“Thanks to everyone so much for making this trip possible. It truly was a life-alteing experience and I feel so fortunate that I was able to participate. After attending nine years of an extremely strict Catholic school and then switching to public high school , I was ready to disregard my faith. This trip, however, provided me with a refreshed understanding of what it means to be a Catholic. The Peruvians we met in Trujilo and Mache welcomes us in such a hospitable way that I have never experienced in America. Although most of them didn’t speak ten words of English, and ur Spanish was mediocre at best, we were able to communicate, dance, and have an overall fantastic time. It was just so uplifting and inspiring. Two of their houses could fit in my bedroom alone yet they were still so grateful for what they had. I was struck by how impoverished and dangerous Alto Trujillo was and yet they were able to create such a sense of community because of their attitudes towards life and each other. As an american, I was expecting to not be liked that much, but they were all so incredibly thrilled to see a group of young Americans visiting their country. They have inspired me to have a completely different outlook on life. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and if I could, I would go back every summer, someday maybe to stay.”