Family is all hoodied up and ready to begin Inca Link's Amazing Race 2011! The race started in Ecuador and finished in Peru. Inca Link has 15 interns who will be serving this summer in Peru and Ecuador. The race is designed to orient the interns with every ministry site in both countries and end with 3 days of training to help lead short term mission trips.
What an incredible group of interns!! There were 13 short term mission trip groups in Ecuador and 12 in Peru so these interns were definitely busy this summer. Back to the Amazing Race...the interns were divided up into different teams each day and had various tasks to complete at each site before they could get their next clue. There were 11 modes of transportation from foot to mototaxis to buses to boats. And challenges from making their own taffy and selling it on a bus, eating worms, jumping off a bridge, guiding guinea pigs, surfing, carrying water to homes that do not have fresh water, and many more.
Here is Bri making taffy. They had to package it and then sell it on the bus they took to their next destination.
A few of the different modes of transportation
Some of the judges taking a break for a quick lunch on top of the car
Luke learning to use a machete. On this challenge, each group had a plot of land they had to clear. They had 3 tools: machete, shovel and wheelbarrow. The exciting part of this challenge is knowing you are a part of building a church in El Carmen, Ecuador.
Ben worked so hard and had the blisters to prove it.
This was definitely unfortunate for Robin's team. A broken shovel is hard to use!
Another challenge: properly boxing up plantains to be exported to New York.
Here is Aaron, an Inca Link missionary from Peru servng in Ecuador and one of the judges of the Amazing Race. The interns were always looking for the big bright Inca Link umbrellas to get their next clue.
Reading the clue for the next challenge
When we got to to the city dump in Portoviejo, the race seemed to have stopped. I am so thankful for our interns who did not rush through their day here but took time to talk with the people, share their testimonies, and play with the kids. These families live at the dump and do not have running water in their homes. The interns filled up these containers and carried the clean water to their homes.
Molly, the keeper of the clues for the next challenge
Molly loves animals. It did not surprise me that she found a new buddy at the dump. Molly's favorite challenge for the interns was the guinea pig maze.
Mandi and Annie making bricks in Peru
Matt pouring out the final 4 of the 20 bricks each group had to make.
Jessica sharing a little Inca Link Peru cheer at a red light
Finish Line on the last day of Inca Link's Amazing Race
Luke and Jordan's favorite challenge, surfing in Peru.
Jordan ready to catch a wave
Surfers Luke and Luke
This lady started talking to Jordan at the beach and they had a nice conversation in Spanish for almost 30 minutes. I am so proud of the progress Jordan has made on his Spanish. When we first moved to Ecuador, he did not have the desire to learn Spanish and over his time living here he has learned so much and is not intimidated to use his Spanish now.
What an incredible experience to be a part of Inca Link's Amazing Race! The top 3 individuals with the fastest time over the 10 days won one hundred dollars each. This race is definitely designed for college students and not a family of 5. Luke, Jordan and Molly loved being a part of this experience but we kept a fast and furious pace and travelled almost 2,500 miles by car and bus. For me, it was great to get to know the interns and to meet all of our ministry partners and fellow Inca Link missionaries throughout Ecuador and Peru. Casey has had the opportunity to visit all of these ministry sites and wonderful people before the Amazing Race. I had only seen pictures or heard about what all God is doing, and through this trip I got to experience it and see it first hand. We are so thankful to be a part of Inca Link!
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