Peru Trip Day 3 - Hike up a mountain and into evening worship

This afternoons activity involved climbing up the mountain top that stood right next to the camp. At 3:30pm a group of around 20 of us including the Divisional Secratary prayed for our group to have a fun and safe trip. 

We walked down the road and within 10 minutes we were at the foot of the mountain and were amazed how the area could of been from a planet or strange other world as there were tons of small rocks and no plant life to be seen. We all made our way up the loose rocks, being careful to not slip or knock rocks into anyone else. Lt Michael Good did a great moonwalk impression as he struggled to find his footing on the loose rocks. Halfway up you could see the remarkable views and also the camp where we could see several of our fellow delegates playing volleyball and soccer.

The group continued and got to the point further up the ridge where you had to climb up it and finally we made it to the point where the fog was all around us but visability was still good. We looked down upon the camp and the rest of God's creation where we saw the vast valley of mountains we were all staying in and the sight was simply breath taking to see what God had created for us. We all felt very blessed by the experience. 

We all took a wonderful group picture and headed down the mountain and it was safe to say some people like Tyrone and Wilber conquered their fear of heights and others just need to work on their balance a bit better!

When we got back a small group headed to the local market and the rest of us stayed and played soccer and volleyball with the rest of the group whilst a snack of a ham sandwich was provided. 

Dinner was pushed back to 8:30pm so we were able to host a small dance contest and it was unanimous that the winner was Stefan Hall although one Peruvian was rapper was a close second place. We all had a lovely dinner of Noodles in a bowl of soup as well as rice, potatoes and chicken. Yes that was a lot of starches in one meal but it was delicious.

Tonight's evening report has been written by Ruth Choi:

We have all learned something from our time in Peru. That was what we were all thinking during our night time devotions at 12:30 after our night concert. So I have been told that this camp that we are helping out with is like the Peruvian “Youth Councils”. So, just like all the Corps in the NCV division performs, all of the Corps in Peru also performs.

It is so interesting to watch as each group performs, whether it be a modern hip hop piece or a traditional Peruvian dance. But the odd thing is, is that in every piece the lights are turned off and the strobe lights are turned on. According to David Reardon we were going to have a rave but one thing we found out was that those Peruvians sure do love their strobe lights. Anyways back to the concert. It is always a little stressful when we have to play a piece because we know that expectations are high and that wrong notes might lead to long lectures from the leaders, which is never fun. But each time we finish a piece, whether it be from this concert or from others that we have performed here, we can feel the presence of God. We can tell that these people are very grateful to have us here and in turn we are very grateful that they are willing to take us.

From the very first day that camp started the DYS told us that they have been trying to start a band for a long time and that we were a huge step in that process. It is so amazing how God can use us. For me, coming to Peru was just to use what meager talents I have to play my instrument and then using the rest of the time to just do whatever. But after this remark I immediately realized that that was not what God has planned. He planned for us to do his work and not just goof around. We were here not for us, not for the Peruvians, but for God and we are reminded of this each and every moment we have here.

Now I do not know why or how but for some reason every single person here in Peru is talented. We noticed this on our first Sunday here when the praise band started singing and we realized this every time we teach them how to play an instrument or play sports with them. So during the concert when the praise team comes up and we are signaled to stand up by Wilber standing up first, we hear their talents. Their dedication to God and their music is felt through their playing and their singing. Every time we stand up to sing, the language barrier melts away and we are praising God not in two languages but in one voice. I imagine that it would be like this in Heaven; where no one has to worry about what the other is saying because we would all be just praising God, day and night.

Tonight Wilber gave his testimony. Since he can speak in Spanish he spoke his testimony in Spanish but we were given the translation for the first half of the testimony. Although we do not know what the outcome of his testimony was, the congregation seemed to have enjoyed it and I heard a lot of Amens and Hallelujahs so I know that Wilber did a good job. Although this is just the second day of camp we on this mission feel like we have been here for weeks.

We already love everyone here in this camp and as a band we have grown closer as a family. I cannot wait for what God has planned for us for the rest of the mission trip and I hope that people at home are still praying for us, because we need it. Some of the prayers tonight were for strength, peace, flexibility, and patience. I pray that God grants us those and gives us a good rest of the trip!