The Stories of Christmas

Feliz Navidad to family, friends, and supporters!!! Merry Christmas and God's richest blessings to you and your loved ones at this most holy time of the year!!



...With some of the children in the parish


Many have asked what Christmas is like in Peru...and, indeed, there are some different tradtions. This first Christmas without family, friends, or the snow and cold has been memorable and blessed! Thank you so much to those who sent greetings via email cards and letters. My heart is full because you have thought of me and sent your well wishes and prayers, my heart-felt thanks!!!! I will respond personally to each one and in the meantime, will share the stories of Christmas through this blog...

So, about Christmas in Peru....our worship service was at 5:30 p.m., roughly, because things rarely seem to start on time (at least that's not been my experience yet!). The service, itself was different, as one can imagine. We did sing some of the traditional Christmas songs from the "north" translated into Spanish, of course! That was neat...and we sang many more Latin American Christmas songs, as part of a candlelighting service around the theme of "The Colours of the Season."



Pastor Pedro led service on Christmas Eve









This "liturgy" is one I've never experienced before and it was nice, however, I still missed the Traditional Candlelighting service with some special music interjected between the Gospel accounts of Jesus' birth. Singing "Silent Night" as the congregation each holds a lit candle is a special memory and one that I might always miss. My "normal" Christmas memories were replaced with the smiles and embraces of the children (who outnumbered the adults) and communion that was shared in a circle of 19 children and adults. Following our worship, we shared chicha (which is a purple drink made from pineapple juice, lemon juice, and corn ...it sounds strange but is really GOOD!) We also ate paneta (which is the local Christmas bread, also delightful!) Then for the evening, I went to a parishioner's house to spend time with her family. Her oldest son is a guitarist and pianist, so we sang and played Christmas music and many other selections, changing keys, etc. It was great fun!!




The table is set and ready, complete with "Inca Cola"


The Christmas tradition is to eat supper at midnight, but we ate around 11 PM. After our delicious meal, which as you can see included turkey, we went out to the street to watch the fireworks and firecrackers. Since there are no regulations, laws or bans for fireworks or firecrackers, children and youth light these in their backyards and in the streets. It is another part of the Christmas tradition here. Although it seemed dangeorous to me (for the children lighting them and for the drivers in the streets!), it did add to the festive feeling of the night! These are some of the stories of Christmas, this precious and unique first Christmas out of Canada! Life continues to be interesting and adventurous here!

Fireworks for Jesus!





Christmas Day was filled with calls to family and friends, as well as time with the American Lutheran (ELCA) Missionary Pastor, her family and visiting in-laws. The kids swam in their wading pool (just another normal Christmas Day!), we shared snacks, Christmas cookies, and memories of Christmas' past, as well as being entertained with the kids' whimsical musical offerings....this added so much to my day and is a fabulous memory of my first Christmas in Lima!


The last few days have been busy....the National Church Council had a Christmas supper over the weekend, which the German Missionary Pastor hosted. Fabulous food and lovely visiting and fellowship accompanied conversation about the music and teaching part of my role with ILEP. Then Saturday, I accompanied a singing group who is here from Minnesota...a group of 12 female youth and their music director, his wife, their accompanist and the pastor at their church. They're here singing in our ILEP churches and touring Peru a bit, as well. They came to our Saturday activities with the children from the barrio, helped with crafts and gave a half hour concert for some 120 kids (mas o menos) and their parents who came out for the Christmas celebrations...it was SO awesome!!



...helping with crafts






singing a song with actions!














getting ready for the puppet show...








The kids were full of hugs and kisses for me, their new "pastora" and it took everything in me not to burst into tears, although several times found myself feeling overwhelmed and emotional! The realization embodied itself in my heart-this is where I belong! The joy and enthusiasm of these children is certainly contagious!! On the way back to their hostel, the youth were filled with all kinds of stories about how different my church is and about kids they'd met...





With some of the mothers who help with the Saturday program for the children



What an amazing way to begin my ministry at San Juan Camino de Esperanza, Saint John Way of Hope, for certainly this is a place filled with hope!
Thanks be to God!!

From a distance

Enroute to Peru, the Andes mountain ranges...



Flying above our beautiful and suffering planet, in a plane that continues to pollute it, I pondered upon how perfect it appears to be as we fly some 30,000 feet above it all. From a distance, the surface view appears different from the reality, often, at least until our eyes are opened and we get closer to a situation, a person, or a suffering planet. Upon closer inspection, the reality is disturbing and perhaps this why we would rather look from a distance. And perhaps this is why I can finally agree with the many friends, family and supporters who called me courageous for venturing so far from home. They are correct, I concede, but not for the reasons they gave....but because I am willing to have my eyes opened to harsh realities that many would rather not witness. This is most surely bravery. But it is not my own strength, rather I can only move to this part of the world, to be a witness to the real issues and struggles, at people, not from a distance but up close and personal, because it is God who has given me the will, the heart,the strength, and supporters like all of you(!)... to do this through Jesus Christ!




Above Lake Titicaca, located in Bolivia and Peru

From a distance, with tourist's eyes, parts of Lima are very beautiful and strongly resemble a cosmopolitan city which could be anywhere in the world. But now, having lived here for only one week, the reality of this incredible growth signifies a colonization of another sort. In the areas closest to the ocean, like Mira Flores and wealthier areas like San Isidro, the parks are beautiful, lush, and green, with palm trees and flowers of every variety. These areas are also populated by very expensive condominiums, hotels, casinos, North American restaurants (including Starbucks!), and all kinds of new construction. From a distance, perhaps this development is good for the economy. But to my eyes, at least, it marks another kind of colonization which is perhaps not so different from that of the Spanish conquistadors. This invasion of North American culture threatens to transform the Peruvian culture and way of life. From my perspective anyways, it offers cultural judgements about "normal" standards, it offers growth with strings attached. This invasion makes life difficult for those whose lives are already a struggle, as prices are driven higher due to the increase of tourism and seasonal residents who are able to pay higher prices.

It is interesting to contemplate all of these issues in the process of apartment hunting. Many would prefer me to live in a high-rise, expensive, and secure building in one of these areas. And while I would prefer to live in a manner similar to those I will serve during my time here, safety and security can be an issue. The exploration in this apartment-hunting has been difficult and, at other times, fun as it has taken me into several parts of the city.

And so, we continue to comtemplate the issues and struggles in this city of over 9 million people, not from a distance, but up close and personal. For the Gospel calls us to walk with, journey with, pray for,and be in intimate relationships even with our enemy, for this is the relationship that Jesus has with each of us. Jesus is with us in our struggles, in the messy parts of our lives, in our doubts and fears, the nights when we can't stop crying. We are given this model for our relationships and we are called out of our safe and secure places, to journey with others, to be aware of the issues in our world, not from a distance, but close to the realities and ugliness, for to be disciples is to follow this difficult path out of ourselves to really be with and for our neighbours, for we are all one body in Jesus Christ.

For as Paul has written in Romans:

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another." Romans 12: 1-5

Wishing you peace, love, and blessings as we prepare in this Advent season for the birth of our Savior!

Fran.