Peru Short Term Missions Trip July 17-31, 2009
Long before the actual trip, many of the team wrestled with questions like “Is it God’s will for me to go to Peru?”, “What will my role be once I get there; what will I do?” and “What will I forget to pack?”.
There were long hours of preparation: the auction and congregational luncheon; shots, learning music and skits, Peruvian etiquette and at least a little Spanish. Next, the team-building retreat and before we knew it we were in the sanctuary organizing and labeling suitcases, getting ready to leave the very next day.
We gained our first impressions of Iquitos, Peru from high above the rain forest and meandering rivers that surround it. Founded by Jesuit missionaries in the 1750s, this city of 400,000 remains the largest city in the world inaccessible by road. There God tested us with a variety of physical problems and showed us that while He can be trusted with flight schedules and rosters, He is also the great Physician. We were privileged to help with work projects at a BCM (Bible Centered Ministries) boarding house for teenagers. We were impressed by the energy and passion of the Bible & Ministerial Institute of BCM Peru students as they conducted open air evangelistic meetings with hundreds of kids and parents (Pennies for Peru). At a busy plaza in the open market section of Iquitos, we distributed 3000 tracts to eager passers by. We experienced Cinderella carts, the jungle and rain forest, tropical heat, humidity and rain, three toed sloths, an anaconda, crocodiles, boat rides on the Nanay and Amazon Rivers and also survived Iquitos traffic and drivers.
Then it was back to Lima to help prepare for the open house at the Bible Institute in the village of Picapiendra, outside of Lima. Our stay at the Bible Institute began with a wonderful but exhausting two-day tour of Lima while somehow fitting in two Pennies for Peru gatherings. Just as in Iquitos, we enjoyed Sunday worship at several Baptist churches. Pastor Dave and Tyler Martin preached through interpreters and God encouraged all of us through the fellowship and hospitality of the Christians we met. Jackie and Tanya shared at two women’s groups. After a day of hanging doors and windows and building a sponge ball field, 150 kids arrived for the Bible Institute’s open house centered on the two-day Peruvian Independence Day holiday. We closed out our stay in Peru with a bang. The YF boys on the team played 14 games of soccer, girls played volleyball. Pastor Dave preached, our worship band helped with music for morning and evening chapel services. God’s work among kids was surely evident.
Some impressions:
- Passion, boundless energy and versatility of BCM Peru staff and missionaries
- God seems to be using open air ministries like Pennies for Peru
- Peru is very open to the gospel
- It is way more efficient to support and enable native, indigenous people than to send outsiders, necessary though that might be at times.
- When Carlos and Jonatan Odicio visit Pine Grove, we see through a glass darkly. When we spend two weeks with them in Peru, BCM Peru comes alive and into sharp focus.
- Missions is so multi-faceted that there is work for all Christians to do
- Our group encouraged, supported and loved each other
We are thankful beyond words for Pine Grove people, their prayer and sacrificial support!