Celebrating the Holidays in Peru

On December 27, 2008 our group of 8 from Alabama began the long trip down to Puerto Alegria. As much as I hate to fly, stepping off the boat the afternoon of the 28th to see 38 of my favorite faces was completely worth every second of our trek.

Our group and a group of 5 from Nebraska spent the week making repairs around the home. The screens on the boys’ rooms needed to be replaced and trash around camp needed to be picked up. Every morning we would wake up with the roosters, eat breakfast with the boys, and then begin our work. A small group of “gringos” would lead Bible Study for the older boys in the morning, and then separately for the younger boys in the afternoon after lunch. We taught the boys that God’s Word is a treasure and that it is our responsibility to share our knowledge of Christ with our community. Late in the afternoons we would swim in the river or play soccer with the boys and then clean up for dinner. After dinner we would play games and sing songs together or watch a movie before bedtime.

New Years Eve included burning “the old self,” shooting fireworks at the “gringos,” a piñata filled with whistles, and fruitcake. The boys were dressed in their best clothes and were all wearing their new shoes that they had received for Christmas and had saved especially for this occasion. Probably the best New Years ever.

The Friday before we left, we spent the day in Iquitos. We started the day with a walk through the market in Belén, where a lot of the boys are from, and a visit to Scripture Union’s Medical Center. We spent a few hours at the “beach” and the zoo and then took the boys for a movie and popcorn. That night we introduced S’mores to Puerto Alegria with a bonfire in the rain.

All week, we were constantly looking for ways to show the boys we love them, God loves them; they are not abandoned. It was only my second time to Puerto Alegria, but those boys have taken up permanent residence in my heart. Through this, I believe that the Lord gave me a glimpse into how much he loves his children.

On Saturday morning, I was not ready to leave. And now that I am home, I want to go back. A feeling I am afraid I will experience in increasing measure with each trip I take to Peru. ~ Claire Davis