Leaving Home and Going Home...

I am in my last week in the beautiful country of Peru- knowing I am leaving with uncertainty of when I will be coming back.  The plethora of emotions I am feeling right now cannot be captured in words.  I am not very good at saying goodbye- I rather prefer the 'See you later!'- but I have put down roots here (which I somethimes lament about not being deeper) but they are here and that makes leaving pretty hard.

I think part of why this is so hard is because the experience has been so rich.  I have grown, changed, learned tremendously and just found out more about who I am. I have loved, been loved and served the best I have been able.

I have friends here, a community of faith, a basic cultural understanding, a decent grasp of about 3 cities, I feel like I could take off my shoes and stay a while.

But at the same time, I know it is time.  I miss Dayton, I miss my friends and family from there and even at times I miss my culture.

Last weekend began the series of 'despedidas' that I will have while here.  I said goodbye to our near 50 agentes pastorales at my last jornada at our house. Peruvians are such kind people that at these type of events they always share with you the sentiments that they have.  I received beautiful words from Pepito, Modesto, Benito, Faustino and Teresa sang me a song.

Saying 'See you later!' to my community and friends will be the hardest.  They have lived with me, accompanied me when I was sick, shared meals with me, gone dancing, traveled and shared in the experience of the mission.  I will certainly miss them and this place and these mountains, who knew I could find my heart home in a place so far away and so different?

But at the same time there is excitement in the transition.  There are job possibilities, two new communities waiting to welcome me, my Ahava community, a familiar city, kind words and embraces, weddings, Final Vows...a new chapter of excitement.  This new time too will be graced and rich with blessing- leaving home and going home: all part of the journey.

Celebracion de la Palabra con Comunion at the last jornada- one of the many graces of the missionary year- presiding for communion services and sharing Christ with the people

Benito giving me a 'good bye hug' with Pepito looking on

Choking back tears at our last jornada- everyone singing 'Go with God' 

My last pueblo visit to Suro- where after our theme the gente organized a despedida with cebada cafe  and sweet breads