Peru is a country of many contrasts. It's divided into three belts which runs from north to south. The desert coast with unending beaches, the majestic Andes mountains running through the middle, and then the jungle bordering Brazil. Each belt has different people with different cultures...but all Peruvian. Here is even a special dog with hair only on its head. Our time in Peru was fast paced and busy. We traveled a lot while ministering to different people. We hosted workshops and church, sang Jabulani, posed for pictures, ate Guinea pig, posed for pictures, did school ministry, saw a mud city, posed for pictures, spoke at a national pastoral conference, and posed for pictures. Peru has been busy but good. Especially posing for pictures.
When you watch movies about Latin America it looks very exotic and inviting with beautiful people dancing and singing. This is true in the tourist parts. When you look behind the scenes it's different. Behind the counter at Starbucks you might find a girl supporting her entire family because she is the he only one that can read. At the fast food counter you might find a dad and husband to a family just trying to make ends meet. The Spanish people we see on television are not a true representation of this hidden world. They represent a westernized image of wealth and fame which only belongs to beauty queens, actors, and politicians. It's overwhelming to say the least. Your heart bleeds and burns with compassion at the same time. It's confusing and inspiring. Seeing things like this can either pacify you or move you into action. Your choice. God uses the willing.
You get tired on a journey. You feel used. Almost like a pet that does tricks for food. But that's the point. When you tell God you want Him to use you that's what He is going to do...use you. So you show God you love Him by obeying His commands. This does not mean that you will always want to do these commands. Somedays are better than others, you have to choose. And that's what love is about. Choosing to do something you don't always want to. But you do it because it shows love. It's a strange concept. For years I believed that love should flow naturally from within without any effort. My experience this year has shown me otherwise. Our hearts can become hard. It reminds me of the parable Jesus told about the sower and the different places seed were sown. We have a very big part to play n this thing we call Christianity. We have to keep our hearts open to the word of God and to guidance from the Spirit. It's dawning on me that God uses us in very different ways. It's not as much as what He does through us as what He does in us. For it is in the molding of our inner self that we can have empathy on others when they go through the same process. God trains us so He can use us to train others. We go through intense inner battles and earn our scars so that the next generation can stand on our shoulders and build the kingdom even higher. We all have a part to play. We learn from each other's battles. As a leader God uses you to shape people around you and in turn uses people on team to shape you as a leader. It's a roller coaster experience.
Who would have known that on a journey God would prepare you for being married one day. The distinct differences between men and women are really evident when traveling as a team like this. It's remarkable. The guys hang by drinking coffee and saying nothing. The girls want to chat and shop. The guys vent emotionally by making jokes. The girls vent emotionally by chatting and shopping. The guys want to be alone to recharge. The girls want to chat and shop. This may be biased. But hey, I'm a guy. And by the way, guys don't like selfies that much. Or maybe it's just me.
And then...
Machu Pichu. It should be on everyone's bucket list. Ancient civilization surrounded by majestic mountains. The perfect way to end off Peru! You hike for 11km next to a railway until you reach a little town in the middle of the mountains. Spend a night there. Start hiking the next morning at 04:30 up the mountain. Start the tour of the city at 06:30 and hike back down at 11:30 to catch the bus to your next destination. So worth it!!!
A lot of pictures were taken in Peru. Of us, landscapes, funny beanies, and hairless dogs. We won't forget it...