Coming Home

As many of you know we were very fortunate to get to spend the month of February back in the States.  It was a wonderful time.  We were able to see family and friends in a number of different states and got a lot done (like our clothes and misc shopping for the year!).  The time just flew by.  Each place we stopped I felt desperate to have just a few more days before moving on to the next...to get to capture a few more quality time moments with those we love.  With 4 kids, limited connectivity, borrowed vehicles and cell phone...there are some people and things we weren't able to connect with or get done.  I would often have to remind myself how thankful and blessed we were with the time we did have and that it would just have to be enough for this trip.  I can't say Thanks enough to those of you who shared your homes, time, and resources to make this trip an enjoyable one.  I also have resolved to try to get better about staying in better touch...and I'll be doing by best to try to do so this coming year.

While we were in the Sates I was struck by how much time had passed since we were there.  How much felt the same and yet how much we (and others) were changing.  Some of the change I found had occurred in me over the last year led to a few funny moments I thought I would share.

Wiper Confusion

It's amazing how quickly we form habits and routine that become second nature.  Things that are awkward at first but eventually (with time and repetition) we just do without thinking.  There were two rather peculiar new habits that kept tripping me up upon our return to the States.

The first was while driving, and for that you'll need a little Peruvian back story.  Mom and Dad Tovar have graciously shared their vehicles with us in Peru for the last year.  Both vehicles are 'timon cambiado' meaning they were originally manufactured for left lane (right seat) driving, but after being imported to Peru the steering wheel, break and gas pedals were moved over to the left side we are used to.  The essential components have been placed 'correctly' in the car, but there are a few more subtle things that are still backwards and you wouldn't notice them till you start driving.   For instance...the driver's window buttons are where you would expect in the driver's side door...however the order of the buttons are reversed (L to R).  Meaning whenever you go to roll down your window, you end up rolling down the passenger window instead...until you get used to the it.  Another goofy thing is that the windshield wipers are swapped with the turning signal, on the opposite sides of your steering wheel than what you might expect.  For months after moving and learning to drive in Peru...the result was a terribly confusing scenario:

The traffic is thick, there are 3 or even 4 lanes being made on a street where only 2 are actually marked.  Combis and tikos (Mini buses and taxis) are all around and either stopping mid lane and without warning to pick up a passenger...or cutting left around everyone so they can immediately make a right hand turn (across all 4 'lanes' of straight traffic!).  All I want to do is get over one lane so that I can make a left hand turn from what is currently the left most lane in the intersection half a a block ahead (how American of me, I know). I am hoping I can accomplish this in time and unscathed.  It is clear that the surrounding vehicles who have now crept to with in an inch or less (literally) of my side mirrors, proceeding to aggressively squeeze their way thru do not share my concern or hesitancy.  But I'm driving in Peru now and here comes a small opening so I work up the courage and decide to go for it...Left turn signal, except WHOOPS those are my wipers!...and now I can't figure out how to get them off. Ugh, never-mind my turning signal, Peruvians don't respond to those anyway (they seem to be more of an indicator for the car behind you to hurry up and close whatever gap of space was available begin with).  Quick Roll down my window, if I can just stick my hand out in time (the Peruvian signal for 'I'm coming over like it or not so let me in')...except darn-it, I rolled down the passenger window instead.  Roll down passenger window (finally my drivers window starts to come down) about half way...RRR...before I can get my hand out the opening is gone and 2 more cars are squeezing by. I'm still in my lane and my intersection is approaching.  Finally there it is again...1/4 car opening, window is down, hand goes out, car let's me in (AMAZING!) just in time, start left turn across first 'open' lane of oncoming traffic..spot a moment of clear path through the next 3 lanes,zip my way through and...made it!  Whew, miraculously I have completed my left turn unharmed (and without holding up too much angry traffic)! Turn off wipers (those were stressing me out). 

 LOL, my heart starts racing a bit just recounting the story with you.  Believe it or not eventually this scenario became second nature...I learned what to do when and could do most of it with a car full of kids and music without a second though (on a good day anyhow :-).  Trouble is, just when I get comfortable...just when I think I've got it figured out...things change again.  We were finally able to get a car of our own...which arrived in Arequipa just 3 days before we headed off the the States!  Such a blessing and we are loving it...but it is not a 'timon cambiado'...just a regular car made for right lane (left seat) driving.  Which means I start the process of relearning the correct order of signals and buttons as I navigate crazy traffic once again.  What's more, I'm pretty sure I looked like a crazy person (and made our friends in the States question why they let us borrow their car) when I repeated wiped the perfectly clean windshield every time I wanted to turn or change lanes. Thanks for bearing with and trusting me anyway :-).

The second wiper confusion I was faced with is the Toilet Paper Conundrum.  I'll apologize up front if this is just TMI for some of you but I couldn't help but laugh and learn about this one so I had to share.  I think the contrast is probably best described by these two signs:

posted in a Target bathroom in TX

posted at my language school in Peru

The first is a sign posted in the bathroom of my language school here in Arequipa.  Note that it's written in English so yes, it's meant for all us gringos out there.  You don't flush toilet paper in Peru. For years I visited Peru and was kindly reminded not to flush my paper.  But my North American mind was convinced that they couldn't possibly be referring to ALL my used toilet paper...maybe just the less 'dirty' pieces.  Nope, turns out they did in fact mean it.  There is a waste can near the pot and everyone (here) knows that's where your used toilet paper goes..all of it.  While working on an engineering infrastructure project a few years ago I came across an article written by some ex-patriots living Mexico....it really helped me understand that it's not actually Rude to use the waste can but in fact the opposite could be true (You can read the article HERE if this TP conundrum has ever bothered you as well).  Anyhow, when we moved here I'd been all straightened out this cultural norm...BUT it required a very forced conscious effort to get over my personal reservations and eventually form the habit.  I don't know if I'm proud (or embarrassed) to announce that I have been officially Peru toilet trained.  I suppose I didn't realize how much so until I returned to the states.  Don't worry, I didn't actually put dirty paper into any of your waste baskets...but I was surprised by just how often I had to consciously stop myself from doing so.  For a good two weeks after returning the the U.S. I found myself frustrated with the choice or placement of U.S. bathroom trash cans and then 'Finally a can with a lid and foot pedal...but why the heck did they put it way over there!'...only to stop. and remind myself...they put it over there because it's not for your toilet paper! I literately cracked up (and took a picture, shown right above) of the sign I found posted in a Target bathroom in New Braunfels TX...because I actually needed the reminder at that moment.  Seems ridiculous (and probably a little gross to many of you) but it was one small way I was constantly reminded of the little ways I had begun to assimilate and function in this new land and culture over the last year.

A Familiar View 

We absolutely loved the time we were able to have with friends and family back in the states.  It all went too quick and as it came to an end I found it very hard to say good byes.  At the same time, there was something very exciting about returning home...to Peru.  It felt and little backwards actually...to be preparing to head to South America to 'finally sleep in my own bed again' rather than for another short visit.  But I honestly reveled in the fact that it really felt like we were returning home....that Peru is home now.  I say 'home' not because it is just a place I reside and lay my head at night...but because of the love, the people, and even the sense of presence and purpose we have.  We are all truly blessed to have 'homes' to return to in the hearts (and houses) of those we love in the States (like TX, MI, GA, FL, WY, IL...).  But God has made (and continues to make) a home for us here in Peru now and I genuinely rejoiced in that thought!  There was something refreshing about coming back to a familiar view...about looking out the windows of my in-laws house, our house, and it not being some exotic or foreign unknown...those are streets I know now, places I've been or will go, containing people I know...or may get to know.  There's a community the Lord is building here...hearts and lives He is changing and shaping us for...and those He will enable us to help change and shape.  I'm excited about what the year(s) ahead will hold.  I'm excited about living out Life and the Love of Christ with those around me.  I'm excited to be able to call Peru home.  

View from our house in Arequipa

Hebrews 13:14-21

For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come. With Jesus' help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of his name. Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God...I especially need your prayers right now so that I can come back to you soon. And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.