Word Alive Peru: Peru Trip

We (Brian Garrett, Will Tankard, John Byrd and Santiago Hechart) had a great trip to Huancayo, Peru!

This is a daily account of what we did:

Sunday, August 31st
Right after having our second church meeting in Joy Land in which we had 15 people present, I run home, finished packing and rushed to the airport to catch my flight to Peru.
That night, around 9:00 P.M., the plane was landing at Lima’s airport. Just a few minutes earlier, Brian Garrett, John Byrd and Will Tankard (Tara’s cousin) had arrived from Miami so we were able to meet at the airport. (perfect timing) Angel, our official driver in Peru, was waiting for us to take us to the hotel.

Monday, September 1st
We were hoping we could take a plane to Huancayo to avoid the rough road trip through the Andes mountains. All previous efforts to purchase the airfare tickets through their website had failed so our last chance was to do it there in Lima. Angel took us to the airline’s office that morning but the Tuesday flight was already booked. Angel, very graciously, was able to move things around his schedule to take us on his van to Huancayo the following Tuesday.
That Monday, I had arranged to meet with a pastor friend of mine that had started a church in Lima a couple of years ago. His name is William Diaz. We had lunch with him and his wife and they told us that they had had to move to a different church building and that they were working against the clock to have it ready for the following Sunday. We offered them our help and they were very happy about it. Angel took us back to the hotel, we got changed into our work clothes on and off we went to help William and his wife. The building was a complete “mess”. They had a lot of work ahead and we were able to help them paint the ceiling and the walls. We sowed a financial seed, we prayed and prophesied and then went back to the hotel. It was a great day!

Tuesday, September 2nd
We left Lima around 9 A.M. We were able to buy some new “altitude-sickness pills” that helped us a lot. In previous trips I (Santiago) had gotten very sick but not in this one, Praise God! We got to Huancayo around 5 P.M. that evening. Victor and his family welcome us into their home in which we stayed in for the whole duration of our visit.

Wednesday, September 3rd
After a good night of rest, we went out to visit the homes of the children that Word Alive supports. We visited lots of them and in each and every case their parents would be SO THANKFUL for the help their kids get from Word Alive. We saw lots of single moms that didn’t have words to express how thankful they were for this help they are getting. It was moving!!! We had the chance to visit a school to which some of the sponsored kids attend and when they knew we were there all the kids came to us and wanted a picture taken with us. It was so much fun! We were also able to tour the neighborhood to check for some land and buildings.

Praying for Isai

Thursday, September 4th
We spent the whole morning meeting with Victor and Cesar. We went through the books and different aspects of the operation. They are doing a great job, they are very thorough and very neat with the finances. During the afternoon, we visited more homes and got more words of appreciation for what Word Alive sponsors are doing for their children.
In the evening, we met with the leaders (all teenagers). We had a great time ministering to them, praying with them and prophesying to them. I am so glad Brian was there!!! He was such a blessing!!!

Friday, September 5th
We checked into more land and met with a real estate agent.
During the evening we met with some adults that are part of Victor and Olga’s life group.

Saturday, September 6th
We spent the whole morning meeting and ministering to Victor & Olga and Cesar. During the afternoon Cesar brought all his family to the house to visit with us. That evening the teenagers had their meeting and they took the streets of Chilca, Huancayo. Previous authorization from the major of Chilca, they blocked the street and they sang, danced and ministered to the Lord. Brian, Will and I shared a brief word of encouragement and four teenagers received the Lord as their Lord and Savior. Towards the end, a group of teenagers dressed with typical dresses danced to the rhythms of autochthon Peruvian music. It was a great celebration!!!

Sunday, September 7th
About 100 children gathered for Sunday School at 10 A.M. It was amazing. They sang, danced and had a great time together. Brian, Will, John and I shared briefly. They gave us a very nice “Thank You” plaque that they had made prepare for us. Right after that we loaded the van and headed back to Lima.

It was a great trip and both Brian and I feel we got a lot accomplished. I am so glad Brian was there with me. He was of great help and support.

Below you will find pictures of our trip.

THANK YOU WORD ALIVE FOR MAKING SUCH A DIFFERENCE IN THESE PERUVIAN FAMILIES LIVES!!!