I was blessed by going on my fifth mission trip in early August, with my church from Hollywood, FL, The Cross.  It was my fourth mission trip to Peru, the first north of Lima.

The country and its people are so welcoming, their openness to the Gospel attracts many missions and missionaries.

Our team was privileged to serve in Cajabamba, at its Calvary Chapel (pastored by Juan Alegre) and the nearby Refuge of Hope, a groundbreaking orphanage (and refuge for abused women) pioneered by Pastor Juan, his wife Sandra, and their daughter Aileen.

Due to a lack of functioning orphanages in Peru, Aileen told us, over half of Peru’s prison cells are occupied by orphans. Needless to say, conditions at both prisons and state orphanages are poor. Hence, the new model being developed at Refuge of Hope, where live-in young couples adopt orphans. Construction on the first several buildings has been completed (with as many as a dozen planned), with the first couple and three orphans in residence.

Our Hollywood team spent a full day at the Refuge of Hope, some painting, others assembling new office furniture, others at some good hard labor.

Many thanks to Pastor Greg Howard, to his wife Gabi, and the Alegres for making this opportunity to serve possible. [kindly hover over images for captions]