Chickens in the Park

Greetings family, friends, supporters~

Greetings, peace and God abundant blessings!

Driving home from worship last Sunday, we spotted some chickens and a rooster sauntering around in a public, municipal park, looking as if they belonged there. What did not seem odd to anyone else, seemed terribly odd (not to mention unsanitary) to me. Just when I think that nothing else can surprise me, Peru comes up with another in a long list! Every day is filled with the unexpected, there is such creativity, diversity and spontaneity. Welcome to Peru, to life here...and to what was apparently another normal Sunday.

Several interesting things have been happening in these last few weeks...



In late January, a delegation from CLWR (Canadian Lutheran World Relief) were here to visit their various projects and as well to meet with ILEP (Iglesia Luterana Evangelica Peruana)to discuss ways of strengthening their partnership. Included are ILEP President, Pastor Pedro Bullon, and CLWR Executive Director, Bob Granke.







Also in late January, my boxes from Canada arrived, nothing broken or missing...this felt like a mini-miracle!

















Our Pastoral Ratido (Pastoral Retreat) was shortened to only one day, but still enjoyable. We went to a Retreat/Vacation Centre called "Huampani" in Chaclayo, another district of Lima. It was a full day of meetings and discussions.

As is important to most (if not all pastors), the meals were very good...



There was some time to study and reflect...

















As well as to check out the animals wandering around...


















Visited Barranco (another district of Lima)this past week....




and then went to the Centre House of St. James Society in Lima. A priest friend is a missionary working in Caraballayo (another district of Lima). It is located beautifully along Barranco's coast and we were there at sunset, which was absolutely spectacular!








At San Juan Camino de Esperanza, I am preaching and presiding every Sunday now, and every week seems to feel more natural. We started a Thursday night bible study, which focuses on the nexts for the following Sunday. This has been a joy! In March, we welcome the children back from summer vacation. San Juan has a Saturday program that includes tutorials, bible study, music, and games. There will be about 100-120 children for about seven hours every Saturday. In addition to this day for the children, we are starting a Women's Group, to study scripture and offer different workshops each week. Also in March, a confirmation class will start-up, as well as baptismal preparation for five young people who wish to be baptized. Very exciting!!

Teaching church liturgy and music will more officially begin with a meeting on Feb. 28th with all of the ILEP musicians and intersted persons. We will hear their needs/concerns, and share the proposal for my work in the churches. It will be exciting to start meeting everyone more directly involved in music ministry in the various congregations! The proposal is for me to work for three month blocks in each congregation to teaching singing, help the choirs (or start choirs), perhaps work with the children, teach some keyboard skills, whatever they feel is a need. The three months will give time to get to know the congregations and their needs, to build trust, and to help develop skills over a period of time. The first congregation will be Belen, located in the Breña District.

As things get underway, there have been times where I have felt like one of those animals(chicken, llama or rooster?)wandering around in the park...feeling out of place at times, trying to find my way around, adapting somewhat, and slowly getting accustomed to everything: a new country, a new way of life, a new congregation, new people, and a new church (not to mention the language!). It is all falling into place rather smoothly, though, and having just received my carné last week, my residency approval, it seems Lima is officially home!!




With peace, joy, and love,
In Christ,
Pastora Fran.

Following and adapting

To my sisters and brothers in Christ, my family, friends and supporters,

Here are just some of my recent reflections of the last couple of weeks:

Following my Installation Service on Jan. 11th, the real work has begun. The last six months of preparation, language training, cultural immersion, finding an apartment and settling in, is all at once over and now the real work, the real call is underway. There have been three full services to this point in this first month of ministry: preparing, presiding and preaching. There have many more meetings to organize the part of my work that will involve teaching church liturgy and music, as well, to look at ministry at San Juan Camino de Esperanza. But as so many things are still new, I often feel like I am still following and still adapting.

My body is slow at adapting: to the pollution, to the fragrances of foreign trees and flowers, and of course to the food in general. My brain seems slow to adapt at times, too: to the new language, to almost always looking for a particular word or phrase, and to being tired from all the thinking that is needed sometimes. We often forget how set we are in our ways, in our own traditions, customs and habits. They are so automatic, we often don't think about it or why we are doing something in a particular way. These habits, these ways of being in the world, are so entrenched that we don't even realize the extent to which they are a part of our fibre, our DNA. Like Wolverine in "X-Men" whose bones were replaced with metal and sinewed into his very structure,so, too are our habits, our rituals, our customs, our mannerisms, all of our decisions and who we are are.

Our LTS President suggested over a year ago that learning a new language is much like an arm-wrestling match, in which the strength of your opponent far surpasses your own. Cultural and language adaptation does feel much like this, only a part of my brain still fights to win!

Our faith journey seems like this alot of times, too. We fight to get back the control that we think is ours, or that we belive is ours, although we really have no reason to have deserved it. We fight with God, we want our own way, we do not want to have to follow or adapt to a new way of living and being in the world. Thanks to God, though, who knows this about humanity and still chooses to love us anyways, even to the point of sending his only son, Jesus Christ to live and die for us! In Jesus, our frailties and habits, our ways of being in the world can be reconciled and transformed to that of Christ. The adaptation and following is not always easy, this is for sure, but God's grace and love, God's strength and power are certainly far superior to ours. And this is an incredible grace. We are freed by the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ, to change and adapt, to spread this Good News of Jesus, the Good News that saves and transforms us and our world!

Following and adapting is difficult, this is so true...in my five months in South America with the various challenges and joys, I can say that adapting is not always easy, but there are certainly more possibilities of living that reveal themselves in these times of change and transition. God's possibilities and God's capabilities are far beyond what we can see or imagine and this is incredible! I pray for God's vision for our ELCIC and for the Peruvian church-ILEP, as we grow and adapt together in this relationship and with all of the changes that seem to be happening in both of these churches!

In the peace, love, mercy and grace of God,
Pastora Fran.

It's official!!

Dearest family, friends, and supporters...Greetings and peace in the name of Jesus Christ, our light and our life!

It was made official yesterday afternoon when Pastor Pedro Bullon, President of ILEP (la Iglesia Luterana Evangelica Peruana) installed me as the Pastor at San Juan Camino de Esperanza, I am now an ILEP pastor! More than thirty children and twenty adults (approximately) came to the service, and our little chapel was packed full! What an exciting time for all of us.


As the children gathered, there was much energy, noise, enthusiasm, hugs, and boisterous singing...what a wonderful way to begin!



There was lots of music, thanks to our musicians, Mario and Samuel...


Pastora Adita Torres preached an inspiring message linking our baptisms with that of Jesus Christ, while recalling that it was my cross-cultural trip here four years ago with the LTS (Lutheran Theological Seminary) and God's working in these years, that led me to serve here. All of these activities, God's activities, are grounded in those baptismal, life-giving waters. We sang "Tu has venido a la orilla", "You have come down to the Lakeshore", a reminder of our call as disciples, a call that begins at the "lakeshore", in the waters of our baptism.






As part of the Installation Liturgy, I received a chalice (cup), a paten (plate) and the Holy Bible, symbols of the office of Pastor: Word and Sacrament.


And with being given the official welcome, I presided at the Eucharist (in Spanish of course!) for the first time as their Pastor. It went pretty well considering it was the first time to preside as Pastor and in another language.


Plus, I was, and am still, very emotional when I consider all that has happened in recent years to bring me to this time and place, to serve God's people in this partnership with ELCIC and ILEP.














Following the worship service, we gathered for fellowship and celebration in the open area of our grounds and it was a nice way to visit, hug and begin to meet more people from the area!











Some of our members....Carlos with daughters, Laurena and Pati..











Ida and Luzaurora...











Gladys, myself, Ana Maria, and the girls....





Thanks be to God for this precious, holy time in which to be in ministry and partnership together...to share one another's joys and sorrows, talents and dreams! Thank you, ELCIC, supporters, ELW's, prayer partners, friends and family, for making all of these connections and relationships possible! We stand at the beginning of something incredible in this congregation of believer's...as the Gospel text for this Sunday affirms, "Come and See" the revealing of Godself through Jesus Christ. It is an invitation to all of us to be witnesses of Jesus Christ present with us. And surely, Jesus Christ was present with us in this beginning, in this Installation service, as Jesus will continue to walk with all of us. For this, our congregation is apty named "Camino de Esperanza", "The Way of Hope"....

With peace, joy, and love,

Pastora Fran.

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.