The summer down here just blasted off in one crazy way! The whole lot of summer interns came down on Sunday, May 22nd, which was exciting. 14 people, my age, from Canada and the US, all in Quito to serve the Lord this summer in Quito or Trujillo, Peru. Thus began training on how to be a great team leader when the Short term teams begin arriving, on how to navigate through Latin America, facts about the countries, ways to lead well, cultural norms, and more. We began investigating our strengths to make sure we work with them and use them instead of always focusing on what we need to improve, and learning strategies on how to be effective with our interactions time and energy this summer. They also made sure that we understood all that Inca Link stands for, how they have gotten here, and their goals and prayers for the future so that we are all on the same page and excited about the organization that we are part of. And boy, am I excited!!!
The method of training to accomplish all the things mentioned above as well as establish close relationships with the people we will be working with all summer, was a way cool, experiential, hands on, method- something they call the Amazing Race. Similar to the TV show where teams of adults race around the world finding clues and doing challenges, so did the 15 of us all around Ecuador in Peru. We spent our days racing around, answering clues and completing the next challenge to be allowed to get the next clue… and then we would all end up at the same place in the evening to spend time debriefing the things we saw, attending church services with the community we were in, and just being.
I am going to make a bulleted list of all the stuff we did at the foot of this blog, but first and foremost I need to say that this was one of the coolest experiences I have been a part of. Each day we would be placed in a team of 3, with our backpacks packed to last us 10 days for every climate, and just race around and enjoy our time together. Competition was mild, but as the week went on we got a little better at running ahead and trying to get ahead of other teams. Throughout the 9 days of the race, with a more relaxed setting for training on each side—we grew together. We experienced these cultures. We were forced out of our comfort zones. We saw Jesus in so many people serving us and making this come to life, just to help build us up, to help us gain confidence about living in a new place. What a gift! I am so thankful to be working with an organization that is meeting people where they are at, going, doing, and loving the least of these. People in crisis situations, people living in extreme poverty, people taking risks to better their communities without having financial stability- just faith that this is what they are called to do. Servants. I encountered so many servants, and was served well by so many people; this includes the leaders that put together this experience and run Inca Link, my other intern teammates, the nationals that partner with Inca Link, and more. I was forced to dig deep within and ask if I am serving people well-if I am using my gifts to love others, and to better the world- if I am listening closely to hear how to do this or if I am just living out my own ideas and worried about worldly successes and what I desire.
All in all I am excited about the challenges I have seen and questioned, and I am excited to spend this summer here in Ecuador, working with these people who feel a common purpose as I do- love people well and act upon it! I know that it is going to hard to be here now, especially knowing that people, decisions, and transitions await me on the other side of the summer, but I am praying for strength and balance. I am humbled each day when I think about the people in my life that have supported me to make this experience possible, and that are continuing to support me and be excited by what is happening here! It is incredible; I know that I am so blessed. Thank you for taking the time to read this, taking the time to think of me, and just being part of my life. Know I am thankful for you and excited to share this and all that you are up to as well!
Here’s the Itinerary- with a few comments annotated in. I cannot believe that this was my life schedule for the last two weeks! : )
Day 1: Monday, May 23rd.
Team Building at El Refugio- a camp with high and low ropes, on a mountain, with wild animals, cool cabins, and lots of time getting to know each other. Here were learned some fisrt aid and travel safety, after a day of team building (and zip-lining through the forest ☺ )
Day 2: Tuesday, May 24th.
The real race began this day. After doing a mental challenge, we ran to the middle of a town that lies very close to the equator, then scurried off to downtown Quito where we painted faces of children, whose parents are in prison, climbed the clock tower of the Basilica, ran through the Gran Plaza, then caught a series of transportations that landed us on a 4 or 5 hour bus ride to the jungle. We arrived in the tiny city Huaticocha, which lies 30 mins-hour away from the border of Colombia. When we arrived to this tiny town we were welcomed by many, served supper, and shared in a time of worship with their local church. Exhausted for the night we set up mosquito nets and slept to the sound of roosters and rain all night.
Day 3: Wednesday, May 25th.
We woke up, breakfasted, and prepared ourselves for the race. This was one of the few days we didn’t have to carry our backpacks (filled with our clothes/stuff to last 9 days) with us we raced. Our teams were first sent into a huge pice of land that us currently a Cacao plantation, but will soon become a seminary and retreat center for all the neighboring communities. After this we hiked down and up and down a stone road through the jungle 8 or so Km to a bridge, proceeded on a crazy journey on a muddy, dense path to a waterfall, found our next clue in the waterfall, and returned to a bridge where we jumped off into the river! What! How cool is that! Next our team walked up the hill (pretty big and steep) to a community that consisted of 6 or 7 houses suspended on stilts, a small school house, and crazy cool plant life. There were no roads, just simple paths between the houses. My team of Jessica and Ben, as well as Matt, Marion, and Reese, asked a couple from the community where to find “Gusanos especiales” and Yuca to prepare for our lunch with the community. After an hour and half of jungle mud traps-ing, we found tons of Yuca that we uprooted, and watched a man machete through the trunk of a tree to find huge fat white worms (think Lion King grub)- that we later consumed after a man cooked them up for us. Another team had killed, skinned, and prepared a chicken that was supposed to be part of our meal, but we had to leave before it was prepared. After this exhausting day we caught a bus back to Quito.
Day 4: Thursday, May 26th.
Beginning in Quito again, we headed first off to Alluriquin, a city a few hours away. The bus ride was just windy green mountains- up and down and up and down! My team this day was Amber and Jereme. We got off the bus in a small town where everyone was out and about, and learned how they made a special taffee that most all the tops were selling. After the man showed us we got to try it ourselves! From here we took some taffy, were handed some chicken and rice, and caught a bus to Santo Domingo. Our challenge on the bus was that we had to sell 10 taffy sticks to other passengers on the bus. This is a huge thing on the busses here in Ecuador and Peru. Vendors selling all sorts of things come on and off the bus at all the stops- so we got to feel what its like to be in their position. We sold our 10 for about 80 cents- the most of any of the groups! From there, we got off at the Simon Bolivar parque in Santo Domingo, where we had to count all the blue stones on a rock wall in the rain. We counted 3027, so they let us proceeed, but they believe that there are 3500. Who really knows! From here we caught a bus to El Carmen, a city where Inca Linkers (Peruvians with a crazy cool story) are stationed and serving the community. We got off at the main plaza and had a “triciclo” ride up a hill to where they are about to build a new church. One man on a bike with a cart on the front to carry 3 big people and our 3 stuffed backpacks. Craziness! Once arriving, our challenge was to clear off a plot of 4×4 overgrown brush, with just a wheelbarrow, shovel, and machete! We finished and went to our next assignment, a banana packaging place where we actually cleaned and boxed and labeled a box of bananas that they sent off to NY city! It had to weigh exactly 50 lbs and be done perfectly to get the next clue! After this we ran through the city to our pitstop- the house of Carmen and Elmer, the Inca Link partners! This night was awesome! We ate a feast, heard stories about what is going on in the city, and just enjoyed being together as processed all the things we had seen and done! This night we stayed in a hotel- which was an experience in itself!
Day 5: Friday, May 27th.
We woke up in el Carmen, but first thing caught a bus to Portoviejo, a place where we have other Inca Link friends stationed and working. It must have been 3 or 4 hours in bus! Matt and Vicky were my team this day- and once we got off the bus we found our next clue, which meant being handed a sandwich and riding on the back of a pick up to a garbage dump. Upon arriving, our job was to carry 30ish gallons of clean water that was in a tub in the back of the pick-up up to the families that live there. It was hard work, but once we got it up there, Vicky gave her testimony to some of the residents and their children and we sang and danced for them! Our next task was to ride a donkey to the soccer court they had cleared out next to the valley of garbage- and I was the one who got to do it! At the soccer field we had to score two goals before we could get our next clue- this was fun and kind of difficult; but once we get it we were released to go out into the dump and talk to the workers, giving out soda and oranges. This was a very eye-opening experience; one that I am still processing through. I approached a woman, a beautiful woman working in the dump, who was embarrassed as we approached and looked down, saying she was dirty. I reached out to rub her shoulder and say “that’s not important” and as I touched her, she flinched, then moved back towards me and looked me in the eyes and just smiled. Yeah, I have lots to process and think about- lots to pray about and not forget about or move-on. I know I am not done with those people. Ask me more as the days continue! After the dump we went to the local church, El Templo Metropolitano, where we painted a section of a community wall and finished racing for the day. After being sent to different community members house to clean up (My friend Jess and I slept in Hello Kitty princess room with bible verses on the walls- Thanks Janís for sharing it with us!) and then went out for bugers, went to a youth group, then watched all the men play soccer. What a jam packed day full of emotions, thoughts, and memories!
Day 6: Saturday, May 28th.
After a 7 am breakfast of green plantains smashed up with eggs, sausage, and cilantro, the Race began once again! We got our clue, which sent us running through the city to the market. There we met up with a woman, Señora Mercedes, and our challenge was to walk around the market and sell 64 oranges for 5 dollars. We soon realized that most of the people in the (huge) outdoor market had already bought their fruit for the day or were selling oranges as well, my 4 other teammates and I headed to the local store owners down the street. We sold our oranges to 3 different people pretty quickly, but then encountered 3 men at this tiny taverm. We got to listen to 2 of the men, Fernando and Simón, to their advice and their thankfulness we stopped and talked to them they bought us sodas and we prayed for them to overcome their addictions to alcohol. Wow. It was weird to go from that back to running through the city to catch another bus, but a sweet experience none the less. Our next bus took us to Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador. 4 million people. Quito only has 2. Our stay their was short, however, as we only just changed methods of transportation and found ourselves in another 4 hour trip to the border of Ecuador and Peru. This car ride a sweet time because our team that day consisted of the 5 of us interns staying in Ecuador for the summer. Due to car problems, etc, our days plans changed a bit, but by the end of the night we were all stamped and legal to cross the border. We drove about an hour south and arrived a little hotel resort on the beach of Peru! I slept like a rock.
Day 7: Sunday, May 29th.
This day was a gift to all of us- it consisted of us not racing but instead waking up late, laying at the beach, creating whirlpools in the pool, laughing, and just being together with all the interns and leaders. Refreshing. Restful. We also all obtained intense burns in crazy shapes and patterns, including candy cane legs and a girls back that looked like a world map with red seas and white continents! The night ended at 8 pm when we moved to a city (moncora, I believe) ate a small meal, and then caught a 11/12 hour luxury double decker bus to Trujillo, Peru through the night! They give you a snack when you get on, a blanket, video tape everyones face, play movies, serve drinks, and have ginormous seats that recline to 140 degrees or something like that! I slept pretty well, I think I slept 5 hours straight at one point!
Day 8: Monday, May 30th .
We woke up on the bus- and were picked up around 8:30 am at the bus station by the Inca Link Peru team. Here we breakfasted and rested for a little while we waited for all of our leaders to arrive on a later bus! When the race started, with my team of Sarah and Vicky, we were ready! After taking the quiz about all the Inca Link workers, we ran off to catch a bus to the Albergue, which is Inca Link Peru’s project in the works! It was incredible to see this place, I will explain more later! Currently the land contains a huge field, maiz morado crops, a shack, and then a soccer place, a house where missionaries live (the Kimbros), a completely built children’s home for the children whose parents are working in the garbage dump, and a cafeteria to match it. They are in the process of making a huge camp (ropes courses, zip line, rock climbing, maze, etc.) out of the land, as well! Super cool stuff happening here- and our first task was to mix and make 20 high quality mud bricks. We churned it with our feet and everything! From here we had been posed the task of choosing a guinea pig from a tub, caring it to this place, and getting it to go down a very long tube before we could get our next task. Burrito finally did it after we sang him a song (and turned the tube into a guinea big slide). We ran to catch a moto-taxi and were off to the Day care that is up and running in another part of the neighborhood! Here we cleaned windows, moved sand, ate lunch, and caught a bus out to the outskirts of Trujillo where we looked for clues in the trees. Three 3 envelopes obtained, we made a puzzle and found ourselves! Here we caught a bus back to town to end the day with supper at a chicken joint, Roky’s, and time together with our team that night.
Day 9: Tuesday, May 31st. FINAL DAY OF THE RACE
This was the final day of the race, set in Peru. We started strong with my group as we just had fun, real conversations the whole way. We ended up being the last team on the second bus because of our rule that only one bus can be on each bus… which meant we had to wait for the 5th bus going to Huanchaco. Marion, Luke, and I had a great time just being- but when we finally got to Huanchaco, where our tasks were so cool and fun! Huanchaco is on the coast of Peru, and was low key with surfers and people hanging out all around. Upon arriving, Luke put on a wetsuit and went out to surf for our team- someone had to stand up for 5 seconds and have the judges see it to get the next clue- and he totally rocked it! After that, we took caballito rides through the icy ocean with a man that paddled each of us out into the ocean pretty far then turned back. It was a one at a time relay, so once the three of us got back we got our next clue—to gather our things and run through the finish line! Woo! After that, we just spent the day at the beach with everyone, eating ceviche and fried seaweed, trying to surf, and just being together. It was a wonderful day and wonderful way to end the competition!
Day 10: Wednesday, June 1st.
Training in Peru – 7 Habits – testimonies
Day 11: Thursday, June 2nd.
Training in Peru –Strength’s finder and Manual training at Helping Hands, Chinese food and the plaza
Day 12: Friday, June 3rd.
Mock work project – Purple corn picking… I played the introverted girl who had a real life allergic reaction and made lunch with Cassidy. After that we just hung out and showered and said our good-byes at a mall in Peru. It was hard to say goodbye to the Peru team- interns and Staff, after spending 2 weeks enduring the crazy amazing race. I am so thankful for the relationships built, connections, testimonies, and fun. Heading off with Gustavo and the 4 other interns felt so liberating… there was a rush of excitement and peace knowing we have the next 2 months together. We caught the 11 ish hour bus ride through the night and were on our way back to Quito!
Day 13: Saturday, June 4th .
We woke up from our luxury bus to start our series of busses and taxis and moto-taxis and more busses to finally get to migration, walk across the border, go to Ecuador migration, get the broken van, and finally begin out 12 hour ride back to Quito in our 15 passenger van. Gustavo drove it all! Yogurt and Yuca bread was a highlight, as well as crazy speed bumps (they usually don’t paint them or put up signs), lots of car dancing, and more. Pulling into Casa Blanca to the familiar faces of Mabe and Fabian was so satisfying!!!
That’s a rap, folks! I am so incredibly blessed and have felt more joy here than I have in a very long time. I have been laughing lots, thinking lots, and praying lots for the goodness to come! For now, I am packing my bags to catch an 8 hour bus ride to Portoviejo to spend the weekend there, back at the garbage dump, youth group, and more! Ill be back in communication late next week!
lete our timed challenges- doing everything from singing jingles in a busy intersection, taking food and water to people that live in the garbage dump, hunting for worms inside the bark of trees to eat for lunch in a community only reachable by walking up a steep, mud hill deep in the jungle, jumping off a bridge (into a river), painting children’s faces, climbing basilica towers, machete-ing and clearing land, packing bananas to send to New York, mixing mud with our feet and making mud bricks, and more. The purpose was to meet all the incredible people that partner with Inca Link, grow relationships with the other interns and missionaries, and build our confidence in our ability to navigate and communicate within these new lands. At the end, they trained us to lead teams, to use our strengths, and gave us tons of cool life insight and ways to process the experiences to come. Life changing.
s, practicing English, helping with therapy, and practical math skills were just a few. As an education major, this was incredible and extremely enjoyable, and opened my eyes to another countries education system, as well as just how blessed I am. We served with a handful of other organizations as well as visited other Christians in our week there; I learned so much from the Dayton team and serving alongside them.
missionary couple that has become very dear to my heart. All in the Amazon Jungle. You could hear monkeys in the distance, knew snakes and spiders could be gliding past your feet at any minute, and using rain water for all aspects of living. In this time my Spanish was a huge asset and was really put to the test. I was translating the majority of the time- English to Spanish, Spanish to English, and throwing in a few indigenous phrases in along the way. I became very close to all the North Americans on the team, as well as the Ecuadorians we were serving; I hold the conversations and memories made with these people as some of my most beloved parts of the summer. The faith I saw being acted out by the pastor and the missionaries here will challenge me for the rest of my carnal life.
When I was not working with the teams or the few days to just rest and renew my mind , I was actively investing and learning about a ton of different things. I lived at the Teen Pregnancy Center, which means accompanying girls to their Doctor visits, watching their babies, homework help, and hanging with the girls. I taught bible stories to children without homes and parents. I helped distribute water to poor communities that have no access to running water, let alone clean water. I washed the feet of women struggling to survive life in a corrupt prison system. I spent time at the garbage dump, and got to visit indigenous churches going through hard times but pressing on with joy despite their trials. I shared my testimony, in Spanish, which is part of my testimony, and the reason I have been pursuing Spanish these last years. I learned about hospitality, about leadership, and began to see the ropes of what the life of a missionary really entails. And I am hooked!
e to give my 110% each day, take risks, and open my heart to all that the Lord had for me! Thanks for reading this, I can’t wait to hear what has been going on in your life over these summer months!
