Why Do We Go?

What is the point of a short-term mission trip? Do work projects radically transform people’s lives? How can 17 people help to alleviate poverty in a country suffering from a corrupt government and multi-generational poverty? The simple answer: We don’t. So why do we go? Wouldn’t simply sending these people $45,000 do more to change their lives?
 
On July 15th, Summit Ridge Church sent 17 people to Peru to serve alongside our mission partner, Not Forgotten. This organization serves to house 46 orphans in the poverty-stricken city of Iquitos. We asked each participant on the trip to answer questions regarding their experience, what they learned and how it will affect their lives moving forward. Below are the collective reflections of those who went, revealing the work of the Lord during their time in Peru. 
 

 The time we spent with the children of Not Forgotten was simply unforgettable. The 46 boys we encountered, ages 2 to 17 possess profound stories of God’s redemptive work in the lives of his children. These kids were adopted by Not Forgotten as orphans, many of their parent’s having died or simply abandoned them. Some were homeless, often without food or other basic life necessities. Several of them were victims of the sex trade and even a few of them arrived at Not Forgotten without knowing their own name.
 
In a dark world that easily relegates them to faceless statistics or even a problem best ignored, a bright light is shining in the hearts and lives of the boys of Not Forgotten. These boys radiated abundant joy to those around them, taking their own brokenness and turning it around to love others. They undoubtedly ministered more to us. They showed us in their joy their own love for God, reflecting the heart of Christ in their behavior and attitude.

We came to realize we had more in common with them than we would have originally thought – experiences of abandonment, abuse, trauma, and neglect. Yet, being with them was like being with Jesus, able to experience our own healing through their stories. The gospel was everywhere during the week – not just in the declaration of our Risen Lord – but that his kingdom has arrived and with it, the reconciliation of all things, even our brokenness, to Himself.
 
We considered if bringing them to America would offer them something better that they do not possess today. Collectively, our answer to this was a resounding no. Each and every one of these kids has been given parents and a family that anyone would be blessed to have. They are sheltered, fed, and loved in ways that puts our Americanized childcare system to shame. In fact, it would likely be a disservice to them if they were taken to America.
 
 In meeting the house parents, we saw the hands and feet of Jesus, loving children with everything they had to give. When it comes to leading and supporting their families, they do it all with far more grace, patience, love, prayer, and purpose than we typically do. Not Forgotten is unique in that it serves fewer children more fully, rather than more children with simple basics. These kids are cared for completely. Summit Ridge should rest assured, our investment in prayer and finances is yielding exponential returns.
 
We were also forced to take stock of our own poverty – relationally, spiritually, and emotionally. Being confronted with the joy of these boys amid their monetary lack was a humbling and deeply convicting experience. We learned again that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. The boys, the parents and all of us were able to experience together the real life working out of our salvation during our time in Peru.
 
God is saving us… and it’s not in a general, blanketed way. He saves specifically, precisely, and intentionally. He is writing a story. It is true in Peru... and it is true in Las Vegas. This trip was a beautiful reminder that God is at work, making Himself shine in our midst. It is a helpful reminder that He takes the broken and hurting, and binds their wounds and heals the souls. We saw it in Iquitos, and we see it in Vegas. This reminds us to keep looking (and praying) for our precious folks here. He is rewriting our stories through the accomplished work of Jesus Christ.
 
Our salvation didn’t begin on a cross and end at an empty tomb, but rather it continues to manifest itself in the particularities of our lives. We see it revealed not only in our future hope of glory with Him, but today – right now. In the case of the Not Forgotten boys, the gospel of our Risen Lord comes with abundant blessing. The homeless are housed. The hungry are fed. The orphaned are given parents. The lonely are comforted. The exploited are loved.  
 
Do you see what He is doing in your life?
 
70 individual stories of salvation were interweaved in God’s ultimate narrative of redemption. That’s what happened in Peru.
 
Thank you, Summit Ridge for sending us. We hope to bless you with these learned lessons for years to come.
 
With Love,
 

John Caprine, John Schlothauer, Efrain Castillo, Cristina Castillo, Joel Brizzee, Tricia Coblentz, Julie Coblentz, Brady Coblentz, Todd Jacobs, Ricky Njemanze, Chip Seigal, Maida Seigal, Charlie Woods, Gabbi Woods, Julie Varden, Susan Muehleisen, Larry Hasenstab