The How & Why

Ayaviri, Peru is a village at 13,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains.  It's the definition of a remote village, and they have very little access to medical assistance.  Dede & Ken Chism decided that wasn't good enough, and started a medical mission to go help the poor people that live there.  They convince doctors, nurses, techs, EMT's, and anyone else with a medical background to leave and treat people in Ayaviri.  And they convince non-Spanish speaking accountants and landscape architects, too.

This is year number 4, I think, of the mission.  Jared & I first toyed with the idea of going 2 years ago.  However that year, we had a great excuse.  I just quit my job to start my own business.  It was an uncertain time and we were using up savings to make ends meet.  Being very responsible, we didn't think it was a good idea to go.

Then, they asked us last year.  My business was growing very well; my partner & I were paying ourselves a decent salary.  However, Jared's business was struggling in the recession.  If you didn't get laid off, you got a big pay cut and Jared didn't get laid off.  So we said no, on the basis of a lack of certainty.

But God's funny, you know, because He just takes all your concerns and objections and turns them around.  When the subject came up again for us to go last Spring, we looked at our current situation.  The kids were both in elementary school and doing well. My business was kicking ass.  Jared's business (and salary) had recovered and he even made partner several months before.  And my best friend bought a house in our neighborhood, just down the street, and offered to watch the kids while we were gone.  How could we possibly say no?

And the funny thing is, we've raised all of the money we needed for the trip - and then some.  Our friends and family and church gave us $10 to $500 (and higher!) out of their tight budgets because they think this matters.  And it's crazy how much we're feeling the love.  The mission hasn't even begun and we're just wrapped in a blanket of love by our not-so-poor village.  

That's how people as ordinary as Jared & I ended up on a medical mission to Peru.  Because everywhere we turned, people said YES, GO.  Even if you never wanted to go in a mission to help the poor, I wish you could experience this - the outpouring of love and support.  It feels like sledding, or walking down the isle on my wedding day; somewhere in between those two.

2 Days & Counting,

Annie