Returning

I wasn’t sure how being back in the States for Christmas would be, but it turned out to be really nice. It included a very enthusiastic welcoming committee at the airport, a day at Pickwick, seeing friends in Tupelo and Birmingham, and mostly lots of family in and around the Rice house for various birthday and Christmas gatherings. Although many days were pretty busy, it was really nice to see everyone and spend the holidays there. Plus, it was just about worth the ticket home to see Tupelo’s white Christmas.

The trek back south went smoothly (despite almost missing a flight due to a delay) until fog in Trujillo limited visibility enough to force our plane to wait on the runway in Chiclayo (a nearby city) for almost 3 hours while the flight crew tried to decide if we should try to land in Trujillo or go back to Lima. Much of this time was spent by listening to a large group – almost every passenger, in face – of very opinionated Peruvians contributing their two céntimos as to whether to stay in Chiclayo, try Trujillo, or return to Lima. Because apparently these decisions are made by committee. I could only laugh and go back to sleep. Eventually, we had an unsuccessful attempt at landing in Trujillo, went back to Lima, and eventually made it to Trujillo on a later flight. Upon finally landing, Trujillo never looked so beautiful.

Exhausted as we were (Heidi and Seth were on the same flight), I had to get out and move to cure myself of 30 hours of traveling. So I went for a run. And fell in an uncovered hole on the sidewalk accessing the water main. Long story short, I got a pretty good cut on my shin and spent part of my New Year’s Eve getting a few stitches in the office’s library (after a delicious supper at the Ueltscheys). Thankfully, I know some good doctors here, and Julton was kind enough to sew me up. And, although I was taking it easy, I still enjoyed ringing in 2011.

However, after having to say goodbye to family (which was more difficult than I'd expected) and traveling so long, that mishap was definitely not the first thing I wanted my first day back in Trujillo. Thankfully it really wasn’t bad, and I didn’t break anything, but I found myself asking “Why today?” I don’t know. But it did make me stop and think a little more. As much as I’d like to convince myself otherwise, I don’t have it all figured out just because I’ve already been here 5 months. I still can’t do this on my own strength. Nor should I. So my prayer for this new year is that I would not be concerned with doing a lot of important, significant things myself. While certainly taking seriously my work and responsibility to help here as much as possible, I hope my focus is more on Christ: sincerely growing in my relationship with Him, seeing Him be significant, and letting that be enough. Through that process, I trust that He will work in and through me. But I hope some arbitrary proof of my own work's importance is not my focus; rather, that I just seek Jesus. Because He can – and is – at work in bringing God’s kingdom.

So I guess I can deal with a few stitches for awhile. And it’s nice to enjoy a week that’s a little more relaxed without having to teach. It’s been helpful in getting settled again to reunite with the other interns, see some friends, and get back to work at the clinic. It's great to see everyone again. Below are a couple of pictures: the first, when Heidi and I took Linda (our new roommate) on an adventure to Las Delicias, a nearby beach where we saw some absolutely monstrous waves; the second, passing through the Plaza de Armas, still adorned with the trees and decorations from Christmas. Sometimes, you’ve just got to love Perú.

As I get a feel for things, I’ll try and synthesize some goals for my work at the clinic and the rest of my time here. So, if I get ambitious, be on the lookout for that soon. I wish you and yours a very blessed 2011. (Can you believe we’re there?!)