I look like I’m 16 and feel like I’m 36. 26 is a strange age here. In Arequipa, it seems to mean you’re living with your family, maybe looking for a job, still in a role somewhat like when you were a teenager. It has some of those same elements in Puerto Supe except that I think most 26 yr olds also have at least 2 children, probably school aged. I guess one reason there aren’t “young professionals” here is that there aren’t professionals. Grace said last night that she doesn’t think there are really any middle class working people here. You are considered well off if you have a job.

So where do we land in this culture? I think the most natural role according to the nationals is that we are something like Grace and Cesar’s children. That doesn’t feel natural to me and even less to Tim. How do we adjust to the culture and still maintain some remnant of healthy personal boundaries? Will it be possible to hold on to the tail of our American value of independence? To me independence is the healthier option, but I am also convinced that letting go of “my way” and accepting the traditions of this culture will make my life a lot easier and my ministry much more effective. Independence is definitely not a cultural value in Peru.

Will we be accepted by “grown ups”? I suppose in a way this would be easier if we had children. It would establish our life stage more clearly, and we wouldn’t be such an anomaly. Ironic since one of the reasons we don’t have children at this point is that we always anticipated that this 2 year “ministry tour” would be easier and more effective without them.

Pray that I will be open to the work the Lord has for me and not so stuck on my idea of what I’m here to do. Pray that I will eagerly accept the friendships he puts in my way and not insist on ministering to a certain type of person (who doesn’t exist here). I am convinced that we are here by the specific call and will of God, and I want to walk into the purposes for which He brought us here.

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