Over a 9-hour stretch yesterday all 21 students safely returned from their service assignments to Casa Goshen in Lima. The house filled with sounds of joy as each successive returning group entered and was welcomed by friends they had not seen for six weeks (although it seemed like an eternity). Students shared service stories and experiences, turned in homework assignments, and repacked suitcases for a 3-day retreat this weekend. At the retreat students will present assignments they did on service and prepare for some reverse culture shock as they return to the U.S. early next week. We will post another blog entry yet from the retreat.
The first group to return — Clara, Karina, Marisa and Landon from Ayacucho — enjoy banana pancakes for breakfast.The second group to arrive at Casa Goshen included Connor and Hans (sporting matching stylish hats), from Chalhuanca/Caraybamba.When Olivia, Dez, Alia and Josh arrived around noon from Arequipa, it wasn’t too late to have banana pancakes for breakfast.By mid-afternoon Austin and Anja (from San Roque), Mara and Maddy (from Cusco), and Erin and Nathan (from Curahuasi) had arrived via their respective flights.Caleb, Meredith, Jordan, Christy and Cassie, from the 3 towns in Chanchamayo, arrived late-afternoon after a marathon 16-hour bus ride (with no breakfast or lunch) due to unexpected road delays. We made a batch of fresh pancakes for them.
