Story of the week: John

John recently came on a mission trip with his home church. In his time here, his team spent time at our Children's home, painted at our House of Hope, assembled and delivered wheelchairs, and participated in a free medical campaign in a needy community. This is what he had to say about his time with Camino de Vida.

"My time in Peru began by arriving at the orphanage very late at night. I literally got no more than two hours of sleep. At first I was a little concerned that my body would be physically drained. I prayed a lot about it, and then rose very early that morning to begin my day. Our team started off by working at the base of a mountain behind the orphanage (we dug holes and planted trees). I then got a little adventurous and decided to climb a mountain. For someone that doesn't get a lot of physical activity, it was definitely challenging, and my legs were very wobbly and stiff when I finished.

After eating some food with the rest of our team, I got up and my legs felt fine. I spent the rest of the afternoon running around and playing games with the children. I ran and ran with those children. Later that evening some people joked with me that instead of having a second wind, I was on my eighth or ninth wind. The time in Peru that meant the most to me was that time I spent with the children.

The Lord gave me the strength I needed to do His work, and to show those children His love. I was being the hands and feet of Jesus. That night I talked to a few of my team members about how God was moving in that orphanage, and a thought came to my mind that really resonated with everything I had experienced earlier that day; the joy of the Lord is my strength. I have read those words numerous times, and sung them in many songs, but never before had they felt more real or relevant."

Find out more about how you too can come and be a part of what God is doing in Peru by clicking on "Get Involved."