Mission Peru

by Alyssa Worrad, West London Alliance Church

Perspective is important.  Sometimes from an outside perspective situations do not seem as real or as important.  Coming into this week I knew that some things on this trip would be shocking and unexpected but I could never have imagined how much it would truly impact me. 

The first huge impact that Peru has had on me comes from a little girl named Anna Isabella.  Anna is 8 years old but must act in some ways like a mother to her younger sister. I met Anna and her younger sister and mom at a program called ELIM.  ELIM is a program for families who are struggling and have to earn their income by searching for and selling recyclables in the local dump.  ELIM provides a way for the mothers to earn their income by making bracelets for ELIM to sell and give them the profit so that they do not have to work in the rough conditions of the dump.  It also provides ministry for the parents and young kids which is when I met Anna.  I can honestly say that her feet barely touched the ground the whole time she was there as she clung on to my shoulders.  It was interesting how she didn’t really want to say that much, (partly because she probably realized that my Spanish is terrible), but she just needed someone to hold on to.  I realized that in her life she really does not have many people who give her love.  Although I hope that she has realized God’s magnificent love for her there was no telling if she knew that or not.  It taught me how a simple gesture of love or kindness goes a long way.

The second most impactful thing on this trip was the mountain.  I have seen many pictures from the top of the mountain before I came to Peru, but this is where perspective really does change a lot.  You truly cannot fully know the experience of it until you are up there looking down.  From the mountain perspective you can really see the extent of the poverty in Peru.  Sitting on the top and singing while overlooking Trujillo was an incredibly peaceful and precious moment that I will never forget.  I also learned about the ups and downs or mountains and valleys of life.  Sometimes we feel like we are stuck in a valley and can’t get out but God is always there to call on for a helping hand as we climb the mountain. 

The third and most impactful thing from mission Peru 2016 was a little girl named Karla.  Karla is a roughly 10 year old girl who has cerebral palsy.  I met her at Amijai, which is an after school ministry for kids who live in a pretty poor neighborhood.  Karla is the most beautiful girl inside and out.  Even though she could not talk and I did not know many Spanish questions, we managed to laugh together for the entire 2 hours.  Karla did not let cerebral palsy change her mood at all.  From what the leaders were saying, she has made incredible progress in the past few months and continues to take little steps each day.  Even when she had to sit out for a game she did not get upset or grumpy she just sat with Tiffany and I and giggled every time we would clap or tickle her.  She is truly an inspiration and gave me perspective on my attitude towards life.  If she has been given this disability and this poor financial status and she is still able to smile and enjoy life then I have nothing to complain about.  Karla is someone I will never forget I don’t know if it was the sparkle in her eyes, her gorgeous smile or her beautifully joyful soul but she has been and will continue to be a major impact on me.