Internship CDV - A Recap
FIve months in a place like Peru produces paradigm shifting experiences I’d never imagined. It would be an understatement to say my time spent was life-changing. Some of the marked moments include wheelchair distributions, impropmtu dancing at Conferencia Ellas, close community fellowship with amazing leadership, and living and working with five exceptional human beings.
A few weeks out of this internship, I was graced with the opportunity to help teams from the U.S. serve the people of Peru. A few of the groups came with a non-profit organization called Free Wheelchair Mission. This organization, :[…] give[s] wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities in less-resourced countries” (freewheelchairmission.org). Our oversized bus rattled through the dusty strips of gravel as we approached the nearly inaccessible natives. As we arrived, many people were lining up for their chance at a changed life. My role was to cater to Lisa - my ministry partner - and encourage the teams to constantly make a point of contact with the Peruvian recipients. As I watched, people were carried from motos - three-wheeled motor taxis - to an available seat to sign up for a new chair, and then finally receive their personalized wheelchair. The best part was when the U.S. team and CDV members joined together to pray for each family. I wrote in my journal that it was a reminder that despite the impending gravity of the excessive presence of need and desperation, one act of love can make a difference and change the course of someone’s life for the better.
Sweet anecdote: A gentleman had returned to get his wheelchair adjusted, and brought with him his daughter and granddaughter. Upon seeing the child, I immediately jumped into baby-talk. Before I could refuse, momma released the toddler to me and I was overtaken. The heaviness of the child, the warmth of her little body, and her tight grip on my arm all combined into a moment marked by love out of pure innocence. I go back to that moment frequently.
A large part of this experience has taught me to run freely in my creativity. One arena in which I went a little wild was at Conferencia Ellas. Each year, CDV makes a point to truly cherish and honor women not only from Peru, but all women from other nations are able to join in on the fun. In 2016, the theme had to do with dancing and Pastor Karyn Barriger, Holly Wagner, and Liz Turner were the keynote speakers. It was a two day conference put on twice - so 4 days total. We, as interns, were serving during both sets of this conference. During our downtime we got to know the people on our teams. It was a privilege to understand the hearts of those that live and breathe serving at CDV. No matter the task, when I’d look around and see people serving with such joy, it made me fall in love with serving - especially at CDV - all the more.
On the second day of the conference after the last speaker finished their spirit filled crescendo, the ladies inside were to exit the coliseum and onto the patio for an after party. Our position dictated that we were to go inside after the ladies cleared out, and clean up and reset everything. While I was waiting, the song Footloose by Kenny Loggins began to play - of all songs - and I froze. I grabbed my friend Kennedy’s arm and said, “Kennedy, I have to dance to this.” She protested but I insisted, so she stayed and danced with me. Before I knew it, I was on stage in full form dancing my heart out. I was in another world entirely and remember feeling like a flower in full bloom as I twirled around my fellow dance enthusiasts. I was asked to do the same thing for the second conference set and was nervous to recreate something so organically unplanned. I was waiting outside the coliseum like the time before, wondering what I was going to do, when my friend Jhony asked me to teach him the dance steps to that song. Other volunteers joined to learn, and because of them, the second after-party was 10X more electric than the first. The ladies of the conference were free to laugh and move as a thick air of joy filled the twinkling patio. I could not help but stare in awe at the love the Lord has for each person that surrounded me.
Despite language barriers, relationships were fashioned together through non-verbals, hand gestures, and lots of laughter at mispronunciation of English and Spanish alike - ask me the story about “escobando” uff, que palta. One instance that broke a lot of barriers to communication was our one-week mission trip to Piura, Peru - a short plane ride north of Lima. Us six interns along with our intern coordinator Danielle boarded a plane with CSV’d IDL students - CDV’s ministry school. During the week, whether it be through mandatory pairing or a bold move to speak to someone we didn’t know, our team bonded over shared experiences and pressure situations. These heart connections were clearly seen even if words were misunderstood at times. Bonds grew deeper as the internship progressed and I couldn’t be more thankful for their friendship even after I’ve moved state side.
The most impacting part out of everything that Peru had to offer was the quality people that I had the privilege of serving with. Each weekend I served in one of CDV’s five campuses in the nursery. No matter what obstacle, a change in venue or a screaming baby, the men and women alongside of me in San Miguel dodged every bullet and ran into every storm with a beaming grin and warm countenance.
I had the immense honor on some afternoons to tutor my silly friend Madeline. We read, counted whatever soles I had in my wallet, painted, ran around, and played uno - she’s a master and I seriously cannot figure out how she wins every time. If ever I was having trouble explaining something, she’d put her hand on my shoulder and say, “you know, you’re doing a great job. I’m glad you’re my teacher.” In other words, she melts my heart.
Most parts of my weeks included spending time with intern Katie, and the amazing Lisa Alfonsi. Lisa has been a force to be reckoned with when it comes to pioneering and paving the way for what God has called her to do. We joke about the drastic differences of our stature - I literally tower over her - but that shouldn’t fool you about the unbelievable endurance she possesses. Her story is a beautiful one of being faithful to her purpose even when it was extremely painful and utterly uncomfortable. Whether it be working on a future event, meeting with new contacts, or updating and perfecting existing processes, Lisa lead us with grace and patience all to further develop the Kids HD ministry. This ministry is one that facilitates learning and aid for children with special needs. Our role as interns was to pursue a status of excellence in operation of each part of this ministry. It was definitely a work in progress, but Katie and Lisa made it fun. I can’t brag enough about Lisa, she was the best sounding board and asked the best questions for us to come to conclusions about our frustrations and heart posture.
Those that I lived with - Maressa, Katie, McKayla, Josh, Kody, Danielle - quickly became family. Through highs and lows, each individual contributed to our little family unit to make joy in transition more attainable. We would pull on each other for encouragement, help on our Spanish homework, change for taxis, and enriched our time together by being vulnerable. Looking back, it was conversations at the kitchen table or in a taxi on the way home from a service that I am forever thankful for. As we ebbed and flowed, life abroad was more accessible as we grew together.
The person that prompted my initial thought that started allllll of this, the thought of maybe my people are in Peru, was pastor Daniel Gutierrez. Alongside his radiant bride, Danny and Stephanie followed head pastors Robert and Karyn Barriger in branding the modern mission experience as feasible, tough, and extremely fulfilling. We would have various meetings with probing questions to get us to think differently, and to accurately express the beautiful and messy process that is missions. They encouraged us to define what modern missions looks like. Modern missions is not the same as what you’d see 25 years ago. More and more, cities are being urbanized and are thoroughly connected through social media. Sometimes missions requires coffee meetings and huge youth events to get the good news into every ear. The way the Gutierres live embodies strength, humility, grace, and transparency like I haven’t seen. Their investment into our time as interns charted our course for success and growth.
As a final thought, I’d like to say a huge thank youuuuu to anyone and everyone that supported me during the internship - and who have continued to support me to this day!! Without you, I would not have been able to broaden my perspective and see God’s heart in new ways and new people. I want to thank Pastors Robert and Karyn Barriger for the opportunity to serve in their ministry at CDV. Their live and work is littered with a love for people and for God that inspires all that come in contact with them. Anyone that helped me in the whole process of moving down there from car repairs, a rented room, coffee convos, or trips to the grocery store, all were huge blessings and I am so grateful.
To learn more about this internship or Camino De Vida, click the links!!
