Well, life has been keeping me quite busy since returning to the U.S. so I have not had much time to sit and write down all that has been going on. This short blog won't do enough to describe everything either, but at least it's something to make sure we are all on the same page and you know about the big events going on in my life. If you want more details you should know how to get a hold of me (phone, e-mail, or facebook). If not, ask a family member or friend for my contact info.
Well, the BIG news that I was waiting to write about until I had tried to tell most people in person is that........ Roger and I are engaged! Roger and our relationship have been such unexpected beautiful blessings by God that fill me with overwhelming gratitude for how loved I really am (by God for bringing Roger and I together and by Roger himself). Life is so good and I really believe that God just wants to keep on blessing us with love and joy in our lives if we are open and present to it. I really feel rooted and confident in the decision to spend my life with Roger and believe that this is the life God is calling me to. It is why I decided to end my missionary experience and pursue this path toward marriage and (eventually) family. There seem to be too many stories to share, so if you want more info just ask. I am obviously back in the U.S. and he is still in Peru. We are applying for the fiance visa so he can come to the U.S. and we can get married here. Roger has graciously agreed to move to the U.S. for me (he's so great!) so the plan right now is to live in St. Louis. The whole visa process takes about 6-7 months and then you have to get married withing 90 days of arrival, so we're looking at a June 2011 wedding. More details to follow as we pick a place, etc.
In the meantime, I am back in St. Louis, MO and so happy to be surrounded by so many great friends and communities here. I really love St. Louis and feel very happy and at home here. Most of my really good friends from college are still around and there are a lot of exciting things going on in the city. I am currently living in an intentional community in North St. Louis called "Claver House." I live with 5 other young adults and we share food, space, time, and lots of conversations together, as well as trying to be active in our neighborhood which is primarily low income African-American. It is a great group of people in the house and I'm excited to get to know them better as well as the extended community around The Ville (our neighborhood).
I am also grateful that I have a full time job! My previous employer, Cooperative Home Care, was eager to hire me back so I am now working full time as a Case Manager for our Medicaid department. I've been there for two weeks and I have to say it is pretty overwhelming right now trying to learn everything. I have around 80 clients plus all of their workers that I am responsible for; so on top of learning all the procedures, rules, and systems I am also trying to learn names, diagnosis, and schedules. It's a lot to say the least. But I am hopeful that as time goes on and I settle more into the position that things will run more smoothly and I will really enjoy the job. It's a great company to work for (I mean, last Friday we had margarita happy hour for the last hour of work) and I'm grateful to have a job. It will also be great experience for case managing and supervising over 50 workers. Right now I'm just trying to take it one problem at a time...
So I think those are all my big updates: engagement, move, job. Anyone connected to the St. Louis area with suggestions about wedding reception venues, latino bands, photographers, florists, etc. send them my way. I'm definitely on a budget so keep that in mind with suggestions :) Or, anyone who has one of these talents and wants to offer that as a wedding present I would be more than happy to discuss that further with you!
Thanks for keeping up with me and I'll try and post a bit more frequently.... but no promises... life is busy and being lived in the moment....
peace and love
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Blog makeover
Those who have been following my blog will notice that there have been a lot of recent changes in design and some in content. I started this blog to share with others about my time in Peru working as an Incarnate Word Missionary. However, now that I am back in the U.S. I want to continue posting different thoughts and experiences on my blog. So, I have updated it to no longer reflect my work as a missionary, but just to reflect me and wherever life happens to take me. Thanks for coming along for the ride and I'll try and post again soon about some of the challenges of transitioning back to life here in the U.S.
peace and love
peace and love
Thursday, July 29, 2010
¡Felices Fiestas Patrias!
Just a quick blog to let you all know that Peru celebrated it's Independence Day yesterday (and today). They give two days off here for fiestas patrias, the 28th and 29th. There really wasn't much in the line of celebrations though. In Lima there is a big military parade/march and the President gives his yearly address to Peru. I listened to most of the President's speech on the radio and he made it seem like Peru is doing great and barely affected by the world economic crisis. And maybe Peru really isn't doing as bad as some other countries, but from the daily reality I see and hear there is still a lot of unemployment, crime, and lack of basic services like health and education. So while the slogan of the current government posted all over is "Peru avanza" (Peru advances), there are still a lot being left behind in that advance.
It was interesting to see a lot of my Peruvian friend's reactions to fiestas patrias or the President's speech. I was pretty much the only one who dressed up in red and white and who listened to the President's speech. No one else was really interested in listening and when I summarized some of the points of the speech all of the comments where pretty sarcastic or negative. When mentioning that the percentage of people living in poverty has dropped more than 10% friends said that's because those people are now living in extreme poverty. Or when telling of a poll that counted how many people wanted to immigrate and leave Peru 6 years ago versus today the number had dropped almost 30%. Their response was, yeah, all those people already left. I know any data amount can be construed so it looks good without understanding all the components and that Peru still has a lot of problems, but at the same time there is a lot to celebrate and be proud of here in Peru. And almost all of the Peruvians I know are very proud to be Peruvian, they just know that their government is corrupt and so are uninterested in listening to a speech that to them is false.
I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to live in Peru and get to know more about this beautiful and challenging country. So, Felices Fiestas Patrias Peru y sigue la lucha para la paz y justicia! (Happy Independence Day Peru and continue the struggle for peace and justice)!
Monday, July 5, 2010
A change ahead...
It occurred to me that I have yet to write a blog explaining that I will be ending my missionary experience in August... so for all of those who might not know I have decided to end my time as a missionary with IWM after a year of service. My contract officially ends July 31st, less than a month away, and my plane ticket back to the U.S. is August 16th. It's really hard to think about leaving Peru and all of the friends and family I have made here, but I believe that this is the best decision for me and what God is calling me to do.
Back in our retreat in March I spent a lot of time in prayer and reflection in how to understand and respond to the Spirit moving within me. What I feel very centered and confident in is that God is calling me to another vocation other than missionary. While all Christians are called to be a "missionary" people in their lived witness to the life and love of God and the teachings of Christ, the call to be a foreign missionary with the Incarnate Word Sisters is no longer for me. In the words of St. Francis, I hope to continue to "preach the gospel always, when necessary use words," just in a different setting with a different vocation.
One of the many important lessons I have learned is that where you are is the most important place to be, the person in front of you deserves all of your love and attention, and everything matters. If one is always thinking about somewhere else, or someone else, or looking to find the most desperate, the most deserving, she misses the gift and beauty of the moment and the presence of God in front of her. I have struggled with this a lot in recent years, always feeling like it's not enough, or it doesn't matter, or in trying to find someone from the future that I deem more in need or more deserving I ignore the person who is here and now. You don't have to be in a certain place to find God or to live a life of divine witness, but a lot of times a change in scenery helps introduce you to new faces of God, new mysteries and wisdoms, and develops new ways within yourself to participate in the divine life. And it's a beautiful but challenging experience to bring all of that back to your base communities of friends and family. As I am sad to leave Peru I am also excited to see friends and family and return to my community in St. Louis. We've all changed and had unique experiences and it is a gift as well as a challenge to constantly live and communicate who one is to those one loves and continue growing in understanding together. While having lived on a very tight budget with little in my bank account to rely on when I get back, I leave Peru a woman rich in experiences, friends, a bit of wisdom, a multitude of gratitude, and a heavy but open heart ready for what each new footstep of the journey might bring.
paz y amor siempre
Back in our retreat in March I spent a lot of time in prayer and reflection in how to understand and respond to the Spirit moving within me. What I feel very centered and confident in is that God is calling me to another vocation other than missionary. While all Christians are called to be a "missionary" people in their lived witness to the life and love of God and the teachings of Christ, the call to be a foreign missionary with the Incarnate Word Sisters is no longer for me. In the words of St. Francis, I hope to continue to "preach the gospel always, when necessary use words," just in a different setting with a different vocation.
One of the many important lessons I have learned is that where you are is the most important place to be, the person in front of you deserves all of your love and attention, and everything matters. If one is always thinking about somewhere else, or someone else, or looking to find the most desperate, the most deserving, she misses the gift and beauty of the moment and the presence of God in front of her. I have struggled with this a lot in recent years, always feeling like it's not enough, or it doesn't matter, or in trying to find someone from the future that I deem more in need or more deserving I ignore the person who is here and now. You don't have to be in a certain place to find God or to live a life of divine witness, but a lot of times a change in scenery helps introduce you to new faces of God, new mysteries and wisdoms, and develops new ways within yourself to participate in the divine life. And it's a beautiful but challenging experience to bring all of that back to your base communities of friends and family. As I am sad to leave Peru I am also excited to see friends and family and return to my community in St. Louis. We've all changed and had unique experiences and it is a gift as well as a challenge to constantly live and communicate who one is to those one loves and continue growing in understanding together. While having lived on a very tight budget with little in my bank account to rely on when I get back, I leave Peru a woman rich in experiences, friends, a bit of wisdom, a multitude of gratitude, and a heavy but open heart ready for what each new footstep of the journey might bring.
paz y amor siempre
Friday, June 25, 2010
Like sands through the hourglass...
Time, I feel, is not so much marked by the measurement of a hand slowly rotating around a clock, but rather by events and one’s physical surroundings. My life up until the past year always flowed to a certain rhythm marked by the seasons, holidays, and school year. This provided a more or less foreseeable pattern of how life would unfold and be lived.
I grew up in the Midwest, which means that for me the year was always divided into the four seasons and the corresponding holidays and events celebrated in a given season. Winter always included freezing temperatures, snow, big coats, hats, gloves, scarves, hot cocoa with marshmallows, familiar Christmas tunes, nativity scenes, Christmas lights, a break from school, and family time. Christmas was the cornerstone of the winter season with Christmas mass, visiting family, waking up earlier than any other day of the year to anxiously see what presents were waiting under the tree, decorating and eating Christmas cookies, and watching classic movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story. I loved the winter scene of fresh fallen snow covering everything in a sparkling blanket of white, so clean and pure, the thrill of sledding down a hill or participating in a snowball fight, and waking up early after a big snow fall hoping and praying school would be canceled so I would have a free day with my friends to enjoy all that the winter season had to offer. Despite the freezing temperatures and slippery roads, I loved winter.
Then came spring with anxiously awaited warmer weather, plants and flowers growing and blooming in all their glory, and the school year winding down. Spring was a time of enjoying the outdoors again after a cold winter inside. It was a season of new life after winter’s hibernation. Spring brought with it rain showers, thunderstorms, and celebrations of Easter and my birthday. Being born at the end of March the question was always, will the weather be more like a lion or a lamb? in trying to plan activities. The Easter season celebrations were marked with colorfully dyed eggs, baskets full of sweets including my favorite: peeps, pretty new dresses, Easter mass, and a big meal with family to celebrate. Spring brought excitement, beauty, and a fresh breath of new life to the world around me.
As spring turned to summer the most anticipated change each year was the end of the school year. Summer meant 3 free months without classes or a thousand extracurricular activities. Midwest summers are known for their humidity and in my younger days that meant many days spent at the pool or cooling off in a sprinkler in the yard. Summer was hot and sticky and full of spending time with friends or going to day-camps. In college summer was still marked as a time free from school, but now with the new responsibility of work. No longer lazy days to just have fun with friends, summer meant days full of work trying to save money to help continue pay for my college education. Summer was marked by outdoor concerts in the park, parades, and fireworks celebrating our Independence Day. Summer was flip-flops and tank-tops, sipping lemonade in the shade, and outdoor grilling with friends and family. Especially in my childhood, there was a lot of fun and freedom in summer, a break from the regular routine.
But summer always had to come to an end and the school year started anew as the weather began to cool off and the leaves began to change. I absolutely love the autumn mostly for the way the leaves light up the trees in bright yellows, oranges, and reds and then slowly fall creating the perfect cushion to build up and jump into, or that gentle crunch as you walk down a sidewalk filled with freshly fallen leaves. Autumn was a time to slow down a bit, to prepare for the winter season approaching, and to celebrate our gratitude. Thanksgiving has to be one of the best holidays ever in that it is a giant meal with the ones you love giving thanks for all of one’s blessings. Gathering together and sharing a meal has always been one of my favorite and most sacred events, and in the Thanksgiving holiday this is exactly what is celebrated. And of course the excitement of Halloween each fall in trying to prepare a costume and pick out the best houses and neighborhoods to visit for candy. Or in the later years going to Halloween parties where we still appreciated the excuse to dress in costume and celebrate, or scare ourselves at a haunted house, or watch scary movies. Pumpkins, turkeys, leaves, costumes, candy, family, and football all spoke the season of autumn into being.
However, all of these familiar sights, sounds, smells, activities, and schedules were dramatically altered when I chose to come to Peru as an Incarnate Word Missionary. Out of school for the first time in 16 years I was jumping into a whole new unknown rhythm of life far away from classes, meetings, social events, and friends. Not only did I leave behind the life and schedule of a student, but I also left behind every familiar season and marking of time. Traveling to the southern hemisphere to a completely foreign country and culture feels a lot like falling into a rabbit hole or passing through the looking glass. Time has disguised itself as I pass through days and moments trying to make sense of this strange new world.
My beloved four seasons (which were an initial requirement in the college search years ago) have converted into two: summer and winter. But they are not the summer and winter I have known all my life. All that I once knew and lived seems backwards as Christmas and New Years are celebrated in a skirt and tank top, going to the beach, and preparations for a potential 4th of July grill out will take place in jeans and sweaters, eating inside. There are no extremes, no precipitation, no storms. The biggest natural threat is an earthquake. It is a difficult feeling to describe unless you have lived it, but all of the changes in how the year unfolds with its seasons, weather, holidays, and celebrations have made it quite difficult to feel completely whole, or comfortable, or connected to myself and all those I love back in the U.S. I remember reading once about the importance of rituals and traditions in remembering ones history and understanding who one is in connection to their family and community or culture. I appreciate that insight so much more living in a foreign country where none of the familiar traditions or surrounding environments are present.
On the one hand it might be for the best that there is a certain disconnect in making it easier to be far away from friends and family and all of the familiar events and seasons that they are living. But it’s so strange to talk to those back in the States and compare weather or think about what I would be doing if I lived there right now. In a lot of ways I feel like the past 10 months have been this crazy whirlwind dream where time stood still and I was opened up to a multitude of new people, experiences, food, music, holidays, and celebrations. Time did not pass as it used to, and thus I am left with a feeling that time didn’t really pass at all, although I know it has. I wonder to myself how long it really takes to feel integrated and comfortable in a foreign environment? Five years? Ten years? And where does the balance come in of always seeking to integrate who one was, is, and is becoming?
I love that I have been blessed to share in another way of life, to celebrate new holidays and old holidays in new ways, to constantly have to ask “what are they doing?” or “what is that?” and “why?” I know that every lived moment of this experience will be with me always, just as every moment we live is with us always, and wrapped up in each moment are the people, places, sights, smells, tastes, laughter, tears, and kisses. And I will bring Peru back to the U.S. with me, remembering and celebrating these new customs, traditions, holidays, and celebrations whether it is visible to others or not. The same as I’ve done here in holding with me all that I’ve been and done, whether it is visible or not. I know that eventually I will return to my beloved four seasons and traditional holiday celebrations, but I also have a feeling that they will never be quite the same after this seemingly time-less year of the backwards, strange, new, and overwhelming. So the hope is, despite feeling incomplete or unsettled, that all of this, all that is life and the lived experiences that accompany it, aid me in being fully human and integrate me deeper into the mystery of life.
This is quite long and that seems like a good place to end. Blessings to you all wherever you might be in the world and in the moment you are living and the memory you are making.
I grew up in the Midwest, which means that for me the year was always divided into the four seasons and the corresponding holidays and events celebrated in a given season. Winter always included freezing temperatures, snow, big coats, hats, gloves, scarves, hot cocoa with marshmallows, familiar Christmas tunes, nativity scenes, Christmas lights, a break from school, and family time. Christmas was the cornerstone of the winter season with Christmas mass, visiting family, waking up earlier than any other day of the year to anxiously see what presents were waiting under the tree, decorating and eating Christmas cookies, and watching classic movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story. I loved the winter scene of fresh fallen snow covering everything in a sparkling blanket of white, so clean and pure, the thrill of sledding down a hill or participating in a snowball fight, and waking up early after a big snow fall hoping and praying school would be canceled so I would have a free day with my friends to enjoy all that the winter season had to offer. Despite the freezing temperatures and slippery roads, I loved winter.
Then came spring with anxiously awaited warmer weather, plants and flowers growing and blooming in all their glory, and the school year winding down. Spring was a time of enjoying the outdoors again after a cold winter inside. It was a season of new life after winter’s hibernation. Spring brought with it rain showers, thunderstorms, and celebrations of Easter and my birthday. Being born at the end of March the question was always, will the weather be more like a lion or a lamb? in trying to plan activities. The Easter season celebrations were marked with colorfully dyed eggs, baskets full of sweets including my favorite: peeps, pretty new dresses, Easter mass, and a big meal with family to celebrate. Spring brought excitement, beauty, and a fresh breath of new life to the world around me.
As spring turned to summer the most anticipated change each year was the end of the school year. Summer meant 3 free months without classes or a thousand extracurricular activities. Midwest summers are known for their humidity and in my younger days that meant many days spent at the pool or cooling off in a sprinkler in the yard. Summer was hot and sticky and full of spending time with friends or going to day-camps. In college summer was still marked as a time free from school, but now with the new responsibility of work. No longer lazy days to just have fun with friends, summer meant days full of work trying to save money to help continue pay for my college education. Summer was marked by outdoor concerts in the park, parades, and fireworks celebrating our Independence Day. Summer was flip-flops and tank-tops, sipping lemonade in the shade, and outdoor grilling with friends and family. Especially in my childhood, there was a lot of fun and freedom in summer, a break from the regular routine.
But summer always had to come to an end and the school year started anew as the weather began to cool off and the leaves began to change. I absolutely love the autumn mostly for the way the leaves light up the trees in bright yellows, oranges, and reds and then slowly fall creating the perfect cushion to build up and jump into, or that gentle crunch as you walk down a sidewalk filled with freshly fallen leaves. Autumn was a time to slow down a bit, to prepare for the winter season approaching, and to celebrate our gratitude. Thanksgiving has to be one of the best holidays ever in that it is a giant meal with the ones you love giving thanks for all of one’s blessings. Gathering together and sharing a meal has always been one of my favorite and most sacred events, and in the Thanksgiving holiday this is exactly what is celebrated. And of course the excitement of Halloween each fall in trying to prepare a costume and pick out the best houses and neighborhoods to visit for candy. Or in the later years going to Halloween parties where we still appreciated the excuse to dress in costume and celebrate, or scare ourselves at a haunted house, or watch scary movies. Pumpkins, turkeys, leaves, costumes, candy, family, and football all spoke the season of autumn into being.
However, all of these familiar sights, sounds, smells, activities, and schedules were dramatically altered when I chose to come to Peru as an Incarnate Word Missionary. Out of school for the first time in 16 years I was jumping into a whole new unknown rhythm of life far away from classes, meetings, social events, and friends. Not only did I leave behind the life and schedule of a student, but I also left behind every familiar season and marking of time. Traveling to the southern hemisphere to a completely foreign country and culture feels a lot like falling into a rabbit hole or passing through the looking glass. Time has disguised itself as I pass through days and moments trying to make sense of this strange new world.
My beloved four seasons (which were an initial requirement in the college search years ago) have converted into two: summer and winter. But they are not the summer and winter I have known all my life. All that I once knew and lived seems backwards as Christmas and New Years are celebrated in a skirt and tank top, going to the beach, and preparations for a potential 4th of July grill out will take place in jeans and sweaters, eating inside. There are no extremes, no precipitation, no storms. The biggest natural threat is an earthquake. It is a difficult feeling to describe unless you have lived it, but all of the changes in how the year unfolds with its seasons, weather, holidays, and celebrations have made it quite difficult to feel completely whole, or comfortable, or connected to myself and all those I love back in the U.S. I remember reading once about the importance of rituals and traditions in remembering ones history and understanding who one is in connection to their family and community or culture. I appreciate that insight so much more living in a foreign country where none of the familiar traditions or surrounding environments are present.
On the one hand it might be for the best that there is a certain disconnect in making it easier to be far away from friends and family and all of the familiar events and seasons that they are living. But it’s so strange to talk to those back in the States and compare weather or think about what I would be doing if I lived there right now. In a lot of ways I feel like the past 10 months have been this crazy whirlwind dream where time stood still and I was opened up to a multitude of new people, experiences, food, music, holidays, and celebrations. Time did not pass as it used to, and thus I am left with a feeling that time didn’t really pass at all, although I know it has. I wonder to myself how long it really takes to feel integrated and comfortable in a foreign environment? Five years? Ten years? And where does the balance come in of always seeking to integrate who one was, is, and is becoming?
I love that I have been blessed to share in another way of life, to celebrate new holidays and old holidays in new ways, to constantly have to ask “what are they doing?” or “what is that?” and “why?” I know that every lived moment of this experience will be with me always, just as every moment we live is with us always, and wrapped up in each moment are the people, places, sights, smells, tastes, laughter, tears, and kisses. And I will bring Peru back to the U.S. with me, remembering and celebrating these new customs, traditions, holidays, and celebrations whether it is visible to others or not. The same as I’ve done here in holding with me all that I’ve been and done, whether it is visible or not. I know that eventually I will return to my beloved four seasons and traditional holiday celebrations, but I also have a feeling that they will never be quite the same after this seemingly time-less year of the backwards, strange, new, and overwhelming. So the hope is, despite feeling incomplete or unsettled, that all of this, all that is life and the lived experiences that accompany it, aid me in being fully human and integrate me deeper into the mystery of life.
This is quite long and that seems like a good place to end. Blessings to you all wherever you might be in the world and in the moment you are living and the memory you are making.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
16th Anniversary of Nuevo Chimbote
Nuevo Chimbote is celebrating it's 16th anniversary right now which means lots of concerts, games, food, rides, and fun. On Monday night we thought there was going to be a big concert in the Plaza Mayor of Nuevo Chimbote so I headed out with a few friends only to find out it was the following night. There was however a boxing ring set up with different ages and weights competing. So we watched a few matches and then headed over to the fair grounds. I always love fairs. There's just something so fun about the bright lights, rides, people playing games that cost all their money for crappy prizes, and the food. Oh, gotta love fair food... While the fairs here do not have the giant turkey legs or deep fried twinkies and oreos they do have chocolate covered marshmallows with sprinkles (which I of course bought and loved! only 1 sol for a stick of 3-4), caramel apples, chocolate covered apples, churros, cotton candy, popcorn, lollipops, fried chicken and french fries, anticuchos (skewered cow hearts... I know sounds gross but it's actually pretty tasty if you don't think about what it is), and hamburgers.
They also have some unique games and rides. One popular fair game is a table that is marked into a grid with each box containing a different amount. You throw a sol (peruvian coin) onto the table and if it lands in a box without touching one of the sides you win the amount. This is near impossible of course because the boxes are small and the borders thick. Then there is this ride that is a giant circle/plate. There are benches that line the circumference on the inside but nothing to hold onto except the bars behind the benches that also line the circumference. The point of the ride is to not fall while the operator spins it around and jerks it back and forth trying to throw people off basically. Yeah.... can you imagine this ride in the U.S.? With liability there is no way. But it was by far the most popular ride and we enjoyed watching a few rounds of riders try and hold on for dear life. The rides were expensive (relatively for my budget) at 5 soles a piece so I didn't go on any rides, but enjoyed observing.
We went back again last night for the big concert and I had no idea until we arrived just how popular the main band was. It was packed! The headliner was a pretty popular rock band and I think all of the youth in Nuevo Chimbote and many from Chimbote were at the concert. It was kinda crazy but also fun to see and be reminded of concerts I went to when I was younger in high school. Kids are kids anywhere, no matter what country. The music was good but I got tired standing for two hours... I'm just not as young as I once was :) When the headliner band started we decided to move because all of the youth were pushing and shoving everywhere. So we went further back and listened to a few songs then headed back to the fair to walk around a bit before heading back home. It was a fun night in seeing how Peruvians celebrate with fairs and concerts and noticing the similarities and differences to being back in the States and going to a fair.
paz y amor
They also have some unique games and rides. One popular fair game is a table that is marked into a grid with each box containing a different amount. You throw a sol (peruvian coin) onto the table and if it lands in a box without touching one of the sides you win the amount. This is near impossible of course because the boxes are small and the borders thick. Then there is this ride that is a giant circle/plate. There are benches that line the circumference on the inside but nothing to hold onto except the bars behind the benches that also line the circumference. The point of the ride is to not fall while the operator spins it around and jerks it back and forth trying to throw people off basically. Yeah.... can you imagine this ride in the U.S.? With liability there is no way. But it was by far the most popular ride and we enjoyed watching a few rounds of riders try and hold on for dear life. The rides were expensive (relatively for my budget) at 5 soles a piece so I didn't go on any rides, but enjoyed observing.
We went back again last night for the big concert and I had no idea until we arrived just how popular the main band was. It was packed! The headliner was a pretty popular rock band and I think all of the youth in Nuevo Chimbote and many from Chimbote were at the concert. It was kinda crazy but also fun to see and be reminded of concerts I went to when I was younger in high school. Kids are kids anywhere, no matter what country. The music was good but I got tired standing for two hours... I'm just not as young as I once was :) When the headliner band started we decided to move because all of the youth were pushing and shoving everywhere. So we went further back and listened to a few songs then headed back to the fair to walk around a bit before heading back home. It was a fun night in seeing how Peruvians celebrate with fairs and concerts and noticing the similarities and differences to being back in the States and going to a fair.
paz y amor
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Snippets of Life
In an effort to break my absence from my blog below are a few snippets/stories/thoughts from life the past few weeks.
The Streets of Chimbote
Well, I'm happy (despite the inconvenience of construction) to say that Chimbote is starting to actually look like a real, developed city thanks to the recently paved and re-paved streets. Not less than a month or two ago there were no street signs anywhere and very few traffic lights. The rules of the road were more or less keep driving and just don't hit anyone. But in the last month many of the downtown streets have been re-paved and almost every intersection has new "smart" traffic lights with signs above labeling each street. It's still hard to believe. Whereas before I just marked everything by landmarks (which sometimes made telling taxis where to go a bit difficult), now I am actually learning street names and improving my navigation and direction giving skills thanks to the street signs. It is also slightly safer to cross the streets downtown thanks to the street lights with pedestrian crossing that tells you how many seconds you have left. Close to the neighborhood I live in (about 2 blocks over) all of the streets that were once just dirt (like ours unfortunately still is) are now a beautiful black pavement. This has greatly eliminated the amount of dust and dirt in these areas and made me look on jealously wondering when our neighborhood will also get the streets paved.... our neighbors have been waiting years. What I find most amusing though is that the newly paved streets in the neighborhoods are painted. There are lines marking each lane, arrows at every intersection, and crosswalks at every intersection (which is every block). I find this so amusing because no one follows these lines, they are just kind of there to look pretty. People still cross wherever and all drivers use either lane or just right down the middle of the road.
I also think it's important to include a Peruvian perspective or commentary on all this new development. My boyfriend was explaining to me how all of these public works are connected to a chain of power and money. The government official who approves the project is at the top taking the biggest cut-back. Next is the private contractor, almost always a good friend of the government official, who oversees the project and takes a portion for him/herself. Then the private contractor assembles a team to be in charge of the construction, also receiving a portion of the pot. And finally at the bottom are all of the neighborhood residents who do all of the actual labor and construction. They of course are paid the least, and with few jobs available they take whatever they can get. So, politics are politics anywhere, with the person up top doing little work and getting the most money, and all the people at the bottom doing the majority of the labor and getting the least money.
"Si no tiene plata, se muere"
These words were spoken by Eufemia, one of the women in my literacy class last week. "If you don't have money, you die." One of my students, Carmen, hadn't been to class for the last 2 weeks and came last week to explain why. Her son-in-law had an accident and broke his leg so badly that she said the bone was protruding. She's been in and out of the hospital and trying to take care of her daughter who is about 8 months pregnant. She was obviously a wreck and mostly came to class to see if anyone could help with finances or had other ideas. The insurance they have only covers certain expenses, and the surgery her son-in-law needs is not covered by insurance and I think she said it was going to cost something like 10,000 soles. This is a family that just barely gets by each day, so 10,000 soles might as well be a million soles because there was no way to pay for this surgery. I felt helpless to do anything but listen and let her know we were here to support her spiritually and emotionally during this time. I don't know anything about health insurance or health care here, but it seemed like from talking with the other women the most common insurance, which is what Carmen has, doesn't really cover much. So, if you have an accident and can't pay, you die. And many other factors in the lives of the poor such as poor nutrition, accepting risky work or working long hours, lack of supervision, lack of vacinations, and poor education contribute to poor health and vulnerability to life-threatening accidents or diseases. So when something does happen or one gets sick, what should be curable instead becomes fatal.
Husbands sellling their wives in prostitution
The main population of women that the Good Shepherd Sisters work with is prostitutes, and Hermana Karina was sharing with me the other day about one of these women. Education is an important first step in eliminating any given injustice, and so I share this story in the hopes of educating to eliminate sex trafficking and slavery. One woman's husband will give her 5 condoms which he marks in a certain way to know that they are his. He then sends her out to sleep with other men, using the condoms he provided. She has to bring back all 5 of the condoms, both used and unused in order to be accountable to him. This woman also faces regular beatings from her husband if she fails to please him in some way or doesn't abide by this system. She is trapped, and for any number of reasons unable to get herself out of this situation and relationship. Karina was commenting on the need to have a shelter for women like this in Chimbote that could be a safe place they can go to recover and get back on their feet, but currently nothing exists.
Well, that's all for now. The weather is starting to turn cold here and it's strange to be pulling out my warm clothes as I think of everyone back in the States just getting into summer, sun, vacations, flip-flops, and tank-tops. Congratulations to all the graduates of 2010 and blessings on your present and future.
paz y amor
The Streets of Chimbote
Well, I'm happy (despite the inconvenience of construction) to say that Chimbote is starting to actually look like a real, developed city thanks to the recently paved and re-paved streets. Not less than a month or two ago there were no street signs anywhere and very few traffic lights. The rules of the road were more or less keep driving and just don't hit anyone. But in the last month many of the downtown streets have been re-paved and almost every intersection has new "smart" traffic lights with signs above labeling each street. It's still hard to believe. Whereas before I just marked everything by landmarks (which sometimes made telling taxis where to go a bit difficult), now I am actually learning street names and improving my navigation and direction giving skills thanks to the street signs. It is also slightly safer to cross the streets downtown thanks to the street lights with pedestrian crossing that tells you how many seconds you have left. Close to the neighborhood I live in (about 2 blocks over) all of the streets that were once just dirt (like ours unfortunately still is) are now a beautiful black pavement. This has greatly eliminated the amount of dust and dirt in these areas and made me look on jealously wondering when our neighborhood will also get the streets paved.... our neighbors have been waiting years. What I find most amusing though is that the newly paved streets in the neighborhoods are painted. There are lines marking each lane, arrows at every intersection, and crosswalks at every intersection (which is every block). I find this so amusing because no one follows these lines, they are just kind of there to look pretty. People still cross wherever and all drivers use either lane or just right down the middle of the road.
I also think it's important to include a Peruvian perspective or commentary on all this new development. My boyfriend was explaining to me how all of these public works are connected to a chain of power and money. The government official who approves the project is at the top taking the biggest cut-back. Next is the private contractor, almost always a good friend of the government official, who oversees the project and takes a portion for him/herself. Then the private contractor assembles a team to be in charge of the construction, also receiving a portion of the pot. And finally at the bottom are all of the neighborhood residents who do all of the actual labor and construction. They of course are paid the least, and with few jobs available they take whatever they can get. So, politics are politics anywhere, with the person up top doing little work and getting the most money, and all the people at the bottom doing the majority of the labor and getting the least money.
"Si no tiene plata, se muere"
These words were spoken by Eufemia, one of the women in my literacy class last week. "If you don't have money, you die." One of my students, Carmen, hadn't been to class for the last 2 weeks and came last week to explain why. Her son-in-law had an accident and broke his leg so badly that she said the bone was protruding. She's been in and out of the hospital and trying to take care of her daughter who is about 8 months pregnant. She was obviously a wreck and mostly came to class to see if anyone could help with finances or had other ideas. The insurance they have only covers certain expenses, and the surgery her son-in-law needs is not covered by insurance and I think she said it was going to cost something like 10,000 soles. This is a family that just barely gets by each day, so 10,000 soles might as well be a million soles because there was no way to pay for this surgery. I felt helpless to do anything but listen and let her know we were here to support her spiritually and emotionally during this time. I don't know anything about health insurance or health care here, but it seemed like from talking with the other women the most common insurance, which is what Carmen has, doesn't really cover much. So, if you have an accident and can't pay, you die. And many other factors in the lives of the poor such as poor nutrition, accepting risky work or working long hours, lack of supervision, lack of vacinations, and poor education contribute to poor health and vulnerability to life-threatening accidents or diseases. So when something does happen or one gets sick, what should be curable instead becomes fatal.
Husbands sellling their wives in prostitution
The main population of women that the Good Shepherd Sisters work with is prostitutes, and Hermana Karina was sharing with me the other day about one of these women. Education is an important first step in eliminating any given injustice, and so I share this story in the hopes of educating to eliminate sex trafficking and slavery. One woman's husband will give her 5 condoms which he marks in a certain way to know that they are his. He then sends her out to sleep with other men, using the condoms he provided. She has to bring back all 5 of the condoms, both used and unused in order to be accountable to him. This woman also faces regular beatings from her husband if she fails to please him in some way or doesn't abide by this system. She is trapped, and for any number of reasons unable to get herself out of this situation and relationship. Karina was commenting on the need to have a shelter for women like this in Chimbote that could be a safe place they can go to recover and get back on their feet, but currently nothing exists.
Well, that's all for now. The weather is starting to turn cold here and it's strange to be pulling out my warm clothes as I think of everyone back in the States just getting into summer, sun, vacations, flip-flops, and tank-tops. Congratulations to all the graduates of 2010 and blessings on your present and future.
paz y amor
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Feliz Día de la Madre
Happy Mother’s Day! Feliz Dia de la Madre!
Mother’s Day is a huge celebration here in Peru, not just within families but all of the schools and many of the churches also have large presentations and celebrations for all of the mothers. Usually on Friday or Saturday the schools have a big show, and the youth groups at the parish decided to collaborate and put on a show for the mom’s Saturday night. Whenever there is a big youth event in the parish it means my week leading up to the event is crazy busy preparing, meeting, and rehearsing.
Our theater group performed two different pieces. The first was a short sketch called “Los Sordos” (The Deafs) and was about a family that misunderstood everything that was said but thought they understood perfectly. It was obviously a comedy, which is something a bit different for our theater group, normally performing religious pieces. But God is in smiles and laughter, and for Mother’s Day we wanted to treat the mothers to a comedy. The group of 4 did a pretty good job, but with only 2 weeks of rehearsal had a few memory slips, not being used to doing pieces with so much dialogue.
The other piece we performed was a bit of mime and interpretive dance to a song by Alex Campos called “Te Quiero” (I Love You). It’s a beautiful song you can check out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLSm3PCR25g
For the verses we had a mother/son pair act out the lyrics and then for the chorus a group of four of us, two women two men, did some dance movements to the song. I was really happy with how it turned out since I created it with a lot of choreography help from Carlos, one of the youth in the group. I think one of the girls filmed it so if I can figure out how to put up a video I’ll try and share. There were many people who told me afterwards the “Te Quiero” piece was probably the best one of the night so that made me proud of the group and how they’ve grown and developed in the last year. This month is the one-year anniversary of TEFA, our theater group, so next week we will probably have a big celebration with Todd, the missionary who formed the group and is coming back to visit this week.
Like all of the Peruvian events/celebrations I’ve participated in here in the last 9 months, it definitely had its kinks and last minute changes and additions. We thought only 4 groups were performing pieces, but a sister and brother from the chapel choir came and wanted to sing a piece, and then the confirmation kids and animators added a dance and some poetry, and a group of little girls wanted to do a dance. Now don’t get the wrong idea about these little girls dancing, it was not cute or precious. The best description I can give for your imagination is “booty dancing” or “stripper dancing.” I am not a fan nor supporter of their main form of entertainment for parties, which is usually a female animator in tight spandex outfit that barely covers the parts it should. And what I find most frustrating is that this is taught to young girls, so that this group of 3 girls who were probably between age 6-10 are in tiny little dance outfits and shaking it for all their worth, moving in very sexually suggestive ways. And with this image and entertainment of women as sexual objects people wonder why there are so many cases of sexual assault against young girls and women?
Back to our Mother’s Day celebration… so we had a few more numbers and were late getting started because there were problems with sound. Exodo (the youth rock band at the parish) was supposed to start the show, but were pushed back to the end with the sound problems. All in all aside from running long and having problems with sound it was a great event and the moms really seemed to enjoy themselves which is the most important part!
In a culture that oppresses women (although really most the cultures/structures of the world are set up to discriminate or marginalize women) it is interesting to see the importance of mother’s day. Many of the mothers here do fit into the image of the suffering, sacrificing, forgiving mother who constantly serves without receiving thanks or credit for her work that keeps the house in order and keeps the family clean and fed. When our theater group was trying to plan what we wanted to do, many of the ideas revolved around the scene of ungrateful children who don’t appreciate their mother until she dies and then they realize how good they had it and how much they were loved and taken care of. This is a common theme in songs and movies here, and seems to fit the reality in Peru in many ways, but we wanted to do something different to bring joy and remind all the moms how much they are loved; not just today, but always. This is also said a lot on Mother’s Day here, that it shouldn’t be the only day to appreciate mothers, rather everyday you can recognize and show your mom how much you care. But we all know that doesn’t always happen, no matter in what country you are living.
So, I want to end this blog with a shout-out to all the mothers out there who tirelessly work each day to care for their families in many different ways and are not adequately valued for the work and love they freely give to their children. Special thanks and recognition to my own mother for giving me life and all her love, as well as my grandmas who gave life to my mom and dad (so they could one day give life to me).
Blessings to all mothers today and everyday!
Mother’s Day is a huge celebration here in Peru, not just within families but all of the schools and many of the churches also have large presentations and celebrations for all of the mothers. Usually on Friday or Saturday the schools have a big show, and the youth groups at the parish decided to collaborate and put on a show for the mom’s Saturday night. Whenever there is a big youth event in the parish it means my week leading up to the event is crazy busy preparing, meeting, and rehearsing.
Our theater group performed two different pieces. The first was a short sketch called “Los Sordos” (The Deafs) and was about a family that misunderstood everything that was said but thought they understood perfectly. It was obviously a comedy, which is something a bit different for our theater group, normally performing religious pieces. But God is in smiles and laughter, and for Mother’s Day we wanted to treat the mothers to a comedy. The group of 4 did a pretty good job, but with only 2 weeks of rehearsal had a few memory slips, not being used to doing pieces with so much dialogue.
The other piece we performed was a bit of mime and interpretive dance to a song by Alex Campos called “Te Quiero” (I Love You). It’s a beautiful song you can check out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLSm3PCR25g
For the verses we had a mother/son pair act out the lyrics and then for the chorus a group of four of us, two women two men, did some dance movements to the song. I was really happy with how it turned out since I created it with a lot of choreography help from Carlos, one of the youth in the group. I think one of the girls filmed it so if I can figure out how to put up a video I’ll try and share. There were many people who told me afterwards the “Te Quiero” piece was probably the best one of the night so that made me proud of the group and how they’ve grown and developed in the last year. This month is the one-year anniversary of TEFA, our theater group, so next week we will probably have a big celebration with Todd, the missionary who formed the group and is coming back to visit this week.
Like all of the Peruvian events/celebrations I’ve participated in here in the last 9 months, it definitely had its kinks and last minute changes and additions. We thought only 4 groups were performing pieces, but a sister and brother from the chapel choir came and wanted to sing a piece, and then the confirmation kids and animators added a dance and some poetry, and a group of little girls wanted to do a dance. Now don’t get the wrong idea about these little girls dancing, it was not cute or precious. The best description I can give for your imagination is “booty dancing” or “stripper dancing.” I am not a fan nor supporter of their main form of entertainment for parties, which is usually a female animator in tight spandex outfit that barely covers the parts it should. And what I find most frustrating is that this is taught to young girls, so that this group of 3 girls who were probably between age 6-10 are in tiny little dance outfits and shaking it for all their worth, moving in very sexually suggestive ways. And with this image and entertainment of women as sexual objects people wonder why there are so many cases of sexual assault against young girls and women?
Back to our Mother’s Day celebration… so we had a few more numbers and were late getting started because there were problems with sound. Exodo (the youth rock band at the parish) was supposed to start the show, but were pushed back to the end with the sound problems. All in all aside from running long and having problems with sound it was a great event and the moms really seemed to enjoy themselves which is the most important part!
In a culture that oppresses women (although really most the cultures/structures of the world are set up to discriminate or marginalize women) it is interesting to see the importance of mother’s day. Many of the mothers here do fit into the image of the suffering, sacrificing, forgiving mother who constantly serves without receiving thanks or credit for her work that keeps the house in order and keeps the family clean and fed. When our theater group was trying to plan what we wanted to do, many of the ideas revolved around the scene of ungrateful children who don’t appreciate their mother until she dies and then they realize how good they had it and how much they were loved and taken care of. This is a common theme in songs and movies here, and seems to fit the reality in Peru in many ways, but we wanted to do something different to bring joy and remind all the moms how much they are loved; not just today, but always. This is also said a lot on Mother’s Day here, that it shouldn’t be the only day to appreciate mothers, rather everyday you can recognize and show your mom how much you care. But we all know that doesn’t always happen, no matter in what country you are living.
So, I want to end this blog with a shout-out to all the mothers out there who tirelessly work each day to care for their families in many different ways and are not adequately valued for the work and love they freely give to their children. Special thanks and recognition to my own mother for giving me life and all her love, as well as my grandmas who gave life to my mom and dad (so they could one day give life to me).
Blessings to all mothers today and everyday!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Mom's Guest Blog
¡Hola a mis amigos!
Jenn asked me to write a guest blog about my trip to Peru, so here it is.
First let me say that I am very glad I had the opportunity to visit and experience a different culture. Second, I will say that I could not have done it without Jenn to translate for me. Very few of the people in Chimbote speak English. More do in Lima, but not the taxi drivers. I was even chastised by the priest at St. Francis who said that next time I should learn Spanish! I do agree that if one is planning on an extended stay, it would be best to know the language.
First impressions:
• Waiting in line at Immigration (Customs) and hoping I wouldn’t be asked any questions
• Seeing a mob of people at the airport exit after picking up my bags, and wondering how I would ever find Jenn - luckily she spotted me
• Big hills (small mountains?) in the middle of Lima
• Heat and dust!
• The wonderful hospitality of the sisters in Lima and Chimbote
• The beautiful coastline on the bus trip from Lima to Chimbote
• Memorials (shrines) along the road on the bus trip
• The crowded sidewalks of downtown Chimbote
Favorite memories:
• Jenn’s birthday celebration and the “hora loca”
• Lunch with the other missionaries on Jenn’s birthday
• Visiting with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd (with Jenn translating)
• La Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) in the neighborhood streets and shrines at the different stations
• Easter dinner at the missionaries’ house with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word
• Watching the NCAA men’s basketball championship at a sports bar in Lima
• The folk dancing show at the hotel in Lima
• Spending time with my baby girl!
Other memorable events:
• Not having “new” American money, so the moneychanger wouldn’t take it. Then having just enough soles (Peruvian money) to make it to Chimbote.
• Crazy traffic! – yet I didn’t see any accidents
• Meeting Jenn’s boyfriend, Roger
• Going to El Mercado 2 de Mayo – the market in Chimbote
• Turning on the water heater before taking a shower at the sister’s house (Jenn’s house doesn’t have a water heater)
• Rain (drizzle) in Chimbote the morning I left
• Having a taxi driver in Lima take us to the wrong museum
• Misty, foggy weather the morning we went to the beach
• Getting sick the night before I left Peru – but by God’s grace being well enough to check out of the hotel the next afternoon, walk around Lima to see a few more sites, and not get sick on the plane ride home.
All in all the “goods” outweighed the “bads”, and it was a wonderful trip.
Kristin
Jenn asked me to write a guest blog about my trip to Peru, so here it is.
First let me say that I am very glad I had the opportunity to visit and experience a different culture. Second, I will say that I could not have done it without Jenn to translate for me. Very few of the people in Chimbote speak English. More do in Lima, but not the taxi drivers. I was even chastised by the priest at St. Francis who said that next time I should learn Spanish! I do agree that if one is planning on an extended stay, it would be best to know the language.
First impressions:
• Waiting in line at Immigration (Customs) and hoping I wouldn’t be asked any questions
• Seeing a mob of people at the airport exit after picking up my bags, and wondering how I would ever find Jenn - luckily she spotted me
• Big hills (small mountains?) in the middle of Lima
• Heat and dust!
• The wonderful hospitality of the sisters in Lima and Chimbote
• The beautiful coastline on the bus trip from Lima to Chimbote
• Memorials (shrines) along the road on the bus trip
• The crowded sidewalks of downtown Chimbote
Favorite memories:
• Jenn’s birthday celebration and the “hora loca”
• Lunch with the other missionaries on Jenn’s birthday
• Visiting with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd (with Jenn translating)
• La Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) in the neighborhood streets and shrines at the different stations
• Easter dinner at the missionaries’ house with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word
• Watching the NCAA men’s basketball championship at a sports bar in Lima
• The folk dancing show at the hotel in Lima
• Spending time with my baby girl!
Other memorable events:
• Not having “new” American money, so the moneychanger wouldn’t take it. Then having just enough soles (Peruvian money) to make it to Chimbote.
• Crazy traffic! – yet I didn’t see any accidents
• Meeting Jenn’s boyfriend, Roger
• Going to El Mercado 2 de Mayo – the market in Chimbote
• Turning on the water heater before taking a shower at the sister’s house (Jenn’s house doesn’t have a water heater)
• Rain (drizzle) in Chimbote the morning I left
• Having a taxi driver in Lima take us to the wrong museum
• Misty, foggy weather the morning we went to the beach
• Getting sick the night before I left Peru – but by God’s grace being well enough to check out of the hotel the next afternoon, walk around Lima to see a few more sites, and not get sick on the plane ride home.
All in all the “goods” outweighed the “bads”, and it was a wonderful trip.
Kristin
Monday, April 19, 2010
Holy Week and Mom's visit
Well, it's been a while. Obviously I didn't finish out my Lentan goal of writing one post every day, but that's pretty typical for me to have a good run with the Lentan promise and it kind of fizzles out in the end. Preparing for Holy Week got pretty busy at the parish, so I'm using that as part excuse :) A few months ago I was elected the director of our theater group at the parish, so I've been in charge of all the shows since then, including our production of Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) for Good Friday. We had practices for 3 weeks leading up to the final day and I was still nervous because people didn't remember their lines or their cues, but in the end you have to just give it all up to God and hope that everything goes well. And honestly it did. Sure there were glitches like not having our voice recordings for the majority of the stations and having the priest disappear for 3 of the stations and having to improvise prayers, but I was proud of all the participants and especially the principle actors did a great job. Wed-Friday of Holy Week was a bit of a blur with all the preparations for Via Crucis in making sure the neighborhood was prepared to receive us at e
ach station (the neighbors 
prepared a small altar marking each station), coordinating all the sound and tech support, picking up all the costumes and ironing (thanks mom! she spent almost 3 hours ironing for us), and making sure we had all the necessary props, etc. And after all the craziness, the final production I would say was a success. Unfortunately for me, looking back I realize I wasn't able to be present to the power of the moment in just accompanying and reflecting because I was so worried about all the details and keeping things running smoothly for all the other participants. I wonder if there is a way to do both? Or if the people in charge of organization and follow through can never fully participate in the activitiy itself? This is why it is important to find moments and activities that I'm not in charge of to participate in, so I too can take a step back to just be and enjoy or reflect.
The best part about Holy Week was that my mom came down to visit! She arrived late Monday night and we were back in Chimbote Tuesday evening in time to finish preparations for my birthday party. I would definitely have to say it was one of the best birthdays ever, considering the context and all the people who were there to celebrate with me Peruvian style. With the help of my boyfriend, roommates, and other Peruvian friends I threw a typical Peruvian party which mostly just includes food, drinks, and lots of music and dancing. I was so happy to see so many people from the parish come to celebrate with me and it was a great chance for me to offer them my thanks as well for welcoming me into their communities and taking time to all celebrate our friendships and life! And the fact that my mom, the amazing woman who gave birth to me and raised me, was here in Peru to celebrate my birthday and see in person where I am and what I'm doing made it an incredibly blessed birthday filled with overwhelming gratitude.
Singing Feliz Cumpleaños Mom and I with my English class
For our Easter celebration, the missionaries invited the CCVI Sisters over for a lunch with touches of typical U.S. Easter tradmarks. Thanks to my mom for bringing down Easter grass, chocolate eggs, jelly bean eggs, peeps, and
chocolate bunnies that made up our centerpiece! I think for
some of the Peruvian and Mexican sisters this was the first time they had some of the traditional Easter treats from the U.S. It was a beautiful meal shared together to celebrate new life and the life our our congregation here in Chimbote.
On Monday morning Mom and I headed back to Lima to spend a few days sight-seeing and relaxing after a busy week. It was a great mini-vacation for me filled with some good American comfort food, warm water, a comfy bed, a trip to the beach, and a traditional Peruvian dance show. I was reflecting a lot on this little vacation of fun and relaxation and the difference with daily life here in Chimbote. To be honest, I loved every minute of life with my mom in Lima for those 3 days. I thought I would feel uncomfortable, or guilty like I have a lot in the past when I transition from enviornments of poverty to wealth, but the truth is I was just so grateful for everything. And I think that might be the secret to happiness.... well ok, I don't know if it's the secret, but I do think there is a lot of wisdom in gratitude. How does one move from one enviornment to another, from poverty to wealth, joy to sorrow, ugliness to beauty, death to life, all of these components that encompass life at different moments, or in the same moment? And I think my answer right now is gratitude. Gratitude for having and not having, for knowing it all and being able to live it all. Something new to learn in each moment and environment, and the challenge to find gratitude in it all. Also, I think balance is important to really live it all - being comfortable and uncomfortable, mourning and celebrating.
So I end with gratitude for my Holy Week experience in Chimbote, a birthday celebration with friends and family, and a great vacation and quality time with my mom. May you all find gratitude wherever you are.
Paz y Amor
ach station (the neighbors 
prepared a small altar marking each station), coordinating all the sound and tech support, picking up all the costumes and ironing (thanks mom! she spent almost 3 hours ironing for us), and making sure we had all the necessary props, etc. And after all the craziness, the final production I would say was a success. Unfortunately for me, looking back I realize I wasn't able to be present to the power of the moment in just accompanying and reflecting because I was so worried about all the details and keeping things running smoothly for all the other participants. I wonder if there is a way to do both? Or if the people in charge of organization and follow through can never fully participate in the activitiy itself? This is why it is important to find moments and activities that I'm not in charge of to participate in, so I too can take a step back to just be and enjoy or reflect.The best part about Holy Week was that my mom came down to visit! She arrived late Monday night and we were back in Chimbote Tuesday evening in time to finish preparations for my birthday party. I would definitely have to say it was one of the best birthdays ever, considering the context and all the people who were there to celebrate with me Peruvian style. With the help of my boyfriend, roommates, and other Peruvian friends I threw a typical Peruvian party which mostly just includes food, drinks, and lots of music and dancing. I was so happy to see so many people from the parish come to celebrate with me and it was a great chance for me to offer them my thanks as well for welcoming me into their communities and taking time to all celebrate our friendships and life! And the fact that my mom, the amazing woman who gave birth to me and raised me, was here in Peru to celebrate my birthday and see in person where I am and what I'm doing made it an incredibly blessed birthday filled with overwhelming gratitude.
Singing Feliz Cumpleaños Mom and I with my English class
For our Easter celebration, the missionaries invited the CCVI Sisters over for a lunch with touches of typical U.S. Easter tradmarks. Thanks to my mom for bringing down Easter grass, chocolate eggs, jelly bean eggs, peeps, and
chocolate bunnies that made up our centerpiece! I think for
some of the Peruvian and Mexican sisters this was the first time they had some of the traditional Easter treats from the U.S. It was a beautiful meal shared together to celebrate new life and the life our our congregation here in Chimbote.On Monday morning Mom and I headed back to Lima to spend a few days sight-seeing and relaxing after a busy week. It was a great mini-vacation for me filled with some good American comfort food, warm water, a comfy bed, a trip to the beach, and a traditional Peruvian dance show. I was reflecting a lot on this little vacation of fun and relaxation and the difference with daily life here in Chimbote. To be honest, I loved every minute of life with my mom in Lima for those 3 days. I thought I would feel uncomfortable, or guilty like I have a lot in the past when I transition from enviornments of poverty to wealth, but the truth is I was just so grateful for everything. And I think that might be the secret to happiness.... well ok, I don't know if it's the secret, but I do think there is a lot of wisdom in gratitude. How does one move from one enviornment to another, from poverty to wealth, joy to sorrow, ugliness to beauty, death to life, all of these components that encompass life at different moments, or in the same moment? And I think my answer right now is gratitude. Gratitude for having and not having, for knowing it all and being able to live it all. Something new to learn in each moment and environment, and the challenge to find gratitude in it all. Also, I think balance is important to really live it all - being comfortable and uncomfortable, mourning and celebrating.
So I end with gratitude for my Holy Week experience in Chimbote, a birthday celebration with friends and family, and a great vacation and quality time with my mom. May you all find gratitude wherever you are.
Paz y Amor
Thursday, March 11, 2010
La Sagrada 11/3/10
Thursday afternoons are always strongly marked by the divine presence as it is the time when I teach basic literacy to older women in one of the poorer areas of Chimbote. Today was no exception as I spent most of my time working with Marcela (not my roommate). Marcela has the most difficulty reading of any of the women who attend classes and it is always a strong test of my patience to repeat the same exercises with her for hours. But thankfully the Spirit is working within me to give me the grace I need to be a good, loving teacher and move at Marcela's pace, not my own. These women really inspire me with their desire to learn when so many in their families tell them it is a waste of time or that they can't do it. Marcela told me she doesn't have a lot of support from her family and often gets frustrated that she can't remember what we just learned five minutes ago. But she keeps coming back, determined to push forward. Today we spent probably 30 min. trying to reinforce "ma me mi mo mu" so that she remembered how to pronounce each one by sight. I can tell when she gets frustrated or tired and try to provide enough breaks to relax her mind and eyes. It is tiring work because for her it is all new and requires new ways to use her brain, and for me because I have to have patience with the basics and try and imagine what it would be like to look at the letters and not understand. To a certain extent it is like learning a new language, but so much harder because you have no base language to work from with the ideas of vowels, consonantes, and sounds. So in the slow but loving progress that we make each week, and in the mix of patience, frustration, pain and joy, God is present and alive in this group of women taking a great risk and regaining some of their own personal power and worth.
La Sagrada 10/3/10
God came to me today in the form of chocolate, yes - chocolate. Sometimes it is the simple pleasures in life that just make your whole day wonderful or let you know that some kind of divine presence loves you - and that message was carried to me in the delicious mix of chocolate ice cream with chocolate brownie. I had actually been thinking most the day how long it had been since I had something chocolatey and was considering going to one of the nearby house stores and buying a chocolate bar. But thankfully before I went Jane came downstairs and said she was going to cook brownies. What good fortune! So I patiently waited while the brownies cooked and filled the house with the most delicious aroma. Then when they were finally ready to eat, Marcelle offered me some of the chocolate ice cream she had in the freezer. Double chocolate treat! So as I sat down with my bowl of chocolate brownie and chocolate ice cream and took my first bite, I was truely in heaven. mmmmm Gracias a Dios for Jane, Marcelle, and chocolate...
La Sagrada 9/3/10
As I'm writing this I am listening to the Christian rock music coming from across the street where a big Christian youth rally is being held. (I'm not there with the youth because it's not Catholic so we didn't know about it / weren't invited). It makes me think of Exodo, the Christian rock band of the parish that I serve: St. Francis of Asisi. One of the other missionaries, Courtney, is a singer in the band and most of the members are our really good friends. I sat in at the end of their practice on Tuesday since theater ended at 10pm and they practice until 10:30pm. I really love how they take a passion of theirs, music, and find a way to use it to express and celebrate their faith as well. There aren't a lot of opportunities for musicians or youth here, and while it's not a paying job it's really great to see the group so dedicated to what they do and enjoy. The band also has some major obstacles in developing as it would like to with lacking funds for instruments and also often lacking support from the parish priests. With Padre Raul now leaving in April as well there is a lot of uncertainty about who will continue to support the group. But despite those obstacles it is still an enjoyable and grace filled experience to sit in on their practices and listen to these musicians come together and give praise through their music. I always feel the Spirit moving particularly strong when I listen to music and let my spirit dance with the rythms and beats.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Trying to Catch Up
Being on retreat for a week has put me behind on my daily encounters with the Sacred so this is an attempt to catch up a bit. I'm going to just post one longer post later on the retreat in general because the whole experience was so blessed by the constant presence of the Divine in all that was and is. Therefore this post will start with Saturday, March 6th because the last day of retreat was Friday.
La Sagrada 6/3/10
Courtney's best friend from the States came to Chimbote for the weekend and one of the activities I did with them was to travel up the Sierro de la Paz, which is a mountain with a church up top, a giant outside rosary, event type rooms, and even a playground. The view was breathtaking as I looked out all over Chimbote: the islands, the ocean, the boats, all the buildings that make up the city, and then the surrounding desert. I always love getting a new perspective on things or seeing them from a different angle, and this was a pretty powerful perspective. We got a tour of the church including a visit through the catacombs underneath. When you are walking through the passageway to arrive at the catacombs it is pitch black and you just have to feel your way. Our guide explained this has a few different meanings: the idea of passing through purgatory or limbo, traveling from darkness to light or from being blind to being able to see when you enter the chapel area. Previous archbishops of Chimbote are burried there, as well as a space that remembers the two Franciscan priest martyrs from Periacoto. The church was beautiful and open and below there was a life-size rosary in the shape of the department of Ancash (which is the department Chimbote is in). It was a beautiful experience of seeing Chimbote in full with all that goes into the enviornment and economy to make the city what it is.
La Sagrada 7/3/10
Sunday held two special and sacred events. The first was a paseo I went on in the morning with our theater group from the parish. We went to an outdoor recreation type locale that had soccer fields, volleyball courts, and big shaddy trees to sit under. It was a beautiful morning filled with reflection, fun, sports, music, and community building. I always find God in relationships and it was beautiful to have some fun recreational time with the youth and just watch their interactions and see the Spirit moving within and between them in all that they do. I felt blessed to be part of this community and the life that it gives me.
In the evening we had the inauguration of the new Youth Center at the parish and combined the celebration with a despedida (goodbye party) for Padre Carlos who is leaving this week to spend a year in Italy. For the despedida each of the choirs sang a song and our theater group did a skit of Franciscan spirituality and service. I could tell from observing that Padre Carlos was a really important part of this Church and will greatly be missed by youth and adults alike.
The Youth Center was a dream of Todd's, a former IWM who was dedicated to the youth programs at the parish, and is finally being realized after years of planning and fundraising. There was a really big crowd that gathered and celebrated as the Padres blessed the new center and we gave a little tour, explaining our vision. There are three rooms. The first and largest will be a multi-purpose room for rehearsals, workshops, meetings, talks, etc. The second room is a bit smaller and will be a library. We hope to have about 3-4 computers that the youth could use for thier studies or parish projects as well as building up a library of resource books as well as just fun reading. The third room will be an office. Probably one of the missionaries will be in the office as well as the coordinators of each of the different youth groups. It felt great to finally be ready to start using the center, but there is also still a lot left to accomplish. The construction costs ended up being more than anticipated and so we are currently short on money for furniture and computers. If anyone who reads this blog would be interested in donating anything to help us furnish the youth center and provide more resources to the various groups please contact me and we can work out a system to send the money here. My e-mail is JennLay331@gmail.com
La Sagrada 8/3/10
On Monday myself and all the other missionaries were blessed to be treated to dinner by a number of our English students. I've been pretty impressed with the community that is being created through the English classes and as a sign of gratitude and to continue celebrating our community a group of students got together and invited us out to Pollo a la Brasa, which is really popular here and has entire restaurants dedicated to it (it's basically rotisary or roasted chicken). Our group totaled 13 and we shared across four combined tables friendship and stories in a mix of English and Spanish: Spanglish if you will. I was really touched by the offer of hospitality.
La Sagrada 6/3/10
Courtney's best friend from the States came to Chimbote for the weekend and one of the activities I did with them was to travel up the Sierro de la Paz, which is a mountain with a church up top, a giant outside rosary, event type rooms, and even a playground. The view was breathtaking as I looked out all over Chimbote: the islands, the ocean, the boats, all the buildings that make up the city, and then the surrounding desert. I always love getting a new perspective on things or seeing them from a different angle, and this was a pretty powerful perspective. We got a tour of the church including a visit through the catacombs underneath. When you are walking through the passageway to arrive at the catacombs it is pitch black and you just have to feel your way. Our guide explained this has a few different meanings: the idea of passing through purgatory or limbo, traveling from darkness to light or from being blind to being able to see when you enter the chapel area. Previous archbishops of Chimbote are burried there, as well as a space that remembers the two Franciscan priest martyrs from Periacoto. The church was beautiful and open and below there was a life-size rosary in the shape of the department of Ancash (which is the department Chimbote is in). It was a beautiful experience of seeing Chimbote in full with all that goes into the enviornment and economy to make the city what it is.
La Sagrada 7/3/10
Sunday held two special and sacred events. The first was a paseo I went on in the morning with our theater group from the parish. We went to an outdoor recreation type locale that had soccer fields, volleyball courts, and big shaddy trees to sit under. It was a beautiful morning filled with reflection, fun, sports, music, and community building. I always find God in relationships and it was beautiful to have some fun recreational time with the youth and just watch their interactions and see the Spirit moving within and between them in all that they do. I felt blessed to be part of this community and the life that it gives me.
In the evening we had the inauguration of the new Youth Center at the parish and combined the celebration with a despedida (goodbye party) for Padre Carlos who is leaving this week to spend a year in Italy. For the despedida each of the choirs sang a song and our theater group did a skit of Franciscan spirituality and service. I could tell from observing that Padre Carlos was a really important part of this Church and will greatly be missed by youth and adults alike.
The Youth Center was a dream of Todd's, a former IWM who was dedicated to the youth programs at the parish, and is finally being realized after years of planning and fundraising. There was a really big crowd that gathered and celebrated as the Padres blessed the new center and we gave a little tour, explaining our vision. There are three rooms. The first and largest will be a multi-purpose room for rehearsals, workshops, meetings, talks, etc. The second room is a bit smaller and will be a library. We hope to have about 3-4 computers that the youth could use for thier studies or parish projects as well as building up a library of resource books as well as just fun reading. The third room will be an office. Probably one of the missionaries will be in the office as well as the coordinators of each of the different youth groups. It felt great to finally be ready to start using the center, but there is also still a lot left to accomplish. The construction costs ended up being more than anticipated and so we are currently short on money for furniture and computers. If anyone who reads this blog would be interested in donating anything to help us furnish the youth center and provide more resources to the various groups please contact me and we can work out a system to send the money here. My e-mail is JennLay331@gmail.com
La Sagrada 8/3/10
On Monday myself and all the other missionaries were blessed to be treated to dinner by a number of our English students. I've been pretty impressed with the community that is being created through the English classes and as a sign of gratitude and to continue celebrating our community a group of students got together and invited us out to Pollo a la Brasa, which is really popular here and has entire restaurants dedicated to it (it's basically rotisary or roasted chicken). Our group totaled 13 and we shared across four combined tables friendship and stories in a mix of English and Spanish: Spanglish if you will. I was really touched by the offer of hospitality.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
La Sagrada 27/2/10
In the simple and peace-filled beauty of our back patio where I sit under the thatched roof and stare at the blue sky and trees in our backyard while listening to the birds, God is strongly present. This has become a sacred space for me to breathe and just be.
Also on Saturday I finally (after about 5 months of talking about it) participated in my first yoga session with Marcelle and Julie. I loved it! Although it was a little difficult and I had to keep looking at the video because I didn't know any of the moves. But it was incredibly relaxing and centering and I hope to continue practicing with them to develop more comfort and familiarity in order to move beyond the basics. I've been interested in learning more about yoga and its practice for a while and I feel like hopefully I'm finally going to take the time to start practicing.
p.s. I will be on retreat until Friday, March 5th so there won't be any entries until then. But I will be journaling and still have something to say for God's presence in my life each day! Blessings of peace and love.
Also on Saturday I finally (after about 5 months of talking about it) participated in my first yoga session with Marcelle and Julie. I loved it! Although it was a little difficult and I had to keep looking at the video because I didn't know any of the moves. But it was incredibly relaxing and centering and I hope to continue practicing with them to develop more comfort and familiarity in order to move beyond the basics. I've been interested in learning more about yoga and its practice for a while and I feel like hopefully I'm finally going to take the time to start practicing.
p.s. I will be on retreat until Friday, March 5th so there won't be any entries until then. But I will be journaling and still have something to say for God's presence in my life each day! Blessings of peace and love.
La Sagrada 26/2/10
In believing that God is relation, I always find the divine presence in community. Friday night was our last English conversation for this cycle of classes and the house was full of students from the various English classes and levels and even a few people not in class but who come to practice their English. It is always beautiful to see how friendships develop and a sense of community among those who spend time together and are engaged in a common effort; in this case learning English. So through the compartir and sharing and the desire of those present to continue studying and spending time together I saw God's presence at work in the new relationships that develop each cycle.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
La Sagrada 25/2/10
Ok, so I have two for today because I couldn't choose between them, and why should God be limited in any way, right? The first is in Eva, one of the women who I am helping teach read and write on Thursday afternoons with the Good Shepherd Sisters. I have no idea how old Eva is, but she is little, slightly hunched over, with long gray and white hair and covered in wrinkles. I adore her as I do really all of the women I work with. We had been working for about an hour on reading and pronunciation when she started complaining about her head hurting so we took a break. Many of the women often seem to be ill and Eva was sharing with me about her aches and pains and the high cost of medicine and little to no money. She shared that she has weak bones and often feels dizzy or will get the chills too. Although I live with two nurses and a doctor-to-be I myself do not have much medical knowledge. But when she shared that she has low calcium and the supplament pills are very expensive I suggested including more dairy in her diet because I at least know that dairy is high in calcium. She responded saying that milk prices are really high right now and so a lot of the dairy products are too expensive for her to buy. There isn't enough money to eat well, and so she gets sick (as I'm guessing her family does too), but then there still isn't enough money to pay for medicine or treatment when they get sick from not being able to eat well. I sat and listened to her explain this painful cycle that begins and ends with a lack of finances and fosters preventable health problems. This is the voice of Christ suffering in the people of today who have so many factors working against them. This is grinding poverty: when everyone has to work to survive and so no one can go to school and get an education, but there still isn't enough money (or education) to eat well and prevent illness and illness brings more medical expenses that can't be paid or are paid at the sacrifice of other basic necessities like food, clothing, or shelter. In Eva's sharing, and each week from all of the women because I believe they come to share and be listened to as much as to learn, I am awakend to what liberation theologians have called "el pueblo crucificado" and I can see and feel the crosses that have been placed on the people to carry. I think recognizing the cross is one of the first steps to helping remove it.
The second experience I had today is short and sweet. I felt the divine presence quite clearly through the beautiful singing voice of Reylinda, a postulant sister in CCVI who is visiting the community in Chimbote for a month. She taught us a song to sing for Padre Carlos' going away party and from the moment she started singing I was captivated. She has an incredibly beautiful voice that to me seemed like the earth itself was singing. It would be impossible for me to describe without you hearing it, so just know it was powerful. Gracias a Reylinda for communicating God's beauty through your beautiful voice!
The second experience I had today is short and sweet. I felt the divine presence quite clearly through the beautiful singing voice of Reylinda, a postulant sister in CCVI who is visiting the community in Chimbote for a month. She taught us a song to sing for Padre Carlos' going away party and from the moment she started singing I was captivated. She has an incredibly beautiful voice that to me seemed like the earth itself was singing. It would be impossible for me to describe without you hearing it, so just know it was powerful. Gracias a Reylinda for communicating God's beauty through your beautiful voice!
La Sagrada 24/2/10
God came to me today in a little envelope that traveled all the way from St. Louis, MO, USA from my dear friend Katherine. Katherine was my roommate this past summer at Karen House, the Catholic Worker House in St. Louis. Although we spent only 3 months together we formed a beautiful friendship and decided to be pen pals while I am in Peru. It is always such a joyful surprise to receive a letter from someone back in the States because I never know what to expect. God is revealed in the time and love and charity that goes into writing a letter and sharing yourself with another person. The divine is definitely present in our relationship and how we are able to share so much, support, and encourage one another. Thanks Katherine for being a divine presence in my life and for continuing to share through our letter writing!
(If anyone else would like to see their name appear here for writing me an unexpected letter or card, my address is to the left! Mail is always greatly appreciated .... and just a friendly reminder that my birthday is coming up at the end of March.... wink wink ;) lots of love and thanks to all who have written me: Mom, Jeff, Dad, Grandma Abler, Becca, Dan, Kristen Schenk, Trucha (of the Jessica variety), Chmiel (accompanying a fantastic book which is also always appreciated!), Megan Heeney, Katie Cushwa, Estefani 1, Jennie Mertens, and Sister J. You all give witness to the divine in my life! Hope I didn't forget anybody... )
(If anyone else would like to see their name appear here for writing me an unexpected letter or card, my address is to the left! Mail is always greatly appreciated .... and just a friendly reminder that my birthday is coming up at the end of March.... wink wink ;) lots of love and thanks to all who have written me: Mom, Jeff, Dad, Grandma Abler, Becca, Dan, Kristen Schenk, Trucha (of the Jessica variety), Chmiel (accompanying a fantastic book which is also always appreciated!), Megan Heeney, Katie Cushwa, Estefani 1, Jennie Mertens, and Sister J. You all give witness to the divine in my life! Hope I didn't forget anybody... )
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
La Sagrada 23/2/10
Before coming to Peru I had not heard of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement within the Catholic Church, but in doing a bit of research I discovered that it originated in Pennsylvania in the late 60s, so has actually been around for awhile. The parish I work at, St. Francis of Asisi, has its own charismatic group that gathers every Tuesday afternoon for two hours of song and prayer. I have a good friend who helps with the music for the charismatic group and I was intrigued to see what exactly it was like so I went yesterday afternoon. (Yesterday was actually the second time I've gone; I went for the first time 2 weeks ago). One of the powerful things about the Charismatic movement, at least as I experienced it in our parish, is that during their worship services there is a very palbable energy and spirit present. That was probably my favorite part, sitting and being present to the incredible energy created by this group that sang with their whole heart, danced, prayed with honesty and humility, cried, and made sure to greet all those around them. There was a real sense of community amongst all who gathered and even to new faces like mine who weren't regulars.
Latinos (appologizing for the generalization) in my limited experience are very dynamic people, and I think there is a definite need that the Charismatic movement fills in the freedom to relate to God through more dynamic means in song, dance, and spoken prayer. While the whole worship service in general utilizes much of the language or imagery I take issue with in the liturgy as well, the charismatics do much better to include Mary and all three persons of the Trinity instead of solely focusing on God the Father or Jesus. I was also incredibly intrigued by the demographics and roles. It is 95% women who participate in the Charismatic services each Tuesday. It is women who lead the service, who reflect on the scriptures, who offer prayer, and who animate the crowd. From where I stand, I saw the Charismatic movement, at least in this parish, as a space that women have found and claimed for themselves. In this service women have a voice and it is heard and echoed by their sisters. While I still think the voice being spoken is often more of a reflection of the patriarchy of the church ingrained in their psyches, I still recognize the value of a space where women can gather, preach, and lead worship, and I appreciate the Charismatic movement for helping provide that space.
Latinos (appologizing for the generalization) in my limited experience are very dynamic people, and I think there is a definite need that the Charismatic movement fills in the freedom to relate to God through more dynamic means in song, dance, and spoken prayer. While the whole worship service in general utilizes much of the language or imagery I take issue with in the liturgy as well, the charismatics do much better to include Mary and all three persons of the Trinity instead of solely focusing on God the Father or Jesus. I was also incredibly intrigued by the demographics and roles. It is 95% women who participate in the Charismatic services each Tuesday. It is women who lead the service, who reflect on the scriptures, who offer prayer, and who animate the crowd. From where I stand, I saw the Charismatic movement, at least in this parish, as a space that women have found and claimed for themselves. In this service women have a voice and it is heard and echoed by their sisters. While I still think the voice being spoken is often more of a reflection of the patriarchy of the church ingrained in their psyches, I still recognize the value of a space where women can gather, preach, and lead worship, and I appreciate the Charismatic movement for helping provide that space.
La Sagrada 22/2/10
On Monday I went to a movie theater for the first time since arriving to Peru to see the movie Avatar. My mom had recently seen it, and while I really didn't know much going in I was intrigued based on her description. I loved it! For those who haven't seen it, I would highly recommend going as a good thought exercise in our own history and how we treat the world. The wisdom of God that I find so captivating in Ecofeminism was strongly present in the themes and messages of Avatar: recognizing our interconnectedness and dependence on all of creation, maintaining balance, an ethic of mutual care, respect, and harmony. Then there are the powers of patriarchy and anthropocentrism that create and maintain the systems of oppression and domination, that establish heirarchy of power and value, that see the earth and creation and capital to be used for imaginary profit and electronic numbers converted into paper to which we give incredible value. Avatar could be a study in Ecofeminism in itself in its critique of the current dominating and destructive powers and the much needed wisdom of interdependence, mutual care, balance, and equity. The movie was especially powerful having just finished re-reading Ivone Gebara's book on Ecofeminist Theology Longing for Running Water. I also can't recommend this book strongly enough. Read it! And then let's dialogue about where we are going as one family (not just human but all of creation). God is relation, and when we destroy our relationships with one another or with the earth and all living beings we deny the Divine. We instead seek to make ourselves into deities while falsely claiming power in the name of a god who seems to go against all that cultivates, creates, and sustains life. What we believe affects how we act, the choices we make. And I think we would all do well to spend some serious time reflecting on what exactly we believe, what is our image of God, what is our image of ourselves, and how are we living our lives. If there is discord in what you think you believe and how you are actually living, use that opportunity to discover what it is that you actually believe in that is driving your decisions or thoughts. May you have many fruitful discoveries and conversions this Lentan season and always, and may you share all you learn and discover in order to grow as one connected family of life!
paz y amor
paz y amor
Sunday, February 21, 2010
La Sagrada 21/2/10
Well, today I have felt sick all day. I woke up feeling pretty weak and dizzy and have had a terrible headache all day. So I took that as an invitation to care for the divine presence within me and to send some loving gratitude to my body that I often ignore. One of the blessings in being sick or having a specific part of your body ache is that it draws your attention to something you normally take for granted or forget. So today I was acutely aware of my head, eyes, ears, and throat and how poorly I am able to focus and be present when these senses are off. I need to care for my body as much as the larger body of humanity because when one part is off it throws everything else off too.
La Sagrada 20/2/10
This one almost seems to easy, but just because it is expected doesn't devalue the divine presence in any way. I attended my first wedding here in Peru on Saturday and experienced the sacrament, the manifestation of the holy, of marriage Peruvian style. Our youth choir was invited to sing for the mass which took place in Cambio Puente, about 25 min. away. I really appreciated two of the symbols the priest shared with the newly married couple. Since it is the start of Lent he talked about the temptations in life and within marriage and how important it is to stay rooted in the commitment this couple is making to one another and to God in the good times and bad. I thought it was really good that he was so realistic in mentioning different temptations that most married couples face and how to overcome those temptations. The bride chose roses for her bouquet and so the priest also talked about the symbol of the rose and how it has thorns that accompany the beauty. He reminded the couple that life isn't just the beauty of the rose petals but that it has thorns too, and they must work together to get through the hard or painful times that life brings. Overall it was a beautiful and simple ceremony. I saw God's presence in the faces of the newlyweds which contained nervousness, excitement, a little fear, and a lot of love. They were taking a leap of faith not knowing what the future might hold for them but trusting in the divine gift of love to be their strength and their guide.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
La Sagrada 19/2/10
Nothing too profound, the divine was present yesterday in the boring and sweaty task of cleaning the floors as my weekly chore. It is quite hot inside our house (and outside for that matter, but at least outside there is a breeze) and so an hour spent sweeping and mopping and tidying up is not on the top of my list of things I want to do. But, we have chores that we rotate each week and this was my week for cleaning inside floors and living room. And I remembered some of my mindfulness working meditation as I was tempted to grumble and complain about the tedious task. In my mindfulness I felt the Spirit connecting me to the work of many women here in Chimbote, Peru, and the wider world who spend most of their days inside the house creating a clean and safe enviornment for their families. And as the sweat dripped down my face and back I was actually grateful and smiled for the opportunity to be reminded of the daily labor of love or duty that many participate in, and how I too was trying to create a safe and clean enviornment for my community here in Chimbote. Sometimes it's the things we least want to do that can help us to grow and learn more about ourselves and the world.
p.s. As a side note and shout out to the Karen House community in Saint Louis, I just wanted to say that the heat here is still nothing compared to last summer at Karen House. That experience prepared me well for life here in the hot desert climate. :) Love you all and hope you are staying warm this winter and cool in the coming summer!
p.s. As a side note and shout out to the Karen House community in Saint Louis, I just wanted to say that the heat here is still nothing compared to last summer at Karen House. That experience prepared me well for life here in the hot desert climate. :) Love you all and hope you are staying warm this winter and cool in the coming summer!
Friday, February 19, 2010
La Sagrada (The Sacred) 18/2/10
Yesterday's sacred event involved was the death of a young boy (I think maybe 14 years old) in the neighborhood of La Balanza where I teach literacy to older women. I went out with Hermana Pia like normal, but when we arrived in the neighborhood we saw the funeral tent set up outside of one of the houses and a ton of people gathered around. Upon entering the house we normally teach in, only two of the women were present. Carmen began to explain to us that the night before the boy had been hangning out with some friends and (I didn't quite follow all of this) a chicken got loose or ran across the road and the boy went chasing after it. As he bent down to pick up the chicken he was hit by a garbage truck and I'm pretty sure instantly killed. He was being raised by his grandmother which is pretty common around here, and his parents were from the jungle. Carmen is neighbor and a friend of the grandma and wanted to go support her in this time. So we obviously didn't have class as most of the women went to comfort their grieving neighbor in her sorrow. Hermana Pia and I passed by the house and stood witness for a while to the activities and interactions going on. In these precious moments spent standing outside, a silent witness to the incredible pain and grief of a grandmother, mother, family, and friends who suddenly lost a loved one, I was overwhelmed by the presense of God shining through this community. Pia mentioned that the people are incredibly solidary when it comes to loss, and although this is a very poor neighborhood, people would bring a little bit of what they could, maybe some crackers, a bit of rice, some beans, some sugar, to share with the family. The whole neighborhood gathered together to support the family and mourn the loss of this young boy. And in the pain, tears, hugs, and songs God was powerfully present.
Eufemia, the other woman who showed up to class, made a comment that made me struggle with the idea of respecting another's beliefs, offering comfort in a way that is comforting to the other person given those beliefs, and being honest to myself and my own beliefs. She said, in trying to rationalize this boy's death, "Maybe God needed one more little angel in heaven." I understand the human need to make sense out of the seemingly senseless, especially the deaths of young people, and this is how this woman and many others fit events like this into their understanding of life and their religion. But I also couldn't help my immediate reaction of thinking to myself God doesn't pick and choose who dies when and how. What kind of an image of God is that? I understand why many people "lose faith" in the image of God they once held when a loved one unexpectedly dies, because if you believe in an all powerful, all knowledgeable, distinct being who is also supposed to be loving, it doesn't fit into that image that God would not prevent your loved one from dying or worse yet that God would actually want this person to die in this particular way. That isn't my image of God. God is present in all of life, including the death that is inevitably a part of all life. God is present in the very real grief that comes from the separation of relationships and in the relationships of the community gathering together. I don't think there is a good reason for everything that happens, it just happens. But I think that is a hard concept to embrace and does not do much to offer comfort in a time of need. I do believe that in every moment we have the opportunity to choose to live deeply the mystery of being alive, and sometimes that means just sitting with the absense of answers, embracing the dark as a necessary component of its compliment: light. So, all of this was struggling around the idea of my own response to another's need in light of my own beliefs. What did I do? Nothing. I offered a smile, a hug, and willing ears. I didn't think it was the time to get into a theological discussion about who God is. At least I wasn't asked what I thought. So that's a continual struggle here in Peru, but really in any human interaction: how to best love another. Is it more loving to say what they want to hear even if you don't believe it? Is it more loving to be true to yourself and invite an alternative perspective that could potentially offer more growth? Is it more loving to just let be or to provoke a change in thought? My prayer is that in every moment, in every relationship, God gives me the grace to be her presence, her image, her love in the world, whatever form that might take.
Paz y Amor
Eufemia, the other woman who showed up to class, made a comment that made me struggle with the idea of respecting another's beliefs, offering comfort in a way that is comforting to the other person given those beliefs, and being honest to myself and my own beliefs. She said, in trying to rationalize this boy's death, "Maybe God needed one more little angel in heaven." I understand the human need to make sense out of the seemingly senseless, especially the deaths of young people, and this is how this woman and many others fit events like this into their understanding of life and their religion. But I also couldn't help my immediate reaction of thinking to myself God doesn't pick and choose who dies when and how. What kind of an image of God is that? I understand why many people "lose faith" in the image of God they once held when a loved one unexpectedly dies, because if you believe in an all powerful, all knowledgeable, distinct being who is also supposed to be loving, it doesn't fit into that image that God would not prevent your loved one from dying or worse yet that God would actually want this person to die in this particular way. That isn't my image of God. God is present in all of life, including the death that is inevitably a part of all life. God is present in the very real grief that comes from the separation of relationships and in the relationships of the community gathering together. I don't think there is a good reason for everything that happens, it just happens. But I think that is a hard concept to embrace and does not do much to offer comfort in a time of need. I do believe that in every moment we have the opportunity to choose to live deeply the mystery of being alive, and sometimes that means just sitting with the absense of answers, embracing the dark as a necessary component of its compliment: light. So, all of this was struggling around the idea of my own response to another's need in light of my own beliefs. What did I do? Nothing. I offered a smile, a hug, and willing ears. I didn't think it was the time to get into a theological discussion about who God is. At least I wasn't asked what I thought. So that's a continual struggle here in Peru, but really in any human interaction: how to best love another. Is it more loving to say what they want to hear even if you don't believe it? Is it more loving to be true to yourself and invite an alternative perspective that could potentially offer more growth? Is it more loving to just let be or to provoke a change in thought? My prayer is that in every moment, in every relationship, God gives me the grace to be her presence, her image, her love in the world, whatever form that might take.
Paz y Amor
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Miercoles de Cenizas y La Cuaresma
(Ash Wednesday and Lent)
Yesterday marked the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday. As I was reflecting on this Lenten season and what I wanted to get out of it, I initially only thought of myself and how I could use this time to engage in some much needed reflection and preparation to continually embrace who God calls me to be as her created image and the witness I have to live out in the world. But as I thought more about it I realized that my vocation is grounded in a giving of myself through a love that wants to see all come to embrace who they are, who God is, and how we live in light of these beautiful mysteries. So, I have decided to make one of my Lenten promises sharing at least one moment of each day where I was aware of the Holy/Sacred/Divine (fill in with your word of choice) presence with anyone who reads this blog. The reality is that every breath, every vision, every sound, every touch is holy and sacred, but we are not always mindful of the presence of God in each moment. So this is an attempt to awaken myself and hopefully encourage all of you too to the constant presence of the divine within and among us.
Ash Wednesday - 17/2/2010
I spent some beautiful, grace filled time outside in our back patio watching the birds hop and fly around, staring at the green of the plants, the blue of the sky, the white of the clouds, and enjoying the simplicity of joy that this peaceful time of presence and observation brought me. I was reminded of the scripture passage that the birds of the air and the lilies of the field do not worry and receive what they need from the earth. And the earth too has provided us human animals, like all other animals, with all we need to survive. We have food, water, and materials to build and create. But we forget this simple and ancient wisdom; we abuse and reject this freely given gift. And so from trying to make ourselves into gods, into rulers of the earth, we have brought about our own worry and toil in the scarcity of food, clean water, and natural resources and divide up what is left amongst the rich and powerful. I am reminded of Eduardo Galeano's words in decribing Latin America: "...we Latin Americans are poor because the ground we tread is rich, and [the] places priviledge by nature have been cursed by history." What is meant to last decades upon decades is used up in a matter of years for pure greed and profit and the land is left raped and deserted like many of the people who worked the land and were worked by the hungry machine of the corporation. The wisdom of the passage about the birds and the flowers is that God has already always given us what we need, we just need to be aware and start living in harmony with all of life and there is a lot of work to do to heal our Mother Earth and our sacred body.
Yesterday marked the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday. As I was reflecting on this Lenten season and what I wanted to get out of it, I initially only thought of myself and how I could use this time to engage in some much needed reflection and preparation to continually embrace who God calls me to be as her created image and the witness I have to live out in the world. But as I thought more about it I realized that my vocation is grounded in a giving of myself through a love that wants to see all come to embrace who they are, who God is, and how we live in light of these beautiful mysteries. So, I have decided to make one of my Lenten promises sharing at least one moment of each day where I was aware of the Holy/Sacred/Divine (fill in with your word of choice) presence with anyone who reads this blog. The reality is that every breath, every vision, every sound, every touch is holy and sacred, but we are not always mindful of the presence of God in each moment. So this is an attempt to awaken myself and hopefully encourage all of you too to the constant presence of the divine within and among us.
Ash Wednesday - 17/2/2010
I spent some beautiful, grace filled time outside in our back patio watching the birds hop and fly around, staring at the green of the plants, the blue of the sky, the white of the clouds, and enjoying the simplicity of joy that this peaceful time of presence and observation brought me. I was reminded of the scripture passage that the birds of the air and the lilies of the field do not worry and receive what they need from the earth. And the earth too has provided us human animals, like all other animals, with all we need to survive. We have food, water, and materials to build and create. But we forget this simple and ancient wisdom; we abuse and reject this freely given gift. And so from trying to make ourselves into gods, into rulers of the earth, we have brought about our own worry and toil in the scarcity of food, clean water, and natural resources and divide up what is left amongst the rich and powerful. I am reminded of Eduardo Galeano's words in decribing Latin America: "...we Latin Americans are poor because the ground we tread is rich, and [the] places priviledge by nature have been cursed by history." What is meant to last decades upon decades is used up in a matter of years for pure greed and profit and the land is left raped and deserted like many of the people who worked the land and were worked by the hungry machine of the corporation. The wisdom of the passage about the birds and the flowers is that God has already always given us what we need, we just need to be aware and start living in harmony with all of life and there is a lot of work to do to heal our Mother Earth and our sacred body.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Preguntas y Pensamientos
Questions and Thoughts from the last two weeks of classes in Lima:
I don't know if there's hope for the future, but there is life in the present, and as long as there is life in the present that's enough.
I think you have to forget everything you have learned (or put it on a back shelf to be recovered and incorporated later) in order to really be open to someone else or another culture; because they do not come from where I come from, and their world view / structures are unique and not meant to be fit into mine.
Every moment is new, and thus we should be open in every moment to learn something new from another, even if we have known her/him for a very long time, because s/he is always changing like the rest of the world.
You can only accompany if the other person or community invites or accepts you as an acompañante. (I wasn't sure how to translate the noun version of accompany).
To profoundly listen with all of your being is to accept life as it is being presented, with fascination, interest, curiosity, surprise, and humility based in the gratefulness of being present to this moment shared with oneself or another.
How do I see myself? How do others see me? How do I think others see me?
In every moment we are social beings; we communicate something in every moment.
The "shoulds" come from society in order to teach/perpetuate the rules or how to behave and relate with others and within different environments - how to survive.
But is it worth surviving if you're not really living?
If you want to be liked/accepted then you will become who others want you to be, not who you really are.
Paz y Amor siempre
I don't know if there's hope for the future, but there is life in the present, and as long as there is life in the present that's enough.
I think you have to forget everything you have learned (or put it on a back shelf to be recovered and incorporated later) in order to really be open to someone else or another culture; because they do not come from where I come from, and their world view / structures are unique and not meant to be fit into mine.
Every moment is new, and thus we should be open in every moment to learn something new from another, even if we have known her/him for a very long time, because s/he is always changing like the rest of the world.
You can only accompany if the other person or community invites or accepts you as an acompañante. (I wasn't sure how to translate the noun version of accompany).
To profoundly listen with all of your being is to accept life as it is being presented, with fascination, interest, curiosity, surprise, and humility based in the gratefulness of being present to this moment shared with oneself or another.
How do I see myself? How do others see me? How do I think others see me?
In every moment we are social beings; we communicate something in every moment.
The "shoulds" come from society in order to teach/perpetuate the rules or how to behave and relate with others and within different environments - how to survive.
But is it worth surviving if you're not really living?
If you want to be liked/accepted then you will become who others want you to be, not who you really are.
Paz y Amor siempre
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Social Constructions of Roles and Values
I was tempted at first to title this post "Peruvian Reality" but I don't really like the term reality I've decided, at least if it's used in any other context more general than an individual's perspective on the world, because we all form our own reality and world view. So, this is more of a reflection on Peruvian society, labels, and structures mostly from a sociologist who shared his thoughts with me (and a group of people in my course on accompanying youth) this past week in Lima. For the past two weeks I have been attending classes/ workshops on working with youth and youth groups and one of the most important recurring themes was that you have to know yourself, and you have to know each person you are working with or accompanying. So this is a bit of the world I am seeking to imerse myself into and better understand. Although, I think this is true of U.S. society as well.
How would you define youth? (jovenes / juventud)
How would you define adult? (adulto / adultez)
These are important questions in understanding the roles individuals fill in our society and what the system of values and power looks like. The idea behind being an adult is "lo acabado" that you have reached or achieved some desired end. To be "adult" is the ideal. All of life before one becomes an "adult" is spent in preparation to reach this stage. Adult is seen as the future; enforcing the ideal that once I become an adult, then I will be happy, then I will be successful, then I will be important and powerful. There is a hierarchy of societal roles with adult at the top, youth and elderly in the middle, and Infants or children at the bottom. (Although it seems more and more at least in U.S. culture and society the elderly and infirm are placed on the bottom with children).
The term adult implies that one is fulfilling the roles that society values and says one must fulfill to be a full/complete citizen (ciudano en plenitud). The role of the adult includes participation, work, being a mother or father, and having a profession that gives one a special knowledge, a more authoritative voice and opinion. Many of the societal problems that exist such as alcoholism, violence, and theft stem from not being able to fill these societal roles that adults are taught to fill and thus the individual loses their sense of self-worth in the loss of their worth to society.
The role of the youth is to prepare oneself to become an adult. There is a constant focus on the future without giving a value to present and to who the person is in their youth. The idea of "being happy" is that happiness always lies in the future, not in the here and now. Once I get a job, then I will be happy. Once I get married and have a family, then I will be happy. Once I have my own profession and a steady income, then I will be happy.
The term "joven" here in Peru is now used to include anyone from 15 years old - 30 years old. I'm told that as little as 10 years ago it used to be only up to 25 years old. Why such a long time span? Because society doesn't know what to do with the youth. Youth are told to study so they can get a good job, but the years they spend on their education are just a way to prolong the inevitable unemployment. Most who study a certain profession will not be able to find work in their profession here in Peru, and opportunities to immigrate are few. So in order to help delay the unemployment and crisis of employment, society says you need to spend more years preparing before you can fulfill this role of adult, while knowing at the same time that much of that preparation will be in vain and end in frustration, desperation, and depression. Society is educating and preparing youth for a false future of adulthood that they will never realize or be truely happy with because of the other "realities" of unemployment, discrimination, and violence. When many youth realize this myth or fall into that depression they result to joining gangs, assaulting others, or drowning away their disillusionment in drugs and alcohol.
So what to do? Change the system of power and values that says the ideal is "adult" and only adults are full participants in society. Recognize the value of the present instead of constantly waiting for a future that will not be realized in the way it is presented. Involve youth in systems of politics, faith communities, and within their own families. Embrace who they are at each stage of their life and be open to all that we have to learn from one another, whether old or young, rich or power, single or married, educated or illiterate. Youth have energy, creativity, passion, and ideas for change. There is a gift in that they haven't been fully integrated into the larger system yet. They still have a certain freedom and embrace that freedom and struggle against the process of encarceration by the power structures of society. I think we would all have a lot to gain by embracing our own youth, our own power, freedom, passion, creativity, and questions.
I recognize that I have referred to youth as "they" in this reflection and I would still consider myself a youth in many ways. In Peru I am still a joven, but am given more value and power than most jovenes here because I come from the U.S. and work with a religious community. I can see and relate to both worlds of youth and adult based on life experience and roles, but would like to believe that I am in fact still young, and hope to remain with my own passion, freedom, creativity, and questions for as long as I am breathing.
Paz y amor
How would you define youth? (jovenes / juventud)
How would you define adult? (adulto / adultez)
These are important questions in understanding the roles individuals fill in our society and what the system of values and power looks like. The idea behind being an adult is "lo acabado" that you have reached or achieved some desired end. To be "adult" is the ideal. All of life before one becomes an "adult" is spent in preparation to reach this stage. Adult is seen as the future; enforcing the ideal that once I become an adult, then I will be happy, then I will be successful, then I will be important and powerful. There is a hierarchy of societal roles with adult at the top, youth and elderly in the middle, and Infants or children at the bottom. (Although it seems more and more at least in U.S. culture and society the elderly and infirm are placed on the bottom with children).
The term adult implies that one is fulfilling the roles that society values and says one must fulfill to be a full/complete citizen (ciudano en plenitud). The role of the adult includes participation, work, being a mother or father, and having a profession that gives one a special knowledge, a more authoritative voice and opinion. Many of the societal problems that exist such as alcoholism, violence, and theft stem from not being able to fill these societal roles that adults are taught to fill and thus the individual loses their sense of self-worth in the loss of their worth to society.
The role of the youth is to prepare oneself to become an adult. There is a constant focus on the future without giving a value to present and to who the person is in their youth. The idea of "being happy" is that happiness always lies in the future, not in the here and now. Once I get a job, then I will be happy. Once I get married and have a family, then I will be happy. Once I have my own profession and a steady income, then I will be happy.
The term "joven" here in Peru is now used to include anyone from 15 years old - 30 years old. I'm told that as little as 10 years ago it used to be only up to 25 years old. Why such a long time span? Because society doesn't know what to do with the youth. Youth are told to study so they can get a good job, but the years they spend on their education are just a way to prolong the inevitable unemployment. Most who study a certain profession will not be able to find work in their profession here in Peru, and opportunities to immigrate are few. So in order to help delay the unemployment and crisis of employment, society says you need to spend more years preparing before you can fulfill this role of adult, while knowing at the same time that much of that preparation will be in vain and end in frustration, desperation, and depression. Society is educating and preparing youth for a false future of adulthood that they will never realize or be truely happy with because of the other "realities" of unemployment, discrimination, and violence. When many youth realize this myth or fall into that depression they result to joining gangs, assaulting others, or drowning away their disillusionment in drugs and alcohol.
So what to do? Change the system of power and values that says the ideal is "adult" and only adults are full participants in society. Recognize the value of the present instead of constantly waiting for a future that will not be realized in the way it is presented. Involve youth in systems of politics, faith communities, and within their own families. Embrace who they are at each stage of their life and be open to all that we have to learn from one another, whether old or young, rich or power, single or married, educated or illiterate. Youth have energy, creativity, passion, and ideas for change. There is a gift in that they haven't been fully integrated into the larger system yet. They still have a certain freedom and embrace that freedom and struggle against the process of encarceration by the power structures of society. I think we would all have a lot to gain by embracing our own youth, our own power, freedom, passion, creativity, and questions.
I recognize that I have referred to youth as "they" in this reflection and I would still consider myself a youth in many ways. In Peru I am still a joven, but am given more value and power than most jovenes here because I come from the U.S. and work with a religious community. I can see and relate to both worlds of youth and adult based on life experience and roles, but would like to believe that I am in fact still young, and hope to remain with my own passion, freedom, creativity, and questions for as long as I am breathing.
Paz y amor
A few photo highlights
For those of you who don't have facebook, here's just a few of the photos from my trip to Cusco/ Machu Picchu. Enjoy!
Also, please keep the people of Cusco and Augas Calientes in your prayers as there has been a lot of destruction due to heavy rains and flooding. Thanks.
Central Square in Cusco
Me and a llama
A symbol of the three animals that represent the three worlds of the Incas: The condor is the heavens, the jaguar is the earth, and the serpent is the underworld.
The Sacred River which gives the Sacred Valley it's name. This is in Aguas Calientes.
Sarah and I at Machu Picchu. It was pretty rainy all day, but still amazing!
Photos of Machu Picchu
The three windows looking out onto the three worlds.
Sarah and I made the hike up Wayanu Pichu. It was really long and steep, but we did it!
Que la Paz prevalezca en el mundo
May Peace Prevail On Earth
Also, please keep the people of Cusco and Augas Calientes in your prayers as there has been a lot of destruction due to heavy rains and flooding. Thanks.
Central Square in Cusco
Me and a llama
A symbol of the three animals that represent the three worlds of the Incas: The condor is the heavens, the jaguar is the earth, and the serpent is the underworld.
The Sacred River which gives the Sacred Valley it's name. This is in Aguas Calientes.
Sarah and I at Machu Picchu. It was pretty rainy all day, but still amazing!
Photos of Machu Picchu
The three windows looking out onto the three worlds.
Sarah and I made the hike up Wayanu Pichu. It was really long and steep, but we did it!
Que la Paz prevalezca en el mundo
May Peace Prevail On Earth
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
A Brief Reflection on Profound Beauty
Do you have to go to Machu Picchu to stand in awe of the beauty and power of God? No. But there are certain places in the world that not only shout in your face but invade your whole being; so that you become one with all that is there. And words cannot be expressed, only tears and laughter in light of the fullness and grandeur of the Divine. These places are sacred. Machu Picchu is one of these places. And in a certain way you (or at least I did) have a certain expectation that it will be this way, in places marked and known for their power and beauty. But this same power, the experience of the beauty and glory of God, is waiting to suprise you in the seemingly everyday ordinary, if you look deeply enough and listen intently enough. It is there waiting to capture and invade you in the same way in a beautiful flower, a smile, a child's laughter, a beautiful melody, a star filled sky, the hand of a friend, a kiss from the one you love, or a random act of kindness of a stranger. It is there in the story of a woman who survives each day, or the sweaty and dirty campesino who cultivates the earth, or hidden in the wrinkles of skin that map their own personal history of the struggles and joys of being human. Sacred, beauty-filled places, like Machu Picchu and Plum Village, are here present in every breath, if we are mindful.
In gratitude for the sacred and beautiful, large and small, world famous and unknown, always present with me and you in this moment.
In gratitude for the sacred and beautiful, large and small, world famous and unknown, always present with me and you in this moment.
Remember
The Sacred Valley gets its name from the river that runs through it called the Sacred River. The Incas said the river was a mirror of the heavens. Water was also holy and respected. It could bring life and take life and all the land and peoples were connected to the Sacred River, as well as the mountains, the sun, and the moon. Today, driving or hiking through the Sacred Valley, the Sacred River runs brown, no longer reflecting the heavens but rather the dirt of erosion and pollution.
This culture and people that had so much respect for the earth and recognized their connection to it, was conquered, raped, and massacred right along with the earth for which they cared. This is the European history from which I come. This is the Catholic history from which I come. The Spanish Church and Pope with gold in their eyes and greed in their hearts eagerly approved and consecrated as a holy mission from God the genocide of an entire people; people who were able to use the rich natural resources around them for all they needed, who were able to create accurate calendars and markers of time and seasons, who built palaces and temples with minimal resources, and who celebrated and honored the divine presence in the world around them. But they were barbarians, heathens, devil worshipers ... at least according to the Church. Why? Because they recognized and revered the power of nature instead of claiming false power to control and dominate in the name of God Almighty. One of my tour guides at Machu Picchu said, "Men think they are the owners (dueños) of the earth, but they aren't the owners of anything. We are here for but a short time; from the earth we come and to the earth we will return. The Incas recognized this; the Spanish did not." From womb to tomb mother earth births us into life and receives us back in death.
And I found myself wondering where is God in all of this? God isn't in the giant churches and cathedrals built on top of ancient Incan temples and buildings. God isn't the giant White Jesus statue high on a hill with arms outstretched looming down at the city below, offering constant reminder to the symbol of Catholicism used to dominate and destroy. But God is present here and always has been. She is in the mountains, the soil, the trees, the crashing river, the rocks. Sophia still speaks to those who listen; ancient wisdom of unity, reverence, and care. She whispered to me in silent meditation on top of WaynaPicchu sweet melodies of love, joy, and deep sorrow. Remember we are One.
This culture and people that had so much respect for the earth and recognized their connection to it, was conquered, raped, and massacred right along with the earth for which they cared. This is the European history from which I come. This is the Catholic history from which I come. The Spanish Church and Pope with gold in their eyes and greed in their hearts eagerly approved and consecrated as a holy mission from God the genocide of an entire people; people who were able to use the rich natural resources around them for all they needed, who were able to create accurate calendars and markers of time and seasons, who built palaces and temples with minimal resources, and who celebrated and honored the divine presence in the world around them. But they were barbarians, heathens, devil worshipers ... at least according to the Church. Why? Because they recognized and revered the power of nature instead of claiming false power to control and dominate in the name of God Almighty. One of my tour guides at Machu Picchu said, "Men think they are the owners (dueños) of the earth, but they aren't the owners of anything. We are here for but a short time; from the earth we come and to the earth we will return. The Incas recognized this; the Spanish did not." From womb to tomb mother earth births us into life and receives us back in death.
And I found myself wondering where is God in all of this? God isn't in the giant churches and cathedrals built on top of ancient Incan temples and buildings. God isn't the giant White Jesus statue high on a hill with arms outstretched looming down at the city below, offering constant reminder to the symbol of Catholicism used to dominate and destroy. But God is present here and always has been. She is in the mountains, the soil, the trees, the crashing river, the rocks. Sophia still speaks to those who listen; ancient wisdom of unity, reverence, and care. She whispered to me in silent meditation on top of WaynaPicchu sweet melodies of love, joy, and deep sorrow. Remember we are One.
Things that made January 2nd the best day ever of 2010
(in order of occurrence)
1. Sarah Watson came to visit me!
2. Presents from home
3. Books! two particular highlights: a signed copy of Quest for the Living God by Elizabeth Johnson and Mirrors by Eduardo Galeano (which I can't put down!)
4. Letters from friends at SLU
5. Chocolate..mmm... thanks mom!
6. Eating Papa John's pizza for lunch at the airport (I miss pizza so much!)
7. Being in Cusco and exploring the city
8. Eating Thai food for dinner! curry is so delicious (there is no international food in Chimbote)
9. Playing Spanglish scrabble with Sarah at dinner
10. Ice cream for dessert (no perfect day is complete without ice cream)
11. Listening to a strong rain storm patter on the roof with thunder in the background (we don't really have any precipitation in Chimbote)
12. Falling asleep in the city of the Incas with a good friend from back home.
1. Sarah Watson came to visit me!
2. Presents from home
3. Books! two particular highlights: a signed copy of Quest for the Living God by Elizabeth Johnson and Mirrors by Eduardo Galeano (which I can't put down!)
4. Letters from friends at SLU
5. Chocolate..mmm... thanks mom!
6. Eating Papa John's pizza for lunch at the airport (I miss pizza so much!)
7. Being in Cusco and exploring the city
8. Eating Thai food for dinner! curry is so delicious (there is no international food in Chimbote)
9. Playing Spanglish scrabble with Sarah at dinner
10. Ice cream for dessert (no perfect day is complete without ice cream)
11. Listening to a strong rain storm patter on the roof with thunder in the background (we don't really have any precipitation in Chimbote)
12. Falling asleep in the city of the Incas with a good friend from back home.
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