Random reflections

Warmest greetings friends, family, supporters and other interested persons!




Several recent visits from one of ILEP's (Lutheran Church in Peru) companion synod's recently gave me the opportunity to reflect on life, work, ministry, and mission and I thought it might be fun to share with all of you some of their questions.....and my responses, in this more personal blog entry.


"How long do missionaries stay in their placement?"
In the ELCIC (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), long-term missionaries serve for a a term of four years.


"How often do you go home?"
Long-term missionaries return to their home country every two years for home assignment, presentations to the various sponsoring congregations, etc. They can return home for vacation, but this is at their own expense.


"Isn't it really hard being so far away?
Ya, sometimes it is, especially at holidays or birthdays. I really miss my family and friends a lot! But we talk using Skype and it's amazing to still feel connected this way but it's still not the same as being there.




"It seems like a really different ministry setting, how do you do it?"


I pray, A LOT! I pray for God to give me the words, to give me the strength. I pray for our congregations, for the leaders and all of the pastors. I pray for our children and youth. I pray fervently and more than I have ever in my life.


"What's your favorite Peruvian food?"
Papa a la Huancaina is my favorite, that's potatoes with an aji cream sauce...delicious! Also, I love palta, avocados, and anticuchos, that's cow's heart.


"Is the weather here always this cold?"
Not always, but for about 7 months of the year. This year it's been much colder than previous years. It's like 15 degrees but with 90% humidity and no heat in the buildings which are concrete for the most part and no insulation. To me, it feels like +2° C!! ...just like winter camping!


"What do you like best about the ministry?"
The children, their enthusiasm, their smiles and laughter, how quickly they learn, and being here three years now, I've watched many of them grow into lovely young people. The youth group that we just started this year has also been fun, getting into real issues and challenges in their daily lives and journeying with them.


What's the most awesome part of being a missionary in Peru?
The most awesome thing is sharing the Gospel, the Good News, and seeing how God can change and transform someone's perspective, self-believe, and daily lives. Knowing we are loved by God, that we are accepted just as we are despite our faults and shortcomings, our status in society, and negative messages we may have received growing up and all the limitations that exist (especially among those we work with here in Peru), therefore, the Gospel is really empowering. With more of a focus on "law" preaching here, generally, the Good News actually gives life and hope to us even in the most difficult of circumstances.




"Will it be hard to leave and go back to Canada?"
Yes it really will be hard to say good-bye, whenever that happens. There are so many things I've become accustomed to now, even though they might be really frustrating at times. This world is so different from Canada and North American culture, I hope I can readjust and refit into that world again! It will be really hard to go back and leave the children and the ministry behind but I think most pastor's feel this way as they move on in their ministries.




"What will you miss most?"
Super obvious...the people!




Well, thanks everyone for this little FAQ journey as you listened in on one of the conversations with visiting companion synod visitors! More pics and stories upcoming....


With the peace, joy, and love of the Lord!!


Pastora Fran