Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve God during our recent trip to Peru! I saw how God opens doors for us to grow closer to Him and to share His love with others during our brief period of time on this earth. Working in Cusco was an open door for me and my 12 year old Daughter, Sofia. What a beautiful experience, to see Gods Love in such unbridled and raw form! It is a little difficult to find the words to fully explain this trip as it was such a gift to us.
    I would have to say that the Church leaders, Stephanie and John Vasquez were wonderful. They were so organized and helpful, always ready to work, even in challenging or difficult situations. We are so thankful to both of them and to Crossroads for having the foresight in choosing excellent leadership. The missionary couple Ricky and Tracy was so wonderful too. They were very helpful in planning opportunities for us to serve and to be involved in the small and highly effective Church they have founded in Cusco. This couple is such a blessing to the City and especially the neighborhood that God has placed them in. The love that they share with others was incredible to witness. The neighbors are very happy with having such a dynamic Church close by. I was so glad that the people felt so comfortable coming by the Church to offer help or at times to ask for help.
   We had so many activities, and we grew close as a group. We were involved in a VBS for the children of the Church. There were over 100 kids involved. The laughter and happiness was beautiful. We also visited a local orphanage and a Children Hospital to help with various duties. As I look back at my pictures, I am reminded of the awesome experiences we all had. Praise God.
                                              Sincerely and respectfully yours,
                                              Dr. Jacquelyn Lacera and Sofia Oruene

It’s hard to pick a best part of the trip. My favorite moments were the time spent at the Children Hospital, delivering the food baskets and playing soccer with the kids. The Children Hospital was also the most difficult. It was hard to see those kids in a condition, where those who live in the hills have no way to get around in a wheelchair, so they ended up at the hospital. I also imagine the parents probably can’t visit as often as they’d want, making it even more difficult on these children. Passing out the baskets was nice in two ways: We got invited inside the people’s home and got to see a little better how they live, and at the same time be able to share our message. According to Rick and Tracy, some people came to Church the following Sunday because of the baskets.

 Overall, it was a great experience. Stephanie and John did a good job. We had a nice team and I think everybody went along really well. I’m looking forward to another reunion!

Chris.

The experience that most touched my heart was interacting with the children of Cusco. The children have so much joy in their hearts even though they live in such poverty. The trip to Peru meant many things to me. First, it was a way to make new friends and fellowship with other Christians. The trip was also a way to help others who truly are in need. Finally, it was a way to serve God and grow closer to God.

 The most joyful moment for me was going into homes with food baskets and praying for the families in need. The opportunity to pray with people who do not have enough food to eat was a moving experience. It brought me great joy to provide hope to these families.

 The most difficult moment of the trip was hearing the stories of struggle from the people of Cusco. The Peruvians deal with issues of hunger, poverty, alcoholism, and broken families. Many of them have no hope of ending their struggles.

 Mike Judson

For me, Peru was a once in a lifetime experience that I hope I get to be a part of more than just this once! Every time I look at pictures, all of my precious memories are brought back, which leads me to still have my heart tugged at for the kids, my friends, in Cusco. Whether it had been a day at the clinic, at the church, or playing at the park, each day was filled with love and joy that will never dull or be forgotten.

 I remember on the very first day that we got to meet all of the kids. A little girl named Melissa came up and began talking to me, and she just talked and talked and talked! I felt bad that I didn’t understand anything that she was telling me but after she was done talking, she came and sat on my lap and gave me a hug! And then there was the day at the park, Sunday Morning. When walking to the park, I had two girls holding my hands, which melted my heart right away. But on the way back, I had six girls jumping around and all trying to hold my hand and walk as close to me as possible! There was also the day at the clinic when I got to feed a little boy, Digson, who has down syndrome. Seeing his smile and getting to play games with him was yet another precious moment. Along with these children, there was the day that I was able to teach a group of girls “ring around the rosies”. There was also the day that we played “pato pato gonso” (duck duck goose) and our circle kept growing larger and larger as more kids joined us! There is no possible way that I could completely explain my experience — my change of heart — while on this trip. Words do not give justice to the way that the children at the park, or the children like Melissa and Digson changed my heart forever.

 Part of what I also found to be the greatest experience while on this trip was when we got to walk through the homes of these families. Although the stairs were steep, although strange smells filled the air, and although the roads were rough and tiring, there was never a time when I could have complained but instead I found such joy in being able to personally experience the difficulties that each of these families face everyday just to get to a room that they could call their own home. Seeing the smiles on the faces of all those that we were able to visit,and all of those that we were able to go to and pray and talk with easily took away any moments of weariness and instead easily put a smile on my face, as well.

 This trip was filled with so many instances that changed me forever. And that is the reason why the last day was the most difficult for me. I so easily remember leaving the church on Monday night and I told the girls that I would see them the next day. But Monday night I got sick and was not able to see them again. I was not able to say goodbye. Tuesday was the longest day for me wishing I could be playing with the kids.

 As we prepared for this trip I was filled with such excitement and curiosity as to what God had in store for this week. While packing and getting ready to leave the only thing I knew for certain was that God was sending me to Peru for a reason and no matter what my surroundings held I was going to do what He called me there to do. While in Cusco, I still couldn’t put the reason I felt called to Peru into words, but now that I am home there is just one simple reason. God knew that Cusco is where my heart would reach out to. He knew that Cusco would forever hold a place in my heart. And so even when this trip was over I still did not want to say goodbye but instead I found myself saying see you again. I know God is not done with what He has in store for me and my new friends in Cusco and I still find myself with the exact curiosity and excitement that I had before I went. I still wonder what the future will hold for me there and I pray that God will continue to use me to reach out to his children, mi amigas, in Cusco.

 Joyann Putulowski