Finally

In Arica, overlooking the ocean

Some of the team members and I

Yes. I know I owe everyone an update. So much has transpired though, since my last post- that I think I have procrastinated in hopes that updating this would be easier. It isn't. So much has happened in fact, that I can't remember everything. Bear with me....

The morning we left for Arica it was quiet and cold; and it seems like last year. We drove only about 20 minutes before we were suddenly stopped by rocks and protestors blocking the road. Apparently, here in Peru blocking roads with small boulders and thousands of rocks is considered an efficient method of protesting. These protests are called 'paros.' They usually start very early in the morning, cutting off all transportation on those roads all day- or even for several days. Apparently, the people think that this concept will get the government's attention- by stranding and upsetting their own friends, neighbors and countrymen. However their logic may work, we were stuck, and we had to leave to renew our visas and we had to use that only road leading out of Cusco. The Lord was gracious to us after Ricky told the protestors that it was an emergency and that we had to get to Chile. Although he may have exaggerated- we were greatly relieved to get through. But....a few minutes later we were again confronted by more road blocks, and found that the road was blocked off every few miles. Cars and buses were turning around and everything seemd nearly in chaos. We found a road through a field that by passed the the paros. A little later on, one paro was barricaded with tires lit on fire and a noisy mob. But, once again, the Lord let us pass it. We were the only car that kept making it through....

As it were, we were expecting the road trip to last around 10 hours. But, with the delays from the paros and the sight of the sun sinking beyond the hills, we knew we would never reach the border in time. It ended up taking around 16 hours. We stayed in Tacna for the night and then crossed the border the next morning. As it turns out, my visa expired that very day. God's provision and grace has been so evident to me! After Arica, we went again back to Tacna. Or...attempted to. A massive paro had blocked off the highway between Arica and Tacna, and the road was littered with rocks, glass and even a tree at one point, for miles and miles. Thankfully, the protestors had left. We were able to drive on the side of the road over smaller rocks, but when we were nealry close to Tacna, a group of protestors with fire had blocked off the rest of the road. So, we followed another car through a field, and outskirted half the city coming in by another road.

We visited the church in Tacna and then proceeded to Cusco- but found that the whole country was participating in the paros- with Cusco getting the worst of it. Long story short...it took us a couple extra days to get home and by the time we arrived, I told myself that I never wanted to go on another road trip for a very very long time. I think my appetite for adventure was completely fulfilled. But, I have to say- that was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. There's so much more, but you will have to ask me about it all when I get home.

A few days later, another team from California arrived. All 22 of them. They were awesome! They were 13-19 years old and faithfully presented their skits and mimes over and over, with cheerfullness and enthusiasm. They has already been perfoming in Tacna, so Cusco was the last leg of their trip. They only left a few days ago, but I miss them already.

Michelle, the other intern and my roomate of two months left the same day as the team. Her company was so encouraging and inspiring. Michelle- Patti misses you terribly! I love you girl! Oh and.....a certain golden haired fellow misses you too... Vito sends his love! :)

So, now with those busy and eventful weeks past us, we are just trying to regain a semblance of normalcy. Prayer night...San Marcos...cooking for only a few people...and a deathly quiet house. Thanks everyone, who have sent me notes and letters! It is such an encouragment. Love you all!

leaving

We leave at 5am tomorrow morning to drive 10 hours to Arica, Chile to renew our visas, and then to Tacna, Peru to visit friends and the church there. We come back Friday night, in time for the children's class on Saturday.

Chao!

the lost city

This poem was written by Pablo Neruda, after he saw Machu Picchu for his first time in the 1920's.

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Give me your hand from the deep seeded by your sorrow.

You won’t return from under the rocks.
You won’t return from your subterranean time.
Your hardened voice won’t return.
Your gouged-out eyes won’t return.

Look at me from the depth of the earth, laborer,
weaver, silent shepherd:
tamer of wild llamas like spirit images:
construction worker on a daring scaffold:
waterer of the tears of the Andes:
jeweler with broken fingers:
farmer trembling as you sow:
potter, poured out into your clay:
bring to the cup of this new life your old buried sorrows.
Show me your blood and your furrow, tell me,
“Here I was punished,
Because the jewel didn’t shine
or the earth didn’t yield grain or stones on time.”
Show me the stone you fell over
And the wood on which they crucified you,
Make a spark from the old flints for me,
For the old lamps to show the whips still stuck
After centuries in the old wounds
And the axes shining with blood.
I come to speak for your dead mouth.
Across the earth come together all
The silent worn-out lips
And from the depth speak to me all this long night
Like I was pinned down there with you.
Tell me all, chain by chain,
Link by link and step by step,
Sharpen the knives which you hid,
Put them in my breast and in my hand,
Like a river of yellow lighting
Like a river of buried jaguars
And let me weep, hours, days, years,
For blind ages, cycles of stars.

Give me silence, water, hope.

Give me struggle, iron, volcanoes.

Speak through my words and my blood.

the little town of macchu picchu, in the urubamba valley, in the early morning hours

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice! Clouds and thick darkness surround Him, righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. His lightening lights up the world, the earth sees and trembles, the mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His righteousness and all peoples shall see His glory. [Psalm 97:1-6]

the sunrise through the mist

LORD, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. [Psalm 90: 1-6]


we climbed the mountain in the background, it is mount wynapicchu


view from the top of wynapicchu

For the LORD is a great God, and a great king above all gods. In His hands are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. [Psalm 95: 3-4]

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain.

Psalm 102: 25-26

last week

Danielle and I, she is the CCV administrator

Painting the first coat

Cheryl teaching how to correctly cut hair

Anne and I
Children at the orphanage clutching their toothbrushes after the dental hygiene presentation

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Things have been going very well. It has been a blessing having the team here from Christ's Church of he Valley [CCV] and it has been a sincere pleasure getting to know them all. I know I will be mucho triste when they leave in a few days!!

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We went to Machu Piccu on Thursday and got back on Saturday. After I go through my 201 pictures that I took, and probably after the team leaves on Tuesday, I will try to upload some of those photos. I am still recovering from the amazing time I had at Machu Piccu...I can't wait to tell you all about it.