My first week in Peru

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for your prayers and support. Despite missing my bus to New York City on Sunday morning, and the two layovers in San Salvador and Guayaquil, I am glad to say I finally made it to Lima, Peru in time for my work meeting Monday afternoon.

I am so thankful to be here. I definitely see God’s hand with the people I have been surrounded by. My host family is phenomenal. My host mother is a German missionary nurse. She married a Peruvian and has been working over 20 years in Peru. She currently works with a women’s support group here in Lima. Her husband is the Director of Program Sustainability at World Vision Peru. I had some girl time with their wonderful two daughters playing Peru edition of Monopoly. (Gabriella and Karina)

World Vision staff has also been incredibly special. Everyone has just been so kind and welcoming. I am just so humbled by their kindness, generosity, and their passion. I have learned so much from the staff this week. They have made me feel part of the team and have really given me a lot of freedom to pursue my interest and find my niche on the team. I am currently trying to work on a project proposal for next week. My host mentor from World Vision is from Chile. She moved here with her husband a year ago and has been incredibly sweet and understanding.

I’m also glad to report that I’ve had my fair share of cultural experiences this week. Yes, I had gastrointestinal illness the first day I got here. Believe it or not, despite my native grasp on the “Spanish language”, I have a hard time ordering food in Peru. I  don’t really ever know what to expect. It is always an adventure!

The public transportation has also been quite an exhilarating experience. On my first bus ride (the “combis”), we crashed and the bus fled the scene. He then took a long detour trying to run away from the damaged car who began chasing us. Today was no different. I got "hit on" by the man collecting the bus fare. He made me miss my stop and felt bad so he returned some of my money so I could take a bus back the other way. I was too scared to walk to the next bus stop so jumped in a cab whose driver was very impressed at how beautiful Honduran women are. Regardless of, I must say men are a lot more subtle at their remarks in Peru then other Latin American countries.According to my coworkers, I only have to give it time.

It really has been a great experience so far though. Peru is an incredibly diverse country. There are basically four regions of the country: coastal, urban, mountains, and jungle. The people from each place have their own set of traditions and versions of food and even Quechua! Being in the area of sexual reproductive health at World Vision has also reminded me so much of the violence against vulnerable groups in the world. There are places in Peru where it’s common practice to rape the girls during drinking fests. MSM have the highest incidence rates of HIV in the country. I was reading some research where about 15% of the teenagers had responded they had had a violent sex episode happen to them before they were 15! 

I am trying to develop a project proposal for my thesis. I would really like to get a better understanding of the behavioral factors and perceptions teenagers in the urban area have in regards to a  healthy reproductive health and HIV. Lima and Callao alone hold 34% of Peru's population and account for about 71% of HIV cases in the country.

I get to spend time today with some teenagers that are leaders in a project called “Expressions of Life.” These teens use theatre to teach their peers and communities about living a healthy reproductive life and caring for themselves and others. I love that World Vision sees children and teenagers as agents of change in their communities. I have been able to see that again and again in their sponsored kids and can’t wait to meet these kids!

I really feel at home here. I am sure there will be days where I get lonely and there have already been moments where I wished someone was by my side to share this experience. God is so faithful though, and I know He is walking right next to me.

Praises:

• My host family. They are such a blessings.
• World Vision staff. My mentor and preceptor have taught me so much and the entire staff has been incredibly welcoming.
• I made it safe and sound.
• This entire opportunity feels like a dream come true. Praise God!!

Prayer Requests:

• I have an idea for my thesis. I have to submit a project proposal and get approved by the IRB committee (basically the bioethics committee) fairly soon to be able to gather all the data I need. I know it is a bit late to be doing it, but I think I have enough time to at least gather the data I would need. Please pray for God to grant me the wisdom and understanding for the project on His heart. I really want to work with these teenagers and try to understand the challenges that they face to keep a healthy reproductive life and how organizations like World Vision can continue to empower them in more effective ways.
• Safety. As fun as it is to be here, I must admit I do feel slightly scared at times. People hear me speak and immediately know I am not from Peru. I have to carry my computer back and forth as I take public transportation to the office everyday. I usually leave the office pretty late and have to take a long bus ride back home.
• Please pray that I may be sensitive to the Spirit's lead here. I want to have a serving heart and be sensitive to the needs of those around me. As small as it may be, I want to be able to know I've spent my time here making a difference for Christ’s kingdom as much as I could.
• Please pray for continued growth in God’s word and the plans He has for me. I am praying that this summer God will help me define a lot more what career and life path I should take upon graduation.

Thank you all for your prayer and support! Miss you and praying for you as well!

This is some of the World Vision Peru staff. This is a picture of my preceptor Robert (National Health Coordinator), Miriam (Manager of Infant Program), and Daniel (Manager of Childhood Program).

Tom stole my bed the moment I got to Peru!!! I fought him for it and won. We still occasionally take some naps together.

 Yes, the Peru version exists! Macchu Picchu is the most expensive property on it. The money is also in millions and thousands!

 Girl time! They are great. Karina is the older one and Gabriella is the younger one leaning on my back.

 Miriam and another fellow MPH er!!! Her friend studies Health Administration in one of the private universities in Lima.

Some local entertainment on the bus!!! I appreciated how he was trying to make a living. I really love Peru. I love the complexity of the culture and the simplicity of life. I have a soft spot in my heart for the chaotic life in Latin America. Peruvians are so artistically inclined. It is great!