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!