Wingspan takes flight to Peru

After stressful midterms, late nights, and long papers, college students all over the country researched travel, booked flights, and packed bags for Spring Break.  While the preparation for Spring Break may have looked similar,  Collin Harris and Abbi Barnette, students at UNC Wilmington were setting off on a very different experience.

The preparation for this trip started in August of 2023 while sitting in my home, we recognized this pivotal moment of the brand new ministry, WingspanILM. While looking at several options, the choice was made to head to the rural mountains of Huanico, Peru rather than the bustling tourist cities of Lima and Cusco. Partnering with Peace and Hope International, we were tasked with the mission of working with women and girls who have experienced sexual violence.

With months of fundraising, paperwork, practicing Spanish, and gathering supplies, we were ready to head out. Upon landing, we were taken to “the farm”. The farm serves as a retreat center for groups while also providing a green space for families nearby to enjoy.

The next couple days had all the tellings of any summer camp experience you’ve ever seen. Laughter, songs, friendship bracelets, hikes, and activities. For Abbi and Collin, both previous camp counselors, they felt right at home. The girls, ages 8-17, were fascinated by Abbi’s hair and Collin’s height. Being overwhelmed with the giggles, joy, and love, it was easy to forget why they were at the farm’s camp. They are survivors of sexual violence. Peace and Hope has created an environment of support and faith development through providing weekly therapy for the girls. Part of their participation also provides access to the retreats at the farm. Through the generous donations of supplies from Wilmington churches, Wingspan led a scrapbooking activity for the participants. We talked about image and beauty. We discussed what beauty means to us and how our idea of beauty can be infiltrated by what the media says is beautiful. But what does God’s beauty look like? What do we find beautiful about ourselves? Is it our strength? Our resilience? How can we honor that and move to a place of gratitude? After prompting with those questions, we sent the girls around the farm to take pictures of beauty.  They found beauty in trash, animals, people, and architecture.

Throughout our time in Peru, we were reminded of the words Jesus told Jairus’ daughter in the Gospel of Mark.  “Talita Koum” meaning “Little girl, get up.”These women and girls, and their families, had already risen above so many hardships. More than many of us can comprehend.How do we answer when Jesus tells us “Talita Koum”?

On our return trip, we had a 12 hour layover in Lima. In true Seahawk fashion, Collin and Abbi found a place to rent a surf board. While surfing, the students were able to connect with a familiar sport in a new place that was far from recognition. From the Pacific beaches of Peru, we met other college students on Spring Break.

They told us about their week, where to find the best food, clubs, and surf spots. In turn, Wingspan students shared with them the names of girls and women that had changed their life, with courage and beauty they’d never known before. Indeed, Jesus told us, “Little child, get up” so we went and our lives were changed so that we may come back and serve this community better.