Navidad

Traditions

This has certainly been the most busy month I've spent here, much like December's are back home. 
I've been trying to get more arts and crafts in with the children every week, especially Christmas-themed ones, accompanying the kids to little parties, decorating the Casa, and doing lots of baking in the evenings.

The kids have had lots of attention and special activities throughout the month.  A tradition here is to have Chocolatada's around Christmas, which are like little fiestas especially for the children and sponsored by schools, churches, businesses or other groups.  They most often consist of home-made hot chocolate, panetón and simple gifts for the kids.  We had one at the Casa put on by some of the administrators of the orphanage.  We were also invited to another hosted by a montessori school in the community.  That was a fun little adventure, as we walked the kids through a beautiful field in bloom, past a couple of grazing llamas (I think I was the only one excited by that), and up a steep hill to the school. 

There are different versions of the home-made hot chocolate in different regions, but the Cusco version includes melted blocks of real dark chocolate, cloves, cinnamon and condensed milk.
The Panetón is a boxed soft bread that is found on the shelves throughout the year but especially popular at this time of year.  Much like Christmas cake, it has the candied red and green pieces and dried fruit.

I was invited to attend a graduation dinner only a few days before the 25th, and got to find out where all the good shops are in Cusco for buying dresses or shoes, shopping with the graduate and her friend.  After 3 nights of looking for size 10 or 11 women's dress shoes I know that Cusco does not carry this size!  We did, however, find a shop that made special-sized shoes for men and women including sizes 13, 14 and 15 women's shoe-sizes!  (But, no size 10 or 11's!)
Because the kids here start school so young, most of the graduates are 15 or 16 years old and many have great college or university aspirations for the following year.


I had offered to work Christmas eve night at the Casa, but ended up with the night of the 23rd, working from 4pm to 9am the next morning.  It was all of about 3 hours of sleep waking up to babies needing attention every hour and a half.  Big salute to all mom's out there, and especially the Mama's of the House where there are currently 4 babies under 6 months old!

Christmas eve was spent with my Peruvian family where I learned that their traditional Christmas dinner is typically served after midnight.  Much like New Year's Eve they do a countdown to 12 AM, full with fireworks, everyone hugs and says a blessing over that person, and a chocolatada is served before their customary meal.  Although some people do follow our turkey tradition, others eat pork, and others (as we did) have chicken caldo soup with hearty potato, moray and yucca.  I brought a tradition from home contributing a variety of cookies including iced sugar cookies, chocolate blossoms and coconut squares.
Gifts were not the focus, and most people here can't afford trees or decorations, but the town did light up the main streets and plazas with lights and lighted ornaments.  I loved the Nativity Scene in Qorikancha with the llama replacing the donkey! 

One of the more sad sites of Cusco's main streets and plazas during Christmas-time is the resemblance of homeless people: lines of village people, children included, huddled under blankets trying to stay warm for the night.  Because it's prime-buying season, many of the poorer villagers travel into town for the days before Christmas hoping to sell their crafted goods or produce items for a little extra money and in the hopes that they might participate in a sponsored chocolatada where they can get a warm drink, fill their bellies with bread and recieve a small gift for their child.  It rained through part of Christmas eve night and all Christmas day.  Without in-house heating, 6 degrees overnight is COLD!  I can't imagine how uncomfortable and difficult it was for some of those families to stay warm and dry those nights on the streets, hoping only for something that might temporarily fulfill.

I have to wonder that if the better part of the world spent less on all the materialistic goods and decorations and lights that are kept in boxes and closets the other 11 months of the year, how much could it benefit the third world in areas of true need?

Love Came Down

God gave us the freedom to choose the way we want to live our lives.  He doesn't force Himself on us, yet, He is always waiting with open arms for us to turn to Him and admit our need.  (After years of living life 'my way', I can say I know that God's way is always better).  Though He may seem like a distant God, He loves His creation and created so much.  He knew that all the rules of the Old Testament were not enough to keep stubborn man on track, and so He sent a most precious gift, out of the greatest love.
All Christmas things, traditions and even the birthdate and origins aside, it's a pretty miraculous gift that Jesus came to the earth.  God in human form... so that we could know that He understands us through and through and has experienced every pain, discomfort, temptation, and sin that we are faced with.  Yet, Jesus is the only one who has lived a sinless life on this earth.  The perfect, free gift, for a perfect and better path, that is offered for eternity!

Luk 2:10-11   And the angel said to them, Do not fear. For behold, I give to you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For to you is born today, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

1 John 4:10  This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Inka Cola

Well, I'm sitting here, drinking some Inca Kola, after a busy day with the kids.  In Canada we'd say Inca  Kola is the Pop of Peru; in America, the Soda of peru;  or, in Peru, El Refresco or Gaseosa de Peru.  It's somewhat comparable to cream soda, or some say like a cotton-candy flavor, and is probably as popular as Coca Cola is.  I personally enjoy it, though I'm not much of a pop drinker.  (As a side note, the Coca Cola here is  made with real sugar, unlike in North America).

Other popular drinks of Peru include various herbal teas such as Coca Tea, made from dried coca leaves.  Native to Andes ranges such as Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, the people here claim it helps with many various ailments such as altitude sickness, stomach upset, and to aid in sleep. (For more info on Coca tea click here ).
Chicha Morada is also a common drink of Peru.  Though there are many varients throughout Latin America, in the Cusco area it is a sweetened juice made of purple corn.  It's history goes back to pre-colonial/ pre-Incan empire times!  (For you info buffs, click here for more info on chicha).

This week I thought it would be nice to make some home-made dill chip dip.  Unfortunately, I've discovered that Cusco does not have sour cream.  (Neither is there cheddar cheese here).  I'm still on the hunt for dried dill, as I've only looked in one grocery store so far. 
I guess some Inca Chips with salted camote, yuca and platano will have to do.  Not that I  mind- just not the flavor I was going for!

Thanks to my mom for sending the Play-dough recipe!  It sure beats any store-sold plasticine.  If I hadn't asked around, I never would have found the food coloring.  La Canasta does sell various colors of food coloring, but you have to ask for it at the counter, as it's not sold on the shelf.  I was also able to get some cream of tartar from the orphanage director, instead of paying the 60 Soles for the bulk-size container they sell at La Canasta (haven't seen it sold anywhere else yet).
The kids loved playing with the play-dough today!

 We've also been having fun with bubbles, dress-up, stickers and various Christmas crafts (thanks MMClinic), and decorating for Christmas.  Next week: more crafts and... cookie decorating!

Quillabamba Coffee & food markets

Coffee

I had the opportunity to see Quillabamba and to visit my best friend's family farm for a week.  It is so different from Cusco.  Cusco is primarily distinguished by it's denominant culture and history, and by old architecture and ruins.  Quillabamba is a lot more modern, and I was a bit surprised by the huge difference in conservatism there.  However, the climate is also a lot hotter, so it's not necessary for layers and alpaca-made gear!

The farm is beautiful, in a very jungle, tropical-like climate, but without big spiders, snakes, or monkeys.  Mango, mandarin and papaya trees are everywhere, although it's a bit early for them to be ready yet.  Bananas and avocados were prime for picking, though.  I didn't know there were so many different kinds of bananas.  Today I actually experimented with frying bananas for the first time.  Delicious.

I also learned the process of farming coffee and cocoa beans.  I sure understand now why imported coffee and chocolate are so expensive in Canada.  A LOT of time goes into preparing coffee for drinking!  The beans are hand picked, dried, washed, dried again, then eventually toasted, and ground.  I learned how to toast the coffee and also ground some to take home.  Also delicious.

PHOTOS OF QUILLABAMBA AREA:

Photo 1: In Quillabamba   Photo 2: Coffee and lime trees  Photo 3: A pineapple plant

Photo 4: Banana tree  Photo 5: Maiz   Photo 6:  One of two waterfalls we trekked to

 Photo 7: Beautiful tropical-like plants

Photo 8: More tropical-like plants!








Food Markets
Being away for a week made me realize how much I missed the kids at the Casa and how much I love my work and love those kids!  Their vibrant welcome when I came in the door on Monday was also heart-warming.
When I had left, Luis was still only walking about 6 steps at the most, but he is now walking all over the place!  It's exciting getting to get to see and be a part of their new stages of growth.
The little babies are also becoming more expressive and connected to their environments, so that is also fun.
One of my new tasks in helping out where needed at the orphanage is assisting one of the staff with the weekly grocery shopping on Friday mornings at the food market.  It is so interesting and different from Superstore, and it is a big job.  Sometimes it can take an hour and a half or 2 to find everything down all the isles of different fruits, vegetables, flours, meats and fish sections.
I am hoping to have photos of the meat section in the future.

Team Departure

I saw the team off on Wednesday.  I think they were ready to go home after a very full two weeks. 

They were busy from sun-up to late evening every day with various projects and outings.  There can be ups and downs emotionally and physically being in a poorer culture with both beautiful things and also very sad and difficult to see things.  Various minor stomach and health ailments also made the last few days difficult for some of the group.  However, all-in-all it was a productive and enjoyable time for them here.  Despite some crazy rain in Sept/Oct, the weather has been really beautiful for the past month, getting hotter in the past couple of weeks.  (Love it!)

On the weekend Pastor Bill, Walter and I joined the rest of the team for the two hour bus ride to their train station departure to Machu Picchu.  We stopped in Chinchero to enjoy a short Artesenian presentation that I have seen before, on how they make and dye the wool in Peru.  There was a bit of time to scope out the markets afterwards, too.  The handicrafts are so beautiful.  The colors and artestry of Peru are so varied and are one of the many things I love about this country.

 On Tuesday, after the team returned from Machu Picchu, some of the them came with me to the orphanage to see where I spend my time, meet the kids and staff, and to help with a painting project.  I had told them that there was one small wall to paint, and that it wouldn't take more than a couple of hours.  However, a Young Adult team from Sweden beat us to it just the day before.  There was one really tall wall that they started after finishing the smaller one, but much of it was hard to reach.  A tin roof made it hard to access from the neighboring property, so there were only a couple of good vantage points to work from.  With much appreciation, our guys got innovative and finished the job!

Getting innovative

 It was great having my church team here and to be able to join the group a fair amount, and to share some of my Peru experiences with Ryan. 

Using Four Extensions

Getting 'er done- Alberta-style!

Thinking back to last year, when I returned home to Canada after my first trip here, I remember the -35 C getting off the plane.
I can't say I'll miss having a cold, white winter this year!

Of coures, I do miss my family, friends, and church family back home. 

Come visit any time!



Church Fall Team

My Church's Fall Adult Team flew in after over 24 hours of travel on Thursday last week.  I was SO excited to see them, especially with my brother Ryan coming as part of the team!  It's so cool to be able to share my experiences here in Peru with one of my family members, and to be able to connect with my church here in Peru.

At the arrivals area in the Cusco airport, you cannot go inside the terminal, but have to wait outside the building.  I was waiting anxiously, with butterflies (how nerdy, I know) at the airport early that Thursday morning, looking through the glass for the team.  But, after the 8:10 arrival, I couldn' t see any of them.  A couple of more flights arrived, and again, no recognizable, tall gringos.  Mila, the coordinator from the organization our church works with, was there waiting with me and commented that she imagined that God must be waiting, looking down from heaven, for his lost children with a similar anticipation and excitement, just waiting for those to find Him and acknowledge their need for the God who created them.
"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."  Matthew 7:7  God is always waiting with open hands.

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  Luke 15:10  There is a party in heaven every time a person turns their life to follow God's way.

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:20  What an amazing verse... He rejoices over his saved followers!

When the team finally arrived, late due to overbooked, backed-up flights, it was really great to see them, and to see them get settled into the compound. 
It was a blessing to be able to join the group on the weekend to go to the Huanca Huanca village.  Almost a year ago, I visited this village for the first time.  I recognized alot of the children from last year, and was amazed at how much they've grown!  Before I'd left, a friend had sent an encouraging note, reminding me that the Andes mountains are pretty much the "ends of the earth".  What a great privilege to be able to share God's love, and to be an encouragement to our brothers and sisters in this remote area of the world! 

The area of Huanca Huanca

"Then Jesus said to them- "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..."  Matthew 28:19 & 20a

"Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Ps.19.4.

"...that you may bring my Salvation to the ends of the earth."  Isaiah49:6

Sunday School with the kids

The team encouraged the Huanca Huanca Church by: Dana putting on the Sunday school program for the kids, Pastor Bill teaching in a couple of services, and our group praying for their church and members.  We also helped collect rocks for the foundation of a replacement church that is to be built in the coming months.  We were able to connect with the children, playing lots of games, and our guys attempted to play soccar against the Huanca Huanca men (it was pretty funny, the Peruvians far outshone the Canadians in this area- sorry no photos!).

A handful of hail

 Our team was encouraged by the people there as well.  They told us how thankful they are for our support in different ways, and showed us some test plots that the agriculturalist our church sponsors has been working on, as well as a demonstration of how they work the land in preparation for planting.  A couple of guys from our team tried their hand at it, and soon realized that it's harder work than it looks!  The work the agriculturist has done with their community, such as planting new crops, benefits the village with nutrition and income.  Last year the onion crop was quite successful, although they do need help in learning when and how to market it in order to gain the best exchange.  This year they were trying various other vegetables including beets and cabbage, to see how they do in the high altitude.

As with the first trip, I am reminded that though they have little, they are content and happy people.  It continues to guide me in being content with what I have, and learning to live with less stuff and rather focusing my time on the connections I make with people, and showing the love that Jesus has shown me.