Huaraz - God's Hands & Feet

"We simply cannot be obedient disciples of the Lord Jesus and continue to choose self-indulgence, all the while ignoring the desperate needs of others." (Exert from Beth Moore Study of James)

As I sit here in Starbucks trying to kill time between lunch with a friend and a night out with others, I cannot help but think about the last 9 days. My time in Huaraz was the most heartbreaking, humbling, and wonderful thing I have experienced thus far in life {as far as I can recall}. It was exhausting and frustrating (at times); however, setting aside my selfish complaints, it was the best experience ever; it was an experience I hope to one day repeat.

As I recount stories of the people in my mind, tears literally come to my eyes. Last week there was no time to cry for the patients as we were busy night and day; although now that I have time to process it bit, my heart is breaking inside my chest...literally. I hurt for Christ's creation, I am disgusted over my wealth and under-appreciation, and most of all I am overwhelmed with joy that all along the Lord had this trip planned for me without me having known anything of it until I arrived in Peru.

To think that I was on the verge of changing my plane ticket to spend less time in Peru this summer for lack of things to do gives me even more joy that the Lord knew all along exactly what He had planned for me during my time here. Had Leo asked me before I arrived in Peru if I would go on this medical trip, I probably would have said no. Actually, I'm 99% certain I would have said no. However, the Lord's timing is always perfect. A few days after arriving in Peru, frustrated with lack of initiative from friends to plan outings, and wondering how I would spend 5 weeks here, the Lord called me to the mountains of Peru. Leo asked me to go and told me I had to respond that night; without hesitation I replied, "YES! I would love to go!" Only afterwards did I panic a bit. I thought, "What if I don't know the vocabulary and misdiagnose someone through poor translating?" "What if I get sick working with these people?" "What if I miss out on something in Lima because I'm away in the mountains with people I don't know?" I recognized these attacks as the work of Satan, and I quickly shot him down asking the Lord to intervene and provide health, safety, and wisdom throughout the trip. I shared a quote a few posts ago that I cannot help but think of again and again.

"God put you here for this moment in history. You are here for a reason; there are hurting people who need you."

I wish I could give a detailed description of everything that happened July 9-17th in Huaraz; however, I know already some of you are zoning out wondering, "When will she get to the good stuff?" So...enough of the background information.

The Facts

Basically there were two teams of people working together to make the whole medical campaign function properly. About twenty-two people came from the States to work as the medical team, and there were about 20-25 people from "Peru" who went as evangelists and translators. (I was part of the Peru team.) As Leo put it last evening, the whole thing would have failed if all parts weren't working together (see 1 Corinthians 12).

We stayed about 30 minutes outside of the city of Huaraz - 8 hours northeast of Lima - the capital of the province Huaraz. Each day (Wednesday-Saturday & Monday) we traveled about an hour to hour and half up and around the mountains to semi-unreached and unreached villages. The roads were treacherous at times, but our drivers kept us safe on the journey each day. Every day we spent in a different village. We would set up our stuff in either a school or city building and get to work. We worked with patients from about 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day with a half-hour/hour break for lunch.

We saw between 250-300 patients each day ranging in age from newborn babies to 90 year old adults. Most of the children had rashes, stomachaches, headaches, poor vision, etc. Most of the adults had acid reflux, arthritis, poor vision, headaches, etc. As Leo said, after the first 4 patients, everything started sounding the same and translating got easier each day. I think the toughest translating were the patients who only spoke Quechua (a language of the mountains of Peru). We had Quechua/Spanish translators, then I translated from Spanish to English. When the doctor responded, I translated from English to Spanish then another translator translated the message to the patient from Spanish to Quechua.

While I spent most of my time with the Peruvian group {our housing was separate from the U.S. team's accommodations}, I did bond with a few of the U.S. team members. I connected with a few doctors who later in the week argued about who I would get to translate for that day (no worries, the argument wasn't too intense). There were a few others on the U.S. team that I got to know quite well, too, over lunch conversation, time spent on the bus, and small talk throughout the work day. I also made some new Peruvian friends who touched my heart and soul in a special way last week. I was proud when they recognized me as a "Peruvian" despite my height and American accent, and I was awed by the deep spiritual conversations we engaged in throughout the week.

The Stories

I wish I could share with you each person's story that touched my heart last week, but that is literally impossible. Instead, I'll settle for sharing some of the most humbling accounts.

Most of the adult patients we saw worked in the 'chacra' or agriculture. Because of the hot sun and dry air many of them had dry skin, age spots, and wrinkles beyond their years. Fifty year old women appeared to be 70-80 years old walking into the room, crippled with Arthritis and hunched over from years of hard work.

A few of the doctors allowed the kids to listen to their heartbeats. I loved seeing the kids faces light up as they recognized the distinct sound of the rhythm beating inside. As I asked what it sounded like a few replied, "Boom, boom, boom." Others said it sounded like a drum, and one child very sheepishly said, "It sounds like a live person's heart." It was all I could do not to laugh out loud.

One specific patient came to us complaining of bad headaches. After talking with myself and the doctor about her medical condition, she began to cry. I asked her if she was hurting, and she explained to me some of the pain she has in her life. She explained that most of her pain is emotional which has caused her physical pain as well. She went on to tell of her children who are grown and moved away. She explained that she has no husband, and she works night and day in the fields to be able to support herself. I asked her if she was depressed, and she told me that she thought she might be. The doctor spoke with her (through my translations) about praying to the Lord to deliver her from the stress. We shared with her that only through the Lord's help are we able to survive life here on Earth. She told us that she was a believer in Christ, so I then asked her if she read the Bible regularly. She explained to me that she doesn't read the Bible because she was never permitted to go to school to learn to read. I was humbled immediately. I shared a few scripture verses with her, and we asked if we could pray with her. After we finished praying, she stood up to leave and kissed me on the cheek saying "Gracias angel de Dios!" - Thank you angel of God. I choked on my words as I told her I am just human doing the work the Lord has asked me to do, and she left.

On Saturday a man came in with his 9 year old daughter to see us. The daughter had a cold and the father had knee pain. After checking the daughter over and subscribing some medicine to help her heal, the doctor checked the knees of the father. We decided he should receive knee injections for Arthritis. As we were prepping the area to be injected, the doctor was pulled away to check another patient to ensure a correct diagnosis. He was gone for quite a while, so I first talked with the daughter about school and her interests. Then I began speaking with the father about my reasons for being in Peru and how I got involved with the medical trip. He was very interested in what I had to say, and began asking me questions about church, the Lord, and missions. I shared with the man my personal knowledge and then pulled out a track I had been given about salvation. I read the track with him and we talked through it. Afterwards, he told me he wanted to know the Lord and live for him. He thanked me for the work we were doing, and expressed that he wanted to be used to help people, too. He asked me to pray with him, and after I finished his face changed from distraught to joy. You could feel the presence of the Lord among us as his smile glowed from his face. I was humbled that the Lord chose me to serve this man, and I pray that his life was changed that day for forever.

One of the most difficult stories occurred on Monday in Paccha. A lady came in the morning for her own check-up and as she was finishing up the lead doctor asked me if he could pull me away from my patient to translate for him. I began talking with the lady, and she expressed to me that her 24 year old son was unable to walk and needed medical attention. She said that she lived about 10 minutes up the mountain, and she was begging that a doctor go with her to see her son. Dr. Sealy asked me to see if she could return after lunch, and he ensured her that then a team would be free to travel with her to her home. She did in fact return (we weren't sure if she would), and a team of doctors and translators went up to the house with her. A while later they came back, and Dr. Sealy explained that her son was bedridden and terminally ill, and there was very little that they could do; the mother was his sole caregiver. We took up a collection among our team, and the money was given to the mother to help pay for expenses for her son. We connected her to a local church to find someone to come visit and help meet their needs twice a week. We were also able to provide wound care items and tons of vitamins, Tylenol and ibuprofen.

In Closing

While I could go on and on for hours {actually I've been typing for hours off and on as I've had time}, there is no way to fully express exactly what I experienced last week. All there is are my words and a small hope that maybe through the text you are able to understand the mighty work of my Lord Jesus and His love for the world. In no way do I wish to take credit for any of the work that was done last week in Huaraz. I am simply a girl following the will of the Lord. Where He calls me, I go, and what He asks of me, I do {sometimes a bit hesitantly}. I am overjoyed and humbled that God has chosen me to be His servant here in Peru, even if it's just for a few weeks each summer.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." ~ Matthew 25:40

"Not my will, but yours be done." ~ Luke 22:42

Pictures from Thursday (July 5)

For those of you not on Facebook, I thought I'd share some pictures from last Thursday. I spent the morning and early afternoon at the Family Center (Oasis) in Manchay and the later afternoon and evening in Pachacamac at the Children's Home (Juniper Tree)

Because of the friendship I have built with Mary (bottom left corner of first picture), I usually end up helping her class of 3 year olds when I visit Manchay. It's stretching for me, but in order to help my friend out, I'll do what I've gotta do. Occasionally I am able to slip away to play with the elementary kids or help them with their homework, but not often do I do so.

Playing in the sand.

 Learning the letter "U"

 Building with blocks!

 Reading stories.

 Physical Education class.

 Racing :)

 They had to hop from one end of the "concha" (soccer court)

to the other with the ball between their legs.

Mary and her class of 3 year olds!

 Fatima and I have bonded over the years!
She is getting so big :'(

 Lunchtime.

 Cool Dude!

Naptime.

This was so precious :)

Pachacamac is a bit harder to organize and visit. It's about a 2 hour bus ride from where I'm staying if I go the way I know how to go. There is a shorter way to get there in a little over an hour, but I have only done it once. Also, because the kids are at school all day and have chores/homework in the evenings, they aren't always available to play. Sometimes I am able to help with the homework, but sometimes the moms prefer them to do it on their own. 

Thursday nights, however, are their devotional night, and the boys play soccer together afterwards. The way this works is that the younger kids meet for devotions at 6pm, they sing, have a message, and do an activity. Then at 7pm the older kids meet for their devotions. When all is done, the younger kids (specifically girls) go to bed, while the boys stay up and play soccer together. A lot of the missionaries or others involved with the home come over this evening, too, to spend time with the kids. 

They talked about doing things with joy. So the kids had a coloring page with people and activities. They then had to cut out the activities and glue it next to a person on the page.

Renzo playing soccer!

He's another one who has gotten so big over the course of 5 years.

It's crazy to see the change from year to year!

Victor being silly. 

All the little girls love Javier!

Although, I do believe he started most of the wrestling. 

American Culture

My first weekend here in Lima I had an interesting conversation with a dear Peruvian friend of mine about mission. As we talked, I began to express some of the things I have realized bout myself and my role in ministry over the course of the last year. One of those things being that I don't know that I see myself coming full time on the mission field until I am married and have someone to come with me. Not saying I'm not open to coming alone, I just feel that at this time that is what God has revealed to me.

"WHAT?!" he exclaimed, and I proceeded to attempt to explain myself. I expressed that I've talked with other missionaries who have done it alone and have received mixed opinions. Some saying being single allows you more freedom to be involved wherever you choose, while others have expressed the difficulty they have felt in not having someone alongside for support and understanding. 

As I've had these conversations, I can't help but think back to my time teaching here in 2009. I had a blast (outside of school), I learned a lot, I grew up and matured, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. However, there were many times where I felt lonely despite my super busy schedule. Yes, I had American/Canadian friends to talk with, but no one really knew me outside of the context of me here in Peru. 

I tried to explain this to my friend, and he asked me, "What is the American culture? How is it different?" That I wasn't sure how to respond. I tried to explain that we are a people of schedule and routine. What we say we are going to do happens when we say we're going to do it. We work Monday-Friday and go out on the weekends. Beyond that I wasn't sure how to express the differences in thinking and ways of doing things. "It's just different," I said, and my friend responded, "But you fit in just fine here." That was a comforting statement, even though sometimes inside I feel very different from what is expressed on the outside. 

For example, three times my first week here I had "plans" with friends who had said they would call me the next day to confirm a time and place to meet. I waited, and the calls never came. So what did I do (being a schedule oriented person)? I called to find out where I am supposed to be when. All three times, I found out the plans were cancelled because other people couldn't come. Now in the States, if the plans are cancelled, you would call and tell the person that. However, here, one is just to assume if you don't here specific plans, they aren't happening. Being a schedule oriented person, all three times I had other offers of things to do, but I've turned them down because, "I have plans." Luckily two of the three times, I was able to call the other offers and go out with them anyways. 

This is just one example of the difference between American culture and Peruvian culture. It's something I face every year, and after about a week I do learn to adjust. The first week is always the hardest, then usually I'm fine and learn to not expect anything and to have a backup plan.

If someone asked you how you'd explain the American culture, how would you describe it? What kinds of things stand out to you?  (I asked this in another post and only got one comment. Please, help me out here!)

Weekend through Pictures

 I rode the new train that runs above Lima.

Hector couldn't wait to show me this experience.

It was so much faster than any bus or taxi.
I hate traffic here!

The train arrived in downtown Lima where to spent time looking over the city,

talking about the differences between this view and a typical view of the U.S.

 We ate a quick lunch downtown. 

They gave us "free" Pisco Sours.

I didn't like it, so it remained untouched.

 I went camping with my friend Teresa. 

We spent the majority of our time at the pool.

 Just chatting and people watching.

 We got in the pool for all of 10 minutes.

While the air was hot, hot, hot,

the water was cold, cold, cold!

 The camping place had a mini zoo.

We paid (a very low price) for lettuce, sweet potato,

and apples to feed to the animals.
The monkeys were by far the most fun to feed.

 We also fed this large turtle.

And I marveled over the amazing creation of my God.

Mountains that reach the sky, clouds to provide relief from the sun.

Green grass and trees that give us oxygen and provide a bit of color

at the basin of these Andes Mountains.

All in all it was a great weekend! Friday I spent the afternoon with my dear friend Hector chatting and offering my personal advice on some issues he is facing.

I left Friday evening with another great friend, Teresa, to go camping in Santa Rosa de Quives which is about 2 hours outside of Lima. We stayed at a beautiful country club with her family and a few of her brother's friends. Reason for the trip: Her brother's birthday.

We talked, sat by the pool, got eaten alive by mosquitoes, fed animals at the zoo, ate and ate and ate some more, sang karaoke, played charades, and slept very little. The days were hot, but the nights were very cold. All in all it was a great weekend!

Tonight at 7pm, I'm headed to Huaraz, a city 8 hours from Lima in the mountains of Peru. I will be translating for a medical team that is coming from the U.S. I will return "home"(aka - to Lima) on July 17th. Please be in prayer for this trip: safety, health, and ministry. I know it will be unlike any other mission trip I've done. Right now I am a mix of excited and nervous. I know God had this trip planned for me before I ever arrived in Peru, so I trust that He will be faithful throughout the next week. 

I'm not sure that I'll have access to internet, 

so be looking for a new post when I arrive back in the city!

It's hard to believe that I've only just finished two weeks here in Lima. It feels like I've been here forever. Three more weeks to go, and lots of people yet to see! 

Busy, Busy - Quick Update

This week has been incredible...busy, yet relaxing at the same time. 

Although this year has been very different than years past, I am so much enjoying my time here. I haven't gone out with large groups of friends much like normal, but instead I've gotten to spend time with more of my friends one on one or in smaller groups. I much prefer this form of getting to know people, and it's lead to some great heart to heart conversations with some dear friends of mine.

Let me be brief with my update, as it is late, and I am struggling to keep my eyes open.

Tuesday

I spent the day in Manchay assisting my dear friend, Maria (Mary) with her class of 3 year olds. We played, talked about the upcoming teacher's day (Friday), read books, painted, and decorated the letter "u" with blue paper.
In the evening, I helped my Canadian friend Mary with an English event with SIM ministry. They do weekly outreach events for {adult} students in Lima who are studying English. Tuesday night we talked with the group about body language and gestures. We played a short game of charades, demostrated various commonly known gestures and ended by discussing to show love not just with words but also through actions. (1 John 3:18) After the study Mary and I went to each dinner and catch up on life over the last year. 

Wednesday

I woke up around 9:30 with a bad headache. I decided to relax for a while before starting my day. I had plans in the evening, but my morning and early afternoon were free. After showering and getting dressed, I left the apartment with the Daily 5 book in hand and headed to Starbucks for a few hours. I read a few chapters, chatted with a few friends back home, and people watched.

In the evening I met up with a few friends and we went to see Ice Age 4 {in Spanish}. It was a pretty comical movie, and the company was great! Afterwards we went to dinner and chatted for a while. 

Thursday

I woke up this morning feeling refreshed, although I'd only slept 5 hours during the night. I readied myself for a long day of children. I left around 8:30 to head to Manchay. Again I helped Maria (Mary) with her class of 3 year olds. {I'm realizing more and more how perfect a fit 3rd grade is. These young ones wear me out!} I built with blocks, read to a few kids, helped with recreation and outdoor play, painted a poster for the upcoming independence celebration, and spent time talking with a few of the primary aged children. All in all it was a fun day in Manchay!
Javier came to meet me, and we headed to Pachacamac to the Children's Home. This is my favorite place to spend time while I'm here, but I don't make it out that way often because the kids are in school all day and have homework/chores in the evenings. Tonight was their devotions though, so it was a good excuse to go hang out with the kids. I got to see all of them tonight, which was such a joy since last week I only saw about half of them. The little girls all attacked Javier, and I spent time chatting with a few of the teenagers. These children are so precious to me, and I love any time I get to be with them. Even if we sit watching the boys play 'futbol' I love hanging out at the home.
Javier and I went out for dinner afterwards, and we shared great conversation. He is one of the first close friends I had here in Peru, and I am thankful that we have been able to continue that friendship despite his busyness working on cruise ships, working odd hours, or traveling between North and South America. 

This Weekend

I'm headed out of Lima to a warmer place {I forget where} to camp with my dear friend Teresa and her family. It should be a great time, and I'm excited to feel the warm sun. It's been warmer than usual for this time of year {70-75 degrees most days} here in Lima, but it still isn't hot. I know you are all killing for cooler temps in Indiana, but here I'd be happy if the sun came out and warmed us up a bit. 

Pictures

I hope to upload some Sunday or Monday before I leave for Huaraz. I put what I have on Facebook, so if you're my friend, look there to see them. 

Prayer Concerns

Pray for me this weekend as I spend time with a Peruvian family. I have come to love Teresa's family, but sometimes being with a family here can have its challenges {as it would be for anyone entering a foreign culture}. Pray that this weekend goes well and that we have a great time together. Also pray that I can be a witness to her family as not everyone is Christian. 

I leave Monday evening for Huaraz. Leo bought my ticket today for the bus, so there is no backing out now. Pray for peace of mind as I prepare to leave and pray for safety while traveling. Also please be in prayer that I am able to effectively translate and share the Word of the Lord with the people we come into contact with. 

I miss you all back home, but it seems like I never left this place. I feel so at home here! I know now is not the time for me to move here {although I've been offered two interviews just this week}, but this is where my heart longs to be. Continue to pray for me as I spend time with the kids and friends throughout the next couple weeks.