Crossing Cultures: The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You

One of the cultural differences that I have come face-to-face with on multiple occasions is dancing. While living in the States, if someone said they “went dancing” or were at a party where they danced, my mental image would have been of colored or flashing lights, heavy rhythmic music, and body movements that, for the most part, would be inappropriate for me to duplicate. Only those who are trained and participate in some sort of dance group would be able to execute the more “acceptable” forms of dancing, such as ballroom styles, tap or ballet. You know, the “nicer” dances. 

This is not the case in Peru. 

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. 

CUDA View: The ICDU Team

CUDA View: The ICDU Team

Since the words ‘holistic ministry’ first left our mouths we’ve been explaining, and sometimes defending, our position on the work here in Arequipa. Taking our cues from Jesus’ own ministry we seek to reach those around us in a holistic way. We can no more just preach the news to people than only provide clean water to a new community. 

Crossing Cultures: Peruvian American

One of the most difficult things about being a missionary is a very basic fact. We are American. We were born there, grew up there, understand how to function there, and will always have significant connections there. We will never stop being American in some aspect, no matter how much time we spend elsewhere or how hard we try to open our minds to new perspectives. 

A New Year, A New Style

A New Year, A New Style

A word about the new look. First of all, we hope you, the reader, dig it. Our newsletters are for your benefit. The bit of extra work we put into this little publication is meant to make your reading experience more than just informational. And we figure, if we’re going to do something, we might as well kick it up a notch. 

A Peruvian Christmas

Last year, we had only been in Peru for a few months when the holiday season rolled around.  We were able to get our homes decorated and a few American-style treats made, but we were still very early in the learning curve to knowing what we could and could not do here.  We also had very little exposure to a typical Peruvian family’s Christmas celebration.  However, this year, we know quite a bit more about the culture and have been able to learn from our friends as we go.

Chocolatadas

In our first full year in Arequipa we have tried hard to integrate ourselves in the communities of Alto Selva Alegre and Miraflores.  Through ICDU we have opened libraries and taught seminars on urban gardening.  For Christmas we decided to take the advice of our Peruvian friends and throw two parties, one at our library in A.S.A and one close to a new library up in Miraflores.  These traditional holiday parties, called chocolatadas, were mainly for the kids, but it gave us a great opportunity to meet more of our neighbors and spread the word of what ICDU is about here in Arequipa.

Bapteezy

We’ve enjoyed the girls’ experience of our first baptism.  On the way to the water, Shaye was very curious about Jose Luis getting “babertized.”  Most often since that day, when Ana prays she thanks God for “Jose Luis and bapteezy in the water.”  The ritual made quite an impression on the kids—and on us as well.

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.