Temblors for Navidad?

First written December 19th....

Greetings, peace, and joy to each of you; family, friends, supporters and followers!!

For the last two weeks, preparations for Christmas have been well underway. The streets are congested with people, old and young, and traffic has been crazier than normal as Peruvians spend their double salary for Navidad celebrations. Yes, Peruvians receive a double salary twice a year to help pay for added expenses during Independence Days (July 28 &29) as well as Christmas. This means all the shopping is done in the same month, generally speaking. Peruvians are busy shopping and stocking their shelves for family meals of pavo (turkey), paneton (Christmas fruit bread) and chocolate caliente (hot chocolate) among the other myriad of wonderful foods!! In addition to family gift-giving, gifts are purchased for those who provide services throughout the year, housekeepers, hairdressers, mechanics, gardeners. These are the canastas, gift baskets, filled with everything needed to have a traditional Peruvian family Christmas. For members of the churches we serve, both congregations are busy purchasing items to provide a mini-fiesta and we are packing gifts for the children provided by Caristas, an NGO (non-governmental organization) of LWR (Lutheran World Relief, USA). It is a busy time for everyone, filled with anticipation for what will be shared and for days off of work when families can be together.

In the midst of this anticipation and busy-ness, was a 4.8 tremor last night...

Suddenly, abruptly interrupted, perhaps we were awakened to the reality of our planet, suffering its anxieties and labor pains of contamination, exploitation, and climate change. The temblor (tremor) was strong, lasting a minute long. No damages were reported, Thanks be to God!, but it did wake me up to reconsider what is important in this life and what ought to be our focus during this Advent and Christmas: the coming Christ-child who will bring peace and justice. Maybe this temblor during Navidad can remind us that Christmas is not about the gifts, perhaps its not even about being with loved ones. In a very counter-cultural perspective, perhaps during Advent and Christmas we could focus less on our celebrations and more on Christ. If we can focus less on ourselves and more on God and God's love coming into the world, in human form, the incarnation of Jesus, then perhaps this sacred time of the year can really be about Christ.

This is the temblor the world needs! This is the temblor that God's word ought to invoke within us. This is the temblor, the shock, the jolt that Christ's birth brings into the world, waking us from the routine of our lives, from the acceptance and complacence of the injustices and inequalities that happen every day in order that we can wake up to the realities and begin to change our ways, our perspectives, our lives.

Let it be a temblor this year that shakes us to the core and wakens us to action in Christ's name!

With peace and joy to you this Christmas Season!

Pastora Fran

A Ritual Beginning

Greetings in this New Year of 2012 to all those supporters, friends, family, and interested persons!!

As the New Year began here with several hours of crashes and bangs, despite the illegalization of home fireworks, it is a telling sign that something is happening or that something has happened. The loud crashing of fireworks brings in the New Year and enlivens the senses, and perhaps this is really what ritual is all about.

Fireworks in a local park on New Year's Eve

In baptismal waters, with Water and the Word, we mark the beginning of something new. We celebrate in grand style as we are reborn as children of God, inheritors of eternal life and the ritual and symbol are tactile, memorable. It is a celebration that continues all throughout our lives!

The "hora loca" or crazy hour at Emaus,
 celebrating the New Year with a fiesta on Jan. 1, 2012

Over holidays two weeks ago, we had a similar experience to that of celebrating, being re-born, re-experiencing God's grace in creation as we traveled to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and I climbed Machu Picchu once again, only this time in the pouring rain!

Machu Picchu

It was more or less consistent throughout our day. The consistent precipitation is what makes the mountains, fauna, grasses, trees,  etc so incredibly green. It is the consistent precipitation of the rain forest that makes it so lush and so delicious to the senses of sight and smell. And it was this consistent precipitation that made the rocky steps slippery and dangerous, and which soaked my jeans! Yet, the consistent precipitation is also what enlivened my heart and senses to the entire experience. It rained on and off, fog would roll in and in second disappear. And it happened time and again, like a reminder: something is happening here. The steep edges and drop-offs had this effect for me to because of my fear of heights. I had to breathe deeper, ask others to walk in front of me, and I even had to close the curtain of the bus on the hair-pin drive up the mountain. But this also heightened all of my senses to the entire experience: something unique is happening here, something unexpected, something new, something that you will always remember.

And it is true, like the ritual of Water and Word, like the ritual midnight fireworks throughout the city of Lima, this was a ritual of senses, sight, sound, and touch culminating together like a ritual of beginning and remembering.


We need these rituals, we need the senses to be awakened and enlivened to remind us of God's love and grace breaking into the world every day. Sometimes we are tired and weary, sometimes we are stressed, sometimes we are complacent and the routines of life take something of the spark of faith away from us. We need these rituals to remind us of God's continuing love and grace: we need these rituals to break us out of our complacency; we need these rituals to be reminded that we are God's beloved children, freed, loved, graced and transformed TO transform our world. We often forget and this is why the ritual is so incredibly important..the ritual of worship for example, so we can be brought to these amazing experiences of the senses: water and word, of bread and wine. In this ritual, we are reminded whose we are and what we are called and claimed to be and do in this world: to risk, love, be on the edge, embody the Gospel....

Be the blessing God has called to you, be enlivened into the richness God has planted in you, be God's grace in the world...

With love & gratitude,

Pastora Fran

To Peru with love...

Dear Friends, Family, & Supporters!

This is a little bit different of a blog-post and perhaps appropriate to be posting it, finally, on the US Thanksgiving holiday. There are times when we can all recall with gratitude the experiences, good & bad, that have formed and shaped us. The following post was my journal entry several weeks ago, recalling all that has happened, personally and professionally, in these years serving in Peru as missionary. It has been life-changing and wonderful, not always easy or joyous, as other ex-pats can attest, but this is my little letter of gratitude...

To Peru with love,

Wow! What a journey these last three and a half years have been...such a roller-coaster, such extremes, nothing could have prepared me for Peru, for Lima, for the challenges and struggles of life overseas, as well as those of our church here. I felt prepared and was as ready as one could have been, but there is no way I could have been fully prepared for all that was to happen.

Lima is hard, tough, grey, dirty, sprawling, rude, demanding. Peru with such intense competition...huge cultural differences, despite appearances.

Amazing.

I am grateful for all of it.

I am grateful for the extremes because of those I am in touch with my feelings.

I am grateful for the severities of conflicts and disagreements, because of those I know myself much better and have learned how and when to respond and approach certain issues and situations.

I am grateful for my closest friends and those that continue to form and develop. They remind me who I am and why I am here and when none of it is clear, we guide each other through it all.

I am grateful for both of my parishes, they are teaching me how to be a pastor, how to speak the truth in love, when my presence is most valued and needed, what is my role in the various situations we encounter, and how to say what needs to be said even when it's the hardest, and sometimes the last, thing I want to do!

I am grateful to be able to speak Spanish, to learn guitar, to teach English, to dance salsa and learn the latin music and its rhythms, because i am creating new brain pathways, new memories, deepening my experience here and my experience of myself, in this I have learned how capable, open and adventurous I really am. I have learned that I can and do take risks.

I am grateful for the men I have dated in these singles years and even for all of the heart-break along the way because I have learned what love is and what love isn't and I have had to stand strong in the face of the manipulating and controlling ones, and this has not only made me stronger, it's helped shape and define what I want in a life partner and what I am not willing to accept.

I am grateful to live close to the ocean, beaches, and beautiful parks. They renew my soul and remind me there is still beauty in the world even in the midst of the ugliness of human sin and brokenness, corruption, and poverty.

I am grateful for my sister and my family who continue to love me even when they and we are so far apart and even though they don't always understand me or why I'm here...they show me a glimpse of unconditional love and how important good roots are even though I colour mine!

I am grateful for the supporters in the ELCIC, for the companion synods and congregational relationships and the wonderful relationships that have been formed because they affirm me and remind me why I am here, they notice and name things I'd long forgotten about in the years here. They breathe new life, hope, and love into the workings of our congregation and ILEP.

My heart is full...I am grateful and hope-filled.

Thank you, Peru, AND all of you whose support, encouragement, understanding, and interest, continue to inspire me! Thank you also for the many recent Birthday greetings, and all the ways you have responded and shown you care not only about me, but also the Peruvian congregational members, the growing ILEP church, and all of the ministries here!

Blessings & Abrazos!!

Pastora Fran

Sembrando...Sewing seeds!

Greetings with peace, joy, love and hope in the Lord to all of our friends, family, supporters and interested persons!!! Welcome to this blog and the stories, photos and reflections of life in ministry in Peru....

Over these last two months, we officially kicked-off our new children's ministry program called "Sembrando", which means "sewing seeds". In co-operation with two ELCA companion synods, Sembrando has focused and improved upon the previous children's ministry program. We hope to plant seeds of hope and faith, to support children's futures in terms of education, health and nutrition, and spiritual nurturing. Visiting presenter's recently offered two days of workshops for the Sembrando leaders and pastors. They did a fabulous job!

..results of group work

Sembrando workshop participants & leaders

Ideas, games, stories, challenges and goals were all shared in the workshops which we are now implementing in my first parish, San Juan Camino de Esperanza...

The younger children at San Juan....making crosses 

And the older children & youth learning to work together to move a ball
around on the parachute...team-work!

Sembrando, seeds of hope, seeds that grow in soil that God has prepared and made ready...all in its season and all in its time! We give thanks for our children and youth and the ministry that we can provide with/for them thanks to our partner churches and resources (people, monetary, materials) that are so generously offered!!

With much thanks, blessings and joy for a lovely fall in the north just as its warming up and becoming spring in our part of the world....

Pastora Fran

ILEP's new web-site!!

Greetings family, friends, and supporters!

So, just last month ILEP (Lutheran Church in Peru) launched its new web-site, with a new design, more information about the pastors and congregations, as well as the various activities that are going on in and around ILEP ministries here!! It's a very exciting proposal and has taken many hours to co-ordinate, gather, and translate all of what has been included thus far. It has been a coordinated effort mostly on the part of German Missionary pastor, Ihrke Buchroth, with Pastor Dana Nelson, ELCA and myself offering the English translations.

Check it out today!!

Their address is: http://www.ilepperu.org/index.php

BLESSINGS to you all as you begin classes, fall programs in your churches, and return from what I hope has been a restful, rejuvenating and fruitful summer vacation!

Peace, love & blessings,
Pastora Fran

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

The greatest gift

Greetings supporters, followers, friends, and family!

"Hope is the greatest gift that the church can give to the world."

Little Carmensita is four

After what seems like two very hectic months...May taking on a second congregation...and part of June on holidays, I'm back to blogging! There is no shortage of stories, adventures, challenges, and joys to share. But I would, rather, like to begin with something that I read recently that inspired me greatly. It is from Kenyan theologican Dr. Musimti Kanyoro, who wrote: "Hope is the greatest gift that the church can give to the world." Her words about the mission and hope of the church are incredibly empowering and motivating. It is Christ who gives us love,  grace and hope and we as members of the body of Christ share that message of the Gospel in what we do, what we say, where we focus our energies and priorities, with whom we choose to spend our time, and in exactly where we are in any given moment of our lives. As Christians, in other words, we can give the gift of hope.

In Peru, as in many parts of the world, so many live without much hope of their situation, the education, health-care, government corruption, etc, changing. But as part of our work with children and youth, and with the support of our companion synod in Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast, ILEP has just launched a new program for children and families called Sembrando para el Futuro. It is a pilot project that will add depth to the ministries we had already begun in recent years. It is an exciting project and it is a very hope-filled time!

ILEP (Lutheran Church in Peru) in Convention, mid-March,
deciding on the hope and future of the church

At the congregation of San Juan Camino de Esperanza we will reach out in new ways to the children and families in the hillsides close to the church, offering not only help with homework and a bible lesson, but will also provide a meal, psychological assistance, field trips to museums and libraries, as well as establish a fund for medical assistance. It is a growing program and one we are very excited about, because it is one way we can witness and live out the hope, love, and resurrection that we have in Christ Jesus.

Our youth have been meeting regularly, an exciting change this year. There are between 9-15 youth, young men and women participating and our continuing theme for the year is identity.

First, Marissa, Diana and Gina exploring and naming
the things we like to do

Next...Angie and Gracie discovering our talents and gifts...

Many of these youth are caring for younger siblings, some come from single parent homes, all live in very simple conditions with only the most basic of needs being provided. With the help of a psychologist friend, we are focusing on identity issues as children of God: self-worth, self-esteem, self-love, and self-understanding.

Going deeper seems to be the focus this year, my third year as Long-Term missionary and into my third year in Peru. We are deepening relationships and cultural understandings, interpretation of Scripture and contextually how that looks here, we are strengthening partnerships with companion congregations both in the US and with Grace Lutheran in Victoria, British Columbia, and we are deepening the care and support of the children and youth of the congregation and in the surrounding community. In other words, children and youth will have help with their homework and can advance in their education, there will be a psychological presence for the youth as they struggle with self-identity and negotiate the changing relationship with their parents, it means sharing a meal each week as well as supplementing nutritional needs, and this deepening means a more stable and consistent presence by way of visiting and community support. This is hope in action.

Giving hope, sharing the Gospel, being present in the challenges and difficulties, sharing God's love is our witness at San Juan Camino de Esperanza, St. John Way of Hope, for ours is a way of hope. It is what we share in word and deed, it is what we share in the meal. Hope is a way of life.

Our Sanctuary on Easter Sunday Morning

"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts trough the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:5

May the peace, grace, love and hope of Jesus Christ be with you all,

Pastora Fran