Study-Service Term

So much to see, so much to learn, so much to experience…

The students spent their first day in Peru strolling through Lima’ San Isidro district, seeing their first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean and getting acquainted with each other.  We made a stop at the San Miguel Arcangel monument in the center of the Ovalo Gutierrez.  The students took photos and changed money.  We talked about being present in Peru, about staying safe and looking out for each other.  We picnicked on the Malecon park overlooking the ocean.  Then we played games on the lawn.  We finished the afternoon outlining academic expectations and eating a delicious dinner of pollo al horno, puree de papa, arroz y ensalada cocida (oven-roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, rice and cooked vegetable salad).

We retired early tonight, for tomorrow we depart before the sun comes up for the Andes where we’ll spend three weeks learning, serving and exploring in the mountains.

All is well.

Delta Airlines Flight #0151 landed as scheduled at Lima’s Jorge Chavez Airport and 21 students set foot on South American soil.

We loaded two buses, one with luggage and the other with passengers, and headed directly to the Miraflores House for some rest.

Tomorrow we’ll take a walk to Casa Goshen, the directors’ home, and begin orientation.

We spent this break between SST groups bringing closure to the previous semester while making plans for the next.  We read papers, finished grades and met with language instructors.  We developed a program of lectures, workshops and field trips and worked out the logistics with our coordinators.  Our children worked double time on their math, English and Spanish here at home.  Then we took a deep breath and stepped away from our work.

We encourage our students to prepare themselves for SST — mentally, physically and spiritually — as much as possible before their arrival here in Peru.  For our part, we decided to give our minds a rest by engaging in activities that would strengthen our bodies, refresh our souls and re-center ourselves in Christ.

We spent an afternoon with friends from church at the Parque de la Reserva, a.k.a. Water Park, the largest collection of fountains in the world.  The next day we went to another friends’ home for dinner.  It turned out to be a surprise party for Jane and Jerrell, whose birthdays were on April 17 and 21.  Then we boarded a bus for Ica and found our way to a desert oasis called Huacachina for a few days of sun, sand and a chance to delight in God’s creation.

This time away was just what we needed as we prepare for the arrival of twenty-one new college students — passionate learners, servant leaders, compassionate peacemakers and, soon to be, global citizens!

See you at the airport on April 25