Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

At the end of their mission trip, the team of youth and adults from Boise First United Methodist Church hiked to Machu Picchu on two different Inca Trails; most of them on the traditional 4 day Inca Trail, with Scott, Bev, Mary and Jacqueline on the Salkantay Trail. For those who have not hiked or seen the Salkantay, I wanted to blog a few photos. It was a totally different hike than what we had hiked on the traditional trail.....you are up among the peaks, then drop through more tropical terrain with orchids, wild begonias, fruits. Highly recommended.

The girls trying not to blow away on the top of a pass, 15,200 ft.

Salkantay Mountain as we began to drop down below it. There are thousands of Inca Trail that pass through Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, to Columbia. We did not know before that there are 8 different routes and trails that arrive at Machu Picchu. It is such an inspirational setting. A highlight for us at Machu Picchu was being able to climb Waynu Picchu. We got the last two tickets available for that day!

Boise Construction Team Camping in Calahuyo!

Our thanks to all youth and adults who joined us for 5 days in Calahuyo, a small rural community in the northern region of Lake Titicaca. What an outstanding group of tough volunteers who went with us to "Construction Camp" out in the campo. We did church construction and repairs. We also had one day of Vacation Bible School, an eye clinic, and many memorable rich experiences with the locals.
And......many evening card games!















The playground across the road became a hang out for exciting games of soccer, American football, hoola hoops and baseball.

Vacation Bible School theme of "Caring for God's Creation" meant learning about caring for ourselves and caring for the environment.

Here's the VBS showing off their new toothbrushes. Only one of the 20 kids in attendance had owned their own toothbrush.

Our local choir doing an outstanding job leading songs in both Spanish and English.

Then it was time to pick up community trash to care for the environment!

Before snacks we learned when, how, and why we wash our hands!

Learning to brush teeth was a new experience for both the adults and the kids. Our promotores will follow up with more instruction and toothbrushes in the schools.

There was plenty of work both inside and out...grounds, stucco, windows, ceiling, doors. Thanks to all who worked with the two maestros from the community, and we will be sending photos of the church when the few last touches are finished.

Preston coaching baseball...a totally new and exciting game for the locals. Fun to share! It was also fun to watch the kids communicate through sign language, Spanglish and laughter.

The locals were also eager to share their lives with us....

And some of us caught on!

They were very eager to learn English.....just as we were eager to learn Spanish.

Presentation of a banner from the children of Boise FUMC to the children of Calahuyo Iglesia Metodista and Pastor Narciso.

The work crew!

Note the beautiful tiles from the Kelly family which are being mounted on 3 churches in this region.

We were the first Gringo group to have come here and the team made a lasting impression and boost to this church and its community. Our thanks to each and every one of you!

Northeast Lake Titicaca....Tilali Eye Clinic

Our friends Teri and Monica Lee (nurse and nursing student) piled into our car for the 5 hour drive to Tilali. Tilali is up and around Lake Titicaca, nearly to the Bolivia border.

We worked with two of our promotores and the medical staff of the Puesto de Salud of Tilali.








Our accomodations.....
camping in Dr. Johnny's office, complete with cardboard under our sleeping pads for more warmth. Johnny and his staff took good care of us, providing us with a large, scrumptious "almuerzo" the next day.

Earplugs please!!!







We saw 70-80 patients, fitting many for glasses. They were thrilled!

We also screened for cataracts, to refer to a free cataract eye clinic coming to nearby Huancane.









Monica and clinic nurse checking vision at near. Thank you, Monica for your Spanish!













Job well done!
Left to right: Monica Lee, Yessica (Promotore de Buena Salud),
Venancio (Pastor and Promotore de Buena Salud), Johnny, Teri and Scott.