Door Creek Church - Day 9

***Special guest blogger Ella and photographer Kristin Karls from the Door Creek Church Service Team***

The last and final day of our trip began with an early wake up call for breakfast at 7 AM. We had an 8:00 tour of the Islas Ballestas where we saw dolphins, humboldt penguins, and many different kinds of birds. Our tour guide Luis also showed us the mysterious Candelabra (a gigantic impressed image of a candelabra on a sand-dune) which was found in the late 1800s. It's uncertain how or who made it; when we asked why it didn't wash out of the sand we learned that it's because of the lack of wind and it only rains 22 millimeters there a year. We were also told that Guano (bird poop) is collected there for fertilizer. Overall, it was a breath-taking experience. After the tour we walked around the Paracas markets and then went to the Reserva Nacional de Paracas and saw some amazing sights and views. Shout out to Leo for the awesome driving, big appetite, and excellent sense of humor. We had an interesting lunch experience where a bunch of waiters and waitresses ran up to our van trying to get us to go to their restaurant. After lunch we headed back to Lima and had a delicious pizza dinner at the Fieje's home and sadly said our goodbyes.

This experience was life-changing and humbling for all of us and we are so thankful for all of your prayers and support.