Peru Mission Trip: Day Two

Woke up at 6:30am.  My internal clock does not understand that my children are 4,000 miles away.

I have reached my hand into the toilet no less than 3x's in the last few hours.  Old habits die hard.  Gross.  (Note to readers: You can't flush your toilet paper in Peru.  I kept dropping my TP and having to reach in to pull it out.)

Breakfast at an Italian restaurant.  Took several attempts but the waitress eventually brought some milk.  The coffee is INCREDIBLY strong.  Josh would love it.  Wish he were here.

Walk to the bus stop.  It was very scenic.  The parks are beautiful and yet there is trash all over the streets?  We loaded the bus and left Lima (for a 10 hour ride) headed for Trujillo around noon.  Lunch was served on the bus.  It was a chicken dish of sorts.  I ate it.  The rice pudding was great!  I tried Inka Kola.  It's by Coca Cola but looks like Mt. Dew and tastes like bubble gum.  Odd... but fun!

The drive did a number on me.  So much poverty.  So.  MUCH.  Poverty.  I pray for them.  My heart is breaking.  There are no words.

There are church like buildings the size of small dog houses next to the road.  I'm told that often people are buried at the place of death and these small houses contain food, flowers, and gifts to the deceased, from their loved ones.  They have no concept of Heaven.  They don't understand our God.  They are lost and have so much to gain by knowing Christ.  Lord, use me!

 I just can't get over the wonders of Peru!  One minute you see barren fields, dirt as far as the eye can see, broken boxes of homes.  The next minute you see the most incredible view of the ocean and fields more gorgeous than I have ever seen!  They are bountiful with sugar cane, corn and a variety of things.  I can't help but hear God say, "These are my people.  I have never abandoned them... have you?" 

We were served pound cake and coffee on the bus.  Oh how I love all things white! 

I was able to share with a woman on the bus.  She spoke no English and I no Spanish.  In line for the bathroom she was saying something about the cross I was wearing.  I gave her my testimony (in Spanish) with the plan of salvation.  Once the bus stopped, she came up to me and embraced me.  She kept saying, "Beautiful" and thanking me.  I'm not sure what moved her.  Did she know Christ?  Was she beginning to know Him?  I realize it doesn't matter.  God moved her in some way and used me.  I'm so blessed.