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.

Perpetual Summer

Greetings and peace, family, friends and supporters!

The view from Cristo Rey de Concordia (the statue of Jesus that overlooks the city) is spectacular and it is difficult to believe, in fact, that it is December!!

A thirty foot Christmas tree greeted shoppers a couple of weeks ago at one of the markets here in Cochabamba. The tree surprised me and in that instant I thought, "it's summer, what's going on here?!" In reality, of course, it was mid-November and the natural time for stores and markets to bring our focus to the upcoming Christmas season. But for me, these last few months have felt like a perpetual summer, even as I have heard from family and friends back in Canada about snowstorms and dropping temperatures. The climate at this time of the year is drastically different here. Spring is more like summer: most days are sunny, sometimes rain, lots of wind later in the day. Temperatures are in the mid 20's still, summer this year has lasted five months so far...

But this perpetual summer has me pondering other realities that seem to be "perpetual" in this culture and in many other places around the world. For instance: violence, poverty, racism, sexism, to name a few. The other night I attended a presentation about violence in Bolivia and, in particular, the violence in Pando just this past September. Documentaries have been made using some of the live footage as the events unfolded between the state government and campasinos. Violence erupted quickly, many were injured within the first fifteen minutes, and about a half an hour later, thirty campasinos were murdered. The video footage is harsh, difficult to walk. The room is silent, but not for long. Many questions are raised, many are left in my mind, even now. The prefector was charged with the murders, but he is also an opponent of Evo Morales, the President of Bolivia. One wonders if this is coincidence, who really ordered the murders, who started the conflict....more profound questions resulted after the presentation. What is justice? Is violence necessary? And if so, why? Why does there have to be such a large gap between rich and poor...why do people suffer? More provocative....what is our role to be as Christians? What does God call us to do...how are we to respond? Do we need to change our lifestyle choices so that others in the world can live with dignity, earn a decent living, provide for their families and have enough food to eat. Are people not entitled to the land that is their ancestral home? It seems to me, yes, of course, but that also means that descendants of colonization will have to give up territory they have claimed as their own. The issues are not so different from issues we face in Canada with our indigenous people. Only here, the government and infrastucture is still in a process of decolonization and its impact is intense.

The Bolivian culture and identity is strong, it is beautiful and it is unique. Years of Spanish colonization has created an interesting mix now, some five hundred years later, however, the recovery from the conquest and the struggle to find an independent identity has not been an easy path. Other governments' interruption of the process has complicated matters: issues with coca growing, drug trafficking, region tensions, the poor becoming more poor, the rights of the indigenous, for example, all have an impact on this process of decolonization. Some of these issues here feel "perpetual" for those who are working for a just and equitable society.



As part of my good-bye speech at the Institute (we all give a speech at the end of our course), I sang a Spanish song whose message is, simply translated, "the answer is the love of God". The love of God is the answers to all the questions, and how true this is! God's love is what gives us the power, the courage, the strength, the will to live, the desire to love others and hearts to work for justice, peace and the rights of all humans in the world. We love, we give because we have first received these gifts of grace, forgiveness and eternal life. The waters of our baptism affirm the promises of God and from those waters flow our actions and our choices. A friend recently asked me what I am willing to give up in a specific situation... but that question lingered into other areas of life. What have I given up already....my apartment, my car, most of my belongings, my country, everyone I have known and loved...you mean I need to give up more? And in all seriousness, yes, the answer is yes...I, we, need to give up more of ourselves out of love for our neighbour. We always have the potential to replace all our belongings, we have good health care, good educational opportunities, we can begin again, buy anything we need, pretty much. But what are those choices that we can make for the love of our neighbour, how can we heighten our awareness of global issues and realities, so that our choices reflect God's love for us.... so that we can give from what we have so that the mother of three who begs me for food can actually provide food for her family each day....so that campasinos do not need to protest and die to keep their land, land that is originally theirs before colonists came and exploited the people and the land, then left.

And so, questions linger in this perpetual summer, but we know that we are held in God's love as we struggle with these issues and our responsibilities and choices in the midst of the questions.



“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 35-39.


Peace, blessings, and the grace of God!
Fran.


La misma en castellano:

Ví un arbol de navidad el otro día en el supermercado. Fue una sorpresa para mi, porque lo que me haces sentir como en verano en Canada. Pero, no es así, estabamos amitad de Noviembre. Entonces, este tiempo es un verano eterno aquí en Cochabamba. Esta realidad, me hace pensar en otras eternas en otros paises. Por ejemplo: la violencia, el crime, la pobresa, el racismo, y el discriminación de genero.
El otro día, fue a una charla sobre la violencia en Bolivia, especialmente la situación en Pando en Septiembre pasado. Miramos en esta charla diferentes partes de dos documentales que mostraron los eventos y los conflictos. El conflicto involucró al gobierno y a los campesinos con el tema de las tierras. Lo que miramos fue sacado con celulares. La violencia paso muy pronto, muchas personas fueron heridas y después de 30 minutos mas o menos, trienta campesinos se muieron. Fue difícil a ver, el cuarto estaba en silencio por dos o tres minutos. Después, hicieron muchas preguntas. El prefecto está en la carcel ahora, accusado de las muertes, pero él es de la oposición de Evo Morales, el Presidente de Bolivia. Estóy pensando si eso es una coincidencia...quien quiere las muertes, la violencia, en este conflicto en realidad. Tengo más preguntas profundas...por ejemplo: ¿qué es justicia, quién decide?...¿la violencia es necesario para cambiar? Y,si es.. ¿porqué? ¿Porqué hay un espacio tan grande entre ricos y pobres? ¿Porqué las personas sufren? Y más provocativo: ¿cuál es nuestra rol cómo cristianos y qué dice Dios? Y ¿cómo nos respondemos? ¿Cuál es la llamada de Dios? Necesitamos cambiar nuestras elecciones de vida para que otros viven con dignidad, tener ganar y tener una vida decente para ellos y sus familias y poder tener comida lo suficiente. La gente no es ajena a su tierra, a su casa ancestral, no? Me parece que sí, por supuesto, pero significa que descendientes de la colonización van a dar la tierra que clamar come de su propiadad. Estes recursos no son diferentes de los recursos tenemos en Canadá con nuestras personas indígenas. Solo aquí, el gobierno y la infrastructura están aún en un processo de descolonización y esta influencia es fuerte. La cultura boliviana y su identidad son fuertes, son bonitas, y son unicas. Años de la colonización Española han creada una mexla interesante ahora, después de 500 años, sin embargo, la recouperación de la conquista y el sufrimiento encuentran una identificación independiente que no ha sido un camino fácil.

Interupciones del proceso por otros gobiernos han complicado las cosas: recursos con el cricimiento de la coca, el tráfico de drogas, tensiones regionales, por ejemplo, todo tiene una influencia en este proceso de descolonización. Algunos recursos aquí se sienten “eternos” para los que están trabajando por la justicia y la sociedad equitativa.

Como una parte de mi discurso de despedida del Instituto, canté una canción en canstellano cuyo mensaje es “la respuesta es el amor de Dios.” El amor de Dios es la respuesta a todas las preguntas, y cuan verdadera es! El amor de Dios es el que nos da el poder, la valencia, la fuerza, y la voluntad para vivir: el deseo de amar a otros y trabajar por la justicia, la paz, y los derechos de los humanos del mundo. Amamos y damos porque hemos recibido primero estos regalos de la gracia, el perdon y la vida eterna. El agua de nuestra bautismo afirma los compromisos de Dios y de esa agua fluye nuestras acciones y elecciones. Recientemente, un amigo me preguntó que quiero dar en una situación specífica...pero esta pregunta se queda en otras partes de mi vida. Que he dada ya...mi apartamento, mi carro, casi todas mis cosas, mi país, todo lo que he conocido y he amado...¿quieres decir que necesito dar mas?
Y en serio sí, la respuesta es sí...yo, nosotros necesitamos dar mas de nuestros mismos, en amor de nuestros vecinos. Siempre tenemos el potencial reemplazar nuestras pertenencias, tenemos buen sistema de salud, buenas oportunidades de educación, es posible comenzar otra vez, y comprar cosas que necesitamos. Pero, ¿cuáles son esas elecciones que podemos hacer por el amor de nuestros vecinos?, ¿cómo podemos enterarnos los recursos globales y las realidades; entonces, nuestros elecciones reflejan el amor de Dios por nosotros? Entonces, podemos dar de lo que tenemos para que la mamá de tres niños que me piden limosna para comida puedan en realidad prover comida a su famiia cada dia. Para que los campesinos no necsitan protestar y morir para cuidar su propia tierra, tierra que es originalmente suya antes de que la colonización llegó y explotó a la gente y la tierra y después se fue.

Entonces, las preguntas se quedan en este verano eterno, pero sabemos que estamos abrazados en el amor de Dios mientras peleemos con estes recursos, nuestras responsabilidades y elecciones en medio de las preguntas.

Romans 8: 35-39

"¿Quién nos podrá separar del amor de Cristo? ¿El sufrimiento, o las dificultades, o la persecución, o el hambre, o la falta de ropa, o el peligro, o la muerte violenta? Como dice la EscrituraÑ "Por causa tuya estamos siempre expuestos a la muerteñ nos tratan como a ovejas llevadas al matadero." Pero en todo esto salimos más que vencedores por medio de aquel que nos amó. Estoy convencido de que nada podrá separarnos del amor de Dios: ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni los ángeles, ni los poderes y fuerzas espirituales, ni lo presente, ni lo futuro, ni lo más alto, noi lo más profundo, ni ninguna otra de las coasas creados por Dios. ¿Nada podrá separarnos del amor que Dios nos ha mostrado en Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor!"

Con paz, bendiciones y la gratia de Dios!
Fran

The Bolivian Diet

My host father and sister...at my Birthday party last weekend...









Since arriving in Cochabamba some 11 weeks ago now, I have lost close to twenty pounds, although this isn’t a diet I would recommend. It has meant a couple of terrible weekends of illnesses, eating some strange and unknown foods, and losing one’s appetite. I’m glad to lose the weight but the process just isn’t that enjoyable! In this time of changes and transitions, the change in food and appetite is normal, as all of the reading has said, but it is often disconcerting. Sometimes I just want to have a McDonald’s burger and fries. Overall, though, I can say with certainty now that I am very happy for the five helpings of Finnish pancakes during my visit to Thunder Bay this summer. I am happy that I ate those chocolate dipped Dairy Queen cones and the Starbucks smartie cookies!! The weight from overeating in the summer is long past and my friend who told me to enjoy eating in my last few months in Canada was absolutely right...thanks!


These last three weeks have been very good ones, aside from the aforementioned weekend of illness. I took one week of vacation and went to a hotel for some quiet space alone. And then joined other students to go to “La Cabana”, a resort just out of the city. In the midst of language immersion, this weekend away was a wonderful blessing! Some played volleyball, tennis, soccer, and croquette while others of us read, relaxed, and sat by the pool. This respite in the midst of mental exhaustion has helped rejuvenate my spirit and mind for this last half of my education. Thanks to those who have sent emails of encouragement, reminding me to take care of myself in this time of transition and immersion!



This is part of the "Cabaña" during the weekend vacation!










Spanish classes are going extremely well and for this next three weeks of studies, I will continue to have four classes each day. One class is for grammar, one for conversation, one class to practise leading the liturgy, and another class for reading as well as writing and giving a weekly sermon. This is a welcome focus at this point as I look to December and the move to Lima. With this in mind, I decided not to continue with my dance classes, as I will have much more homework. The zampona lessons continue, though, and today learned a new song, that’s five in total now. A good start! I continue to help one of the staff with his English and he is helping me learn Spanish Christian songs, it’s a good trade and a fun diversion from studies!




This photo is some friends at my BDay party...








As I celebrated my 39th Birthday a few days ago, we had a very large “fiesta” at my house. Around thirty students, staff, family and friends came out for the party, and do Bolivians ever know how to party! My host mom made Canadian-style lasagne with a tomato sauce for the first time ever. It turned out perfectly and my family seems to like this new food, too! So, we had lots of food, lots of people, lots of music and lots of dancing, well into the wee hours of the morning. Friends from the Institute brought their instruments and played traditional songs. And later, we danced some of the traditional Bolivian dances. This part of the night was a wonderful surprise gift!! So, another year older, perhaps another year wiser, certainly a few pounds lighter thanks to this Bolivian diet!


Thanks be to God for the gifts of grace and peace in this life...“Puesto que Dios ya nos ha hecho justos gracias a la fe, tenemos paz con Dios por medio de nuestro Senor Jesucristo.” Romans 5: 1

With peace and love,
Fran.

The view up here!

Hello family, friends,and supporters and greetings!!


The view from half way up the mountain is spectular. We had tried to have supper at "Taquina", a restaurant with this incredible view of the city who also serve wonderful food. On this day, though, we travelled all the way up there to find there was a wedding: it wasn't open! The taxi had already left. We thought yesterday to do the same thing, avoiding the day of weddings. Only patience is a virtue here!!! We went to the restaurant to find it open for business. YAY! We told the taxi to go, sat down, ordered, and a few minutes later, found they were out of food. Only in Bolivia! Maybe the third time is charm?! Each trip up the mountain is spectacular and hopefully next weekend (they're only open on weekends!!) we'll atually get to eat!

This kind of patience is a part of life here. I have been anxiously awaiting the day we'll get internet at my house, since a month and a half ago, my family very eagerly thought it a good idea once I offered to pay for the first three months of a six month contract. Things changed, as they often do, though, and that probably will not happen.

Because, you see, these last few weeks have been hectic, aided by the fact that five additional family members have come to live with us for fifteen (now 6 more) days. My host mother could not be happier!!! Their first weekend here (two weekends ago now) was incredibly crazy! Two of the grandchildren in the family had birthdays, both turned three. There were 34 children (and about 40 or 50 adults) at our house on Saturday and the theme was "Lazy Town". We had special guests, a cake and a pinata, of course! At the party on Sunday, there were 20 or so children and about 30 adults. The theme was "Dora", the cake was amazing and expensive for here...480 Bolivianos (about $70) As one can imagine, life has been a little "loco" (crazy) with all of the preparations plus the move. It's been quite a different adventure with 12, yes, that's right, 12 people in our casa (house)! I am grateful to have kept my own room !! Every day continues to be an adventure....no doubt about it. This past weekend, though, was a bit quieter, with some parents working, kids visiting other relatives, etc...living with so many others heightens the cultural adjustments, patience, studies, and immersion experiences and I remain grateful!! too!


This week, I receive my belated one week break between the two-six week courses. Following that, I hope to attend the one Lutheran church here in the city, followed by singing in a Seventh Day Adventist Church (to which some of my family here are members). That will be interesting! And one of my good friends here, a Roman Catholic priest, has invited me to attend his church which is in a barrio, quite rugged and rural, in the south of Cochabamba. These will all be wonderful experiences to add the growing list of diverse experiences, religious and otherwise. Since the move, I have attended a few Roman Catholic Churches in my area, as well as an Episocal Church (whose service was more than two hours long!!)The wealth of religious, cultural, and educational experiences are all part of the preparation for my life and work in Lima and I am so humble and grateful to be here!!!

Oh yes, and fyi...having some trouble uploading pics, so for the next while, it will only be text until the problem can get figured out. This first pic took ten minutes to upload and then it was not possible to add more...so, welcome to the unpredictability of life in Bolivia and enjoy the view!!

With love and peace,
Fran.

The Monkey Next Door

A fountain in the Recolecta Area

As one adjusts to living in any new surrounding, there are many new sounds to which one must become accustomed all of a sudden. Often, it is a squeak in a floorboard, traffic, or music from a neighbour up late at night. Some of these sounds have been new for me in Bolivia, however the traffic noise is from honking vehicles as well as those of fire crackers (which I originally thought were machine guns!) at all hours of the day and night. There have been new sounds because of living with a two year old: crying, and screaming in the middle of the night for instance. I have become accustomed to the sounds of the homing pigeons next door, too. But quite unexpectedly one evening last week, I heard the strangest noise of my life: screaming from what I later found out was the monkey next door!! As if there weren’t enough other signs to heighten my awareness that I am not in Canada anymore, the screaming monkey next door did it.... “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore!” is all I could think of in that moment.

Other than the astonishing realization that a monkey lives next door, my third and now fourth weeks in Bolivia have been quite “normal” whatever that term means in South America. There have been the usual protests and bloqueos, a prefector (governor of one of the local states) was arrested and charged with ordering the murder of 30 people, the US Ambassador was asked to leave the country, the costs of gas and meat continue to rise, the President (Evo Morales) and representatives from around the world met to discuss the recent violence and its impact (and hopefully what to do about it),and American Airlines cancelled flights to several cities including Santa Cruz. Tensions in many parts of Bolivia continue while life here in Cochabamba remains peaceful. We are affected, of course, by the rising costs of products that cannot get here because of the blockades and at family gatherings there are passionate discussions about politics, but things remains consistent for me and those of us studying at the Institute. Pictured here, are Amalia, Robbie and I, at Lai Lai, a Chifa (Chinese Restaurant) in Cochabamba.

In my “normal” couple of weeks: I was sick only a couple of days, no doubt something I ate, and from which I quickly recovered, I had three cold showers because apparently the water had been turned off the night before (still can’t figure out why), Spanish classes continue to go well, my Latino Americana dance classes are fun, wonderful exercise and a great diversion!, and I began to take Zampona lessons.....

This is a zampona, an indigeneous instrument that is common to Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. A professor at the Institute also teaches music lessons....

Last weekend there was a “Fiesta” at the school to celebrate 21 September, which is the day of love, the day of students, the day of mystery, the first day of Spring, and the day of Doctors. We ate food that students brought for a "potluck" style meal, there was dancing, concha (a dice game), a talent show, and a volleyball tournament! A full day of celebrating!! Pictured here are Joni, Patricia and I at our little Fiesta.

Some professors who danced at the Fiesta at the school wearing colourful, traditional outfits!

And so, life is eventful here, colorful and diverse. There is always something new, different and unexpected happening. At first it was disconcerting to not be in the "loop" so to speak, to know what was going to be happening, howeer now, I can sit back and enjoy the adventure!! The monkey next door is a reminder that, just like Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz", I am not in my home country any longer and many unexpected things will happen. But the monkey perhaps symbolizes something even more profound: that even while life and surroundings change, we are still who we were created to be, people of God, no matter where we find ourselves. Whether we have a monkey next door or not, our God promises to be and is with us! Gracias a Dios for such incredible love and grace in the midst of all of life's changes!!!

As I close, family, friends and supporters, know that you are held in my heart, in prayer and in God's grace:

"I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that th eone who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace..." Philippians 1:3-7a

Amen.

Fran.

The Gap...

More than a brand name, the widening “gap” is apparent, here, every day. As I walk to the Maryknoll Misionero Instituto for my language education, there is a mother and her son who beg for money, the local car washers who use water from a local creek, the family who sell fruit and baked goods, and the many more families who live close to the Institute in simple tin sheds for homes. Even having sold ¾ of my belongings and with the student loan debt that looms heavy, I am still in a privileged situation. One cannot visit or live in a developing country for too long before noticing this gap.This photo shows simple homes in one of the poorer areas near Cochabamba.

My first gap, however, was my lost suitcase...it finally came a week later! Thanks for the interest and concern, it went all the way to Budapest and didn't even send a postcard! However, I hear that the mail takes up to three months to get here and at least three months to get anywhere else, too! Maybe my postcard is in the mail???

There is the gap here between the beautiful landscapes, plants,and flowers and the ugliness of slums and crowded, dirty streets....because of this there have been some difficult days as I adjust and adapt to my new, albeit, temporary home. The language, of course, is another gap. Classes have gone very well, though, and my professors are surprised by how well my pronunciation is for only studying a short time in Canada. I am happy with my progress, too, and this is in largest part because of my host family who correct and help me a great deal. In addition, because of the two year old grandson (and his mom) who live with us, we watch many children's shows and these help me, too. The immersion experience has exponentially increased my comprehension and pronunciation of castellano (Spanish). Being a singer and musician has likewise influenced and coached my language along, of course, so we'll see how the next few weeks go...

Avenida America, some of the many merchants who

sell things on the streets and on corners, well,

everywhere actually...

Exploration of the city has been fun. So far, I have been to: El Centro (the downtown area), La Plaza Principal (the main plaza with is colonial buildings and cathedral), El Prado (large park with cafes and restaurants), La Cancha (the super large market center), and the Mercado (market for fruits, vegetables, and plants), to several local restaurants, a hospital (where my host father had surgery two weeks ago), to several areas of the city for family gatherings (meaning a mininum of 30 to 50 people!), and with a couple of other students for classe de baile latinoamericana (Latin American dance class). What a great adventure every day has been, as I never quite know what to expect or what will happen next!!

The time here has been filled with ups and downs as my body and my heart adjust to being so far away from all of my family and friends in Canada. Another “gap” as it were. As one can imagine, it has not always been easy, but thanks to the internet, msn messenger, and soon skype, we will all be connected again. My host family has been helpful, supportive, and gracious in welcoming me into their very large, extended family! This has been wonderful and I am so grateful for Elva (sitting beside me) and Fayez (next to her) and their entire family for their warm welcome of this sojourning Canadian.

Students come to the Institute to learn and study Spanish for all kinds of mission service. Many students are preparing for work in South America but most study here and will go back to congregations in the U.S.A who have immigrants or refugees who speak Spanish. There are several Koreans and Europeans, an Australian, and another Canadian who are preparing for work in South American, some even in Lima! It’s exciting to make connections with those who will live in the same city eventually!!!

Some have asked about the food. My host mother tells me to eat more all the time. Like my mother, she says I eat like a bird! How funny to hear this in another language and several thousand miles from home...the food is prepared in various ways, always large portions, but familiar mostly. We eat rice, potatoes, lots of bread, beef, chicken, and broccoli, cauliflower, salads and sopas (soups), as well as fruita (fruit) which, in our household, are normally papayas, apples, mandarinas and oranges (apparently they are different!), and sometimes plantanas (bananas). I have recently added Raisin Bran to add some fibre to an otherwise starchy diet. There is another grain, Trigo, which seems like wheat, and I hope to try it in salad, as one of the professors said it was very healthy.

The weather here has been lovely and mostly sunny. For the nearly three weeks I've been here, there have only been two days of scattered clouds. We hoped they might contain rain, however, the rain passed by us. It is spring here, and the rains do not come until summer, which will be in December, January and February. How strange to wake up to sunshine every morning and I often wonder if it will get boring after several years. When my family say that the morning or evening is cold, I remind them that it is not cold for me, chilly perhaps, but the memory of thirty-eight years of Canadian winters are still very clear in my memory! Flowers are beginning to bloom now because it is spring (two springs in one year for me!) Every bush and shrub seems to have buds ready to bloom. In our house, Elva has calla lillies and one bud has opened and it is spectacular. At the market the other day, a vendor was trying to sell me a dozen calla lillies for ten Bolivianos, or $1.50!! Since we have them at home, I declined, but I am still stunned by the cost!

There are times of gaps, times of challenges and changes, all around us, but in the park on Sunday, children were playing and running, sliding on the slides, playing in the water. Parents were still parents yelling for their kids to be careful, waiting for them at the bottom of the slide. Smiling faces, laughing, talking...rich and poor, Canadian and Bolivian, in the same place with similar concerns. On a day of no driving in Cochabamba...no buses or taxis, people were out in the streets, walking or cycling. The gap was still apparent but as family gathered at my host family’s home for the day, people are people. Politics was of great concern today, as well as how to create a better future for the children. And is this not the concern of all of us?

Gaps are difficult because they challenge us out of our comfort zones and comfortable lives. They turn our simple, predictable lives upside down and we are changed in ways we might never have wanted. This is my experience this first two weeks in Bolivia. It is difficult to see people who earn only one dollar a day to support a family. I am challenged with what it is that I think I “need” and at the same time having bills of my own to pay. The Gospels remind us to care for the poor, the elderly, the widow, and the sick, to reach out to others with the love of Christ. In what ways to do this and when, become critical questions. This is my gap.

May God continue to challenge, guide, enlighten and empower us in the gaps in which we find ourselves. May we be continually be strengthened by the God who journeys with us in these gaps!

Gracias a Dios!

With love,

Fran.

The case of the tourist suitcase...

30 August 2008

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters! And buenos dias!!

Having arrived safely in Cochabamba last Sunday 24 August, much of this week has been spent trying to get my "lost" suitcase, one of two that was sent from Winnipeg. After numerous hours on the telephone with both airlines, seven trips out to the airport, and more hours of waiting, they finally found my suitcase in Budapest! Apparently my suitcase has a travel bug, too...only it did not send me a postcard?!! Maybe it's in the mail...

Many have wanted to know about my long days of travelling to get here. My day and a half of flying and layovers (some 30 hours) left me feeling quite exhausted. I flew from Winnipeg to Chicago, a five hour layover there (that was mostly unpleasant unfortunately), then from there to Miami, for a three hour layover, then to Santa Cruz via La Paz...in Santa Cruz there was a four hour layover....and finally arrived in Cochabamba on Sunday afternoon. Although I felt exhausted for this last leg of travelling, I was still not too tired to view the Andes Mountains from my window seat. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the scenery was spectacular!

Cochabamba, itself, is nestled in a valley that is surrounded by mountains, they are brown now because it is winter here. The first of September is spring and with it will come some rain and by November everything will become green again. I am very happy that I will be here to see that as it is already quite stunning! All around the city there are many different types of trees and flora. Many palm, coconut, and banana trees can be found in the parks, with their fountains and green spaces. In places that get watered regularly it is quite lovely!

My host family are very nice and hospitable. They have hosted many other international students for over twenty years. Already I have heard many stories of others who have lived with them. In the house/compound are my host parents, both retired, their daughter and grandson, who is 2 years old, as well as a hired girl. The grandson is friendly and very busy...always into something. And I am grateful for his energy and curiosity in this first week here as I adjust to a new city, country, school, language, culture and temporary home. He has a way of making me smile at the most unexpected moments! We are conversing fairly well with my broken Spanish and their broken English and already my host mother has taken me to the very large market here, La Cancha, and to a local supermarket. I am beginning to get acquainted with them and with the neighbourhood in which we live, very close to the school.

As I settle into my room and new home, there has been time to adjust to cultural differences...the traffic which may or may not stop at a red light...the cars without seatbelts, small stores everywhere, people wearing traditonal clothing, the dry, dusty streets....as well as the calla lilies everywhere, elegant and simple beauty in the midst of harsh realities.

Classes begin on Monday and I look forward to meeting other students and learning Spanish in order to speak properly and conjugate verbs in their proper tenses!!

My family, friends, and supporters, thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and emails. As we begin this new journey together, let us give thanks to God, whose love and grace measures far beyond any distance we might be apart, whose loving embrace extends to all! Amen.

Hasta luega (until next time)...

Grace and Peace~

Fran.

Farewell Tour

Greetings to family, friends, and supporters in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

Thank you all for your interest in and support of ELCIC's Mission in the World, and specifically, with our partner church, Iglesia Luterana Evangelica Peruana (ILEP), and my work as a long-term missionary. It is my hope that this blog will keep everyone "in the loop" with the ministry, the travels, stories, and learnings during these years. I hope to share with you something of my work and life, as well as what we can learn from our neighbours in Peru. I hope that this shared ministry will enrich and challenge our sense of who we are and how we respond as Christians in the world, as well as call forward deeper connections to God and to all of God's children throughout the world. Saved by grace, we are called and strengthened to be in ministry for and with our neighbour. I look forward to serving with our partner church in Peru, our global neighbours. 

The last couple of months have served as a time of preparation for this ministry and for leaving Canada. Details, arrangements, and planning have gone smoothly and only final details need to be taken care of at this point. Part of the preparation involved the Mission Orientation facilitated by the Canadian Church's Forum on Global Missions. It was a wonderful time of training, discussions, inter-faith visits,  and reflection.

This picture shows Co-Director, Alice Schuda, as well as this year's participants at the Mission Orientation in Toronto.

Interspersed with the details, there has also been the "farewell tour" of the summer, as a family member put it. The summer has been full and meaningful as I have travelled from Saskatoon to Strasbourg, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Toronto, southern Manitoba, and North Dakota to visit with family and friends and say goodbyes!  As the summer nears its end, I find myself reflecting on the last few years of Seminary: the studies, papers, friendships, examinations, CTEL interviews, colloquy, Graduation, Ordination, moving from the apartment and now the last couple of months of farewells and goodbyes. This has been an emotional and exhilarating time! Lots of mixed emotions, of course, as I plan to leave: sometimes sadness, but much anticipation and excitement, too!

Leaving Canada on August 23, I will travel to Cochabamba, Bolivia for three months of language training where I will live with a host family. From there, I expect to arrive in Lima, Peru in December and begin the ministry as parish pastor and teacher of church liturgy and music for ILEP.

At this time, I want to thank those whose support, love, hospitality, and warm send-offs have encouraged and strengthened me to serve in this way!  My heart is filled with gratitude for those who have helped in so many ways and who have journeyed with me during this whole process...what a blessing you are!

Now...we prepare to leave Canada and let the next step of the adventure begin! Come, journey with me!!

Thanks be to God...

Fran