Being back in Peru comes with an onslaught of memories, emotions, hopes, and dreams. . . .  Upon arrival my father-in-law said "Welcome Home," and in a very real sense that's exactly what it was, a homecoming.  This morning when Cohen and I went to the tienda to get some bacon for breakfast the owner asked where I'd been, how I was, and shared with me that her daughter had moved to Colorado recently.  I expect this to be the first of many more similar experiences. 

 

It's nice to know that I left something behind, that I am remembered.  Too often success is determined according to how much we earn, how high on the corporate ladder we climb, or the length and magnificence of our title.  Well, I haven't earned much, I'm still relatively low on the ladder, and I don't have a title, but people know who I am, people remember me just as I remember them, and for that I am grateful, for that I feel as though I have succeeded. 

 

This trip to Peru is bittersweet- returning home, seeing my family all the while knowing I will leave again in just a few days.  If being apart from my family for 2 ½ months has been difficult leaving them again will be close to impossible.  Though I only arrived yesterday after 36 hours of travel I almost feel guilty for sleeping, needing to get in as much time with everyone and everything as I can.  Still, it won't be enough. .

 

On the street last night Kayla and I saw a friend, proof of just how small this city of 1 million really is.  Earlier in a market I’ve shopped in only a handful of times during my time here I was recognized by a store owner, much to the surprise of Kayla.  When I noticed the view of the cathedral against the sunset yesterday I was compelled to photograph and video it despite the familiarity of the scene, one I have been witness to many times.

 

My life in California, away from my family and in the real world, has seemed like a dream, like make-believe.  Many days I feel as though I shouldn’t be making any memories, even while visiting Fisherman’s Wharf or attending a San Jose Sharks hockey game, not because I am alone but because alone I am incomplete, because alone it isn’t genuine. 

 

Time working is no different, and without my family to share it with it doesn’t seem real.  As Kayla and I walked the streets of downtown Arequipa last night it was as though I had awoken from a dream, the familiarity of my surroundings awakening my inner self allowing me to realize what had been taking place the last few months of my life.  Also more apparent was that which is taking placing every day and more of what the future holds. 

 

A visitor in my own home, welcome, familiar, and loved, but a visitor none the less.  My familiarity, my place with my family, has been overshadowed by new routines, different schedules, and the knowledge that I am only here for a few days.  I can’t guess when my we will be reunited, and on that I’d rather not place a wager. 

 

Kayla is optimistic, believing we will be apart only a month or two more. . .I wish I were so optimistic and yet her belief gives me strength to continue in this journey.  It is our differences that keep us alive and our likenesses that keep us together- strange how that works. 

 

The presiding judge in our adoption case said I need be in Arequipa only one day.  As we were dealing with the Peruvian legal system I never believed it would be so easy and, sure enough, Kayla and I had appointments each day the following week meaning most of our time was occupied with legalities and formalities.  None the less we were together though still short my two boys.  The dual-country/triple-state living condition isn’t as easy as we led ourselves to believe. 

 

This trip was a blessing filled with its share of curses.  The joy with which my heart was filled being able to visit my family and friends will remain unsurpassed, perhaps forever. 

 

As more and more people got wind of my return to Peru requests started coming in for a little face time- as if I were the Godfather and my daughter was getting married. . . .Rather than accommodate each individual request I decided to invite several people to the house for dinner Tuesday night. 

 

It sounded like a good idea until I counted the potential number of people that might find their way to my abode- upwards of 30.  It turned out to be more like 25 and went very well.  I grilled and baked the meat, and also made the choklo (Peruvian corn) while Sharon did more than her part by preparing the salads and potatoes.  I couldn’t have pulled it off without her!!

 

On the flip side the starter on our van went out while I was here, my lawyer wanted money every time I saw him (what lawyer doesn’t, but still. . .), and my day of return (which has only just begun) really capped it off.

 

Around 4:45 this morning I began hunting the streets for a taxi to take me to the airport.  I found one a few blocks away and he took me back to the house to get my suitcases.  After we loaded everything up and were ready to set off the taxi wouldn’t start. 

 

It was at then I asked God if I should just go back inside, get back into bed and forget the whole thing.  After all, I was leaving my family again, in the dark, still asleep, saying goodbye only in their dreams. 

 

Once the driver decided his taxi wasn’t going to start he jumped out and began to push, and I followed suit, realizing he intended to roll-start what barely qualifies as a car- they’re more like a Matchbox on steroids- and again we were under way.

 

I arrived at the airport in plenty of time, checked-in and headed to the line to pay my airport tax.  Before I could get in line the woman who checked me in found me and asked me to return to the counter.  It seemed her supervisor had noticed the size of my carry-on and decided it was too big, too heavy, too whatever.

 

I explained that it couldn’t be checked as it contained my laptop, cameras, and other fragile possessions.  We then weighed it and sure enough it was double the allowable weight.  I then explained to the supervisor I had a connecting international flight in the afternoon and thus I was afforded greater allowances.  She agreed that on the int’l flight this wouldn’t be an issue but that on the domestic portion it was.

 

I asked her several times how anyone flying internationally but taking a domestic flight en-route would be able to take their things.  After asking her to explain this to me three times she said she didn’t understand the question. . . .I decided I would do my best to accommodate her. 

 

I took my laptop out, which was in separate bag, along with my cameras, a bottle of water and a leather notebook/portfolio.  I returned to the desk, weighed my bag again and suddenly it was okay, being only .8 kilos overweight.  I thought they were going to check it anyway, which is why I took out my valuables, but instead they let me carry everything on and even provided me with a plastic airline bag to put my loose items in.  What this ended up meaning was that I had three bags to carry on instead of one.  Viva Peru!!

 

Now sitting at Starbucks in Lima my day continues to drag on.  I find so much joy in my life, in being in Peru, in heading home to San Francisco (did I just call San Francisco home?), and yet I struggle.  Am I doing what is right, what I should be? 

 

I believe so.  I believe I am.  I also believe that these struggles are God’s way of saying “Look how much you can handle!!  What have you got to be afraid of?”  And that makes sense.  After all, Kayla and I have been scared at different times during our lives, together and apart, but suddenly it seems we have become capable. 

 

Sure, there’s still a long way to go, but then, why stop.  Life is about moving forward, moving on, making the best of everything and not accepting things as they are.  For every trial we face, for every down time Kayla and I go through, for every challenge that presents itself or that we invite we need two hands to count the blessings God has given us. 

 

That’s what life is all about.  Being blessed and knowing it; doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do; living and growing through the hard times. 

 

I’m home, or back in San Francisco, (whichever it is) and preparing myself to head back to the real world, or the dream world.  When I figure it out I’ll let you know. 

 

It’s as hard as it’s supposed to be- being away from your family.  If being apart from them didn’t make you want to collapse from the pain then there would be something wrong.

 

I walked around Best Buy today for no reason looking at things I didn’t want, reading specs on products made by manufacturers I don’t believe in just to avoid thinking about being separate from my family.  Some days are like that.  But then, what can you do? 

 

I bought a fish tank, just a little desktop adornment.  Not exactly a replacement, just a little something to occupy me.  The love I have for my wife and family cannot be replaced, cannot be exchanged, cannot be anything but what it is- true love. 

 

 

 

Well, the time has come.  I’ve been back in the states for a week now, spending time with my parents and boys, getting acclimated to the good ‘ol US of A once more.  It’s a wild thing to hear so much spoken English . . . tomorrow I head to California- talk about culture shock!!  California is the one place us Texas boys aren’t supposed to go, but I think I’ll do alright after my time in Peru. 

For those of you who haven’t heard the whole story I got a job in California with Red Robin Gourmet Burgers.  I start work Tuesday in San Bruno, CA, about 15 miles south of San Francisco.  I’ll be there for 8 weeks then will transfer to another location in the San Jose area. 

It’s an exciting transition, scary and full of potential.  As with any change, this one will bring opportunities for successes and failures, positives and negatives, the chance to influence and the chance to be influenced.  Please pray for me as I head into this adventure without the physical support of my family.  My boys will be staying with my parents for the time being and Kayla, Meghan, and Cohen are still in Peru awaiting the finalization of Cohen’s adoption and then the process of securing a visa for Cohen.  As such, I’ll be tackling the move with only God by my side (which is sufficient, though I miss my family something awful!!).    

There are many ways to look at this change we are undergoing.  Some have expressed concern over the splitting of my family, temporary though it may be.  Others have shared their support as they empathize with just how difficult, yet how necessary, all this is.  I appreciate both sides, opinions, and any input and insight any of you may have.

The truth is, Peru and I had a falling out of sorts- no, it would be more accurate to say we reached an understanding.  It was time for me to go, to move on, to take all I’ve learned and experienced over the last few years and do something with it. 

The bottom line is that we (my family) simply couldn’t survive financially any longer.  The adoption of Cohen has cost us more than we expected, and in the meantime bills are piling up.  I love Peru, and hope to continue supporting much of the work I have been involved in.  During this first week back in the U.S. I have missed a great deal about her.  Upon visiting Wal-Mart after arriving in Colorado (something we often claimed we missed in Peru) I realized just how much I enjoyed the lifestyle I have grown accustomed to.  I thought my visit to Taco-Bell would be like a little taste of Heaven- it barely qualified as a trip to Purgatory or the lowest of the 3 Mormon heavens.  I mean to say I love Peru, I miss Peru, and I hope someday to return to Peru. 

In the meantime please continue to pray for us, especially Kayla as she continues her work in Arequipa and will do so for at least several more months.  At present she is continuing in her position as the head of the English dept. as well as continuing to work with our local churches and several young people.  She will continue to need your support until God allows her to join me in the states, so please, keep her in mind and prayer. 

I hope to hear from many of you in the days and weeks ahead, and I will do my best to keep you all informed as to where the Lord is taking us.  Incidentally, I was informed yesterday that the restaurant in which I’ll be training is home to two Peruvian employees, both team-leaders, and one Guatemalan, also a team-leader.  I had been praying that God would take me to a place where I could use my acquired Spanish skills and Latino knowledge- talk about an answer to prayer!! 

On that note I have already found a church I think I will truly enjoy upon reaching California, and it’s only a few blocks from where I’ll be staying for the next 2 months, so thank the Lord for His many blessings and for the doors He is opening. 

I hope many of you will be in touch, and I will do the same. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kayla and I appeared before the judge again this morning regarding our adoption process of Cohen.  Our lawyer is attempting to speed up the process rather than waiting for another year+ to complete the abandoment/adoption procedure.  After all, as our lawyer says, "You've had him long enough; it should be obvious he is a part of your family!"  The continuing hindrance we are facing is that Jose (Cohen's "father") will not appear before the judge and provide his testimony to assure the judge he is asking us to adopt his son.  The judge, while on our side, is still very weary of finalizing the abandoment/adoption of Cohen because the practice of trading children on the black market continues to be an issue in Peru.  As testament to this concern the judge has asked us to handprint and footprint Cohen and then provide these same prints from his birth in order to ensure (on paper) the child we have is the same we have been attempting to adopt since last year.  Yes, it sounds silly, but the judge has to be sure (which, while a semi-frustrating inconvenience, is reassuring as we know the judge is attempting to follow the letter of the law and leave no opportunity for anyone to question the validity of our adoption) and thus this is the phase we are in. 

 

Jose's appearance is not required but if we can get him to provide testimony stating he wants us to adopt Cohen the process may move much faster.  If not, we may have to wait until August of next year to have the adoption finalized.  The judge in our case wants to move forward but at the same time is very concerned about appearances.  Corruption runs so rampant in Peru that I have to appreciate her (the judge's) sentiments and the lengths to which she is going to ensure the validity of our case.  Drawn out it is, but clear it will be once finished. 

 

In other news, we continue our ministry in Chivay/Ichupampa.  I've decided we should focus on Ichupampa and the asilo (old folks home) for the time being, and have also decided we need to seriously explore the possibility of living in Chivay full time (3 weeks a month) in order to establish our presence there.  I leave the details up to God, but at this moment I'm confident we will be living there sometime next year.  I may be wrong, of course, but I think that is where we are meant to be. 

 

If you are among one of the many who often wonders what a 1-year old Peruvian boy looks like (secretly or otherwise)  you’re curiosities are about to be quelled!!  Last week, on Monday, July 16^th, we celebrated Cohen’s 1^st birthday!!  There was a time we feared this day would not come, and another time during which we were uncertain as to just where we would be, where Cohen would be, when this day arrived.  As part of God’s plan and will Cohen was right where he was meant to be- with us!! 

 

            The day arrived without much fanfare, and as Monday just happened to be the 4^th day of a labor/transportation strike, we were able to rise slowly and simploy enjoy our day.  As each of our kids awoke they promptly wished the Tootsie Roll a Happy Birthday.  With no big plans for the day, we relaxed and reveled in our own amazement. 

 

            Sometime around noon a large rock crashed into our tranquil pond.  Jose (Cohen’s birth father) called and asked if he and his two kids could come see Cohen for his birthday.  While we have always kept an open door to them they have never before shown any interest in passing through.  Thus, on this day, and caught off guard, Kayla was taken aback by the request and responded accordingly.  “No.  Not today.”  Not a minute later Kayla picked up the phone, called Jose back, and invited them to come by the house that afternoon. 

 

            About two hours later Jose, Danielle, and Marisol arrived bearing gifts and birthday wishes.  While the visit was awkward I can’t say it was uncomfortable.  We don’t have a lot to talk about with Jose, having little in common aside from our son.  We see him on occasion, but not often, and as I’ve shared in past writings his intentions have often been questionable.  Still, at the end of the visit we were and are glad it took place.  We recognize the inherent value of such times and the validation and realization that come along with them.

 

            The Saturday following Cohen’s birthday several women from both churches and the school, along with a few of our Young Life troupe, threw a baby shower for Kayla.  Yes, this shower took place just after our baby’s 1^st birthday, but since the future was unsure for so long after he was introduced to our home the ladies decided to bring a sense of permanence to the idea. 

           

            Not planning on attending, I was coerced to stay when the father of one of our Young Life members chose to stay while his daughter enjoyed the festivities.  I was glad to share his company as he recently discovered my interest in the Jewish faith and he happens to be a Messianic Jew (raised Catholic).  Our masculinity was further protected by our leader and two volunteers of Young Life.  The women played several games my mom introduced to them and they had a great time.  Everyone talked of how original the party and games were, and this talk continued into the school week yesterday.  Having my mom not only be at the party, but play such an integral role, made it that much more special. 

 

            Last Thursday we received another surprise- a visit from Social Services (yes, they exist in Peru, too!!).  We weren’t home at the time, and so they left us a note along with a phone number and instructions to be at their office the following Tuesday morning (yesterday) at 8 a.m.  While we have been expecting visits from Soc. Serv. we had also expected some warning.  Even so, we were glad to see the Peruvian justice system was moving along without our prodding. 

 

            We arrived yesterday morning at Social Services just a few minutes after 8.  Once we found the appropriate office we jumped right in to an informal interview.  While we had hoped that today might bring us a great deal closer to being a ble to officially adopt Cohen it turned out to be but a simple Q&A session.  The Social Worker did indicate that, at this time, we would not be able to adopt Cohen for another year, which means we’ll be in Peru for at least a year and a half, if not more.  It seems God still has more for us to do down here. . .

 

            It’s been quite a week. . .then again, it’s been quite a year.  Thanks to all of you who have and continue to pray for and support us in all we are doing.  I am always able to find great strength in you when I need it most.  We’ve witnessed more than our share of miracles during our relatively short time here, and we know many more are to come.