Scott and Bev in South America

Reflections upon Return

2010-11-08T06:08:00.000-08:00

OK...the computer is being ridiculous.

So I am going to go ahead and put these photos the blog just deleted back in to share with you. One of the things we learned this year in Peru and Bolivia is that things do not have to be perfect.....and flexibility is essential to sanity and peace.

We are thrilled that Debbie and Jeff above, will be coming early spring of 2011 to live as Individual Volunteers in Mission in Copacabana. We could not be happier with our replacements. They have many strengths and experiences, including construction, economic development, connections with public health institutions....the locals are also very excited they are coming. They came to visit the mission the last two weeks, and all four of us had a great time getting to know each other and planning with the local communities and church leadership. We will get together again with Debbie, Jeff....and Cammeo in Chicago before they leave the states.

By the way, this is a greenhouse near completion....and built totally by women!

Yes, it was a little bittersweet and hard to leave some of our extended family behind. Especially so for this little guy, Christian, the son of Venancio and Yessica. As his godparents, we participated in his baptism the week before we left.

The Puno Church, almost completed. It was a big project to oversee, which Scott did well.

We have returned to Idaho, and are in the midst of reconnecting our ties with friends, family, home....and technology. Prior to our departure we spent a few days in Lima with Liz and Lucho, and with our replacements Debbie and Jeff. It was a helpful transition time. One evening we visited the new outstanding water park in Lima with: (left to right) Liz, Lucho, Juan Carlos, Frine, and you know who. For anyone going to Lima, an evening visit to the water park in Jesus Maria is a must.....first class!

This fountain is a favorite of families and kids of all ages. Like most of the fountains, it is set to music but this one changes its formations randomly and is designed for people to enter to try to stay dry. Most end up quite wet!

Some glimpses of projects and activities in our final days. Much hope and momentum has been left behind that will prompt our return.

We have submitted a Rotary Grant for a literacy/agricultural development project in two rural communities outside of Puno. Fifty adults will learn literacy skills they will apply to a greenhouse agricultural and educational project to increase their ability to grow and market vegetables and flowers at 12,500 ft. above sea level. The greenhouses will be made by the communities out of adobe, with plastic roofs.

Proof that apples and fruits can be grown at this altitude!

One last training and clinic up north. Isidro was one of 11 Promotores de Buena Salud to be certified in our Basic Course, with 10 more who are in the process of studying. Using the Healthwise Handbook as their guide, they assist their communities and health outposts. Focus is on education and prevention, so when the promotores decided they wanted to implement dental health programs in their local schools we were thrilled. They are awesome!

Venancio and Scott are working on Venancio's father who has a corneal ulcer, probably a result of their house fire in September that destroyed everything. This happened the day before we left, and watching Venancio, also a Promotore de Buena Salud, respond to his father's emergency appropriately was very validating to us all.

An appropriate farewell to Lake Titicaca.....but we know we will be returning annually to continue our support of the Peru-Bolivia Lake Titicaca Border Mission.

Amigos Rotarios and a tough trek!

2010-10-08T14:22:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Puno, Bob and John! We spent about a week investigating Rotary projects.....and shopping and walking through the hills. Bev and "the guys" had a super time in both Puno and Cusco.

One of the participating families in the Pacha Mama Raymi project, which uses competitions to motivate and encourage changes of certain criteria to improve standard of living.

And people now-a-days think they have invented swaddling! This Quechua mother was proud to show us all of the improvements in her "healthy" house since she started in Pacha Mama Raymi project out of Cusco.

Loading up for the trek. Don't let him see how much stuff the Pressmans are bringing! 13 year old David, on the left, was our guide and mulester. We were in great hands!

David was absolutely fascinated by his first experiences with peanut butter, our Peru Bird Book, and binoculars. We were so impressed with his knowledge, confidence, manners, thoughtfulness and sense of humor. A truly great kid!

Choquequirao is 3 times the size of Machu Picchu, but only 30% uncovered. It is perched on top of a mountain, at this time only accessible by trekking. They have big plans though to build a tram.

High and dry. Severely steep terrain; much like "rim to rim" hiking of the Grand Canyon.

The Andes. What rugged and spectacular country! We went to bed shortly after this sunset to get up at 3:30 a.m. to hike in the cool.....and the dark!

Celebrations with Family, Friends & Finishing our Year

2010-09-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

Andy and Katie surprised us with a July 3 wedding ceremony in Donnelly. We were thrilled. It was a very special time shared with the two of them, Bill Basham, Scott and Bev. It will hopefully facilitate Andy's transfer to University of Utah School of Medicine, where Katie is working on her PhD. They want to share their vows again with family and friends and celebrate with a wedding in Donnelly in June 2011.

I was pleased my informal shot caught the happiness glowing from Peter and Heather at their August wedding in Portland's Chinese Gardens. It was an absolutely gorgeous setting, and a fun and memorable time was shared by all. They are doing well in Chicago....Peter in neurology, Heather working on her master's in History, and the dog and cat holding down the fort during the day.

Of course we can't resist a photo of fun Oma/Opa time in Portland. Ben and Nicki flew down twice in August for weddings(Ben's brother and Peter/Heather)....with Leo (3 1/2) and Kaya (6 mos.) in tow.

I admit it.....leaving family to return to Peru and Bolivia was very very hard. Having Bob and Sara Harder return with us helped tremendously with re-entry. We combined a little work with a lot of touring with them. Here we are bundled up for hiking the length of Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca outside of Copacabana. They did awesome!

Back to work full time! Last week-end in Huacuyo, Bolivia, they had a large regional church celebration. We presented 3 of our Promotores de Buena Salud with their certifications of the Basic Course.....5 more from this group are close behind. Upon certification they also receive a small backpack with first aid supplies, stethoscope, thermometer, and room for their Healthwise Handbook. We had kept it as a surprise, and they were very excited and touched. The rest are now very motivated to receive the same.

Local musicians outside the little rural church of Huacuyo. They played and danced until midnight! They thrive on these special times shared.

Take good dirt; add a little water, straw, and animal hair; press into bricks and you have adobe, their main construction material down here.

We have really enjoyed having Kary LaFors (in black jacket)from Living Waters for the World here with us this week. We traveled with local Rotarians to test the well water at their proposed project site. (Literacy/Agricultural Development Project) We have been helping him meet with leaders from the Uros Islands to troubleshoot problems with their water system.

Yuck!!!! This is one of the wells, coated with oil and slime. Enjoy and appreciate that clean water coming out of your taps at home!!!

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

2010-08-16T04:49:00.001-07:00

At the end of their mission trip, the team of youth and adults from Boise First United Methodist Church hiked to Machu Picchu on two different Inca Trails; most of them on the traditional 4 day Inca Trail, with Scott, Bev, Mary and Jacqueline on the Salkantay Trail. For those who have not hiked or seen the Salkantay, I wanted to blog a few photos. It was a totally different hike than what we had hiked on the traditional trail.....you are up among the peaks, then drop through more tropical terrain with orchids, wild begonias, fruits. Highly recommended.

The girls trying not to blow away on the top of a pass, 15,200 ft.

Salkantay Mountain as we began to drop down below it. There are thousands of Inca Trail that pass through Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, to Columbia. We did not know before that there are 8 different routes and trails that arrive at Machu Picchu. It is such an inspirational setting. A highlight for us at Machu Picchu was being able to climb Waynu Picchu. We got the last two tickets available for that day!

Boise Construction Team Camping in Calahuyo!

2010-08-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

Our thanks to all youth and adults who joined us for 5 days in Calahuyo, a small rural community in the northern region of Lake Titicaca. What an outstanding group of tough volunteers who went with us to "Construction Camp" out in the campo. We did church construction and repairs. We also had one day of Vacation Bible School, an eye clinic, and many memorable rich experiences with the locals.
And......many evening card games!

The playground across the road became a hang out for exciting games of soccer, American football, hoola hoops and baseball.

Vacation Bible School theme of "Caring for God's Creation" meant learning about caring for ourselves and caring for the environment.

Here's the VBS showing off their new toothbrushes. Only one of the 20 kids in attendance had owned their own toothbrush.

Our local choir doing an outstanding job leading songs in both Spanish and English.

Then it was time to pick up community trash to care for the environment!

Before snacks we learned when, how, and why we wash our hands!

Learning to brush teeth was a new experience for both the adults and the kids. Our promotores will follow up with more instruction and toothbrushes in the schools.

There was plenty of work both inside and out...grounds, stucco, windows, ceiling, doors. Thanks to all who worked with the two maestros from the community, and we will be sending photos of the church when the few last touches are finished.

Preston coaching baseball...a totally new and exciting game for the locals. Fun to share! It was also fun to watch the kids communicate through sign language, Spanglish and laughter.

The locals were also eager to share their lives with us....

And some of us caught on!

They were very eager to learn English.....just as we were eager to learn Spanish.

Presentation of a banner from the children of Boise FUMC to the children of Calahuyo Iglesia Metodista and Pastor Narciso.

The work crew!

Note the beautiful tiles from the Kelly family which are being mounted on 3 churches in this region.

We were the first Gringo group to have come here and the team made a lasting impression and boost to this church and its community. Our thanks to each and every one of you!

Northeast Lake Titicaca....Tilali Eye Clinic

2010-08-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

Our friends Teri and Monica Lee (nurse and nursing student) piled into our car for the 5 hour drive to Tilali. Tilali is up and around Lake Titicaca, nearly to the Bolivia border.

We worked with two of our promotores and the medical staff of the Puesto de Salud of Tilali.

Our accomodations.....
camping in Dr. Johnny's office, complete with cardboard under our sleeping pads for more warmth. Johnny and his staff took good care of us, providing us with a large, scrumptious "almuerzo" the next day.

Earplugs please!!!

We saw 70-80 patients, fitting many for glasses. They were thrilled!

We also screened for cataracts, to refer to a free cataract eye clinic coming to nearby Huancane.

Monica and clinic nurse checking vision at near. Thank you, Monica for your Spanish!

Job well done!
Left to right: Monica Lee, Yessica (Promotore de Buena Salud),
Venancio (Pastor and Promotore de Buena Salud), Johnny, Teri and Scott.

Back in Peru

2010-07-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

Back to winter of Peru! We brought David and Susan Hazleton back with us, and enjoyed travel and exploration with them of Cuzco, Puno, and the Manu Reserve. Our thanks to Dave and Susan for these photos.....our camera did not survive the rain and humidity of the rain forest and jungle. We will be borrowing photos from visitors and volunteers for awhile!

Hiking on a stretch of the Inca Trail that leaves from Cuzco. Many think of "hiking the Inca Trail" as just the 4 day hike into Machu Picchu. Not so.....there are thousands of miles that stretch from Chile to Columbia. Cuzco was the capital of the Inca Empire, so has Inca trails that lead in all directions from the historic Inca hub.

While enroute back to Cuzco from Manu, we stopped to see the beginning of the huge festival in the small town of Paucartambo. Here the locals are gutting and preparing the pigs for the BBQ. Makes you want to swim downstream, right?

We loved the birding. Between David Hazleton and our guide, we learned so much. We saw nearly 100 species of birds and animals. This little guy was photographed through a spotting scope by Susan.

Many kinds of monkeys, wild pigs, peccaries, caimens, turtles....and a jaguar were enjoyed in their natural habitat.

Proof to all that I am taking it easy after my small stroke. Really.....I am doing very well.

Bev, Susan and Scott preparing to paddleboat to our next town and lodging. Great fun had by all.

OOps! After intense rains, part of the bank slid, smashing the stern of our boat. Our crew had to go upstream for another. The rains are definitely severe and make for frequent changes in the terrain of this rainforest. Roads get interesting!

A farewell to all of the wonderful plants and animals of Manu and the Amazon basin.

North to Alaska!

2010-06-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

We have gone north to Alaska, Idaho and Oregon to spend time with family and friends. Nicki and Ben live in a yurt north of Anchorage and we had a wonderful time with grandkids, kids, and summer activities in Alaska.

Hiking trails are enjoyed everywhere. Nicki, Bev, Kaya (4 1/2 months) and their dogs...who Bev is indebted to after they scared a bear off the property.

Opa Scott and his buddies Leo (3 1/2) and Kaya (4 1/2 months)

What a big help!

Long Alaska days mean a lot of daylight hours to hike, bike, work outside and enjoy summer!

Ben is a super dad! And Kaya is a very happy and healthy little baby after her very dicey first week of life. She loves to talk, squeal and laugh.

And Nicki is a super mom! We were so impressed how Nicki and Ben handle all they do with Nicki's family practice residency and Ben's staying home with the kids and his puzzle business. They have a lot of fun! (so we did too!)

Who is entertaining who?

Bullwinkle down the road said to be sure to say hi!

Paola's Wedding

2010-05-24T19:18:00.000-07:00

For those of you who met our very special young friend and dentist, Paola, we wanted to be sure to share a few photos of her wedding this past Saturday to Francois. She was a gorgeous bride, and it was so fun to be included as family and celebrate with them. Bev even got to walk Francois down the aisle, since no family was able to come from France for the wedding. What a hoot! He was nervous, speaks very little Spanish, so I think he appreciated our English and Scott's relaxed attitude! Paola laughs and says that since she speaks little French, and he speaks little Spanish....they have very few arguments. We will miss her and are already talking about visiting them in Amsterdam.

The reception included a lot of dancing. good food, drinks, heartfelt toasts, and laughter.

Some of you know Vilma on the left....the biologist who also helped at some of our clinics. By this time in the reception it looks like the bride and groom have had enough smiling photos! Paola wanted to be sure to be remembered to Jill and John (which she calls JillyJohn), Dave, Gary and the kids she worked with a lot in March....and all of the wonderful people she met in February and April. We kept hearing from her parents and family how important the connection with the Methodist Church groups had been for her.

The Little Engine That Could

2010-05-24T06:31:00.001-07:00

On a trip last week to churches and communities in the northeastern part of the lake, we once again were on the road to Ninantaya and Ticaparqui. The April group will remember this road well! It was where our hired van had the flat tire, and then had to abandon us at the side of the road! Construction still continues on the road, and our forerunner had to come to the rescue of the road crew who had gone off the road and after two hours, was still stuck.

Not just once but twice! We have friends for life.
I swear I could hear our little Toyota forerunner......"I think I can...I think I can" Or was it..."Pienso que puedo....pienso que puedo"?

Aha.....we made it!

Cammeo

acknowledging

our safe arrival

at the church

in Ticaparqui.

2010-05-24T05:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome! We're on our way to Amantani Island in Lake Titicaca to help Bev celebrate her big 60! Rumor has it that she also celebrated last night with Scott, Cammeo and Rotary friends. We think she and Scott need a rest!

Our friendly captain and crew. Very relaxed as we started the 3 hour cruise.....then..

the wind picked up and the lake got rough mid-trip. I wasn't nervous until I saw a local putting on a life jacket, and the captain and crew getting excited. I knew it was a little serious when they threw some of their coca leaves into the lake to "Pacha Mama." We then saw the islanders come running to catch us in a tangle of ropes as we landed. Hearty handshakes and hugs to all for a safe landing!

The Aymara are usually very socialist and tightknit communities, which has been very interesting for us to experience. They DO work as a team, and are always there to support and help each other! Here they are helping a captain pull his boat in for repairs.

All lodging on Amantani is through homestays. This is the view above our home with Bernadina, her daughter, and three grandkids. Bernadina's husband was a phantom....he was busy farming most of the time, so we never met him.

Off to explore the island! It is so tranquil, with a very slow island pace. Everyone walks,; there are no cars, we saw no bikes, and...no dogs allowed. Nearly everyone raises sheep, chickens, cows, potatoes, beans, and grains.

The Aymara on Amantani still live as they have for hundreds of years...off crops planted in their "chacras", small fields divided by rock fences. We appreciated the respite, read our books, then bid farewell to this peaceful setting and friendly farmers.

2010-05-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

We want to share some photos of our recent training of 16 Promotores de Buena Salud in Copacabana, Bolivia. Those of you on the April medical/dental team from Boise will recognize this as the school we worked in with the Copacabana Hospital staff. The promotores did it....they started our first school dental program! After initial instruction to both the teachers and the kids, everyone received a toothbrush for them to keep at school. All teeth will get brushed after breakfast each day at school. The promotores were so pumped, they are already planning to do the same in their own communities of Peru and Bolivia.

Pastor Juan Bautista of Copa. being interviewed by the local radio station about the La Buena Salud program and the new school dental program. Others were interviewed as well, leaving the promotores more motivated than ever to learn and take this information back to their communities.

Proof!

Rosa and Florentino hard at work with their Healthwise Handbooks preparing a presentation to the rest of the group on their assigned symptoms and illness.

Felipe is teaching and sharing his extensive knowledge of herbs and natural medicines. Many have been used for centuries, and are certainly more accessible than Ibuprofin and Tylenol! It was our turn to learn a lot of new things!

Felipe, Isidro and Rene hard at work preparing their presentation as well! The program has been a great exchange opportunity between Bolivia and Peru. Felipe is from Bolivia, the other two from Peru. Isidro, red jacket, works as a technician in the small Puesto de Salud of Ninantaya, up north. They are generating a lot of enthusiasm and support for the program.

Implementing brushing teeth was definitely new....adding dental floss was over the top! The promotores were proud to have mastered it (not that it will always be continued) and helped think of other alternatives...toothpicks, small sticks, thread, fishing line. Here Juan demonstrates his flossing skill, and explains why we do it to the class he taught.

Bev helping with hands-on instruction to the second graders.

Definitely a new experience for most! It is not uncommon here to see a mouth full of cavities and rotting teeth at a very young age. We have even seen it in 3 year olds. Sorry, Coca Cola and Mars Bars....we have also taught about nutrition and the destruction from carbonated soft drinks and candy, especially without any brushing or care.

Poco a poco.....little by little. Isn't she a cutie?

April Team from Boise

2010-05-04T04:59:00.000-07:00

Meet our April Medical/Dental team from Boise! We thoroughly enjoyed the 2 1/2 weeks they were here. We worked with local medical professionals and Promotores de Buena Salud at five different sites in Peru and Bolivia.
We have been so blessed with our teams.....everyone here was positive, flexible, and very hard working.

For example, everyone crammed into our apartment to help prepare all supplies for our clinics up north.
Mary modeling some of the glasses we took....smashing!

All aboard! Terry and Dan on their totora reed boat, enroute to the Uros Island where we worked in their Puesto de Salud alongside two local dentists, a local physician, the puesto's nursing staff, and two of our promotores. We got used to the motion of a floating clinic!

Special delivery to the clinic!

A very important part of our mission is building relationships and trust... with locals, medical professionals, and the churches. Keep talking, Deb.

Our dental team at a school clinic outside of Copacabana, Bolivia. We will return here this week for our Promotores de Buena Salud to implement a "pilot" dental education program in all grade levels. Each child will have their own toothbrush at school and brush twice a day. The man in the middle wearing the dark blue jacket and cap is the director of the Copacabana Hospital. He is also a dentist and worked with us!

The dentists worked hard...and usually elbow to elbow! Please note Sue holding our high-tech lighting system.

We enjoyed having two wonderful husband and wife dental teams:
Terry and Jan Brady.....

and Mike and Sharon Florence!

If looking inside of some of those mouths does not make you brush and floss, nothing will!

Gwen, our diagnosis Queen!

Kent trying to get this little one to breathe. Maybe she hopes to get dental done at the same time.

Brett doing quality control with worming meds.

Yummy!

Meanwhile Patty was doing crowd control outside and teaching them songs!

This is the goal! Assisting with patient data entry and education of the older children was Edwin, a cardiologist from the hospital.

And they rested.....

2010-04-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

Yesiree.....there is reason for rest on that seventh day! Our two weeks of travel and trekking with Barb, Cammeo, Scott and Kristy has us rested and mellow. Did some of you think you would ever catch us in rocking chairs?

We are on Isla del Sol, where we hiked and stayed one night in a charming little spot.

Scott trying to ditch me in some of the ruins on Isla del Sol. The island, according to Incan legend, is where the first Incas arrived from the sun and rose from the lake. It is therefore an island full of spiritual significance to this day.

Copacabana, Bolivia....the focus of our Border Mission in Bolivia. We have four church communities in the area in which we are training "Promotores de Buena Salud", community healthcare workers whose focus is on education and prevention. We discovered some new places to hike and explore this time. The hill you see on the left is where we will be perched in the next photo.

Scott, Bev, Scott and Kristy from the top of the Copacabana Cerro post-sunset.

Part of the Cordillera Real as seen from Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca out of Copacabana. We had conversely just seen great views of the lake while trekking up Illampu, which is on the far left.

And we looked back to Lake Titicaca from here!
This was our base camp while trekking up Illampu , about 4000 feet above Sorata, which is hidden far below the clouds. We then climbed another 2000-2500 to reach our destination, Laguna Glacier on Illampu. Quite a fancy new dining tent....Scott is trying to figure out how we can get one for Alaska and just drive the car in to camp!

Scott and Kristy at Laguna Glacier as we basked in the sun and listened to the crevasses expand and avalanches cut loose in the distance. When we saw the number of MUCH younger trekkers that were unable to reach the glacier, we appreciated the pace of our guides and our health.

Ricardo, our very experienced guide, who lives on a small farm part way up Illampu. He is a gentle spirit with a great sense of humor. He has trekked and climbed throughout Bolivia and South America....including the highest peaks. He is the father of three and has many dreams for their education and future. He is desperately trying to make those dreams come true by working 6 days a week in a new tin mine....hard, dangerous work.

Andy's college roommate, Ben, has been fun to reconnect with in La Paz. He works as a guide, so he not only helped us put together the trek, but came along as our cook. What a patient guy with us seniors,

"Los Silverados"!

Thanks, Ben!

Some of our hiking buddies along the way. The small hillside communities consist of subsistance farmers and hopeful miners. Each home has their sheep, chickens, alpacas, pigs, crops, and kids!

Even though you can't see our faces, just know we were very proud and happy to have made it to the Laguna Glacier. Gorgeous views, good weather, yummy lunch, and safe return back to base camp! We recommend trekking in the Cordillera Real of Bolivia and hope to do more before we return to the states.

Exploring Bolivia

2010-04-07T05:52:00.000-07:00

Scott and the girls! Bev, Scott, Barb and Cammeo in Sucre exploring a new part of Bolivia. Highly recommended by all!

We took a 14 km. day hike in the mountains outside of Sucre. These pictographs are 20,000 years old. It was not hard to imagine the pre-Incan culture which lived and traveled through these mountains. We saw the caves where they rested, streams where they drank as they ran to the next village carrying messages written on paper-thin bark.

The interesting jagged rock formations and huge valleys still inhabited by villagers and their sheep.

Our Iowa girl trying out her balance and skill! Cammeo had not done much hiking before, but did awesome.

Barb and Bev on a section of the Inca trail....there are thousands and thousands of miles of Inca trail to be hiked on in both Peru and Bolivia.

Hint for anyone coming to hike any sections of the trail: stair step training before you come!

Yes, Scott is leaving his mark of balancing rocks throughout Peru and Bolivia. I had illusions of grandeur .....a giant on top of Cerro Rico of Potosi?

Close....this is the real Cerro Rico looming over Potosi. Eight million indigenous lost their lives mining this mountain for the Spanish. Average life span is still just 10-15 years after they begin their mining career here because of silicosis which destroys their lungs.

Barb at St. Teresa Convent with cloistered nuns. Their fund raiser: you ring a little bell, put money on this revolving tray and door, and place your order for candied fruit.

And it magically appears! We decided it was very sweet and sticky, but a unique experience. We did manage to get the nun providing our fruit to speak....Barb got a response to her question regarding how many nuns lived there.

"Hay muchas."

And he´s off! Don´t know if he will get very far, but someone had fun making it.

March Team

2010-04-04T06:54:00.000-07:00

Meet our March Mission Team.....minus Kade, who unfortunately was sick at the time we took this photo at Chani outside of Copacabana. Jill and Dave Wagers brought their three kids Kade, Savannah and Delaney who did absolutely great. Jill is my current dentist, and we love to remind everyone that her husband Dave runs Idaho Candy Company! We were so glad that Dave´s brother Gary blue jacket in second row, was able to replace his passport and stay with us after being robbed in Puno. What would we have done without our always-smiling banker who kept our finances organized? We were also so grateful for the experience and input of John Kriz, our retired (?) dentist and Barbara King, physical therapist. Their contributions to the education of our Promotores de Buena Salud and their communities were appreciated.

Dental needs are huge here. We spent two days on Taquile Island assisting our friend Dra. Paola, who volunteers frequently in outlying communities.

We all had the opportunitiy to receive training in different areas and functioned very well as a team. Jill and John were both patient and good teachers!

You can tell lighting was not great....we had to use flashlights and headlamps. We maximized daylight hours, no late night clinics!

Dave and Jill proved that married couples can indeed work well as a team!

Not aerobics.....Barb doing one of her energizing and very helpful physical therapy instructional sessions with the Promotores de Buena Salud. Most of the people here live physically demanding lives, working hard in their fields and hauling huge loads on their backs.

Education and prevention is especially critical when working with the children. It is not uncommon to need 3 to 6 extraccions by the age of 6. We saw many mouths completely full of decayed teeth, some rotted to the gums.

Gary and Scott working on a 14 year old, applying some flouride in hopes of saving some of her remaining teeth. We left flouride with a promotore to apply monthly to certain children in need, but it is never a substitute for education and prevention.

We visited the small school in this community and were teaching toothbrushing with the use of blue tint. Healthcare and preventative care have not been part of their culture. There is interest....now we need followthrough,

In La Paz we spent a morning at the Methodist Instituto Americano, their huge Pre-K through 12th grade school of 3400 students. The Wagers family led an activity to set up penpals between Anser School in Boise and the Instituto Americano.
Good time was had by all!

Our friend Moises is the director of their bi-lingual program, and we appreciated his organizing our visit to the school. Needless to say, there was a lot of interest in these three blondies....the only in the entire school.

The three dentists...Paola, John, and Jill.

And our hope for continued education and prevention lies with these Promotores de Buena Salud!

Training Promotores de Buena Salud

2010-03-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

Muchos saludos de Puno! The sunny skies are returning marking the end of our rainy season. Nights are chilly, but the days are getting up to 65-70 degrees.....in the sun.

We had a lively household this week during the first training of "Promotores de Buena Salud" from both Peru and Bolivia. We were fortunate to have Moises with us, a young bilingual teacher from the Methodist Church's Instituto Americano in La Paz. He was a tremendous help with translation, education, and music.

Ta-dah! A little hike around Sillustani, an old pre-Inca and Inca site known for its funeraries. The huge rock in front of Moises has knobs they would wedge into another huge rock with matching indentations to construct the walls of the burial funeraries.

Part of our training facilities at the Juliaca Methodist Church. Yesirree....behind the white curtain is a toilet which we tried not to use....pretty scarey!

The promotores in training were excited to discover where their lungs and hearts were, and even more excited to listen to them work. We were all alive and well! The initial shyness and modesty did not last long.

They acted out scenarios of different illnesses demonstrating basic questions and exams to decide what to do. Send them to the local Puesto de Salud? Poor Felipe in the chair has a case of the flu....in Spanish, gripe. No.....that is "greeeepay", although he did complain a little about it as well.

They also are learning how to take pulses and temperatures. It is all new! We are preparing them to volunteer with mission teams and their local Puestos de Salud.

The focus of the course is on education and prevention, allowing them to take more responsibility for the health of themselves and others in their communities.

Isidro and Victor planning their presentation! It was fun to see how creative they were. Most of our instruction is based on the basic healthcare presented in the "Healthwise Handbook."

We also learned how many of us we could cram into the restaurant down the street!

Our promotores in training from both Bolivia and Peru. What a crew! The fellowship shared during the exchange and training was heartwarming.

What a month!

2010-03-02T05:26:00.000-08:00

We have had a very busy February, traveling to meetings with church leadership of both Peru and Bolivia in Copacabana and Lima; the general assembly in Lima; and two 1/2 weeks traveling and working with the first team from Boise FUMC, Cathedral of the Rockies. It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends, as well as make new ones.

A lot of our work is about relationships and experiences shared. This last team, including Karen Hintz from Boise, got into the spirit of things very easily!

One of our projects in Cusco was in response to the horrible flooding they have had, contaminating their water sources. This is Wilbur, who works for our friends Eliana and Willy in Cusco at their hostal, Kay Pacha Lodge. His community is a 5-6 hour walk high into the hills and their water source which was totally destroyed will not be repaired until June or July. Many are ill, yet only have the contaminated water to drink; so we trained him as a trainer to share a basic chlorine water purification system, as well as the proper administration of worming meds. The team prepared the purification containers and all necessary supplies seen here with a very appreciative young man. He has promised Scott and me a hike to his village before we leave.

This Quechua woman outside of Cusco (and her assistant!) is showing us her cuy (guinea pig) production project started by our Oregon/Idaho conference to generate sustainable funds for community members and the local churches. It has been a very successful model here. Yes, we have eaten cuy quite a few times here.....I try not to remember pets, and think of it as a special meal generously given!

Working with Victoria, a local nurse from La Paz, during one of our health education sessions. We often have translations needed from Spanish to Aymara, so working with locals is a must. We also involve local medical professionals as much as possible. Our focus is on education and prevention; and the areas we have focused on are dental care, eyecare, disease prevention, and nutrition. Many people have never brushed their teeth, so they need a little hands on assistance!

Cammeo and Charlie help a woman who is learning to brush her teeth. We tinted teeth with blue mouthwash to helped them see the areas they needed to brush. Cammeo did a wonderful job presenting, as did Charlie who earned quite a reputation as a great spitter in his demos.

At this altitude certain eye problems (like pterygiums, dry eyes) are frequently seen due to the intensity of sun, the wind, and dust. Prevention is key...hats, sunglasses, learning to keep their eyes lubricated through blinking and closing their eyes.

In Copacabana, Bolivia we are able to refer to a Cuban eye mission for free treatment. We have enoyed getting to know their doctors, one of whom is a Methodist!

We explored the Sacred Valley, including a little hike in the Incan site of Ollantaytambo. All teams start with a few days in Cusco to acclimate to the altitude and to learn more about the Incan culture and rich history of the people they will meet and work with.

Our first team from Boise First United Methodist Church, Cathedral of the Rockies. (minus Steve and Vicki who were in Lima) What an amazing job they did at adjusting to a number of unforeseen events: flooding which closed Machu Picchu, flights that were cancelled, schedules and activities that had to change. We all decided we had grown and learned a lot together.

Our thanks to each and every one of you!

La Candelaria

2010-02-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

Puno knows how to party! For the first two weeks of February they celebrate their Patron Saint, the Virgin of the Candelaria. We have had nearly 75 bands from all over the country, and some from Bolivia here competing and parading with their dance teams. The main parade lasted 17 hours, ending at 2 a.m.! They had 4-5 masses in a row last Saturday, with teams and individuals presenting huge representations of the Virgen at mass. They then backed them back out after mass for a parade through the streets of Puno.

The costumes and dances were very fun to see. So much community pride, and likely so! They varied from indigenous and very traditional pipes and drums....

with traditional festive costumes....

to wild, crazy, glitzy costumes! Cammeo was even in a dance conjunta...or team....with some of our fellow Rotarians. It was a great way for her to meet new friends, experience local culture and have a lot of fun. You can link to her website and see more photos, including one of her. She looked great!!

The rest of this month will be very busy. We leave in the morning for Bolivia for 3 days for a signing of the covenant between the Peru and Bolivia Methodist Churches formally celebrating the new Lake Titicaca Border Mission. We will meet with prospective promotores de salud and also local medical professionals. I think this celebration will be a little calmer than La Candelaria!

We then go directly to Cusco where we meet our first team arriving from Boise. More about that soon!

Taquile Island and Local Collaboration

2010-01-29T03:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Taquile Island....a 3 hour boat ride from Puno. Our friend, Dra. Paula, is a young dentist who goes to the island once a month as a volunteer to give dental care at their Puesto de Salud. Her friend, Hugo, is the local physician there. It is the first dental care they have received, so you can imagine how busy she is. Our dental team in March will be spending two days here to help.

It is an island that reminds us of Greece and the Middle East. There are no cars, no dogs, no electricity (except solar panels), no running water. There is an abundance of sheep, gardens, preserved local Quechua culture, and friendly smiles.

On Taquile the women all spin yarn and the men knit. The men use 4-5 very small needles to create the finely knit gorgeous hats they all wear. The hats that are all red signify they are married, if they are both red and white, they are single and available!

We came with a group of young professional women with whom we are collaborating.

Wilma is a dynamo presenter; here on nutritional needs of infants and toddlers.

We are so pleased to have met these young women who are also collaborating with our Methodist healthcare educational training.

They are so bright, fun, and well-received by both the men and women on Taquile.

Wilma's audience....mothers who have walked from various parts of the island. Although initially very shy, they gradually opened up. Very conservative traditions persist on Taquile. Women generally walk behind husbands, sit at the feet of their husbands at public gatherings, and do not have much of a voice. Things are gradually changing.

Although tourists come here daily from Puno, very few stay the night. The dental team of John Kriz and Jill/Dave Wagers will have the opportunity to stay overnight with us in March and work with Dra. Paula and Dr. Hugo. Here is where we will stay....definitely not a 3-star, but an opportunity to experience their life here.

As we passed these three children laden with the greens they were taking to their sheep, a little voice said in clear English..."Welcome to Taquile." The oldest girl on the right was learning English in school and was eager to practice.

We appreciate having the time to meet so many people. We are learning so much from them...little pearls of wisdom dropped in our path.

Under yet another arch before our departure back to Puno. Paola, the dentist, is in the white jacket; Velma, the biologist, is in the white hat; Wilma, the nutritionist, is in the green sweater, and Lucy, coordinator of "Junto" collaborative women's training program is in the blue jacket. Those of you joining us on teams from Boise FUMC will probably meet some of these well-trained, kind-hearted, and dedicated women.

They are a blessing!

Yes, we too have been having a lot of rain....thankfully without the flooding that is in Cusco.

The kids did not seem to mind a bit!

Successful visit to the Frontera

2010-01-25T19:09:00.000-08:00

We have just returned from three days visiting communities and Methodist Churches on the far northeastern side of Lake Titicaca, literally a stone's throw from Bolivia. Gorgeous part of the lake! Not easily accessible, and we were some of the first Gringo visitors they had ever received.

It was a five hour drive through challenging terrain on even more challenging roads. Much like the back roads of the Owyhees outside of Boise. Unfortunately (or fortunately) you can not see that off to the left the swift little river we forded becomes a little waterfall!

Thank heavens we have a 4 x 4! Scott did a great job at getting us all there and back safely. As always, we ended up with a car full of lively passengers, including Venancio and Yessica's happy little baby, Christian.

Yes, Peru is having unusually heavy rains right now, and cold temperatures. The road went on and on and on to reach the communities we visited. We were miles from nowhere, but in some gorgeous wild country. We weren't too sure how deep some of the many ponds and washouts were going to be until we plowed through. A few merited scouting.

Local mode of communication!

Florentino and Venancio raising the flag so that all of the villagers living in the valley could see we had arrived and it was time to gather at the church. Other communities used a huge megaphone or sound sysltem to broadcast the news we had arrived.

Pastor Florentino has energized his church and gotten them very enthused about the healthcare project. They were full of great questions.

Here he proudly displays the Spanish Healthwise Handbook- La salud en casa: Guia Practica de Healthwise we are using for the base of our training of the Promotores de Salud, community healthcare workers. Our thanks to our friends, Jim, Marty and Steve for making its use possible! When appropriate we are also using parts of Where There is No Doctor.

Doing a community assessment outside of Talile- We are so excited to have things moving forward. We have 7 Promotores de Salud confirmed to begin training in early March, with more expected to enroll in the next few weeks. After our initial training, they will continue their training and work with local doctors and nurses at their regional medical outposts. The response from the local doctors and nurses has been very positive, and we are very pleased with the collaborative network that is growing.

Bev doing an example of the healthcare education sessions that the Promotores de Salud will soon be doing. Subject of the day.....handwashing and germs. There is no word for "bacteria" in Aymara since they can not see it, so she had to do a lot of vivid and convincing presentations.

Unfortunately many of the people are too used to only getting free handouts of medicines by groups that come periodically. They are having to learn that we are doing things differently.

"Es mejor ensenar pescar que dar un pescado.....it is better to teach to fish than to give a fish." Some of them are starting to get it.

Happy New Year 2010!.

2010-01-16T03:29:00.000-08:00

The first two weeks of 2010 have had a few memorable moments. First, was watching Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl long distance with my brother and sister-in-law, Doug and Mary Ann. Doug put his laptop in front of his TV, turned up the volume, and we Skyped for three hours and shared the evening with them. Technology!

With our Peruvian carne de extranjeria (long-term visa) we are able to leave Peru. We were able to go to Bolivia last week and meet with church leaders and begin our preparations for the Bolivian side of this Peru/Bolivia Lake Titicaca Border Mission. We especially enjoyed spending time with the Funk family....John and Suzanne (and their two sons) have been Methodist missionaries in southeast Bolivia for 3 years. They are currently in La Paz for 6 months serving as Methodist National Volunteer Coordinators. We learned more about Skype from their son Jeffrey....he was playing Chinese Checkers long distance with his grandpa when we arrived at their house for dinner!

This car is being blessed in front of the large cathedral in Copacabana, Bolivia. It is a riot to watch....the grand finale is to pour wine or beer over them! Our car had been so excited about the same, but yet another hurdle confronted us at the border....they refused to let our car leave Peru, so we had to find someone to park it with for a few days at the little town nearby. Sadly, our car will probably never be blessed in Copacabana....they require a permit AND a sizeable deposit to take our Peruvian car out of Peru. Total cost each time would be $250 PLUS a sizeable deposit. It is going to make it much harder to get people out to some of the more of remote villages of Bolivia, but we're working on that.

I must share that this mission is turning more international than we had dreamed possible. We met with a group of Cuban ophthalmologists who have been working in Copacabana for 3 years. The office management was pretty unsure of us at first; but when we met with two doctors, one of them turned out to be Methodist! He is a general practitioner and is very interested in working with us.

This is a possible Rotary project site outside of Puno in the beautiful little valley of Jayllihuaya (good luck with pronunciation!). It has a perfect climate for growing flowers and vegetables. It is a proposed literacy/economic development project which has a lot of potential but needs some more work to get it all organized. We met with leaders and members of the community (and a few dogs) to get their input.

An agronomist has experimented with this ornamental flower greenhouse and has developed a successful business and model for them. They were gorgeous and of couse Bev came home with some!

I leave you with good news....three Methodist representatives from General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) from New York were in Haiti at the time of the earthquake. One of them, Clint Rabb, is a friend who trained us as Individual Volunteers in Mission. We are currently awaiting more details, but know that they were in a hotel that was destroyed, and the last we heard two were able to get out and were working at rescuing the third. All are thankfully alive.

More good news....Cammeo Medici, a delightful young 23 year-old from Iowa, arrived yesterday. She will be living and working with us here for 6 months. Her energy is very welcomed!

P.S. I must edit to add some very sad news for us ....two of the three Methodist leaders from General Board of Global Minisitries (GBGM) have died as a result of the Haiti earthquake. One of them was Clint, the other Sam Dixon, the Executive of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), ironically the mission branch which responds to emergencies like this. They had been trapped for over 50 hours, and although they were able to evacuate Clint to Florida, he did not survive. Please keep their families and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

More information is available on the GBGM website. We have appreciated that GBGM has done well at keeping all of us volunteering around the globe for the Methodist Church up to date with the news they received. It leaves you feeling very vulnerable, so far away and without your normal infrastructure of medical and emergency support we take for granted in the U.S.

Fishing on Peru Coast

2009-12-31T07:04:00.001-08:00

Welcome to Lucho's fishing school. What a patient guy. Tucked under his right arm is his handheld fishing tool....no rods or poles for these guys!

You circle your weighted line overhead and toss it out into the surf.

"You're going to catch a big one!!" he reassured us.

We explored some of the Peruvian coast south of Lima for two days with Liz and Lucho after Christmas. We had a lot to learn about fishing Peruvian style.

First we had to find our bait, "muy muy." We had to compete with all of the seabirds that also think that muy muy is quite delicious. They use their long beaks to dig into the sand where the muy muy are hiding.

We, on the other hand, used long nets to dig down into the sand and used the surf to wash the sand out.

Which left these little wiggly "muy muy", which look like beetles, in the net. You then bait your two hooks on your weighted line. Yum!

The handheld wooden tools with the line wrapped around them are a more refined version of what we, and some of you, have seen on the Mexican coast.

A big one? Well.....the next day fishing from a boat Bev was happy to catch anything!"

We spent the night in Pucusana, a quaint little fishing town with a unique feature. At the end of town there is a little beach where the ocean passes through a natural tunnel in the rock bluff. See the opening in the back that looks like a door that passes through?

Swoosh!! Very impressive and powerful, especially to watch from above at night in the dark.

Feliz Navidad, Lima

2009-12-25T14:18:00.001-08:00

Oh dahling.....don't you just love Christmas shopping??

Are you kidding?

We had to drive to Lima to retrieve our long term visas, carnets de extranjeria, so took advantage of the timing to spend time sight-seeing enroute. We visited a national reserve on the Bellista Islands and Paracas. We also stayed in Nazca and took a flight to seee the 500 year old mysterious line drawings (HUGE!) in the desert sands. These guys were having a delightfully lazy day on the Bellista Islands. There were also an amazing amount of birds...penquins, pelicans and different kinds of terns.

The Bellista Islands are called the poor man's Galapagos, well worth a visit and they ARE much cheaper than the Galapagos Islands.

We celebrated a very festive Christmas Eve in Lima with Liz and Lucho Nakagawa and various family members, including Lucho's 93 year old mother, who is a remarkable woman. We ate a huge turkey dinner between 10:00 and 11:30 p.m., followed by a midnight street party complete with fireworks.

Hmmmm.....a not so subtle statement of what is happening to Christmas?

Tired, but happy Christmas Eve participants.

A Special Day with Puno Rotary Club

2009-12-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

Just when we were feeling a little sorry for ourselves and missing family and friends during the Christmas season, we were sent a reminder of how blessed we are!

We went with the Puno Rotarians and their wives for an afternoon at one of the most impressive orphanages we have ever seen. There are approximately 35 girls who have been given a second chance at life under the supportive guidance of three very lively nuns. The girls have not only a loving home, they receive education, counselling and occupational training. What impressed us the most was the poise and confidence they have developed in this environment. They each stood up and shared a few words....more than we could have done with such grace in front of adults at their ages! They were captivated by our being from the United States, and wanted to learn some English....so here is Bev teaching them "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." We would love to garner support for these dedicated and talented nuns, as well as these young women who are becoming empowered to support themselves and give back to their communities!

Trekking in the Colca Canyon

2009-12-15T09:24:00.000-08:00

Driving anywhere from Puno provides pastoral views and experiences with herds of alpacas, sheep, cattle, and an occasional vicuna, which is the smallest and most delicate of the llama/alpaca family. We saw many on our way west to the Colca Canyon. The shepherds are always close by, while the guard dogs seem to hang by the road. We thought they were posted there to keep the herd from wandering onto the roads. Turns out they are not that well-trained, they are simply waiting for motorists to throw them food.

Precious faces!

The Colca Canyon is said to be the deepest canyon in the world, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. After hiking down (way down), along, then back up.....I believe them!

It is also known for its soaring condors; poor guys have no muscles to fly. They have to hang out until they can catch a ride on an updraft.

No.....these are just local chickens where we stayed at Roy's place. How Quechua or Spanish is that? The condors were too far away for my camera.

In the town of Chivay they were having their annual dance festival. Outstanding costumes! While sick Bev hung out in the bathroom, Scott met the locals.

A couple of canyon views. We had a great guide for 4 days. He was born in the canyon, but left at the age of 11 for more education. When he pointed out his village high on a ledge down in the canyon, we knew why he was in such good shape. The remote villages were fascinating-tough people! The only mode of travel is by foot or mule. To climb out of the canyon they usually travel during the night to avoid the heat. We could watch their single lights climbing the canyon walls.

View down to the Colca River

Exploring

2009-12-07T14:04:00.001-08:00

We took a day trip to explore and hike at Llachon, a small community to the north. It is such a tranquil setting with very friendly people, who are motivated to develop some ecotourism. Some of you know about my thing for hats, so I just loved these Quechua hats on these women spinning their yarn in the main square.

We took a hike along old pre-Inca and Inca trails they are preparing for tourists. It was fun to see many of the terraces still in use, farmers and their animals out working the hillsides.

Home Sweet Home!

2009-12-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

Our home is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath apartment on the 4th floor just 1 1/2 blocks from the main plaza. During the week we awaken every morning at about 6:30 to our landlady, Carmen, playing her music as she opens her little snack shop/store on the first floor. She is a character! We have scrubbed and scrubbed, and to Carmen's amusement have used many of her wooden fruit crates to create our kitchen shelves. She was kind enough to also loan us a refrigerator and two burner propane cookstove. We be stylin'!

The rooftop is a fun place for a relaxing view of night lights, early morning view (as in photo) or to snoop on neighbors and surroundings. It is also where we do our laundry, and are learning to be very careful so as not to let the wind carry any more laundry to the streets below!

First Community Healthcare Visit

2009-12-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

Sunday was our first visit to two church communities near the northern end of Lake Titicaca. Ten of us crammed into our 4-runner for the 4 hour drive, chattering and singing in 4 languages. Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, English. What a riot!

This is Jessica, wife of Venancio, District Superintendent. Their 3 month old son, Cristian is about to meet his great-grandma for the first time!

We passed many of these 3oo year old homes made of adobe along the way. The special design was to protect from the rain.

Pablo had to tie down his sheep before he could come to the service and meeting.

Water is a severe problem in these, as well as other communities. The communities we met with had no potable water, and very little water for their cattle and sheep. The churches were very interested in implementing a community healthcare project, and have invited us back to meet with their community leaders. As always, our main concern is sustainability!

Our landlady is a real character, and has a small snack/misc. shop on the first floor. She and two of her grown kids live in the building too, and although she says frequently how happy to have us all together as family, Scott is still "meester." Just like our kitchen in Boise....right? Our interior design includes two burner propane stovetop and small fridge, and cupboards made from our landlady's fruit crates.

Driving Lima to Puno

2009-11-25T15:07:00.001-08:00

Scott and Lucho Nakagawa getting our new Toyota 4 Runner ready for the road.

This is a church project outside of Ica on the coast. A bad earthquake here two years ago left many homeless, including these children. They receive one meal a day and a safe haven when parents are away.

All of the shifting sands were just like snowstorms at home. Being down to one lane with all of their truck traffic is a bit unnerving.

The Peruvian coast has hundreds of miles of wild coastline and very barren landscape. We felt like we were in Saudi Arabia. The steep drop offs would make nail biters of all of you hating heights. Guard rails? Are you kidding?

Bev and Rev.Guillermo in a veryvery poor area outside of Arequipa. This settlement has no water, makeshift homes and is mainly families who have migrated from Cusco and Puno looking for work.

Inside this humble church they sit on rocks and bricks for pews.

Proof we have arrived in Puno!

We met with this Peru/Bolivia delegation today to plan our year together with our new Peru/Bolivia Lake Titicaca Border Mission. They are very excited to put the church into action regarding healthcare, water systems, and improving the lives in their communities.

This last week has reminded us of how thankful we are for all we have been blessed with.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!!

Getting our act together....

2009-11-15T12:37:00.000-08:00

Our hostess Liz (an M.D. in Lima) is having to keep an eye on her brother-in-law Willy's blood pressure.....oh those stress inducing Pressmans!

Lucho Nakagawa (Liz's husband) and Eliana Abarca (Liz's sister). Eliana is the travel agent many of you will meet in Cusco. Lucho speaks English and has been our car expert....a marvelous help negotiating red tape.

Scott getting used to our new little notebook computer in our temporary office suite in the national offices of the Iglesia Metodista Evangelica Peru.

Shhh....we are hiding from Lima. We have come to the quiet of our "suite" in the national offices of the Iglesia Metodista Evangelica Peru to get some work done and escape the large city noise and chaos for a few hours.

We have learned in just the past few days that everything you read about needing to pack flexibility and a sense of humor is absolutely positively true! To come into a new culture and to try to accomplish things like buying a used car, obtaining a longer term visa and opening a bank account are suddenly monumental tasks requiring days. All new rules and laws.....about which of course we knew nothing. For others coming to Peru for a year wanting to do similar things a word of warning: you DO need a carnet extranjeria, contrary to what you may hear before you arrive.

Our friends and the Methodist administrative staff are all patient and love to laugh....a huge help as we maneuver through the Peruvian system....and then we get to do it in Bolivia as well!

Packing and Preparing....

2009-11-10T08:36:00.000-08:00

Thank you for finding our blog again! We leave bright and early tomorrow morning for Lima for our year as volunteers in mission through the Methodist Church. We have many unknowns to take care of in Lima (used car to hopefully buy, bank account to hopefully set up) and then on to Puno (home to hopefully find!).

In spite of the many piles of things in our Boise condo waiting to be packed, we must remember to leave room for our senses of humor! For both of us there have been long lists, last minute stresses, some difficult farewells. For both of us know there will soon be warm greetings, new adventures, and a wealth of cultural experiences. It is one of those life experiences where you hop on the train and hold on for the ride!

Sad news from Puno, Peru...

2009-06-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

Snack time at school...favorite time for kids everywhere. Hamming it up for photos is also a favorite for kids everywhere...note the two at the far end of the table!

Since we arrived home last night we have continued to hear about the high number of deaths recently in Puno of young children under the age of five. The current toll of over 130 deaths are related to the unusually cold winter they are having, pneumonia, malnutrition, and lack of access to medical care. Since it is not getting the same news coverage as the swine flu, we are having to contact local Peruvians and the General Board of Global Ministry in New York today for accurate information.

Although the death rate is much higher than normal this year, this is often a seasonal situation for this very poor region of the altiplano region surrounding Lake Titicaca. It is a strong reminder of why we both feel called to return in November to work alongside them to build more sustainable healthcare and educational services. Anyone interested in supporting or joining our efforts through the Methodist Church and Rotary International, please feel free to contact us.

Abrazos y Benediciones,
Scott y Bev

Shots to share....

2009-06-15T06:14:00.000-07:00

This is what it's about....helping them build a future.

We spent a final day shopping for scarves and purses to sell through Rotary back home to fund future projects in Ecuador. Bob, is this you making your way back to the van?

Book delivery at an elementary school in Quito....always an enthusiastic mob scene.

Suzanne and David dancing in Loja with special needs kids after their orchestra had performed for us. Very committed parents and leadership.....VERY enthusiastic musicians.

And a few photos from the days before....

Teaching staff in the Quichua school at Inka Samana. Amazing curriculum they have designed themselves, which is graduating trilingual students going on to universities in Peru. They teach in English, Quichua and Spanish.

Preserving their culture is another strength of the curriculum in Inka Samana. We were treated to a dance performance by high school as well as early primary girls. Then the whole community, as well as the Gringos joined in!

Intercultural exchange! Often no language is even necessary.

Maria (in hat) and her husband are the founders and head administrators of the school. Both are working on their PhD's in education, are dedicated, motivated and energetic!

Absolutely gorgeous valleys in this Andean region, but they do have their road issues!

Mobile library unit in Samborondon, small town of Santa Marta, which also has a few final issues they are working out to fully implement.

Saraguro, Loja Experiences

2009-06-11T05:30:00.000-07:00

We are still alive and well in Quito. I am having trouble downloading some photos to share of our extraordinary recent experiences in Saraguro, a very small town between Cuenca and Loja. We met with an indigenous community that has a very unique and successful school which is graduating trilingual students (English, Spanish, Quichua) and preserving cultural traditions as well. Impressive achievement and leadership!

We have had numerous interactions and meetings regarding water projects, schools, literacy....today we are going to help set up a medical clinic. I see a load of medical supplies is waiting for us across the room!

We are currently staying with our Rotarian friends Richard and Lani Miller, and others are staying in homes of Rotarians as well. Our days have been long, but hospitality abundant and genuine. We leave for home in just three days.....I will continue to try to share photos.

Bahia de Caraquez Education and Literacy Projects

2009-06-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

First of all.....fantastic news....Sharon finally got her suitcase after four days, and we hardly recognize her in her new wardrobe! The kids were ecstatic about the new books for mini-libraries in three schools, and computers in four schools. We were able to spend a little time with the kids as they explored these new experiences. Great fun!

Lee and Bev did a workshop and presentation with teachers from the four schools the Rotary grant has impacted with the libraries and computer labs of 5-12 computers. The teachers were so excited to receive information on how to use the new books, how to preserve them, and also had ideas to share with us. Since they are not yet connected to internet, we were able to show them some ideas they can use to teach literacy skills and motivate the kids, without internet. Some had little previous experience....all were very enthusiastic about the new teaching tools.

Lee felt like rock star on stage at some of the schools! Their enthusiasm for the new books was both refreshing and humbling.

Sharon helping kids using the computers for the first time. The parents are also very interested in all going on!

Bahia de Caraquez Water Projects

2009-06-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

This is one of the reasons we are here. Endless number of communities have to buy their potable water and have it delivered, in this case via burros and children. The burros get so used to their daily routine, they can sometimes just load them up with water jugs and they take off for home on their own. Indeed, we did see one little laden burro take off for home by herself down the road!

Three communities, however, have received water systems to allow municipal water from nearby San Vincente to be piped to these tanks. Once the connections are completed they will have water coming directly to their home...and they are so ecstatic!

Of course every visit to the communities to inspect new systems means a lot of pomp and presentations, and many many photos!

The women of this community were a great welcoming committee. Each community has a president, and in this case, the woman in the dark blue top and shorts to the right of the Bahia Rotary sign is the current president. We had so much fun with the Rotary Club of Bahia de Caraquez during the three days we were there: fun loving, genuine, very dedicated, and warmly hospitable. Terrezinie, their current club president is the one with the green cap (a gift from the McCall club!)

Cusco, Peru

2009-05-31T05:27:00.000-07:00

We rondezvoused with Arturo in Cusco and all stayed with our friends Eliana and Willy at their hostal/lodge. They also now run their own tourism business, and we highly recommend them to anyone wanting to explore Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Pichu. We took the bus to nearby Pisak to do some hiking around the spectacular valley and ruins there, and also wandered the aisles of their huge market. We luckily stumbled into the Blue Llama, a new artsy and very good restaurant in Pisak.

We are so glad we have spent this time down here before our year begins in November. We have made so many contacts thanks to Arturo, and actually have a plan of action (although at times a little overwhelming!). It is definitely a leap of faith, but we now know we have a lot of support from the church, local Rotarians and others we have met.

We flew out of Lima yesterday to Guayaquil, Ecuador and fortunately in front of us in the mob going through immigrations was the rest of our Rotary team from Idaho! Five flights had all landed at the same time, and it took us over 2 hours to work our way through the chaos. What a haven for swine flu to run rampant as we were all crammed into such hot, humid, tight quarters. We hedged our bets....six of our team were prudent and kept their surgical masks on! Part of the bottleneck was a result of the Ministry of Health insisting on using their new high-tech heat sensor cameras to individually photograph each of us to check for fevers. The only thing that got a little hot was tempers!

Willy, don´t play with your food! This small one-room house had over 25 guinea pigs running around awaiting their fate. Guinea pig, cuy, is a delicacy!

A farmer and his wife in the Sacred Valley, on their way back home to thresh their wheat. The donkeys (keep looking....you will see them) help thresh the grains by walking in a circle on the cut wheat, then they throw it in the air to separate from the chaff.

I can´t take these two anywhere.....they managed to join the protest in Cusco with the locals objecting to the privatization of water service. The whole country shut down for a day for a paro, strike, of transportation services (bus, taxi). It was great to have a walking mall for a day, but not so great to drive on the roads that had been covered with large rocks by angry protesters.

Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley still uses the original Inca irrigation and water delivery systems!

Catching our breath in Puno, Peru

2009-05-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

Parades and demonstrations everywhere! They love parties and pomp! We just happened to run into this major festivity that took over the city streets this morning...kids were going in all directions.

This parade of little guys was a celebration of integating early childhood education into the school system. We could learn from Peru!

There were little ones in Aymara traditional costumes.....

And others just having so much fun!

A new job possibility for Scott and Bev in Puno!

Or...our new car?

They do love their pan!

We are not only literally catching our breath readjusting to being back at nearly 12,500 feet, we are taking a day to relax. We wandered the town in search of apartments, found a sinful pastry shop, and took in many parades of children of all ages celebrating their various education annual celebrations: anniversary of integrating early childhood education (sounds like a good progressive idea!), celebration of school sports, and an opportunity for school bands that were out in force. Parents, like parents everywhere in the world, were lining the streets of Puno waving and cheering their kids on. Tomorrow we will go to the Uros Islands and check on the status of a water purification project installed two years ago, and of course check out the big market day.

Rotary last night was an excellent connection to make, although Bev will be the first woman to participate! They have been very helpful looking for a place to live, and we were invited to attend their annual recognition of esteemed senior members of their community who have generously given years of service. It was well done, and we are learning here not to be surprised that it started an hour late.

Thank you all for your comments; we have appreciated them!

Hola de Cochabamba!

2009-05-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

During discussions with pastor of Methodist Church of Cotani, Bolivia outside of Cochabamba, we were interrupted by a cell phone!!
It was an important phone call from her kids in Santa Cruz. We all had a good laugh at our preconceptions. We continue to work our way up the learning curve.

A group of curious school children outside the Methodist Clinic in Cotani. The woman behind is Elisa, previously a promotore de salud who returned to school to become a nurse. She runs this clinic, which serves also as the government health clinic for the area.

Methodist Church of Cotoni, Bolivia, with their pastora (woman pastor) on their front porch. They are currently working on finishing their new church but have been waiting for two years for enough funding to complete the roof.

View from new church site in Cotani.

La Paz....Peace

2009-05-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

We are working our way slowly up the learning curve, especially here in Bolivia, where they have been having major political changes: new constitution, additional flag, new rights for the Aymara, Quechua and the many other indigenous cultures here. It has reminded us of the changes that have come to South Africa. The Methodist Church here is in a very unusual position for it has worked well with the government for over 100 years, and still is. The church here focuses on healthcare, education, and social justice. The leadership here, as in Peru, has been very warm and genuine in its reception and very helpful in our planning. We will be working with both the church and the government healthcare system.

Arturo has been wonderful to travel with....I hope we are so blessed at 77 years old to be able to keep his pace. He thrives on it, and we work to keep up! It has been fun to watch him as he reconnects here with so many friends he shares nearly 30 years of history.

The photo is La Paz at night....built in a caldera at the base of the massive Andes.

A Peak at the Pressmans

2009-05-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

This abuelita has a wonderful orchard growing at nearly 13,000 feet above sea level. She shared apples and pears with all of us.

What Scott and Bev will look like if all of the communities keep feeding them like they have this past week. We had just crossed via one car ferry across Lake Titicaca enroute to La Paz.

Contraray to their expressions, they wanted their picture taken with me! To my right is Marta, the president of all of the Methodist Women Associations in Bolivia.

Max, pastor from Potosi, Bolivia got such a kick at the difference in their sizes! A fun guy.

Remember this young woman´s face from Juliaca? We each remembered each other. She is now a mom!

Saludos de La Paz

2009-05-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

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!

Hola from Puno, Peru!

2009-05-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

We have arrived safely in Puno, Peru after 2 days in Lima where we stayed with a new friend we met through a friend made in Cusco on previous trips. Those who have gone with the Methodist Church to Cusco...it was with Liz, Eliana's sister. Liz is a physician now working in Lima in a state medical position, and her husband, Lucho, is a mining engineer. They were both so hospitable and fun to be with; did we ever see the sights of Lima!

We have met this evening with a celebration and meeting of the Methodist Bishop of Peru and the Methodist Bishop of Bolivia, as well as over 30 from their indigenous churches in Bolivia, who traveled over to Puno for the event. In preparation of our coming, both countries are uniting for the first time the region surrounding Lake Titicaca for mission and interactive purposes. It was quite the celebration that rocked the rafters with their music and heartfelt speeches and welcomes to all. Tomorrow we will also meet; both Bolivianos and Peruvianos. It was moving to see them embrace the idea and run with it.

Haven't found housing yet......another year in a tent?

Ready....Set.....

2009-05-07T06:44:00.000-07:00

Piles of clothing, paperwork, medical supplies, gear, and suitcases have taken over the living room. We scratch our heads wondering if we can make it all fit!

We leave from Portland this Sunday, May 10, with our dear friend, Arturo Fernandez, a Methodist pastor from Salem, for three weeks in Peru and Bolivia. We will be meeting with church leadership and valuable contacts in both countries in preparation for our return this coming November for a year commitment as Individual Volunteers in Mission with the Methodist Church. Arturo has been working in Peru and Bolivia for over 30 years, and we could not be taking this on without him. Our main goal is to work with the indigenous communities in the Lake Titicaca border region of Peru and Bolivia. We will be establishing a mission base that will work alongside the Peru and Bolivia Iglesia Metodista Evangelica towards more sustainable healthcare and educational programs.

Following Peru and Bolivia, we will be joining our Rotary team from District 5400 of Idaho in Ecuador for an additional two weeks. We will visit past, present and future potential projects....water purification, education, microlending. It is a great team, and we have asked them to also participate in the blog when we get to Ecuador.

For both Rotary and the Methodist Church, it is about building relationships, and all of the emails that have been flying back and forth the past few months verify that. We are excited about renewing our old friendships, and know that new friendships are waiting for us as well.

Note.....anyone traveling to Bolivia....they now require a visa for entrance. Research all requirements sooner than we did! We will let you know how it goes.