Bi-annually, we send a group of grade 11 and 12 high-school students to Peru to experience a short-term mission trip. The opportunity for these students to be able to be serve, learn and experience a new culture is priceless. 

Over the years, as students return from this trip, there has been a lot of buzz. There have been students who, after returning from Peru, feel God has impressed on them the desire and need to serve as a missionary in some context; and others who have been transformed from being a lukewarm Christian, to full surrender to Christ.   

There is always an excitement around the return of the students. What did God teach them this year? How will what they learned impact the culture of the church as a whole? 

This year, as the team of 24 was commissioned to go, no-one could have ever imagined that they wouldn't be returning on their scheduled return date (Friday, March 20). 

Many WLAers have gathered on Facebook to watch as the boys performed a cleaning song, or as Jon Magwood gave us a tour around the compound and when Dave De Smit has gone on Facebook live with videos of the youth singing praise to the Lord! We are all watching in anticipation. What will happen next? How will they safely return home? 

With Graham Buchanan here in London spearheading the campaign to get them home and news sources such as CTV and the London Free Press running stories on them, they are getting the attention of the government. 

In the meantime, we need to pray for this team. 

• Pray for each student and leader;
• Pray for their safety;
• Pray for their speedy return home;
• And pray that during this time each of the youth and leaders would continue to grow in their relationship with God.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Dave sang his accolades of the staff and volunteer leaders who he is in Peru with:

"Times of uncertainty call for leaders to rise up, display godly courage, and selflessly care for those around them. I am grateful and proud to serve with these friends (feeling more like family nowadays?) and am grateful to the Lord for their friendship and their stepping up to the challenge during this unique experience! Thank you Jon, Amy, Peter, Mikyla, Alexandra, and Jose! This team is very well cared for." 

We join with Dave in thanking all of these leaders. We also thank Dave for his leadership for the entire team.