Peru!

I know I have been a little MIA recently, but it's all for a good reason! Last week, I had the blessing of an opportunity to go to Peru with my stepdad, Scott, Alcides, and Jeff (he was part of the James 127 team this summer to Paraguay). 

We spent the first couple days in Cusco. I know exactly what you're thinking. Kuzcotopia. 

Uh huh. Uh huh uh huh uh huh. Boom baby. While we did run into some llamas (thankfully none of them were demon llamas), Kronk was no where to be found. Neither was the waterslide. But I had the best time. Cusco (the real one) is a beautiful old city. Cobblestone streets, tiny alleyways, old architecture, and plenty of tourists. The first day we spent exploring the city, getting used to the elevation of 11,200 ft (that's about twice the elevation of Denver).  In order to adjust to the elevation, they drink Mate de Coca - it's a tea that is derived from the same plant they make cocaine from. When any of us made a mistake from then on, we knew exactly what to blame it on. Here's a picture of Cusco at night. 

The next day, we left super early to catch a bus, then a train, then another bus to go to Machu Picchu!! Incredible. I hardly have any words to describe to you the beauty up in this mountains with the ruins. Thankfully, I have a few pictures (and of course, they don't do it justice). And you know what they say... So here's a couple thousand words. 

The rest of the week was full of meetings with different people to discuss the real reason we went to Peru in the first place. A big problem in Peru is teenage pregnancies - sometimes as early as 12 or 13 years old. Once these girls get pregnant, many of them chose to abort their baby. We went to Peru praying that God would reveal His plan for the idea and vision many people share. We would love to create a home for these young mothers who have chosen not to abort, but, for varying circumstances, can't return to their own house. This place would be a refuge for them, where they would learn motherly skills, and hopefully be counseled, and they would learn about Jesus and how to have a relationship with Him.

It was so clear that God is working in Peru. He is doing big things. We met Evelyn Stone who opened a prenatal clinic in La Molina, right across from the university. We met David and Gina, missionaries to Flores de Villa, who are serving the Lord through a medical clinic and boys and girls homes. We met the Kennedy family, who opened an orphanage. We met Jessica and Rebeca, who volunteer at the prenatal center and both have a passion to see change in the lives of pregnant teenagers. All live in different areas, all have different ministries, but all have recognized the need for a home for teenage mothers. 

These are just a handful of the people we had the opportunity to meet this week in Peru. I think I'm still processing it all. Maybe that's why I don't exactly know what to say. It's hard to sum up such a time. I do ask, though, that you would join us in prayer for this country. Pray that the Lord would fill us with His wisdom and guide us in how to approach this issue. Pray for the families, couples, and individuals we met - that when they feel discouraged that God would remind them that their work is not fleeting. They are working for the King. 

This is a view of the town we are praying about working in. 

Thank you for reading my little blog. It's so encouraging to receive texts and emails saying that I need to update. And I'm coming to realize that fall is in full swing states-side. Please go to Trader Joe's right now and pick up a box of pumpkin pancake mix. And when you make them on Sunday morning (because that's the morning for pancakes), add chocolate chips. You won't be disappointed.