I am home. It really means a lot to say that, because I just returned from a 2 week stay in the States. (If you weren’t aware of this, it’s because we kept it top secret--I surprised my sister for her college graduation.) Before we ever left for Peru, Greg would tell me how important it was to stay on the field at least two years before returning. Many times, if missionaries return to their homeland too soon, they don’t want to return to the mission field. I am 3 months shy of that 2 year marker, and it was a difficult decision to make. But we decided that the reason for the trip was important enough for me to go. For the record, I traveled with the two girls and Greg stayed here in Peru.
The Apprentice: Waiting
I have now been in Peru for over a month. I am almost settled into my apartment (I still lack some furniture) and language classes are going well. I have taken over teaching the children’s Bible class, and have begun planning the curriculum for the children’s events with Megan. As I look back over the last several weeks I have discovered several things. First, being on the mission field for an extended period of time is vastly different from a short campaign or even a summer internship. In my past experiences with short term mission trips there were always activities planned and things to do. While this structure limited my freedom, it heightened the experience and I always fell asleep at night knowing I had accomplished something worthwhile.
Missionary Mom: Fertile Soil
What does evangelism look like to you? I believe that evangelism has many forms. God gives his children gifts, and he expects for each of us to use those gifts in evangelizing others. Before coming to Peru I could not give you a specific name of anyone I had “brought to Christ.” Sure, I am certain that I may have influenced people in a positive way. I attended a Christian college, participated in a Christian drama group, purposefully taught middle schoolers with a Christian attitude and perspective. There were many relationships that I wanted to deepen so that I could connect on a spiritual level, but I fell short of investing the time or energy into it. Since being here in Peru I have changed my view on evangelism somewhat.
The Apprentice: Arrival
I arrived in Arequipa, late Wednesday night, February 10th after what seemed like an endless journey. The journey began when I left Tucson, AZ on the 25th of January to travel to Memphis and Tullahoma, TN to visit with friends and the wonderful people at Cedar Lane once more, before leaving the country for the next two years.
Missionary Mom: All in a Year's Time
This month is a very special month on my timeline. It marks one year from last January. I realize that January is the beginning of a new year, but that isn’t the reason this month is special. So many things happened last January, and it is neat to see what has happened and is happening one year later.
Other Items of Interest: End of 2009
Breaking In
During our time of preparation for the field, our team studied several different books in an effort to better clarify how we would approach the mission here in Arequipa. Some things we knew wouldn’t apply culturally, but we were able to glean quite a few pearls of wisdom in how to approach church planting, cultivation, discipleship and outreach.
Availability
God designed relationship with a great purpose in mind. He wants to be in relationship with us, and we are to spread his kingdom by forming relationships with others. That is what my life is about no matter what part of the world I am in. I have had many frustrating times here in Peru because of my inadequacy with the language and learning to juggle my duties of mother and evangelist. I am an extrovert by nature, and I decided this past month that I would dive in to this Peruvian relationship thing full force. I feel like God heard my prayers and blessed my availability.
Visa Process...We Are on Our Way!
We are proud to say that we are well on our way to receiving our religious work visas (please refer back to the May newsletter if you don’t remember the drama of this process). We traveled to Lima as a team this month to meet with a man that took us to Interpol and begin the paperwork necessary for the visas. He informed us that around six weeks from our visit we would need to return to Lima to finish the process for us and then begin the process for the girls. We are so thankful to the Lima team (that is still slowly arriving in the city) for their help in getting us in contact with Mirco (the Peruvian helping us).
Children's Fridays
Since the library officially opened in July, we have tried several different types of activities geared toward different age groups to try and draw attention to the facility and increase the level of participation by the community. We are still in the process of discerning how best to do so, which programs are effective and which have yet to fulfill their purpose. One thing that has been a little more consistent than others are the Viernes Infantiles or Children’s Fridays, which take place every other week. It is one of our more encouraging activities, as there are a handful of kids that come each time, plus we had a new attendee for our last get together. Consistency is not typical in this culture, so we appreciate this group.