Mission Peru

by Keirstan Hargrave
Midland Alliance Church

Yesterday we went to the garbage dump and in the afternoon to a daycare centre.  I’m sure you’ve read about how the dump was such a depressing, disgusting, horrific place and I agree it was.  No one should have to live like that.  But I also saw it to be hopeful and inspiring.

After getting past the smell and amount of flies during the bus ride through the dump, it was easier to see the life that was there.  The first thing I saw when I got off the bus was a little girl sitting in the back of moto- taxi; she looked to be about five years old.  This little girl had a big smile on her face and was content with where she was.  Jeff went over and spoke Spanish to her, asking what her name was and her age.  She was smiling and laughing and gave Jeff a sweet little kiss on the cheek.  I was inspired to see that in her unclean surroundings she could still have so much life about her.

Then as we walked around handing out fruit and saying “holas” to people, all I could see was more happiness.  My group of five people we met this one older women, Estel.  She asked us to pray for her and for her two sons, who are into drugs.  As Joca prayed for her, she broke down crying in his arms.  And when I hugged her it was probably the strongest hug I’ve ever had.  She is broken, but still chooses to believe in the Lord and asks God for strength.  Meeting Estel is something I will never forget.

After lunch, my church (Midland Alliance) and Glengate Alliance, visited the daycare centre.  There, the children were just full of life and so eager to meet us.  Even though we were emotionally drained from what we went through at the dump we chose joy.  We all had so much fun playing with the kids in the park.  Every time you spun a child around, gave them a piggy back ride, let them wear your sunglasses, they smiled and seemed to have the time of their life.  It was amazing to see. 

During debriefs one of the students said that those children are the generation of the city and we need to make sure that they don’t end up working in the dump, that they can have bright futures with many possibilities.  This stood out to me and I’ve decided (with much thought and many prayers) that a life of children’s ministries in other countries is something I want to pursue.  I want to thank all of you for your prayers and support during our time here in Peru.  It is greatly appreciated.  Our God is so strong and I thank Him for all of these amazing opportunities to see His love.