Ola
What a week in Peru I had. My 1st mission trip and it was wonderful. I knew I was in store for a rewarding experience, but I got more out of the trip than I could imagine. We spent the 1st part of the week working around the church. Some of us did construction and some went to kid’s bible school. We were able to interchange if we felt the urge.
The construction consisted of scrapping, sanding and painting. We were able to spruce up the outside, the kids rec area and the stair well going up to other floors. We were able to fix up some broken fans and replace a few as needed. Temps were 85-90 and tools were sparse, but all in all work went smooth.
The kids were wonderful. It is amazing how they just are attracted to our team. They would hang on, hold on, sit next to and devote all their attention to us (especially the girls). Some kids would be right in the mix during construction. If we were scraping they wanted to scrape. If we were up the latter than they were too. It is so different there for the kids. Schools are sparse and kids go to church when they are young (if they go at all). Some go to church, some just wander around. There is very little supervision for most.
We also took a boat up the Amazon River to a remote village. We climbed up the banks of the Amazon to find 10 or so small huts and a church in the middle of nowhere overlooking the river. Million dollar view, but no electric, no water, etc. We had a church service there and sang some songs. We took up a collection and were able to gift them with some medical supplies, soap, tooth brushes and tooth paste along with some candy for the kids.
It amazing how you form bonds, make friendships and get along with Perushians and not be able to speak their language (at least most of us couldn’t). We did have 2 translators but for 25 of us it was tough. I loved the trip. It was hard travel, long sweaty days, but rewarding just the same. The people there are truly caring needful and appreciative. The bonding with them and the friendships amongst us was great. I learned a lot about other and a lot about myself. As someone told me the hard part is bringing what I learned home to use.
Thanks for your support and prayers
Jim Hartwick
A web site(s) called “Peru mission trip July 2012” to share pictures. I'd like you to be a member of the site. Come check it out at http://perumissiontripjuly2012.shutterfly.com/. Check back from time to time pics are still being added from all members on the team.
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