Day Nine: Mission Accomplished 🌍🌟

Today marked the final day of our mission trip, and what a meaningful close it was.

🏔️ Visiting the Shipibo People

Heading out to visit the Shipibo tribe, we could see the foothills of the Andes Mountains, where homes are built up the steep mountain sides. One of my favorite sights was a cross standing tall on top of a mountain—a beautiful and constant reminder of hope!

This area of Lima is home to many Shipibo people who leave their tribal regions to sell handmade items and help support their families. We visited a local school where we gave out food bags to each family. After we shared words of encouragement and hope, a woman arrived who had heard we were there. She asked us to pray for her as she suffers from diabetes and other health conditions. Of course, we did!

Just as we were leaving, another family approached us and invited us to their home. The grandfather was very ill, and the grandmother was recovering from surgery. We gladly made the hike up a small hill and climbed a spiral staircase to reach their humble home—and prayed over them as a team.

🍗 A Meal to Remember

We then went to Juan and Kim’s favorite restaurant for lunch. They had been raving about the chicken, and let me tell you—they weren’t wrong. It was hands down the best chicken I’ve ever eaten!

🌊 A Glimpse of the Pacific

After lunch, we tried to stop by the Pacific Ocean for a quick sightseeing break. Unfortunately, road construction made it impossible to get out of the van. Still, the view was peaceful and a nice way to pause and reflect.

🧶 Hotel Moments & Heartwarming Memories

Because the new Lima airport is still working out the kinks, we had to arrive five hours before our flight. So we headed back to the hotel to gather our luggage and wait.

While we waited in the hotel lobby, Nathan—our youngest team member at just 5 years old—decided he wanted to learn how to crochet. He lasted about a minute… 😂 But it was fun to watch him try!

One of our favorite team photos was taken during this time: a snapshot of our youngest and oldest team members (age 5 and 88) sitting side-by-side. It was a beautiful reminder that you’re never too young or too old to love like Jesus.

Nathan said something we’ll never forget: “I just trying to be a missionary.” And throughout the trip, he reminded all of us what that really looks like—pure-hearted love in action.

✈️ Mission Accomplished

We boarded our midnight flight to Miami and took one final flight to Orlando, officially closing the book on this unforgettable journey.

This trip has been humbling, heart-wrenching, and full of moments of hope and joy. The needs in Peru are great—but our God is greater. I think I can speak for our entire team when I say not a day will go by without us reflecting on the people we met, the prayers we shared, and the love we experienced.

We may have left Peru, but a piece of our hearts will stay.

Last year, Pastor John shared that he prayed God would not let him forget—and that he would not complain. Now I understand what he meant. After experiencing Peru, I found myself praying my own prayer: “Lord, show me how to translate what I’ve seen there to my everyday life here.”

The cultures are different, yes—but pain, need, and hope are universal. People everywhere are looking for connection and healing. I watched our missionary friends build real, lasting relationships throughout Peru, and it deeply stirred something in me. I may not be called to full-time mission work in another country, though I’d gladly go on more short-term trips if the opportunity comes again. But I know for sure that I am called to love.

So I’m asking God to guide me in doing that well—right here, in my circles of influence. With God, my family, my church, my friends, coworkers, students, parents, believers, and non-believers. I want to show the love of Jesus one person at a time. I pray for ears to hear, a heart ready to act, and the wisdom to love well.