Lima, Peru (Apr 2025) - Service Trip Recap
Dates: April 26 - May 4, 2025
Location: Lima, Peru
Our team set out to serve our partners Kids Alive Peru in a city called Pachacamac, close to Lima! As we reflect on an incredible week of service in Peru, we’re filled with gratitude for the team’s dedication and the meaningful connections made along the way. Below is a recap highlighting some of the impactful moments and experiences from this unforgettable journey.
Read more about the daily happenings below! ⬇️
Day 1
The day started early for the team as they began the travel day in San Francisco and stopped in Houston to connect with the rest of the team! ✈️
They were welcomed in Peru with open arms and snacks by our partners at Kids Alive Peru. 🇵🇪🤍
We were grateful to have the whole team together and they were ready to attend church early the next morning!🙏
Day 2
The team arrived to Peru safely, full of energy and loaded with donations for Kids Alive Peru. A powerful moment unfolded when a team member that had been gathering donations for years recognized a previous donation. A beautiful reminder that no act of giving goes unnoticed. 🧳✨
The team attended church with the children from the safe haven, where several of the kids were baptized - dedicating their lives to Christ! 🙏
The afternoon was filled with laughter during introductions, name games, and bonding activities, including sports and even some country line dancing! 🕺🏻🙌
To wrap up the day, everyone enjoyed a special pizza dinner outing. Many of the kids came dressed in their Sunday best. The day was filled with connection, fun, and love! 🍕🫶
Day 3
The day started at the Care Center, where the team met the dedicated staff advocating for families in need. They learned how the center’s work is crucial in supporting the mothers and children, offering the representation they otherwise wouldn’t have. 🙏🤍
Next, the team visited the "Empowering Mothers" program, where women are taught sewing and other skills to help generate income for their families. After some restorative painting, they returned to teach English and Bible classes. The kids were full of energy and excitement, making the experience even more rewarding! 🎨📖
The day wrapped up with a stunning sunset and a joyful dinner with the children from one of the houses. The group shared many laughs over games like multilingual charades. 💙✨
Day 4
A day filled with joy, connection, and meaningful moments for the team and Kids Alive Peru. 🫶🇵🇪
Mothers at the Care Center took part in a special activity day, choosing between sewing, baking, and micro-business workshops. The highlight was a lively volleyball tournament. Everyone played so well and they were full of energy. It was a much-needed break and a chance to simply enjoy each other’s company. The day also included uplifting messages and some more country line dancing. 🪡🍰🏐
Over lunch, the staff shared stories about how they met their spouses, creating plenty of laughter and connection. It was a great time for everyone to get to know one another on a more personal level. 🙌
In the afternoon, there were games and prizes with the kids that they were very excited about. That evening, the team joined a different house from the safe haven for dinner. This was followed by deep conversations and a hilarious round of multilingual charades. 🏅🩵
Day 5
The team had the honor of being the first ever to serve at a school of 400+ students, from 3rd grade to high school. They were welcomed with an incredible talent show — including music, speeches, and even a Rubik’s cube contest! 🎶🏫
They played soccer and volleyball with the younger students, while the high schoolers wowed everyone with their English skills! ⚽️🏐📚
Dinner with the boys at a new house turned into powerful talks about dreams and faith — followed by nonstop laughs during a competitive game of charades. 🙌💙
The night ended with a bonfire, marshmallows, music, and dancing — wrapped up in prayer and a deep sense of joy and connection. 🙏
Day 6
With the children off for a local holiday, the team and house parents loaded up a big bus - over 40 people - and headed to the beach for a day of fun, laughter, and connection! 🌞🏝️
The kids played soccer and volleyball in the sand, splashed in the waves, and soaked up every moment of being together. The team joined right in, building bonds that went far beyond the activities. ⚽️🏐🌊
As the day came to a close, everyone gathered to pray - thanking God for the memories made and the relationships that had grown stronger throughout the week. Emotions were high, and it was clear how deeply everyone had been impacted. 🙏
It was more than just a beach day - it was a reminder of the power of shared experiences and the hope that this isn’t the end, but just the beginning of lasting connections. 🫶💙
Day 7
The day began with a heartfelt farewell from the wonderful hosts at the safe haven. Spirits were high as the group packed up and made their way to the airport, taking in a few final moments in the beautiful surroundings. Before parting ways, they stopped to drop off their team captains, who are staying behind a bit longer to spend time with family in Peru. ✈️🇵🇪
A portion of the group boarded flights back to the United States, wrapping up an unforgettable experience filled with service, connection, and growth. Meanwhile, the rest continued on to the next adventure — visiting the beautiful Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World! 🗺️
Peru’s incredible topography continues to leave a lasting impression. It was a blessing for the team to witness such diverse beauty and to experience so many facets of God’s magnificent creation along the way. 🙌💙
Day 8
The group spent the day exploring the charming town of Aguas Calientes, soaking in its vibrant culture and enjoying a delicious traditional Peruvian meal. Located in the mountains, this spot served as the perfect gateway to one of the Seven Wonders of the World — Machu Picchu. ⛰️✨
Fun fact: Aguas Calientes gets it’s name from the natural hot springs found in the area, a unique feature that adds to its local charm and appeal. 🙌
With memories made and hearts full, the group began their journey back to Cusco for one final day in Peru — grateful for every moment in this breathtaking country. 🚌🤍
We’re incredibly thankful for this dedicated team and the compassion they showed while serving in Peru. Throughout the week, they used their individual skills to build meaningful connections with students and make a lasting impact. We hope the daily recaps offered a meaningful glimpse into the experiences and impact of this unforgettable week of service.
