithfulness and generosity!

My first mission trip may have ended, but the journey is just beginning! 

The Finale!

My day began bright and early as my friend, Marleni escorted us to the local market to do some shopping.  My dad and another friend, Kay, came along.  It was a beautiful morning.  I loved walking among the Peruvian people and interacting with them.  We ate some food from street venders, found some great deals, did some sight-seeing, and made some great memories!  It's hard to put into words all the things I've taken in over the past week. 

Later in the day, my friends Sarah and Kristen joined us!  We did more sight-seeing and shopping.  Now it's on to the final banquet.  It will be difficult to say 'good-bye' to the friends I've grown close to this week. 

I am ready to go home and see my family.  I feel as though I've accomplished what the Lord sent me here to do.  I will take the memories with me and pray that I can return again some day (hopefully with the rest of my family!). 

We begin our journey home tomorrow morning as our first flight leaves at 8:50am from Cusco to Lima.  We will spend the day in Lima and won't arrive in Miami until 7:30am on Monday.  Mom and Dad fly out earlier, but I will hang around until my flight leaves at 1:30pm.  I will finally arrive home around 6:30pm on Monday night!  It will be a long journey home. . .