What do you get when you dump eight
young strangers in a hotel for three days of meetings? Better yet, what do you
get when you dump eight young strangers in Lima, Peru for eleven months of
ministry? I honestly don’t know the answer to either of those questions: the
latter because we haven’t yet been dumped into Peru and the former because
everything is happening so fast. I feel like it was yesterday that I was
packing up my dorm room to road trip across the country with one of my best
friends. Minutes ago I was packing my bags again to come to Cleveland. Now I’m
packed yet again for the flight to Peru. I feel like I’ve known these people
for years. But then I close my eyes and I’m at the airport looking for an “Alyssa.”
I blink and my mind flashes to the first time I met Kyle, JR and Lydia and the
BMM home office. We stand awkwardly in the lobby waiting for Chris, Daniel, and
Dani to finally make an appearance. My team: Alyssa, Kyle, JR, Lydia, Chris,
Daniel, Dani, and me.
Alyssa- I see her as the group mom.
Although only a year older than the rest of us, she’s already graduated from
FBBC with her El Ed degree. She’s not the quietest of the bunch, but is
definitely on the more soft-spoken side.
I’ve been rooming with her for the past two days in Cleveland. Her sweet
spirit and likeable attitude make it hard to find anything wrong with her.
Kyle- They tease him about being
homeschooled although he went to a public school his entire life. They tease
him about being an only child although he has a younger sister. They tease him
about a lot, but it’s rarely true. He doesn’t seem to mind being teased and he
never retaliates…except to Dani. He’s probably the quietest guy on the team.
Maybe that will change as we spend more time with each other and become more
comfortable in our new lives.
JR- He reminds me of my friend
Stephen from highschool. From his posture, to the way he talks to the way he
walks. It screams “steagle” at me. Haven’t gotten to know him all that well,
but from what I gather, he his little brother and photography. I made the mistake
of telling him, “Oh, I like photography too!” He started talking cameras and
resolution with me. I didn’t know anything he was talking about. I pretend to
like photography. I just like the simple point and click version. Maybe he can
teach me a few things over the next eleven months. Maybe he’ll let me use his
camera!
Lydia- Possibly the smartest person
on the trip. She is the cousin of my kindergarten best friend. Must run in the
family…I can definitely feel a good friendship blooming! She probably has the most sensitive heart I’ve
ever met. Won’t even walk outside the crosswalk lines because it’s against the
rules. I’ve never yet been to Peru. However, I think I’m gunna have to teach
her how to cross the street there. But I’m sure she’ll be teaching me a whole
lot more than that!
Chris- He laughs more than any
other person I know. His laugh is so contagious! I hear it and I can’t help but
join in. Although he hasn’t taken any lessons, he is a guitarist at heart. If
his heart were big enough, he’d be a
pianist too. Quirky would probably be the best way to describe him. He is so
entertaining, but he’s not the type that tries to be the center of attention.
Daniel- He’s probably the one who’d
take the greatest plunge and experience the most adventure. His no fear
attitude would help him conquer anything. He seems to think everything is
awesome: even when we talk about malaria and getting sick from food. We've
already decided that we're gunna drink water straight from the Amazon and even
maybe try to swim across it. He speaks his mind and isn't afraid to share his
feelings.
Dani- She’ll be my roommate for the
next eleven months. We both like to prank. We both like adventure. We both like
music. I’m probably a little quieter than her. She’s a little more outgoing
than I am. But that’s probably good. We’ll balance each other out and hopefully
keep each other on task.
 |
| Back LtR: Dani, Lydia, me, Alyssa, JR Front LtR: Kyle, Chris, Daniel |
Alyssa, Kyle, JR, Lydia, Chris,
Daniel, Dani, and me. Eight college students who seem to get along without a
hitch! At this point we can’t imagine not getting along! There’s only one
problem…after 3 days, fish smell. The honeymoon ends. But we’ll get through it
and become the best of friends.
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