By Karen and Duane Sherer Stoltzfus
Peru SST Co-Directors, 2014-2015
Elizabeth and Courtney arrived at Casa Goshen around 6 a.m., following a long bus ride from Arequipa.
The closing chapter of our three-month semester of study and service in Peru was spent at Kawai, a church camp along the ocean, about an hour south of Lima.
We had time to share highlights of the past three months, especially service assignments, and to look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of re-entry in the States.
On Sunday, we celebrated Easter with brunch and a worship service. That evening we enjoyed s’mores at a bonfire on the beach.
Earlier in the weekend students presented the findings of the research projects that they carried out while on service. Through interviews and other research methods, they explored machismo, special education, design sensibilities of tattoos, the role of mayors, discipline in school, breads of Ayacucho, Peruvian dance, ceremonial use of coca and renewable energy in Lucre (this researcher came close to fashioning a hydroelectric generator for his family, built from scrap metal and nails, a misshapen bicycle rim, plastic soda bottles and other castaway items).
Joanna shares her research on bread in Ayacucho.
Eight of the nine students boarded a United flight on Monday evening, bound for Newark. One of our students, Elizabeth, will be staying on for a couple of weeks. She will be joined by her parents from the States, who will have a chance to meet Elizabeth’s host family in Lima.
Before they left, students shared some final reflections on Peru. Here are a few of their responses.
What surprised you most about Peru or Peruvians?
Some of the living conditions right outside of Lima and the other major cities, as well as the general economic disparity.
The incredibly genuine hospitality surprised me most because I’ve never been so openly welcomed without expectations. It felt like radical hospitality that very few people are capable of in the States.
The huge divide between “Christians” or evangelicals and Catholics.
The culture shock that I felt returning to Lima after service. The size and wealth of the capital was so different than what I found in Cusco and el campo.
What was the single biggest highlight of your time in Peru?
The relationships that I built with people here and in the group.
Being able to have important conversations that weren’t just small talk. They allowed me to connect with and understand people more than through just casual conversation.
Feeling how crazy much my Spanish had improved in meeting with my Lima family again, and being able able to understand everything that they said, was an awesome feeling.
With Celia Vazquez just before leaving for the airport.
What will you remember most about Peru SST?
Peru is such an incredible and diverse country. I’m still amazed I got to do all that I did in just three months.
Climbing seven mountains with my host family and friends.
I will remember how my way of living is neither correct nor better, because I still remember how successful and content people were, living in ways very different from what I am accustomed to.
The challenge, but how much it was completely worth it and how good I feel. The people who touched my life.
Elizabeth and Courtney arrived at Casa Goshen around 6 a.m., following a long bus ride from Arequipa.Filling out forms while waiting for others to return.Joanna back from Ayacucho.Ammon welcomes back Lea, who was in Cusco.Lea and Elizabeth seeing each other for the first time in six weeks.The group welcomes home Lea and Micah.Elizabeth shares her research findings on discipline in Peruvian schools.Ammon studied traditional Andean uses of coca.Ammon brought back a bag of coca leaves from his service home in Ayacucho.Courtney researched special education in Peru.Ike studied tattoos as an art form.Some tattoo artists borrow from Incan images.This tattoo reflects Incan artistry.Micah researched a hydroelectric plant in his hometown of Lucre — and nearly completed a homemade generator for his host family, whose home is alongside a river.Joanna researched breads in Ayacucho, including her favorites: chapla and wawa.Her presentation included samples.We spent our final weekend at Kawai, a church retreat center an hour south of Lima.Waiting for supper.Slipping in a card game before an evening discussion.Christian shared his research on the role (and significant power) of mayors in Peru.An emotional moment. More on the jacket below.Nightfall at Kawai.Students expressed their feelings about the close of SST — with an image on paper.Ammon volunteered a different canvas.With this result.Elizabeth, during one of several sessions spent processing the three months in Peru and pending re-entry to the States.We opted for cooler temperatures outside the bungalow.Joanna, Christian and Lea formed one of three discussion groups.Our weekend retreat came over Easter weekend.We set aside time for painting eggs and sharing Easter traditions.Our bungalows were only a few hundred yards from the beach.In groups or alone, students took advantage of the sand track.Christian headed off alone.Courtney, Lea and Joanna back from a run.Looking north.An Easter sunset at Kawai.Our cook for the weekend requested a photo at the entrance to the small restaurant at Kawai.We often had the beach to ourselves.A dog who often tagged along with the group is digging in search of a sandcrab.Micah lent a hand.Liz, Jo and Courtney.Maria and Ike.A group photo on the final morning at Kawai.With a group this photogenic, we felt compelled to take more than one photo, not looking into the sun.Or more than two.This story of this jacket includes a wager among students and a pledge to wear the jacket for the duration of SST. See Ammon for more details.Guide to good living at Kawai.The sun shone brilliantly on our final morning (though the water remained as cold as ever).Where the faculty directors stayed at Kawai.A view from where they live in Lima.With Celia Vazquez just before leaving for the airport.Ammon steps off the van at the airport.Waiting to check luggage. Next stop: security. Christian and Ike.Courtney, Maria and Jo.Ike.Lea. The electronic sign noted that the United flight to Newark was on time. A final photo before boarding a plane bound for the States.
