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