We have been meeting with the church leadership and local people in the Methodist churches and communities. Yes indeed, as you have heard me say, we have hit the ground running!
We will be working in both Peru and Bolivia in the districts surrounding Lake Titicaca, helping them implement a sustainable community-based healthcare program. Most are Aymara, a few Quechua...and all churches are locally run by the indigenous. A huge deal for them to have both countries working together on this mission project....a lot of celebration, pomp, and presentations! I am already getting more comfortable speaking Spanish in front of a room full; and they are thankfully gracious, understanding, and patient with our Spanish! The warmth of their enthusiastic reception has been overwhelming.
We spent two days in Puno in a huge celebration and meeting with the bishops of both countries, Peru and Bolivia, local District Superintendents, pastors, members, musicians...A BIG DEAL! They have gotten organized (to help us get organized!) and have prioritized their own goals as a new coalition and goals for us as well. Some of them traveled 2-4 days to reach Puno; piled into trucks, cars, and busses.
We arrived safely in La Paz from Puno yesterday after a 2 day adventure with 8 of us in a 5 passenger 4 X 4. We managed to get lost twice, arriving at the Bolivian border after closing, therefore entering illegally temporarily until the border crossing opened in the morning. We got the visas easily...expensively, but easily and legally.
Thank heavens for the four wheel drive as we ventured out to the villages on the Bolivian side yesterday! What royal receptions we received at all four...blessings of flower petals on our heads, leis they had made from their flowers, a short service and presentation at each, and food, food, food!
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