Our 18 Goshen College students returned safety to Lima on July 24 from Ayacucho, Chiclayo, La Merced, Oxapampa, San Miguel, San Ramon and Tarma. They never looked so good and we (Peru SST Co-Directors Richard R. Aguirre and Judy Weaver) were thrilled to see them! And as pleased as they may have been to see us, they were ecstatic to see each other. It had been almost six long weeks since they were together.
Derek and Emma are happy to be in Lima.
Our summer group of students grew close after arriving in Peru on April 30. Alejandro, Andrew, Brian, Brody, Derek Peter, Derek William, Edith, Emma, Jaime, Joel, Leah, Lucas, Matt, Michael, Miranda, Sierra, Stefan and Tim genuinely enjoyed each other’s company and got to know each other well during our study period of class lectures, Spanish classes, field trips and a week-long journey to Cusco and Machu Picchu. So returning to Lima was like a homecoming celebration.
Joel arrives at Casa Goshen.
As the students started arriving about 7 a.m. Thursday at Casa Goshen (in the San Isidro district of Lima) after overnight bus trips, they wore broad smiles, laughed and greeted each other warmly with hugs, hugs and more hugs. Students talked and laughed amid piles of suitcases and backpacks.
Brody and Miranda are happy to be together again after six weeks apart.
In what has become a Peru SST tradition, we treated the students to a U.S.-style breakfast – pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee and tea. Many dozens of pancakes were cooked and consumed over three hours. Most students had seconds and a few had thirds and fourths. All said they enjoyed familiar food after weeks of Peruvian meals.
Students dig into breakfast.
After turning in assignments, filling out evaluation forms, returning books and taking care of other housekeeping chores, the students headed out to spend the afternoon and evening with their Lima host families and to do some last-minute shopping. Overnight, they were staying at Cirque Hostel, which is four blocks from Casa Goshen.
Derek gets some rest.
On Friday, July 25, students will head to the Anglican Cathedral of the Good Shepherd (Buen Pastor) for some final academic work – a final quiz and an oral Spanish language evaluation. We then will leave for our concluding time together at a Christian retreat center called Kawai, located on the beach about an hour and a half south of Lima. The retreat center consists of an eclectic collection of buildings amid well-landscaped grounds, just a few hundred yards from the Pacific Ocean. It promises to be an enjoyable time of reflection, relaxation and recreation.
We had some fun, with odd names on a sign, welcoming students back to Lima from Ayacucho, Chiclayo, Tarma, San Ramon, Oxapampa, and the central jungle.Derek, Matt and Tim head toward Casa Goshen after arriving in Lima after an overnight bus ride.Emma is happy to be back in Lima.Brody, Brian, Lucas, Derek, Sierra and Stefan head toward Casa Goshen.Brody arrives at Casa Goshen.Sierra arrives at Casa Goshen.Joel arrives at Casa Goshen.Leah is happy to be back from Ayacucho.Students exchange warm embraces.Students exchange hugs.Emma greets Edith.Derek and Emma are happy to be in Lima. Miranda arrives in Lima after an overnight bus ride from Chiclayo.Stefan greets Jaime.Sierra greets Miranda. Leah also enjoys the reunion.Andrew helps Jaimie and Miranda with their luggage.Brody and Miranda are happy to be together again after six weeks apart.Jaime celebrates a happy return to Casa Goshen.Brody enjoys a piece of bread.Breakfast is served: pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee and tea.Students dig into breakfast.Peru SST Co-Director Richard R. Aguirre prepares more pancakes.Matt and Tim go for seconds.Sierra, Edith and Stefan enjoy familiar food and conversation.Brody and Brian enjoy breakfast.Peru SST Service Coordinator Willy Villavicencio joins the happy reunion.Joel eats his share of pancakes, and then some.Miranda and Jaime get ready to eat breakfast.Brian, Sierra and Tim sign up for a role in Sunday workshop and to reserve a time to present their service project.Alejandro and Michael take care of some paperwork.Derek gets some rest.Tim and Lucas at Casa Goshen.Peru SST Service Coordinator Willy Villavicencio says goodbye to the students.Peru SST Service Coordinator Willy Villavicencio presents a beautiful gift to Peru SST Co-Director Richard R. Aguirre.Peru SST Service Coordinator Willy Villavicencio presents a useful gift to Peru SST Co-Director Judy Weaver.Andrew fills out a form.Tim seems to be wondering how he will make everything fit in his suitcase.Lucas chats with Peru SST Co-Director Richard R. Aguirre.Students enjoy each other’s company in Casa Goshen.Sierra and Edith check out some photos.Alejandro learned how to knit while on service in Ayacucho.Leah was his teacher.Leah finishes repacking her bag,Miranda in a reflective moment in Casa Goshen.Jaime focuses on completing paperwork.
