Heading
After a restless night in Sahuay village, we woke to the competing sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking at 5:30 a.m. As tiring as it was, it gave us the chance to step outside and take in a beautiful sunrise under clear skies.
By early morning, people from surrounding communities were already arriving in the village center for a leadership program beginning at 6:00 a.m. at Iglesia Evangélica Maranatha Sahuay. We later learned that some had walked over two hours just to attend. They greeted us warmly—with big smiles, handshakes, small hugs, and cheerful “buenos días.”
Next to the room where we slept was a small pharmacy serving the local community. It opened at 7:00 a.m., and a line quickly formed with people of all ages. Basic checkups were provided—height, weight, and simple assessments—along with any available medication.
After a hearty breakfast of bacon and scrambled eggs, we sat in on a leadership session focused on practical, biblical teaching that men and women could take back to their communities. Following that, we helped distribute food hampers to every family in the village.
At 11:00 a.m., we left the high elevation of 10,000 feet and traveled down to our next stop: Jesús María, a village of about 85 people. Upon arrival, Pastor Victor invited us into a Sunday school class already in session. The children were singing joyfully and performed a reenactment of Matthew 18:18–25. This parable, spoken by Jesus to Peter, emphasizes the necessity of unlimited forgiveness. It highlights the contrast between divine compassion and human selfishness, reminding us that holding onto unforgiveness can hinder our relationship with God. It was a powerful lesson for both young and old.
After the class, the women distributed school supplies to each child, along with a Polaroid photo to take home—a simple but meaningful gift. As we stepped outside, we noticed the church sanctuary was empty. So many people had come that the service had moved outdoors. We joined the gathering and listened to a short sermon from Pastor Victor based on Isaiah 49.
Following the service, we once again handed out food hampers. The men in our group helped elderly villagers carry their supplies home—a challenging task given the steep terrain and high altitude. It was a workout for all of us, leaving us catching our breath more than once.
After a quick group photo, we departed around 11:30 a.m. toward Cusco. The journey back quickly turned into an adventure. With steep drop-offs of nearly 3,000 feet and only inches to spare on the narrow roads, tensions were high. At one point, we had to get out of the van and walk while some of the men used pickaxes and shovels to stabilize a section of road damaged by rain. The goal was to reduce the slope and prevent the top-heavy van from tipping.
Once that excitement passed, lunch didn’t seem as urgent, but we eventually stopped near some ancient Inca ruins. Our lunch spot turned out to be an 800-year-old archaeological site, once used as a resting place for travelers. It featured two ancient structures and a remarkable wooden bridge suspended 200 feet above a roaring river below—an incredible photo opportunity.
ATEK provided a warm meal of fried chicken, avocado, and rice. As always, there was more than enough food, and any leftovers were quickly shared with passersby—families and young men traveling by motorcycle—who gratefully received it.
The drive continued to impress, with towering mountains and small homes perched thousands of feet above the canyon. Any patch of land less steep than a 45-degree slope was carefully tilled by hand to grow food for families.
The seven-and-a-half-hour journey back to ATEK headquarters was eventful, pushing many of us to confront our fear of heights. By the time we arrived, we were exhausted. We ordered pizza, gathered for a time of devotion, and reflected on the past two days.
It had been a powerful experience. For those of us from the Chilliwack business group, it confirmed that HFL has found a strong and meaningful partnership with ATEK. Jason shared how much the churches had grown since his last visit to Peru, which was encouraging to hear.
Before ending the night, Jason asked each of us to describe the day in one word. Responses included: grace, emotional, humbling, encouraging, eye-opening, and no regrets. As we shared the reasons behind our choices, we gained a deeper understanding of one another.
By 10:00 p.m., we were more than ready for bed—knowing a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call awaited us for another day on the road.
