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Movin' On Up
10 weeks since we left home, 8 weeks of language school completed and now 4 days until we move up to life at 10,000 feet. But what is time when you live in Latin America?!
Our time in Lima has been a bit of a mixed bag.
The highs: time with our mentors when we could speak in English and enjoy home-made food which was always top notch; meeting and working alongside Margaret Saunderson, who has lived here for over 30 years and works amidst the shanty-towns - she has been an inspiration and great friend; the young people Mark has met with who have difficult lives but are warm and friendly with positive attitudes and always look out for the needs of others - very humbling; and Karen's time with her language teachers who have been patient, encouraging and have educated her on the Peruvian culture as well as the imperfect subjunctive. This has been a valuable time of cultural adjustment and preparation for what lies ahead and no doubt we will miss the people we have met and the modern conveniences that Lima offers.
The lows: long, sweaty, cramped journeys on the bus in Lima's chaotic traffic (of which there have been many) where rules don't apply much and accidents are frequent; noise - piercing and incessant; missing having friends & family around; Karen getting a migraine on our one and only trip outside of the city (of course!); and general frustrations with a culture that works a bit differently to ours. However, many of these things were to be expected and I'm sure there are lessons to be learned amidst them (we will continue to work on that)!
Over the last few weeks there have been a few highlights that have arrived at just the right times - a couple of packages from home in the forms of chocolate and visitors - the Kennedys and the Jess' - never did the Northern Irish accent sound so sweet! We really enjoyed their company and the goodies brought from home which Karen is trying her best to ration much to Mark's annoyance!
The next few days will involve shopping, cleaning and packing as we prepare to move on. In some ways we're nervous as we move - new place, new people, new work. We'll need to speak spanish all day and as city folk we admit that the idea of being so far from a main city is a bit off-putting! That being said, we are ready to leave Lima and get properly stuck into our project in what we imagine to be a beautiful location amidst The Andes. We're excited to see the Creator of these amazing mountains at work. We're excited to be with people who's faith is not just one part of their organised lives but determines who they are and how they live in every dimension of life. We're excited to meet the children and the community that Arco Iris serves. And we're excited to learn - from all of them. Only an 8 hour bus journey on windy mountain roads, a lack of oxygen to adjust to and the matter of finding a place to live - wee buns!
Stay tuned for the next chapter...
- comments
Kwants of holywood (don't you know) You guys are awesome! we love you and miss you and are praying for your next exciting step into the unknown. Hope the altitude brings happiness and fresh air for your lungs and that Dogs' legs are slower and teeth blunter.
Liz Fetherstonhaugh HI Mark and Karen, I was recently doing a Mission Stand for Ratanak and happened to be beside of the organisation you are in Peru with so I got an update on how you are doing. Mark and I are keeping you in our prayers and enjoy reading and hearing what you are doing out there. We will continue to pray for health, strength and God's presence as you move, settle in and show God's love. Continue to give us updates at Willowfield. God bless Liz and Mark Fetherstonhaugh
Sarah Smith Loving your blog! Thanks for keeping us updated! We're praying for you in the Latin Link office!
Sam Wolfenden Great article. Hope you're coping with the lack of oxygen and enjoying your work. However tough it is, it must beat packing up and moving the History Department!