4 days.
Wow, the summer went fast! I just got here and now I'm going to leave again in 4 days.
When I came to the States, I wasn't sure what to expect. Would I feel like I was dropped off on an alien planet? Would it all feel familiar? Would I go into shock when stepping into Wal-Mart? Would you remember me or would I be a face from the past, covered up on your refrigerator door by grocery lists and school permission forms?
I got off the plane and found home. I found you with your arms wide open. I found God. He still provides. He's still the same. I found memories from my past. I found food that I didn't know I loved so much till I didn't have it for 3 years. :) I found people I've loved for years. I found new faces that I've loved building relationships with. I have received from you. I've tried to give back a little portion of that. Yes, I wanted to escape from Wal-Mart and the grocery store at times. But I found a whole lot more that made me want to stay than that made me want to turn tail and run.
I'm able to be a bit more honest than I used to be, I think. And I found that you are more honest as well. And you know what? Down under all the labels we wear - missionary, stay-at-home mom, working young adult, grandparent - we all look a lot the same. I've heard my story and my struggles echoing off your lips and out of your heart. The sin nature I've been struggling with is the same one you've struggled with as well. The things God's been trying to teach me are some of the same things you've been trying to learn as well.
My worlds feel like two totally different places. Yet, they intersect each other. I've been keeping up with what's going on in Peru while I've been here. I keep up more or less with what's going on here while I'm there.
4 days.
4 days and I will again be in my other world. I will again sleep in my bed under 3 blankets and wear 4 layers of clothing on a regular basis. I'll go back to shoes all the time. I'll be back to eating potatoes and speaking Quechua. I will once again hug familiar arms I haven't seen for 3 months. I'll hear stories and share stories. I'm excited.
I brought Peru in my heart with me. I still carry it. I took the US in my heart to Peru. I still carry that too. I carry Peru and I carry PA in my heart at the same time - the people, the food, the places. I call myself Peruvican sometimes. Too American to be Peruvian, but too Peruvian to be totally American.
I left home to head home in May. I found home here again. Now I'm leaving home to head home again. I'm refreshed. I've loved spending my summer with you. You have blessed my life tremendously in the last 3 months.
Thank you.
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