Tim and Cesar left this morning for the jungle. They're taking someone to a substance abuse rehab center run by retired SAM missionaries in Pucallpa. The man is afraid of flying, so the three of them will be taking the 20 hour bus ride from Lima (after the 4 hour bus ride to Lima). Fortunately they'll be flying home after helping the guy check in. They're expected back Thursday.

I don't think Tim's ever left for more than a night, and I'm curious to see how this goes. I think if I were in Charlotte, I'd probably end up at Starbucks and the movie theater a fair amount. None of that here. Neither do I have friends or a job outside my home. I'm especially grateful this week for my housekeeper and my dogs. Besides keeping me company, Ellie will definitely make me feel safer.

It's funny how loneliness goes around here, because I certainly have plenty of opportunities to interact with people. Our houses are townhouse-style (sharing walls), our door is 3 feet from the street, and no one but taxi drivers have cars, so there's a lot of hanging out in the street, dropping by someone's house, etc. And yet with all these acquaintances, I still wouldn't say I have any Peruvian friends. Grace commented yesterday that it's hard to really connect in a give and take kind of relationship with people who are in a different social and economic world (less about culture, more about education and money). That probably sounds a little harsh and doesn't fit our idealistic hopes, but I have to say that I agree at this point. After four months of being in Puerto Supe, I don't see any relationships that I hope will become real friendships.

I'm so grateful for my team- and especially for my #1 awesome teammate Tim. This is not a life just anyone could live happily, but we're making it A-okay. I see more clearly today than before that God designs different people for different tasks. At the same time, I'm not sure if this is something I could live indefinitely, at least in a non-urban area of a developing nation.

Our friends and family outside of Peru are an integral part of our life here via phone and email. Just knowing that you love and remember us makes a tremendous difference. We thank God for you often and need you here, in the US, or wherever we go.

0 comments