Thinking about living overseas can be exciting, but it might also be a little nerve-wracking. What if you’ve never been to the country you’re thinking about going to? It can be really hard to imagine what it would even be like! In this series, we’re going to share creatively written journeys through different cities where we have GoCorps placements to help you imagine what it might be like to live in these places. As you read them, use your imagination to really picture yourself there. Pay attention to what you feel, what you notice, and what stands out to you; God might just be trying to get your attention!

As you begin to read, I invite you to pause for a moment to be still. Close your eyes and take a deep inhale and a full exhale. Clear your mind and invite the Lord into your imagination. Now, open your eyes…

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Imagine Peru.

You said yes to adventure and that’s what this place has given you.

You said yes to adventure and that’s what this place has given you. Most mornings, like today, you wake up to the weirdest and loudest bird that seems to be right outside your window. You eat a quick breakfast because the team is leaving early for their trek into the part of the jungle known as Yanesha land. You hop into the back of a truck and hang on as the driver dodges tree branches and limbs, potholes, and other cars coming down the tiny dirt road. Your hair whips around your head in the wind and you brace yourself against the edge of the bouncing truck, laughing along with your teammates when you don’t duck fast enough and a tree branch hits you in the face. It starts raining, so you grab the tarp you brought with you and everyone hangs on to a corner to avoid the huge drops of rain now falling. This reminds you of those parachute games you used to play in school. After driving for some time, you and your team finally make it to one of the cities in Yanesha land.  

As you step out of the truck onto another dirt road, a few of the locals come to greet you with big smiles and open arms.

As you step out of the truck onto another dirt road, a few of the locals come to greet you with big smiles and open arms. There are houses on stilts to avoid flooding during the rainy season and women and children are working near them. You can hear shouts and laughter from the nearby school, mingling with the distant sound of chickens. You and your team head to the school to teach in some of the classes. Sometimes you teach English, other times you and the team get the chance to talk about the Bible, but today you are talking about safe and sanitary practices, like washing your hands. Stepping into the classroom, you are met with joyous smiles and shouts of welcome from the kids. Sweat beads on your forehead and the air feels heavy with humidity, but getting to hang out with the kiddos for the day makes it all worth it.

Sometimes you teach English, other times you and the team get the chance to talk about the Bible, but today you are talking about safe and sanitary practices, like washing your hands. 

After a few hours in the school, it’s time to head back for dinner. You and your team get back on the trucks for that long and bumpy ride. You’re worn out from teaching, so instead of sitting at the edge of the truck you hunker down to avoid flying branches and admire the beauty of the land around you. The sun is setting and the last few rays shine warm on your face. You look over and laugh as your teammate spits out a bug that flew in her mouth while talking; it’s not the first time it’s happened!

Everyone gets back and quickly takes showers. Then you meet near the kitchen at a really long table for dinner. You are met with the sweet scent of fresh-cut fruit and the warm aroma of spiced chicken made by your host, one of the sweetest women you’ve ever met. The team talks about their day and laughs about all the fun things the kiddos said. You dream about tomorrow as a team and get excited for what the rest of the week will hold. Everyone says goodnight and you and your teammate walk up the stairs to your room, ready for sleep so that you can take on tomorrow!

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Does the idea of living in Peru excite you? Does the thought of teaching English or helping develop new agriculture practices in the jungle quicken your heart rate? Would you thrive on adventure and building relationships with people different from you? Check out our Peru placements here or talk to a coach!