Hello all! I have been in Peru doing ministry for a week now. Travel to Peru started very early (as in 2:15am) on the morning of October 7th, included two flights, a 9-hour layover, a one-night stay in a hostel, and a 24-hour bus ride. All in all, it took almost 60 hours to get to Cusco, Peru. Although it was a very long bus ride with a limited amount of sleep, it was totally worth it to see so much of this beautiful country! The road from Lima to Cusco winds through many remote mountain villages and I saw a plethora of animals at roadside farms including cows, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs. There were so many picturesque fields on the mountainsides and in the valleys.
Meals on the bus were pretty interesting. The bus did not stop very often, so when it stopped at about 7:30 at night, everyone on my team piled out in search of dinner. There was a small snack stand at the station we stopped at, so everyone got a sandwich and chips for dinner. Not more than 10 minutes after we got back on the bus the attendant started serving dinner! We had no idea that the bus served meals, so we all had two dinners that night! The next morning for breakfast, we were served what initially looked like a cinnamon roll. However, upon closer inspection, I decided it looked more like blueberries instead of cinnamon. When I took my first bite, I discovered that it was not blueberries, but olives. It was very disconcerting to expect blueberries and taste olives. I picked out the olives and just ate the bread and everything was fine!
For ministry this month, my team is serving a church called Calvary Chapel Cusco. We are staying at the church and have hot showers and beds, so the accommodations are pretty nice. So far, our schedule has been very busy each day. Ministry looks like helping the church with their different programs, including youth group, outreach, prayer walks, and various projects. Right now, one of the projects we are working on is refinishing a large dish cabinet for a local children’s home. One of the projects I am most excited about is developing meal ideas for the kids that are cheap and provide good nutrition. Most of the local kids do not receive a lot of good nutrition and eat mostly rice and potatoes. As you can imagine, I am super excited to be working on a project that I am so passionate about.
Thank you all so much for your prayers, they are so appreciated!
Excited to read your updates. Praying for you as God uses you in a mighty way! Susan
Thank you for your willingness to serve as a missionary this year. We will be praying for you. We also look forward to following you through your blog.
So proud of you and a bit jealous . . .enjoy every experience, even the olives. Can’t wait to read more of your adventures.
Gigi
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Hope you are well. Praying for you as you meet each new assignment as God directs.
Thank you so much for your post and the pictures! It looks so picturesque! That sounds like an awesome project !Praying for you everyday! ????????????????
Ew olives?! Nasty!! I’m happy you’re doing well and excited to read your updates! 🙂
What a great update and pictures! Praying for you as you develop great meals for those kids.
Thank you for sharing . I am proud of you, Catherine and will be praying for you in Peru. Maretta
Great hearing from you Catherine. We’ll save some blueberries for you. In the meantime, keep up the great work! Love you!!!
So excited to read about your first ministry assignment. I am praying for you.
That’s so exciting!! Proud of you
What beautiful scenery and what an awesome experience! Glad the accommodations are nice and glad that you get to work on a project that is right up your alley!
You know I would be excited about helping to plan out nutritious meals, too!! You and your team are making such a difference for the Lord. Praying for you!!
It is an awesome adventure for the Lord to be doing His will for your life. Have a great time. Great pictures.
Catherine, it’s so great to read this and I’m so proud of you! I love that you are putting your education fo work in such a meaningful way with those children. And … you might have inherited your distaste for olives from your Aunt Cam ??. Love you sweetie and can’t wait to read about your next adventure!
How like our God to connect you right away with a project that uses your skill set and ignites your passion! Praying for you and your team to be used in many amazing ways as you serve in Cusco.
Thank you!
Love you so much!!!
I know! It was really weird. Miss you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you, me too!
Love ya Daddio!
Thank you!!
Thank you for your prayers!
Thank you for your prayers!
Thank you!
Thanks Aunt Cam! Love you!
Thanks! I am trying to soak up every experience, even the more difficult ones.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support!
Olives are so disgusting! I couldn’t have!!
I’m so excited that your first stop enabled you to use your passion for nutrition! How specific is that? I am thrilled for every word you can send. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for taking us along with you.
Your story of the bus ride brought back memories of my son’s race. He had many interesting rides. I agree…I would have been surprised to sink my teeth into olive bread. See you soon.
I love the pictures and hearing about your experiences, including the details of the food! I had no idea that a bus would serve food either, and it’s not something I would have thought to ask about either! The very start of the trip with a 60 hour travel ‘day’ had to wear everyone down to a frazzle! Peru truly is beautiful! It sounds like your month in Cusco was very productive and that you helped the ministry out in many ways!