Surprises

There have been a few of those this week. Here's a recap.

Monday: After a long, kind of rough day, I was slightly grumpy and my dear friends were kind enough to be patient through this spell. Probably it helped that they knew they were giving me a surprise birthday party that night. A bunch of people came to the office after SALI and surprised me with bocaditos, singing Feliz Cumpleaños, and a delicious chocolate-cherry cake (including the Peruvian tradition of pushing it in your face as you lean down to take the celebratory first bite). It helps when your suprise birthday party is more than a week in advance of your actual birthday. But I wasn't going to be in Trujillo for my birthday, so they wanted to recognize it. I have some great friends.

Tuesday: We had an Amigo Secreto (Secret Santa) party among the staff at the clinic. It was a lot of fun - everyone standing up and giving clues/saying nice things about their secret friend before giving them their gift. It was Daniel's despedida, too, since he's not coming back after Christmas (per continuing dental school), so people said nice things about him too. Then I got a sweet card and a T-shirt from everyone for my birthday, which was a sweet surprise. Plus, Delvith, the lady who sells papas rellenas and tamales outside the clinic everyday, had made me a purse! Very sweet. It's red, which is fun, and quite appropriate for the season.

Wednesday: Instead of having class, I met my basic English class to go eat since it was the last day. Before heading out, I asked Flor exactly the time of my flight from Trujillo to Lima the next day. I thought it was around 10 pm. Turns out it was at 6:25. Good thing I asked.

Thursday: I went with don Jose, one of the clinic's patients, to the hospital to get the pathology results from a biopsy they took Monday at the Ear/Nose/Throat consultorio at the hospital. He'd had a pretty nasty tumor grow in his nose within the past couple of months. Found out today it is NOT cancerous. Hooray! Thank the Lord. Then I got back in time for the chocolatada at the clinic for the patients. Lots of kids enjoying hot chocolate and paneton, the Peruvian Christmas bread. Good times.

Now I'm in the Lima airport. Long night, but it's going ok so far. I took a nap, which was helpful. I'm hoping for some sleep on the plane. It's a little strange... I'm really looking forward to spending Christmas with my family in Tupelo, but I don't want to leave Trujillo. I guess that's a good thing, huh? It'll be a great couple of weeks. There's a lot that doesn't feel like Christmas when it's not cold, no fires, no Christmas tree (although it makes me happy when I see them). I'm looking forward to Christmas music, lights, family, friends, warm clothes, and good food. And heading back to Trujillo in 2 weeks.

Much to be Thankful for

... not one of which, for you guys anyway, is my failure to post recently. But it's been a great - if busy - few weeks. Let me tell you why.

First, I'm in Peru. But you already knew that. Second, Thanksgiving happened. Which you probably already knew, too. But it's a little different (and kind of comes unexpectedly) when there aren't the cues of crisp, fall air, crunchy leaves, pumpkins in the stores, or any general talk of the holiday to clue you in on its impending arrival. Nevertheless, although without the normal atmosphere or pomp and circumstance, we still had a nice day. The gringo missionary families and a few friends celebrated together and, don't worry, stepped up to the difficult task of still eating as much as possible. And it was good. Including my first-ever nibble of fried turkey. Did you know some people fried turkeys?

The other really exciting thing was the beginning of Thanksgiving week. My two dear friends Haley Mills and Katelyn Hancock, who put up with living with me for 3 years of college, came to Peru. We missed the lovely Kristing Hendricks, the other 1/4 that completes our Sweet Suite, but it was wonderful getting to see such good friends and experience some (more) great memories together. They didn't make it to Trujillo, but I met them in Lima about midnight Saturday, and thus began our 4 full days of awesome-ness and very little sleep. This included catching up and falling asleep in the airport, arriving in Cusco early Sunday morning, taking combis and micros through the Sacred Valley (stopping at the really cool market in Chinchero, seeing the salt wells in Urubamba, and taking the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. This was all on Sunday. :)

So, as Aguas Calientes is the tourist trap where everyone going to Machu Picchu has to stay, Monday started REALLY early (don't ask) with the hike up to Machu Picchu. We got there in time for the park to open, at which point it started raining. Undeterred, we entered anyway, waited in a little hut, huddled over our guidebook learning about MP until the rain and clouds lifted enough for us to actually see and enjoy it. This, however, did not happen, so we gave positive attitudes a valient effort, got cold and wet, and then decided to try and wait it out some more. I'll spare you the details, but it's a good story and we met some cool people, and eventually the sun did come out to give us a gorgeous day - quite a blessing. Although, in hindsight (especially after knowing the part about the sun coming out later), it was pretty cool to see this ancient, mystic place shrouded in clouds and mist. And we climbed Huana Picchu, the mountain behind the ruins, and kind of felt on top of the world.

So that was an exhausting but awesome day. And the next morning was really early (again) to head take the train back to Ollantaytambo from Aguas Calientes. But it was worth every hour of sleep lost to see the sun rise over the mountains on that train ride. Rivaled Machu Picchu itself, believe it or not. Absolutely gorgeous.

So, we took advantage of the rest of the day together, enjoying a cool cafe and some more ruins in O-town, then some choclo con queso and a couple of hours exploring the city when we arrived back in Cusco. And Katelyn and Haley tried cuy (guinea pig, for those who might not know) that night for our declared Thanksgiving dinner. His name was Pepe, in case you're interested.

Oh yes... I am blessed beyond belief.

Lost in Translation

Last week was an interesting week - a little different than the normal schedule, and even when I was in the clinic, it was a madhouse with a lot of people around so it definitely kept us all busy. But it's good that way...I mean, not good that people are sick, but good that if they are, they come to us.

So, one reason things were so crazy around the clinic is because there was a short-term team from the Chicago area in town doing construction work in Wichanzao. They took over the top floor of the clinic, leaving us with less space for all the patients while they were there, but also leaving us with a beautiful new tiled floor on the 2nd floor and some improvements to a few things that we had been needing for awhile (e.g. a water heater in the shower - don Jose will be so happy when we bathe him next and don't have to do it in the bathroom!). Part of the group also worked all week on the manse for Pastor Juan (the preacher at the Wichanzao church) and his family. They've been living in the Sunday school rooms at the church, so it will be nice for them to actually get to move into a house soon. Lenin, the mission architect, and his Peruvian crew are working their magic and will hopefully have it ready for them to move in within a couple of weeks.

My schedule was a little off as well because Monday and Wednesday I helped all day at a wheelchair campaign at a church downtown. An organization called Wheelchairs for the World, who distributes chairs all over the world, brought a team down and, with the work of physical therapists and wheelchair mechanics, matched patients to wheelchairs and made sure the chairs were comfortable and appropriate to meet the person's needs. Some were simple and only needed a chair to get around outside or go long distances; other people had been confined to bed, unable to move on their own, and now their families can wheel them around and give them more mobility. It was really interesting to meet and talk with so many people - immobility, like health in general I suppose, does not discrimminate. There was a paralyzed man from a mountain town whose brother brought him; a young man with cerebral palsy whose next-door neighbor and best friend (he's like my brother) accompanied him on the 6-hour drive from the mountains to get his chair; an elderly lady from Trujillo who couldn't get out of the house and can now maneuver her chair by herself; a 5-year-old girl with cerebral palsy; a middle-aged woman who had polio as a child, but now owns her own little shop and gets around on her wheelchair (including in and out of taxis on a home-made slideboard) just fine; and an industrial engineer who had had a stroke a year and a half ago and now can't move on his own at all. This last one really struck me because his brother brought him, and later his wife came after picking up their kids from school. Both of them were very sweet and supportive of him. He and his wife Ana have four kids and, although this has some trouble speaking now, he's still obviously very intelligent, and even spoke some English he remembered to the physical therapist.

I was translating for this campaign two days and one day in the clinic for a doctor who came with the Chicago group. I decided I like translating. It was pretty exhausting, and I definitely made mistakes and needed help sometimes, but it was need to get to see these different patients, be a part of helping them get what they needed, and, especially in the case of the wheelchair campaign, just being able to talk with and get to know some of these people. Hopefully I'll get a chance to do some more of that soon. Although I don't think I have to worry about that. :)

The other thing last week made me think of was the concept of short-term mission teams. We read a book with the intern group a couple of months ago called When Helping Hurts. It's a very interesting book, and it brought up some potential criticisms for short-term groups that come in, "dump" their help (whether it be money, resources, or a service), and then leave. I'd thought about that before, and I agree there is the risk that short-term teams can take away from the responsibility, initiative, and dignity of a community if they offer what appears to be helpful but in reality is not meeting the underlying needs. Plus there's the issue of commitment and relationship that is often absent if the only contact is built around a single one- or two-week trip. However, I think both of these groups - the team from Chicago and Wheels for the World - demonstrated the right way to do it. They've both been coming continuously, for several years to the same place, and they have established a relationship with the people here. Also, they both worked really hard - definitely had fun, but took their work seriously and effectively accomplished a lot to meet actual needs people had. And finally - one of, I think, the most effective ways to have an impact as a short-term team - they both came down through organizations that are established in Trujillo, that are staffed by locals who know the culture, the situation, and the needs of their community. Instead of working for the people, the groups work with them, resulting in a mutual exchange of blessings, appreciation for one another, and meeting of needs. I think that's the great thing about how God works when we're available for him to use us. Somehow, we all get blessed.

Painting Faces

So, I think I may have mentioned this family with 8 kids who lives near the church and has come into the clinic a couple of times. For some reason this family tugs at my heart. They certainly aren’t well off materially; most of the kids – even 11-year-old Tatiana and sometimes 7-year-old Susana – work selling candy in downtown Trujillo to contribute to the family’s income. But, even though I still don’t know them well, they seem very close, and it’s amazing to watch the kids all pitch in and take care of one other. Part of me wants to do something, to help, but I think for now one of the biggest things I can do is just be there and hopefully get to know them a little more.

And the last few weeks, Tatiana and Susana have shown up during the Sunday school hour with 3-year-old twins Nelson and Janila and baby Kiara in tow. Yesterday, 12-year-old David came as well. They all look just alike – they can’t deny being siblings – and I’ve just been thankful to have the chance to spend some more time with them. They are really respectful and well-behaved, and I’m glad they can come to the church for a time to draw, play, and just be kids. I’ve gotten a chance to just hang out and color with them a couple of times, and actually do a “lesson” (of sorts) with them and the other kids a couple of times. I don’t know what the future holds for Tatiana’s family, my relationship with them, or my work with the kids in Sunday school. But I’m praying that I keep learning, and I’m thankful that God is providing this opportunity for me to get to know His children.

I think he’s answering those prayers in the clinic, too. Last week I went out a few times to touch base with a couple of patients we had not been as consistent in visiting. It’s funny – they notice. Sra. Victoria, the 80-something-year-old, needs pain management for her many aches and pains (probably arthritis and osteoporosis) and really just someone to talk with about being tired of hurting and unable to help her granddaughters (who take care of her) care for the household chores and their children. I saw her Thursday and then took Dr. Julton by Friday after he finished with his patients in the clinic. Hopefully we can see her more consistently to make sure she doesn’t hurt too much and to treat any other ailments that come up.

I also saw Fermin this week. Fermin is probably in his mid-20s, and about a year ago he suffered an accident that left him paralyzed. He’s doing some therapy, but has been very depressed, and his inability to move around has left him with some pretty nasty bed sores that won’t heal. His parents and sisters take him to rehab and try to take care of him at home, but his wounds really need to heal before the rehab, and perhaps eventually improving his mobility, can take off. So, I saw him briefly Tuesday (although he was asleep) with the psychologist who comes in once a week, and the Julton and I went back to see him later in the week. They had been paying for a doctor from the government clinic to come out and treat his wounds, but I think we’re going to take that over. It’s a commitment – needs to be done pretty much every day – but it’s something we can easily do for free, and hopefully it will help ease their expenses as well as provide a presence of emotional and spiritual support. Ideally, the message we want to be sending to the community is, “We’re here. We care. We want to help. And we’re doing it because of Christ’s love.” I hope we can keep transmitting that message, both the patients that come into the clinic and those we go to in their homes.

Saying good-bye

Flor is one of the secretaries at la Casa Amarilla, the headquarters for SALI and the Peru Mission offices. She’s in her late 20s, one of the sweetest, gentlest, most genuine people you will ever meet, and has already become a good friend in these few short months. Her open heart touches others easily, and I hope to continue getting to know her better in my time here.

Anyway, Flor’s been in and out of work some lately because of health issues her mother has been having with her diabetes. However, none of us knew her illness and its complications had progressed to such a serious stage, and we (the interns, at least) were all shocked to receive news that she had passed away Friday morning. We were out of town at the time, and it was really hard knowing our friend was going through this tragedy – one that I can’t, and don’t want to, even begin to imagine – and not be in Trujillo to comfort her. I suppose people never really know what is best to do when a loved one dies, but you still just want to be there for those left behind.

I think Flor and her family have received visits and support from a lot of people associated with the mission, including pastors, clinic staff, the jóvenes from SUSA, and friends in general. Flor actually goes to a different church, and if she is any indication, I’m sure her mother and their family have touched many lives in their own congregation and in each of their many spheres of influence. It’s uplifting to know people like that and even harder when you see them suffering.

We got to go to the funeral service yesterday. My first Peruvian funeral. Not that I would’ve chosen it…and hopefully I won’t have the opportunity to go to any others. But I went with Heidi, Rachel, Karina, and Maresa, and we met Lennin and Elva, a couple at Cristo Rey church, there. Even just getting to give Flor a hug and quick word of cariño made it worth going. It was moving to see the crowd of people proceeding slowly down the street, following Flor, her father, and her six sisters weeping behind the beautiful white coffin held aloft and draped with flowers. Buses carried everyone to the cemetery, where there was a short service before the burial.

I guess we never really know how to react to death, how to comfort or be comforted. Even with the hope of salvation and resurrection, we’re left with memories, tears, and questions. I never even knew Flor’s mom, but she must’ve been special. I suppose it’s fitting to remember her today, on All Saints Day. I hope that the Lord comforts Flor and her family right now and that, in whatever way possible, we can be there for her as she finds which way is up.

Enjoying the joys and walking through doors

So, in my post-writing reading of this blog, I realized it’s a lot more introspective than I’d planned. Oh well…

So, a couple of happy things this week. I’ve gotten to play a couple of games of Sunday afternoon football and ultimate Frisbee after Sunday lunch with the missionary families, which was lots of fun, especially since the weather has been really nice. And last night fulbito (our Saturday night small-sided soccer game) was great, with a big group of people and several really good players. I’m still a soccer/sports-nerd at heart…just makes me happy getting out there and playing, especially now that I get to do it for fun.

Another fun thing was getting to have coffee and catch up a bit Friday with Rosa, a friend I haven’t seen in awhile. Well, that in itself was good, but the happy thing was that, about halfway through our conversation, she said, “You know, your Spanish is a lot better than it was last time I saw you.” Since I’m around my Spanish every day, I can’t really tell if I’ve improved, so it was really exciting to hear her say that it seems to have gotten better in the last 6 or 8 weeks.

Also, I’ve decided for sure that I’m staying through July next year. I was trying to figure out if I should come back at the end of May when the fellowship program officially ends or stay through the summer. After doing some thinking, praying, and talking with Dale (the clinic administrator) and Alleen (the fellowship director), it looks like it’s going to work out. I’d wanted to make sure I’d be able to stay practically, be able to be of help at the clinic and translating for short-term teams, and frankly that I’d be staying for the right reasons. But it looks like the Lord has opened up the door, and I think I’m gonna walk through it.

It’s funny – I feel like, at least for me, a lot of times the doors open slowly. The door rarely bangs open or is blown open by an explosion, leaving a hole big enough to walk through. It’s more like, little by little, the door creaks open…or after awhile, after taking some steps backwards, forwards, twisting and turning, I realize it’s open. I hope that happens with what I should do next year. I spent about three hours in front of a computer this morning beginning to look at some grad school possibilities, and it kind of fried my brain. And afterwards I didn’t feel like I’d made much project figuring out my life or future. But since when have I known what I’m going to do? There are certainly some ideas floating around, but they still seem pretty nebulous, amorphous, and idealistic. So for now, I’m just praying that God continues to do what he does – leading me step by step, opening the doors at the right pace, at the right time.

Now if my racing mind and every-so-often anxious heart would just get on board. But, at the same time, it’s nice not to have anywhere to be in any time in particular. So, I’m not in a hurry. And right now I’m in Trujillo, Peru, and hopefully, wherever I end up, I’ll really BE there in every sense of the phrase.

LenninTours - al toque no mas!

October 8th was a holiday (they happen pretty frequently, with which I am perfectly fine), so we didn’t have SALI classes, and the clinic was closed. Therefore, we – the interns and Alleen, our “boss” – decided to take advantage of our long weekend to travel to Moyobamba. Moyobamba is a town in the high jungle, and we actually have a lot of friends and people involved in our churches and ministries here who are from Moyobamba. Therefore, it’s built up a certain amount of fame, and I was excited to get to finally see it. Plus, it would be the first big trip and opportunity to see another, very different area of Peru.

Some things here seem to make perfect sense, and I look back and think, “In the States, I’d think that was crazy.” For example, leaving at 3:00 on a Thursday afternoon, driving 16 hours in a bus, and returning three days later. I mean, that’s a really, really long time in a bus, and I’m generally not that big a fan of long car rides. But I will say it was definitely worth it. Lennin, one of the members of the Cristo Rey church, is from Moyobamba and was there a couple of weeks doing some work. He met us as we emerged, stumbling and bleary-eyed, from the bus at 7 am Friday, and we didn’t slow down much until we got back on the bus to return to Trujillo Sunday evening. Lennin took pride in taking us on the premier way to see the best of Moyobamba: “Una experiencia inolvidable. ¡Diversión al máximo! LenninTours – ¡al toque no más!” “An unforgettable experience. Maximum fun! LenninTours – “…and I’m not sure how to translate this part. Basically, “just a taste of as much as possible.”

And he lived up to his self-appointed slogan. He took us to some lovely hot springs baths to wake up a bit and then showed us a real jungle breakfast from the market, complete with juanes, cecina, tacachones and maduras con maní (bananas with peanuts and cheese). We all loved the beautiful waterfalls and the hike to get there, and everyone jumped off. It was about a 30 foot drop and a lot of fun, and Seth and Tyler probably jumped from every surface and in every way possible. Lennin also showed us various different sites around the town, some with the personal service of his moto(rcycle), which none of us complained too much about. I’m pretty sure Heidi is plotting to buy one for Trujillo, or maybe to take her back to Moyobamba…I’d tag along! It’d be a great way to see Peru.

My favorite part of the trip was taking the boat along the Río Mayo out to the Tingana Reserve. It’s a 6000 hectare jungle reserve that does a little tourism on the side, but it was rustic and real enough to feel very legitimate. After the boat ride, we walked about half an hour through the beautiful jungle and came upon the open-air main bungalow, flanked by cabins and a couple of treehouses for people to sleep. We were the only people there, along with the people who live and work there, so it was cool to just step into their lives for a day. They were very welcoming, let us relax in the hammocks under a pavilion, and served us some delicious food. (Note: if you ever get offered a yucca empanada, eat it. It could change your life). The next morning included an early morning walk through the jungle, including several sightings of monkey communities swinging through the trees, a couple of swings for us gringo monkeys on a swing our guides Juan and Tito had rigged up at the end of the hike, and canoeing back to the lodge along the river. It was pretty awesome.

Unfortunately, my camera had a run-in with a rock when we were on the way to see some caves later that day and didn’t come out so well. So I have some pictures from the trip, but I’ve had trouble uploading them, so I hope I don’t get too much hate mail for not posting pictures yet. ;) If I get it figured out I will. But maybe you can imagine a little until then… Peru is a beautiful place and people, and this was a great way to get to taste another piece of it.

Politicians and Plans

So yesterday were mayoral, district, and regional elections in Peru. It was interesting seeing everyone out and about - here it's required to vote or you get fined. I can see pros and cons to that, but all the same it was an interesting dynamic to be here for that. We had church early because you can't have public gatherings during voting hours so people can go vote. And a lot of people had to travel home to where they were registered in order to vote...kind of like Mary and Joseph...

The past few weeks at SUSA (Sociedad Universitaria San Agustin - the university ministry we have for young adults) we have been focusing on the elections. Pastor Jaime, one of the pastors who works for the mission and has been working with SUSA, wanted to encourage those who come, as young, educated citizens, to not only be interested and informed in the political process, but also to take responsibility for choosing responsibile leaders who will (hopefully) do the best for Trujillo and Peru. While I'm not particularly into politics, I thought it was a cool idea to focus on for the young people who come to SUSA.

SUSA is actually doing well and, excitedly seems to be growing. We meet on Friday evenings, and it's drawing a lot of students from the SALI language classes. Some of the people have a church they are involved in, but a lot of them haven't had much exposure to the Gospel, so it's a great opportunity to build relationships with people, especially taking conversations beyond the classroom environment. There are a lot of cool people that I'm enjoying getting to know. And at the last SUSA meeting, we had over 60 people there! We took a paseo - outing - a couple of weeks ago to Huanchaco, a little beach town right by Trujillo. It was fun to "fish" (even thought it was cold), eat, and hang out. Hopefully we can continue to build unity with the core group and welcome in more and more.

Juan, everyone's favorite "little brother" (he's 15) on our SUSA fishing paseo to Huanchaco.

One thought/prayer request before I go. I'm trying to figure out how long I'm going to stay here - through next May or through July. Perhaps two months won't make a huge difference, but I am trying to start deciding how I can best be used next June and July. Some of that depends on what happens for me next fall, so thanks for your prayers and encouragement as I try to be open for what I should do.

blessings to all!

Bits and pieces

It’s been a pretty good week. I’m not sure exactly why (although it could have something to do with a double scoop ice cream cone Wednesday), but I looked up and it was Friday, and I realized I had enjoyed the week. That’s always a blessing, right? I’ve rotated to pharmacy in the clinic for the next couple weeks (although still stepping in to triage or give a shot if they need an extra pair of hands), and it’s a little like stepping back to square one. I’ve never really worked in a pharmacy before, so instead of being helpful right now I’m back to the learning stage – and I’ll say props to all the doctors and pharmacists out there because to me it’s still pretty intimidating looking at the shelves and shelves of medicines and wondering how anyone can remember where they all go and what they do. But again…poco a poco. And it’s a little easier now, because I know Nila and she’s very patient and helpful teaching me. I think I also realize I have to be patient and let myself learn…I suppose that’s a good lesson to remember, huh?

Last week, for some reason, was a little more difficult. Not really in a conscious way or even in a way I could put my finger on, but I guess you go through your ups and downs. I’ve been here two months now (how about that?!) and I guess, whether I’m aware of it or not, I’m hitting the first hump of “I’m in a new culture, a new job, a new environment. And it’s here to stay.” Plus, I think last week my brain and heart got hit with a lot of questions, frustrations, and realities that have been gathering in light of the poverty and disparity I see on a daily basis, and I’m beginning to try to process them. (Emphasis on “beginning” and “trying to” :) ). Not an easy task, but an important one, I think. But you know what? In spite of all that, I am extremely blessed, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be.

Last week there was also a group here from Georgia. It was a small team, but they brought a doctor and a pharmacist, and their presence allowed us to do a couple of campañas – where we set up in more impoverished areas with less access and offer free consults and medicines. One day we went to Los Pinos (near Wichanzao) and another we drove to Magdalena de Cao, a quiet town about an hour away. It was nice to get a little change in scenery and responsibility and to get my first glimpse at how the campañas work.

In other news, yesterday was the first day of spring here. (Happy Spring!) The occasion provided an acceptable excuse for a rather lively party at the institute next door (although catchy to listen to, the music delayed sleep for awhile), and apparently there will be a parade Sunday afternoon, so it’s fun to see those celebrations. And you’ll never guess – last week, not one, but two mornings we awoke to actual sunshine streaming in through the windows. Sunshine in the morning…would you believe it? Novel concept. But I think as spring continues to blossom, we’ll get more than just our few hours of afternoon winter sunshine. Ojalá… And I have to say I’m looking forward to it. Bring on the sunshine!

Consultorio Medico Pastoral

CMP – this is where I work in Wichanzao every morning from 8 to about 12:30. You get off the colectivo at Corli (which has been paved within the past year), take a left, a right, another left, and then you’re there. It’s across from the Wichanzao Presbyterian Church and next to Sinergia, Peru Mission’s microfinance program. The clinic used to be in the church, and they built this building about 3 years ago.

The clinic is open from 8 to 5 Monday through Thursday, and until 2 on Fridays and 12 on Saturdays. It’s a primary care clinic where people from Wichanzao (or any of the surrounding areas: Trujillo, Arevalo, Clementina, Los Pinos, Las Palmeras…) can come for quality care and medications at an affordable price. Most patients can see a doctor for about 7 soles ($2.50), and the medications, from what I’ve heard, are much cheaper than at most other clinics. I think the price of everything is pretty comparable to the government postas, but the care is much better and you don’t have to get there as early or wait as long.

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is working with the staff. Dr. Julton sees patients every day. He’s a young doctor who just began working in the clinic in March. While I think he’s still learning a lot, he is gaining people’s trust and loyalty, and his humble, reassuring manner with patients is inspiring and reflective of his faith. There are also other doctors who come in during the mornings: Dr. Alfonso on Mondays, Dr. Mario Tuesday through Thursday, and Dr. Raúl on Fridays. They work part time to supplement their other jobs and are a little more popular since they’ve been around longer, but I think Dr. Julton is becoming more known and trusted by patients.

We also have Dr. Angel, the dentist. Daniel, the other intern working at the clinic, is helping him, and the two of them together are a mess. Lots of personality and dry humor flying around, and Dr. Angel is fluent in rudimentary Spanglish. That to say he tries to throw out English words and sentences all the time, with varying degrees of success. It’s certainly entertaining, though, and when he found out my last night was Rice (arroz in Spanish), he immediately started calling me “Lydia Rice…rice with chicken!” harkening to the typical Peruvian dish arroz con pollo.

Sonia is the obstetrician, but she only sees patients three days a week as she is also the clinic manager. So she does double duty and coordinates a lot with Dale Ellison, the missionary who is administrator over the clinic (and completes the current gringo trio at CMP). Sonia’s really good, though, and I’ve enjoyed getting to talk with her a little and see how well she does her job. I hope I get to know her better as the year goes on.

Nila is a nurse who is usually in charge of the pharmacy and most days comes and grabs me to come get a cup of coffee and a little snack of conchitas or empanada. She’s kind of like a favorite grandmother-figure. Jenny signs people in and takes out their medical histories, Kelvin is the lab tech, and Marina is a sweet, quiet lady who keeps everything looking clean and great. Noemí and Cynthia are the nurses (I work a lot with them, at least so far), and we triage patients, give shots, administer nebulizations, cut gauze, sterilize instruments, etc. Of course, they have some more qualified responsibilities as well that I can often watch or help with, and they’re very generous and patient to explain things to me.

There are a wide variety of patients who come through, and I enjoy getting to see most of them in triage, even if but for a moment. Some people are well off and don’t have problems paying, but the hard part is when you know they do. The clinic has a fund that helps cover treatment and medicines for people who can’t afford it, but even so I’m sure there are people who struggle to meet the costs. And I’m sure there are people who don’t come at all for fear that they can’t afford it. Honestly (and unfortunately), even if they did all come, we probably couldn’t fully cover the costs of everyone who couldn’t pay. Because, even though Peru Mission makes up for what the clinic loses each month, it seems like there’s always an end to the funds. As much as I would love to believe otherwise, frustratingly everything still comes down to dollars and cents…or soles y céntimos. I guess there’s a balance between looking at how to improve what needs fixing and being encouraged and joyful at each victory. Because, in truth, there are plenty of both.

Trujillo Traffic and Transportation

Traffic in Trujillo is an adventure. Sometimes there are lanes dividing traffic, but often these are just a formality. It’s quite expected for cars, buses, and taxis to weave in and out of one another to squeeze to the front of the pack or get to the curb quickly to drop off or pick up a passenger. And cutting in front of someone is no reason to get offended – that guy’s just doing what the next guy will do to him in 12 seconds, and no one seems to mind. The fun part is the intersections that don’t have traffic lights…but somehow the big jam of cars in the middle all seem to get across, with some well-practiced combination of taking turns and forcing their way through. The amazing part is, there are probably fewer wrecks with all this would-be bedlam than there are in the States. At any rate, traffic moves a lot more reliably than on I-65 in Birmingham, that’s for sure.

Transportation is also pretty exciting. Taxis are cheap, and you can take a car full of people between most places in the city for 3 or 4 soles (just over $1). For destinations along one of the set routes, there are a number of options, including (in descending order of size) micros (normal-sized buses), combis (big vans, similar to the VW variety), and colectivos (a 5-seated sedan). Most of these have seen better days and have lots of character, and all of them will squeeze in as many people as possible.

Colectivos are my transportation of choice on the way to and from the clinic each day. I take the “B” route, and for 1.20 soles (about 40 cents) one way, you can get out to Wichanzao on the Panamerican highway in about 15 minutes. Well, maybe 20 if traffic is heavy or if your driver stops at every person standing on the curb to see if they want “la B” heading out of town. It’s kind of like a big game of Chinese fire drill, with the driving pulling over to let people out or pick people up at their desired stop. It’s not at all uncommon for the colectivo to reach its full capacity of seven people (4 passengers in the back, 2 up front with the driver), and as you extract yourself from the pile, you have to smile as you realize you’ve been closer to these strangers than you have been to many of your closest friends. Gotta love Perú. J

Patience, not Complacence

Each month when SALI classes end, we have Thursday and Friday off before the next month’s cycle begins. Last weekend was our first long weekend, but I decided to stay around Trujillo to relax, spend time with people, and see a few things around town. There were also a couple of people I wanted to see who were supposed to come into the clinic on Thursday, and I didn’t want to miss our Friday home visits to patients.

However, I was a little disappointed. On Thursday, Jenny didn’t bring in Ana, her 22-month-old who needs therapy to correct a misaligned hip in order to be able to walk. Neither did we see César, the 3-year-old whose family Noemí and I visited in Clementina last week. He had a fungus on his hand, and although he was taking some medicine from the government posta de salud, we wanted him to come in when he’d finished it to see how he was doing. Fridays are usually a little slower, but last Friday kept a steady pace, and Noemí couldn’t get away to go out on visits.

So I didn’t get to see most of the people I was hoping to. That’s my favorite part of the clinic so far, or at least the thing I really want to start focusing on: keeping up with patients we see on a regular basis, building relationships with them, and making sure they are getting what they need. I’ve loved getting to go out a couple of times, too, and see them in their homes, where they actually live.

Now that I’ve been working here a month and feel a little more settled, I hope I can do more of that. Although I was a little frustrated not getting to do some of that last week, I realized that I need to be patient. I think I’m learning the need for that with a lot of things here. I don’t need to force things to happen – sometimes I think the best opportunities come when we’re not expecting them, or trying too hard. And I need to be patient, too, because although I am anxious to be active and useful, I have only been working at the clinic four weeks.

At the same time, though, I don’t want to be complacent. It could be tempting to passively go about my work and responsibilities and ya está – that’s it, that’s done, move on to the next thing. But that wouldn’t be very beneficial to the patients, to the clinic’s ministry, or to me. I think I’m at the point where I hopefully can start deciding ways to be more actively involved, and I’m praying to be open to seeing what those opportunities are. Maybe that means, when the line of triage patients slows down, going out to a couple of houses and checking on people we haven’t heard from, or who could just do with a visitor. I kind of hope so.

Today, I went back and saw Cesar and his mother Neida in Clementina. His hand is improving but he now has something on his eye. She said she would bring him into the clinic this afternoon. Poco a poco...

César and his mischievous smile.

Friendship

Time is funny…days are long, but the weeks are really starting to fly. In some ways, it seems like I’ve been in Trujillo for much longer than I have, and in others it’s hard to believe it has already been over a month. But there is a little bit of a rhythm now, to my work in the clinic and at SALI – and at the same time, a big part of life’s rhythm right now is that there is none at all. :)

Last Sunday was Rachel and Patrick’s birthday. Rachel wanted to have some people over to celebrate, so we invited some of our Peruvian friends and told them to spread the word for those who were interested. We ended up having a pretty big crowd show up, with an interesting mixture of people from SALI (language school), SUSA (Friday night young adult ministry), the downtown Cristo Rey church, or people who just hang around with that group. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I was up for hosting a big crowd of people at the apartment, but I ended up having a really good time, and it was fun to see Rachel enjoying herself. It’s nice to feel special, especially on your birthday.

People hung out for quite awhile munching on snacks (I think I could eat my weight in guacamole), enjoying a cheesecake made by Alleen (one of the missionaries down here in charge of the interns and also fun to hang out with), and generally enjoying one another’s company. Inevitably, after awhile someone broke out the salsa music and, since a few of the guys really know what they’re doing, space was cleared on the floor for some dancing.

One of my favorite parts, though, was a Peruvian tradition where people basically go around and say nice things about the person whose birthday is being celebrated. I suppose it can get a little cliché, but I was struck by how many people wanted to share how much Rachel already meant to them, even after just 3 weeks. No one was pretending they were already best friends, but several people genuinely encouraged her and told her how they appreciated her talents, qualities, and characteristics. I think we could all use a little dose of that, and not just on our birthdays.

Most of the people I’ve met here are all extremely warm and welcoming. It’s wonderful to have that, and I confess at times I want to rush in and be great friends with someone right away. I certainly feel like I’m making good friends with some cool people (and it’s a little easier because Heidi already has good friends from last year that she’s kind enough to share!), but I also realize that true friendships – at least for me – take time to develop. And I think that’s good, even if it does require a little more patience. I’m thankful for the new relationships I have, and I hope I can keep finding that equilibrium between genuine interest and investment in others and patience enough to allow friendship to develop naturally and deeply…and even to enjoy that process.


Verónica, Rebeca, Maresa, and Rosa singing Happy Birthday to Rachel.

Briggith, Katy, me, and Heidi one night when we had some people over for dinner.

Karina, Heidi, and Maresa when we spent a couple of hours at the beach at Huanchaco, about 20 minutes from Trujillo.

Poco a poco

Poco a poco – little by little. I heard that a lot from the other staff members my first few days working at the clinic. And it was something I needed to hear. Honestly, the first week there was a little overwhelming. The first day Noemí, one of the nurses, walked me through doing triage with one or two patients, and then I was on my own with them, jumping right in. It felt something comparable to drinking out of a fire hydrant. Not that taking people’s height, weight, and blood pressure is a particularly difficult task. Taking the basic medical histories of new patients is a little more complicated, but even that is basically just completing a form of questions. I was just a little overwhelmed with the prospect of being responsible for documenting each patient’s information correctly. And, because I haven’t actually done this in the States either, most of the protocol or “normal” answers to the medical history questions I’m not even familiar with in English, much less Spanish. Plus, especially at the beginning, I had to learn simple things like how the system of street addresses works or how many checkups a mother is supposed to have during her pregnancy, and I still often have to ask someone how to spell their last name or the town where they were born. So the first few days, I felt more incompetent and in the way than like I was being much of a help.

It’s funny – in the process of raising support to come down here, I learned a lot about being humbled and relying on God and other people. I prayed that this would be a lesson I continued to learn each day when I was down here…and (would you believe it?!) God thought I was serious. J Being in a new environment, a new language, a new system of how people do things, working with new people – all this on top of learning new skills and procedures, even if they are just basic, makes depending on God and others a necessity. I have to be humbled when Noemí answers all my questions, corrects my mistakes, or patiently watches me prepare and then administer a shot at an agonizingly slow and inexperienced pace - in the same time it would probably take her to perform it easily half a dozen times. Or when Jenny, the cashier/secretary, has to spell out to me what she needs me to go ask Dr. Julton, and then how he doesn’t seem bothered at all by having to repeat the answer twice, but rather treats me with the same compassion and full attention he gives each of his patients. Or when Nila, the nurse/pharmacist/sweet-fun-grandmotherly figure comes and asks me every day, “¿ya tomaste un cafecito?” – if I’ve already had my coffee break – and then takes me up for a warm drink, a roll, empanada or papa rellena, and a comforting conversation.

Yes, I’m learning a lot. From the extremely gracious and kind people with whom I work. From the patients, most of whom I only encounter for a few minutes but some of whom I’ve had the privilege (is it a privilege, if they’re coming to receive medical care?) of seeing a few times when they come back for follow-ups or check-ups. From simply walking through Wichanzao, getting to know the neighborhood a little bit, and wanting to – beginning to – see a little more of what life is really like here, not as a tourist but as a resident who is interested in the individuals who live here. Or so I hope. I am beginning to be accustomed and feel more comfortable, at least with the environment and my basic responsibilities. And I hope that, as that continues more and more, that my curiosity and compassion would increase. That I would be genuinely interested in and invested in each person I attend, whether it’s someone I see once for two minutes or someone with whose circumstances I really become familiar by seeing them week after week. So I’ve been there three weeks now, and I feel like I’ve made progress. But sometimes that makes me realize just how far still I need to go. I guess, though, that’s the goal. Day by day, encounter by encounter, mistake by mistake, little victory by little victory, challenge by challenge, smile by smile…poco a poco.

I’ll write more later about what the clinic actually does and how it serves people, so be on the lookout for that. For now, enjoy these few pictures…
Noemi and I with Señora Victoria, an elderly lady we went to visit about a week ago (see http://www.pmmedicalministry.blogspot.com/ for more on this and other work of the clinic)

This is a view of the clinic from outside - Consultorio Medico Pastoral.

Lunch with some of the clinic staff (Daniel - dental student/fellow intern with me; Angel - dentist at the clinic who always gives me a hard time; Nila; Dale - clinic administrator and missionary with Peru Mission; Noemi) at the end of the second week. My first ceviche after they found out that I had yet to try this typical Peruvian dish.

A Different Kind of Beautiful

I think I've mentioned that one of the best parts of being here so long is actually living here - making my own routines or fitting in what I know as normal to make it seem a little more like home. For example, usually when I travel, I don't slow down much. I like to try to see and experience as much as possible because I know I'm only there for a limited period of time. While my time here is still limited, it's long enough that I can go home and get to bed early a night or two a week, or I can spend a Saturday skyping, catching up on emails, cooking, shopping, playing soccer, hanging out, etc. It's nice to take that as a Sabbath, to be able to actually rest and not feel like I am missing out by having a more relaxed day.



That being said, last Saturday was not quite as uneventful as the previous couple had been. I ended up going with Tyler and Seth out to Wichanzao (the area of town where the clinic is) to climb the mountain Serro de Cabros that had been teasing and enticing us since the first time the smog and clouds cleared out enough to tell that there are actually mountains around Trujillo. Despite loving not having to do things on the weekends, it was really nice to get out and do something a little different. Like the rest of this area, the mountain is extremely dry. In fact, it's pretty much all sand, rock, and shale. It's stark and looming (although not incredibly high), and its steep areas and lack of green make it look like the set of an old western movie where you might expect a pack of cowboys to come galloping by in a cloud of dust.

I think we took the hard way, at least at the beginning as we clambered between huge rock structures, but even when we reached the more open (but still steep) spaces higher up, the paths that seemed evident from the bottom where hard to find. I guess the slightly different shade of dirt that makes them visible isn't as easy to distinguish when you see it up close. (I'm sure there's a profoud metaphor somewhere in there). The only live things we saw were a few bugs, a couple of lizards, a struggling cactus, a bunch of snail-like creatures that looked like you should have found them at the beach, and a tiny, scrawny coyote that scrambled past a few dozen yards below us when we were taking a break.

Despite the stark environment, it was beautiful in its own way. And arriving at the top you could look one way and see how expansive Trujillo actually is, with houses and buildings flung for miles east toward the ocean (which we couldn't see because of the haze). The amazing part, though, was looking west. From the top you could see more mountains that aren't visible from the bottom of the mountain or through the haze of the city. But above it all, looking at their beauty (even more impressive and imposing than our "Goat Mountain"), it was exciting to think about how far they stretch. I'm not sure that these are even technically part of the Andes. Maybe they're just the beginning, but it sure made you wonder what beauty and adventure lies beyond what you can see. Sounds a little like Pocahontas... :)

One of my favorite parts was actually getting to the mountain. You had to walk a good 20 or 30 minutes through Wichanzao and then the poorer area of Clementina to reach the base of the mountain. It was really interesting and eye-opening to walk through the area where people lived, to get a glimpse of the reality - even if from outside their walls - of what life is like for these Peruvians. It's probably similar to that of many people I see in the clinic every day. It's by no means the poorest place in the world, but it's still a reality check. Kids playing soccer, dozens of dogs wandering around, women washing and hanging clothes, people bringing buckets of water...just another Saturday. And equally - if not more - beautiful here.

But God forbid that I ever romanticize it.

The Lay of the Land

One of my favorite ways to get to know a place is by just wandering around. Or, in many cases, getting lost. I’ve tried to do this (well, not necessarily get lost!) several times since I’ve been here, and while I still have a lot to learn about Trujillo, I’m beginning to learn my way around. On a couple of runs (of the very few I’ve taken hasta ahora), I’ve managed to get a little lost, ask for directions, and find my way back to familiar territory (don’t worry, Mom, it’s all been in safe places and in full daylight). It’s a great way to see places I might not necessarily see otherwise and, after I get home and look at a map to figure out exactly where I was, I add another piece to the slowly-growing picture of my familiarity with the city.

So let me show you around Trujillo a little bit. We girls live in an apartment building (La Casa Blanca, as some people call it) on the busy corner where Larco, a main road, crosses Avenida España. It makes for a lot of noise as traffic and honking taxis pass on both streets, but that part has been pretty easy to zone out, and the location is great. Our apartment is quite nice and actually has twice as many beds as we need, as sometimes there are more female interns. But we’ve got a nice kitchen fully equipped with a fridge and gas stove/oven, as well as a dining/living area where, on the enviable occasions we have some free time, it’s nice to relax and people-watch on the busy street below.

La Avenida España actually encircles the historic center of downtown Trujillo, made up of a grid of streets filled with everything from panaderías (bakeries), farmacias, and optometry clinics to restaurants and beautiful old Catholic churches every couple of blocks. There’s also the Mercado central, which sells everything from clothes to flowers to household wares and, of course, just about any fresh food you can imagine (just be sure to wash your produce in the appropriate bleach solution before eating it!). Like many Latin American cities, the heart of this 15-square-block circle boasts the main Plaza de Armas with its impressive ring of refurbished, colorful, colonial-style buildings (including a church and several municipal buildings) anchored by a statue whose subject I haven’t quite figured out yet.

Although the city’s center has a very definite downtown, it isn’t marked by tall buildings or a noticeable skyline. In fact, very few buildings are more than 5 or 6 stories tall, and most only have between 2 and 4 floors. Trujillo is laid out sort of like a wheel, with la Avenida España encircling the hub and other main roads raying out like spokes toward the outskirts of town. These main roads delineate and connect the other areas of town, which are distinguished by their own business districts or residential neighborhoods. Bodegas (small stores where you can get most of your basic food or household items), larger supermarkets, or even one of Trujillo’s several public or private universities (such as la Universidad Nacional or Universidad de César Vallejo) are easy to find dotted around, as are little squares and parks where you might find a coveted patch of green space, or neighborhood concrete courts where kids play soccer or basketball.

La Avenida América parallels España in that it corrals a circular area of Trujillo, but it is a little further out and contains more, including España and the city center as well as other neighborhoods. Further out from América, things aren’t quite so organized, and the outskirts of Trujillo sprawl out pretty expansively. As in many urban areas, the average household income and standard of living drop as you get further from the city center, and the PanAmerican highway takes you through these levels of suburbs and districts as you leave Trujillo: through Milagros, La Esperanza, Arevalo, Parque Industrial, Wichanzao, Clementina. There are countless others, I’m sure, and I’m not exactly sure how they’re organized, but I supposed they are all, more or less, part of Trujillo.

So… welcome to Trujillo! The local time is 8:00 pm. I hope you enjoy your stay here, or wherever your final destination may be.

SALI y Sol

Happy Tuesday to you. As of tomorrow, I'll have been in Peru two weeks. I can't decide if it feels like much less than that, or infinitely longer. Both, I suppose...

I thought today I'd tell you a little about SALI (San Augustin Language Institute) and show you some pictures. SALI is where we (the fellows and a few other teachers) teach our English conversation classes. They take place at La Casa San Agustin - also known as La Casa Amarilla or simply la oficina - which is Peru Mission's primary and administrative building, located en el centro, in downtown Trujillo. See exhibit A.

I'm not sure all the history behind it, but SALI used to be a larger endeavor and a more distinct, central ministry of Peru Mission. For various reasons, about a year ago they decided to close it, but when we moved into this new building about six months ago, it was revamped to offer purely conversation classes. Between the hours of 3 and 6 each weekday, three levels of English are offered each hour. For example, this month I'm teaching the 6:00 intermediate class, but next month I could be teaching a basic level class (obviously not quite "conversational" yet) at 4:00. From what I've heard, the new structure is working really well, and it provides a relaxed environment for people learning English to simply come practice speaking - which, in my experience with Spanish, is by far the best way to improve.

The classes are free, as well, so that makes it an appealing offer for students. I think right now there are 125 students enrolled, although it's rare that everyone attends each class. Most people are balancing the classes with a job (or job search in several cases) or other studies. The majority of students are in their twenties or so, many studying at one of Trujillo's universities or finishing a master's. Although the location, content, and environment of SALI caters more to the young professional crowd, students come from all ages and walks of life. I'm really enjoying it as a way to meet people, learn about Peruvian culture and traditions, and have good conversations. The nature of the class - focusing on a particular topic or article each day - makes it easy to discuss a wide variety of topics, from food to faith to current events, common interests, or personal opinions. My students are great too - Daniel, Jose, Carina, Odana, Nestor, Miguel to name a few - and it's a lot of fun getting to listen to them practice and hear what they have to say. They aren't incredibly comfortable with English so sometimes it takes them longer to say things, but they speak pretty well, and after class we usually hang out and speak in Spanish for awhile. It's fun to see them really open up and be themselves then. They are fun and full of personality in class, but it's amazing how much more comfortable and "yourself" you feel in your own language. I hope I can get that way more and more in Spanish...although I'm not sure I'm always like that in English either. :)

So, leading English class and taking Spanish with Heidi, Patrick, and Rachel (taught by Priscilla - she's great) takes up my evenings. Some afternoons we have a meeting, and Wednesdays we eat lunch with one of the missionary families. The rest of my afternoon is spent in a somewhat sporadic combination of eating lunch, checking emails, going grocery shopping, taking laundry, doing Spanish homework, preparing for class, or most likely some other random quehacer that comes up. If I'm lucky I'll get to read or journal a little bit, but things are still so much in the settling in stage that I haven't had that luxury much. But winter in Trujillo is typically pretty gray and dreary (although not too cold - just aroun 60 all the time). However, several of the last few afternoons, the sun has come out to warm things up. Even if the temperature isn't actually so much warmer, it's amazing how much nicer the sun makes things. One of the best parts, though, is how it lights everything up. When hace sol, it's like the world wakes up. Colors on the buildings come out so much more, you can actually see some of the sandy desert mountains that surround Trujillo (albeit through the city's pollution), and honestly, I just feel happier when the sun is out.

Maybe it's not a completely fair comparison since the subjects are so different, but maybe you get the idea. The first picture is looking down Avenida España from our apartment window. The second is a municipal building in Trujillo's central Plaza de Armas.

So I'm thankful for SALI and for sol, for learning from the good and the hard parts, and for the warmth they are both bringing me.

Overdue

Well...I made it! Sorry for the late update. Actually, I don't expect there will be a very predictable rhythm to my blogs, but I'm hoping they will be a little more often than this. The last week and a half has been really good, but really busy, and I kind of feel like I have been drinking water from a fire hose. So, there is no way I can adequately describe what all has been going on in this one post, so I'll try and spread it out a bit more over the next several posts - and maybe be a little more prompt with them. But no promises. :)

So, Wednesday night each of the seven interns arrived in Lima sometime betwen 9 and 1. It made for a late night, but it was great to actually meet everyone. I'll tell more about them later, but for it's a good group of people, and while I know we still have a lot to learn about one another, it still feels like I've known them more than just 10 days. I guess that's how it is when you're all thrown into a new situation together. Seth is from Saltillo, MS, Patrick is from Arkansas, Tyler is from Texas, Daniel and Rachel are both from Jackson, MS, and Heidi is from Virginia. Heidi was actually a fellow last year as well, so it's been great having someone who already knows the ropes and can show us around and introduce us to people.

After sleeping in Thursday morning, a relaxed brunch, and a stroll through the market in Lima, we flew to Trujillo. It was funny getting off the plane to a dry, desert environment near the beach and driving past sugar cane and other semi-tropical plants. What made it strange, though, was the breezy, cloudy, upper-50s temperature that is typical for Trujillo's winter. Heidi, Rachel, and I are sharing an apartment downtown on the busy corner of Avenida España and Larco. It's quite nice, actually, and it was (is) fun getting moved in and settled.

Life settling in physically, culturally, and emotionally is pretty draining. I'm looking forward to finding the rhythm, and this weekend will be a welcome time to be a little more laid back. The great part about being here for a year is that I don't have to leave right as I'm starting to get into the swing of things. Rather, although I'm just beginning to scratch the surface, I know I can take time to actually live here instead of running around trying to see and do as much as possible in a short period of time. My days are filled with working in the clinic in the morning, running errands or preparing for class in the afternoon, and then taking a Spanish class and teaching an English class in the evenings (more details on these things at a later point). In between everything there are meetings and get-togethers with the interns, the missionary families, and new aquaintances that will hopefully soon be real friends. But that's not something to rush, and I've never been one to make close friends in just a week or two. But I think that's okay - maybe even good - and it's another perk of being here so long.

Even with all the whirlwind, I'm loving being here and diving right into everything. Last Friday and Saturday we had some orientation with Josh Eby and Alleen McClain, who are in charge of the Fellowship program (among other things). It was really good to all get on the same page by going through the mission's purpose and vision and our role as fellows. I'll delve more into that later, but one thing that really resonates with me is hearing how the purpose behind the combination of all this - serving, ministry, relationship-building, discipleship - is the idea that we are a part of bringing about God's kingdom and restoring work. In other words, if we really believe what we say about loving one another, having Christ develop His compassion in and pour it through us, and sharing Good News, we can't isolate one part of each other and only focus on it. Developing and encouraging one another spiritually is paramount, but if it is prioritized while turning a blind eye to the very real physical, economic, or emotional needs of those around us (and I include myself in that group), our service is incomplete. True compassion, I believe, loves the whole person, not just one aspect. I think, even knowing this, I am tempted to compartmentalize people, put them in boxes, or assume that it's only reasonable to minister to them in one aspect. But I hope that this experience plays a role in my continual process of learning otherwise.

Peru Mission's website summarizes their approach in Trujillo: "We plant missional churches, raise up Christian leaders and develop transformational institutions. These vibrant, reformed churches are actively involved in bringing God’s justice, mercy, and peace to the world around them." I think this explains some of what I'm trying to say.

Perhaps some of my ramblings (as I sort through this for myself) will make more sense as I try to explicate different areas of ministry here, struggles and successes, and specific experiences. Thanks for listening. :) Until next time...
Blessings

Final Boarding Call

It's been a fun, crazy, somewhat disjointed summer, and I'm sitting here pinching myself trying to register the fact that I'm moving to Peru today. What?! Sounds cool, huh? I'm in the middle of a lot of thoughts and emotions, but mostly I'm just really excited. I'm excited to see what Peru and Trujillo are like, I'm excited to be in the culture, I'm excited to meet people and build relationships, I'm excited to grow, learn, and be challenged, I'm excited to see how God is at work and what God will be doing. So yeah... mostly I'm just excited. :)

I'm actually also excited about moving. That's the most intimidating part, too. But the closest I've ever been to moving is going to college. Yes, that was moving, but it was into a dorm, and I was 2 hours from home, and I made it home at least a 2 or 3 times a semester. Needless to say, this will be a bit different. But I'm looking forward to this being a next step, to doing something new, to moving forward.

It was interesting, though - as this was all becoming more real, people in my family have been going through a lot of transitions. One of those was my grandmother selling her house. One evening near the closing date, as we were taking a few last loads of things to the street, I found myself in the basement. The familiar, damp smell and some of the last, old pieces immediately brought me back to my childhood and all my memories there. However, that wasn't what really drew my attention. My granddad's old workbench still stood in the back corner. Above it hung old tools, beside it stood a metal toolbox and two sawhorses he'd built, on top of it rested a box of drawers, each neatly labeled to indicate its contents of nails, bolts, and miscellaneous items. My grandfather passed away almost four years ago, but here you could clearly see his eye for organization and careful detail in this one space that would now be used by a new family.

It made me think about where I come from. I come from him, that house, my memories. I come from my family, Tupelo, and 22 years worth of life and experiences that have blessed my socks off. I come from four formative years at BSC where I learned, grew, changed, and developed relationships with some incredible people who I will cherish the rest of my life. And I come from relationships with family and forever-friends at home with whom I feel honored to still be so close. Silver and Gold. So, I guess it was just an important reminder that I'm a product of relationships and experiences from my whole life. BOTH from the past four years at college AND from all the treasures at home. And that will always be where I come from.

The cool part is, we get to keep adding levels to that. Now I'll get to add Peru to that list of what has impacted, affected, and shaped me. I'll miss a lot about being closer to home, but I wouldn't trade it. And, in the words of Bilbo Baggins (humor my nerdiness), "I think I'm quite ready for another adventure..."

Well, ready or not, here we go! Thanks for your prayers and for being so special to me. Looking forward to keeping in touch. See you on the other side!