The players that went on the Peru trip were interviewed recently by KMBC Channel 9 and Fox 4 news. It was great to see the local media supporting our trip!

To View the Channel 9 news segment on the Peru trip, click here.

To View the Channel 4 news segment on the Peru trip, click here.

June 25th, 11:30pm

As I look back on this trip, I can’t believe it has gone so well.  We’ve done so much in such a short time.  I know our guys were hard workers before the trip, but didn’t expect to see them outwork my expectations.  We spent 5 straight days on concrete work and the guys stepped up every single day.  We laid the floor for 7 rooms this week and a sidewalk on the second floor.  The architect made a comment to me tonight saying, “Your guys gave us such a boost this summer with how much work they got done.  It really was impressive.”  The orphanage is schedule to be complete this fall.  Soon, there will be little orphans running around and playing on the work that we completed this week.  That is an awesome thing to think about.

Besides just the construction work, I saw the guys bring smiles to little kids faces everywhere they went.  There was no hesitation from them in jumping right in.  In each community we visited, they became the highlight.  We played games with kids, taught them a little about American football and were simply available to hold them if they needed it.  For big, tough football players, they really do have warm hearts.

One of the most impactful things we did this entire trip happened this afternoon.  Us playing the police department in Chilca was a huge deal to Childreach.  I tried to explain it to the boys how big of a deal it was, but I’m not sure they understood.  Playing a competition against the law enforcement of an area where “foreigners” are trying to get charity work going is something special.  Our guys competed well, showed the utmost class and respect and were truly ambassadors for Childreach, our school and in a way, the United States.  We joked around with them, brought smiles to their faces, picked each other up when we both hit the turf, it was just an amazing experience.  Afterward we hugged each other and even a few of us exchanged jerseys with them, a true sign of respect.  The leaders of Childreach told me that what we did today with the police on that soccer field will impact their work here for a long time.  I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of these guys.  Everyone reading this blog who knows them should feel a sense of pride, because they represented you well.

As we head home tomorrow, the guys are sad to leave, but also excited to return home to share the stories of what we did here this week.  Thank you to everyone who has supported this trip though donations, time, thoughts, encouraging words, prayer, everything.  What you invested in this trip was well worth it.  We are coming home from doing great things here, but are also coming home different men.  Be sure to ask a lot of questions of us when we get home.  There are many stories to be shared.

Thank you again for sharing in our journey here in Peru. 

Coach Marble

Started the day off with another good ole peanut butter and jelly with cereal. Then a final day of construction (lifting buckets of concrete mix and burning all the scrapes of trash and extra that wasn’t needed).  We had ham and cheese, tuna fish, and peanut butter and jelly for lunch. Worked some more on the construction site. Then we took a little break to prepare for our soccer game against the police in the town we’re staying at. We played at this huge stadium with a turf field. But the best part was our competition.  Not lying, they were a bit out of shape but their skill level and how they handled the ball was pretty impressive. They mainly had one big ball handler and he knew how to spread the ball and how to make our players look stupid. We ended up losing 3 to 1 so it was pretty good competition. After the game, Coach Marble and Jordan Nubine traded shirts with some of the officers, so they got to go back to Hannah’s Home with sweat from another man on their backs! Now I’m preparing for dinner and cant wait for the rest of the day.

Jayce Thomas

Today we got into some concrete and this is not your ordinary concrete…we are lifting 60-70 pound buckets of it over our heads to put up on a walk way for the orphanage.  This was a great opportunity for these boys as well as for me; just helping someone else makes you feel like you’re doing something special.  After we finished up some concrete and preparing for the next group that comes in we ate lunch and tried to get our minds and bodies ready to play the Chilca Police in a futbol match.  After climbing a mountain yesterday I was a little less than excited to begin playing a sport that I’ve never played before.  But as it got going my view started to change and I know I had a great time.  Today was a great final full day of being here in Peru because it showed how much fun we had all week.  Just seeing all the little boys’ faces today showed me how much just playing a game means to them.  This was a huge opportunity for ChildReach—playing the police made a great bridge for them in the community and it’s awesome to know that we were a part of that.  It was very awesome watching many of these boys change as the week went on.  From Josh Novak being a servant all week to Aaron Peola and Mike McHenry showing their leadership skills, these boys are changed men for the rest of their lives and I’m proud to say that I’ve been a part of this experience.  Glori A Dios!

Danny Malone

This week we traveled to a different country and met new people.  We played soccer with high schoolers and lost.  We got to go to the mall in Lima.  The mall was like a mall in the U.S.  I bought a shirt from one of the many soccer stores.  We also got to climb a mountain.  We all made it to the top and it was awesome taking pictures at the top.  We also got to go to the ocean and put our feet in the water.  We also got to go to a college soccer stadium and play against the Chilca police. 

This trip was a life changing experience for me.  I grew closer to my teammates and got to see how people in a different country live.  It opened my eyes to how bad some people have it.  And even though they didn’t have much, they seemed to be really happy.  I’m so glad I went on this trip and I had a blast.

Jake Remboldt

June 24th, 11:00pm

Today was one of the most interesting days of the week. We worked like usual in the morning, doing two more rooms of cement. After that we climbed a mountain that was over 3000 feet! It was definitely a workout for all of our legs, and it was also something I’ve never done before.  At the top we could see the whole city, and there was a whole bunch of cacti up at the top. One thing that I’ve learned from being here in Peru is the people live so poor and they’re still so content.  On the other hand, we live spoiled and we usually complain if we don’t get something we want. When we first got here in Peru on our bus ride to our rooms, it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. How it is so different than in the USA. The houses and people are so different. This is once in a lifetime experience.

Blake Webb

Today was by far the greatest day of the trip, I woke up a little late but to the funniest story ever, Josh Novak had a nightmare the night before and woke up screaming “help help” and everyone was trying to help him, but then he realized it was just a dream!  We went to breakfast and then got after it on that cement. We finished two rooms today, hand mixing the cement  was tough but definitely worth it.  I thought I would be missing out on a workout over here but all this working makes up for it!

After work we had lunch and thought we would be doing some more work but instead we went and climbed a 3000 thousand foot mountain. Although it was hard it was by far one of by greatest accomplishments.  It took about an hour and a half but once I got to the top with my boys I felt like I was on top of the world seeing all of Chilca from up there.  I found a cactus and made a spear out of the top of one and got into a “battle” with Coach Marble…and won!  We got back just in time for dinner.  We ate on the beach and it was the first time I had ever seen the ocean!  I can say I had the time of my life, being out there with my boys. Then I went inside and had a traditional meal, chicken and rice…but then tried some guinea pig!  I even ate the brain! We came back to the orphanage to have a bonfire and sang the whole way home, which was pretty funny.

When we got there we sat by the fire and as a team shared how one another influences each other. I can say that this trip has created a bond between us the will stay with us for a very long time and hopefully through a very successful football season. Each person in this group here is becoming a great leader of our football team, and will lead us to a successful senior year!

Aaron Peola

Words cannot describe how awesome this trip has been. The parents of these boys should be extremely proud, each one of these young men is truly a great individual. I have two young boys of my own and I hope they handle themselves at 17 like these guys have. I also hope my boys have a coach/teacher that pours his heart into my sons as much as Coach Marble does for these players. These players are beyond fortunate to be able to experience this trip and it is all because Coach Marble is devoted to their growth as men.

Rusty Meyer

June 23rd, 11:30pm

Another great day and we accomplished a lot!  Other days we had one pile of concrete to mix, but today the whole team came together and did 2 piles, finishing 2 more floors of the orphanage rooms.  After a good amount of relaxation we headed out to play soccer against a local high school team.  Being that we are a football team and all they play is soccer, let’s just say we tried our best!

After an amazing meal of chicken and French fries we got to go to the mall for an hour, which was nice.  On the bus ride home everyone slept, resting for another day of work and another day closer to the orphanage being ready to help kids!

Jon Trocosso

Just getting over the midweek hump today and it still seems we have barely been here.  The day started great with us working on two piles of concrete.  I was shoveling really fast today because we wanted to make sure we didn’t have a letdown today.  After a lunch of peanut butter and fluff sandwiches,  Jordan Nubine, Jake Remboldt and I had to cut some rebar.  We then played soccer and got beat by the local high school team, but felt better after a great chicken dinner.  It was a great day and I’m looking forward to making the most of my next few days here!

Josh Novak

Greetings from paradise!  So far our trip has been absolutely life changing.  Today was no exception.  We started the day by working on double the concrete due to our level of expertise!  Pretty soon they will be calling us maestros (well, maybe not, but we are getting pretty good at it).

After an adventure with the concrete, we went to a local soccer stadium to play a high school team in a game of 6 on 6.  Although they won 5-2, we had the time of our lives playing with these teens.  After getting our butts kicked, we cleaned up in preparation four our delicious dinner. 

This trip has not only affected the way I think, but also the way I see my priorities.  These people have next to nothing, but they are content and in general happy with life.  I need to be more like these children and appreciate the little things in life instead of stressing over spilled milk.  The quote that sums up this trip for me is, “feed a man a fish and he can eat for a day.  Teach a man to fish and he can eat for the rest of his life.”  That is what we’re doing down here in Peru.  The orphanage we are building will provide the tools necessary for children to live successful lives and to keep them off the streets.  I love you mom and dad for supporting me with this trip and would like to thank everyone who sponsored me.

Brandon Kiley

June 22nd, 10:00pm

So far I’ve had a good time building a relationship with the team.  We’ve been working well together with the orphanage, and also becoming leaders.  Anytime the other groups need help, our guys are the first to step up and knock out the tasks. I feel that I’ve began to open up to the people around me, especially the Peruvian kids and teenagers. I was nervous about how nice they would be and those sorts of things, but I learned that in all honesty they’re just like me and that if I just came to them as my true self everything else just falls into play.

Russell Bronston

I was a team leader today and our objective was to deframe a roof so they could go back up and do a more reliable structure. Although this task wasn’t easy my team and I pulled together and knocked the job out.
Something great about the team was that when something was asked of someone, there was no excuses, everyone stepped up an took on any task thrown there way.

As the days go by it becomes less of a challenge and more of an adventure.

Learning from the kids, and playing with them, has made a great impact on my life. It makes me realize how fortunate I am, to have what I have, and do what I do on a daily basis.

This whole trip has shown my teammates and I a new side to life.  Before I came down here, I was all about my best interests, now I’m putting myself last.

Some days I’m down here, make me mad because I interact with the children and the way they live and realize just how greedy we all are back home.  But by the end of the day it just gives me more energy for the next day to make a bigger and better difference in their lives.

This trip is building a bond of brothers that will last forever, and I can honestly say this trip has impacted everyone down here.

Mike McHenry

Every day I am down here I am blown away with our guys. They are such hard workers and are becoming great leaders. We are down here at the same time as another group from Virginia and they are constantly commenting on how great of guys we have down here. I don't know how many times I've heard, "Man you have some great kids on your team." That is awesome for a coach to hear.

Each night we have a reflection time to talk about our day and every time I'm amazed at what they are noticing around them. Their maturity and the depth of their observations have taught me a lot about underestimating high school students as a coach and teacher.

To sum it up as we come up on the midway point of our trip, all parents, coaches, teachers, friends and family who read this should be very, very proud of our boys. They are representing BSHS, the football program, our community and their families with class and are making such a positive impact here in Peru.

Coach Marble

June 21st, 9:30pm

Today, me, Mike Brandon, Aaron, Lewis, Jordan and Rusty worked cement.  There aren’t any cement mixers so we had to do it by hand.  After we got it mixed we needed to bring the cement up to the second floor.  Mike, Brandon, Lewis, and Jordan put it in buckets and brought it to me on the scaffolding and I handed the buckets to Aaron and Rusty and they gave it to the Maestros (Peruvian Master workers!) and they spread it out.  That took us about 40 minutes.  We got it done faster than they expected!

Later we went to the park and we played soccer with the kids.  I played catch with one of the footballs we brought down and taught 4 kids how to throw.  Then we played ultimate football with them.  We then sang and danced with the church group down here and the kids.  After we got back we went to the orphanage across the street from our work site and played duck, duck, goose with them. 

I also feel like we’re bonding as a group of senior leaders and I’m having a great time!!

Jake Remboldt

Today was great! I learned how to mix concrete the Peruvian way which required a lot of physical labor unfortunately, but hey, I knew that before I came down here I guess. After all the work had been done we went to a local village and gathered around kids to play with. This was, so far, the best experience that I’ve had down here. To see the kids faces light up as soon as we walked up was one thing but to have one run up to you and rap themselves around your neck just makes you never want to let go. I’m finding myself anticipating the next day every time I go to sleep. This is an experience of a life time!

                        Lewis Foutz

June 20th, 5:00pm

The first day of Peru was great!!!! We are all having a great time and we all have nothing but smiles, but its just getting started. Today we started off by going to a great church, and we all had a good time. All of us stood up in front of the church and said some words. Then we got the opportunity to eat at a great place off the ocean. We walked up a mountain right next to our restaurant and had a great view of the Pacific ocean. It was great. Tomorrow is when the hard work starts!!!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY to Coach Marble and Rusty!!

Jordan Nubine

Today was a day to get our bearings and see a little of the area. Tomorrow we start in on the construction and community work!

Pictures from our first day

June 20th, 2:30am

We've finally made it to the orphanage safe and sound. We had no problems with flights, immigration and customs were a breeze for us and we lost NO baggage! It was a long day, but overall the travel down was easy. Now we're going to be to catch a few hours sleep before we start our activities tomorrow. The players are pretty exhausted but also excited to be here. Thanks for all your thoughts throughout the day as we traveled for over 20 hours!!

Coach Marble

June 19th, 9:20am

In Kansas City we thought our plane was boarding, so all the players went up to board, but it was the wrong flight. Our flight didn't board at that gate for another half hour. When the first person scanned their ticket the person said, "Um, this plane is going to Dallas, you're going to Chicago." Coach Marble and the other leaders were laughing at us when we came back to our seats! But the flight to Chicago wasn't bad. The plane was pretty small, but we made it fine. We should be boarding for the next leg of the flight soon.

Jayce Thomas

June 19th, 5:45am

We're at the Kansas City Airport right now about to board our first flight! There is a lot of energy with the group even though we had to be at the airport at 4:30am! I can't wait to get down there. I'm excited to get there with the team to help the children of Peru.

Aaron Peola

Players on the trip

Jordan Nubine, Mike McHenry, Jon Trocosso, Josh Novak, Jayce Thomas, Jake Remboldt, Brandon Kiley, Russell Bronston, Blake Webb, Louis Foutz, Aaron Peola, Danny Malone (former Wildcat football player '04), Rusty Meyer (former Wildcat baseball player '99), Coach Matt Marble

Well wishes to those going on the trip!

This Saturday, June 19th, the Wildcat Peru team will be leaving for their trip. All the players going on the trip are excited the time is finally here. While in Peru the players will be blogging about their experiences on this website. Tell family and friends to check it out!! Hopefully they can give their first update Sunday night!!

We wish them luck on their journey!

The Wildcat Football Peru Team had a Polynesian Luau to help raise money for our orphanage building Peru trip.

It was an amazing time of culture, dancing and fellowship. The band Kona Winds performed throughout the evening and were outstanding. The players going on the trip even performed a traditional warrior's dance!

The menu included a 200 lb roasted pig, a traditional banana dish, chicken and rice and a crowd favorite, chop suey! We were even able to help feed 5 struggling families in the area for a week with the leftovers!! All because of how hard our volunteers worked preparing the food!

A special thank you goes out to the Peola family for their Luau idea and all the hard work they did preparing for the event. And a huge thank you to all the parents, Polynesian leaders and volunteers who helped make the event one to remember.

We would also like to thank the following local companies for supporting the Luau and helping make it a success! Please let them know your thanks the next time you visit their business!