another people
another culture
another religion
is to take off our shoes
for the place we are
approaching is holy
or else we may find ourselves
treading on another's dream.
More serious still
we may forget
that God was there
before our arrival.
Author unknown
Dearest friends, family, colleagues, and supporters!
¡Aleluya! ¡Cristo ha resucitado! Hallelujah! Christ is risen!
This Holy Week and Easter were, indeed, Holy Ground; the first celebration in Lima, the first one without threat of snow or ice, the first unique experience of what are the local customs and traditions. Holy Week was particularly holy and sacred as the mother of a parishioner died. Quickly, that which is new and different revealed itself once again, in the mourning rituals and funeral customs. The family, all dressed in black, kept vigil at their mother's side practically 24/7; candles lit in front of the casket, located in the oldest daughter's house; hundreds of other family and friends visiting around the clock to show their love and support; and elaborate flower sprays of every size and colour to surround the family and their departed loved one. Along with the worship services that accompany the Triduum, equally as memorable, this was a Holy Week to remember.
The palm branches are woven here into marvelous creations!
Since it has been awhile since my last entry, one might expect it to mean there has been alot happening, which is most certainly true! It has been a busy month and a half...including monthly Pastoral Conferencias (ministerial for ILEP), the ILEP Asemblea Nacional (National Assembly), teaching singing with the choir and musicians at Belen (one of the ILEP congregations in Lima), along with starting confirmation classes (with three eager students), baptismal classes (with a potential of 12 infants and teenagers wanting to be baptized!!)...and the regular worship service and preaching, prep, and the Escuela Sabatina (Saturday School) with our 120 children or so!
The beginning months of both parts of our (yours and mine) ministry here has been developing relationships. While this is key to any ministry, with the cultural and language challenges this seems to have taken a bit longer. It is nearly my six month in Lima and my fifth in the congregation, and these relationships are forming and deepening...in my work with ILEP, I feel the same way. I have come to know the pastors and staff, and many of the elected delegates from various congregations. It is holy ground to be able to call people by their name, to remember who they are, and to begin to know what are their joys and struggles...I have taken off my shoes...for this is Holy Ground....in all of these experiences, one can see how God is here, recognizing, too that God has always been here!
And so, thanks be to God for the energy and grace to be working and living in this context. I remain grateful to the ELCIC for preparing me well for our ministry here. Especially, thank you to Kelvin Krieger (Program Director for ELCIC Missions in the World) and Rev.Paul Johnson (Assistant to the National Bishop)for your continued support, tireless work, and faithful service!! Because of this support, opportunities to reflect,and time of preparation, I have adjusted well, my health has been stable,I feel settled into the language a bit more with every passing week, and am more settled in my apartment, in the congregation, and within ILEP.
Thank you, everyone, for your continued prayers, financial support, and interest in our ministry and mission here in Peru...I have been touched deeply by the many cards, emails and letters over the last several months and have appreciated your thoughtfulness more than can be expressed!!!
At the request of one of the ELCIC congregations, I have made a first attempt to share a brief and simple message through my video cam:
The pictures that are included in the video message include the journey from Canada, people and places in Bolivia, as well as people whose lives have touched mine and whose lives are being touched by our ministry in Peru. Our (yours and mine) ministry at San Juan Camino de Esperanza is an exciting and growing ministry because of the outreach to the neighbourhood children and families. And our ministry with teaching singing and music to the choir and musicians at Belen (in Breña)is also an exciting part of the work here, as they continue to learn, they are growing in self-confidence and it is wonderful to be a witness to the process!
With peace, grace and love,
Pastora Fran.
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