Today marks three years of living and working in Peru.

36 months of doing life in Spanish.

1095 days of being a part of the Girasoles abandoned boys ministry.

José and Abdias – Kusi

Today, I’m at our Girasoles home in the city of Ica and I can’t think of a better place to be on this third anniversary. The Ica home has been a part of my Peru story since one of the first trips that First Presbyterian made in 2002. Long before there was a home on the property, I came to this location to dig foundations, lay cement, build walls that someday would become a home to boys that didn’t have one – like Noé.

Noé – Ica

Today as we share meals with the 36 boys at the home, I think about those trips when this was just a dream. And I reminisce about the stories, laughter and hugs that have been shared in my many visits here during the past three years.

I’ve traveled 50,998 miles (that’s 716 hours or 29.83 days of travel) over these past three years to work at Scripture Union’s six homes for abandoned boys. I have met many people from around Peru and all over the United States that come as short-term volunteers.

Antony – Kimo

I can’t count how many times I’ve lost my voice translating for games. Or how many fútbol games I have watched on dusty soccer fields under the setting sun. Or how many times I’ve eaten the classic pollo a la brasa/lomo saltado/ají de gallina/etc. Or how many fields and dusty paths I have walked in the same pair of trusty Chacos. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have laughed or smiled with the Girasoles boys and staff.

I can’t wait to see what the next few years bring to this ministry. The best is yet to come.

– Kate

Dony Angel – Ica