The End

My arrival in the U.S. has precipitated a slow and surprising descent into modern affluence. Running water (hot or cold?), Light at the flip of a switch, the amazing roadway system, no cracked windshields; my surprise on arrival may only be understood with a perspective of where I came from.

This blog's primary function has been to chronicle in some way the events of the past 9 months. The snapshots of my life which it contains are often blurred, and never sufficient. Peru has many internet cafe's, but the minimal price hardly makes up for the sluggish connection which plauged us the majority of the time. I have spent many hours throughout Peru trying to communicate with the "Outside" world, trying to understand what was happening in a far-off home, trying to recount what was happening in my own world. I will never regret the effort.

This is an ending. My year, to my own surprise, has come to an end. Experiences precipitate changes; as long as I can remember the experiences, I know the changes will remain with me.

And so, without further ado.....

the end.

Lessons from Peru

This year's passage has come suddenly, I have been here an eternity, I have been here but a moment. Lessons learned usually come hard, and never without a repetition or struggle. When I return to the United States, the passage of time might all too easily erase that struggle and it's accompanying lessons. I will enumerate a few lessons, and then try to explain why I find them so important, and so difficult.

1. Live Simply. I realize Prioritization is easier here. Nevertheless, I idealize, maintaining the superior lifestyle of good sleep, food, companionship, and daily cold showers.

2. Communicate Directly. Vague communication precipitates vague conclusions, leaving both parties feeling vaguely resentful, forever to roil in endless vaguery. Unfortunatly, hinting and speaking indirectly are often mistaken for courtesy, resulting in nothing but prolonged misunderstanding.

3. Embrace your own Weakness. God has an impeccable track record when his power united to people who realized they were absolute wimps.

Why is this so difficult?

1. Life, especially in the U.S., is busy. In fact, you probably think everything you do that makes you so busy is quite important. In many cases, I just like being busy. But, "business" can be like static on the radio. If you are too busy, you might not get a clear reception from God.

2. I don't like to hurt people. I want to please everyone. In fact, laying your thoughts out on the table can be painful. However, I beleive that ultimately, clear communication is absolutely necessary to maintain healthy relationships.

3. Weakness and insufficiency are never espoused as being ideal character traits. It stings to be told you are a wimp, but why? Pride? Absolutely. Like Gideon, we have to own up to being "the least". Until we let go of our own self-sufficiency, we can't excell for God.