Project Peru is going to be an amazing experience and we sincerely thank you for logging on and learning how you can be part of it. For those of you just learning about Project Peru, we will be traveling with approximately 40 other adults that we have never met before deep into the Amazon. The project is sponsored by Group Workcamps Foundation, a Christian organization based out of Colorado. They have been sp0nsoring mission trips in the United States and internationally since 1977 and have led nearly a quarter of a million people in these experiences. In other words, they know what they are doing. Rich did a trip with them to Rocky Mount, NC with his youth group from Butler to provide Hurricane Relief, so we have some first hand experience with the organization. Over six million hours of volunteer work has been done to help people through Group Workcamps! That's an amazing number--and we are committed to seeing it grow through our hard work in Peru this September/October.
Here's the story. A local church in Peru started praying for how they could best help the people in their midst. God answered by putting a vision of building a 100' boat, called the Evangelista, that could travel down the Ucayali River in the Amazon. After years of gathering funds, it's now complete and serves as a floating dormitory, classroom, medical center, chapel, and tool for good relationships. It travels down the river filled with volunteers (like us!) seeking to help people in need within the various villages. That's where we come in! In September/October 2008 we will work hard doing things like: teaching children Bible stories through a Vacation Bible School program; teaching basic health and hygiene skills to those who lack a full understanding of how to care for themselves, promote a healthy lifestyle, helping to dig a well so residents can enjoy a safe water supply, and help clear land for the construction of schools and children. In the short time we will be there, our primary goal is to build healthy relationships---serving as a Christian example by DOING rather than just PREACHING. It's hands on work filled with love to complete strangers. Sometimes we simply hang out and play with the local children in a safe, positive, loving way.
Here is a short description of what our ten days will be like:
DAY 1
Leave the U.S. and arrive Lima Peru. You will be greeted at the airport and transported to your hotel for an overnight in the capitol city.
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll go back to the airport and catch our flight to Pucallpa. There the trip staff and ministry partners will greet us and take us to our hotel. We'll have a chance to do some teambuilding and acclimate to being in a tropical rainforest.
DAY 3
We start by joining our partners in Pucallpa for morning worship and celebration. Then it's lunch and off to board the Evangelista, our home for the next few days as we minister in the villages along the Ucayali River.
DAY 4-7
Workday in the village and evening programs on the boat (or possibly in the village).
DAY 8
We say goodbye to our new friends and head back to Pucallpa. We'll go to the hotel and share in a farewell dinner with our partners.
DAY 9
Breakfast at the hotel, then off to the airport for our afternoon flight to Lima. Most flights to the U.S. are overnight flights that leave late evening.
DAY 10Arrive in the U.S. (welcome home)!
Because you are our family and friends, we feel comfortable asking for your support. Between the both of us, we estimate needing to raise nearly $5,000 for this to happen. In the next few days, we will be posting some awesome ways to help. Some of you will be getting a letter from us asking for funds. Jill is spearheading an awesome bracelet ministry where you can actually give a homemade gift FROM YOU to a child in Peru!!!!!!!!! For some gifts, we promise you a hand written post card from Peru. You might buy a few braclets, send a check, purchase some coffee, or a variety of other ways. Check back often for the latest details.
Oh, and most importantly, will you start praying today for our success in this trip: for the funds to come, for our health to remain strong, and for an awesome experience as we give some of ourselves and help others---just like Jesus asks us to do. Thank you so much for checking this out. We know we will be able to count on your support.
Love ya,
Jill and Rich
