10 IMPACT MAGAZINE • MARCH 2015 Service Learning Destination: Peru In October of 2006, I was blessed to be part of a group of students and adults who traveled to Rome for the canonization of St. Theodore Guerin. It was an amazing experience. On that trip I discovered many things about myself: it sealed the deal for my love of Mother Guerin; it allowed me to add meat to the skeleton that is my understanding of our faith; and I realized I am addicted to watching students be changed by what they encounter when immersed in a new culture! Since that time, I have taken students outside of the country five other times. This past summer, I took a group of nine students to Peru for 11 days. One of the most unusual things about this trip was outside of two sets of siblings, none of the others were friends before we left. While we were there we experienced so many wonderful things. Sophomore Tillie Murphy said, “As I flew over those mountains, I realized for the first time how big and different our world is.” We landed in Lima, to get adjusted to the altitude. In Lima, one of the most moving sites was the catacomb in the Basilica of St. Francis. We spent the Feast of Corpus Christi in Cuzco where there was a procession with beautiful floats of Mary. Later we took a train up into the mountains and climbed to Machu Picchu. The view was breathtaking. A few days after that, we participated in a service project where we worked on a structure that will be used by local women for weaving. We also went to visit Peruvian artist Pablo Seminario. He spoke with us about his vision of art and showed us around his studio where he employs locals. However, all these wonderful experiences were overshadowed by the magic that happens by just spending time together and having great conversations about our experiences. As I reflect on these experiences I realize although we did “service” we saw so many examples of others serving with love. Senior Kip Curtis described his indifference toward the trip, one his mother encouraged him to go on. “I didn’t want to go to Peru or get a job to help pay for it, but I did. I didn’t want to meet these other people, but I did.” Despite his hesitations, Kip reflected on what was a life-changing experience. “It taught me there are times you just have to go for it, and it can change your entire life.” Traveling is hard – new food, different times zones (although not in Peru), different languages, and being away from the comforts of home. Everything is different! All these differences wear you down, and as a result, travelers become more vulnerable. This is when it’s time for the Holy Spirit to come and do His work. This is when people change: they climb a height they never thought was possible; they try something they were fearful of; and they learn to love people in a way they never did before. It is so amazing to have the opportunity to witness the impact travel has on people. While I have loved every place I have traveled to, I’ve come to love the people I have traveled with more. These experiences, even when things go wrong, have brought me pure joy. Over the last seven years I have traveled with Guerin Catholic students to 10 different countries. I thought traveling was just about seeing the world, but I have come to realize it means so much more. Mostly it’s an opportunity to grow in understanding about yourself. Sometimes it even gives you the chance to serve with love. If you are interested in travel for you or your student, please contact me. We’re going to Portugal and Spain in the summer of 2015 and a World War II trip (England, France Belgium and Germany) in the summer of 2016. Come and be changed! By Marcia Murphy Media Specialist
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