Ok, so I'm bad at blogs. Keeping up with things...really, anything...that isn't directly within my line of vision...well, let's just say it's a weakness. Just know, happy readers, that all is well here. It is better than well. It is a deep well...of more stories and moments and encounters than a blog can offer. That's why twitter makes me nervous. Of course, I don't even know what twitter is...except that sometimes my eye "twitters" when I don't get enough sleep. Anyway...
We have been in the jungle for a month now. Getting to know people well. Which is what I wanted more than anything from an international field ed. Being able to go home and say, "I met people...but better yet, I KNOW people. I know about their lives. We are friends." From long dinners to afternoons at the river to Saturday night lectio divina sessions on the Psalms to praise hymns to waterfalls to birthday parties to volleyball games (always girls against guys...), it's been a full month. There is much to share about the work that is happening here and our time with Pastor Valentino, the director of the seminary. To say the least, both of us are excited about his vision for the seminary and his hope for the years to come. Too much to cover on a blog post. But continue praying...that we might listen well and be present this last week. That we might understand with open eyes and ears what God means to do in this place and how we can be a part of that...without presuming to have the answers.
Thanks again for keeping up with our non-existent blog. It's a good sign though. It means we're busy. :)
Much love,
Maria
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Domingo de la Trinidad
Today, we worshipped the Trinity...in Huancayo. That's right friends. No more language classes. Nor more Lima sightseeing. No more Larcomar. Yesterday, with the help of Cruz del Sur and a some great movies translated in Spanish, we arrived at our summer destination. And it's been wonderful so far! Today, was Trinity Sunday and goodness knows that in worship today, we invoked the Trinity's presence. Sunday school was, truly, as good as any exegesis paper I've ever read. I can already see that it will be an honor to sit and listen to the work that is happening here, with these people. The Holy Spirit is a wonder! We also experienced and learned more about the pain our Peruvian brothers and sisters endure as they struggle to grapple with poverty in their communities and in their countries. We had a special time of prayer this afternoon and were able to hold the hands of two beautiful women...lost in supplication before a God they've come to trust...grieving for the suffering that is all too real to them and thanking God for always being present in it. Language was a miniscule barrier between us today. AND...Margaret had an exciting breakthrough today...she prayed in our prayer circle, and did a wonderful job! We also visited some of the children we will be working with alongside the church in a mission organization called Azapampa. The community we visited is composed of mainly displaced Peruvians who had to leave their hometowns for fear of their lives during the terrible warface that took place in the 80s. Do pray for our friends here. Beautiful children, who within five minutes, gaves us hugs and kisses. I can already tell that grief will come with our departure at the end of the summer. No need to anticipate yet though. :)
Thank you for continuing to pray. We talked through our schedule with Karina and Cesar today and to say the least, it's packed. Next week we will be translating for a medical missions team. The next week to la selva in Santa Ana for a crash course on the New Testament. Two weeks later, another crash course in la selva San Ramon on Lucas and a couple of weeks later, a week in Santa Ana again for a course on the Sociology of the New Testament. All right. All systems go. By the way, I'm already intrigued by the scholarship taking place here...folks are thinking...deeply...and it's wonderful to share in that with them.
Just thought we'd shoot a few pictures your way, too...from Lima.
Blessings beyond blessings,
Maria (and Margaret)
Thank you for continuing to pray. We talked through our schedule with Karina and Cesar today and to say the least, it's packed. Next week we will be translating for a medical missions team. The next week to la selva in Santa Ana for a crash course on the New Testament. Two weeks later, another crash course in la selva San Ramon on Lucas and a couple of weeks later, a week in Santa Ana again for a course on the Sociology of the New Testament. All right. All systems go. By the way, I'm already intrigued by the scholarship taking place here...folks are thinking...deeply...and it's wonderful to share in that with them.
Just thought we'd shoot a few pictures your way, too...from Lima.
Blessings beyond blessings,
Maria (and Margaret)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Kene. Peruvian Synesthesia. And Other Exciting Discoveries.
Well friends,
It´s been a few days. Forgive both of us. We´ve been packing it in, to say the least. I´m absolutely thrilled by the texture of the city, the vibe, the pace, even its strange sun-less winter greys. It´s all a bit captivating. Old worlds, new worlds, buildings with 16th century-crown moulding now home to la Farmacia Larco or Roxy´s Chicken. Incan temples nestled between boutiques and rich Peruvian cuisine. (Do I sound like a brochure? All right, all right, I´ll stop.) Really though. It´s been rare for me to see this much life...these many lives...all bustling about...drenched in stories and pasts and questions and futures, hailing taxis and crossing avenidas...kissing in parks and sipping jugitas frescas in cafes. It´s a sight to behold...it´s a million sights to behold all at once. And there are no sunny skies to expose these days...they sit in a strange haze, a quieting, eerie haze. In summary, I like Lima. :)
Let´s recap then. Friday we went to El Museo de La Nacion in the afternoon and el Parque de Las Fuentes. Here, we came upon a park filled with these gorgeous fountains...parts were a bit theme-parkish, but at night, exquisite...and more than anything, just...fun. We waited for the Espectaculo with neon lights, spewing fountains, holograms of butterflies emerging from cacoons, pictures of Macchu Picchu, and at one point, I´m not kidding, a lovely, entrancing version of Backstreet Boys, "I Want it That Way." One of the fountains swirled above passers-by as they walked under it. We got a little wet, but it was worth it. Our hosts chuckled a bit at my excitement. :)
By the way, we´ve really grown to love them! Genma, the wife of this dynamic duo, told us yesterday that she can truly say these two "chicas" have come to this house to fill it with joy. And they have filled us with joy, that´s for sure. Heriberto, the husband, is...well...so brimming with pure goodness that I wouldn´t even know where to begin. We´ve already been fed with their stories...one of my favorite by far...Heriberto likes to hug trees. There is a particular one in a little town called Concepcion that he always hugs when he´s there. He´s the best kind of tree-hugger I know. :) We just feel loved here. And at home.
Saturday night, a tour of the city at night...so beautiful. La Catedral en el centro was really something. We´ll post pictures as soon as we get all our cords and memory cards sorted out. Geez. :) We also visited Barranco, an older, somewhat bohemian part of the city with artesanias and el puente de suspiros. We decided to sit down for a "snack," the four of us, and it turned out to be the most I´ve eaten since we´ve been here. Papaya juice, anticuchos (kabobs), papas, maiz, two desserts, and the list goes on. What a night. Our hosts got a kick out of watching our stuffed faces waddle back home.
Yesterday we attended La Iglesia Metodista de la Florida, where our Lima hosts attend. It was a blessing to spend time in worship, clap, sing, and practice Spanish, of course! Folks were excited to hear about our journey to Huancayo and offered their prayers for us as we work there.
Language classes began today, and I can already see the difference. Margaret has been concerned about language and though today was a bit stressful on the outset, she is fervently working on her "tarea" while I blog and strain to remember when I ever learned imperfecto subjunctivo...I have NO doubts that you have taught me this already, Mami. Sorry I´ve forgotten! It´s pretty exciting to see the juices flowing...as she remembers what she´s learned in the past and as she learns new vocabulario, etc. She´s a smart one, that´s for sure...muy brillante! Tonight she has on green pajamas and we decided that she´s like the Incredible Hulk bursting into her Spanish-spirit. Watch out, Peru! Continue to pray for both of us as we find all sorts of ways to communicate with the friends God already has and will continue to provide here.
Ok, about my blog title. Friday at El Museo, I was completely overtaken by the one of the exhibits describing the science and artistry of the Shipibo people of the Upper Amazon. I´m forwarding a link for you to check out if you´re interested. I almost couldn´t leave the room. http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?AuthorID=56980&id=31032 The Shipibo believe that¨"kene" is an energy that drives all patterns, sounds, and designs in the universe. The patterns that they could transcribe from who-knows-where...their minds...their spirits...their guts...wow. Talk about a labyrinth. I was breathless at one point. They would draw these patterns (which mind you, they are able to also hear in music (thus, the synesthesia), onto anthropomorphic figures. And it just hit me...like a ton of bricks. THEY GET IT. They get that the human body IS symmetry...IS pattern...IS exquisite design, with form, and shape, and its own MUSIC. I wanted to sit at some Shipibo woman´s feet that day and ask her what she sees...what she feels and touches and hears when these patterns just emerge. (Another tidbit...only the women are the artisans. That EXCITES me.)
Well, goodness. Longwinded again. That´s enough for now. Thanks for pushing through if you´ve made it to the end. I can´t promise that they´ll be much shorter. Don´t be mad!
Paz de Cristo,
Maria
It´s been a few days. Forgive both of us. We´ve been packing it in, to say the least. I´m absolutely thrilled by the texture of the city, the vibe, the pace, even its strange sun-less winter greys. It´s all a bit captivating. Old worlds, new worlds, buildings with 16th century-crown moulding now home to la Farmacia Larco or Roxy´s Chicken. Incan temples nestled between boutiques and rich Peruvian cuisine. (Do I sound like a brochure? All right, all right, I´ll stop.) Really though. It´s been rare for me to see this much life...these many lives...all bustling about...drenched in stories and pasts and questions and futures, hailing taxis and crossing avenidas...kissing in parks and sipping jugitas frescas in cafes. It´s a sight to behold...it´s a million sights to behold all at once. And there are no sunny skies to expose these days...they sit in a strange haze, a quieting, eerie haze. In summary, I like Lima. :)
Let´s recap then. Friday we went to El Museo de La Nacion in the afternoon and el Parque de Las Fuentes. Here, we came upon a park filled with these gorgeous fountains...parts were a bit theme-parkish, but at night, exquisite...and more than anything, just...fun. We waited for the Espectaculo with neon lights, spewing fountains, holograms of butterflies emerging from cacoons, pictures of Macchu Picchu, and at one point, I´m not kidding, a lovely, entrancing version of Backstreet Boys, "I Want it That Way." One of the fountains swirled above passers-by as they walked under it. We got a little wet, but it was worth it. Our hosts chuckled a bit at my excitement. :)
By the way, we´ve really grown to love them! Genma, the wife of this dynamic duo, told us yesterday that she can truly say these two "chicas" have come to this house to fill it with joy. And they have filled us with joy, that´s for sure. Heriberto, the husband, is...well...so brimming with pure goodness that I wouldn´t even know where to begin. We´ve already been fed with their stories...one of my favorite by far...Heriberto likes to hug trees. There is a particular one in a little town called Concepcion that he always hugs when he´s there. He´s the best kind of tree-hugger I know. :) We just feel loved here. And at home.
Saturday night, a tour of the city at night...so beautiful. La Catedral en el centro was really something. We´ll post pictures as soon as we get all our cords and memory cards sorted out. Geez. :) We also visited Barranco, an older, somewhat bohemian part of the city with artesanias and el puente de suspiros. We decided to sit down for a "snack," the four of us, and it turned out to be the most I´ve eaten since we´ve been here. Papaya juice, anticuchos (kabobs), papas, maiz, two desserts, and the list goes on. What a night. Our hosts got a kick out of watching our stuffed faces waddle back home.
Yesterday we attended La Iglesia Metodista de la Florida, where our Lima hosts attend. It was a blessing to spend time in worship, clap, sing, and practice Spanish, of course! Folks were excited to hear about our journey to Huancayo and offered their prayers for us as we work there.
Language classes began today, and I can already see the difference. Margaret has been concerned about language and though today was a bit stressful on the outset, she is fervently working on her "tarea" while I blog and strain to remember when I ever learned imperfecto subjunctivo...I have NO doubts that you have taught me this already, Mami. Sorry I´ve forgotten! It´s pretty exciting to see the juices flowing...as she remembers what she´s learned in the past and as she learns new vocabulario, etc. She´s a smart one, that´s for sure...muy brillante! Tonight she has on green pajamas and we decided that she´s like the Incredible Hulk bursting into her Spanish-spirit. Watch out, Peru! Continue to pray for both of us as we find all sorts of ways to communicate with the friends God already has and will continue to provide here.
Ok, about my blog title. Friday at El Museo, I was completely overtaken by the one of the exhibits describing the science and artistry of the Shipibo people of the Upper Amazon. I´m forwarding a link for you to check out if you´re interested. I almost couldn´t leave the room. http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?AuthorID=56980&id=31032 The Shipibo believe that¨"kene" is an energy that drives all patterns, sounds, and designs in the universe. The patterns that they could transcribe from who-knows-where...their minds...their spirits...their guts...wow. Talk about a labyrinth. I was breathless at one point. They would draw these patterns (which mind you, they are able to also hear in music (thus, the synesthesia), onto anthropomorphic figures. And it just hit me...like a ton of bricks. THEY GET IT. They get that the human body IS symmetry...IS pattern...IS exquisite design, with form, and shape, and its own MUSIC. I wanted to sit at some Shipibo woman´s feet that day and ask her what she sees...what she feels and touches and hears when these patterns just emerge. (Another tidbit...only the women are the artisans. That EXCITES me.)
Well, goodness. Longwinded again. That´s enough for now. Thanks for pushing through if you´ve made it to the end. I can´t promise that they´ll be much shorter. Don´t be mad!
Paz de Cristo,
Maria
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Lima on a Jetplane...
We´ll try to control the puns while we're here but if you did hum a little John Denver with the title...thank you, really. We did on the plane. Luckily, we were in the back. :)
My goodness! We´re in LIMA. Hard to believe that this strange new world can transport human bodies from one part of the world to another in less than 24 hours. It´s surreal for me. We had a great flight, no glitches with baggage, the man at the passport station gave us big smiles, and our sweet host was there to pick us up! I can´t tell you the amount of relief I felt when I saw a big white sign waving in the air..."MARGARET MCWILLIAMS y MARIA SWEARINGEN." I never thought in a million years my name would be on a piece of posterboard in Lima, Peru. Such a strange, strange world.
Today we head out to register for language classes. We´ve already had some pretty hilarious language moments on both our parts. I rented an international cell phone. If you want the number, shoot me an email. You can reach us both with this number! The number, you ask? 511995803718. I think you have to dial 001 (that´s the U.S. code), not totally sure, but I think that´s right. We probably won´t call you much (because it ain´t cheap friends), but all incoming calls are free for us! So...save your change. If we don´t call back, it´s because we´re probably eating pachamanca. Look it up! Apparently, it´s a prime Huancayan experience. Can´t wait! http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachamanca.
Ok, enough for now. If you want the funny stories that we can´t post on blogs for propriety´s sake...email us. Much love to all! And thanks be to God for this time...
-Maria
My goodness! We´re in LIMA. Hard to believe that this strange new world can transport human bodies from one part of the world to another in less than 24 hours. It´s surreal for me. We had a great flight, no glitches with baggage, the man at the passport station gave us big smiles, and our sweet host was there to pick us up! I can´t tell you the amount of relief I felt when I saw a big white sign waving in the air..."MARGARET MCWILLIAMS y MARIA SWEARINGEN." I never thought in a million years my name would be on a piece of posterboard in Lima, Peru. Such a strange, strange world.
Today we head out to register for language classes. We´ve already had some pretty hilarious language moments on both our parts. I rented an international cell phone. If you want the number, shoot me an email. You can reach us both with this number! The number, you ask? 511995803718. I think you have to dial 001 (that´s the U.S. code), not totally sure, but I think that´s right. We probably won´t call you much (because it ain´t cheap friends), but all incoming calls are free for us! So...save your change. If we don´t call back, it´s because we´re probably eating pachamanca. Look it up! Apparently, it´s a prime Huancayan experience. Can´t wait! http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachamanca.
Ok, enough for now. If you want the funny stories that we can´t post on blogs for propriety´s sake...email us. Much love to all! And thanks be to God for this time...
-Maria
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Prayer Requests
I know many of you have graciously offered to pray for our trip. Right now we'd love and appreciate your intercession for the following:
1. For language to come quickly... We may be in Lima the first week or so for super-intensive language training. (Actually, keep this on your prayer list the whole summer...) Pray that we'll recognize Christ's voice even in our inability (mostly Margaret's inability) to drum up words and piece together coherent sentences in Spanish. Pray that we'll remember that it's God's voice, God's Word, God's spirit tongue, that sends us forth. (see 1 Cor 2:1-5)
2. For peace and rest in these last preparation days. Life has been a bit hectic for both of us over the past few weeks as we've attempted to get things in order in our apt and for the trip. Days like this remind me again of why less is more and "pack nothing for the journey" is a pretty good operating standard. This is also Maria's first time to live in a foreign country, and though I have experience in that regard, we would both appreciate prayer over our places of anxiety. Please remember our families, too.
3. For all things surrounding the classes we're teaching. We hope and pray that the Spirit of Christ will fall afresh on us, permeating all our encounters and exchanges, and binding us to the other students (we're all students!). May we give ourselves over to all these moments, and trust the Lord to transform us more deeply into God's image. May God bless us with diligence in study and passion in teaching and working and being "that in all things we might grow up in Him." And may we have grace to see Christ's face in every person.
4. Protection. Pray that we will know God's strength to sustain us and God's wisdom to guide us in all things. I love St. Patrick's prayer for this one: may Christ be with us, before us, behind us, in us, beneath us, above us, on our right and left, when we lie down, sit down, and arise, in every eye that sees us and in every ear that hears us. We'll be traveling to Lima and then on to Huancayo in the Central Region of the country. We'll also venture to la selva (the jungle) for a few teaching trips. May God free us from fear and also free us to laugh a lot at ourselves and with one another.
Thank you so much for journeying with us in thought and prayer, and through this blog. It's fun to have you along for the ride! How exciting that God has something prepared that our eyes haven't seen, our ears haven't heard, and our minds haven't yet conceived.
Until soon,
Margaret
1. For language to come quickly... We may be in Lima the first week or so for super-intensive language training. (Actually, keep this on your prayer list the whole summer...) Pray that we'll recognize Christ's voice even in our inability (mostly Margaret's inability) to drum up words and piece together coherent sentences in Spanish. Pray that we'll remember that it's God's voice, God's Word, God's spirit tongue, that sends us forth. (see 1 Cor 2:1-5)
2. For peace and rest in these last preparation days. Life has been a bit hectic for both of us over the past few weeks as we've attempted to get things in order in our apt and for the trip. Days like this remind me again of why less is more and "pack nothing for the journey" is a pretty good operating standard. This is also Maria's first time to live in a foreign country, and though I have experience in that regard, we would both appreciate prayer over our places of anxiety. Please remember our families, too.
3. For all things surrounding the classes we're teaching. We hope and pray that the Spirit of Christ will fall afresh on us, permeating all our encounters and exchanges, and binding us to the other students (we're all students!). May we give ourselves over to all these moments, and trust the Lord to transform us more deeply into God's image. May God bless us with diligence in study and passion in teaching and working and being "that in all things we might grow up in Him." And may we have grace to see Christ's face in every person.
4. Protection. Pray that we will know God's strength to sustain us and God's wisdom to guide us in all things. I love St. Patrick's prayer for this one: may Christ be with us, before us, behind us, in us, beneath us, above us, on our right and left, when we lie down, sit down, and arise, in every eye that sees us and in every ear that hears us. We'll be traveling to Lima and then on to Huancayo in the Central Region of the country. We'll also venture to la selva (the jungle) for a few teaching trips. May God free us from fear and also free us to laugh a lot at ourselves and with one another.
Thank you so much for journeying with us in thought and prayer, and through this blog. It's fun to have you along for the ride! How exciting that God has something prepared that our eyes haven't seen, our ears haven't heard, and our minds haven't yet conceived.
Until soon,
Margaret
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Gadgets
So, we've discovered "gadgets" on the blog page. You'll notice music playing unless you're at work and have to mute all sounds. Do that thing you always do though...you know...shut the door, unmute, drop the volume to nearly inaudible, bob your head, and smile.
Disclaimer: Eddie Money is not Peruvian. :) His song elucidates the carefully calculated blog title pun, though. Chabuca Granda is Peruvian. Google her. She's incredible.
That's all for today, I think. (Margaret says it would be good to put a bit more information about what we will be doing, where we will be going, etc. I agree. Coming soon...)
-Maria
Disclaimer: Eddie Money is not Peruvian. :) His song elucidates the carefully calculated blog title pun, though. Chabuca Granda is Peruvian. Google her. She's incredible.
That's all for today, I think. (Margaret says it would be good to put a bit more information about what we will be doing, where we will be going, etc. I agree. Coming soon...)
-Maria
Monday, May 18, 2009
Packing Bliss or Packing Blah
We are packing. It takes forever. Pharmaceuticals are now in ziploc bags (thanks to Margaret) and clothing is strewn on the floor (thanks to Maria). Slowly but surely, though, we...are...getting...excited. Maybe it was the Barnes and Noble trip where we bought a few summer reading items ranging from "In Defense of Food" (guess whose pick) to a "revolutionary" read by Foucault. Maria will probably pack Curious George along with these and Margaret may pack "Are you there God; It's me Margaret." Gosh. We've got a long way to go.
Ok, so a brief introduction. We are headed to Peru this summer as many of you know, and we'd like folks in our lives to keep up with our excursions. Mainly because at some point, Maria will get altitude sickness and you'll want to read the story. On that note, please do pray for both of us during this journey to meet with and share with our sisters and brothers in Peru. We are each thankful to learn from (and hopefully, teach...) our not-known but soon-to-be-known Peruvian friends. What a mysterious, humbling, and exciting prospect! God is good to be with us in this new place.
Sometimes Margaret will be posting her thoughts and sometimes Maria will. We'll let you know who is who. If you're ever confused...well...it's probably because we are.
Here's to Peru-dise! More importantly...here's to God's paradise...being made known in small ways and in big ways...wherever and whenever we are willing to squint long enough to see it.
En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo, y del Espiritu Santo, que Dios le bendiga, mas y mas y mas y mas. Amen.
-Margaret and Maria
Ok, so a brief introduction. We are headed to Peru this summer as many of you know, and we'd like folks in our lives to keep up with our excursions. Mainly because at some point, Maria will get altitude sickness and you'll want to read the story. On that note, please do pray for both of us during this journey to meet with and share with our sisters and brothers in Peru. We are each thankful to learn from (and hopefully, teach...) our not-known but soon-to-be-known Peruvian friends. What a mysterious, humbling, and exciting prospect! God is good to be with us in this new place.
Sometimes Margaret will be posting her thoughts and sometimes Maria will. We'll let you know who is who. If you're ever confused...well...it's probably because we are.
Here's to Peru-dise! More importantly...here's to God's paradise...being made known in small ways and in big ways...wherever and whenever we are willing to squint long enough to see it.
En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo, y del Espiritu Santo, que Dios le bendiga, mas y mas y mas y mas. Amen.
-Margaret and Maria
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
