Re-entry into the States

I must say that the last 24 hours were definitely very, very long! Yesterday between heading to church to say our goodbyes to friends, packing, and attending a despedida (goodbye party) in our honor there just wasn't enough time in the day to say everything that I wanted to say to all of my friends that I was leaving behind. After saying goodbye to the youth on Friday, I thought that things might begin to get easier as I began to gain some closure about leaving. However, I was wrong, I just got more and more emotional as I had to continuously say bye to people with only the hope that I may get to see them again. Saying goodbye the the staff and community in Lima was very hard for me. They had accepted us as family and given themselves to us entirely. Needless to say, our departure from the despedida to the airport, and the from the airport back to the States was only the beginning of the tears of mourning that our time together seemed to be cut so short. The Atlanta airport was yet another time of tears being shed as one-by-one we left to board our planes until we were all eventually on our way home.

I can't even describe all of the emotion that I felt as I boarded that plane alone in Atlanta to head to Huntsville with all the businessmen that were returning home (or heading to) all kinds of important meetings in their businesslike attire with matching carry-on bags. And then there was me with my Peruvian bag and beat up, dirty backpack in hand heading to baggage claim. All around me people were busy on their cell phones talking business and running hurriedly to the exit and the rental car stands. Meanwhile, I was strolling at my leisurely pace thinking of the world and the community that I had left behind only hours before, thinking about how those 4 months suddenly seemed like they had passed like the blink of an eye.

Now that I am home the battle of trust and faith begins as I learn how to love, support and pray for my friends from afar for now. In what ways will I let the lives of my friends continue to effect me daily, and how can I live my life here in the states in such a way that is respectful to them? As I walked today the exit of the airport this morning, I realized that now is the beginning of numerous more lessons to be learned about how I am called to truly love the poor and live in solidarity with them no matter where I am. The struggle is, what does that look like for me right now?

A time for good-bye's

Today is my last day of street ministry with the youth.  I was blessed with some more special moments from the youth and even some of the others that we have been working with for the past four months. It is funny for me to think about some of the heart felt, and lighthearted conversations I have had with these guys after getting to know them, because honestly I was so intimidated and afraid of them when I first got here in Lima. I have learned alot about my own preconceived notions of people, especially since most of the youth and older guys that I was afraid of when I came have ended up being some of the people that I was blessed the most by their friendships. It makes me wonder just how much we miss out on the joy that other people can bring to our lives simply because we over look them out of fear of getting to know them.

Tonight is my last night on the streets with everyone. I pray that I will get a chance to have closure with some of my friends here through the parting words that will be said tonight.

It's official I'm emotionally drained...

Well the Christmas party went great from my end...other's that had to work the door and turn people away from our party did not have such a fun time at the party though. But, due to events that took place that night, and the emotion involved in watching people go through the spiritual battles of trying to resist addiction and all kinds of things are taking their toll on me. It's hard for me to start saying my good-bye's to these kids during this season of Christmas because the reality of their Christmas season is not a reason to rejoice. So, if you could be in prayer of me and my friends this next week as I say good-bye to some people that seemed to be doing so well, and are now struggling spiritually with so much.

Tomorrow is our day of debriefing which is strange to even think about as I secretly want to extend my plane ticket for another month or two and stick around. Needless to say is time for this chapter of my life to be coming to a close, so please pray for the transition.

Paseo

Thursday was our field trip, or paseo with the younger guys. We loaded up a bus full of them and headed to '7 de Augusto' which is a park on the edge of town where these is tons of beautiful space for the guys to run around, play soccer and go swimming. Needless to say, the guys were unbelievably excited about being in a place that wasn't filled with smog and had a pool. The day was a beautiful day of bonding with the kids in a place that kids should be hanging out in, they should be playing in parks and not sniffing glue and living on the streets. I was also blessed to have a few very surprising and heart felt conversations with the guys which was an amazing perk for the day.

As my last week in Peru has finally come, I covet your prayers as I say good bye to friends and decide how to spend my last precious days here. Please pray for our team as we prepare for the annual Christmas party that takes place Monday night, and prepare for the Christmas celebration with the older kids that takes place next weekend.

Another day at the Pinto