We spent the last 48 hours
saying our goodbyes here in Chao, Peru, which I am realizing is quite the
process here in South America including an abundance of:
Hugs, Handshakes & Kisses – It
is custom to kiss and shake hands with every person upon greeting and
saying goodbye at every meeting
Photos – So
many photos my mouth hurts from smiling
Food – We
are always served the best, which also means HUGE food-coma portions,
especially for goodbye celebrations. Families
were fighting over who would serve us breakfast on our last day so we ended up eating
breakfast twice!!
our goodbye celebration I received a Peru t-shirt, a hand made purse with a
snake skin handle, AVON lipstick, a framed bible verse in Spanish, crackers and
jelly, a Jesus pin, key-chain and bracelet, three sets of handmade bracelets
with matching earrings, a necklace from Macchu Picchu, 2 scarves, 2 knit hats,
and my favorite, a pair of white peep-toe sling back leather PUMA sandals (see
photos).
My backpack and my stomach are
jam-packed and have no more room. I physically can’t take in anymore without
experiencing pain but I learned my heart could never be too full. The love of this community is inspiring and
has my heart overflowing with JOY. Having
very little, this community is excited to give the shirt off their backs (or
earrings right out of their ears). And
while my practical side is questioning what will I do with white peep toe sling
back leather PUMA sandals when I am heading to Bolivia and then Eastern Europe
in the dead of winter, my emotional side is giddy and grateful for the generous
gesture from 16 year-old Carmen. With a crammed
backpack I’m sad to say the sandals might not continue with me on this journey
but the memories I shared with Carmen and all the other wonderful people in
Chao will be with me forever. Jesus said
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” but I’ve been given so much on
this journey and feel more blessed than ever!!
