I experienced deep laughter from the children twirling around my ankles.

I smelled the dust from mototaxis swerving and weaving along the hard, bumpy streets.

I felt included in new community as we walked and offered greeting to women fanning themselves in the shade.

I saw American women my age serving and loving in a community apart from my own.

In December 2015, I bought a plane ticket and flew to Peru. Solo. My entire pre-planning lasted about as long as that first sentence took to type.

Why Peru? Because, why not Peru? I had a deep desire in my heart to serve in another country. I was on a path of learning and struggling through what it really looked like to serve others. I constantly asked myself, what does living apart look like? What does serving really mean? If I serve regularly now where I live, does it look different in another country?

If I model serving in my current, comfortable city – do the same principles I’m learning translate to somewhere where I cannot communicate and where I don’t know anyone?

Throughout my trip, I was very solidly affirmed YES. Serving is loving. Serving is giving time. Serving is showing compassion. Serving is encouraging.

No matter who you are or where you are, we are all meant to step alongside another. To adventure with others. To bless others. To step in and pour ourselves out.

In Ferreñafe, Peru, I met Laura Messerly who currently teaches English at MorningStar Christian School. Laura models service in Peru, writes, and loves people with her entire heart. Check out her blog and read her words below. She calls me to think deeper and to revisit my memories of how my heart has changed in my pursuit of Jesus.

Peru was a stepping stone along my journey, and I’ll write more about it as I am inspired to remember.

He just found out his cousin was brutally murdered.
What a swirling mess of emotions.
He went away to be by himself.
But people followed him.
People with their problems.
An endless barrage of questions, favors, petitions.
“I need this now.”
“Do that for me.”
“Can you fix this?”

I would’ve bolted.
I would’ve said No.
I can’t deal with you right now.
Go away.
I’m need to take care of myself first.

He didn’t.
He saw hurting, desperate people.
He put their well-being above his own.
He had compassion on them and attended to every problem until the day wore out.

Then was his chance. His chance to be alone. His disciples urged him to send away the people to go find food.
Finally, finally he could rest from the incessant demands of people.

But Jesus said, “they need not go away.”

They need not go away.

He wasn’t finished yet. There was more glory to be shown; there were more needs to be met.

Help me Lord to see
people instead of problems,
and
opportunities instead of duties,
and always let me say
“They need not go away.”

How often I desire to push people away instead of bringing people in. Thank you Laura for the reminder.