Mission in

Peru

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Peru

Officially the Republic of Peru (Spanish: República del Perú, is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Peruvian territory was home to the Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the world, and to the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty, which included most of its South American colonies. After achieving independence in 1821, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic upswing.

CBC member Clare Jackson works with Latin Link, an international community with a calling to love and serve God and our neighbour. Most members of Latin Link work in Latin American countries; some work with Latin Americans in other parts of the world. Others go from Latin America to work in Europe and elsewhere. This is our ‘Latin’ link.

About Clare

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Click here to visit Clare's blog

Click here for more information about Latin Link.

My name is Clare, and I am 25 (though am trying desperately not to act my age!). I have spent most of my life in Essex, though have also had the pleasure of living in Wolverhampton and Welwyn Garden City, and the last five years have been very happily spent in Canterbury. And there I would have happily have stayed, but it seems it couldn’t be so…

Since the age of 16 I have felt that God wanted me to serve Him abroad working with children. Every step since then has been teaching me more about Him and preparing me for doing so. I went to north-east Brazil for 6 months, followed by a History degree, CU prayer coordinator, two short trips to different places in Brazil, unemployment, Canterbury HOPE 08 prayer coordinator, working as an assistant manager in Crabtree and Evelyn. All seemingly rather unconnected and not perhaps the logical steps to doing what God wants me to do. But in each one God led the way, and taught me so much.

Now is the start of something new once more! In January 2010 I headed to Peru to work with Latin Link. The first 4 months were spent in Arequipa learning the language, then in May I moved to Cuzco to work there until February 2011, and then onto Huaraz from Feb to June. And after that back to the UK I guess!

I go feeling very inadequate- wondering what I can possibly do to help when I don’t know the language or culture, and am bound to make a lot of mistakes! I’m also very excited- having been stuck in the UK for so long when I’ve long since wanted to go abroad, to finally be told by God that it is time puts a big smile upon my face. It will be tough, yet as I step out I know I do not go alone, and is the start of yet another adventure…

Web Master, 31/01/2011