Unfinished. Broken. Rough. Lacking something. This is who we are, whether we’re from the United States, Canada, Japan, Honduras, New Zealand, Mexico, Peru or wherever God has placed us. This trip was about what God desired to complete—in us and in Peru.
Coming face to face with Lima, Peru, in July 2006 allowed more than 600 Brio missions participants to realize they were in the right place at the right time to give and receive. God moved in the hearts and lives of students, L.I.T.s (leaders in training), adult leaders and Peruvians to accomplish His purposes.
God healed and equipped struggling teens seeking to surrender everything. Delivered His love to a Peruvian Down syndrome child through an embrace. Brought color to a brown-and-gray landscape through red buckets of water to wash hair or clean laundry for widespread communities with no running water. Challenged a team to perform the powerful 22-minute “Spellbound” drama for a crowd. Gave warmth to Peru’s winter season as a hot, sweet dessert made of purple corn was handed to a family. Broke down communication barriers through smiling children. And met Brio participants and Peruvians in a relationship with Him, whether for the first time or in a renewed commitment to His lordship.
First John 4:12 says, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” How was God’s love made complete in Peru? It was a matter of broken, unfinished people helping, loving, serving and learning from broken, unfinished people.
Behind the Lens
As you read the stories and ponder the captivating photos, know that the ultimate Author composed this article. Ron (our photographer) and I (Krishana) traveled together to each ministry site, but I didn’t always know what he had photographed, and he didn’t always know what a student had shared on paper. It’s incredible how God brought the pieces together. View more trip photos!
Pamela
As I stepped off the bus to start my first missions project, a crowd of people gathered around. I was on the team assigned to wash laundry. Though I’d taken three years of Spanish, I struggled to communicate with the people. (I guess sleeping in Spanish class wasn’t a good idea after all.) My partner left to find soap to wash the clothes, while I waited at the house. I racked my brain, struggling to remember anything to start a conversation. In the end it was a little girl named Pamela who broke the awkwardness. She took out a ball to play with, and we rolled it back and forth. Laughter filled the room as we played catch. I had indescribable joy as I watched a big smile spread across this girl’s face.
It didn’t matter that the water was cold or that there wasn’t much to wash. We were simply delighted to do God’s work— spending time with these people and serving them.
—Emily Morgan, 17
Children of God
Peru is filled with beautiful people. When I signed up for this trip, I knew there would be work to be done, but I was astounded by the poverty. I have seen so many sad sights, children without shoes, homes without roofs. The need here is so great. And yet with all this, the people are happy! The children laugh and play and sing, smiling beautifully. I’ve fallen in love with these beautiful children of God. And I am so glad to be able to bring something good into their world.
—Hope Tellifero, 15
Clean Hair, Joyful Hearts
I did something today that I’ve never experienced before. I washed Peruvian children’s hair. Have you ever had hair so dirty that the water turned brown when you washed it? Have you ever taken a cold shower? I helped wash hair for more than 50 kids. Some had lice, and others had mud in their hair. I take for granted every day the fact that I can take a shower. For these children it was the most wonderful thing that they could simply wash their hair! They were joyful about it! I mean, come on, are you joyful about taking a shower? I will never forget the smiles I saw on their faces. When I smiled back they hugged me with a grin. I hope I’ll never take for granted again how truly blessed I am.
—Chelsea Nicewander, 16
I’ll Never Forget
Dirty dogs barking. Children screaming “China” at me. Trying to communicate in my broken Spanish. Giving hugs to every child I saw. Braiding the hair of children who hadn’t had their hair washed in months. Looking at my team helping all the people. These are the images I’ll carry with me forever.
I’ll never forget ministry in the poorest areas of Lima, Peru. Coming from a lifestyle where I have every luxury imaginable, it was priceless to see the children’s joy even though poverty is everywhere. I realized that no matter what kind of life you live, the only meaningful life is one with Jesus Christ.
—Vivian Long, 16
Heart for God
Today we went back to a school for special-needs children. Most people would give up on these children, but this only gave my team extra motivation to spread Jesus’ love. We didn’t get to know the children the first time we visited, but this time was different. When we arrived, the children’s smiles melted our hearts.
After the drama, we took time to play. This one child that most people would shy away from ran at me and hugged me with a joyous smile. Having him in my arms was really humbling. I know that God was smiling down on this child. I have no doubt in my mind that God will bless these children. His grace shines down upon these children as much as it does on me. I thank Him for His grace every day.
—Matthew Guay, 18
Persistence
It was a free day to shop at the market in Lima, but my team decided to minister in the middle of downtown. We ended up in a center square filled with pigeons being fed by people throughout the area. Our team prayed and divided into groups to start conversations with those to whom God led us. Before I knew it, a man sparked a conversation with me, and we talked for about 15 minutes. I only speak broken Spanish, but with the help of God words began to come to me. I began to say things in Spanish I never knew I could say, and I was comprehending everything, even though the man was speaking very quietly. His name was Julio, and he informed me that he’s a Christian.
At the same time, God was working in the hearts of other small huddles of people. One group fervently prayed for a woman who had walked away after some of my teammates attempted a spiritual conversation with her. But did that stop God’s work in the city square? No way!
The girls made a second attempt to talk to this woman with a translator’s help. Between this group of girls and another group praying for the woman off to the side, she came to know Christ as her Savior. We serve a persistent God. Despite how impossible any circumstance may be, God’s persistence overcomes even the greatest challenges we face.
—Andrew Vasquez, 22 (L.I.T.)
Finding Security
I’m learning that security can no longer be found in myself. I was the most nervous I’ve ever been when I gave my testimony to 60 schoolchildren in Spanish! It amazed me that God used my broken, stumbling Spanish skills to touch these children. What was even more amazing was that later I shared my testimony with just one woman, and again despite my broken Spanish, she related. That woman became a Christian because I let God work on my heart, breaking down every barrier of fear and selfishness to complete His will in both of our lives. No, security can’t be found in myself, but in a God who orchestrates His will and His plans in our lives.
—Hannah Bagley, 18
Under the Makeup
Playing the evil magician in the “Spellbound” drama has taught me so many important things. I’ve realized all the evil that the Devil can put together can’t even come close to Jesus’ power. All the fear, anxiety and darkness I represent as the evil magician has been conquered and cast out by Jesus’ perfect love.
Playing this role has made Jesus’ forgiveness even more personal to me. When we’re beating Jesus and nailing Him to the Cross, I realized that it’s me nailing Him to the Cross because of all my sins. Having this knowledge, Jesus still willingly went to the Cross because of His love for me.
Even though I was scary and evil on the outside as the evil magician, I was amazed at how the little children could look past the dark makeup and see me for who I really was inside. They were drawn to the love and compassion inside, instead of what was on the outside. Jesus thinks the same—it doesn’t matter what we look like on the outside; He looks at what’s underneath our makeup; He looks at our heart.
—Rebecca Leland, 19 
