Friday March 4, 2011: Let the Adventure Begin...Peru 2011

Growing up, Christmas was always one of my favorite times of the year. Christmas has always been special because of the laughter, family and fellowship but let's be honest, the gifts get you excited. My mother and father used to always make me and my siblings go to bed early so Santa would be able to come. Every year I would go to bed and lay there for the longest time, not able to sleep because of how excited I was. Tonight as I get ready for our trip I get that same type of feeling, EXCITEMENT! I know I should be asleep but I just can't because Saturday I get the privilege of going to Peru with 10 fantastic college aged teens and 2 Amazing Y-Staff. We will have a lot of laughter and fellowship and this group will become like family to each other over the next week.

I guess I should start by telling you who I am...I am the luckiest man in the world. My name is Yo Sobha and I am the trip leader for the 2011 trip to Peru. I have worked for the YMCA of the Triangle for the past 23 years and in my current position I get to create opportunities for teens to get involved, give back and grow. Yes, this is my job and yes, they pay me to do this. I sometimes watch those travel shows and think to myself that those guys have an awesome job but truthfully mine is better. They travel alone and I get to travel with some amazing people!

Next, let me introduce you to Tim Townsend from the Finley YMCA. He is one of the other Y-Staff going on this trip. We might start calling him "Doc" for this trip. We love to give out nicknames at the Y and no one has more nicknames than Tim. So I figured we would try and make another one stick. He, like all of the leaders are trained in First Aid and CPRO but he is taking on the main role of doctor on the trip. That really means he gets to hold and keep up with the big first aid kit. He is so excited about that part of the trip. We are sure he will not have to use it but it is always good to have. Hence the nickname "Doc".

Our last Y-Staff that is going on the trip is Angie Field from the Cary YMCA. Angie started her Y career around the same time that I did but she left to work with youth in a church setting. During that time she had the opportunity to take many groups on Mission trips and is our most experienced traveler. She is the Volunteer Coordinator at the Cary Y. A true "people person". She is the mother of two and takes on the mother role for our group. Angie is also the practical joker and instigator of the group. She has already tried to get the other members of the group to bring rubber bugs to scare me on the trip. I may have to strike first to have a chance.

Angie, Tim and I feel blessed to be able to lead this group of teens to Peru from Saturday, March 5th-Sunday, March 13th. We are extremely excited to show God's love by serving others but we are well aware that God will probably show us His love through the people we serve.

Here are some prayers for our group...


1.) Safe Travels to Peru, through different areas of Peru and for our safe return.

2.)Our group will be open to hear God's whispers and have the strength to follow them.

3.)The people of Peru so they will be open and welcoming to us and their lives will be changed and impacted.

4.)Energy and Good Health- that we will be able to work enthusiastically and energetically for God.

5.)Adventurous - allow us to be adventurous for God and reach beyond ourselves giving to others.

6.)For or families back in the states, that they will be protected and safe while we are gone.

Schedule...

Here is our tentative schedule for the week:

Saturday, March 5th-arrive in Peru

Sunday, March 6th-visit to orphanage

Monday, March 7th-historical tour of Lima

Tuesday, March 8th-service project, building a community kitchen in a low-income village area

Wednesday, March 9th-service project, building a community kitchen in a low-income village area

Thursday, March 10th-ecotourism! (desert trip, dune buggy rides, sand boarding, camp out)

Friday, March 11th-ecotoursim! (Ballestas Island tour, wildlife reserve, beach)

Saturday March 12th-ecotourim! (aqua trekking, fun at Y Camp)

Sunday March 13th-return home leave at 12:25am and arrive back at 12:30pm

God Bless and Good Night!