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Posted in News from Peru by Glenalyn Hunt on 7/21/2011
Buenos dias!
We are currently finishing up our debrief time and heading to the airport in a few hours to fly to Lima and then back to the states. The last twenty four hours have been a sweet time of fellowship, reflection and of course, tons of fun!! Yesterday we took the students to a surprise trip to a nature preserve/zoo and saw all the animals we didn´t get to see in the wild, like pygmy monkeys, tapirs, capyburas, and my personal favorite, the ocelot. It was super fun! Then we enjoyed one last peruvian lunch, and headed to a traditional artisan market to pick up some last minute souvenirs of our trip.
In the evening we had a time of reflection, thanksgiving and prayer, giving God thanks for all he has done in the past three weeks and choosing how we will go home. It was an awesome time and I feel so blessed to have been a part of your amazing kids´ lives the past three weeks. Thank you for letting them go and come on this amazing adventure into God´s creation and His heart. We are confident that what we have done here in Peru will not return void but will be an expansion of God´s love and grace to all the people we have met.
Today we are flying to Lima and then this evening onto fort lauderdale and atlanta. Yay for super fun airport-airplane time!
Prayers for safe travel, favor in customs, and good attitudes are much appreciated. Thanks for being awesome and supportive. Your students are so excited to see you in a couple of days.
Blessings!
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Posted in News from Peru by Glenalyn Hunt on 7/20/2011
Hello friends and family of our Peruvian warriors! Yesterday we wrapped up our ministry time in Nauta and made the drive to our debrief location of the capitol of the jungle, Iquitos! Everyone was so overjoyed to have a cold shower, real beds, Chinese food for lunch and cereal for dinner.
On Monday night our students had a really unique opportunity to meet up with the Real Life Peru team who had just come back from two months up river. After going to English class one last time, our students joined the Real Life team in worship. Dillon had a great perspective on the whole experience which I will type on his behalf:
for one thing the real life team invited us into their worship which was something they really did not have to do. And we were already so thankful that they had invited us into their family. So when worship began it started out really quiet, but everyone was still really into it. and as it progressed people started banging on water jugs and anything else they could find to use as an instrument. And like our whole team we were all screaming and shouting out all the songs we had inside of us. A lot of people were walking around giving words of encouragement from God to other people. And then suddenly as the service began to wind down, the Real Life team invited us to stand in the middle so they could pray over all of us. The leaders were in the middle and then our team circled up around them, and the real life team around us. While they were praying for us we could feel the presence of God so closely, it was crazy! After they finished praying for us we sat around talking for a bit and someone randomly looked at their watch only to discover that we had just been worshiping God for three hours straight. so we all started going back to our bunks since everyone was so exhausted from praising God so intensely. It was Awesome!
As a leader it was so stellar watching everyone really step into God´s presence and just let Him wash all over them. It was really really epic.
So today we will take the Students around the city to do some sight seeing and such and then tonight really commission them out of this season and into the next. We are so grateful for your support and prayers. Your sons and daughters are amazing and are growing ever deeper in their walk with God!
We fly out tomorrow to begin our journey back to the States. We should be in ATL by the 22 at which point we hope to post some pictures via the high speed internet :).
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Posted in News from Peru by Rich Brooks on 7/17/2011
We made it back from the Rivers (All three of them to be exact). The Marañón and Ucayali rivers meet to form the Amazon, and we managed to see all 3. You would be very proud of everyone here! The slept with bats flying around in the living quarters of our first village, while the guys slept in hammocks in an open air house that had just been built shortly before our arrival. Everyone pooped in holes (AKA Squatty Potties) and even took turns killing an plucking chickends for our meals, and YES, they even bathed in the river, taking in breathtaking sunsets and even catching glimpses of the elusive pink river dolphins!
After a 2ish hour boat ride we arrived in our first village where everyone took part in leading two days of VBS and spent the afternoons visiting people in their homes. In the evenings, everone took part in the night time services held by the local church. We performed the drama we learned during training camp, lead worship songs, preached the word, or delivered testimonies.
Another short boat ride later, we arrived in village number 2. It was much larger than the first and rested where the two Amazon River tributaries merge into the Amazon headwaters. Here the students cleared the rooms of taranculas and other various critters as they began once again to wage war against the horse flys that seemed to enjoy the smell of deet. Again the students lead 2 days of VBS, visted people in their homes, and lead evening church services.
It was amazing to watch all of the students overcome the elements so that they could share the gospel with the villagers. They grew in boldness as they spent time in homes praying with natives and pouring out so much love.
Watching everone take care of each other was beautiful. Our men making sure their sistes were safe from spoders, snakes and the like, while also carrying their bags for them. Meanwhile, the women were making sure their brothers had plenty to eat, plenty to drink, and often helped keep the living quarters clean.
Even now (this post was written while still on the boat back to Nauta), I was able to look around at the students laughing, sleeping, talking, and soaking up their surroundings. They have come a long wway since training camp and still have a few more days left to go a little further! I can´t wait to see what else God has in store!
Student Messages
There is no place on earth where you cant find Coke. - Trey
I am amazed by the beauty of the Amazon! I wish days wouldnt go so fast! PS. Piranha, Its what´s for breakfast. - Lauren
5 days left!? What the heck. I have learned so much about life and myself through this trip! It´s crazy how much Peru has helped me grow! - Dillon
This trip has made me realize that i have the best family ever! Thank you so much for everything, I love you more than words can say. I´ll be home soon! - Hattie
The Amazon is so beatiful! It´s the most amazing place I have ever been in my whole life. God has changed so many things about me. See you all soon! - David
Right now i am on a boat floating down the Amazon River with a group of people i have completely fallen in love with. This adventure has chganged my life. Love you and miss you tons, and ill see you soon. - Kayt
In the past 6 days I´ve pottied in a hole, bathed in the Amazon river, killed a chicken for lunch, ate alligator and Pirahana, pet Ponch (The Monkey), and fallen in love with life all over again. Love & miss yall! - Jamie
I ate Pirhana and Alligator and petted a monkey all in one day. I wore my rubber bands in the Amazon river(You´re welcome mom). Also GOD IS REAL! I miss love and miss you all! 2 Corinthians 5:13 - Louisa
Seen wonderful views + precious children. God works in gracious ways!!! I have some crazy stories to tell! I love you guys like crazy! Be home in a few days. - Emmers
God is rocking my world. Nothing could have prepared me for these life altering experiences. I promise I´m alive and intact. Love you all and be prepared for LOTS of stories! - Brittany
People thought i was hardcore before this trip, but now I eat Pirahana for breakfast, gator for lunch, and have Duck Spirit in the evening. Yep... God´s rocking my world! - Alana
Dear Mom & Dad. I have learned so much but the one thing i have mastered is the art of the duck spirit! Please make sure there is triple ply TP at home. Love you! See you in a week! - Glenalyn
Learning more about God and myself almost by the minute! Can´t wait to see my Fiance (Danielle) when I get home! So many good stories to tell and growth to share! Thank you a TON for the videos! I watch the ones I have already seen over and over again... See you soon! - Rich
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Posted in Field Support by Robby Riggs on 7/12/2011
Well we are closing out our first week here in Nauta Peru. Our team
has done everything from teaching english to students who hope to some
day be translators, to spontaneous worship services in peoples homes.
They have increased their skills in Pato pato gonzo,or as we know it
the States, duck duck goose. They recently enjoyed a local culunary
delight of sweaty fish which they all actually really enjoyed! As a
leader it has been a blessing to watch them step up and step out of
their comfort zone. The other day we did door to door ministy. I had
the pleasure of going with Lauren, Kayt, and David. We sat in this
tiny room with children, chickens, and a pastor and his wife and were
able to worship with them and pray for them. David, Lauren, and Kayt,
despite the language barrier asked them questions about their families
and such and in doing so brought tears to the people´s eyes as they
encountered a new depth of our Father´s love through those three.
Brittany, Jamie, and Trey are usually found with kids surrounding
them. They love to play games and they know their names as if it were
their favorite song. Trey, Jamie, and Brittany are so good about
playing soccer even in the rain, letting the kids play with their hair
and simply just loving on them in a way these kids have not really
encountered before.
Dillion, Hattie, Emily, and Louisa have really stepped into worship
ministry well and have lead a lot of the spontaneous singing. They
also have really impacted the adults here with their genuine joy and
care of their teammates and in really everyone around them.
All of our students have really blown us away this week with how much
they are growing and really stepping into all that God has prepared
for them here in Peru.
Tomorrow we leave our "comfortable" living in Nauta and will spend six
days up river at two different villages doing life and ministry with
the small churches there. Everyone is really excited about taking a
boat, sleeping in hammocks, eating more local culunary delights, using
primitive bathrooms, and above all bringng more Kingdom together as a
unified body in Christ. Please pray for our health and our safety, and
a multitude of blessings over our contacts and translators who so
graciously bless us with all they have! We will do our absolute best
to post a blog upon returning from our adventures out on the river!
oh and to the parents of our amazon warriors,thanks for sharing them
with Glenalyn, Rich, and me. They are an immense blessing! so thank
you for giving up your time with them and sharing them with us!
desiring to live dangerously close to God,
-Alana
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Posted in News from Peru by Glenalyn Hunt on 7/9/2011
After a couple of long travel days, we arrived on Tuesday to Nauta. We are very close to one of the headwaters to the Amazon. It is so beautiful here. We have been blessed with amazing contacts who are taking good care of us. There are tons of little ninos who come over and play with your children every day. This is one of our ministry. We have also have taught English to local youth, taught our drama to the same group of youth as a ministry, and done door-to-door evangelism and kids programs. We have also been honing our musical talents to worship God and sing His praises.
I am blown away by the growth in your kids. They are rolling with whatever we give them, stepping up to serve, lead, challenge and change. They have such soft hearts and are so willing to share and care for each other. Honestly it is one of the greatest groups of youth I´ve ever been able to spend time with. As a leader I feel blessed to serve your children--your young men and women who are growing so much!
All your students are healthy, hydrated and happy. If you could be sending up a few extra `prayers on behalf of their leaders´health, that would be fabulous. (We are fine, just need a little extra TLC via prayer :) )
Please be praying for continued health and safe travels, a continuous attitude of service, an abundance of grace and love, and for God to keep showing up and keep moving, because God is moving and things are happening and it is awesome!!
Next week we will be visiting villages along the Amazon, doing Vacation Bible School outreach, door'to-door sharing and encouragement, and probably music ministry. Please be praying for open doors and open hearts. As leaders we are excited to see our team grow and be challenged in new situations. They all have amazing attitudes, so please be praying that continues.
Your students are learning gratitude, patience, flexibility, and so much about God and themselves. As leaders we are so proud of them and excited to see where they go and grow in the next 2 weeks or so.
Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement. We are so blessed!
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Posted in News from Peru by Glenalyn Hunt on 7/9/2011
Hello family and friends! Buenas dias from the jungle. Here are some updates from your students:
I am fine. And I see God moving in diferent ways. -David
>God has showed me twelve other people that love my heart to the fullest. He has showed me His power everywhere and has changed my heart. Our leaders are inspiring! I love you all. -Louisa
I love the people here and my team and leaders are amazing. God has blessed us with safety and closer friendships than any of us could have expècted. -Kayt
These children melt my heart. no words can describe the amount of blast I am having. Peru-incredible. the team-fabulous. the leaders-amazing. God´s work here-positively inconceivable. So many stories and pictures to share with you. -Brittany
Hello family! IOts okay, my group is weird like me. Im craving cheesecake factory. Dont worry about me, theres french fries here. i love you guys. see you soon. -Hattie
Hey fam! Just want to let you know Im not starving. slowly finding myself and God in this wonderful place. Dont worry im in great hands. i miss and love you all. be back sooner than you think.-Emily
Peru is so amazing. Eating well! I´ve seen God work in so many awesome ways. I love you all and can´t wait to tell you everything. -Lauren
Peru is amazing. God has moved in amazing ways and I can´t wait to share with people back home. please continue to pray for me! -Dillonç
There is Coke here. I am very very happy. Awesome kids, great food and cool living space. Oh and the best leaders ever. -Trey
I love and miss you so much. Peru is beautiful and a lot of fun. -Jamie-Ann
Hi family! I miss you and will talk to you soon. Can´t wait to share stories-Alana
Shout out to Danielle-I miss you and hope you are awesome. Love to you and the family. -Rich
Hey mom! I am awesome. I know i am in the center of God´s will at this moment in time. IT´s a good feeling. Love you and Dad-Glenalyn
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Posted in Field Support by Kayla Phillips on 7/5/2011
We just spoke with the team leaders and they've all arrived safely in Peru. They are in route to their ministry site and will be settling in these next few days and getting some orientation from their host. Expect to see some blogs rolling out in the next few days as they find internet. Thanks for all the prayers for this team!
Ambassador field support team
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Posted in General Posts by on 6/30/2011
It has been a busy day as 71 Ambassador participants arrived for training camp. The teams have been able to meet face to face and get to know each other, as well as their leaders. They have gotten settled in their cabins and have started their training.
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Posted in General Posts by Rich Brooks on 6/30/2011
Students arrive today, and so the aventure begins! Keep an eye on this blog for updates along the way!
Your Fearless Leaders!
Rich, Alana, & Glenalyn
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