ends and beginnings

Well I guess it has been pretty much forever since I have last posted something. As most of you know, I have safely returned back to the United States all in one piece, much to the relief of my family. I have only been home for a month now, yet it already seems like Peru and all that I was blessed to experience was so long ago. Returning to life back here in the States has filled me with mixed emotions. It is so wonderful to be back home with my family, sleep in my own bed (which seems so incredibly huge, not to mention soft and clean), and be able to talk and communicate with friends and family a lot easier than through emails, unreliable internet calls, or calls from phone booths that had weird and often inconvenient hours. To be able to actually communicate in person or be able to just pick up your cell phone wherever and whenever and call still is crazy to me, despite my almost religious and obsessive use of my cell phone up until the day I left to go to Peru back in July. It's crazy how you just get used to not using things, because I'm still having to get used to having my cell phone around and that the weird little jingle that registers in my sub-conscious is actually a cell phone ring and not a taxi-driver honking his horn down on the street below my apartment in Pucallpa.

I arrived safely back home and the first thing my family and I did after leaving the airport was head to Taco Bell. I don't know what it is about the place, because Taco Bell is not exactly the best representation of fine Mexican food, but whatever the case, those burritos tasted simply amazing! Nothing like craving mexican food, and especially Taco Bell for the last 9 months and finally being able to bite into a delicious burrito from a fast-food chain store. It's not like I hadn't had enough beans and rice during my time but, I have realized refried beans are completely different from those beans down in Peru, whatever they're called.

Other novelties such as having hot water, electricity and light past 6p.m. (this whole sunset at 8:30pm thing is really confusing for my inner time clock), being able to actually blow-dry my hair, walking barefoot on carpet floors, simply throwing my clothes in a washing machine followed by a dryer and the whole process taking only a couple hours, sitting on chairs and couches that are padded and actually comfortable to sit on, being able to just get in my car and drive wherever (though the extremely high gas prices have seriously discouraged me from taking advantage of this opportunity), visiting the local grocery store and purchasing everything in one place (though I kind of miss the bargaining, not to even mention the more delicious, fresher, and much cheaper fruits and vegetables available in Peru), having a wide variety of foods to choose from (aka NOT having to eat rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner). And this is only a partial list of things that I have quickly re-acquainted myself with over the past month.

At the same time I am experiencing all these "new" and exciting things, I realize that so many of the people I have just returned from interacting with are at this moment working under the hot tropical sun, trying to earn a living for their families, which amounts to about $5 per day. And the mother of the household is spending her day, as she does almost everyday, washing, scrubbing and wringing out her family's clothing items, almost all of which have permanent dirt stains and holes throughout. Between that, she is slaving away at the open fire next to her simple home, cooking rice, and frying up fish for the noon meal. These things and so much more make up a simple lifestyle that I have been able to experience firsthand for the past few months; but as I have recently returned to the States and been adjusting back to a lifestyle filled with school, work, career searching, friends, and all the other responsibilities and stressors that are placed on young adults like myself; not to mention the seemingly “luxurious” opportunities (at least that’s what it seems like in comparison) that living in the U.S. allows, I can’t help but feel a bit guilty. This is definitely the “land of promise” and no wonder so many people want to move to the U.S. and pursue the “American Dream.” How did I become so blessed to be born in a country where there is the opportunity to pursue whatever I want if I just put my mind and energy to it?

These past nine months have been an interesting and eye-opening experience. I have learned so much not only about myself, but also about different cultures and peoples, and how to live and work with others all with a common goal of service for others. I have been pushed to new limits, seen my strengths, realized some things I need to work on, and been so incredibly blessed to have worked with a group of young people who everyday challenged me to become a better servant of Him. I feel so privileged to have lived, worked, laughed, and cried with these people who have become more than just friends to me.

Looking back at when I first arrived, with all my expectations and ideas for what this experience was going to be like, I realize that it was all so much more than I could have imagined. Of course, if I had known everything that would have happened, all the challenges and struggles we were all to face, I don’t think I would have been able to handle it all. But God is good and realizes our apparent limitations and helps us along the way, giving courage and strength to faces the challenges and trials that come our way.

I think the greatest challenge yet best memory and greatest joy was taking care of Hector, the little Peruvian baby plagued with malnutrition who turned out to be HIV positive. Many a night I stayed up with the little guy, not able to get much sleep because of his crazy medicine-taking schedule, and quickly getting a taste of the heavy responsibilities placed on young parents (wow!!). I struggled with lack of patience with the little guy at times, but one night I finally prayed to God to give me the patience and energy to take care of him and give him all the love I could because he deserved the best! A peace came over me and I was able to care for him with patience and love. Ever since then, he has had a special place in my heart! Taking care of him was a full-time job for our team; thankfully there were usually lots of willing people to take care of him so Jenni and I could actually get some work done. Saying good-bye at the airport was one of the hardest things for me. Because of his condition, I just didn’t know whether he would last a few days or many happy years. Of course, we all hoped and prayed for the best, but in the back of my mind, there was always a reminder of the “statistics.” And realizing I didn’t know when I was going to be able to return to visit Peru, made it even harder. I still remember as I kissed him good-bye that last time, he had a little smile on his face, which of course just melted my heart. I had to turn away and wipe the many tears streaming down my face. Why did I have to say good-bye to so many people especially little Hector, such an amazing experience, and a place that I learned to call my home, all at the same time?! Coming back to the States and seeing so many other little babies, some with cries terribly similar to Hector, I am constantly reminded of him. And just a few short days after my arrival back in the States, Hector celebrated his 7-month birthday, which is amazing! God is incredible!! However much I wish I could say this little baby boy is still continuing to grow strong, I cannot. Hector passed away in his sleep in the wee hours of Sabbath morning, May 31. The little baby boy, the one who we had all laughed and cried over, the one who we had all had our share of sleepless nights trying to take care of him, was gone. Despite this incredibly deep sadness that we are all feeling and experiencing through this, I and the rest of my fellow team members know all of the time and energy spent caring for him was not in vain. Showing love and care towards this little bundle of joy was the most rewarding experience for me, one that I will never forget. This baby was completely innocent, knowing no wrong and living with no knowledge how much the odds were against him. Our whole team was dedicated to caring for him in the best way we knew how, showing him all the love possible to make his life as special as could be.

My time down in Peru is done for now. I am heading back to Southern in the fall to complete the courses required of me for my degree. But this doesn’t mean my mission is done. Instead it is just taking on a new front, among my peers, classmates, friends, and family. I am excited to share about my experience and also be able to witness for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And though I am terribly sad about leaving Peru, this country that became my home, and all the people that I was blessed to meet, especially little Hector, I can know with faith I will be meeting these people, including my precious little baby Hector, in Heaven very soon!! For Jesus promises that he will return soon again. I like how His return is spoken about in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” I can practically hear the loud shout right now! We can be comforted in the knowledge that when this day comes, Hector and everyone else with disease and pain will be given a new body. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4). I can’t wait for this day!! I pray that each one of us will be ready for this glorious day to meet our Savior in the Heavenly clouds!!

Less than a week!!

My time here in Peru is rapidly drawing to a close and it is with deep sadness that I am saying good-bye to the people I have befriended and the place I have called home for the past few months. It seems like just yesterday we all arrived here, but really nine months of crazy adventures and memories have take place. There is still much I need and want to do before I leave, but with God's help my stress will subside and I will be able to do all that I want before I leave.

The 3rd week of March we held a clinic in Nueva Era, a Shipibo community just out of Yarinacocha. The week was quite successful, with lots of people passing through medical and our dental team saw record numbers. Brent's family was able to join in on the fun and help out a bunch at clinic, so that was a huge help. Nice to meet you guys!! blessings

The next week, my family came down to visit, which was quite the time. I had a great time seeing them and it was awesome to be able to show them all that we have been doing, meet the team and make the project much for "real." On Friday afternoon, my dad tripped and fell on one of the streets in Pucallpa, dislocating his shoulder, so we had quite an adventure seeing firsthand Peruvian healthcare. My dad had to be put under general anesthesia and the doc put the joint back in place. Thankfully it all went well, God blessed us with some good connections to doctors, and we were on our way after a few hours. Unfortunately, my dad has since re-dislocated it and so is going to be having outpatient surgery the day before I arrive home, so please pray for him!! Well, my family was all good sports about the whole thing and the whole time here and they had a good time here!:-)

Our dental team has had the privilege to hold 2 more mini clinics in 2 different places in the last couple weeks. The first clinic was in Bena Jema where we held clinic in the SDA church. We were there for three days and saw quite a number of patients, though the numbers weren't as high as our previous clinic. During these clinics Brent and I were training in Willem, who is going to be taking over dental after we leave. The second clinic we had was at km. 13 San Juan. We were there for 2 days and saw a good number of patients. It was quite fun to play with the kids and get to know the community a bit. I was able to spend some time talking with the Shipibo women and learn a little more about how they live. One of the ladies actually walks around Pucallpa selling her necklaces, purses, bracelets, and other little "touristy" items around the square. So I run into her every once in a while and talk. These clinics have been quite nice for me, at chance to pull some more teeth, get to know a new community, and talk to others about Jesus.

In less than a week, four of us will be flying up to Iquitos to see the Amazon River and see some "real" jungle. There is another Adventist non-profit up there (People of Peru Projects) and so will be getting to know that team for a few days. Then its down to Lima and a day of surfing and sandboarding before heading home. I am quite excited for the upcoming adventures and travels, but really I'm quite sad about leaving this place. This week is the week of "lasts." Last time eating my favorite meal at the vegetarian restaurant, last time eating fries, last night in my apartment, last time buying at the market, etc. the list could go on forever and then I get quite sentimental and it's no good!:-) I think the thing I'm going to miss most are the people, especially the people I have been working, eating, living, sweating, laughing with. Each and every one of them are amazing and unique. We have all had a great time and experienced many different things that will forever bond us together, that nobody else will completely understand. God definitely had a hand in putting this team together and I have been blessed beyond belief this year with such awesome friends aka my brothers and sisters. I will miss them all terribly. Almost all of us are returning to the States either to continue schooling (Brent, Tara, Kaitlin, David, and me), finding that perfect job (Kristin), or getting married (congrats Emily!!). but it will never be exactly the same. Dr. Mathews, Willem, and Jenni are all still here in Peru and are planning on staying a while. But I must end this now because I will start to cry...:-) besides I have much to do before I leave! argh...until next time Blessings

our team pictures

some pictures from the past weeks

Baby Hector Update

So much has happened in the last month with this little bundle of joy. Emotional and mental ups and downs, it’s hard to summarize them all. In the month-span that we have been privileged to take care of this little guy, much has happened and so I will try to summarize it because I don’t have much time. As I write, Hector is laying on my lap, crying for attention and for his bottle of milk. I’m still working on the multi-tasking concept, which I think is pretty much impossible when trying to take care of a needy little 4month old boy, named Hector!

After spending about 9 days in the hospital, little Hector was discharged and sent to km. 38. Over the next week, he quickly developed many mommies and daddies, all taking care of the little guy. But by the weekend, he was have difficulty breathing and Jenni and Anita took him back to the hospital. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and began rigorious anti-biotic and breathing treatments. Despite difficulties and frustration with being in the hospital yet again for a few days, and with hospital staff trying the patience of Anita and Jenni, Hector was again released, with the promise by Jenni to take good care of him outside of the hospital. So with IV’s hanging up around the room and a crazy 24-hr schedule of medication to give the little guy, Hector became the center of attention. Anita and Jenni faithfully took care of the little guy, many times staying up all night because of the crazy medicine schedule and little Hector not wanting to sleep either.

Every few nights, I stayed up with Hector, allowing Anita and Jenni some much needed and deserved sleep. Over the next week or so, Hector improved, though one was fearful of gaining too much hope knowing that he, just like any other little baby, could become sick with a fever in a very short time. Throughout this second bout of illness, he lost weight. Drinking milk become quite difficult because he was having such a hard time breathing and drinking at the same time. Often he would go into coughing spasms and throwing up much of the milk he just consumed.

Despite all the anti-biotics, vitamins, breathing treatments, minerals, and milk little Hector was being given, he still wasn’t getting better. Nobody could understand why. These medications were top quality, yet the baby wasn’t improving. Why? Back to the laboratories for more testing. Over the next few days, Jenni faithfully took Hector to various places for tests. On Friday morning the results came. Providing answers, yet leaving so many unanswerable questions. Why does this have to happen to such a small, innocent little boy? It’s NOT fair!! Hector. So tiny. Cute. Precious. Lovable. Innocent. Yet, he test HIV positive. Why? I don’t understand.

Hector´s mother has also been diagnosed with HIV, which at this point have already become full blown AIDS. Dad has also tested positive for HIV. They have two older sons (one from the mother´s previous relationship) and neither one has tested positive. Praise the Lord!! Please keep this little family in your prayers. This news has been devastating to say the least. We have been praying for a miracle for little baby Hector. Despite all the nights he keeps us up, you can help for love and adore the little guy. He is just so special to each of us. I don´t know how long he has to live: days, weeks, months, or even years. What I do know is that this little baby deserves the best chance at life as any other baby. Each and every moment I spend holding him, listening to his little coos, watching the little smile crease his face, or even caring for him (even at 3am), I treasure, because I just don´t know how much more time he has, and I want little Hector to know that he is loved!! God can and is doing amazing things in this little boy´s life, please pray for little Hector!

House Hunting part 2

Well, the search is over. At least I think so. We have moved into a new room. After walking up and down street after street in Pucallpa, Jenni and I finally decided on the original place we first looked at. A 4th floor room, with an amazing roof-top view of the city, though you have to walk out onto the veranda area to actually see the viewJ, it’s quite the place, not to mention some quality stair-climbing exercise! Throughout this whole time of searching for a place, I felt God opening and closing doors to various rooms. Some just didn’t have the right location, or the room was really small, or there was no chance at having internet. Needless to say, I feel God has led us to this room, high above almost all of the city. Walking onto the veranda, we are able to receive internet signal. The location is perfect. Being just across the street from our former room, we are just as close to everything, even closer to the french fry place!J We have our own private bathroom, which is great, not to mention cleaner!! Of course, after living here not that long, actually the very first night, we discovered that the ceiling leaks and the water randomly turns off and on. Well the ceiling has since been fixed (thank goodness). However we are still trying to figure out the water situation. Apparently we are under city water, which tuns off supposedly between 1 and 6pm each day. Thats fine with me. If its consistent, i can plan and be prepared. However, the water thing has been anything but consistent. One time it was off for 48hours with no sign of life anywhere. Water is pretty important and so to have its supply source be very unpredictable, makes it a frustrating situation. We hope to have this resolved in the very near future! After organizing and finally settling on Thursday, I have been able to make use of the desk that was already here and finally get some quality work completed. It’s exciting because our little room is finally looking like home and becoming comfortable, despite it’s little quirks. the picture is of our old room. new pictures of new room coming sometime soon...

House Hunting Part 1

Considering the recent events leading us to feel unsafe and not secure in our present home, Jenni and I made the unanimous decision to move out. However, finding a new home has quickly presented us a challenge. Where do you find a room/apartment that is decently priced, close to the center of town, is safe, comfortable, and maybe, just maybe have a wireless internet signal? For over three months, our little hostel room has served us quite splendidly. Being within two blocks of the taxi stop to Campo Verde aka Home, only one block from the post office, vegetarian restaurant, french fry place, market, being right on the plaza (which is an easy orientation point when lost), not to mention the quite dependable free wireless internet that the Pronegocious warehouse has unknowingly provided us. God has blessed tremedously. However, we feel it is time to move out.

So, Saturday night and Sunday we spent apartment shopping. Well, it has been fruitful in many ways, finding some nice places and some not-so-nice places. From a dungeon/prison cell at about S/.120 (a little under $40 a month) to a fully furnished two bedroom, kitchen, and living room with outside garden, with air conditioning, water, and light included for a mere $350 per month (that’s about S/.1000 aka out-of-my-price-range-but-lovely-to-look-at), we searched Pucallpa. Sunday afternoon we went around town in a motokar with a “real-estate agent.” Actually, he was a guy that is developing some new homes/apartments and wanted to show us. Well, quite fun, mostly cause we got a free ride around town, but also because we got to become a part of Carnival.

Carnival is a Peruvian holiday that lasts the entire month of February. Hearing stories about past experiences during the month of February, made me dread the coming of February, but now it’s here and it isn’t even half as bad as I had heard. Let me explain. I don’t know too much about it, except that for the whole month it is a huge water fight between guys and girls. Guys throw water on girls and vice-versa. Fun right? Well, the problem and grossness comes in when people decide to throw water that isn’t really water, more like sewage and other nasty stuff. That’s not fun. However, this year a law was passed that states no dirty water can be used and if caught, the device used to throw will be confiscated (however, if it’s an arm used to throw the dirty stuff, I’m not sure how that works) and if it becomes a public annoyance, then the person is arrested. Amazing. So walking and driving around town on Sunday was quite fun and refreshing. I was hot and tired, and some Peruvian guys must have seen this and decided I would be a perfect target for their water balloons. I was actually quite grateful and felt refreshed after. Driving around town with our “real estate agent,” we were able to see quite a number of young people in little groups, waiting for the perfect person to chuck a water balloon at. A few times, I just smiled real nicely at some of the little kids and I think they must have gotten scared cause they didn’t throw any at me or Jenni. Haha:-) We also witnessed someone getting arrested for throwing apparently dirty water at passer-bys. So the law is enforced around here, which is good to know.

Since school is out for almost all the kids, they are definitely taking advantage of Carnival month. Little groups of kids gather on street corners waiting for people to pass by before throwing water balloons at them. And of course, white girls walking by always has a special draw to the Peruvian guys for some reason and so they seem especially eager to get us wet. I think it’s hilarious, not to mention it feels great to cool off. I think our team should pick a street corner next Sunday and join in on the fun!