3:44 pm. It's that time of day again, the time of day when a mild pressure behind my eyebrows sets in, as has happened most days for the past few weeks. The ache is not strong enough to be consuming or debilitating, just enough to be noticeable and uncomfortable. Soon the slight nausea will creep in; not enough to make me toss my biscuits, just enough to make dinner taste not-quite-right. I have a hard time believing that the discomfort is anything but a psychosomatic reaction to the stress of change.
I returned to the United States from Peru just over a month ago. I haven't been doing anything especially taxing (though, prolonged boredom is surprisingly wearing). Most of my days have been spent working out a little, cleaning up some, praying often, spending too much time on Facebook, and all the while thinking, wondering, worrying. As if the change in culture weren't enough to deal with, I'm about to move, to begin studies at a new university (Northwestern) in a new field (speech-language pathology). I miss my friends. I miss cheap avocados. I miss the expressive nature of the Spanish language and the kind and spirited culture of Peruvian people. I think about how different life there was from life here: the way the air smells of dirt and smoke there and grass and lake water here, the brown dunes there and the green woods here, the movement of the salty sea verses the glass-like fresh water here, the constant motion and sound there and the stillness and quiet here, almost never being alone there and almost always being alone here. I wonder how Peru will continue to play a part in my life, when I will ever go back, what I really want to do with my life, who has given me the best advice, why being admitted to the dream school doesn't make me feel happier... I worry that I'll be paying student loans for the rest of my life, that my brain has gone to mush, that there are innumerable complications, difficulties and heartaches ahead of me.
We never really know what lies before of us. Sometimes we guess accurately or trick ourselves into thinking we know. Now, I am entirely aware that I have not the slightest idea how my life will play out. I don't know where this path will take me, how long I'll be on it, or how I'll know to get off and pursue another direction. I have never understood what "walking by faith, not by sight" feels like until now. I know in my heart I serve a God who will guide and protect me no matter what happens. Unfortunately, my mind is proving to be too puny to comprehend that fact. So, if you are a person of prayer, I am asking you to pray for me that I may be able to sort out the mess of thoughts and emotions I'm in, to trust in God's truth and comfort, and to find clarity and purpose for now and for what is to come.
September 3, 2012
June 8, 2012
Whew!
The past 30 days have been crazy! From leading a team, to the Inca Link Retreat, to meeting the new interns, I have been going, going, going. I've enjoyed everything I've been doing, but I am looking forward to some days of rest that are not spent on a bus! :)
During the first couple weeks of May, I lead a team of college students from Penn State that came through the Christian & Missionary Alliance church they attend. I enjoyed getting to know the team of six, four female students and a young, married couple who serve at the church. They worked hard and helped us finish the gardens at Pasitos de Fe, the children's home.
The day the team left, I met up with Lisa Merritt, the Executive Director of Inca Link International and a good friend of mine, in Lima. We headed back to Trujillo with Josh and Jenny Howlett and their almost-two-year-old Jayla, who were coming as a vision trip to potentially serve as Inca Link missionaries in Peru. They all came in for the Inca Link Retreat, where all of Inca Link International was represented. From the US, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, Inca Link came together to connect and encourage each other. I was honored to be able to meet the many committed followers of Christ who have chosen to serve with Inca Link full-time. As an intern, I was the designated child-care giver, so I spent most of the week playing with Jayla and a few other toddlers. Good thing I love babies!
On the last day of the retreat, I went back to Lima with my fellow intern Brent to pick up the 11 summer interns! They're great! As part of training, we had our own Amazing Race, inspired by the TV program. Because I completed an Amazing Race in 2010, I opted to be a judge this time around, so I was the designated score-keeper. We spent two days in Trujillo doing all sorts of challenges, from making bricks to dancing in the street to sand-boarding to eating chicken feet. Then we took the 12-hour bus ride to the border of Peru and Ecuador, and after entering Ecuador, we rode in a 15-passenger van to El Carmen, Ecuador. There's nothing like rode-trips in vans for team bonding. In El Carmen, the interns harvested and packaged Dole bananas, rode on bus tops called chivas, and cleared land for a church to be built.
From El Carmen, we traveled to Quito to spend the night and then to Huaticocha, a jungle village just a little past Sumaco, where I served in January with the Covenant Church. Although watching the interns navigate a river in carved canoes, eat grubs, and teach kids was entertaining, my highlight was running into the pastor of the Covenant Church in Sumaco. As I was waiting to get in the van, I saw him walking down the road, and we recognized each other. The meeting was brief, but I enjoyed making the connection... gotta love the Covenant!
After a great night and day in Huaticocha, we headed back to Quito. I was able to spend a day with my best friend Mandy Hjelm, who is serving with Covenant World Missions in Quito (I stayed with her for six weeks in January and February). It was great to be with her and have a day to relax and do something different. I've missed her! We had some greatly-needed catch up time. Spending time with her was a gift.
Next, we headed to a retreat center outside of Quito, called El Refugio. There we did team building and leadership training, and finished the Amazing Race. Campy things always make me feel at home and like myself (though that usually includes the pouty side of me that does not love certain campy activities along with the parts I love).
From there, we said good-bye to the six Ecuador interns and Inca Link Ecuador staff to head back to Trujillo. We took the night bus to the border, spent the day resting a hotel pool in the border town, and took another night bus to Trujillo. I spent one night in Trujillo and left Friday morning with two other interns to pick up our first group! We have two teams, a team from Kentucky and a team from Pennsylvania with us for our first block. Exciting! I'm writing this update on the third night bus I've taken this week. Needless to say, I am looking forward to a real bed.
I'm also looking forward to getting back to Trujillo and back to project. It's exciting to have new interns and to get to know them all and see their personalities come out as we get to know each other better. Please for team unity for the interns, teams, and Inca Link Peru, for our health and safety (we all have colds) and as always for all the ministries and outreach programs.
During the first couple weeks of May, I lead a team of college students from Penn State that came through the Christian & Missionary Alliance church they attend. I enjoyed getting to know the team of six, four female students and a young, married couple who serve at the church. They worked hard and helped us finish the gardens at Pasitos de Fe, the children's home.
The day the team left, I met up with Lisa Merritt, the Executive Director of Inca Link International and a good friend of mine, in Lima. We headed back to Trujillo with Josh and Jenny Howlett and their almost-two-year-old Jayla, who were coming as a vision trip to potentially serve as Inca Link missionaries in Peru. They all came in for the Inca Link Retreat, where all of Inca Link International was represented. From the US, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, Inca Link came together to connect and encourage each other. I was honored to be able to meet the many committed followers of Christ who have chosen to serve with Inca Link full-time. As an intern, I was the designated child-care giver, so I spent most of the week playing with Jayla and a few other toddlers. Good thing I love babies!
On the last day of the retreat, I went back to Lima with my fellow intern Brent to pick up the 11 summer interns! They're great! As part of training, we had our own Amazing Race, inspired by the TV program. Because I completed an Amazing Race in 2010, I opted to be a judge this time around, so I was the designated score-keeper. We spent two days in Trujillo doing all sorts of challenges, from making bricks to dancing in the street to sand-boarding to eating chicken feet. Then we took the 12-hour bus ride to the border of Peru and Ecuador, and after entering Ecuador, we rode in a 15-passenger van to El Carmen, Ecuador. There's nothing like rode-trips in vans for team bonding. In El Carmen, the interns harvested and packaged Dole bananas, rode on bus tops called chivas, and cleared land for a church to be built.
From El Carmen, we traveled to Quito to spend the night and then to Huaticocha, a jungle village just a little past Sumaco, where I served in January with the Covenant Church. Although watching the interns navigate a river in carved canoes, eat grubs, and teach kids was entertaining, my highlight was running into the pastor of the Covenant Church in Sumaco. As I was waiting to get in the van, I saw him walking down the road, and we recognized each other. The meeting was brief, but I enjoyed making the connection... gotta love the Covenant!
After a great night and day in Huaticocha, we headed back to Quito. I was able to spend a day with my best friend Mandy Hjelm, who is serving with Covenant World Missions in Quito (I stayed with her for six weeks in January and February). It was great to be with her and have a day to relax and do something different. I've missed her! We had some greatly-needed catch up time. Spending time with her was a gift.
Next, we headed to a retreat center outside of Quito, called El Refugio. There we did team building and leadership training, and finished the Amazing Race. Campy things always make me feel at home and like myself (though that usually includes the pouty side of me that does not love certain campy activities along with the parts I love).
From there, we said good-bye to the six Ecuador interns and Inca Link Ecuador staff to head back to Trujillo. We took the night bus to the border, spent the day resting a hotel pool in the border town, and took another night bus to Trujillo. I spent one night in Trujillo and left Friday morning with two other interns to pick up our first group! We have two teams, a team from Kentucky and a team from Pennsylvania with us for our first block. Exciting! I'm writing this update on the third night bus I've taken this week. Needless to say, I am looking forward to a real bed.
I'm also looking forward to getting back to Trujillo and back to project. It's exciting to have new interns and to get to know them all and see their personalities come out as we get to know each other better. Please for team unity for the interns, teams, and Inca Link Peru, for our health and safety (we all have colds) and as always for all the ministries and outreach programs.
May 4, 2012
Day 110
May 5th will be my 65th day in Peru and my 110th day in South America. Eighty-seven more days! While there are many things I LOVE about Peru (the food, the helpful and amiable people, plazas and parks abound...), I'll be honest -- after halfway point, there are definitely things I miss from home. Obviously, I'm looking forward to spend time with my friends and family, but the things that I dream about are the little things, the routine, the lifestyle.
Working out regularly. A couple days a week of moving dirt is okay, but it does not come close to spending 45 minutes with Chalene Johnson five days a week. Oh, what I would give for TurboFire!
Vegetarianism as an attainable and acceptable option. Peruvian food is probably the tastiest in the world but not necessarily the healthiest (lots of chicken, white rice, and french fries). I enjoy every bite (well, except for intestines, goat, chicken feet...), but let's just say I don't necessarily love what it does to my GI system.
Drinking tap water. Buying water and running out of potable water is annoying. I have become less and less careful with the tap water. I use it brush my teeth, rinse my mouth, cook food, "wash" fruits and vegetables. So far, so good.
My full wardrobe. It's vain, I know. I just really like my clothes... every single article. Plus, I like the variety and doing laundry in mass quantities less often rather than in small quantities every few days.
Driving. If you know me really well, you're probably shocked. Why? I don't like to drive. I prefer someone else to drive. But, do you know what the ability to drive gives me? FREEDOM. I miss going where I want, when I want. I do a lot of waiting here... waiting for a companion, waiting for a taxi, waiting for the combi. It's probably a good lesson in patience and reliance. Good lessons are just not always easy lessons.
Reliable schedules and punctuality. Again, I do a lot of waiting. See above...
I'm not complaining. Well, yes. Yes, I am complaining. My complaints are honest and with the intent to express myself so that you, my supporters, are able to better support me in prayer. With that said, thanks! For your prayer and words of encouragement. See you in 88 days. :)
Working out regularly. A couple days a week of moving dirt is okay, but it does not come close to spending 45 minutes with Chalene Johnson five days a week. Oh, what I would give for TurboFire!
Vegetarianism as an attainable and acceptable option. Peruvian food is probably the tastiest in the world but not necessarily the healthiest (lots of chicken, white rice, and french fries). I enjoy every bite (well, except for intestines, goat, chicken feet...), but let's just say I don't necessarily love what it does to my GI system.
Drinking tap water. Buying water and running out of potable water is annoying. I have become less and less careful with the tap water. I use it brush my teeth, rinse my mouth, cook food, "wash" fruits and vegetables. So far, so good.
My full wardrobe. It's vain, I know. I just really like my clothes... every single article. Plus, I like the variety and doing laundry in mass quantities less often rather than in small quantities every few days.
Driving. If you know me really well, you're probably shocked. Why? I don't like to drive. I prefer someone else to drive. But, do you know what the ability to drive gives me? FREEDOM. I miss going where I want, when I want. I do a lot of waiting here... waiting for a companion, waiting for a taxi, waiting for the combi. It's probably a good lesson in patience and reliance. Good lessons are just not always easy lessons.
Reliable schedules and punctuality. Again, I do a lot of waiting. See above...
I'm not complaining. Well, yes. Yes, I am complaining. My complaints are honest and with the intent to express myself so that you, my supporters, are able to better support me in prayer. With that said, thanks! For your prayer and words of encouragement. See you in 88 days. :)
April 30, 2012
Month Two in Peru
Tomorrow it will be May. WHAT? April has flown by! The past month has been quite the ride, with ups, downs, celebrations and frustrations.
At the beginning of the month, my parents came to visit. It was great to see them and cool to share my life here with them. While they were here, they were able to meet the set of seven-year-old twins they sponsor at the Inca Link daycare. Though the kids were shy at first, they warmed up to us all, and continue to ask about my parents whenever they see me.
After the quick week with my parents, I was frustrated with life here and now as well as with my plans for life back home. Here, my project was not advancing. I kept getting sidetracked with work other than my project and coordinating it was hard. For my own safety, I'm not supposed to go anywhere alone, which means my schedule has to be based around other people's schedules. I don't consider myself to be a fiercely independent person -- I like having a companion -- but good grief do I miss the convenience and ease of going places by myself! Concerning my plans for home, I continued to be wait-listed and rejected from my preferred schools. When I finally was accepted to one, it was my last choice. I was not convinced the school nor the career path (speech-language pathology) was for me.
Then, something great happened! I got accepted to another school that I liked better. Though it was still low on the list, the program was good and the director was really nice. As soon as I had accepted the fact that I probably wouldn't be going to one of my top picks, something amazing happened! I was offered admission to Northwestern University! Northwestern's speech-language pathology is ranked as one of the top schools in the nation, and as it is just north of Chicago and has "legacy" value (both my dad's parents attended), it was my top choice. So, I enrolled!
After a couple of weeks of coordinating and struggling to get moving on my project, I finally was able to take some kids from the daycare out for a little field trip, just for fun. So far, my friend Claudia and I have taken out six kids, three sets of siblings. We were also able to visit their homes and meet their families, which is always good to understand their home lives. Usually, the home situation is difficult, with absent fathers or mothers, too many kids, and not enough resources. Most homes in their neighborhood are one or two rooms made of "adobe" mud-bricks, with dirt floors and little ventilation. The poor conditions are even more grim with life stories and harsh conditions that make young women look old. We leave with heavy hearts.
Seeing the homes of these children makes the necessity of the daycare so clearly evident. I've seen relief in mother's faces as they mention the three meals a week their children are fed at the day care, three less days she has to worry about how to feed them. I feel overwhelmed with compassion for these people, and overwhelmed by how much needy people need. I often feel that the help we are able to provide is inadequate, and it is. We will never make their lives perfect. BUT we must have faith that God will use what little we can do to do something big. We can't rescue every kid from every bad situation, but we can bring hope to a hurting world -- hope that situations can change, that wounds will be healed, that God will provide for us and sustain us. Maybe we don't have the resources to meet everyone's physical needs in abundance, but we have the abundant love of God that covers all.
At the beginning of the month, my parents came to visit. It was great to see them and cool to share my life here with them. While they were here, they were able to meet the set of seven-year-old twins they sponsor at the Inca Link daycare. Though the kids were shy at first, they warmed up to us all, and continue to ask about my parents whenever they see me.
After the quick week with my parents, I was frustrated with life here and now as well as with my plans for life back home. Here, my project was not advancing. I kept getting sidetracked with work other than my project and coordinating it was hard. For my own safety, I'm not supposed to go anywhere alone, which means my schedule has to be based around other people's schedules. I don't consider myself to be a fiercely independent person -- I like having a companion -- but good grief do I miss the convenience and ease of going places by myself! Concerning my plans for home, I continued to be wait-listed and rejected from my preferred schools. When I finally was accepted to one, it was my last choice. I was not convinced the school nor the career path (speech-language pathology) was for me.
Then, something great happened! I got accepted to another school that I liked better. Though it was still low on the list, the program was good and the director was really nice. As soon as I had accepted the fact that I probably wouldn't be going to one of my top picks, something amazing happened! I was offered admission to Northwestern University! Northwestern's speech-language pathology is ranked as one of the top schools in the nation, and as it is just north of Chicago and has "legacy" value (both my dad's parents attended), it was my top choice. So, I enrolled!
After a couple of weeks of coordinating and struggling to get moving on my project, I finally was able to take some kids from the daycare out for a little field trip, just for fun. So far, my friend Claudia and I have taken out six kids, three sets of siblings. We were also able to visit their homes and meet their families, which is always good to understand their home lives. Usually, the home situation is difficult, with absent fathers or mothers, too many kids, and not enough resources. Most homes in their neighborhood are one or two rooms made of "adobe" mud-bricks, with dirt floors and little ventilation. The poor conditions are even more grim with life stories and harsh conditions that make young women look old. We leave with heavy hearts.
Seeing the homes of these children makes the necessity of the daycare so clearly evident. I've seen relief in mother's faces as they mention the three meals a week their children are fed at the day care, three less days she has to worry about how to feed them. I feel overwhelmed with compassion for these people, and overwhelmed by how much needy people need. I often feel that the help we are able to provide is inadequate, and it is. We will never make their lives perfect. BUT we must have faith that God will use what little we can do to do something big. We can't rescue every kid from every bad situation, but we can bring hope to a hurting world -- hope that situations can change, that wounds will be healed, that God will provide for us and sustain us. Maybe we don't have the resources to meet everyone's physical needs in abundance, but we have the abundant love of God that covers all.
April 2, 2012
Thanks, Simpson Team!
To my Sisters at Simpson,
Thank you for a beautiful week of ministry here in Trujillo, Peru. Your willing spirits and compassionate hearts not only touched the lives of the youth and children we serve but also encouraged me and the rest of the Inca Link Peru team. Although our time together was short, your enthusiasm and extraordinary effort allowed us to accomplish much in only a few days.
Thank you for moving dirt tirelessly.
Thank you for planting grass joyfully.
Thank you for teaching the daycare children the story of Daniel courageously.
Thank you for praying in the garbage dump openly.
Thank you for playing with grimy kids freely.
Thank you for listening to our testimonies intently.
Thank you for crowning the children in Victor Raul lovingly.
Thank you for praying for Inca Link passionately.
Thank you for cleaning the dust-covered dormitory optimistically.
Thank you for sharing your reflections thoughtfully.
Thank you for serving diligently!
You were a joy to lead and serve alongside. As you adjust to life with a new perspective, knowing new things about the world, keep praying -- we are united in prayer. Keep serving -- God calls us to serve His Kingdom wherever we are (you ARE salt and light). Keep searching for the hidden God, the God who named us and calls us by name.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21)
With love and peace,
Abby Fish
Thank you for a beautiful week of ministry here in Trujillo, Peru. Your willing spirits and compassionate hearts not only touched the lives of the youth and children we serve but also encouraged me and the rest of the Inca Link Peru team. Although our time together was short, your enthusiasm and extraordinary effort allowed us to accomplish much in only a few days.
 |
Thank you for moving dirt tirelessly.
Thank you for teaching the daycare children the story of Daniel courageously.
Thank you for praying in the garbage dump openly.
Thank you for playing with grimy kids freely.
Thank you for listening to our testimonies intently.
Thank you for crowning the children in Victor Raul lovingly.
Thank you for praying for Inca Link passionately.
Thank you for cleaning the dust-covered dormitory optimistically.
Thank you for sharing your reflections thoughtfully.
You were a joy to lead and serve alongside. As you adjust to life with a new perspective, knowing new things about the world, keep praying -- we are united in prayer. Keep serving -- God calls us to serve His Kingdom wherever we are (you ARE salt and light). Keep searching for the hidden God, the God who named us and calls us by name.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21)
With love and peace,
Abby Fish
March 17, 2012
Trujillo :)
After the quick tour of Cuzco with Valerie, we parted ways. She continued to travel in southern Peru and on to Chile and Argentina (I'm not sure where she is now...), while I traveled north to Trujillo, Peru. Being back in Trujillo, feels good. The construction projects have moved along, the full-time Inca Link staff has grown in numbers, and the day care kids have grown taller and have bigger teeth.
So far, I've mostly been getting reacquainted with the ministries and the city, as well as getting to know the new Inca Link staff. I'm still learning the city, but I feel like I've known my fellow Inca Linkers for much longer than a week and a half. In addition to Wendy and Violeta, who I met the last time I was here, there are six new Inca Link Peru staff members: Brenda, Yackorry, Denise, Claudia, Stephanie, and Joca. They're all young and fun and passionate about what God is doing through Inca Link.
Currently, I'm living at Inca Link's children's-home-in-progress in the house built for missionaries. I share the house with another intern, Jordan (we interned together in 2010), the director of the daycare Eli and his wife and baby, an Ecuadorian volunteer named David, and another volunteer from Pennsylvania named Brent. This past week, we had Sam Gale, another former intern, with us for a week and Jordan's girlfriend Amanda who were volunteering over their spring break. Full house!
We've been working on construction projects here at the children's home as well as helping out at the various children's programs in different neighborhoods and at the daycare. I've been scheming up a project to focus on thoughout my time here. I'll be here for about 100 days (153, actually) and there are about 100 kids at the daycare, so my goal is to spend one-on-one time with each child at the daycare to give them some individual attention, learn more about their family life, and update their sponsors with pictures and letters. I'm still figuring out exactly what my time with the kids will look like, but I'm excited about the concept and I hope to start meeting with the kids soon.
The bad news is Machu Picchu broke my camera. Luckily, it didn't break until I was leaving the park, but it's still broken. I think it's fixable... or would be for someone who knew how to fix cameras. Until it's fixed or I find a spare to use for awhile, I'll just have to practice my descriptive writing skills, and you will have to use your imagination.
So far, I've mostly been getting reacquainted with the ministries and the city, as well as getting to know the new Inca Link staff. I'm still learning the city, but I feel like I've known my fellow Inca Linkers for much longer than a week and a half. In addition to Wendy and Violeta, who I met the last time I was here, there are six new Inca Link Peru staff members: Brenda, Yackorry, Denise, Claudia, Stephanie, and Joca. They're all young and fun and passionate about what God is doing through Inca Link.
Currently, I'm living at Inca Link's children's-home-in-progress in the house built for missionaries. I share the house with another intern, Jordan (we interned together in 2010), the director of the daycare Eli and his wife and baby, an Ecuadorian volunteer named David, and another volunteer from Pennsylvania named Brent. This past week, we had Sam Gale, another former intern, with us for a week and Jordan's girlfriend Amanda who were volunteering over their spring break. Full house!
We've been working on construction projects here at the children's home as well as helping out at the various children's programs in different neighborhoods and at the daycare. I've been scheming up a project to focus on thoughout my time here. I'll be here for about 100 days (153, actually) and there are about 100 kids at the daycare, so my goal is to spend one-on-one time with each child at the daycare to give them some individual attention, learn more about their family life, and update their sponsors with pictures and letters. I'm still figuring out exactly what my time with the kids will look like, but I'm excited about the concept and I hope to start meeting with the kids soon.
The bad news is Machu Picchu broke my camera. Luckily, it didn't break until I was leaving the park, but it's still broken. I think it's fixable... or would be for someone who knew how to fix cameras. Until it's fixed or I find a spare to use for awhile, I'll just have to practice my descriptive writing skills, and you will have to use your imagination.
March 6, 2012
Machu Picchu
Last Thursday evening, Valerie and I left Ecuador to go to Cuzco, Peru together before parting ways. We flew from Quito, Ecuador to Lima, Peru, spent the night in the Lima airport, and flew to Cuzco in the morning. After dropping our stuff off at the hostal where we would stay, we wandered around the city to find food, an ATM, and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu. Cuzco is a quaint (and touristy) city with pretty plazas and many good restaurants. Even during "low-season," there were plenty of foreigners around.
Although we enjoyed a less busy town, there is a problem with visiting Machu Picchu during low-season: rain. Hence, the low tourist season. No one wants to travel thousands of miles and pay hundreds of dollars to visit a world wonder during a rainstorm. We knew this could be a problem when planning our trip, but we went forth because it was the time that worked for both of us. We could only hope and pray the rain wouldn't ruin our visit.
Our first day in Cuzco, we noticed that the morning was sunny and beautiful, but the weather turned dismal in the afternoon, cloudy and wet. Walking back to our hostel in the pouring rain after buying our tickets to enter the Machu Picchu historic park, we feared our luck would turn dismal as well.
The next morning we woke up before dawn to take a taxi to the bus station. After a two hour bus ride through the mountains, we arrived at the train station Ollantaytambo. From there, the train took us two more hours to Aguas Calientes, the "Machu Picchu City." Yet, another leg of the trip was still ahead. We found the bus station, bought tickets, and boarded a bus that goes back and forth from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu park all day, every day. For about 20 minutes, we twisted up high into the mountains.
All morning, the sky had been clear and sunny. The weather was looking good -- until we stepped off of the bus. Rain.
Luckily for us, the rain lasted only a few minutes. By the time we found a guide and agreed on a price, the rain let up and we entered the park. After a quick puff up a hill, we turned to see the postcard view of Machu Picchu.
When the tour was over, Valerie and I found a place to sit and take it all in. We imagined what life was like there before the Quecha people abandoned the place to avoid the conquistadors (according to our guide). Not too long after, the rain began again, so we took a final look at the view and said "good-bye" to Machu Picchu :)
Although we enjoyed a less busy town, there is a problem with visiting Machu Picchu during low-season: rain. Hence, the low tourist season. No one wants to travel thousands of miles and pay hundreds of dollars to visit a world wonder during a rainstorm. We knew this could be a problem when planning our trip, but we went forth because it was the time that worked for both of us. We could only hope and pray the rain wouldn't ruin our visit.
Our first day in Cuzco, we noticed that the morning was sunny and beautiful, but the weather turned dismal in the afternoon, cloudy and wet. Walking back to our hostel in the pouring rain after buying our tickets to enter the Machu Picchu historic park, we feared our luck would turn dismal as well.
The next morning we woke up before dawn to take a taxi to the bus station. After a two hour bus ride through the mountains, we arrived at the train station Ollantaytambo. From there, the train took us two more hours to Aguas Calientes, the "Machu Picchu City." Yet, another leg of the trip was still ahead. We found the bus station, bought tickets, and boarded a bus that goes back and forth from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu park all day, every day. For about 20 minutes, we twisted up high into the mountains.
All morning, the sky had been clear and sunny. The weather was looking good -- until we stepped off of the bus. Rain.
Luckily for us, the rain lasted only a few minutes. By the time we found a guide and agreed on a price, the rain let up and we entered the park. After a quick puff up a hill, we turned to see the postcard view of Machu Picchu.
So, of course, we had to take pictures in front of it to prove we were really there and didn't just steal photos off the internet.
After posing for our "postcard shots," we followed our tour guide into the ancient city.
February 25, 2012
Wanna help?
A good friend of mine, Lisa Merritt (executive director and co-founder of Inca Link International) posted this article, and I couldn't help but share it. Because I am serving abroad, a lot of my friends and family are interested in helping me help the people I serve. Before I left, people asked me how they could help, what they could send with me, and I wasn't sure what to tell them. I have a better idea now. This article outlines and explains a few examples of aid-gone-wrong:
"The Seven Worst International Aid Ideas"
http://matadornetwork.com/change/7-worst-international-aid-ideas/
Although these altruistic flops may be disheartening, this article presents a good challenge. Instead of helping in ways that make us feel good about ourselves, we are challenged to think critically about how our actions really affect the receivers. Sure, sending toys and socks to children around the world to open on Christmas day makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but hunger is not going to end by spreading Christmas cheer. I acknowledge that there have been circumstances in which lives have been touched positively by these gestures. However, there are more reliable ways to improve the lives of poverty-stricken populations. It's easy to give away things we don't want or need anymore, but the article makes an important point about hurting local economies. Besides, if it's not good enough for you, why should it be good enough for someone else?
Now that we've been through some bad ideas, let's talk what people really need and reliable ways to meet those needs.
I have not completed thorough research on world-wide needs. These are just a few things that I have observed in my own travels, through friends who serve or work in poor areas, and through aid organizations. I think it's safe to say that many people in many parts of the world lack clean water, stable income, and education. Even though it doesn't feel as personal to support projects with funds as sending something you can physically touch to someone else, projects to improve the overall quality of life are most effective... well, as long as the project is well-thought-out and properly executed (ahem, do your research before supporting a project).
There are many organizations working toward providing communities access to clean water. Wine to Water is just one. I know children personally who have benefited from this organizations work in Peru. Visit winetowater.org for more information.
Another great way to support people around the world is through community development projects. Covenant World Relief has many different projects that promote sustainable income. From micro-finance banks in Mexico, to vocational training in Vietnam, to agricultural projects in Ecuador (remember those Sumaco mushrooms?), Covenant World Relief provides grants and other resources to promote a healthy economy. Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime, right? Check out Covenant World Relief's projects at covchurch.org/relief/projects/cd
A final way to improve communities is to help provide access to education for children. By supporting a child monthly, a sponsor provides "educational fees, school uniforms, tutoring, health care, and, in faith-based sponsorship organizations, spiritual mentorship" ("Cost Effective Compassion: the 10 Most Popular Strategies for Helping the Poor" www.christianitytoday.com... someone did) complete research on this!). Whether you sponsor a child through smaller organizations like Inca Link International (incalink.net/inca_link_international/sponsorship.html), H.E.R.O (haitihero.org), or organizations that work world wide, like Compassion International (compassion.com), you not only improve a child's life today, you give them opportunities and tools to be productive individuals in the future.
These are just a few opportunities that I know about -- there are a lot more out there. Challenge yourself to find an organization or project that not only impacts your pro-social ego but impacts the lives of others in a positive, sustainable, and holistic way. If you're looking for an effective way to help others, these few opportunities are good places to start.
"The Seven Worst International Aid Ideas"
http://matadornetwork.com/change/7-worst-international-aid-ideas/
Although these altruistic flops may be disheartening, this article presents a good challenge. Instead of helping in ways that make us feel good about ourselves, we are challenged to think critically about how our actions really affect the receivers. Sure, sending toys and socks to children around the world to open on Christmas day makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but hunger is not going to end by spreading Christmas cheer. I acknowledge that there have been circumstances in which lives have been touched positively by these gestures. However, there are more reliable ways to improve the lives of poverty-stricken populations. It's easy to give away things we don't want or need anymore, but the article makes an important point about hurting local economies. Besides, if it's not good enough for you, why should it be good enough for someone else?
Now that we've been through some bad ideas, let's talk what people really need and reliable ways to meet those needs.
I have not completed thorough research on world-wide needs. These are just a few things that I have observed in my own travels, through friends who serve or work in poor areas, and through aid organizations. I think it's safe to say that many people in many parts of the world lack clean water, stable income, and education. Even though it doesn't feel as personal to support projects with funds as sending something you can physically touch to someone else, projects to improve the overall quality of life are most effective... well, as long as the project is well-thought-out and properly executed (ahem, do your research before supporting a project).
There are many organizations working toward providing communities access to clean water. Wine to Water is just one. I know children personally who have benefited from this organizations work in Peru. Visit winetowater.org for more information.
Another great way to support people around the world is through community development projects. Covenant World Relief has many different projects that promote sustainable income. From micro-finance banks in Mexico, to vocational training in Vietnam, to agricultural projects in Ecuador (remember those Sumaco mushrooms?), Covenant World Relief provides grants and other resources to promote a healthy economy. Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime, right? Check out Covenant World Relief's projects at covchurch.org/relief/projects/cd
A final way to improve communities is to help provide access to education for children. By supporting a child monthly, a sponsor provides "educational fees, school uniforms, tutoring, health care, and, in faith-based sponsorship organizations, spiritual mentorship" ("Cost Effective Compassion: the 10 Most Popular Strategies for Helping the Poor" www.christianitytoday.com... someone did) complete research on this!). Whether you sponsor a child through smaller organizations like Inca Link International (incalink.net/inca_link_international/sponsorship.html), H.E.R.O (haitihero.org), or organizations that work world wide, like Compassion International (compassion.com), you not only improve a child's life today, you give them opportunities and tools to be productive individuals in the future.
These are just a few opportunities that I know about -- there are a lot more out there. Challenge yourself to find an organization or project that not only impacts your pro-social ego but impacts the lives of others in a positive, sustainable, and holistic way. If you're looking for an effective way to help others, these few opportunities are good places to start.
February 24, 2012
Oh, yeah, that other life...
Besides the traveling around Ecuador and preparing to serve with Inca Link in Peru, a large part of my mental space is currently occupied with the question of admission to graduate schools. This fall, I applied to seven (7) master's programs in speech-language pathology. The application process was stressful, as the steps to achieve the goal of admission are somewhat unclear. What are grad schools looking for, exactly? What's important to include in a personal statement? How do I balance professionalism with unique personal qualities? Submitting the applications was nearly nerve-wracking enough to produce a panic attack. There is no going back now... Waiting for results is an entirely different kind of stress; there is nothing to do but wait and wonder.
Fortunately for me, I've been a world away from my potential life as a graduate student, so usually the thoughts keep quiet deep in the recesses of my subconscious mind. At least, they did until recently, when the estimated time of result arrival drew near. Because the applications are now online, the results are also available online. I've been checking periodically only to find the same status: submitted, under review.
Until yesterday.
I received an email notifying me that my admission status to the University of Minnesota was available. Oh god, I thought, simultaneously filled with excitement and dread in anticipation of what that admittance letter would read. The U is one of my preferred programs and admits only 25 students each year. I expected to be either thrilled by "yes" or devastated by "no."
I was neither thrilled nor devastated. I was wait-listed. Neither yes nor no, middle of the road, not offered admission but there is still the chance that I could be offered admission if someone else denies the offer. I'm a viable candidate but just not quite impressive enough to make the first string.
While my initial response was disappointment, I mostly feel confused about how to feel. I wasn't accepted, but neither have I been definitively rejected. Ok, so I still might not get in, or I might get in after all. More waiting. The other confusing part is that I can't gauge my chances with other programs based on these results. Is it a good sign or a bad sign? I wouldn't really be able to know about other programs based on this one anyway, but it's just confusing.
All I know is that if I don't hear from the other schools soon, I may very well develop a compulsive checking disorder in the meantime.
Fortunately for me, I've been a world away from my potential life as a graduate student, so usually the thoughts keep quiet deep in the recesses of my subconscious mind. At least, they did until recently, when the estimated time of result arrival drew near. Because the applications are now online, the results are also available online. I've been checking periodically only to find the same status: submitted, under review.
Until yesterday.
I received an email notifying me that my admission status to the University of Minnesota was available. Oh god, I thought, simultaneously filled with excitement and dread in anticipation of what that admittance letter would read. The U is one of my preferred programs and admits only 25 students each year. I expected to be either thrilled by "yes" or devastated by "no."
I was neither thrilled nor devastated. I was wait-listed. Neither yes nor no, middle of the road, not offered admission but there is still the chance that I could be offered admission if someone else denies the offer. I'm a viable candidate but just not quite impressive enough to make the first string.
While my initial response was disappointment, I mostly feel confused about how to feel. I wasn't accepted, but neither have I been definitively rejected. Ok, so I still might not get in, or I might get in after all. More waiting. The other confusing part is that I can't gauge my chances with other programs based on these results. Is it a good sign or a bad sign? I wouldn't really be able to know about other programs based on this one anyway, but it's just confusing.
All I know is that if I don't hear from the other schools soon, I may very well develop a compulsive checking disorder in the meantime.
February 21, 2012
El Carnaval
Many parts of Latin America celebrate a festival called "carnaval" every year leading up to the season of lent. In Ecuador, el carnaval is essentially a water fight over a four-day weekend. At least, it only officially lasts for four days. Most people leave Quito for the holiday weekend, so things here aren't too wild, but in other towns, you can't walk down the street without getting water dumped on you from rooftops, water balloons thrown at you, or sprayed with carioca (a sort of colored foam comparable to our silly-string). To experience the yearly celebration, Mandy, Valerie, and I went to Carapungo, a suburb of Quito, to "play carnaval" with Mandy's former host family.
We started as observers, watching Mandy's host parents scheme to get the employees of their furniture store wet before closing up for the night. Soon enough we were the victims, covered in carioca. We slipped out to get our own foamy artillery. The game was on. Val, Mandy, and I made a pact to work together, and as our adversaries did not understand English, and we did understand their Spanish, we had the upper-hand in planning tactics. They, however, had access to buckets and water spouts. We were soaked in no time. The fight quickly moved to the back alley, where we fought over buckets, defended the water spouts, chased each other like children, and all ended up completely soaked. Lucky for us, we escaped the flour that was dumped from the rooftop and nobody brought out the most lethal weapon -- raw eggs.
I'm not sure how the tradition began or what its significance is, but playing with friends, family, neighbors, and strangers of all ages is a celebration indeed (when you're prepared for it, at least). As much fun as we had last night, we stayed inside today, avoiding another soaking.
We started as observers, watching Mandy's host parents scheme to get the employees of their furniture store wet before closing up for the night. Soon enough we were the victims, covered in carioca. We slipped out to get our own foamy artillery. The game was on. Val, Mandy, and I made a pact to work together, and as our adversaries did not understand English, and we did understand their Spanish, we had the upper-hand in planning tactics. They, however, had access to buckets and water spouts. We were soaked in no time. The fight quickly moved to the back alley, where we fought over buckets, defended the water spouts, chased each other like children, and all ended up completely soaked. Lucky for us, we escaped the flour that was dumped from the rooftop and nobody brought out the most lethal weapon -- raw eggs.
I'm not sure how the tradition began or what its significance is, but playing with friends, family, neighbors, and strangers of all ages is a celebration indeed (when you're prepared for it, at least). As much fun as we had last night, we stayed inside today, avoiding another soaking.
February 19, 2012
Surprise!
Since Mandy moved to Ecuador a year ago, some of our former housemates and I have been dreaming and scheming about meeting up in Ecuador. Although we had our doubts about timing it right, we did it! My friends Valerie and Colleen both came in to Quito last weekend -- the trick was that not everyone knew the dream was about to come true.
Colleen, Valerie, and I had been planning to make Colleen's visit a surprise for Mandy. At one point, we really thought Colleen wouldn't be able to come, so we went with it. Colleen told Mandy she couldn't get vacation time to come (she has a big-girl job with Apple Computers). Val and I created a cover story, saying that Val was coming in Saturday night, when really Colleen was coming in Saturday night.
Then the plot twisted. Valerie wasn't sure she'd be able to come the week Colleen could. She made it work, but the potential missed timing inspired us to make it a double surprise. We told Colleen that Valerie couldn't come until the following week, that they would just miss each other.
The surprises went perfectly. Colleen came in Saturday night, when Mandy was expecting Valerie. I had just enough time between seeing Colleen and greeting her to tell Mandy that Val would get in the next night. We created a fictitious friend of a friend named "Mike Peterson" to give a reason for going to the airport again.
After we were reunited, we had a full week of sight-seeing and enjoying being together. We climbed up the Basilica in Historic Quito, visited the equator, rode the Teleférico cable car to view the city from above, soaked in the Papallactas hot springs, and ziplined over the jungle canopy. Best of all, we shared adventures.
Colleen left yesterday. Valerie and I will be here with Mandy for a week and half more until we travel together to Peru. Time here has gone by quickly. I've seen many parts of Ecuador -- coast, jungle, mountains, city -- and have had good-quality time with my friends. So far, so good!
Colleen, Valerie, and I had been planning to make Colleen's visit a surprise for Mandy. At one point, we really thought Colleen wouldn't be able to come, so we went with it. Colleen told Mandy she couldn't get vacation time to come (she has a big-girl job with Apple Computers). Val and I created a cover story, saying that Val was coming in Saturday night, when really Colleen was coming in Saturday night.
Then the plot twisted. Valerie wasn't sure she'd be able to come the week Colleen could. She made it work, but the potential missed timing inspired us to make it a double surprise. We told Colleen that Valerie couldn't come until the following week, that they would just miss each other.
The surprises went perfectly. Colleen came in Saturday night, when Mandy was expecting Valerie. I had just enough time between seeing Colleen and greeting her to tell Mandy that Val would get in the next night. We created a fictitious friend of a friend named "Mike Peterson" to give a reason for going to the airport again.
After we were reunited, we had a full week of sight-seeing and enjoying being together. We climbed up the Basilica in Historic Quito, visited the equator, rode the Teleférico cable car to view the city from above, soaked in the Papallactas hot springs, and ziplined over the jungle canopy. Best of all, we shared adventures.
Colleen left yesterday. Valerie and I will be here with Mandy for a week and half more until we travel together to Peru. Time here has gone by quickly. I've seen many parts of Ecuador -- coast, jungle, mountains, city -- and have had good-quality time with my friends. So far, so good!
February 4, 2012
The Road to Sumaco
After a week in Quito, I ventured out to Sumaco with a group of Covenanters from across Canada. Sumaco is a small, peaceful village in the "oriente," the western part of Ecuador, which is mostly jungle. Although the pueblo is small, it has a massive history. The settlement was started in the late 1980's by a group of refugees who lost their homes to an earthquake and the proceeding landslide. Immediately following the disaster, hundreds of displaced families were housed and supported by the Iglesia del Pacto, the Covenant Church of Ecuador. After awhile, the people needed a place of their own and found Sumaco, often referred to as "Pacto Sumaco" after the church. They chose the area because it was similar to the land they had lost. For the past 25 years, the people of Sumaco have been fighting to obtain titles to their land. There was a complicated back and forth between the republic and international agencies trying to protect the land as environmental reserve. From my (limited) understanding it went like this:
Republic of Ecuador, "Yes, you can live there."
International Environment Agency (or something), "Ecuador has to reserve that land to get funding."
Republic of Ecuador, "Then again, you can't live there."
Sumaco, "But, you already told us we could live here. We have nowhere else to go."
Republic of Ecuador, "Ok, well, you can stay; we'll just ignore you."
International Environment Agency (or something), "Ecuador has to reserve that land to get funding."
Republic of Ecuador, "Yeah, actually, you can't live there."
But Sumaco kept on trying. As of January 2012, the people finally have the papers to file for land titles, making them legal owners and permanent residents of the place they've called home for the past two decades.
The village is remote and rustic. Until a few years ago, there was no road at all to get to Sumaco; now there is a narrow dirt road through the lush, green mountain. A bus leaves daily at 5am to go to a bigger town and returns nightly at 7pm. Wooden houses are built on stilts to keep from flooding in the daily deluge. When the sky isn't cloudy, you can see the Sumaco Volcano from "main street." Many people are undereducated and underfed. In order to bring more prosperity to the village, a new agricultural project is underway. Funded by a grant from Covenant World Relief, the town is beginning to cultivate mushrooms to sell for profit. Although the growing is still in the experimental phase, there is great hope in the potential earnings from the Sumaco hongos. The mushrooms are delicious, and coming from someone who doesn't really like mushrooms, that means they must be really amazing.
While in Sumaco, we worked on multiple projects. At the local public school, we helped fix up the bathrooms and drainage system, began the foundation for a new classroom, and gave health and English classes to the students. Others worked on a project for the Covenant Church of Ecuador's social outreach program, FACE ("FAH-say"), which included installing window panes to the FACE agricultural house, where the process of growing mushrooms begins. Every afternoon, we held a VBS type program for the local kids. We played games, sang songs, did crafts, and told and acted out Bible stories.
Although poverty is rampant and resources are limited, the beauty, tranquility, and simplicity of Sumaco are enviable. Up in the cloud forest, the people survive on the little they have and thrive on the community and support for each other. As I have observed elsewhere, the people with the least amount of material possessions have the greatest amount of faith in God; they depend on God in a way that is almost impossible for those of us who depend so much on our own wealth.
Pray for Sumaco. Pray for united leadership for the Covenant Church, Mount Sinai, of Sumaco, as they are currently without a pastor. Pray for wisdom as the community gains titles to their land, and with those titles the ability to sell their land. Pray for physical and spiritual nourishment. Pray for prosperity through the mushroom project. Pray that the Christians of Sumaco will never lose their hope and trust in God.
Republic of Ecuador, "Yes, you can live there."
International Environment Agency (or something), "Ecuador has to reserve that land to get funding."
Republic of Ecuador, "Then again, you can't live there."
Sumaco, "But, you already told us we could live here. We have nowhere else to go."
Republic of Ecuador, "Ok, well, you can stay; we'll just ignore you."
International Environment Agency (or something), "Ecuador has to reserve that land to get funding."
Republic of Ecuador, "Yeah, actually, you can't live there."
But Sumaco kept on trying. As of January 2012, the people finally have the papers to file for land titles, making them legal owners and permanent residents of the place they've called home for the past two decades.
The village is remote and rustic. Until a few years ago, there was no road at all to get to Sumaco; now there is a narrow dirt road through the lush, green mountain. A bus leaves daily at 5am to go to a bigger town and returns nightly at 7pm. Wooden houses are built on stilts to keep from flooding in the daily deluge. When the sky isn't cloudy, you can see the Sumaco Volcano from "main street." Many people are undereducated and underfed. In order to bring more prosperity to the village, a new agricultural project is underway. Funded by a grant from Covenant World Relief, the town is beginning to cultivate mushrooms to sell for profit. Although the growing is still in the experimental phase, there is great hope in the potential earnings from the Sumaco hongos. The mushrooms are delicious, and coming from someone who doesn't really like mushrooms, that means they must be really amazing.
While in Sumaco, we worked on multiple projects. At the local public school, we helped fix up the bathrooms and drainage system, began the foundation for a new classroom, and gave health and English classes to the students. Others worked on a project for the Covenant Church of Ecuador's social outreach program, FACE ("FAH-say"), which included installing window panes to the FACE agricultural house, where the process of growing mushrooms begins. Every afternoon, we held a VBS type program for the local kids. We played games, sang songs, did crafts, and told and acted out Bible stories.
Although poverty is rampant and resources are limited, the beauty, tranquility, and simplicity of Sumaco are enviable. Up in the cloud forest, the people survive on the little they have and thrive on the community and support for each other. As I have observed elsewhere, the people with the least amount of material possessions have the greatest amount of faith in God; they depend on God in a way that is almost impossible for those of us who depend so much on our own wealth.
Pray for Sumaco. Pray for united leadership for the Covenant Church, Mount Sinai, of Sumaco, as they are currently without a pastor. Pray for wisdom as the community gains titles to their land, and with those titles the ability to sell their land. Pray for physical and spiritual nourishment. Pray for prosperity through the mushroom project. Pray that the Christians of Sumaco will never lose their hope and trust in God.
January 19, 2012
Final Destination: Quito
After my night in Chicago, I successfully arrived in Quito! I was a little worried about my bags arriving with me because my flight to Miami was on American Airlines and my flight to Quito was on LAN, but no había problema, there were no problems. The one other annoyance was that I had to walk all the way from Terminal D to Terminal J in the Miami Airport. I seriously think I walked a mile. Plus, I had to leave the terminal and go through security again. Luckily, I had a two-hour layover and the lines for LAN were way shorter than for American.
Shorter lines was just the first of many reasons to fly LAN. For one thing, they board by rows starting in the back. Doesn't that just makes sense? No waiting for the front row people to get their junk in the overhead compartment and just sit down already. Secondly, the aircraft was huge but not full, so I got a window seat without anyone in the aisle seat to climb over when I had to use the lavatory, plus I had more elbow room and space to spread my stuff out. Then, they offered free wine with dinner! Now that is classy. Most importantly, the flight staff was both exceptionally friendly and exceptionally good-looking. Nothing makes a flight more enjoyable than a young, handsome, smiley male flight attendant.
After arriving in Quito and being reunited with my BFF Mandy, we dropped my stuff off at her apartment, I called home and cleaned up, and we met the North Park students studying in Ecuador this semester and the other short-term missionaries for dinner. Since then, Mandy and I have mostly been running errands to prepare for the team coming with Covenant Merge Ministries and meeting people Mandy works with.
Yesterday, we went to the zoo with a couple of former missionaries who were visiting and some of their Ecuadorian friends with little kids. The relaxed excursion changed quickly for me as I watched a stranger pass out in her boyfriend's arms. Thanks to my training as a "professional rescuer," I felt the responsibility to stick around, assess what happened, and wait for her to regain consciousness. I probably didn't actually help at all except to ease the look of helplessness and fear on her boyfriend's face. She came to pretty quickly, was aware of her surroundings, and said she thought she was dehydrated. Lucky for her, I had a full water bottle.
Today, we went just outside of Quito to Carapungo, where Mandy first lived and worked. We met her former host family, who she lived with for about six months. Her host father took us out for ice cream. Then, we went to the church she worked in and visited the Compassion project, which gives sponsored kids a meal, homework help, and Bible lessons a few days a week.
On Saturday, a team comes from Canada work with Covenant Merge Ministries. I'm still not exactly sure what my role with them will be... translating mostly, I think. We'll be going to Sumaco, which is a few hours from Quito. I won't have internet access, so I'll be incomunicada for about a week starting Sunday. So, until next time, I will be doing my best to remember not to flush the toilet paper, to diligently apply sunscreen, to drink lots of water, and to ignore the many hisses, whistles, and "mi amor" calls on the streets.
Shorter lines was just the first of many reasons to fly LAN. For one thing, they board by rows starting in the back. Doesn't that just makes sense? No waiting for the front row people to get their junk in the overhead compartment and just sit down already. Secondly, the aircraft was huge but not full, so I got a window seat without anyone in the aisle seat to climb over when I had to use the lavatory, plus I had more elbow room and space to spread my stuff out. Then, they offered free wine with dinner! Now that is classy. Most importantly, the flight staff was both exceptionally friendly and exceptionally good-looking. Nothing makes a flight more enjoyable than a young, handsome, smiley male flight attendant.
After arriving in Quito and being reunited with my BFF Mandy, we dropped my stuff off at her apartment, I called home and cleaned up, and we met the North Park students studying in Ecuador this semester and the other short-term missionaries for dinner. Since then, Mandy and I have mostly been running errands to prepare for the team coming with Covenant Merge Ministries and meeting people Mandy works with.
Yesterday, we went to the zoo with a couple of former missionaries who were visiting and some of their Ecuadorian friends with little kids. The relaxed excursion changed quickly for me as I watched a stranger pass out in her boyfriend's arms. Thanks to my training as a "professional rescuer," I felt the responsibility to stick around, assess what happened, and wait for her to regain consciousness. I probably didn't actually help at all except to ease the look of helplessness and fear on her boyfriend's face. She came to pretty quickly, was aware of her surroundings, and said she thought she was dehydrated. Lucky for her, I had a full water bottle.
Today, we went just outside of Quito to Carapungo, where Mandy first lived and worked. We met her former host family, who she lived with for about six months. Her host father took us out for ice cream. Then, we went to the church she worked in and visited the Compassion project, which gives sponsored kids a meal, homework help, and Bible lessons a few days a week.
On Saturday, a team comes from Canada work with Covenant Merge Ministries. I'm still not exactly sure what my role with them will be... translating mostly, I think. We'll be going to Sumaco, which is a few hours from Quito. I won't have internet access, so I'll be incomunicada for about a week starting Sunday. So, until next time, I will be doing my best to remember not to flush the toilet paper, to diligently apply sunscreen, to drink lots of water, and to ignore the many hisses, whistles, and "mi amor" calls on the streets.
January 15, 2012
Detour
It seems there is some force that always tries to keep me out of Ecuador. In 2007, the program I wanted to do in Ecuador shut down, so I couldn't go. In 2010, a volcano erupted the night I was to fly to Quito, so I got stuck in Miami for a day. Now, in 2012, my first flight had a two-hour delay due to "unexpected maintenance issues," so I couldn't make my second flight in Chicago, so I couldn't make my final connection to Quito. There were no more flights today, so I'm flying out of Miami tomorrow afternoon. I decided to stay in Chicago with my former roommate Colleen instead of spending the night alone in Miami. An unexpected visit makes the detour much more enjoyable. Tomorrow, I will get there. Tonight, I will enjoy a few hours with a good friend.
And as Miley Cyrus sings:
"There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side
It's the climb"
You better believe I'm singing along ;)
And as Miley Cyrus sings:
"There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side
It's the climb"
You better believe I'm singing along ;)
January 7, 2012
New year... new location!
Well, a week from tomorrow, I'm leaving for South America, and I'm not coming back to the US until August.
Yep.
This plan has been brewing for a long time. Basically, I've wanted to go back to Peru since I left in August 2010. Plus, my best friend moved to Ecuador last January, and I definitely can't last more than a year without seeing her, so I HAVE to go to Ecuador, too. Really, I am doing exactly what I planned to do after graduation:
1. live at home -- did it
2. make some money -- okay, that part hasn't really worked out as well as I planned... I made more money working at Bible camp for two months than I made in four months as a substitute teacher, but I still made some money.
3. apply to grad school -- done
4. Spend January through July in Ecuador and Peru -- doing it!
I'm living the dream, baby!
However, a week before departure, the dream is proving to be slightly scarier than I expected. Although I've been scheming things for a long time, I made the decision to go rather quickly. After Mandy searched for jobs in Quito for me all fall and suggested other opportunities for me (that I loosely agreed to and usually backed out of), she told me, "Abby, I talked with Merge Ministries and they say you can help me lead the team and be a translator in January. Do you still want to do that?"
To which I replied, "Yeah! I do really want to do it. Just let me talk it over with my parents."
"Okay, well just tell me as soon as you can because I need to tell Merge whether they need to find someone else or not."
"Well... I want to do it. Tell them I'll do it. I'm doing it!"
The day after that I talked to my friend Lisa Merritt (director of Inca Link), and the dates of every thing I wanted to do all lined up, which I took as a sign of God's approval. So, five weeks ago, I decided to do it all. I talked to the mission committee at my home church for support, I bought my ticket, I set the plan in motion.
I am very excited to see my BFF Mandy, visit Machu Picchu with my old roomie Valerie, spend time with my friends in Peru, and work with Inca Link again, but six months is a long time! Moreover, I am leaving with no idea what I'll return to. Hopefully grad school, but where??? I applied to seven schools in six states. I could end up at any one of them, or none of them.
Being at home would not erase the question mark looming ahead, so onward I go, having faith that God will guide me, work through me, and clear a path before me.
Yep.
This plan has been brewing for a long time. Basically, I've wanted to go back to Peru since I left in August 2010. Plus, my best friend moved to Ecuador last January, and I definitely can't last more than a year without seeing her, so I HAVE to go to Ecuador, too. Really, I am doing exactly what I planned to do after graduation:
1. live at home -- did it
2. make some money -- okay, that part hasn't really worked out as well as I planned... I made more money working at Bible camp for two months than I made in four months as a substitute teacher, but I still made some money.
3. apply to grad school -- done
4. Spend January through July in Ecuador and Peru -- doing it!
I'm living the dream, baby!
However, a week before departure, the dream is proving to be slightly scarier than I expected. Although I've been scheming things for a long time, I made the decision to go rather quickly. After Mandy searched for jobs in Quito for me all fall and suggested other opportunities for me (that I loosely agreed to and usually backed out of), she told me, "Abby, I talked with Merge Ministries and they say you can help me lead the team and be a translator in January. Do you still want to do that?"
To which I replied, "Yeah! I do really want to do it. Just let me talk it over with my parents."
"Okay, well just tell me as soon as you can because I need to tell Merge whether they need to find someone else or not."
"Well... I want to do it. Tell them I'll do it. I'm doing it!"
The day after that I talked to my friend Lisa Merritt (director of Inca Link), and the dates of every thing I wanted to do all lined up, which I took as a sign of God's approval. So, five weeks ago, I decided to do it all. I talked to the mission committee at my home church for support, I bought my ticket, I set the plan in motion.
I am very excited to see my BFF Mandy, visit Machu Picchu with my old roomie Valerie, spend time with my friends in Peru, and work with Inca Link again, but six months is a long time! Moreover, I am leaving with no idea what I'll return to. Hopefully grad school, but where??? I applied to seven schools in six states. I could end up at any one of them, or none of them.
Being at home would not erase the question mark looming ahead, so onward I go, having faith that God will guide me, work through me, and clear a path before me.
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