Peace and greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, the source and centre of all life, peace, goodness, well-being and every blessing!
It has taken some time, but yes, it is true: I am a hybrid. There are the Canadian parts of me that I value and treasure, along with some things that I reject quite strongly now! There are also the Latina parts of me that beg to be heard as well, along with some frustrations in the years living in Bolivia and Peru, things I rejected there (like showing up an hour late for a meeting and it is somehow ok?!). All in all, there is agreement of the "hybrid-ness" and the piecing together of identity, holding both parts with equal value and enthusiasm. And, as other missionary friends have re-affirmed, fully re-adapting is not the goal, but rather integrating all parts of life and experience. It has been happening, as God turns the mourning into dancing!
And there are many reasons for dancing now, as there is rejoicing and thanksgiving for the years in missionary service. And there is dancing and rejoicing as now, a year and a half later, there is a returning to Peru, a return to the children who captured my heart, a return to a church whose mission is clear, a return to the Latina who struggles to come out in this cold, frigid, hostile winter environment, and a return to a great big part of my heart that was left behind....
Our adventures in the return to Peru begin on Friday....and we pray for the Lutheran church in Peru, for the youth, children, and adults who support them, we pray for guidance and humility, for safe travels and joyous celebrating of the mission in which we are privileged to participate as children of God!
With peace, joy, and hopefulness,
Pastora Fran.
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