Last year, at the end of January, Jake and I visited Peru. The first day we were here we went to the beach for celebration Sunday with the church. It was a fun day but we didn’t really know anyone and couldn’t go much further than “Hello. What is your name? How are you?”
This year we started planning the annual beach trip at the beginning of January. I was so excited! For one, I love the beach. Second, we can communicate this time around. Third, and most importantly, we have a family here in Peru that we know and love! In the six months that we have been here we have been so blessed by each and every person that has been placed in our lives. It’s so beautiful how the body of Christ is a family wherever you are in the world.
And this year we had a blast at the beach! Everyone brought snacks and sunscreen. We relaxed, played in the sand and played in the ocean. One of my favorite moments was walking out into the water with my friend Etelvina (who you met in Katie’s article above). We were holding hands and I mistakenly thought I was helping support her in the waves. We stood there for a while and then she looked up at me and asked if I wanted to body surf! And we did! I couldn’t believe it.
Looking back on our beach trip I am filled with such joy. This last year has brought about many changes for Jake and me. We sold everything, left our jobs, friends, and family and entered into a new language, culture, and country. Throughout it all we have needed daily bread and Christ has sustained us.
He has given us joy in this place.
“Our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’”
heck out more pictures, videos, and commentary on the church's 2015 beach trip on Storehouse.