DYB is home!

We are happy to announce that the DYB is safely home! After boarding our plane in Lima, Peru around 1am in the morning it was not long before our plane took off and we headed for Florida. The entire group seemed to fall asleep and wake up 5 hours later as the plane was landing. Amerika Outlaw was even more surprised to wake up and see a fellow passenger asleep and cuddling her personal pillow but seemed to take it with humor and took it back when she was not looking!

We only had a few hours to get through immigration and to our next plane and it seemed to go very smoothly as we went through the brand new terminals that scan your passport for you and let you come into the country yourself. No one was sent back to Peru and even Dr Kate was allowed back in on her H1 Visa!

We all made it to our next gate and went through security with no issues despite a last minute gate change we all made it back to a rainy Washington DC and met all of our families and loved ones who were keen to take us home and give us some nice American food with cheese.

The trip was exceptional and our lives were changed as well as those from Peru. 24 hours later it is evident and I have taken some quotes from Facebook from various DYB members:

Even though we all are home now from our missions trip to Peru, we all were blessed, we grew, made more friends, thanks to everyone who went, helped, and special thanks to the new friends I've made from Peru and even our youth band! The memories and lessons we learned will never be forgotten. Now it's time for us to go to work at our churches, communities, and division. Thank you my brothers and sisters of Peru! CRISTO VIVE! - John Adams

Peru was an amazing experience. This trip has changed me drastically and I learned a lot about myself and others . The new friends I came across in Peru are great and they are going to do things to change there community for sure. This was my first mission trip but definitely not my last – Yohannes Abera

Peru mission trip has changed me spiritually and mentally in so many different ways. I've learned a lot about myself. This is something I'll never forget. Shout out to DYB for being awesome and encouraging through out the trip. I'm glad to call you all family - Wilber Hernandez

Peru was Amazing. It will ever be in my memory and on my heart. – Chris Shiels

After an amazing week in Peru, I'm finally heading back home. I'm so thankful to have had this opportunity. I've realized a lot about myself, and I can't wait to dig deeper. Now that I have some connections, I know I can definitely go back – Selena Lovo

Finally home!! Peru has been amazing and I feel blessed to have amazing leaders and friends! Thanks everyone for your prayers!! – Esther Lee

We had a great time ministering musically and spiritually to the people of the Salvation Army in Peru ... and being ministered to by them! Praise God!!! – John Reeves

We are even now realizing the impact the DYB members have had on Peru and will continue to hear stories of how the trip has helped to shape the lives of those in Peru. Even today the Lima Corps had a moment to bless their instruments that were given and donated by various corps members from the NCV division and we know they will work hard to use these instruments to glorify God. Praise God for the Peru trip and for what God will continue to do for the people in Peru!

Peru Trip Day 6 - Last day and home!

This is going to be a very fast and quick blog with numerous spelling errors as we are in the airport that gives free wifi for only 15 mins so I hope to get this done as fast as I can!

Today was our last day in Peru and we woke up in our hotel to a hearty breakfast of delicious food. Afterwards we walked over to the sea front where Lt Michael Good led devotions and asked everything questions about the trip and what they had learned. It was a remarkable time of sharing and we were all up lifted by the way people had changed and also learned more about God and living with things that we did not have in Peru compared to what they had back in the USA. It was an amazing time of sharing and tears were shed at the testimonies and statements of the hopes and changes that were going to happen when they got home. Even as this happened, a lady came up and saw The Salvation Army shield on our T-shirts and spoke to Joel Collier and Kaitlin Hardiman about how The Salvation Army had saved her life 40 years ago and the group prayed there in the street as we shared our testimonies. God certainly was not done with us on a day that was designated for sight seeing, he had other plans for us before we left!

We headed back to the hotel and was informed that the bus was going to be a few hours late because the brakes were not working. It filled us with great belief once we had discovered it was the same bus we had ridden through the steep mountains! During our wait David Delaney showed his back flipping skills and landed on his bottom and knee but if you first don't succeed try try again and he did and landed on his bottom again! Yohannis decided that it would be funny to rub a piece of bread we noticed had been thrown in the fountain the day we left 4 days ago in David Delaney's hair and the fountain claimed another victim!

The coach finally arrived and we headed off to the restaurant for a buffet of delicious food as well as a small band sat on the bar playing some lovely music for us. It was here some people were starting to regret going to the burger bar last night and pepsol bismol was handed all around instead of the local inca cola drink. The bathroom was visited many times before we left.

We then headed back to the beach to try to find some sand and we still had no luck however it was more sunny than last time and so we enjoyed sitting watching the beautiful scenery as well as watching cars dodge and scrape each other in the road next to us.

Eventually we headed to the Inca market where everyone bought stuffed lamas and other trinkets to take home to their loved ones and increase their luggage fees at the airport! We then headed to another restaurant where we finally got our Peruvian chicken and chips and it was delicious!

We then headed to the airport where we are now! We all said a sad fond farewell to our hosts who demanded we come back next week however we declined because of DMA!

It has been an awe inspiring trip to Peru and I know that many of us were changed and lives were changed. Lt Michael summed it up best when he said, "we did not come here to change Peru, but for Peru to changed us" The holy spirit has moved and lives changed on both sides and we thank God for his blessings in all the lives of everyone involved in this mission trip.

PS We have decided to swap David Reardon with his Peruvian look a like Alex. (See picture below) I know Amy and Rob Reardon will be pleased, he loves to clean, cook and sing!

SEE YOU ALL SOON!!!

Peru Trip Day 5 - Final day of camp

The new year celebrations have finally settled down and most of camp managed to get to bed around 4am, so it was no surprise when 7am rolled around ready for breakfast most people were not in the best of shape. Not to mention the all night rave celebrations that went on in the camp next door where the music got faster and louder as the night went on, along with our rooster friend who crowed the new year in around 3am.

Breakfast was served at 8:30am, (we were given a generous extra 30 mins in bed due to the late night celebrations the night before) and it was the usual hot fryer drink and jam sandwiches in a plastic bag. The bugs had obviously not celebrated the new year and were up extra early to bite people on the arms and face and were obviously not going to let us leave without a parting gift.

Today would mark the final concert of the camp and we were to have it outdoors so all of the groups could preform without being cramped in the space of the main chapel area of the camp. Benches were laid out in a semi circle so that everyone could see the performers.

The program consisted of all of the classes and bands that had lessons this week and first up was the beginner guitar group lead by Ruth Choi who lead them in a rendition of"Open the eyes of my heart Lord" followed by the beginner band led by David Me and Sarah Elliot who let the band perform a stiring rendition of "Ode to Joy". Following that was the Lyrical dance group lead by Kaitlin Hardiman and Timbrels lead by Amerika Outlaw who performed "David Danced". The percussion group led by Tyrone and Selena performed a piece on a ping pong table and this was followed by the Hip Hop dance led by Amerika Outlaw that featured close to 50 dances performing. The concert was concluded by the advanced band lead by Dr Kate Wholman and they performed Walls of Jericho and Blessed Assurance.

The next part of the concert moved inside and this was the worship service. The DYB band performed several numbers and led the songs throughout the service as well as help from the Peru divisional praise team. But the focus was the call of officers in Peru and it was announced that no one from Peru was going to training this year and more officers were needed and Lt Michel Good shared his testimony in the hope to get them invigorated and this was followed by a power message from Captain Nester Valverde who spoke passionately about the call to officership and ministry in The Salvation Army not to mention on how to live a Godly life as a young person. Several people came to the mercy seat and prayed and the band were thanked by the division for coming.

After a delicious lunch of chicken and rice we packed up and got ready to leave. It was a sad moment for the Peruvians as they said goodbye to our boys and girls and pictures were taken for a very long time as well as hugs and kisses (adults were on hand to make sure it was safe from harm) and tears flowed as friendships were continued by the swapping of emails and Facebook names. Several of the boys cried all the way back to Lima as they said goodbye to their new friends that they only knew for 3 days!

We then departed back to Lima and were eager to get to the beach. When we arrived it was not quite as we expected as there was no sand and no pebbles and no one was in the water. We were then told by out guide that the beaches in Peru are not really good beaches to swim in but none the less that did not stop Rudy Li who stripped off and dived and attempted to swim back to America, only to realize he was on the wrong side of the country and came back.

For dinner we went to the popular restaurant Bimbos where we ordered a burger and then proceeded to wait 45 mins to cook all our food, But it was very good and was worth the wait.

We then headed to the light show where we proceeded to see lights and water project images and pictures to music and it was very interesting to see. The park had a water maze and we watched as many of our friends attempted to get to the middle without getting wet but none made it and Esther Kim, Stefan Hall and Nate McMllan who were told to get a taxi home as they were too wet to get on the bus. This also included Rudy Li who thought the idea of the game was to get wet as possible and ran around like a headless chicken much to the delight of the crowd who clapped him and the stern looks of 3 nuns who came by. Before we left the park we took a picture outside the fountains and were almost run over by the park train whose route was right in the middle of our photo, but we stood frim and were honked at the the 90 year old train driver and his 3 passengers of 2 year old's.

We headed back to the hotel and had our devotions which were lead by Capt Tim Delaney who gave us much thought about the final day of our mission trip. All went to bed utterly exhausted but happy that the mission was almost complete and our final day would be spent seeing more of Peru and perhaps a few other souls to save. Good night ya'll!

Peru Trip Day 4 - Happy New Year!!

This afternoon we were all treated to a visit to the river. The Capt told us it was only 2 blocks away. However 30 mins later and no river in sight we began to wonder where we were being taken. Needless to say it was very nice to see some more beautiful scenic mountains and also some of the locals who owned small shops on the walk up. The traffic was also polite enough to honk at us when we stepped into the road or if they were going to decide to drive on the wrong side of the road. Of interest was the small house further up the hill that had several dogs guarding it as well as a dog who was up on the roof where we guessed he lived due to the kennel being on the roof as well.

Finally we reached our destination and we saw waterfalls and fast flowing river. Getting down to the river was another task in itself and John Adams managed to elegantly do this in style by falling over and down the rocks on his bottom! Everyone rushed to get to the river and it was a joy to see those infected with the dreaded sand fly disease get some glorious relief from the bites on their legs. It was then up to the younger boys to attempt to float on the bodies down the river but alas managed to just get stuck but Capt Tim and David Delaney managed to show them how to belly flop and float down the river in true style.

After 30 mins of frolicking fun in the river, we decided to leave and head back to the camp. Once again the beautiful scenery gave us another stark reminder of the beauty of Gods creation. Several people managed to stop for a snack at the local blackberry bush and enjoy a delicious treat of blackberries fresh from the bush.

We got back to the camp where we had been told Stefan had had too much fun at the swimming pool where he instigated throwing the campers into the pool with all their clothes and belongings on and therefore was banned from all swimming pools in all Salvation Army camps in the world.

Volleyball and Soccer was continuing, despite the marking of the soccer pitch to include the local well that was on far side of the pitch, 2 extra points if you can hit the well and score a goal.

At 9pm dinner was served and it was again a delicious meal of rice and chicken as well as a very runny jello shot. Capt Tim Delaney decided to invite everyone on the table to drink it all at the same time and the fastest was Dr Kate Wholman who won the prize for 1st place. Sadly others were not so fortunate in having jello shots that went down so well and several people ran to the nearest bush to rid their stomachs of the runny thick purple fluid.

Tonight's evening concert report was written by Ellim Choi:

Today we celebrated the end of 2014 in beautiful Peru. A question was posed during dinner of what our ideal New Year’s would look like and for me, it would definitely be bringing the New Year with family and friends, giving praise to our Lord and Savior. Fortunately, I got to do just that not only with our Divisional Youth Band family but with our new found Peruvian friends.

 Our celebration tonight began with an electric anticipation not felt in meetings past. Everyone knew that tonight was special and our dress reflected that excitement accordingly. As we filled in the meeting room I could see beautiful ladies in gorgeous, flowing dresses and sharp-looking gentlemen with ties and slacks. Once again, the praise team who has passionately and faithfully facilitated our worship did not disappoint. They helped align our focus back on God and stand there in awe of Him and His glory. The passion in the room was visibly felt as people sang at the top of their lungs and proclaimed the greatness of our God! Despite my preconceived notions, the language difference did nothing to hinder the praise of two very different groups of people joined together for that single purpose of worshipping our Heavenly Father.

               One of our band members, Uduak Udoh shared his testimony with us. He reflected on the faithfulness of God in his life and how God opened and closed certain doors to allow him to the place that he is at now. A phrase that especially stuck out to me was his proclamation that God had given him many gifts, but that Jesus is the greatest gift of all. This stood out because it is so true. Jesus is certainly the greatest gift that God has given us because it has afforded us an eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father. Despite the gifts that God gives us during our time on earth, they will all pass and fade, but the gift of His Son Jesus Christ is one that stands central to our faith and to hear that Uduak proclaim this truth was a very refreshing thing to hear.

               Following was Captain Tim Delaney’s message from Matthew 5:1-16. He reminded us that we were the light of the world. To solidify this truth and to visually celebrate the coming of the New Year, we congregated outside, prayed, and released paper lanterns into the sky. Captain Tim not only wanted to reiterate that we were the light of the world, but the release of the lanterns to symbolize the release of our burdens and sins. To let go of what held us down and surrender it up to God.

               God gave me the wonderful opportunity to pray for a group of my family and friends. We each shared our hopes for the New Year, lit our lanterns, and watched them float away into the night sky. That, coupled with the fireworks released by our neighbors on either side, was a beautiful sight to see. It was amidst this beauty that midnight struck and we were officially in the year 2015.

               I had thought that the fireworks and lanterns filling the night sky was a stunning sight to see, but what I saw next stirred my heart even more. As soon as we entered the new year, I saw family and friends, new and old, embrace one another as they shared a “Happy New Year’s!” or “Feliz Ano Nuevo!”   The way that I normally celebrate that special moment is by merely counting down and cheering, maybe giving a hug to the people in my immediate vicinity. So I was taken aback by the people who went around taking turns to embrace all of those in sight, choosing to cherish this special moment with absolutely everyone they could. It was such a lovely sight to see because the love of Jesus was so evident in that simple act.

Afterwards the group of young adults had a party called crazy time and they danced and sang to praise and worship music with balloons and glow in the dark necklaces until 2am. 

I thank God for His abundant grace and the gift that this New Years has been. Please join me in continuing to pray for this mission trip. I know that God had a specific purpose in bringing us here and allowing us to meet and share time with our Peruvian brothers and sisters in Christ. Please help us pray for eyes and hearts to be opened and for relationships with God to be created and deepened. Thank you!