Trying to fit the world inside a picture frame

Hello all!

I’ve been meaning to share pictures with you all for awhile, but due to a series of unfortunate and fortunate events (my camera broke my second day in Peru, I was able to steal pictures from other YAVs, I bought a new camera a week and a half ago, it got stolen 6 days later from one of the churches where I’m working, the very gracious people at the church insisted on buying me a new one yesterday…that’s the short version). But here are some sights and faces from my life in Peru…

Meet the Cast

(Photo: Sarah T.)

Anna Gray, fellow YAV working with fair trade and agriculture development in Huancayo. Originally from Alaska, which means she does in fact talk a little bit like Sarah Palin but is infinitely smarter and a better person. Also, I think she’s part polar bear

(Photo: Sarah C.)

Alissa King, fellow YAV working with a public radio station in Huanta (near Ayacucho). From Texas, so she, Meredith, and Stefanie are slowly redeeming the state for me. She is deceptively sassy. And yes, this was us in the airport, all the YAVs toasting Presbyterian mission work! Don’t worry, supporters, I paid for that beer with my own money, not yours. :)

(Photo: Anna)

Sarah “Alta” Terpstra, fellow YAV working with an environmental organization in Huancavelica. She’s from Tennessee, was a park ranger this summer, and takes pictures of literally everything. But they’re pretty incredible and artistic. She also has a beautiful voice. And only exists in grayscale and green.

(Photo: Sarah C.)

Sarah “Baja” Chancellor, fellow YAV from Oklahoma working with a battered women’s shelter in Huánaco. She is full of sunshine and understands my obsession with The Office. Wherever she is, no matter what night it is, it is ALWAYS Ladies’ Night.

(Photo: Joe)

Joe Tobiason, fellow YAV from Washington living in Lima (but still about an hour away from me) and working at the office of the Red Uniendos Manos with publicity and at another environmental organization. He suffers from the age-old problem of hot-arms-cold-torso and is therefore very grateful for the invention of the polar fleece vest.

(Photo: Joe)

…Aaaand yours truly. This was during the day-long hike (see post 4). I was FILTHY!

(Photo: Sarah C.)

Debbie, our site coordinator and “Mama Pata” (Mother Duck), with Conrado, president of the Red, and Koky, a member of the Fair Trade Team. She is laughing in this picture because she is literally always laughing. Seriously. I have determined that I want to laugh that much when I “grow up.” But I think her secret is she never really grew up…

(Photo: Me! My third camera in Peru…)

Eduardo and Flor Arboccó, my host parents. Eduardo is the pastor of the IEP Ingeniería (link), where I work Fridays through Sundays, and the president of the Fraternidad Cristiana Vida, an organization of 12ish (I think?) churches in the IEP that is a partner of the Red Uniendo Manos and includes both of the churches with which I am working. Flor teaches the youngest Sunday School class, cooks some delicious Peruvian food, and is a pretty excellent dancer. Maybe by the end of the year I’ll have learned a little bit...?

(Photo: Me)

Me with Fabián, my host brother. He’s two years old and loves Barney, Chabo (link), and his cousin Diego, better known as “Pelau” (a nickname from when he was younger that means ´´baldy.´´ apparently he was bald as a baby?) As an only child, he’s not so sure how he feels about having me around and sharing his parents. He still informs us daily that he does not like Ginna. But I think I’m starting to win him over – he’s been spending a lot more time with me in my room recently…

My Peruvian Home…

(Photo: Me)

My house!

(Photo: Me)

My room (cleaner than it usually is, trust me)

(Photo: Me)

Courtyard where we dry clothes. Yes, those are my underwear. Figured it was better to take pics of my own ropa interior than the family’s. So enjoy!

(Photo: Me)

“Peruvian Shower”

(Photo: Me)

My Neighborhood

A Glimpse into my Peruvian Life…

(Photo: Alexandra)

These are some pictures from the affectionately termed “hike of death.” Alexandra, in the pink, is a 3-year mission worker from the PCUSA working specifically with Fair Trade in the Red. José, on the far left, is a member of la Ingeniería and the funniest person in all of Peru.

(Photo: Alexandra)

Yes, it was that steep. The district below, Comas, is where I work with the IEP Collique.

(Photo: Sarah T.)

Our path. And yes, we hiked far beyond that hazy mountain in the background…trust me.

(Photo: Sarah C.)

Obligatory photo with a llama

(Photo: Sarah C.)

Perro Peruano. Very ugly hairless dog that is native to Peru.

(Photo: Anna)

Some things cannot be explained…

(Photo: Sarah C.)

Us with some fair trade jewelry artisans in Lima

(Photo: Sarah C.)

Me getting very wet at the Parque de Agua. You must remember, it was winter here when this happened, so it was pretty cold. But oh it was so worth it!

(Photo: Sarah C.)

Learning to make Pisco Sour, a typical Peruvian beverage that tastes like a Margarita with Whisky and is super strong!

(Photo: Sarah C)

Our last night with our orientation host family (right to left: María Fernanda, María Jesús, Damaris)

(Photo: Eduardo)

My host aunt Marienela with Fabián and host-cousin Diego/“Pelau” (left)

(Photo: Me)

Youth that I work with at the IEP Collique (link)

(Photo: Me)

The hill next to the church where the majority of my kids live. These are the shantytowns I mentioned in my last post.

(Photo: Eduardo)

Me preaching at la Ingeniería. My first “real sermon,” and it was in Spanish! Apparently it’s going on YouTube? If so, I’ll post the video and an English translation.

This by no means covers my life and experiences here, but I hope it at least gives you a little look at what things are like here and some faces to put with names. I’ve never been the greatest photo-taker, but I’ll try hard to keep a picture or two coming with my posts in the future.
Or maybe I’ll just tell you all about it when I’m in the mood to lose my way with words.

"When summer's beginning to give up her fight..."

Welcome one and all!! For any of you who don't know, I will be spending next year (beginning August 31) in Lima, Peru, serving as a Young Adult Volunteer for the PCUSA. I will be working with an organization called the Fraternidad Cristiana Vida, a group of 10-12 churches that are part of the Peru Joining Hands Network. I will be working with two churches in particular with their Sunday School and youth programs as well as compassion programs and humanitarian aid. I'm living with Eduardo Arborccó, the president of the Fraternidad, and his family. As I find out more about my placement and what I will be doing, I will let you know!

This blog is here partly to keep you all updated as to my adventures and partly for my own sake, to make me intentional about writing down my thoughts and experiences in a regular and coherent manner. I've been reading the book ¡Gracias! by Henri Nouwen, a journal that he kept for the six months that he spent in Bolivia and Peru. While I may not agree with all of his theology, I love the way he records his thoughts, however disparate and random they may seem, into a book that as a whole makes many important points and lasting impressions. So consider this blog my own humble attempt at my own important points and lasting impressions. If I ever publish it, I promise to give it a less cliché name than "gracias."

By the way, ¡Gracias! was one of two books recommended to me by a fellow YAV (I don't remember who...maybe Sara or Anna? Whoever recommended these books, thank you so much!) before coming to Peru. While it's certainly an interesting read, I'd recommend Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder if you're looking for one book to read this summer. Kidder writes of his first-hand experience with Dr. Paul Farmer, a daring and unconventional doctor who dedicates his life to helping the poorest of the poor, particularly in Haiti, but also in Peru, Russia, Cuba, and many other places. It is a truly inspiring, moving, and challenging book about modern-day heroes that wrestles with many important questions and challenges our modern Western idea that serving the poorest of the poor is not cost-efficient. Check it out, I promise, you won't regret it.

I leave for YAV orientation a month from this Friday (the 24th) and am spending most of my time babysitting and preparing for this great adventure. Each YAV is asked to raise $9,000 to help fund his/her time of service, and I am blessed and astonished to say that, thanks to the immense generosity of family, friends, and several churches, I have exceeded this fundraising goal! Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart! Should you wish to contribute more (or if you had planned on giving to me but have not yet done so), I encourage you to give to my boyfriend, Andy Bair. Check out his blog here. You can also still give money to me, and any money over the $9,000 will go into the general account to support all 60 national and international YAVs.

Well, I believe that's all for now -- I should be getting to bed before I babysit at 8 tomorrow morning. I don't know exactly how often I'll be updating, but check back in every week or so and see! I'll try to also send a message out to the facebook group every time I update!

Paz de Cristo, mis amigos,
Ginna