Chao, Peru!

By Elizabeth Edwards, South Main Member, who recently completed her 6 week medical internship in Collique Peru.

Wow. I can hardly believe the memories I am taking back home with me today. This has been 6 weeks of my life that I will always look back on as an experience that changed me for the better. Above everything, I will always remember the people. I will always remember the kids, who have nothing, who are victims of poverty, abuse, and hunger, but yet are full of so much joy and love for life. I will remember how they hung on to me from day one, saying “hermana Elisabet, no te vayas!” (“don’t leave!”).

I’m blessed to have been able to stay here for so long with them, but that makes it so much harder to leave them today. I will also remember their mothers who I spent some time with as well. Women who are struggling in more ways than I can imagine, but still took the time everyday to ask me how I was doing and thank me for my work.

I will also remember how welcoming all the OSA staff members were to me during my time here. They have truly been my family for the past 6 weeks. I’ve learned so much from each and every one of them and will miss them dearly. I have also learned so much from Christopher and Jessie. They have showed me what it looks like to step out of your comfort zone to serve others and serve God. I will be forever grateful for their hospitality and for making this experience possible for me.

This past week has flown by….read more here

To learn more about Operacion San Adres, click here

innerloopchurch.com

Advertisement

In honor of our Mission Trip this week…

You scooped up the dust with your hands and formed it into a man, then graciously shared the breath of life in a gentle whisper.  By your hand and in your breath we are alive.
We are your children, for your world.
You guided us with your mighty hand and unchained us from slavery and bondage, even parting tumultuous waters that we might find freedom in the strength of your mercy.
We are your children, for your world.
Then you entered our world with the hands of a babe who grew and walked among us—those hands calmed the seas, fed the multitudes, cast out demons, healed the broken, gave sight to the blind, drew sketches of forgiveness in the sand, and then were pierced to reach our selfish souls.
We are your children, for your world.
And then you touched our hearts and calmed our fears and bid us to go…to offer our own hands for your work, to be used by you to continue to touch the world, to reveal our love for you as we feed the hungry, visit the sick and imprisoned, and deliver your living water to all who thirst.
We are your children, for your world.  Help us to go in the spirit and strength in which you send us, that we might have sight restored to our own blind eyes, that our brokenness might be made whole, that our hunger and thirst might be quenched, and your glory echoed on earth as it is in heaven.