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Peru V Reports
Final Report - July 11, 2009
Sorry for the delay
in the final update the computer in the Cusco hotel and the email weren't
working well together.
Report #7 - July 9, 2009
Bonjour, we are now in Paris. Our tour
guide Pierre took us to the top of the Eiffel Tower and through the
majestic Louvre. --------------------------------------------------- Report #6 - July 8, 2009 Gracious God, Sometimes when we are lost like sheep and don't know where to go, I pray that you be our shepherd and guide us onto the right path. Whether we are little, big; white, black; poor or very fortunate, no matter what, I pray that this experience in Peru will bring us closer to you, Lord; in the front of the herd, a leader to help new lambs. Bless us all Lord, through our hardships and all and I pray that you forgive us or you help us forgive ourselves when we stay away from your love. We are confident that you will always be there for us, guiding us on the path at the finish line, even when we are afraid. Fill our lives with the joys of living for you and fulfill our souls with your love. In Jesus´name we pray, Amen by Rebecca Andriani --------------------------------------------------- After our breakfast this morning, we boarded the bus to head a few blocks to the Casa Kopling. This is the hotel where we stayed our first night, and where we had intended to stay all our nights in Lima, but because we had to head back a day early due to the bus strike AKA large rocks blocking major highways, slight problem. Once we arrived at the Casa, we quickly staged our bags, and were served safe salad, and spaghetti with meaty sauce. It hit the spot. We all were acutely aware of just how nice it was to have a ¨normal¨ meal once down from the mountains. Although the Jell-O plum dessert was still a little suspect.... Jen Bunker however did manage to eat the first prune of her life. Verdict: hung jury. Full of food, for many the second meal in two hours, we boarded the private bus, which was working in certain areas of the city for us today. We were however careful to stay away from certain areas of the city so not to initiate protesters. We headed to the offices of Paz y Esperanza, Peace and Hope, one of the partners of Joining Hands in Lima. There we met with Sandy, one of the psychologists of the program, who works with women who are victims of domestic abuse. Within her district she deals regularly with over 100 women, and her district is 1 of 7 within the region. The region is 1 of 8 within Lima. And when asked if her area has more cases than others, she commented that her's is a regular amount of abuse cases. While there we also met with Esther, who works with children of abuse cases. One of the tragedies of her work is that many of the men in the households often do not participate in the programs with the children. Sadly, much of Peru, and Lima, is still dominated with a culture of ¨machismo.¨ Mihael a leader with the Commission de Verdad y Reconcilacion took us to the national museum, where we viewed the exhibit that represents the work of his organization, which is dedicated to telling the story of the violence and terrorism during the 1980´s to 2000. It's difficult to describe the exhibit. Very powerful images that tell the story of a tragic time in Peruvian history. Many amongst us were quite moved, shocked, and felt a certain sense of responsibility to carry forth the story we had learned. In many ways, it was helpful for us to better grasp some of the cultural background. For some of us it helped piece together certain observations we've had on this trip and prior trips. Jed spoke of how delighted Mihael was to have us there to ¨listen¨ to their story. This is the work Mihael has dedicated his life to, and bringing forth the truth to the world is an accomplishment, and justification. After the museum, the group bused back to the hotel neighborhood and sat down for a last meal together as a full group, as Mary and Will, are headed home tomorrow. Their traditional chicken de la brasa was the perfect cap on an intense day of witness and observation. The night was rounded out with another moving debrief, and all are set for a restful night's sleep. Tomorrow will be filled with many more adventures. Stay tuned, for continuing coverage of Peru excursion! Hope all are well! Desde Peru, con amor, Peru Crew V --------------------------------------------------- Report #5 - July 7, 2009 We made it down the mountain, all in one piece! We were able to get beyond the last major road block in La Oroya before midnight, which allowed us to coast the rest of the way to Lima. We apologize for not given you notice immediately when we arrived, but I must say there were some dreary eyes aboard the bus once we got to Lima. So, we staggered off to bed, and enjoyed a nice little sleep in this morning. We had a nice breakfast this morning and Tom showed Willy Hauser the beer poster on the wall that displayed a version of Peruvian women Willy had not yet been exposed to while in the mountains of HVCA. All were very refreshed around the breakfast table, after most experienced their first hot shower in days. The Americano for breakfast, which included two eggs, fruit juice, bread, and a cafe or tea. However, we are pretty certain this meal was not on the breakfast menu. The nice server and cook took one look at the tired gringos and knew what we needed. Boy was she right. Today, we plan on visiting the national museum in Lima, where they have a current photo exhibition of some of the violence during the terrorism. It should be intense. And later, we plan on hanging out with another of the NGOs within the Joining Hands network that works with families affected by this terrorism. That is all for now. We miss you, and will talk with you soon. Desde Peru, con amor, Peru Crew V --------------------------------------------------- Report #4.5 - July 6, 2009 A quick update. We've had to change plans on the fly, and are leaving Huancavelica momentarily. There was a scheduled strike to begin Wednesday, and the state has just declared that it will be a 3 day strike beginning tomorrow. Not to worry, there is absolutely no danger. The strike has to do with proposed law for bus drivers that would enact new harsher penalties for minor violations. So, we need to get on a bus now, or stay here until Friday. Not workable. So, we are somewhat frantically gathering our things after working on the sites this morning, and grabbing a few extra things to eat just in case we sit on the road for a period. We wanted to update everyone on this change of plans, and will be sure to email as soon as we get out of the mountains. Trust all are well, and safe. No se preocupan ustedes. Talk to you soon. Peru Crew V --------------------------------------------------- Report #4 - July 6, 2009 Ground is broken on our construction projects! Shortly after breakfast Saturday morning we convened to board our van meant for eight, that seats 20, and headed back into the mountains! Our first stop was in the secondary site of our eco toilets located in Occotuna. We met community leaders, and were dazzled with three young girls who performed songs they themselves had written. BSPC members replied back with the Doxology and the opening two verses of Amazing Grace. Thereafter, the group divided, some staying in Occotuna, and the others heading back to Vista Alegra to begin with the picks and shovels. Martin, Evan and Will stayed behind in Occotuna, and worked hand in hand with locals. They happened to be some of the first Gringos ever to this area, so the level of trust needed to be built little by little. By the end of the day, they had formed solid relationships with the Occotunaians. Especially David, the little 3 year old, who was fascinated with the construction. Meanwhile the remainder of the group made tremendous progress on the site in Vista Alegra. The group began digging a trench to drain water from a cesspool that accumulated from water runoff from the dairy plant. The job was down and dirty, and more than one person smelled less than desirable. Again, we won't say who was the dirtiest, and smelled the worst. Just ask Nathaniel why he's coming home with one less pair of shoes. In the evening, the group piled back into the bus, and headed to the municipal prison. The prisoners make crafts while incarcerated to raise funds for their families on the outside. In addition food is not served inside the prison, and families must bring food for the loved ones to eat while in prison. The premier purchase of the day was made by Will Alexander, who bought a 20 inch wooden handmade sailboat which doubles as a jewelry box. Not sure how he´s getting it home yet, but will certainly be an adventure. We closed a long day with a Chinese feast, evening devotions, and a restful night's sleep. Sunday morning began in similar fashion. Although, breakfast was made optional, and several folks took advantage of a little sleep in. While awaiting our bus, we passed the time playing hackie sack, and juggling soccer balls with some local HVCA school boys. Eventually........... Peru time. The bus showed up, and we headed to the work sites. First to Vista Alegra, where the group encountered their first real dilemma. One of the work toilets sites sits on the property of the local dairy plant. Originally, our secondary site was proposed in the plaza of the same community. However, weeks ago when Jed came to meet with local authorities, nobody was available at the proposed time. So, Jed moved onto nearby Occotuna to see if they might also benefit from a communal eco toilet, and their response was positive. So, a disgruntled local of Vista Alegra showed up yesterday morning to dispute the boundaries of the property lines. He claimed the toilets where on his mother's land not the land of the plant. Politics........... After carefully reviewing the documents, and measuring the plots, we determined construction could continue. During the day of work in Vista Alegra several memorable moments took place. Nathaniel, John and Willy made fast friends with local boys, Angel, Johnny, and Jorge. A soccer ball was a vehicle for the relationship. Later, Angel was taking over as photojournalist for the team (with Nathaniel on careful watch). Although, this was unknown to Jessie who was a bit concerned with camera's fate. Not to worry, valuables were recovered safely. An impromptu digging contest broke out at one point between Willy and Jessie. Who could pull out the most dirt in a minute. By the skin on her teeth, Jesse pulled out a win. Close competition however. The digging on the canal, designed to purify the water runoff from the plant, was making fantastic progress. While all this was going on, Katie, Rebecca, and Mary worked tirelessly on the Pachamancha, an authentic Peruvian dish cooked beneath the ground, which contains both alpaca meat, and potatoes. Mary and Rebecca overcame their fear of alpaca, as several live alpaca loomed nearby during the cooking. At one point, Mary was heard threatening the live animals, that if they got any closer, they too might become part of the group's feast. A special moment for many occurred late in the day. With a picturesque mountain backdrop, Sally engaged two young Peruvian girls in a game of handclapping, several yards from the rest of the group. During our devotions last night, several people commented that they saw Jesus at work in that moment. More than a few wiped a tear from their eye. The cooking finished just as the other group arrived from the secondary site in Occotuna. Their day was quite an experience as well. Upon arrival in the morning, the group came upon a festival of all the local communities, several of which BSPC has done projects with in year past. Music, dancing, costumes, the works. To the group's surprise, they were immediately ushered to the head table as ¨distinguished guests.¨ Ha, they thought they were there to dig a hole...... The festival lasted most of the day, and the group enjoyed watching song, and presentations for hours, while playing with nearby children. Carol and Jen were approached by the Espinosa sisters, indigenous women to the area, who immediately took interest in some of the first white women ever to the area. Quite a moving moment. Martin and Evan presented a soccer ball to David, the youngster they had befriended the previous day. He instantly became the most popular kid in town. What a joy it was to see the smile on his face. At the close of the day, after the festival, the group worked until near sundown, and was able to build a concrete mold, mix the concrete, and fill the mold to begin construction of the base for the eco toilets. At about this same time in Vista Alegra, the Pachamancha feast was completed. Half of the BSPC group took part in a dinner of potatoes, green vegetables, and alpaca. Unfortunately, 15 minutes into the meal, a dark cloud appeared on the horizon, just as the other half of the BSPC group was arriving. The entire group gathered belongings and food, and ran for cover in the buses and trucks. They all reconvened at the hotel. A moment of collective adrenaline. Special because differences were set aside, and everyone was in it together. Quite a rush. The day concluded again with a powerful devotional session, and a small worship with singing, and prayer. It was ROWDY! All are well, and we miss you all. See you very soon. Desde Peru, con amor, Peru Crew V ---------------------------------------------------
Report #3 - July 5, 2009 - A Reflection A Quiet Moment by Will Alexander Today for the first time I understood it. In the past, I started to understand it, or thought I understood it, but today, for the first time I really understood what he meant. In 2006, I traveled to Chaquarilla, high in the Andes Mts. of Peru with Hunter Farrell, and several members of BSPC Peru Crew IV. We visited the rural school where children learned in their native tongue of Quechua, some understood a bit of Spanish, and all were timid upon our arrival. The children learned farming techniques to provide means for their families as they grew up. Shana Vernon asked, ¨Why are they so shy?¨ And the reason, the last time there were people there who looked like us, they were killing people, during the terrorism of the Shining Path. Throughout the day, poco a poca, we broke down the pre conceived illusions of a white face. We laughed, we sang, we held hands, played soccer, and we prayed. The connection was raw, it was real. And I was high. And then.... it was time to leave. Just like that. More work to be done and more places to visit. But what had we really done? What of any substance, of tangibility could be taken from this moment? I boarded the bus, and looked back upon both happy and sad faces of the children. Happy because of the new friends they had made, and sad, because alas their new friends had to leave. I knew I would likely never, ever see them again. So what the hell had I just done? What was the point? Strip yourself of all emotion, expose yourself, and become truly enriched with companionship of another culture, and then leave, never to see the faces again? At 22 years old, 6´4´´ tall, 200 pounds, I lost it. I wept like a baby. Uncontrollable. Jenny, Diane and Barb´s steady hand offered encouragement, and Hunter spoke of the act of bearing witness. But I didn't get it. He told us that our travels validated their causes, and to bear witness to their struggle was in itself a tangible win of such a visit. Eventually, I was calmed, but I didn't really truly, outright, get it. Today, I got it. Today I finally understood. It happened in a quiet moment. Today, with Peru Crew V we arrived again high in the Andes of Peru not far from HVCA. The name of the pueblito was Ojo Tuna, a site of some of our construction here this week. Feeling somewhat frustrated to not have broken ground yet on our construction projects I was anxious, and frankly hoping for a quick meet and greet, some smiles, and then straight to the digging. But then, it happened. Three young girls were encouraged to sing by volunteer women to the area who teach the women how to better assert themselves in an at times trying culture in which they live. They offered two songs to us, one in Spanish, the other in their native Quechua. Majestic. Our BSPC crew followed suit by singing Amazing Grace, and our Call to worship. At which point more than one person wiped a tear from their eye. And then it happened. The three young girls followed with one more song, which they themselves had written. It ended, naturally, with our gracious applause, and at that very moment it happened. The youngest girl looked up at her fellow singers with a timid eye, and presented a supremely peaceful, satisfied, humble yet proud smile. Only for a second. She shared this with her two friends the fellow singers, and in a moment it was over. The girls hugged, giggled and scurried away together amidst applause. No curtain call necessary, the girls had done it all. And in that moment of brief happiness displayed by this sweet little cariña, I finally understood it. Our presence, our being there, meant something. And it was something very important, very tangible, and very real. Something that those girls may remember a long time, and something I will remember forever. Presence has its power it those quite moments. And finally, I understand. ---------------------------------------------------
Report #2 - July 4, 2009 Happy 4th of July! Day four of travel, and day two of HVCA. Yesterday post breakfast we all met up at the offices of ANTIPAQ, where our friend and partner, Angelica Betalilluz, heads the local NGO that many Broadstreeters have been involved with in years past. After warm greetings and a little bit of discussion we boarded a cozy bus well suited for roughly 8 gringos. We packed fully 20 participants. Like we said......... cozy. Meanwhile, Evan Porter, Jen Bunker, and Jed Koball took the road less traveled in search of needed materials for construction. However, that proved to be a more timely task than initially anticipated. Peruvian time........... I think ya'll know what we're talking about. The rest of the group headed up the mountain and into Vista Alegra the site of our eco toilets, as well as a school, and a dairy plant that in recent years has seen tremendous economic growth. During their peak season they process roughly 450 liters of milk into various products including cheese, yogurt (which we sampled; Yoplait ain’t got nothing on this batch), and butter. Post dairy tour, (Evan, Jed, and Jen still MIA) the group set off on a hike of the area, whereby Angelica demonstrated various farming technologies, and plants native to the area. Along the hike, a friendly rock served as an ideal spot for impromptu shots of individuals, with a picturesque Peruvian landscape as an ideal backdrop. Personalities found the opportunity to be exposed. Again we won't name the best poses, however, you may want to ask Amy reenact her Michael Jacksonesque strut to the sky during her next sermon. Naturally, much futbol and hackie sack was played with the school children nearby. Rebecca, Carol and Amy also made use of their Quechua handbook trying to make contact with the local children. Strangely enough both Amy and Carol tried with limited success; however, when Rebecca took a stab the teenage boys were quite responsive almost immediately. The afternoon was filled with walking the market, and enjoying casual conversation with locals. There were also some lessons in bartering taking place. Willy seemed to do particularly well in all categories. The younger crowd of local ladies seemed quite taken with his presence. Much giggling, looks, and pointing took place whenever he was near. Will noted to the young onlookers that Willy is both single and available. This seemed to generate a positive response. We haven't been successful uploading pictures at the local internet cafe yet, but standby, we still are working on it. Overall all is well, and we hope all is well with each of you. See you soon. Desde Peru, con amor, Peru Crew V --------------------------------------------------- Report #1 - July 3, 2009
Buenos dias from
Huancavelica!
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