I'll Never Forget
My trip to Peru was an experience that I’ll never forget. Despite how cliché it sounds, the words that instantly come to mind when I think of my time in Piura are “life-changing”, “enlightening”, and “unforgettable”. Going in to it, I never expected that such a seemingly short mission trip would have such a tremendous impact on me and help me to see things from an entirely new perspective.
That being said, I cannot sugar-coat the situation. Peru is dirty and smelly and riddled with poverty. The garbage lines the streets and the rivers, and there are hundreds of stray dogs that just roam around the city. Despite its exterior, Piura is still beautiful to me because it is filled with some of the most beautiful and faithful people I have ever met. Each person there is so humble and has such a strong faith in God no matter how little they have. On my first day in Piura, a woman told me that although she and her family didn’t have a lot, they had each other. For me, that was one of the most important lessons to be learned in Peru. It isn’t about how much money you have or what kind of car you drive; at the end of the day, what truly matters are your relationships with others.
Throughout the trip I experienced all types of poverty. I delivered clothes to struggling mothers in a suburb of Piura. I built and delivered bikes to workers of rural Piura. I interacted with special needs children, played clarinet for a music class, and danced with kids at the Parish school. Additionally, we built three houses while we were down there. And while all those things are necessary and truly influenced me, it is impossible for me to discuss my trip to Piura without discussing the impact on my faith.
We went to mass every night. I expected this to be difficult for me, but the masses were so energetic and lively- filled with nothing but love for God! At one of our first masses, the parishioners all raised their hands and blessed us. These people who have nothing compared to the luxuries found in America were praying for us. That was a humbling experience. In that moment I felt God’s love and knew that he was calling me to a higher purpose. We are all called to love and help one another. If these people who have so little can have so much love in their hearts for God, what’s our excuse? That question has not left my head since I left Piura and it continues to be my motivation to get to know Christ and see him in every person I encounter.
I think about Peru every day and I am so excited to be returning to Piura this summer with Bishop O’Connell High School. Every person has a different mission experience, but I’ve never heard of anyone having a negative experience. I encourage everyone who can to partake in a mission because not only is it an amazing opportunity for work, but it is also a necessary time of reflection. God is calling each and every one of us to help the poorest of the poor, but it is up to us to answer that call.
By Kathryn