✈️ Day Two: Arrival in Pucallpa
🎶 A Surprise Welcome in Pucallpa
After landing in Pucallpa, I was completely surprised—in the best way. A group was waiting to greet us with music and a big welcome sign for our church! The music was all in Spanish (of course), and even though I couldn’t understand the words, I definitely felt the love.
That moment made me think about my students back home who come to school not knowing any English. For them, everything must feel just as unfamiliar and overwhelming as it did for me in that moment. It gave me a fresh wave of empathy. Language can be such a barrier—but kindness always comes through.
🛵 Motokars, Motorcycles, and Mayhem (Kind of)
Let’s talk about traffic in Pucallpa. It’s wild.
Motokars and motorcycles are everywhere. We were told the driving laws are more like “helpful suggestions,” and wow—they weren’t kidding. Vehicles fly by just inches from each other. If they all stopped, I swear you could reach out and link arms with someone in another car.
It was a total culture shock. I just kept praying to make it to base in one piece! But somehow, it works. Drivers use their horns to talk to each other—not in anger, but like a quick “hey, I’m here!” It’s their way of staying alert. I couldn’t believe we didn’t see any accidents, even when four vehicles were squeezed into what we’d call a single lane.
Oh, and a quick tip if you ever ride in a motokar: keep your hands, feet, and especially your phone close. We were warned not to hold our phones too far out because people can snatch them right from your hand. But honestly? Motokars are fun! Way breezier than a van with no AC.
🚪 First Impressions of Base
When we arrived at base, it wasn’t what I pictured at all. I expected something out in the country, but it’s actually right in town—less than an acre of land, surrounded by a tall wall topped with barbed wire. Big double metal doors swing open so you can drive in and out.
There are four buildings inside and two gazebos, each with four hammocks (perfect for relaxing after a long, hot day). One building is a storage unit, kind of like the big sheds we have in our backyards. Another is the kitchen/dining room—newly built after our church donated money last year. Pastor John said the old one was full of termites, so they rebuilt it for around $12K–$15K. Not only did they get the job done, but they also had enough left over to tithe back to the mission and help families in need. How amazing is that?
Juan and Kim’s home on the base
Base kitchen is in the background Jaun and Kim’s house is to the right.
Base Courtyard
Base hammicks
Inside the kitchen of the base.
🧺 A Busy Night Ahead
We’ve got a full evening planned. We’ll be visiting two families, and once we’re back, we’ll start sorting and bagging half a ton of food—yes, literally 1,000 pounds!—to distribute over the next couple of days.
There’s a lot of work ahead, but there’s also so much joy in it. Even in the unfamiliar, even in the chaos, there’s something really special happening here.
🕯️ Evening Family Visits
Tonight was sobering.
Our team visited two families, and the stories we heard were heartbreaking but filled with quiet strength.
First, we met Luis Enrique. He recently had a stroke and is now paralyzed on one side of his body. Even with his challenges, he’s working hard to raise his young grandchildren. In one of the photos, there’s a mattress leaning against the wall—someone had given it to him, but many Peruvians prefer sleeping on cardboard because a mattress can feel too soft. That really struck me.
We brought Luis a wheelchair to help him get around more easily, a bag of food, and a Bible. Before we left, we circled around him and prayed. It was a powerful moment—quiet, emotional, and full of love.
Next, we visited Maria, a grandmother raising her two granddaughters. Their father is in jail for drugs, and their mother is also in jail—she was caught bringing drugs to him. Can you imagine?
The girls were so sweet. We brought them dolls, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and backpacks for school. Maria received a food bag for her family and a little money to help out. You could see the gratitude in her eyes.
Luis Enrique’s home.
Mattress leaning against a wall in Luis’s home.
Luis’s kitchen.
A picture of Luis.
Moving Luis to his new wheelchair.
Praying for Luis.
Heading to Maria’s home.
Entering Maria’s home.
One of several dogs inside Maria’s home.
Maria and her two granddaughters.
🛍️ Packing Food Bags at Base
Back at base, we got to work packing food bags. Each one includes:
- 2 bags of rice
- 1 bag of sugar
- 1 bag of salt
- 1 bottle of oil
- 1 can of milk
- 1 lb of spaghetti
- 4 bags of noodles
This combo will feed a family of four for two weeks. These items were carefully chosen—they’re staples in Peruvian homes. Depending on the region, people add different spices, vegetables, or meat to create a variety of meals from these basics.
Pallets of food to pack up for distribution.
The team packing food.
🎒 500 Pounds of Love
Each of us brought a carry-on suitcase for our clothes and a 50-lb checked bag packed with things to give away. With ten people on the team, that’s 500 pounds of love—Bibles, shirts, school and art supplies, toys, and hygiene items. All donated, all packed with care, all meant to bless the people we’d meet.
I’m so thankful for this opportunity. Tonight reminded me why we’re here. Not just to give things, but to bring hope, prayer, and love—one home, one person, one story at a time.
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