A Peru team member's perspective

People keep asking me, “How was Peru?” It was amazing and awful, awe-inspiring and heart breaking, and everything in between. I thought I knew what to expect. I’ve spent over 20 months overseas, much of that time in developing countries. This wouldn’t be anything new. After all, it was only a one-week trip! How hard could it be and how much could one expect to learn? But my experience as a member of this mission team transcended all expectations.

The most surprising aspect of the trip was our team itself. Seven men and seven women, ages 25-60: counselor, musician, house painter, contractor, sales manager, interior designer, artist, benefits professional… What in the world would we find to talk about let alone bond over? How long would it take until the stresses of sharing rooms and bathrooms, not speaking the language, suffering from travelers’ diseases (or the medicines intended to prevent them!), eating unfamiliar food, and doing hard physical labor led to a major breakdown? After all, we were all essentially strangers. There were no bonds of friendship to provide a dose of patience. I just knew that we were a powder keg waiting for a spark.

But God is wise and I now realize that He chose each member of our team purposefully and deliberately. We didn’t have a single meltdown. Each person brought unique perspective and talents. When one person’s energy flagged someone else would pick up the slack. We each took turns carrying the load, stepped in and out of our comfort zone as the situation demanded, and did so in a climate of openness and trust. I’ve been in organizations that failed to create that environment after six months yet we arrived at that point within days. Truly Jesus was working in us.

Then there were the boys. Mikkee’s powers of persuasion aside, they were the reason we had signed up for the trip. Fifteen beautiful, intelligent, mischievous, loving, playful boys who wanted nothing more from us than a little attention – well, attention and candy! They had no television, no iPods, no cell phones or Heelys or PSPs. When they got home from school, they played outside until dinner and then played some more until bed. Their games weren’t carefully orchestrated to maximize learning; the boys weren’t padded from head to toe against falls; they didn’t have fancy jungle gyms or ball fields. They just used their imaginations and their seemingly endless supply of energy and ran around like little boys without a care in the world. I found it hard to imagine the trauma and suffering they had endured while looking at the joy beaming from their faces.

Admittedly, by mid-week some of the novelty had worn off. My amusement at shoveling and stomping mud faded as the hay and stones etched patterns into my shins. The satisfaction I had felt from a hard day’s work forming adobe mud bricks was soon eclipsed by the throbbing of my migraine. The boys NEVER seemed to tire even when all I wanted in the world was a nap. And one nagging question persisted: what were we actually accomplishing? Sure, I felt good about our mission and the work we had done, but to what end? Was the trip merely a salve for my white, rich guilt or were we really making a difference? After all, no matter how much the boys enjoyed VBS and singing and dancing and rough-housing with us, how much could four days really impact a boy’s life?

The Lord answered my question during our last night with the boys. As we played, one of the boys asked what we would do the following day. In my best broken Spanish, I explained that we would be returning to the US. Without even pausing for thought he replied, “When is the next group coming?” And in that moment I knew: we weren’t the answer to their problems, but we were one small piece of it. We were a few of the many people who the Lord will bring into these boys’ lives to help undo the damage of their past. The one week we spent in Huayllabamba wouldn’t miraculously cure them of all their hurts but we would be one more positive example of God’s love and faithfulness in their lives.

The final impact of the trip was much more personal. Every time I travel overseas I learn about myself, how I interact with others, my assumptions and how they color my worldview… I feel as though I’ve closed one chapter in my life and am ready to write a new one. I am not sure yet what its theme will be as I am still digesting the implications of everything I learned, but at the very least I will be reevaluating how I spend my time and energy. And I DEFINITELY have a newfound respect and appreciation for Lowe’s and Home Depot! I will very happily buy my construction materials going forward.

Thank you to my fellow team members for your energy, faithfulness and love. The group would have suffered without each and every one of you. And thank you to the greater WECC family for your prayers and support. I am richer for the experience.

Christa Bowdish