Each journey to the jungle is full of its own unexpected blessings. Each trip is different as the teams shift, the children grow, and new children enter the home. But, I've never left without being amazed by the greatness of our God and the wonder of His constant provision.
I wanted everyone to have an insight to this last trip, but I wanted it to come from someone who was experiencing Puerto Alegria for the first time. The following blog was written by one of my teammates from the World Race: Shannon Higgins. Up until December 28th, Puerto Alegria had been nothing but stories. Check out Shannon's perspective now that it has become a reality!
-Kristen
Shannon's Blog:
I usually spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s hitting up the after-Christmas sales and relaxing with family, but this year was different. Instead, I ditched the malls and headed to the jungle where I had the chance to impact the lives of 39 boys with Not Forgotten in Puerto Alegria, Peru. I've been all around the world, but the 6 days I spent in Puerto Alegria will be imprinted on my heart forever. I had never been to the jungle before. I had only heard of its beauty and of those boys for 11 months from my World Race teammate and Not Forgotten’s Kristen McKee.
Well, I was not disappointed.
It was an amazing week. I was able to meet a whole new group of friends through the Not Forgotten team, help build stairs for the gazebo, and help construct a dock. I swam with piranhas, bathed in the river, and ate jungle grub worm (suri). I celebrated New Year’s Peruvian style, which is loud, colorful and full of crazy flying fireworks...that weren't always facing up. :-)
However, the most impacting part of the trip was getting to know the children that live in Puerto Alegria. At first I struggled through my lack of Spanish skills, but as the days went on I began to find those boys that the Lord had picked out for me to connect with. Even as I am writing this, I can see their bright smiling faces, and it makes my heart hurt that I am so far away. It is amazing how the Lord's love, photos, spanglish, sign language, music, and games can develop relationships that surpass language barriers.
I am not sure I will be able to let another Christmas pass that doesn't have me heading to the jungle. Undoubtedly, I have left a part of my heart in that place. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to have served in Puerto Alegria. It's not an experience I'll soon forget.
