So after flying 4 different legs and over 24 hours from Pemba to Johannesburg to Paris to Amsterdam, we finally arrived in Lima extremely exhausted, with the absence of my checked-in luggage but sooo ready for bed. We were just grateful to be able to rest for a night before flying on to Iquitos the next day. Yes it was an epic journey of flights with one missed connection but that did not hinder our journey at all.
Our half day in the capital , while short, was filled with local and international missionary connections. God is so amazing with His divine appointments.
Breakfast with our newfound friends and family
Still slightly bleary-eyed but eager to get closer to the jungle, our team of four bid farewell to our new friends and happily greeted three other amazing ladies from HS18 that were joining us for part of the outreach – Grace, Megan and Kirsten. Now we were a team of 7 ready to meet up with our leader Bridget, whom we had heard so many great things about, especially her laugh 😀
View of river while descending to Iquitos
The newly formed Iris team at one of our favourite hangouts in Iquitos – Dawn on The Amazon
We spent a week in Iquitos, a bustling city near the jungle, staying 2 nights at a hotel and then the mission base of Vida Abundante (Abundant life) church. Time was spent building relationships, serving and ministering with some longterm missionaries, saved ex-drug addicted men from the established ‘Safehouse’ and the on-site family of 9 (one adopted) and one on the way. We love these people dearly and they hold a special place in our hearts. We are especially touched by the passion and love that exude from the Safehouse men and see such hope and promise for the others that are still on the streets. God is so merciful and faithful and their lives are a great testimony to His love! We will expand on highlights in later posts.
Slightly manic Iquitos traffic
Safe and sound in the Peruvian Amazon, with an amazing international and Peruvian family, we are enjoying love and peace in the Lord and endearing locals. We are excited and our hearts are open to all that God has for us in this nation.
Oh and my bag did arrive a day after we did in Iquitos – thank God!
~D