Caraz, Peru Day 7 & 8, April 2012
On Day 7 we continued working on prior projects started on the other work days. Most laid brick, while others mixed cement or continued running wires for lights and light switches. More scaffolding was erected in order to reach the ever-growing brick walls along the perimeter. The inner walls of the second floor were given attention next, with courses of brick being added steadily. The bricklayers were working at an incredible pace; course after course the inner walls were built up. At dinner, Jim was presented with flowers for his dedication to the people of Caraz and the mission team itself. We ended Day 7 by going to a church service at 8pm, and said our goodbyes to the church members who conveyed to us that we are all family now.
Today, Victor’s daughter, Bernese, arrived in Caraz (after taking a ten-hour bus ride) to visit her family and the mission crew. She will be riding back down to Lima with the team tomorrow morning. Before working, we finished our devotionals and discussed the final thoughts about Caraz and the mission. Strong emotions were shared by the team, and hearts were touched. In order to truly encapsulate the emotions, I’ll have to paraphrase Janet’s words: What this team doesn’t say out loud, we express through actions. Our feelings run deep within this team. The closing statements during today’s devotional have provided a great wrap-up for our trip, and have prepared everyone for the long day(s) of traveling ahead of us. At the site, we mixed more mortar and laid more bricks, while the electrical crew did the finishing touches on wiring lights. The Lord said, “Let there be light!” and it was so. The building we’ve been working on all week now has light!
At the end of the workday, we said our goodbyes to the workers, Juan and Orlando. We were all very sad to be leaving our friends and the work we’ve been doing behind. We’ve accomplished alot this week with more than 3000 bricks being laid to almost complete the 2nd floor walls. Two bathrooms have been made functional while the plumbing on a third was partially completed. Lights and switches were wired and mounted on the entire first floor.
After a lunch of soup, beans, rice and steak, we met up with Victor and his family and loaded 18 people into a van. Pastor Victor took us on a drive down to “Rio Santa” or River of the Saint as he rode his motorcycle ahead of us. The road we took initially seemed benign and “normal” (and that term is used loosely) for a Peruvian road however, initial thoughts can be deceiving. The road followed the snaking path of the river as it moved through the mountains. We enjoyed the smoothness of a paved road for a few km, until we came across a dirt and gravel road. The bus bumped along the road, with only a couple feet on each side of the bus. On the left side was the rocky wall of the mountains, and on the right was the deep ravine which carried the rapidly moving river. Even though it was a little scary in certain spots, the team agreed it was very beautiful and a once in a lifetime opportunity to see and experience. We all feel truly blessed by God to be on this mission trip and see the beauty he has created.
As everyone has reflected on this trip, we’ve all agreed that our lives have forever been changed. It’s hard to put into words to explain to everyone back home what we’ve seen and experienced here. Life here in Peru is very different from life in the United States. One can only truly understand how their life will be changed and see the hand of God working through the team by experiencing it. We’ve forged friendships with not only the team members, but also the people of Peru, Pastor Victor, his family and church members. Even though we didn’t speak the same language as the people of Peru, it did not matter. We spent the week becoming friends through our work here and our love for Christ.
Tomorrow we begin our journey back home. Mission accomplished!






