Work.

Well, I'm almost a month into my 2 month 3 week stay in Trujillo, Perú! It's kind of crazy to think that I've already been here almost a month, but at the same time it has been so natural. The transition from American to Peruvian culture, from summer to "winter," from hamburgers, fries, and chicken alfredo to papas rellenas, arroz, y pollo, from English to Spanish, from being the majority to being the minority, from driving in open to roads to riding crowded buses on roads crammed side-walk to side-walk. It's definitely been a different switch, but I have yet to feel that difference as negative.

I think one of the most helpful things in getting situated has been having places to work. Through the hard, patient searching by Josh, doors have been opened for me to work in various capacities. As mentioned in previous blogs, I work at Hogar San José--a boy's home--Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and sometimes Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Las Ponas--a carpentry/wood-working shop--Monday, Wednesday, and any other open evenings for as long as possible. Though it is currently not on my weekly work schedule, it is very likely that I will be able to teach English at a local church in Manuel Arevalo. And more importantly, through these capacities, I have seen God open doors for me to bring His good news.

The first few weeks of work at Hogar San José were a little challenging. Though there were many times that were awesome and I was able to make connections with the guys, there were just as many times were things didn't go peacefully or where "gringo" didn't just sound like a mild term used to describe a white foreigner. Now, it wasn't terrible by any means, but it was challenging. One older guy, caught in the "I have to be the Alpha male and show my dominance" stage--we've all been there, dudes--was, and still is, particularly patience-testing. He's about 15 or 16 and never seems to be malicious, but is always picking on, pushing around, or yelling at the other guys. Though he didn't pay any attention to me at first, when I told him to stop after having enough of his "playing," he started directing a little more attention to me. Since the beginning of the second week, he has flipped me off, I think cursed me out, and given many snide remarks. Again, it's never been malicious or like he's antagonizing a fight, but he's simply trying to show dominance and desire to be the one in control. But in watching him interact with some of his friends or the younger boys, I've seen that hard, calloused look fade away and a more friendly, caring one take over. Anyways, after a few weeks of figuring out how or when to talk to him, at the end of last week I was able to pull him aside for a little while. Just a few minutes before he walked by me, flipped me off, and smiling continued on his way. So, yeah, it was time. But when I said I wanted to talk with him, a look struck him. It wasn't anger, and I don't think it was nervousness, but it appeared like curiosity.

            "Gixon, what's your problem? I'm not mad or angry, I'm just curious what's up."
            "What do you mean?"
            "Why do you pick on the little guys and push them around and flip me off?"      
            "It's just a game, and this is just a finger?" *innocently grabs his finger*
            "Yeah, but you and I both know it's not. What's up, dude?"
               
The conversation continued like that for a while, but I think I was able to show him that I genuinely: A) don't want him to continue doing those things, B) care for him as a person, and C) am still wanting to respect him and give him a chance to open up. Since then, it appears as if things have been different. I don't expect a life-time of behaviors to be changed by one 3 minute conversation, but I do expect there to be plenty more opportunities to talk with him and show him that I care for him and that there are other ways of gaining respect than being the dominant male. So prayer for those interactions are coveted.

Many other doors have been opened by the Lord through these past few weeks at the Hogar. In telling everyone who asks why I'm here that it's a mission trip, I've been able to talk with one of the teachers who is a Baptist--she is the most caring, motherly, intentional teacher at the Hogar by far. After she was done with a lesson with a few boys, she asked if I could read them a few stories from a Storybook Bible-esque book. After reading the first few chapters about God creating the earth, and the introduction of sin, I skipped to chapters concerning Jesus' death on the cross. After 20 minutes of reading from the text, I talked--through broken-in-a-million-pieces Spanish--to the two guys about what God did in creating the world, sending His Son to the world to die, why believe in Him, and what happens if you do/don't put your faith in Him. Jorge, probably one of my favorite guys there, asked several questions and seemed genuinely interested and somewhat knowledgeable about the Bible. Through talking with him and Luis, another one of my favorites, I asked about whether or not they could go to church and invited them to come with us. (The walls of the boy's home are 30' high with barbed wire, doors are always locked and only opened by the director or vigilancia, and boys only leave for school.) He said that the boys weren't allowed to leave to go to church unless one of their teachers or helpers went with them. So after finishing up talking with Jorge and Luis, I was walking around to another dorm room type building when one of the female teachers came up and told me that Jorge asked if they could go to church with me some time! She said that she would be more than willing to come along to be the 'escort' of sorts. So I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how God will continue to soften hearts and draw others to Himself. Through those two boys, several others, and a down-syndrome boy named Joel, there is much joy and excitement at Hogar San José. I've been asked to help Joel with several things such as doing hand-eye coordination tasks, doing puzzles, and drawing; during those times, his laughs, hugs, and motivation to finish have provided much happiness and contentment. So I would definitely appreciate continued prayer for renewed energy to be refreshed and excited to share the grace that I have received.

Another joy has been working at Las Ponas. Through those two, and sometimes three, days a week visits, I've gotten to know the guys pretty well and have already learned a lot. Most of y'all know this, but I've had minimal experience with carpentry, so I've definitely come in open-minded and ready to learn. The guys have been very welcoming and patient with my lack of knowledge and desirous to get to know me better. It's basically been fantastic.

So, things are continually coming together and working together for the good of the Lord, so that is for sure something to be thankful for. As the summer progresses, please continue covering me in prayer as the Lord's work continues to involve a sinner such as myself.

Also this week--well, yesterday--I did a few more touristy things and saw some amazing ruins of Moche and Chimu civilizations. One of Covenant's Spanish/French professors was in South America for a few weeks and stopped by to stay with us in Trujillo for a few days, so we took him out and about a few times.

View of Huaca del Sol while climbing up to Huaca de la Luna.

View of Huaca del Sol and the Moche city below.

Outside wall of Huaca de la Luna.

Then we went to Chan Chan, another well-preserved ruins site.

Very straight, quadratic lines.

Living quarters of the Chimu people.

So, yes. This week has been a fantastic one. I've been able to witness and partake of the Lord opening opportunities and hearts to Himself. It's been glorious. Please continue praying for me as this summer carries on and the Lord reveals Himself to me and the people I encounter.

You folks are so dear, and I think of you often.

Daniel