Lamay, Peru

We arrive in Cusco, historic capital of the Inca Empire. We acclimate to its high altitude for a couple days before traveling on to Lamay, the Sacred Valley where we will help build a greenhouse.

Our first day in Lamay, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Urubamba River, Quechua for "sacred river," snakes through the valley. Quechua is still widely spoken by the local people.

The field where we plan to build the greenhouse that will become a source of revenue and fresh produce.

Lynda Muenzer, the mother of team member, Mandy Muenzer, says she joined the service trip, because: "The purpose of life—is a life of purpose."

A Peruvian game of Whac-a-Mole? No. It's the result of a full day's labor, digging 18 3-feet deep holes to hold the greenhouse's support beams.

The local team chopped down trees and hewed them into beams for the greenhouse!

Raymondo, a beloved local shaman (healer/medicine man) performs a ritual blessing for our work in the Sacred Valley. He asks each of us to set our intentions, meditate and offer our prayers.

Raymondo, local shaman, (far left) leads the team on a hike up the Andes. From left: Mandy Muenzer, Lynda Muenzer, Cindy Cardon, Madeline Cardon, Charlie Cardon, Fandra Chang.

Quinoa, grown throughout the Sacred Valley, is one of the most important superfood known to have been domesticated by the Andean people since 3,000-4,000 years ago.

The shape of the greenhouse is visible.

The greenhouse is completed! It will soon be home to a rich harvest of tomatoes and cucumbers that can be canned, jarred or sold to restaurants in the city.

With great enthusiasm children in this remote Andean village receive our gift of school supplies and toys.

"Adios, Raymondo! See you next time!" says IMEF CEO Linda Slade.

Awestruck, we behold Machu Picchu, "Lost City of the Incas," and one of the world's most important archaeological sites. Our visit here is the capstone of what for many of us has been a life-changing journey. "Were we really only away for two weeks?"