Our Story

I started thinking about mission work when I was a senior in high school and heard John F. Kennedy say, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." I know that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with mission work, but I began thinking about all the blessings God had and has given me and what I should do in return. At that time I lacked the courage to go out and try something new. However, I got married and had children and it just did not seem feasible for me at that time. But the idea never went away. I think all those years God never gave up on me either.

During the year prior to our first trip to Peru, I had taken two Bible study classes, "Experiencing God", and "The Purpose Driven Life". Both of those studies further intensified the feelings in me that I needed, no longer wanted, to go into mission work.

When I first heard Candace talk about her trip to Peru and the trip the church was planning, all those feelings came flooding back. On the way home from church I said to Dave, "Do you know what I would like to do?" and he said right back, "You want to go to Peru, and I do too". Well, that was the beginning. We didn't know how we could arrange it, but God was already there with us.

He gave Dave and I each other with the same passion for His work.
He gave us Dave and Tina who provided us with the money for our trips.
He gave us the trip, which just happened to be the same week we had already set aside for vacation.
He gave us Piero and Magali to lead us.
Finally, He gave us the courage to make that first trip.

June, 2002
The airplane trip from Pensacola, FL to Atlanta and on to Lima was relatively uneventful. However, when we got on the bus and started from the airport to the hotel, I thought perhaps this would be the shortest mission trip in history. If you have never seen traffic move in another country, you have missed a real adventure. As we remarked over and over, there are no rules for the road, only suggestions. There were at least 5 sets of 10 fingerprints permanently embedded in the backs of our seats. But as the days went along, we came to realize that we were blessed with the very best bus drivers ever.

Our first two days were spent site-seeing around Lima and getting to know a little of the wonderful culture of the people. Monday morning we set off for our first day at Huaycan and the beginning of an adventure unlike anything I have ever experienced. Driving through Lima, we were saddened to see the miles and miles of buildings in disrepair and the level of poverty. As we got closer to Huaycan, it was even worse. Huaycan has very little rain, so the landscape, including mountains, is basically brown to gray. There is almost no green - no trees, no grass, no weeds, unless they are in a watered park or vegetable garden along the river. The houses are built into the sides of rocky mountains with limited access, limited water and sewer and limited electricity. Roads are mostly dirt filled with rocks. The main streets are small shops made of woven grass walls, rocks or cement - very dismal at best.

But the people - they are the color of this community. Piero told us that when we arrived we would be surrounded by people welcoming us and he was right. As soon as we stopped and each day thereafter, they were there to greet us and tell us how happy they were to see us.

I thought I was there to help them - to do work to make their lives easier and to tell them about our faith. Yes, I did work hard and shared hugs, kisses, songs, conversations using limited Spanish on my side and English on theirs laced with extensive gestures and drawings. But as each day passed, I received so much more from them. Every day they demonstrated their spirit, soul, hope, love, hard work, determination, passion for living, in ways I have never seen before.

We saw a man standing in a 5-foot deep trench propped on his crutch, with only his right arm and his left leg healthy, slinging dirt and smiling. God's gifts to humanity are amazing.

I sat in the sand and drew a crude picture of a kitty for a hearing impaired child and she drew me a picture of a flying bird. What a marvelous child.

Dave and I lifted a small boy up high so he could pet a kitten that regularly slept in the sun on top of the brick wall - his smile was captivating.

I watched Lena learn new phrases of English because she wanted to communicate with us in our language.

We sang old 50's and 60's rock and roll songs with a local guitarist (he knew the music and we tried to remember the words).

We saw Piero and his staff, and Nellie and her family using their resources to help their countrymen raise their standard of living. What special gifts they have.

God has not given the people in Huaycan an easy life - they do not have any of the conveniences we take for granted - nor do they have any of the "things" to occupy their minds. They live in poverty. But God has given them something that does not have a price tag - they have had the time to develop their personalities, feelings, faith and love and have learned to share them with everyone they meet. They see the joy in the everyday things. They have shown me courage, determination, dedication, and passion for life that will stay with me always. They have changed my whole outlook on what God has planned for me and what my life should be about.

I loved being in Peru and working side by side with these people and found a passion I did not expect. The Bible says over and over "serve the Lord with all your heart." God has given each of us a gift and expects us to use it to glorify Him, not ourselves. During our "Experiencing God" study, we were told to find out where God is working and join Him. And if you are passionate and successful, that is where God wants you to be. God is working in Huaycan and working with our group. I felt that passion for the people of Huaycan. I don't believe in coincidences - I think God has been preparing me for this trip for a long time and I am so thankful to Him for the blessings I received.

When we came back from our first trip, we almost immediately began discussing going there to stay for a few years. There has never been any doubt in my mind that this is the right decision. The minute the decision was made, God started working again.

We talked to Piero and Magali about our plan and they have been in complete support the whole time.
We talked to our Pastor Bobby and presented our plans and he has been encouraging and supportive.
Our children are supportive and, in fact, Tina joined us on our second trip.
We have already found a place to live, people have offered to help us with speaking Spanish and with transportation in Lima.

We feel that God expects each of us to use the gifts He has given us to help others. We help them by providing for their physical needs, giving them the tools to help themselves, and by helping them to come to know God by example and by teaching them His Word.

Once you accept God's challenge and wishes, He opens the doors necessary to bring His plans to completion. We have lots to learn and will make many mistakes, but I know God will give us all the necessary tools to do His work.

Dios te bendiga
Kathy