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| Near Vida Nueva (New Life Lutheran Church) in San Juan de Miraflores |
For locals and foreigners alike, life in a developing country is a life of some risk and insecurity. Apart from the obvious challenges each day: congestion, traffic, pollution, unemployment, and crime just to name a few; there are the systematic injustices and discrimination brought about and perpetuated by corrupt governments and cultural norms. An example: a person of darker colored skin tone here is assumed to be from the country-side, uneducated, lower class, not worthy or capable of working in any field other than house-keeper or security guard. Perpetuated cultural norms of racism, classism, sexism, and ageism are alive and well, adding to the vulnerability and insecurity of many who live here. There is much education and awareness, but change comes slowly. And often one feels helpless when the injustices are so deeply embedded and accepted.
It is in this context that ILEP, its leaders, President, council, pastors, missionaries, and members live, work, and minister to proclaim the Gospel. We walk alongside one another to proclaim a message of hope in a world wrought with much distrust and risk. We in the north have so much to learn from these our sisters and brothers in Christ particularly in the midst of those things we cannot comprehend or begin to understand (even after two and a half years in Peru!) about life in a developing country.
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| Participants of LWF sponsored "Facilitators Training Event" for ILEP congregations: working together to be equipped for ministry. |
One of my most important lessons has been living in the present. Living in the present moment requires attention to what is happening now in this moment, without concern for the next meeting, about being late, about the phone calls yet to be made, the sermon that needs finalizing, the pile of laundry waiting at home. Here, in Peru, every moment is a "present-living" moment. The present is experienced in an engaging way, while paying attention to those around the table, listening and participating in the now. It is perhaps why each birthday, anniversary, special occasion is celebrated with incredible energy and enthusiasm, as if the last. Perhaps this makes sense when life is vulnerable, filled with injustices, random vehicle and pedestrian accidents, violence, poverty and insecurity...all so prevalent.
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| Spouses: Michael (playing zampoña) and Jhanet (playing the charango) at Faciltators Training Event. |
Instead of looking to what we (or I) have to give and contribute to ILEP, to my congregation, to our relationships as pilgrims and companion churches as we, ELCIC, accompany ILEP (which is also important and necessary), perhaps, maybe we can also look to what we (or I) can learn by this partnership and inter-cultural exchange. One of these gifts and blessings is present-living.
Present-living is how to be...how to live in the present. This is not without its frustrations, as plans change constantly, times are altered, advanced-planning for anything is near impossible (and might be interpreted as a week ahead of time in some places). The great challenge and call as people of God is to let go of the worries and preoccupations that often fill our minds and our lives and instead trust in God. Living in the present means trust God is taking care of these worries and fears, holding all of the future, our future, in God's trustworthy hands.
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| Sunset by the ocean in early March: a reminder of God´s spectacular creation. |
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place fro which I sent you into exile."
Jeremiah 29:11-14
With peace, love, and joy in present-living,
Pastora Fran
