Peru!

For exactly 17 days I was not in the United States.

I went to Peru on a mission trip with my college, Ouachita Baptist University. Fifteen students and four staff members prepared all spring semester for this trip. We studied scripture, strategies, built relationships within our team, read a book, memorized scripture, and a lot more that I really don't have the words to explain.

On May 14, 2019, we met up in Dallas at the airport. Four plane rides later we finally landed in Cusco, Peru.

Things didn't go as planned from the beginning. This was our first lesson we all quickly learned, that we would put into practice over and over again till we reached home again.

All of the lessons I learned, have become my way of sharing my experience.

Lesson #1. Nothing goes as planned.

Our trip to get to Cusco was suppose to be three plane rides. Well about 20 minutes before we were to land in Cusco the pilot informed all of the passengers that our navigation system had failed, and we were turning around and going back to Lima, Peru.

The big Ouachita team was split into two smaller teams. My team had to travel four hours outside of Cusco to our first destination. About 15 minutes from our destination our bus broke down. We all patiently waited for a little over an hour till the new bus arrived. This was well needed, well spent quality time with my team. The Lord blessed us, it wasn't too hot outside and we were on a hill with a great view.

Most of my team got sick within the first few days of being at the orphanage, so things there were constantly being modified and everyone had to learn to adapt real quick.

Lesson #2. Be flexible.

This lesson went hand and hand with the first one. It was also one of our mottos that we reminded ourselves that while we did the Lord's work, the Holy Spirit can move in any direction. Really while we do anything, no matter where we are, the Holy Spirit is in control.

We went green bean picking in order to help out a local man with his green bean farm. Another day we were gonna help another family with their fields but they weren't their so we went to the center of the village and did some evangelism.

Lesson #3. Goodbyes are hard, getting attached is easy.

After being at the orphanage for five and half days, it was really hard to say goodbye, so that our teams could switch locations. Each kid holds a special place in my heart now. We woke up every morning at 5:45 A.M. so that we could go fix the little girl's hair. We worshiped every morning with all of the children by giving/listening to a devotional together. We played volleyball and soccer together, we painted and did crafts together, and we laughed and learned new languages together. We shared our stories with each other. In a short amount of time we grew close to the kids really fast. By far one of the hardest goodbyes in my lifetime was said to these kids.

Lesson #4. God always has better things instore for you than what you can give yourself.

After switching with the other team, my team arrived at the mission center. This place was way different than the orphanage. We worked with a group of students, who are in a program called "Life and Work". These students are young adults who are about 17 years old and up. This program teaches them practical skills that will set them up for success once they leave the program after six months. It also teaches them God's word and how to live a lifestyle that follows Jesus. The mission center is just one hour outside of Cusco. Cusco is a big tourism place, so these young adults will have plenty of job opportunity when they leave the program.

I was only here for two nights. When I woke up the third day, I had spots all over my arms, legs, neck, and face. A man, Mr. Strong, that had come to help translate for us, at the schools we went to, offered to help us out by taking me to a clinic in Cusco. So him and one of my advisors took me to a clinic in Cusco. At the clinic we found out that our suspicions were correct, I had the chicken poxs. After figuring everything out, I was sent home with Mr and Mrs. Strong. They are a missionary couple that has been doing long term missions in Peru. I was not allowed to go back to the mission center for precaution, so that no one else would get the chicken poxs. I stayed at this couples house for four nights. I learned a lot about the organization they work for and a lot about what being a missionary actually looks like. They opened my eyes to the idea of multiple ways to do mission work and just how different gifts are used in different ways. I am still so grateful for everything they did for me. They treated me like I was their own kid.

Lesson #5. Just because the work is over, doesn't mean its finished.

As our two small teams came back together as one, it was evident that just because we were no longer doing scheduled, structured, missionary work, our job of sharing God's word wasn't over. As we stepped into our phase of being tourist we still found ways to share the Good News.

I realized that I, personally, don't particularly like being a tourist in a big group. I'd rather be a tourist in smaller numbers. The tourism in Peru was great as far as Machu Picchu, and just walking around the city.

Lesson #6. Home is still Home.

Man it's good to be home. After 19 days of being away, I appreciate home so much more. I learned a lot more then just these six lessons, but this is to sum it all up.

My transition to coming back was/is great. I feel like most of things were just put on pause until I came back. I have a new outlook on life for the better. I realized some things that I needed to do and will do. My little picture of this world grew 10x's.

I believe that I experienced a good adjusting process in Peru, as well as when I came home. It wasn't super hard to leave Peru itself after having the chicken poxs, but I do know that I left a piece of my heart there and I hope to one day return.

**A special thanks to everyone who supported me through prayer and financially.**

Central Baptist Church,

Shiloh Baptist Church,

Milwood Baptist Church,

Richmond Road Baptist Church, and all of the individuals who gave and prayed.