Exactly three months ago, nine of my peers and I were stressed about finals, freaking out about our departure for Peru, and cramming as much Spanish in our heads as we could. Now, we're scattered across the country,
our country, enjoying a mini summer vacation. How did that happen so fast?
As you probably know by now after visiting our blog (everyday, right?) as we traveled, learned, served, and grew alongside our Peruvian friends, we have had quite the summer. After returning to the U.S. days before the 4th of July, the ten of us hit the ground running and never really bothered to look back. We're always told to live in the moment, plan for the future, or do anything except look back, "because that's not the direction you're going." But, how can we not reflect on an incredible experience we had? It's been difficult to really comprehend everything we did in five quick weeks and talk about it in a coherent manner, especially while juggling three summer classes for the five weeks following. As the final assignments are being turned in this week, I've finally had some time to reflect on the gracious growth I've experienced this summer, and I welcome you to be enlightened!
1.
It's okay to be uncomfortable; growth compliments vulnerability. Many,
many times we were faced with uncomfortable situations or environments which were just unusual to us. It was absolutely heart-opening to see how the Peruvians lived and how their hearts just
flowed with love. Not only for one another, but for us. Total strangers (at first). I miss all of the hugs and kisses, although I haven't minded hanging out in my comfort zone the last few weeks.
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| A place some people call "home" |
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| Lauren leading an exercise class |
2.
I can't actually catch up on sleep when I'm dead; it needs to happen now. We had some ridiculous travel days that bookended our trip and while we learned to love each other in new ways, it made the following weeks really difficult. Which then made me think, how am I suppose to be a nurse in a few months? HA! I'm living in the moment and have chosen to deal with that sleep deprivation when it comes.
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| One of the wild yet normal fiestas |
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| After some wild traveling from Milwaukee to Chicago to El Salvador and finally Lima. We almost caught the sun rise and set twice! |
3.
It's just fine to have fun, everywhere. We found fun where it was hiding and brought fun where it was lacking. We basked in fun where it flourished and bottled up the fun where it was exploding. Peruvians
know how to have fun...they will throw a party for anything. It's Monday? ¡Fiesta! You just finished school? ¡Fiesta! You're leaving in three weeks? ¡Fiesta! You're from the United States? ¡Fiesta! ¡Fiesta! ¡Fiesta! ¡Fiesta! (one every week, no joke).
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| Marquette women beating the Peruvian men + Tobin in a fair game of fútbol |
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| ¡Fiesta! ¡Fiesta! |
4.
Love beats language barriers. There's hardly anything to say to explain this. It's simple yet profoundly true. We struggled to get a grasp of the Spanish initially, especially at the rate they speak, but love won. Communication crept in later on, but I truly believe that without the verbal communication, it was almost easier to connect with the patients. We had to stare them in the eyes, pick up their physical cues, understand their motions. We loved them and they loved us; it was beautiful.
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| Sarah delivering a newborn after the real delivery! |
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| Meghan, Jorge, and Asmita at Hospice |
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| Kerry feeding lunch to Ines, a chronic malnutrition patient |
5.
Dance like no one's watching. I'm not a dancer. I've always been attracted to water sports and there's a reason why...coordination and I really haven't figured each other out. But in Peru? You have to dance. Everyone dances, everyone laughs, everyone sweats. I've never danced that hard
in my life, but boy did they have some sweet moves!
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| Dr. Weis dancing with one of the niños |
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| Gen and Anna dancing with Olympia at the nursing home |
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| Some Peruvians putting on special dances for us |
6.
Pain is 100% subjective. I've never seen people handle pain like these incredible Peruvians did. Women laboring? Whatever, it's my sixth baby, I'll just walk it off. I had a heart attack yesterday? Oh, I'm okay but I hope my husband doesn't have one. I haven't been able to see in six years, but I've learned so much by listening. The lessons these people taught us students is invaluable. I hope to never forget them...thank goodness for the blog!
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| "Oh, there's a 4 inch needle in my eye?" |
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| "This cataract is almost black." |
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| "Hurry up so we can go home already." |
7.
The power of community is stronger than it seems. Not only did I learn plenty from watching the Peruvians love on one another, but I learned millions from my nine peers. It's challenging to spend five straight weeks, all 24 hours of everyday with the same ten people, but we were champs. It was such a blessing and honor to be able to serve with these incredible students. I've grown tons with them and can only hope the feeling is mutual. My heart has a special nook for the Peruvians and my classmates; all of them!!!!
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| Tobin, Asmita, Kerry, and Sarah with our Marquette Family! |
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| A super warm welcome into an out-of-town village |
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| Women's group at the hospital |
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| Community: the heart and soul of this culture |
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| Pre-fútbol game |
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| Marquette students out on the town |
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| A casual afternoon luncheon for the seniors |
8.
Beauty is found everywhere. These people are beautiful. The sights were beautiful. The hospitality was beautiful. The community was beautiful. The spiritual growth was beautiful. Everything...so beautiful.
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| The cutest little lady at the nursing home with me |
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| Embracing the differences |
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| A patient at the nursing home showing Stef and me the love he had for his passed wife |
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| It's fun to know we're all watching the same sun set regardless of where we are |
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| The most beautiful niñas ever |
I know there are a million more things I could say here, but I wanted to have a sort of closure with the blog. I reached out to my follow classmates and asked them quick thoughts about our trip. Of course those don't really exist (quick thoughts), but here's a synopsis of the comments:
"We would weather the cold showers, sweltering heat, chicken and rice, irregular sewage system, stressful assignments, GI disorders, and pesky mosquitoes so we could go back tomorrow to see our friends."
It's been such a delight of mine to transcribe our journey here for all of you to vicariously live, and for us to revisit later on as well. What a journey we went on, one that at times felt like it would never end but at the same time would keep getting faster. We are blessed, we are thankful, and we are passionate. Thank you, dear readers, for following along with us this summer. We loved your feedback and truly enjoyed sharing slices of our life with you!!!!!!! We appreciate your continued support and prayers throughout travels and
one last semester of nursing school! Wooooo, bring it on!!
Sending love and giants hugs,
Alex & the gang
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| Before the journey began...our first day in Lima |
